Island detours

Over the following days we explored the rest of Menorca. First we drove along the north shore of the Port de Maó to take a closer look at La Mola. Originally built to dominate the approach to the harbour, it became one of General Franco’s most notorious political prisons. It was only recently opened to the public.

After a short detour to the pretty fishing villages of Es Murtar and Sa Mesquida, we were driving along Maó’s bypass to visit Fort Marlborough, an underground stronghold built by the British between 1710 and 1726 to control the southern approach to the Port de Maó.

For the rest of our time we ranged far and wide. We drove up to gorgeous Fornells, a north-coast village with quays lined with fishing boats. It relies heavily on the tourist trade in season – it has become famous for its seafood restaurants – but is more than just a holiday village, and most of the people it attracts are Spanish.

We had a quick look at Menorca’s three inland towns, and at each we found something to delight us. Just outside Ferreries, we came across two factory shops selling top-class leather goods. Near Es Mercadal we drove to the summit of Menorca’s loftiest peak, the 1,171ft-high Monte Toro. From the top, we could see the whole island. On our way home, we did a cheese-factory-shop stop in Alaior.

Ciutadella and more…

On our last day we drove right across the island to Ciutadella, stopping at two spectacular prehistoric sites. Torralba d’en Salord, near Cala en Porter, is a Talayotic village, with a clearly defined mound, or talayot, and a massive T-shaped taula, or table, said by some to represent a bull.

Just before Cuitadella, the even more spectacular Naveta d’es Tudons stands a five-minute walk from the road. The most celebrated prehistoric artefact in the Balearics, it was a charnel house used to store the remains of the dead.

The rest of the day we spent in Ciutadella, until 1722 Menorca’s capital, with all the majestic houses, monuments and public buildings you’d expect as well as a main square with a clutch of impressive buildings. The rest of the city centre spreads back from Plaça d’es Born, a mass of traditional houses and delightful squares and alleys. We wandered around, then clambered down the wide flight of steps to the harbour, where we enjoyed an excellent paella with a glass of wine.

We agreed, as we drove to the airport next day, that the holiday had been a terrific success. Late September Menorca is temperate and uncrowded. And villa holidays, we decided, make you feel like a millionaire. What a cracking way to start your retirement!