Great Summer Vacation Islands For 2011 - Menorca

If you want to book a getaway for a late summer break, one island in particular could be just right if you're booking for a family.

Part of the Balearic Islands and just two hours flight from the UK, Menorca has always been known as the quietest of the group which includes Ibiza and Majorca, and for good reason.

It's ideal for families, and it's how the people who take holidays in Minorca Menorca want it to stay.

Many of this year's visitors will be families who chose the island for their first family holiday and found it to be all they hoped for that they have kept holidaying on Menorca while their children have grown up - and then by themselves once their offspring have flown the nest.

If you decide to book a trip to the island, which areas are best suited for a family visit?

S'Algar is a purpose built holiday area, not far from the capital Mahon and the airport where the Menorca flights arrive, located on the south-east coast of the island. It has a variety of accommodation available, including both villas and different standards of hotels. But not really the area for a beach holiday.

Punta Prima like S'Algar has a good choice of accommodation with both villas to rent and a good selection of bars and restaurants for tourists and locals It has a couple of good supermarkets and importantly a good beach, but watch out for the flags as the currents can be strong.

Binibeca Village is a good character village but more suited for families with older children or couples than for young families, as one its main attributes is the peace and quiet. When you look at villa holiday brochures Cala Torret is in the east and Binebeca Vell to the west. The village consists of all low rise apartments and villas, and there are restaurants and shops in the village. The James Villa Holiday Company have a good selection of villas available in Binibeca.

Son Bou is home to the largest and, for many visitors, the best beach on Menorca, accessible via a tunnel down the road from Alaior. Alaior has good self catering accommodation called Son Bou Gardens while the resort itself has two hotels at the eastern end - one disappointingly is a high rise and of all the hotels in Menorca has to be the most out of place of them all. But the long beach and character of the area manages to over come this. For those of a more shy disposition it's worth noting that parts of the beach are clothing optional but good if you're into naturism.

Cala en Porter is the original village that started it all when the jet age arrived, and airlines began to run regular flights to Menorca. It's situated on the eastern side of a deep gorge that opens onto the beach and has a small stream running alongside during most of the year. Cala en Porter has just about everything you could want for a fun. A full range of shops, restaurants and bars are all there, with car hire facilities. If you're staying there check out the Cova d'en Xoroi, which are caves set into the cliffs, now made into a night club.

They're accessible during the day - as a family attraction - and there's a good restaurant within fifty yards of the caves, serving traditional Spanish and Menorcan meals both at lunch time and in the evenings.

Whichever village you choose, a vacation in Menorca makes for wonderful time together as a family.