The Balearic Islands continue to be a favourite holiday destination for UK travellers. Offering visitors a wide range of experiences including cycling and hiking excursions, city breaks and gastronomic tours, the islands of Formentera, Ibiza, Mallorca and Menorca have a little something for everyone.

Here the tourism board reveals the latest destination news.

Destination News

Record number of winter visitors to the Balearic Islands
From November 2017 to March 2018, the Balearic Islands saw a 24.91% increase in visitors from the UK compared to the winter season running from November 2016 to March 2017, highlighting a growing appetite for travel to the islands outside of the peak season. This increase stands in line with the Balearic Islands' tourism strategy to promote travel to the islands during the winter months. https://www.illesbalears.travel/en/baleares/?utm_campaign=lotus&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=letteragosto2018

Balearic Islands launch new tourism brochure 'Better in Winter'
The Balearic Islands tourism board has released a new tourism brochure outlining the cultural, sporting, artistic, gastronomic and wellness events taking place on the islands during the shoulder season running from October 2018 to May 2019. The brochure was introduced as part of the Balearic Islands tourism campaign called 'Better in Winter', which aims to promote travel to the islands outside of the high season.
https://www.illesbalears.travel/en/baleares/?utm_campaign=lotus&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=letteragosto2018

Formentera introduces new birdwatching brochure
The Formentera tourism board has launched a new birdwatching brochure presenting the variety species that can be found in Formentera, as well as the best spots to enjoy birdwatching on the island. Formentera's privileged geographic location, located between Europe and Africa, and in the middle of one of the main migratory routes in the world, has made the island one of the best destinations in the world for birdwatching. The new catalogue can be downloaded from HERE /www.formentera.es

Hotel News

Puerto Soller in Mallorca welcomes new Bikini Island and Mountain Hotel Port Soller
New four star Bikini Island and Mountain Hotel Port Soller is the latest hotel to open on the west coast of Mallorca overlooking the bay of Port Soller and the Tramuntana Mountains. Nestled between the sea, Soller's famous orange groves and the mountains, the hotel is located in an oasis of tranquillity perfect for those looking to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The hotel has a variety of rooms with fantastic views, an outdoor swimming pool, a restaurant serving local dishes and a spa. Bikini Island and Mountain Hotel is also situated minutes from the beach and the harbour promenade where guests can relax on the beach, snorkel or enjoy a cocktail overlooking the bay. A standard double room in the low season is priced from €216 (including tax) per night based on two people sharing. www.bikini-hotels.com

Carrossa Hotel Spa Villas opens in Mallorca
A new luxury hotel called the Carrossa Hotel Spa Villas has recently opened in the northeast of Mallorca near the town of Arta. Set in a traditional finca-style manor house, the hotel is surrounded by gently sloping hills dotted with olive and almond trees overlooking the bay. The property has 75 rooms and suites and eight country home residences, perfect for families and couples, as well as a restaurant serving Mediterranean cuisine, an indoor and an outdoor pool, and a spa. Carrossa Hotel Spa Villas is a member of the Preferred Hotels and Resorts LVX Collection. Rates start from £131 per room per night. www.preferredhotels.com

New villa suites open at Son Brull, Mallorca
Family owned design hotel Son Brull, located at the foot of the Tramuntana mountain range near Pollensa, has recently unveiled two new private villa suites situated in the hotel's idyllic gardens. Perfect for families or a group of friends, the villas have two bedrooms, a private terrace and private gardens to relax in, as well as a spacious living room complete with a fireplace, television and Nespresso machine. The villas also have their own heated private outdoor lap pools. Nightly rates at Son Brull's new villa suites start from €1,210, based on two people sharing on a B&B basis and including VAT, and €1,452 based on four people sharing. www.sonbrull.com

Hotel Es Princep partners with leading French beauty brand Anne Sémonin
Luxury five star hotel Es Princep located in Palma de Mallorca, has announced the start of a collaboration in their Cocô Spa Oasis with beauty product brand Anne Sémonin. Working closely with the hotel's wellness team, the hotel will offer a menu of facial and body therapies that will leave guests feeling relaxed and refreshed. Prices vary depending on the treatment. www.esprincep.com

Gastronomy News

New seafood restaurant opens in Colònia, Mallorca
A new seafood restaurant called the Salicornia has recently opened in the coastal town of Colònia de Sant Jordi in southern Mallorca. Specialities offered at the restaurant include rice and seafood dishes made with locally-sourced and fresh produce. The new eatery boasts a fantastic outdoor terrace with spectacular views over the beachfront promenade. www.salicorniarestaurant.com

Michelin star chef, Boris Buono, announces dates for cookery classes and courses
The pioneering ex-chef of Noma in Denmark and founder of the Ibicencan social dining club 'The Ibiza Food Studio' is now offering cooking classes to those visiting Ibiza. The one day cooking courses will include food planning, preparations, and social dining. The courses will take place on 8 August, 5 September, 3 October starting from midday and will cost €295 per person. www.ibzfoodstudio.weebly.com

Other News

Ibiza's first and only zero-emission boating experience introduces new solar catamarans
La Bella Verde, Ibiza's first and only solar-powered catamaran experience, has recently announced the launch of two new green boats to its eco-friendly fleet, enabling more visitors to minimise their carbon footprint while exploring some of the most beautiful and secluded coves in the Balearic Islands. Prices for La Bella Verde start from £107.50 per person for a seven-hour solar catamaran excursion, including complimentary coconut water, juices and a selection of locally-sourced beer, wine and champagne. www.labellaverde.org

Port Calanova in Palma unveils new look
Port Calanova, located to the west of Palma, has recently re-opened following three years of renovation. The refreshed marina now features a new restaurant called Muella 327 Gastrodock serving authentic Mediterranean cuisine, a sky bar & lounge offering an extensive array of tropical cocktails and boasting panoramic views of the ocean, as well as a sports residence with nine conference rooms, a swimming pool and a fitness centre. www.portcalanova.com

La GaleriaElefante opens in Mallorca
Ibicencan store La GaleriaElefante, has launched a second boutique in the mountain village of Deiá in Mallorca. The new intimate bijoux boutique has a selection of vintage labels as well as beautiful floaty dresses by owner Victoria Durrer-Gasse and her own label 'Sunny Day' as well as exquisite jewellery, sandals, beach bags and accessories. www.lagaleriaelefante.com

Events

Gràcia Festival, Mahon, Menorca (6-9 September)
During these three-day celebrations, the residents of Mahón, Menorca's capital city, honour their patron, 'Our Lady of Grace' with a pilgrimage to the chapel followed by a series of horse processions and races in the city's streets. This is the perfect opportunity to see the famous Menorcan horses in action. www.menorca.es

Palma de Mallorca Marathon (14 October)
Enjoy a little end-of-year sunshine with a running trip to Palma this autumn. The Palma de Mallorca Marathon offers a 10k, a half marathon and a full length marathon. The race starts by the sea on the PasseigMarítim (seafront promenade), opposite the Palma cathedral and offers one of Europe's most attractive running routes.www.palmademallorcamarathon.com

Volta Menorca BBT (12-14 October)
One of the most keenly anticipated events in the cycling world, the Volta Menorca BBT takes around 500 mountain bike riders around the incredible natural landscapes of the islands. Now in its 12th year, three routes take place across the weekend with different levels of difficulty and elevation. www.menorcabtt.com

Ibiza Triathlon (21 October)
A breathtaking challenge from the sea to the mountains, the island of Ibiza invites amateur and professional athletes to test themselves with a cycling, swimming and running race through the island's beautiful landscapes. www.triatlonibiza.com

Volta Cicloturista Formentera (26 – 28 October)
The Balearic Islands are a haven for cyclists and the BBT Formentera brings mountain bike excitement to the island. Comprising of three stages; SantFrancesc, Pilar de La Mola and La Savina, the race provides cyclists with spectacular views of the whole of Formentera. www.bttformentera.net

For more information on what to see and do in the Balearic Islands, please visit www.illesbalears.travel