Over the years, Balearic Island holidays have remained popular. These beautiful islands off the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula have a lot to offer. They are beautiful, the weather is great and the welcome you get is fantastic.
There are eight islands in the group altogether. The biggest are Majorca (aka Mallorca), Menorca (also known as Minorca), Ibiza and Formentera. These four large islands are the most popular holiday destinations. Cabera, Conillera, Dragonera and Es Vedra are the smaller and lesser-known islands in the group.
Holidaying in Majorca
Of all the islands Majorca is probably the one most people have visited. The island became a tourist destination in the 1950s. Around that time many artists and academics visited the island and decided to move there, which in turn brought more visitors to the island. By the 1970s, more than 3,000,000 people were visiting the island. The number of visitors continued to grow over the next 40 years and in 2010, 6,000,000 visitors stayed on the island.
Today, the entire islands economy is largely based on tourism. This fact means that there is plenty of extremely good quality and regularly refurbished tourist amenities available. Despite the level of visitors, the beaches are relatively un-crowded and spotlessly clean. As you can imagine the island has a lot of mouths to feed. Therefore, there are over 2,400 restaurants, most of which sell great local food.
Holidaying on Menorca
Menorca offers a similar environment to Majorca. It also has fantastic beaches, pristine and modern accommodation, great food and warm and friendly locals.
The island is also renowned for its wonderful wildlife. It is known worldwide for its birdlife, which is supported by a diverse mix of plants and insects.
Visitors love the fiestas. They are traditional Spanish fiestas with a twist. For example, how many fiestas include the spectacular sight of a man carrying a fully-grown sheep through town across his shoulders?
Many tourists fall in love with the islands rich history. At varying points in their history, Menorca has been occupied by the Moors, the Vandals and the British. The island also has a rich Jewish history.
Visit the Jet2 Holidays website to get a fantastic choice of holidays to Majorca .
