Many of the remains found on the island date back to 2000 b.c. Prehistoric caves, navetas (burial chambers) and Taulas (mysterious t--shaped stone structures) date from the Bronze and Iron ages. There are also paleochristian basilicas well worth seeing..

Many of the sites are inaccessible by anything but foot, and are refreshingly uncommercialised... no fast food, pepsi machines, no huge car parks for coaches... And best of all they are free.

The prehistoric caves at cala Morell in the North of the island, are well worth a visit

Parking is virtually non existent, but there weren't many visitors so this didnot present a problem. You could always park near the tiny harbour and walk back to the site.

At the southern end of the island close to the airport are Calas Coves where there are close to 100 man made caves originally used as burial chambers. Access to this site is by a rocky path, really only accessible on foot, though some small cars made it down to the harbour, and more importantly, made it back!!!!. You will need then to clamber over some of the rocks to get to the caves themselves. Many of the relics found here are exhibited at the Museum de Menorca in Mahon, well worth a visit... and again free entry. Situated on two floors, each exhibit is described in Catalan, Castillian and English, and there is a short video on entering the first hall.

Mahon itself is built on the top of the rocks surrounding the harbour. There are lots of restaurants and a few speciality shops around the harbour area, but to get to the city proper you need to climb many steps, or take the weaving road around to the top. One of the places of interest in the harbour is the gin distillery, where the local gin,and many liqueurs are produced. All that you see of the stills is through a glass compartment, but you can try as many of the drinks on offer as you like.

They are reasonably priced too, and the gin is as good as British makes!!!

The main road on the island links Mahon to the second town Cuitadella(which used to be the capital until the British came along and changed things) on the western coast. There are a number of factory shops on this main road, and just outside Cuitadella you can find the factory shop of Lladro, the famous Spanish porcelain.

It is fascinating just to look around, and they claim prices are 30% lower than in the Uk, but I cannot verify this. There is a public transport service between the two major towns and other towns and resorts on the island, but it is not extensive and many of the roads are not tarmaced. The island itself is not very big although it is the second largest of the balearics islands There are no direct scheduled flights, but the charters fly direct in the summer. To get there on a scheduled carrier one must first go to Barcelona or Palma

Despite being an island prices in Minorca are reasonable when compared to the Uk. Fruit and vegetables are extremely good and cheap, and the local beer San Miguel is really good. there are numerous lovely beaches on the island and many tour operators offer holidays to this lovely island.

For more information, call Genie Travel on 0845 388 8805 or e mail sales@genietvl.co.uk.