If you’re eager to plan a trip to the Mediterranean, you may be inclined to go island hopping in Greece, explore the cliffside towns on the Amalfi Coast, or soak up the sun along the French Riviera. But if you’re looking to travel to something of a hidden gem, I would suggest you make your way to Menorca.
If you want to stamp your passport somewhere that’s as much of a wellness retreat as an arts haven, Menorca is the ultimate Mediterranean destination. The island has a far more tranquil reputation than its more famous siblings—Ibiza, known as a clubbing capital, and Mallorca, which equally balances city life with the outdoors. While there are nature reserves across the entire archipelago (including the smallest of the four islands, Formentera), Menorca is the only isle that’s entirely considered a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. That means the 30-mile-long island is home to protected wildlife, and much of it is rural and meant to be left untouched by development—so you're essentially staying in postcard-perfect paradise.
