Friday, August 28, 2009

Spain Balearic Islands Travel Guide

By Isabella Olsen

The Balearic Islands is a Spanish archipelago famous for its beautiful beaches. Indeed, it is one of the best places to go swimming and scuba diving. These are not the only activities available on the islands, though. In fact, you should be able to find plenty of fun and interesting things to do while spending your holidays in the Balearic Islands.

The island of Majorca, also known as Mallorca, offers many activities since it is the largest of the Balearic Islands. While there, you can take a leisurely stroll through Mondrago Natural Park while admiring the stunning scenery or the abundant orchids. The park is most popular for its bird population, though. In fact, it has earned the status of being an 'Area of Special Protection for Birds', so don't forget to get your binoculars so you can try to catch a glimpse of some rare bird species.

Majorca also has a number of architectural wonders which you can visit during your holidays in the Balearic Islands, such as the Royal Monastery of Valldemossa, which started out as a 14th-century palace, and the well-preserved Capdepera Castle. There are several interesting museums to tour, as well, like the Marti Vicenc Museum and the Soller Marine Museum.

After getting your fill of Majorca, you can go to Minorca, the island right beside it. Here, you can watch various horse races, which is a popular local pastime. You can also watch horse shows at Club Escola Menorquina and Ganaderia Son Martorellet, where the purebred black Menorcan horses perform in their own unique style of dressage.

You can also enjoy a lesson in prehistory and archaeology in Minorca by visiting the settlements of Talati de Dalt, Torre Llafuda and Trepuco. These prehistoric settlements date back to the Talayotic period, from 800 to 400 BC, and are noted worldwide for their megalithic structures.

The island of Formentera, the smallest and southernmost of the Balearic Islands, also has its own archaeological treasures. In fact, the most remarkable megalithic tomb in the archipelago can be found on this island - Ca na Costa. You can also ride a bicycle from Sant Ferran to the lighthouse at Sa Mola while enjoying breathtaking views on your holidays in the Balearic Islands.

Last but not the least, you can go clubbing in Ibiza, an island known throughout the world for its nightlife, as well as for being one of the places rumored to be the birthplace of Christopher Columbus. The most famous club on the island is Privilege, while other notable ones include Eden, Es Paradis, Amnesia and Space. If you're not a party-goer, there are many concerts and theatrical productions you can catch in Ibiza, too.

The cuisine of the Balearic Islands is world-renowned, too, so make sure you eat well during your holidays in the Balearic Islands. Try to schedule your visit during a festival, as well, so you can participate in the lively atmosphere and the rich culture. This way, you will surely end up with a more enriching experience and a more memorable vacation.

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