Does Menorca "Die" in November?

The season in Menorca is regarded as short with facilities closing down from the end of September. Last October when we were in Menorca resorts such as Son Bou had already seen many of its supermarkets closed by early October and many shops in the process of winding down for closure the rest of the month.

So does Menorca "die" in November, definitely not. The population may shrink to a third of its summer peak but the Island is still enjoying up to five hours of sunshine a day and temperatures still reach a respectable mid teens.

The Walkers still Walk, the Golfers revel in the mild conditions, which contrast Starkly with the UK in November. Painting holidays benefit from the now green countryside, which unlike its sister islands, now resembles the home counties with crops in the fields alongside cows, sheep and goats enclosed by dry stone walling more reminiscent of Derbyshire than the Mediterranean.

Menorca has avoided the impact of mass tourism. The island is just 48km long and 16km wide but still manages to maintain a real economy alongside tourism. It has industries that produce tangible goods, such as footwear, furniture, jewellery, and a delicious cheese that is one of Spain's finest. Menorcas conservation credentials are impeccable. Since Menorca became a by Unesco biosphere reserve in 1993, ecological values have topped the agenda. Planning rules are more closely followed than is normally the case in Spain. Today 41% of the island's 700 sq km enjoys some form of protection. Long stretches of coastline remain undeveloped. Resorts such as Cala Galdana and Cala en Porter are still surprisingly low key when compared to the Costa Blanca.

Menorca in winter is decidedly laid back but if you are willing to accept the ocassional bad weather and ignore the persistent north wind, the Tramuntana, Menorca has much to offer. The Museums are open the Prehistoric sites are still there in all their glory and when the weather has a settled periods you can find yourself alone on a glorious yet deserted beach. It as a unique charm that can easily get under your skin. However not all visitors are captivated by its charms.

The soul of the island may be in its geography. Nowhere in Spain is further from Madrid, except the Canary Islands.

The port of Maó is Spain's most easterly point, where the sun first rises. It has a stumpy, curving shape, with the outside edge facing France and the inside looking southwest towards Mallorca.

Menorca is not regarded as hilly but the gentle hills and deep valleys, known as barrancs, run down to secret coves.

The Menorcans say their beaches are the best in the Mediterranean, with which we could not argue. The Tramuntana which gives a huddling look to buildings and vegetation bends trees into stunted shapes.

During the summer the Island is well served by charter flights from virtually every major UK airport but these come to an end in late October the charters end. However through the winter months one can still reach Menorca with Monarch each Friday from Luton Airport or by using Avro the UK's cheap ticket operator.

The accommodation in the major resorts of Son Bou and Calen Porter closes but their is a wealth of good value lloc, traditional Menorcan farmhouses, which offer reasonably priced accommodation and some of the finestfood you can find on the entire Island of Menorca.

The most famous or these is BeinfCa Na Xini. This farm, outside the village of Ferreries, produces its own cheese, wine and olive oil. Sant Joan de Binissaida occupies a 12-hectare estate on the coast outside Maó. This 18th-century lloc has 12 rooms with original furniture, plus the restaurant serves some of the best food on the Island.