Week Getaway | With Love From Mel

October 31, 2023October 31, 2023

Menorca

If you are looking for a place to switch off and do nothing completely (this is not easy for me), then Menorca is for you.

October is an excellent time to visit the Mediterranean, the temperatures are not scorching and it’s still warm enough to enjoy the pool or beach, with the added bonus of not being crazy busy. The pure blue skies will lift and restore your soul.

Arriving in Mahon on a Monday afternoon flight (delayed by a couple of hours – subsidized by a very ungenerous £5 from the airline), I collected my hire car – a snappy little Fiat 500, (for excellent prices use rentalcars.com). So my first challenge was attempting to connect my phone to the car – the Sat Nav location would only recognize saved contacts – I did not pre-save the hotel as a contact – who does?! Then it was complaining of no internet connection – lies lies, all of them lies I tell you. Even the young assistant at the rental car desk was of no help. He did all the things I had tried. Bless him.

Anyway, so driving off, now keep in mind, I cycle in London… so don’t need a car there as London is very well connected. Thus, I haven’t driven a manual car for several years, but I nailed it. However, realised within a few moments that I had to consciously remind myself to drive on the right, drive on the right, drive on the right!

I stayed at the Artiem Capri in Mahon for two nights. There is an open-air car park around the corner which is ridiculously affordable – a maximum of 3€ per day (coins or cards will work – however take the right change!). The hotel would like you to pay 16€ per day. Probably for the same spot mind. Free parking in Mahon is in the white-marked street spots, the blue is paid for at pay points.

The Artiem has a nice rooftop pool and jacuzzi – the latter was filled (literally) by the same two very overweight, bald, middle-aged spread men each time I visited the area. Artiem Capri provides complimentary drinks (both sans and con alcohol) and snacks from 3 p.m. to late.

I found two excellent restaurants, both worth mentioning – Perla Kitchen & Bar and Anna & Pepe [Bon Aire, 12 Mao, Menorca – 971.853681]. Whilst I persevered with my Spanglish, they do speak excellent English. Both dinners came to less than 30€ [sans alcohol].

Definitely get out onto the water for an hour tour or more and visit the Hauser & Wirth art gallery – situated on an island, the ferry ticket includes the entrance fee of 7€.

Moving onto Cala Galdana (Serpentona) for a further five nights, staying at the Atriem Audax hotel, with stunning views over the local beach and natural forest. A spa for massages and treatments and rooftop pools. Two restaurants worthy of a visit are Restaurante Cala Mitjana and Restaurante Trevi.

I hiked over to Cala Macarella one morning, this requires good shoes as the terrain is very rocky. It is not as busy as the local Cala Galdana beach.

I also went for a horse ride with Menorca a Carvall. They are an exceptional horse riding company, who obviously care for their steads. Humorously, they named you by your horse’s name, I had Xaoxao, which I liked. They very kindly line you up on a cliff overlooking a beautiful beach to take photos and send them to you. If you are planning this sort of adventure, make sure you pack covered shoes or at least socks. They do have ankle-high riding boots in case you forget. Of course, they also provide helmets.

Ciutadella

I visited Ciutadella, which is about a 30-minute drive from Cala Galdana and is definitely worth it. Parking is cheap but not abundant, with 1€ per two-hour limit on the meters. As I was collecting my car, there was a parking warden doing the rounds.

One restaurant which was outstanding in Ciutadella was Maramao. Their tapas is both creative and fresh. The “conflex chicken” (I thought it was a misspelt “cornfed”, but actually misspelt “cornflake chicken”) was creative and refreshing guacamole and prawn glass.

The many alleyways in Ciutadella are delightful to explore, with artesian shops to explore and historic buildings to visit, it is well worth a visit.

Close to Ciutadella is a picturesque viewing spot of a naturally made rock formation – Pont d’en Gil. It is a short 15-minute drive from the centre. I recommend taking sensible walking shoes to Menorca as there are beautiful trails to secluded beaches and you will need them to walk to the best viewing spot for Pont d’en Gil.

October 2, 2021October 17, 2021

Malta

After a 20 month hiatus from International travel, I finally decided it was well and truly time to get back out there. Malta appeared a safe and convenient option, and as well as having never been, there’s the appeal of Mediterranean food, a promise of sunshine, renowned architecture, and historic sites. It was a no-brainer. Oh yeah, they were also on the “Green list” ( something that in a few years time, many may well have forgotten, but I doubt everyone will have )

Arriving at Luqa Airport after 7 pm, I caught my shuttle to my hotel in Sliema without issues, but upon arrival, the receptionist tried to assign me to a two-person room under the name of Juan. Now number one, I am one person, secondly; he knew my name definitely is not Juan (he had seen my passport by this stage and taken payment from my credit card which clearly displays my name) and for three I don’t look even remotely male. I put the check-in card for him to see against his protective perspex shield, upon which I didn’t realize was unstable and it fell on him. Great start. I was mortified. He must have thought, oh boy, this one is trouble. This isn’t entirely a misnomer but I’m certainly not out to hurt anyone.

So the first need after getting the correct room and dumping my bags: food. I had bookmarked some venues near my hotel but decided as it was a Saturday night, to just take a wander around and find something. I coincidentally stumbled across one of those bookmarked venues: Il-Merill Restaurant (Triq San Vincenz, Tas-Sliema). Soooo worthwhile the visit! I had the traditional rabbit stew, vegetables, and a half bottle of dry Malta wine – they don’t mind you taking away residual wine and water. It’s a tiny little place (i.e. book ahead!) and I met the owner afterward, we chatted about how hard it had been during the pandemic but he had stuck it out, taken care of his staff, and occupied himself with redecorating the restaurant – which has a rather intriguing assortment of old cameras and charming clocks that go ping at all different times.

Frankly, Malta is a really amazing place. The architecture is just incredible. The impressive Fort St Angelo is worthy of a couple of hours wandering around. Featuring immersive presentations on the history, the battles, and the importance of Malta for control of the Mediterranean.

My first day there included a hammam at the Intercontinental – and it was well worth the visit – something to note is that there is a rooftop oasis with a large pool and deck chairs.

It is easy to catch the ferry to Valletta, followed by a free shuttle bus over to the next ferry for the Three Cities. However one can walk in the same time that the shuttle bus takes – I confirmed this on the return journey. If you buy a return ferry ticket all the way from Sliema to the Three Cities it is only 5€. A large chunk of Sunday was spent exploring the very impressive Fort St Angelo. Adult tickets are 10€, with the option for tickets to include the inquisition palace and another museum, but having seen a medieval torture museum in Italy, and finding that awfully gruesome, I passed on that “opportunity”.

Monday included an interesting guided walking tour around Valletta, being introduced to the history, culture, and poignant places of value. Our guide highly recommended visiting St John’s Co-Cathedral. From the outside, it would be very easy to pass by, however, once you enter this baroque overload of glory slaps you in the face like a hot day. Oh My Lord. Never seen anything so spectacular! These guys really went overboard and swam to the next country. Not even the floor misses out – covered in ornate marble to signify the Knights of St John.

I hired a quad bike to head around Gozo – the best way to explore this beautiful little spot. After walking around picturesque Victoria, I biked over to Xlendi and enjoyed lunch watching the waves crash in. A visit to Gozo is not complete without seeing the Ramla Bay beach – known for its red sand and enjoy a dip in the ocean.

I had prebooked a catamaran day trip which was very relaxing and visited the Blue Lagoon and caves. I was surprised though to have arrived almost an hour early, yet people were already lined up to board – and it was obvious why – the best seats are for the taking for the early birds.

I think the best time to visit the Mediterranean is outside of full summer – it’s a little cheaper, but you’ll have enough warmth to swim in the ocean but not melt in the sun.

So for getting around, install the app: Bolt – it’s exactly like Uber (my hotel applied a 15€ surcharge to call a cab – something I did not take up). Buses are cheap – 2€ for 2 hours – and I think you can get even better prices with a travel card. Quad biking – excellent around Gozo – see Daniel at Gozo Quad Rentals. And a visit to Malta isn’t complete without at least one or five ferry rides!

October 10, 2014March 23, 2023

Athens

If you’re a history buff like me, or just like a bit of old stuff, then you’ll definitely want to add Athens, Greece to your travel bucket list. This ancient city is packed full of stunning sights, delicious food, and unforgettable experiences.

First up, let’s talk about the food. If you’re a meat lover, then you’re in for a treat. Greek food is renowned for its lamb dishes, and they did not disappoint. I had the pleasure of trying some of the most succulent and flavorful lamb I’ve ever tasted, slow-cooked to perfection with herbs and spices. Whether you’re trying a traditional gyro, souvlaki, or kleftiko, you’re in for a mouth-watering treat.

Now, onto the sights. You simply cannot visit Athens without checking out the Parthenon on Acropolis. Side note: The Acropolis is the high hill that the Parthenon was built on. This ancient temple is one of the most iconic landmarks in Greece and is a must-see for anyone visiting Athens. Below the structure, the Acropolis museum resides in parallel, many of the carvings have been preserved inside – away from environmental damage, and it is easy to see how the structure may have been in its heyday. At night, the Parthenon is lit up like a magnificent jewel.

But the Acropolis is just the beginning. Athens and the surrounding islands are full of museums and artefacts that will transport you back in time. From ancient pottery to intricate sculptures, their museums do an excellent job of showcasing the history of Greece.

One of my favourite experiences in Athens was visiting the National Archaeological Museum. I spent hours wandering the halls, marvelling at the ancient artefacts on display. From the intricately designed golden masks of Mycenae to the awe-inspiring statues of ancient gods and goddesses, the museum was a treasure trove of history and culture.

Now for the real fun, if you have time, jump on a ferry to one of the many islands. I visited the Island of Hyrda and enjoyed a beautiful Mediterranean lunch at the Ostria Restaurant, serving fresh seafood.

I hired a quad bike which was a hefty little power horse. Initially, I was quite nervous and started out like a little old granny, putt putt putting around the roads to various historic sites. By the end of the day, my confidence had grown somewhat and I was now hooning around the place with my hair trailing behind.

As someone who loves to learn about the history and different cultures, Athens was an absolute dream come true. The city is full of rich history, stunning architecture, and delicious food, and I can’t recommend it enough. So if you’re looking for your next travel destination, make sure to add Athens to your list – you won’t regret it!

I stayed with a lovely guy – Yannis through Airbnb. He is a gracious host and has two adorable cats. You can find his home here: https://www.airbnb.co.uk/rooms/2948623?source_impression_id=p3_1679402729_KDwxTFZtqEIkFAWi