|
73
74
APPENDIX A
INFORMATION FOR VISITORS
How to reach Minorca
One may fly direct from London’s airports, the journey taking just
under two hours. There are also scheduled and charter flights from
several regional airports, Manchester, Norwich etc.
Travel agents can usually arrange a charter flight inclusive of hotel or
villa to most of the main tourist spots already described, and this might
be cheaper than independent travel. Try the well known on-line
Travel Agency Expedia , your local travel shop, or SAGA (attractive
hotel packages for over 50's) www.saga.co.uk/travel
There are firms specialising in Minorca, such as Travel
Menorca +44(0)1530 564174 www.travelmenorca.co.uk
Patricia Wildblood Holidays
+44(0)1249 817023 www.patriciawildblood.co.uk
,
Meon Villas www.meonvillas.co.uk
Menorca Villa holidays +44(0)8702 402669 www.menorca-villa-holidays.co.uk
www.menorcagold.co.uk to
mention just five. There are more on the Internet and in the Sunday
paper Travel sections.
The official Tourist website for Minorca
is www.emenorca.org
and it links to www.visitmenorca.com
where you can book accommodation direct with the hotels' Association.
Alternative ways of reaching Minorca from the UK are by car across
France to Barcelona, and then by ferry from there to Mahon.
A more leisurely route is by Brittany Ferries from Plymouth to Santander, or P & O Ferries
from Portsmouth to Bilbao in northern Spain and then drive (with one night
stop) the 400 miles to Barcelona.
The cheapest way from London is by coach from Victoria Coach Station to
Barcelona (thirty-six hours).
From the United States one may either fly to London and use any of these
methods, or fly to Madrid, and from there to Mahon
the whole journey taking about eight to nine hours.
Hotels
Your travel agent and the website www.visitmenorca.com will guide you. Three long established
four-star hotels are Port Mahon Hotel (Mahon), Hotel Audax
at Galdana beach, and Santo Tomas Hotel at the
beach of the same name. There are numerous three-star hotels at the main
tourist playas. SAGA offers attractive packages for over 50's at two popoular hotels. www.saga.co.uk/travel
When to go
The season runs from early May until the end of October. July and
August are the busiest and hottest months, and there is much to be said for
an early or late holiday. October, and even November, are
delightful, and costs will be lower. January and February can be very
wet, windy and cold. Occasional snow is not unknown!
Car hire
There are numerous self-drive hire firms on the island, international and local. The former
all have desks at the airport. For
July/August it is advisable to book early.
Currency
The Euro is the unit of currency. Money may be carried by
travellers' cheques, or use made of one's Bank Cards. Multiple-
language Cash machines (Telebank) are
everywhere.
Local travel agencies
There are a number of these in Mahon and Ciudadela.
These agencies can, amongst other tours, arrange local excursions by sea.
This is an interesting way of exploring the coastline.
Consulates
The U.K., Germany, France and the Netherlands have consulates in Minorca.
(The Italian consulate is in Palma).
Menorca British Vice Consulate
St Casa Nova, Cami de Biniatap
30,
07720 Es Castell, Menorca
Telephone: (34) (71) 36 33 73
Facsimile: (34) (71) 35 46 90
Others:
- Germany. Tel.: + 34 971 36 16 68
- France. Tel.: + 34 971 35 43 87
- The Netherlands. Tel.: +34 971 35 43 63
- Italy. Tel.: +34 971 72 42 14
If one is in any difficulty over passports or cars, Minorcans
do not deal with government departments direct, but go to a Gestoria, who is an agent who will fill up your forms
and deal with the whole business on your behalf for a moderate fee. There
are several of these in Mahon.
Hospitals
All towns in Minorca provide medical services. The national health service
has a hospital in Mahon (Verge del Toro) and various outpatient surgeries
spread out through the island.
There are also various private medical centres on the island. (e.g. Residencia Sanitaria, Avenida Giron, Mahon).
The Red Cross is present in the main towns and on the most popular
beaches.
Pharmacies
Normal opening hours are from 9.a.m. to 1 p.m. and then from 4.30 p.m. to 8
p.m. from Monday to Friday. Saturday opening times are from 9 a.m. to 1.30
p.m. Outside of these opening times, there are 24 hour opening time shifts
established among the pharmacies
Police
The Police Station in Mahon is in San Fernando Street, and
in Ciudadela in the Plaza Generalissimo.
- EMERGENCIES: 112
- NATIONAL POLICE: 091
- GUARDIA CIVIL: 062
- LOCAL POLICE / FIRE BRIGADE: 092
- MEDICAL EMERGENCIES: 061
Taxis
These are available in Mahon, in the Explanada,
the Plaza Espana, and Plaza Miranda.
Mahon - Taxi ranks.
Tel.: 36 28 91 / 36 12 83
Ciudedala - Taxi ranks.
Tel.: 38 11 97 / 38 44 35
See Useful telephone numbers in Minorca below for other
areas.
Shipping-line offices
The offices of the Trasmediterranea Line are in Calle General Goded. They run
passenger and car ferry services to and from Barcelona and Palma. The
frequency of these varies with the time of year. Details and
bookings:
Transmediterránea ferries.
Tel. : + 34 902 45 46 45 / + 34 971 36 60 50
www.transmediterranea.net
Post and telegraph offices
In Mahon, in Calle Buen
Aire (near Hannover Street).
In Ciudadela in the Plaza Generalissimo.
NEXT:
Further Tourist Information
|
