Menorca has cliffs and small coves lapped by turquoise sea, Majorca has palaces and picturesque villages and Ibiza has beaches that extend forever and hosts the hippest DJs on the planet –the Balearic group of islands offers up a kaleidoscope mix of lazing around, wild nights and the joys of the sea.
To give you inspiration, Relais & Châteaux presents the Routes du Bonheur: suggestions for travel itineraries that you can fully personalise according to your wishes and the experiences you would like to discover. Our consultants are available to help customise your route and assist you in making reservations at our properties. It is up to you to reserve any recommended activities on-site or nearby that might interest you.
*Total price provided for information only, based on accommodation for two people in a double room for the number of nights per property as indicated on this page, exclusive of recommended activities, properties that cannot be reserved online and restaurants.
Hotel and restaurant on the seafront. Can Faustino, a magnificent palace dating back to the 16th century, overlooks the port of Ciutadella. Architect Olivia Putman has imagined it as a large family home, where natural materials are highlighted: the softness of the pink stones of the façade, the authenticity of wood and leather in the bright rooms. A simplicity which ideally suits Menorca, the wildest of the Balearic Islands. Two superb boats as well as horses are at your disposal to discover this island listed as a biosphere reserve, its virgin beaches and Menorcan lifestyle.
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S'Albufera Natural Park, an ornithological paradise
For a long time this place was only known to bird lovers. S’Albufera brings together some 230 species of birds which follow each other throughout the year in the heart of this old drained marsh. At 1,700 hectares wide, the park combines several ecosystems and was declared a Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO in 1988. In the silence, one can observe bitterns, squacco herons, ospreys, herons or egrets…
Experiencing the festivities at St-Jean, Ciutadella
This is perhaps the most vibrant festival in the whole archipelago. Celebrated since the 14th century, every year (23 to 24 June), the Festa Sant Joan draws a packed crowd to its horse processions along the narrow streets of the town of Ciutadella After a Mass at the Cathedral, men compete in intense jousts and other equestrian competitions…
A journey across Menorca on horseback
Menorca, the island which is the furthest from the coast, is also the quietest of the Balearic Islands. Classified as a Biosphere Reserve by the UNESCO, Menorca has the ideal profile to be discovered on horseback. With rocky landscapes, sandy beaches and megalithic monuments, the 185 km of marked bridle paths (Cami de Cavalls) offer extraordinary possibilities. Under a sky which is (almost) always blue, one walks between low stone walls erected by the islanders to protect their fields from the winds along the coast.
Hotel and restaurant in the country. In this former hillside monastery in Majorca, asceticism lives on in the décor, where white walls shine forth against the deep blue sky. The spa is a water and teakwood paradise using essential oils derived from the island flora. The swimming pool, a chic camping ground, provides large white parasols to ensure deckchairs remain in the shade. The rooms offer views of the sea, the olive tree orchards and the bay of Pollença. Organic produce, including olive oil, wine, citrus fruits and vegetables, is cultivated on the grounds and served in the restaurant. There is little inclination to venture out of this pleasant hotel, unless it is to head for the beaches or the golf course.
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First there is the winding lane that extends out over the top of the cliff road. Right to the end of the peninsula where the Tramuntana Mountain Range meets the sea. This is a mineral scenery of steep cliffs, jagged peaks, pine forests and azure water where the horizon offers itself to you. Little paths escape downwards leading to just as much paradise: a world of small isolated coves and picture postcard sand.
Hotel and restaurant in town. A 19th century Lord’s manor, the Mirador de Dalt Vila was until recently a family property. When it was converted into an intimate and welcoming hotel, none of its historical values were lost. Perched on the heights inside the famous walled city of Dalt Vila – declared a Unesco World Heritage site –, the building offers, as suggested by its name a magnificent panoramic view of the city of Ibiza, its historical port and the never ending horizon of the Mediterranean sea. Far from the bustle of the town, sample the charms of this peaceful haven with its excellent service and highly dedicated staff.
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As a flagship a destination for the most famous DJs in the world, in summer Ibiza becomes the place for clubbers from around the world to come together. Attracted by the beauty of its landscapes and the tolerance of the islanders, it was the hippies who first set their hearts on the island in the 1960s. As both a tranquil and trendy island, Ibiza is now attracting a very diverse population which meets up on the beaches during the day and in the clubs at night...
The charm of upper part of Eivissa Town
Ibiza is of course synonymous with sandy beaches and partying. But beyond being a paradise for DJs, "the white island" has managed to retain an authentic charm. Like in Eivissa which, away from its 16th century walls, hides unexpected treasures of medieval architecture. Although the old fishermen's quarter of Sa Penya is still one of the most picturesque and liveliest on the island, the beautiful upper town is classified as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Hotel and restaurant in the mountains. In the west of Majorca, the Sierra de Tramontana is a paradise of olive and almond trees that once inspired Frédéric Chopin, on his romantic travels with author George Sand, to write his Preludes. In fact, Valldemossa belonged to the former estate of the Carthusian Monastery where Chopin and Sand stayed and still reflects the same purity and beauty that the famous couple enjoyed. Behind the stone walls that give protection from the glare of the sun, there are very charming rooms with four-poster beds dressed in white netting. On the agenda are Mediterranean dinners on the terraces overlooking the burnt landscapes of the island, and the gentle pleasures of an exceptional swimming pool, golf, sailing, watersports and other preludes.
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Chopin and the Royal Carthusian monastery of Valldemossa
This former palace, which was converted into a Carthusian monastery, is well known for having hosted Frédéric Chopin and his mistress George Sand in the winter of 1838 (the novelist told the story of their stay in A Winter in Majorca). Suffering from tuberculosis, Chopin composed several pieces on site, even though his Pleyel piano was only delivered to him three weeks before his departure. Every August, the Real Cartuja de Valldemossa hosts a festival dedicated to the works of the musician.
On the route
Discover La Seu, the Cathedral of Palma
Built on the site of the former Great Mosque, La Seu is above all a masterpiece of Gothic art. Its construction was spread over almost three centuries, but the greatest artists in the country have continued to (re)decorate it throughout the ages. Gaudi thus revamped the royal chapel while Miquel Barcelo, a native of the area, reinvented the apse of the nave as well as certain stained glass windows.
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