Minorca, an island of 94,875 inhabitants, was declared a Biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1993, an honour accrediting the harmony in which the Minorcan people have coexisted with their natural habitat over time, the heart of which is the L’Albufera d’es Grau natural park.

*ITS BEACHES*

*THE CLIMATE* Minorca benefits from a mild Mediterranean climate free from extreme temperatures, with an average of 25ºC in summer and 12ºC in winter and a clear atmosphere. The sea temperature is pleasant throughout the entire year so you can swim even in mid-autumn. The days are bright and there are more than 70% sunny days in winter and 85% in summer. Spring and autumn are spectacular; the mild temperatures enable visitors to enjoy lazy days on the beach as the sea temperature is warm. It is also the perfect time of the year for enjoying activities such as cycling tourism, horse-riding and trekking.

*TOURS AND ACTIVITIES* MINORCA OFFERS A RANGE OF EXCURSIONS AND ACTIVITIES KAYAK AND SNORKELLING EXCURSIONS HORSE-RIDING EXCURSIONS WALKING EXCURSIONS CYCLING EXCURSIONS BOAT EXCURSIONSSCUBA DIVING

Minorca is the crib of the Talayotic culture, a culture which originated in Majorca and Minorca at the end of the second century AC. Its name comes from the talayots, watch towers that became the most popular type of construction during this period in history. Many people travel to Minorca to look at the prehistoric remains and there isn’t a school on the island which doesn’t include the Talayotic culture on its curriculum. Let us introduce you to the most famous remains. *PREHISTORIC MINORCA* *WHAT DO VISIT* CIUDADELAFORNELLSMONTE TOROLA MOLA COVA DEN XOROI MAHON CALAS FONS

* SCHOOLS * IN ALL OF THE VILLAGES YOU WILL FIND A VARIETY OF PUBLIC, PRIVATE AND STATE SUBSIDISED SCHOOLS, FROM PRESCHOOLS TO HIGH SCHOOLS. SCHOOL OF ART, TOURISM AND THE UNIVERSITY. THE UNIVERISITY OFFERS A WIDE CHOICE OF DEGREE PROGRAMS AND LANGUAGES. THE SCHOOL OFFERS FACE TO FACE CLASSES, DISTANCE LEARNING AND CONVERSATION CLASSES. *SHOPPING AND LOCAL PRODUCE FROM THE ISLAND*

*CUSTOMS* Minorca has its own breed of horses, the Minorcan horse. Their existence is long-standing and is an example of how a breed has been preserved over the centuries. To talk about Minorca is to talk about horses and the passion that the inhabitants of the island have for them. The festivities in Minorca are linked to horses, a legacy of its Moorish past. The so-called “Jaleos”, consist of people trying to lift up the horses (plus the rider) and keeping them upright doing caballitos (carousels). Both the riders and the horses are dressed for the occasion, their clothing is one of the most attractive parts of the festivities. The Cami de Cavalls (Way of Horses) is an ancient path which encircles Minorca, faithfully following the confines of the island over many kilometres. It is therefore not only a path that goes around the island, but is literally the island itself, the shape of its limitations and finiteness. It is steeped in legend. Its origins are uncertain and could date back to the cavalry, the system in charge of the island’s defence in the 14th Century approximately. *CAMI DE CAVALLS*

*TYPICAL ISLAND CUISINE* STUFFED POTATOES AND COURGETTESLOBSTER STEW RICE WITH LOBSTER STUFFED AUBERGINESOCTOPUS WITH ONIONSSTUFFED SQUID OLIAIGUA (traditional soup) OVEN BAKED FISH PEROL MENORQUIN (cuttlefish cooked in a large pan)

*MODES OF TRANSPORT AND CONNECTIONS* The island can be reached by air and sea from the other Balearic Islands as well as from the rest of Spain and the main European cities. During high season, there are various ways to reach the island by sea and by air.airsea Minorca’s airport is located five kilometres from Mahon. The main airline companies operate from Barcelona, Madrid, Valencia, Palma or London. The charter flights extend the selection of connections from Europe.airline companies charter flights By seaBy sea, connections to the mainland are from Mahon Port to Barcelona, Palma and Valencia and from Ciutadella to Alcudia and Cala Ratjada, two villages in the north of Majorca. To travel around the island of Minorca and explore its villages, the island has a regular bus service which connects the main urban areas of the island and, at the same time, provides access to the main beaches such as Punta Prima, Es Grau and Fornells. bus service If you prefer to travel around the island by car, Minorca has a road network built around a main route which crosses the island connecting Mahon with Ciutadella. From this central road, local roads split off connecting to the main points of the island.by car

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