Luxury Spain Mallorca & Menorca Walk 6D5N (Majestic Mediterranean Peaks & Island Coves), Fully Guided

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx 3 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)
Level 1, Approx 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)

On the first day of the trip, meet and familiarise yourself with your trip leaders at the Trasmediterránea ferry terminal at the Port de Maó in Mahón, Menorca, Spain. The meeting time is 10:00 a.m., and you can easily spot them from their designated tee shirts with the inscription. As a thumb rule, never leave your belongings unattended.

Please ensure you come dressed in your hiking clothes and bring your luggage and a daypack containing your rain gear and anything else you may want for the day's hike (your luggage will be transported to our first night's accommodations).

Note: Please keep your passport in your daypack, as you'll need it to check into our first hotel.

After the brief meeting at the beautiful Port City of Mahón, the trip steps on the gas with a scenic shuttle to the south side of the Harbor. Here, a magnificent historic fortress, Castillo de San Felipe (Castle of Saint Philips), is ours for the taking and exploration. But before we behold the grandeur of this historic landmark, we will meander through the outskirts of the rural town, adorned by British-style architecture now draped in ONLYLUXE TRAVEL Confidential 8 of 15 greenery. The fortress is also a castle built by the Spaniards in 1554 to guard the entrance of Port Mahón. However, after it failed to protect the city on two occasions, including the famous siege of St. Philip, it was destroyed. The Brits rebuilt it in the 1760s after colonising Spain and used it as a naval armoury.

This castle, an engineering groundbreaking venture, has all the elements to inspire wonder as we explore it. The complex contains 8 kilometres (5 miles) of underground tunnels, which we will explore before setting out on foot for a coastal hike that leads to our lunch spot.

After enjoying lunch, we shuttle to our next destination, Pedrera de Santa Ponsa, a natural quarry. Here, we wander around this quarry featuring native Menorca rocks that assemble to look like a natural rock cathedral. We proceed with the hiking; this time, it leads us to our home for the next three nights. But you can save the hike time with a shuttle to the hotel if you are not up for the trek.

On arrival at our hotel and our home for the next three days, Santa Ponsa, we behold the elegance of a Menorcan hospitality gem lodged in a former 17th-century stately mansion on a Finca farm estate. The rest of the afternoon is all yours to do as you please. Leverage the time to promenade around the lush gardens of the hotel and soothe the muscles by diving into its elegant pool that is almost irresistible. The sauna and fitness room await your indulgence, but you must book the spa in advance, which is not included in the trip.

Afterwards, we converge for a welcome reception with a mouthwatering dinner and cheers to our arrival in Menorca and a successful first day of the trip.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)
Level 4, Approx 16 km (10 miles), Elevation gain: 305 m (1,000 ft)

This morning, awake to the morning beauty and glory of Menorca, relish the taste of a hearty breakfast and hop on a shuttle to Albufera des Grau National Park for a scenic coastal trek. This national park spots the most extensive wetland region in Menorca and was declared a biosphere reserve by UNESCO in 1993. It's a diverse natural park featuring a blend of fauna in fishes and water birds, unique plants, crisp, clear waters, lagoons, pristine beaches, marshlands, and coastal inlets, among other enchanting landscapes. Today's hike allows us to navigate this diverse ecosystem alongside the beauty of Menoraca's rural landscapes and charming shoreline.

We can't afford to miss a visit to the magnificent Favaritx Lighthouse, towering over the scenery and still functioning as a beacon that guides sailors. At this lighthouse, we witness one of nature's finest scenes in its untainted glory in waves crashing onto black rocky shores from the top of the cape. More scenic views await in a lunar-like landscape as we venture further into the cape of Favaritx. Lunch by the sea is next, and we will savour it alongside arresting views of Es Grau Bay.

If you are up for more hikes, it gets even more thrilling from here. Continue hiking into Cami de Cavalls, known as the Trail of Horses. This jaw-dropping walkway looking down on the sea has been around since 1330, and as we hike, the picturesque natural scenes fade from black slate rocks to coastal cliffs and open pastures. Otherwise, recline at a shuttle back to the hotel.

The afternoon will be expository as we delve back to a prehistoric era exploring one of the priceless archaeological jewels of Menorca Island. The 2,500-year-old Talayotic Settlement will be our playground to roam and capture megalithic stone monuments, namely taules, talaiots, and navettes.

We return to the hotel with ample time to drink in more stunning views of its scenery over a refreshing beverage on the terrace. The spa and pool are still prime spots to lose track of time revelling in their offerings. Tonight, we assemble again to taste an award-winning local beer and cheese while dinner is at a choice restaurant in town.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx 6 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 122 m (400 ft)
Level 4, Approx 16 km (10 miles), Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)

This morning marks our final day on the sensational island of Menorca, and we make the most of it by starting the day with a delicious breakfast. Afterwards, a shuttle brings us to our trailhead, where we begin through photogenic landscapes that look like pictures cut out from an award-winning travel magazine.

The scenic coastal trek begins with a warm-up hike on a trail downhill flanked by flourishing trees and craggy rock formations, which takes us to the mesmerising natural beauty of Cales Coves. The Cales Coves are a secluded area on the shores of the Mediterranean, marked by a series of small rocky bays. Since it is secluded, the atmosphere is serene and undisturbed, the perfect ambience for us to capture stunning views of the sea and its dramatic shores.

We dine to a tongue-stunning lunch near natural caves facing the majestic turquoise-blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea while holding our breaths after each gulp to savour the wondrous interiors of the caves. The hike continues after lunch, but you can always head to the hotel if you've had enough for the day.

Since it's the last day at the hotel, take one last dip into the pool, enjoy a sauna or spa treatment, wine, dine at its restaurant, or grab a chilled drink and sunbathe beneath the Mediterranean skies. Dinner tonight will be a culinary fair that displays the finest options from the region.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 1, Approx 4 km (2 miles), Elevation gain: 30 m (100 ft)
Level 2, Approx 7 km (4 miles), Elevation gain: 183 m (600 ft)

YOGA 1 Houryo

This morning, we enjoy a yummy breakfast and prepare to bid Menorca farewell. We take a flight to Mallorca, the big sister island of Menorca and the largest of the Balearic islands. Once the flight lands, it's easy to see why Mallorca gets all the international acclaim for being a prime tourist hot spot in Spain. On arrival, we take a shuttle to another airport, where we join a flight that will take us to the island's capital city, Palma.

In Palma, a shuttle ferries us to our trailhead, where the hike begins in earnest along a path characterised by rocky terrains and dirty woods. But the beauty of the scenes here is unforgettable as the quaint natural glory of Mallorca strips bare while we trek down a mountain to the Port of Canonge. The path traverses through a section of Serra de Tramuntana, a world heritage site.

This afternoon, head off to Port de Canonge for a refreshing and satiating lunch while feasting on views of the dramatic sea and pebbled coves flanking its sides. Hiking further will bring us to our hotel, but that hiking time can be a relaxing period if you take the shuttle. Whichever you choose, we all arrive at our next accommodation for the remainder of the trip, the grand Sun Bunyola, set on two kilometres of unspoiled coastline.

The luxury hotel sets the stage for recreation and pleasure after a day of hiking around this Balearic pearl of an island. There is a pool to enjoy laps, with a lounge to relax and savour cocktails afterwards. A spa is available for rekindling body and soul, while the surrounding ambience is lavish with olive and citrus trees forming a guard of honour as you stroll through them idly. You can skip all these to relax in your room, your choice.

This afternoon is going to be special as we do something very unusual. We have the opportunity to stretch our muscles in a yoga session and renew youthful vibes before indulging in the tastes of sensational cuisines for dinner.

TWO HIKING OPTIONS:
Level 2, Approx 8 km (5 miles), Elevation gain: 152 m (500 ft)
Level 3, Approx 11 km (7 miles), Elevation gain: 274 m (900 ft)

ZODIAC BOAT RIDE 1½ Hours

Wake up to the elegant sunshine on Mallorca's horizon and enjoy a refreshing breakfast. We board a shuttle to our kick-off point for the day's hike. The ride is also part of the experience as we speed past the inviting and charming scenery of Mallorca, defined by coastal views, ancient terraces, stone houses, and olive groves. On arrival at our trailhead, we stride into the path that courses through traditional Mallorcan woodland, surrounded by native Mediterranean flora and fauna. Through the hike, stunning views of Sa dragonera island remain bold and beautiful like a nature wallpaper.

We head to the quaint coastal town of Sant Elm, our rendezvous for lunch today. This seaside fishing village sets the perfect landscape for us to explore the quintessential Mallorcan mountain cuisine in the diverse flavours it assumes. You can choose to dine with the group or set out on your own to craft unique culinary experiences.

Next, we embark on the highlight act of the day - a zodiac boat ride on the sapphire-blue sea from Sant Elm to Banyalbufar. From here, a hike takes us back to the hotel if the weather is friendly. The walk grants us front-row seats to the awe-inspiring and seductive landscapes of Mallorca from a fresh pair of lenses. The views comprise dramatic cliffs, caves, and coves dotting the shorelines of this dazzling sea.

At the hotel, visit the spa to get some pampering that renews your skin and mind, or dive into the pool to cool off. Alternatively, hike some trails around the hotel that are part of its nature reserve if you're still bustling with energy.

Tonight will be remarkable and emotional as we assemble for a farewell reception, swapping stories and contacts while relishing a delicious meal.

NOTE: This itinerary is provided as an example only – prevailing conditions and local arrangements may cause variation.

Level 1, Approx 2 km (1 mile), Elevation gain: 61 m (200 ft)

This morning is our last for the trip and begins with a hearty breakfast, as always. Then we take a shuttle to the gorgeous town of Valldemossa, once a Moorish hamlet dipped in an idyllic valley saturated by olive groves and framed by the iconic Tramuntana mountains. Wander through the city and bask in the alluring panoramic views of the surrounding mediterranean Sea.

A tapas lunch is the last culinary endeavour and final act of this sensational trip. Afterwards, bid trip leaders a hearty farewell and board a private shuttle to Palma, where the trip ends.