Head off for a special getaway to celebrate Mother's Day with some of the most family-friendly sunshine destinations just a short flight away. Now most travel restrictions have eased. now is the best time to secure a break with tourism bosses in the Balearic Islands putting out the welcome mat for UK families.
Airlines and tour operators have some fantastic deals on offer with the Balearic Islands of Majorca, Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, ideal locations for a perfect Spring holiday. Many families are also jetting off on a short break trip to capitalise on various offers before the main summer holiday season.
Here are some of the best places to visit to mark that special trip.
Menorca
Home to some of the clearest waters in the Mediterranean, Menorca has a great variety of dive spots for divers of all levels, making it a go-to destination for families seeking fun underwater.
Visitors can dive all around the island, with spots to suit all levels. Fornells Diving Centre, located on the north coast of the island a short walk away from Port de Fornells, offers a variety of dives and courses, including 2.5 hour trial sessions for anyone over 10 years old at 68 euros, meaning that the whole family can enjoy exploring the fascinating underwater life of the North Menorca Marine Reserve.
Menorca’s north-eastern coast offers spectacular hilltop landscapes made up of dramatic cliffs and pine forest. The S’Albufera nature reserve is the perfect day trip for families who enjoy the great outdoors and wildlife spotting. The park has an observation tower offering a panoramic view which is ideal for birdwatching, and there is a bike hire so you can enjoy one of the park’s various bicycle trails through the abundant flora and fauna.
Formentera
With some of the best beaches in the Balearic Islands, Formentera is a perfect choice for low-key, back-to-nature family holidays. Often compared to the Caribbean, the island is surrounded by idyllic beaches and turquoise waters which owe their colour to the meadows of Posidonia Oceanica, a unique seagrass which is the sea’s natural purifier. Perfect for families, the sand here is powder soft, so children can play and build sandcastles while adults enjoy sunbathing.
At just 12 miles long and five miles wide, Formentera can be easily explored by scooter, bike, or even on foot. Thanks to its diverse landscape, which features gentle coastal paths, several of the island’s green routes are suitable for children.
Majorca
Palma, the capital of the Balearics, is a laid-back yet vibrant coastal city, perfect for the family to explore together. A great way to do so is by cycling along the waterfront cycle paths via the Paseo Marítimo route to S'Arenal, a lively beach on the eastern edge of the expansive Playa de Palma (Palma Bay).
Those with a little more peddle power can continue on to the former fishing village of Portixol with a great selection of cafes and atmospheric tapas bars. There’s plenty of art and history to be discovered at the city’s museums, too, from Es Baluard Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art to the military history museum Castell de Sant Carles. Located directly in the centre there are more than 20 new boutique hotels, some in charming historical buildings.
Port de Pollença and the Bay of Alcúdia make great bases for families wishing to try their hand at a variety of watersports in Mallorca. Shallow waters on its beaches are well suited to children snorkelling, and thanks to nearby mountain ranges the wind conditions of these bays are ideal for yachting, kayaking and windsurfing.
Ibiza
Whilst being a family-friendly destination, Ibiza is home to great thrill-seeking adventures. Towards the east of the island, between Santa Eulalia and Es Canar, lies the Acrobosc adventure park in S’Argamassa. Surrounded by nature, children aged three and above can enjoy the exciting set-up in the fresh air among the pine trees with zipwires, trampolines, rope bridges, slides, climbing walls and tightropes.
They are equipped with harnesses, provided with tuition and supervised at all times. This family-oriented activity is a great opportunity for children and adults alike to enjoy the outdoors. Alternatively, kids will love the adventure of taking a Jeep Safari tour of the Santa Eulalia area.
For more information on what to see and do in the Balearic Islands, please visit www.illesbalears.travel
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