| Romantically known as the Jewel of the | | | | other important stuff such as what exactly was next |
| Mediterranean, and perhaps even more evocatively | | | | door and was there a main road or airport close by. |
| by the locals as the Blue Island, Menorca lies 150 miles | | | | Jane had personally visited all the villas in their |
| South East of Barcelona at the northern point of the | | | | brochure so her advice was first hand and invaluable. |
| Balearic Islands. | | | | It's never possible to do that when booking over the |
| Its remote location has meant that although the | | | | internet and how often have I arrived somewhere |
| island is distinctly Spanish it has escaped the | | | | only to be disappointed! |
| overcrowded beaches and high rise hotels found at | | | | By the time we were discussing the Menorca |
| so many of Spain's mainland resorts and has retained | | | | Owners Wine list and the promise of free delivery, I |
| a peaceful beauty. On Menorca you can still find | | | | was transported there, glass of wine in hand, |
| white sandy beaches with few visitors even in the | | | | watching the sun go down over the harbour in Cala |
| middle of August. | | | | Llonga, somewhere I would never have found |
| The island has been fought over from early Roman | | | | without Jane's personal advice. |
| times by the Moors, the French, the Spanish and the | | | | So did the holiday live up to expectations...? |
| British, creating a rich blend of diverse cultures which | | | | Our trip was seamless and efficient and our arrival |
| can clearly be seen in Menorca's style, cuisine, | | | | not at all stressful as the airport was so quiet. We |
| language and architecture. | | | | were met with a friendly welcome from the car hire |
| With its reputation for offering the discerning | | | | company who had conveniently parked the car for |
| independent traveller high quality villa holidays with | | | | us in the short stay car park right outside the |
| superb restaurants specialising in fresh seafood and | | | | terminal. One quick signature and we were away and |
| Spanish Tapas, and all on an island only 25 miles long | | | | I silently thanked Menorca Private Owners for their |
| by 10 miles wide, no wonder it has earned the name | | | | online Car Hire form, which had ensured all our |
| the Jewel of the Mediterranean. | | | | paperwork was in order so we didn't have to queue. |
| A unique holiday location only two hours away | | | | Directions to the villa were excellent so clearly |
| So, having heard of this unique holiday location right | | | | written by a woman! When we arrived at our villa, |
| under our noses - only two hours flying time from | | | | the whole family immediately felt right at home. This |
| most regional UK airports - I decided to try out local | | | | was clearly a second home, obviously loved by its |
| company, Menorca Private Owners, run by | | | | owners and there in the fridge was all my bulk |
| Rodsley-based Paul and Jane Perera. | | | | shopping I had pre-ordered. |
| Amongst the usual proliferation of travel websites | | | | For the first time in a long time I felt I was really on |
| and bargain break specialists you find on the internet, | | | | holiday and, as I poured a gin and tonic and went to |
| Menorca Private Owners, set up by a group of villa | | | | sit on the terrace there it was, just as I had imagined |
| owners, stands out. The website is easy to navigate | | | | it all those months ago, the sun going down over the |
| and beautiful to look at and certainly stirred my | | | | old town. |
| imagination. It offered a range of gorgeous | | | | The Ultimate Family Destination |
| properties to suit all tastes and budgets, so I sent | | | | Menorca boasts amazing scenery - deep gorges, |
| them an email to ask for a brochure. | | | | limestone cliffs, open fields of wild scented flowers |
| The result was a nice surprise as soon afterwards I | | | | and dense pine forests - and is as undeveloped and |
| received a telephone call and found myself chatting | | | | beautiful as nature intended. |
| to the company's managing director, Paul Perera, who | | | | Famous for its temperate climate, it's not too hot |
| along with his wife, Jane, has owned a villa on the | | | | with gentle winds cooling most of the summer heat. |
| island for 20 years and has been travelling to the | | | | With its miles of deserted sandy coastline, friendly |
| island since he was a youngster. | | | | welcome, bustling harbours and fantastic fiestas, |
| What I liked about this, especially in the current age | | | | Menorca offers much more than just a beach holiday, |
| of Indian call centres and automated telephone | | | | making it the ultimate family destination. |
| systems, was Paul's refreshing and genuine approach | | | | On our last night we followed the guide to a |
| to holiday advice. I was actually speaking to a real | | | | restaurant recommended by Jane, for my husband's |
| person who knew all the villas personally and had a | | | | special birthday evening. As we ate delicious local |
| huge knowledge of the island. | | | | seafood, we raised our glasses of excellent Spanish |
| After asking a few questions about my ideal holiday | | | | wine to thank Menorca Private Owners for a |
| Paul offered to include with the brochure a few | | | | wonderful holiday. |
| personal recommendations from their selection of | | | | This family run business has proved so successful |
| over 100 privately owned villas. Putting down the | | | | that Paul and Jane have hand picked an excellent |
| phone I realised my family preferences had been | | | | team to continue their philosophy and who share |
| highlighted, our love of beaches and local restaurants | | | | their enthusiasm and love for the island . Whether |
| and our desire for privacy and seclusion. As I eagerly | | | | youwant a traditional farmhouse or a modern villa, in |
| awaited the post for the next few days I thought, | | | | a quiet village or just a minute from the beach, |
| could this be too good to be true? | | | | Menorca Private Owners are able to help. |
| What arrived definitely did not disappoint. As well as | | | | Menorca is definitely a special place says Paul, and |
| the brochure, I found their own detailed Menorca | | | | perhaps one of the most rewarding aspect of our |
| Guide which contained pages of information on the | | | | business has been the relationship with our clients and |
| island, its history and, most importantly, some lovely | | | | that many of them have ended up buying their own |
| restaurant and beach suggestions | | | | holiday home on the island and now rent it out |
| Even at this stage it was obvious that this was more | | | | through Menorca Private Owners, which is an |
| than just a business; these were people with a love | | | | amazingly strong endorsement of both the magic of |
| of the island and a genuine wish to share their | | | | the island and the kind of holiday that you can |
| experience with holidaymakers. Started initially as a | | | | expect with Menorca Private Owners. |
| hobby the company has grown into a successful | | | | To me it is no wonder at all that most of their |
| business offering over 100 privately owned second | | | | regular clients book a year in advance to book their |
| homes on the island. | | | | favourite villa. Their brochure says |
| Personal recommendations and invaluable advice | | | | "Our aim is to help you enjoy your holiday villa as if it |
| A few days later Jane called and I found myself able | | | | were your second home and truly experience the |
| to discuss the couple of villas that I had short listed, | | | | Menorca we have found." |
| including my concerns regarding my young family and, | | | | We did and we will definitely return. |