Son Bou Villa Holidays

If you’re staying at Son Bou villas during one of Menorca’s famous fiestas then you might want to celebrate with some traditional local festival food. Invite over your friends and serve up these traditional specialities to carry on the carnival back at home.

Pomada

Pomada is the national cocktail of Menorca, which may have something to do with the Menorcan’s love of gin. When making up a pitcher of this cocktail, Xoriguer is really the only gin that you can get away with putting in this cocktail and you’ll soon discover that the Menorcan local gin tastes nothing like its English counterpart. To make this put plenty of Xoriguer in a tall glass and add ice and lemonade up to three quarters of the glass. Add soda water and sugar syrup and then garnish with a lemon.

Coca amb Xocolati

Son Bou villas are perfect for entertaining guests and if you want to carrying on the after-party back at your holiday home then make sure you serve the traditional party food of Coca amb Xocolati. This is a baked cake traditionally served with a thick hot chocolate. You can buy these cakes anywhere around Son Bou during a fiesta, but if you’re feeling really adventurous then why not try creating your own?

What does a Son Bou holiday stand for? With a little fun, we spell out what we think Son Bou would spell out if it were an acronym: 

Sun – The sun always shines in Son Bou, or at least it certainly feels that way! With its prime position on the Mediterranean, Son Bou benefits from a whopping 300 sunny days a year. This means that guests have an 82% chance of receiving sunshine when booking a Son Bou holiday.

Overindulging – With so many delicious restaurants in Son Bou it can be tempting to overindulge yourself on a holiday. Whether you want to try delicious Italian cuisine at Le Gondolier or French cuisine at Le Jardin there is bound to be something that appeals to you on a Son Bou holiday. Numerous cocktail bars make overindulging all the easier and no trip to Son Bou would be complete without visiting the roller-skating waitresses at the Pim Pam Bar.      

Neolithic – Around Son Bou are several Neolithic monuments that have been standing since the Bronze Age. The largest and most spread out of all these settlements, Torre d’en Gaumes, is located on the road from Alaior to Son Bou and dates from 1300 to 123 BC. 

Beach – We can’t mention a Son Bou holiday without mentioning the fantastic sandy beach. Son Bou’s beach is renowned for being the longest in Menorca and arguably it’s also the best on the island.

Ornithology – Son Bou is a Mecca for bird-watchers and contains a variety of different habitats. In the reed area keen ornithologists can observe waders and little egrets, whilst the rugged limestone cliffs are home to Egyptian vultures and blue rock thrushes. 

Unbelievable – A Son Bou holiday is an amazing experience and we can guarantee that once you’ve visited once you’ll want to return again and again!

One of the most enjoyable things about holidaying in Son Bou is definitely the food. The Spanish really know how to cook and they know how to eat as well! Your stomach will be groaning from start to finish on your holiday with a fabulous array of authentic eateries to choose from. If, however, you are like many holidaymakers who, after a tough day on the beach, can’t be bothered even stepping out the door of their Son Bou villas, why not stay in and cook dinner like a local? Whipping up a fresh batch of Spain’s national dish, paella, is easier than you might think.

The first thing you’ll need is a good paella pan, and if your Son Bou villas don’t have one, a quick trip to the local shop will reward you with a cheap, but efficient, one. (this IS Spain after all!) Although paella can be made with chicken, rabbit or even vegetarian style, seeing as you’re on the doorstep of the Mediterranean, you really should eat as much fresh local seafood as possible. Finding the perfect Arborio rice won’t be a problem either and once you’ve added some fresh tomatoes, garlic, fish stock (fresh if possible), peas, Spanish olive oil and a nice bottle of local white wine to your shopping basket – you’ll be all set!

Throw your garlic into your pan and fry off before adding your blanched and skinned tomatoes, peas and some fresh prawns. Next add in your rice, a glass of wine and your stock and allow to simmer for around 20 minutes until the rice absorbs nearly all the stock. At the last minute, poach the rest of your fresh seafood (mussels, squid, fish and oysters) in some boiling water and toss in the pan.

Ole! The perfect paella!

Whenever you head to a new and exciting holiday destination, what to take with you is always a little bit hit and miss. Whilst you can get a rough idea of what the weather may be like, unless you’re going on your best friend’s recommendation, you’re never too sure just what situations you should pack for. If you’ve never been to Menorca before, what to pack on your Son Bou holidays could give you cause for a little furrow of the brow, but here are a few tips to help you out…

Swimwear – this is a family oriented resort so some reasonably modest swimwear would be best! You don’t want to be swanning around in your barely-there Brazilian style bikini in front of Mum Dad and the kids! However, don’t despair if you’re dying to go bare; there is a ‘secret’ naturists beach just a short stroll away from the main beach where you can get that all over tan.

Evening Wear – you certainly won’t need to pack your formal wear on your Son Bou holidays. Even though there are many restaurants, eateries and bars for you to choose from for your evening entertainment, they definitely take a more relaxed and casual approach to their dress code. Smart resort-wear at the most, shorts and sandals at the least!

Shoes – as mentioned above, sandals are all you’ll need for evening, and in the day you can get away with just a pair of flip flops. If you’re planning on taking in some of Son Bou’s famed walking trails, a pair of rubber soled trainers or plimsolls are advisable for the sometimes rocky terrain.

Toothbrush – don’t forget it!

Son Bou has long been renowned for its amazing birdlife. As well as an incredible diversity of species, because of the resort’s compact size, some of the best bird watching can be undertaken without even stepping from the patio of your own Son Bou villa! Every day you will undoubtedly catch regular glimpses of the Mediterranean and Cory’s Shearwaters coming in off the sea as they wing their way past your balcony.

If you head to the western end of the Son Bou Nature Reserve which is further away from the hotels and closer to the quieter areas where most of the Son Bou villas are, you will discover a peaceful setting. There are wonderful panoramic views over the coastline and the limestone cliffs of the coastline are an ideal vantage for bird watching.

Whether you want to stay close to home or venture a little farther afield, a Son Bou villa is a convenient location to act as a base to reach all of the island’s bird watching hotspots. As well as the resort itself, a drive along the entire of Menorca’s south coast will give you plenty more opportunities to see a wide variety of birds.

No matter how much you may be enjoying yourself on your holidays, at some stage you should drag yourself away from your lovely Son Bou villas and explore the other towns around the island. Son Bou is well serviced by buses and you have a great choice of places you can visit on a day trip.

Alaior

The ancient town of Alaior is only a short bus ride away from Son Bou. Set off early so you can spend the morning wandering the cobbled streets and admiring the whitewashed buildings, before settling in for lunch at a local restaurant. Renowned as the cheese capital of Menorca, you can sample the many varieties at the Coinga shop.

Cuitadella

Also an easy bus ride away on the western side of the island, the former capital of Menorca is a great full day trip out. Its delightful harbour setting makes it one of the more picturesque towns on the island and there is plenty of history for you to uncover as well. In the evening the town comes alive with a vibrant cafe and restaurant culture in traditional Spanish style.

Mahon

A little farther afield but still accessible, the capital of Menorca is a bustling port town. It lays claim to having the second deepest harbour in the world and its stunning clear water is ideal for swimming. Being the capital, Mahon is always buzzing and the seafront is a hive of activity. It is a great town to do some shopping so set aside an afternoon to get all your holiday gifts!

When planning a holiday, choosing the best accommodation is usually one of your major concerns. If you’re heading to Son Bou the hard part of the decision is already made for you! Son Bou villas are the ultimate way to retain your independence on holiday while still ensuring you have a comfortable and relaxing stay.

Everyone’s needs are different and Son Bou villas cater for everyone from families to romantic couples on a secret getaway. Whether you choose to stay at the lively family-oriented San Jaime resort, or the more secluded Torre Soli Nou resort; you will never be more than a short walk away from the famed Son Bou beach with its miles of fine, white sand and crystal clear waters.

So what do you need to look for when making your choice of villas? Private pool or shared pool; the company of other families or the seclusion of a couples villa; huge four-bedroom detached or cute and cosy two-bedroom villa? Whatever your wish list may contain, there is a huge choice of Son Bou villas available all with fantastic amenities, wonderful views and a location to die for. The only thing missing is you!

While nothing can lay claim to being all things to all people, Son Bou holidays come pretty close. No matter what kind of holiday you are looking for, Son Bou offers something for everyone.

If you’re planning on bringing the family on your Son Bou holidays you’re definitely in luck! There is so much to do your kids will probably wear themselves out – leaving the parents to enjoy the evenings to themselves. There’s the obvious place of course – the amazing long stretch of beach – which is packed with every activity you can imagine. The kids can frolic in the shallows, go out on pedalos, build sandcastles or even try a bit of beach volley ball. Mum and Dad in the meantime, can laze back on their deck chair sipping a cool drink and topping up their tan – knowing that the kids are safe and happy just metres away. There’s also the fabulous water chute at the San Jaime resort complex or the Maze where children can spend hours getting lost in the magical twists and turns.

In complete contrast, if you’re looking for a romantic getaway Son Bou holidays are perfect for you too. What could be more romantic than strolling hand in hand at sunset along Menorca’s longest beach? The wide, sandy stretches are perfect for a secluded picnic too, and in places you can feel like you’re on your own private beach. There are plenty of wonderfully romantic restaurants in Son Bou for you to sample some delicious Spanish cuisine as well. A candlelit dinner never looked better, as you gaze into the eyes of your loved one, with the gentle sound of the waves lapping on the beach only metres away.

At the end of your Son Bou holidays you may want to take a souvenir home for your friends and family. Luckily, Son Bou has a number of shops specialising in souvenirs that are typically Menorcan. Here are a few things that you may find:

Queso Mahón – Mahon may be known as the place where mayonnaise is invented, but you’ll struggle to find this on sale in any of the shops. Instead why not bring home some of Mahon’s special cheese? Queso Mahón has been around since before the year 1000 AD and was mentioned in Arabic scripture around the time. The cheese is semi-cured with a salty flavor reminiscent of butter and toasted hazelnuts.

Xouriguer Gin – The Xouriguer Gin distillery in the nearby capital, Mahon, is the perfect place to pick up a bottle of gin. This gin has an aromatic flavour which is dissimilar to English gin, but yet tastes a lot like its Dutch equivalent.  

Abarcas – This Menorcan sandal is worn all over Spain and, although there are many companies that produce the sandals, a favourite of Spaniards alike is the Nagore brand, with a factory based in nearby Alaoir. Nagore’s Abarcas are made from recycled car tyres and eco-leather, making them the perfect gift to give those with a conscience.

On Son Bou holidays, you will see beautiful beaches and stunning landscapes, and many would argue that the best way to explore is on horseback.  Menorcan horses are particularly significant to the islanders, having been used to guard the coastline in years gone by.  Bred for agility and pace, these tall, slender, black horses are an impressive inclusion in many Menorcan fiestas.  But with several riding clubs on the island, there are plenty of opportunities to ride these magnificent animals, rather than just to watch them.

There are riding clubs dotted around the island, the most visited being Equimar near Es Castell, Piadero Binixica just outside San Clement, or Stables Farm near Cala’n Porter.  These stables offer guides to help ensure that you see the best of Son Bou. The landscape in Menorca is for the most part, quite flat, making it the ideal terrain for horse riders from the novice equestrian to the most experienced.  With paths and tracks covering the island, including the route taken by horseback guards that used to patrol the island, a day on horseback really is the best way to make the most of the Son Bou coast and countryside.

If you prefer to stay on your own two feet, you can watch the horses as they put on a show at the various Menorcan fiestas.  If your trip doesn’t coincide with any of these, you can still marvel at the horses parading on their hind legs at various horse shows that are held on the island throughout the week.

Horses are something of an icon on the islands of Menorca, and Son Bou is no exception to this.  Whether you prefer to ride them, or simply observe them, these horses are an integral part of any Menorcan holiday.