Madame Lacoste

Right before our trip to Menorca, a friend used a french phrase I hadn't heard before. Of course once she said it I knew exactly what it meant, couper le souffle, which literally means cut one's breath or take one's breath away.

This was the perfect phrase to add to my vocabulary to describe our time spent in Menorca. The natural, untouched beauty of the island was breathtaking. In addition to its stunning beaches and landscapes, the people are friendly, the air smells amazing, the architecture is gorgeous, the food is fresh and delicious, and animals are roaming everywhere. At the end of our first day Pilou had started looking at real estate, we were ready to move in. I will let the pictures do the talking. Here is how we spent our first two days.

Day 1: We flew in from Barcelona, a quick 35 minute flight. We arrived in the late afternoon and just had time to explore a few beaches and towns before sunset sangria and dinner.

Cala d'Alcafar

Binibèquer Vell

Cala en Porter: Cova d'en xoroi

Es Grau: Can Bernat

Lost in translation, we accidentally ordered sea anemone. This is a local specialty, not my favorite.

Day 2: Today we set out to explore the southern beaches, starting with a walk from Platja de Sant Tomás to Platges de Binigaus, passing through Platja de Sant Adeodat. Our next stop was Cala Mitjana, where we had a picnic on the beach and went for our first swim. (It was cold!) After lunch we headed to Cala Macarella and Cala Macarellaeta. This is where all of the pictures you have seen of Menorca are taken. The water is so clear it gives the impression that the boats are floating in the air. Our last beach was Cala en Turqueta, and by the time we got there the sun was setting and everyone had left for the day. What a feeling to have this magical place all to ourselves. We ended the night in the port town of Ciutadella, with drinks in the main Plaza des Born and dinner at the waterfront restaurant, S'Amarador.