Irish Economy Battered - But Minorca Holidays Still Being Booked

Continuing to struggle against the Euro, some UK tourists have been swapping quality for value during the recession, and instead of booking their summer holidays to Minorca have been taking their vacations in cheaper countries such as Tunisia, Egypt, Morocco and Turkey - but with Egypt and Tunisia in a revolutionary state they are looking again at safe areas - with Minorca gaining bookings for the summer.

Over the Irish Sea in Ireland, their economy has fared worse than Britain's, but for those who are taking holidays abroad this year the Irish who are still in employment and receiving a salary have an advantage over the Brits when it comes to a Minorca holiday - the Euro.

Ireland like Spain has the Euro as their currency, and it means Irish holidaymakers don't have to keep an eye on how their currency is performing and wince at the foreign exchange bureau when planning their trip - they can use the same notes and coins in Minorca as they do back home.

Minorca is still expected to be one of the British holidaymakers favourite destinations this year, but the number of Irish visitors will rise proportionately against the number of British in the year ahead.

And the same is true for the neighbouring Balearic island of Mallorca.

The Appeal of Minorca and Mallorca

The almost year round sunshine, immaculate beaches and natural beauty constantly beckon those who have been on Mallorca holidays in the past.

Minorca has over a hundred beaches and is known as "The Island of Pleasant Breeze."

Other attractions and activities in Minorca include the following:

* Visits to museums: Two popular museums in Minorca are the Museu Municipal de Ciutadella and Museu de Menorca. The first has an interesting display of artefacts from when the Muslims, Romans and Talayots lived on the island.

* The Los Delfines Aquapark: Children and the young at heart will be especially happy with the offerings here. The 12,500 square meter water park is situated just outside Ciutadella. Some of the features that visitors seem most taken with at Delfines are the Adventure River, the Black Hole and Hydrotubes.

* The Xoriguer Gin Distillery: A real gin distillery allows visitors to see how the product is made and even try a sample. Tourists who want to take home samples can buy bottles of the product. The family owned company has been in the gin distillery business for over a century.

* Hiking: The natural beauty and landscape of Minorca makes the island ideal for nature hikes and tours.

* Water Activities: With so many beaches it is no surprise that lots of water sports activities are available to choose from. Some of the better known beaches are Cala Binibeca, Son Xoriguer and Son Bou. The latter has the reputation of being one of the most beautiful on the island.

Scuba diving and snorkeling offer underwater experiences hard to find anywhere else in the world. Even beginner scuba divers are not excluded, as there are classes exclusively for them in some areas.

After a day or week of sightseeing and other activities, nothing helps a tourist relax more than a spa treatment. Many professional spas on the island help visitors unwind. Some hotels have top class spas and facilities.

Mallorca also has its own unique appeal for visitors, whether from Ireland, the UK or other countries. A rich history has left behind hints of a past that still intrigues visitors. For a relatively small place, Mallorca's many villages all have something unique about them.

It's not just the Mallorca and Minorca weather forecast that brings the holidaymakers back to the two islands for a summer vacation.