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Get out your thesaurus and look up "Holiday heaven", and a "Son Bou
villa" will be first on the list. Well ok, that may not be strictly
true - but it should be! This small but lively resort on the Spanish
island of Menorca is the quintessential holiday maker's paradise.
Even though Menorca is one of the lesser visited Balearic islands, Son
Bou is a hive of activity in the high season. It might be the crystal
clear waters, it might be the temperate climate, or it just might be
the fact that Son Bou can lay claim to the longest (and widest) beach
on the island. Its fine white sands stretch for nearly three miles, and
unlike some of Menorca's other beaches, it is also unusually wide.
The beach area in front of the commercial centre of town is the centre
of the action. Every kind of activity you could want on your Son Bou
holiday is on offer; pedalos, inflatable rides, canoes, water-skiing
and jet-skiing for the energetic; and sun loungers and beach umbrellas
those just wanting to laze away the day and top up their tan! The beach
itself is gently shelved and gives way to the crystal clear waters of
the shallows, which form an ideal natural paddling pool for young
children. Out further, the currents can get strong, and although the
beach is mostly patrolled by a life guard, it is always wise to heed
the flag warning system in place.
Son Bou is an ideal family destination. Many of the hotels cater
specifically for families, and the San Jaime complex houses a maze,
tennis courts, children's playgrounds and a fantastic water chute which
will entertain children (and parents!)of all ages. There is also a
great little 'fun train' running from the resort right down along the
beach and back again. Perfect for a bit of family fun or just to take
you back to your Son Bou villa, to save your legs after a long day
spent relaxing on the beach!
There are three bars right on the beach so whether you fancy a cold
beer, a pre dinner aperitif or a full on specialty cocktail, they are
only ever a few steps away! The Hawaiian inspired Bau Hai bar, even
serves up its own 'virgin' cocktail concoctions for the kids. In the
commercial centre of town there is a huge array of restaurants and
eateries to suit any taste and budget. The fresh local seafood is a
must, served up in any number of traditional ways; try a rich lobster
dish called Caldreta; Chiprones, which is made with battered octopus;
and not to be missed, the mainstay of Spanish cuisine, the ever popular
Paella. For fussy eaters looking for something a little more familiar,
there is Chinese, Indian and even some English themed restaurants.
There are plenty of local walks around the area close to the Son Bou
villas, and if you like a little culture with your cocktails, you can
take a gentle hike along the cliffs towards the western end of the
beach. There is a fort that can be dated back to the Iron Age, and you
will stumble upon some huge megaliths reminiscent of Stonehenge, whose
origins (despite many theories) remain a mystery. A gentle warning
though - the less populated western end of the beach is favoured by
naturists, so be prepared to be liberal when you wander up that way!
Son bou's location half way along the south coast makes it the perfect
spot from which to explore a little farther afield. If you're feeling
adventurous you can take a bus in either direction, and within half an
hour you can be in the island's walled capital Mahon, or its
predecessor Ciutadella - an ancient city steeped in history.
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