Dying of the light - Chasing the Bargain Sunshine
October: the trees are stripped bare, the heating’s coming on, and dark nights are looming. Time to see if those bargain holidays in the sun still exist, even if just for a few days. Laptop open, search engine ready—off we go. All options covered, from flight deals to all-inclusive packages, and everything in between. We only needed a short break, so we avoided Turkey and beyond, aiming for a quick flight to Spain or the Balearics. At first, no cheap deals were available until I typed in my old faithful friend: Menorca. Now we’re talking—three-figure deals popping up for the three of us. Weather check: low twenties with a chance of rain, but knowing the island well, we were confident we wouldn’t be stuck indoors if the weather turned. Plus, East Midlands Airport is only half an hour from HQ—ideal.
I found a spot in Cala Santandria, near two beaches and just 20 minutes from the old capital, Ciutadella. Close to a supermarket, so self-catering would work fine. But then, an option for Half Board popped up, £120 cheaper than Self Catering! Well, it would be rude not to go for it. I’d read reviews about the island closing down for winter—bars shutting, shops closing up—but I knew we’d manage.
A 3:30 a.m. wake-up call is never ideal, but adrenaline carried us through that first day. Travelling at this time of year has its perks: East Midlands Airport wasn’t too busy, even with our full 7:30 a.m. flight. We landed to a quiet Menorcan airport, stepping out into a warm Mediterranean morning with a light drizzle. A 40-minute coach ride later, we arrived at Cala Santandria's Prinsotel La Caleta. I’d come across this four-star hotel while deal-hunting, and upon entering, the place smelled and looked promising. But then...
“Sorry, sir, this isn’t your check-in spot,” the receptionist said, handing back our passports.
Ah, no.
“Actually, sir, you’re in one of our suites, which has a private reception further up the road.” Didn’t even realise I’d booked that! We were welcomed into our exclusive check-in area with drinks and snacks. Yes, it was all a bit posh. Our suite door opened to reveal a true four-star experience—maybe even leaning toward five. Quick change into swimwear and straight down to the private pool, cabanas ready for us to claim. Just as we settled, the storm clouds rolled in and let loose with a tropical-style downpour.
Ten minutes later, skies cleared, the sun was out, and we headed to the “snack bar.” Not a snack bar, though—it was an open-kitchen dining area, immaculate and staffed with friendly waiters. Of all things, I chose a Doner Kebab, but it wasn’t your typical greasy, paper-wrapped experience. It turned out to be a Spanish chicken kebab, beautifully done.
The waitress mentioned that this was the last week before the island shuts down for winter. I asked her what she did without work for six months. “It’s easy: three months relaxing, then three months thinking about going back to work,” she joked, flashing a smile before leaving. All the staff had this infectious warmth—maybe because they were all wrapping up for the season, but I loved it.
After our first impressive day at the hotel, we strolled to Cala Santandria’s small, quiet beach. Having been here in the height of summer, the difference was striking. The evening meal revealed just how quiet the hotel was, yet the quality and variety of food were top-notch, with the staff as lovely as ever.
We ventured along the silent streets to Sa Caleta Beach, hoping a bar I’d found online might still be open. Phone torches on, we followed a dark path, catching a faint sound of music ahead. There it was: a small beach bar, lit up like a beacon. The three staff members—two Catalonians and a Peruvian—were warm and welcoming, and a few drinks later, we felt like old friends. Football talk helped break the ice, as it so often does.
One of the Catalonian guys, heading back to Barcelona the next morning, asked me to snap a photo for him, since he didn’t have his phone. I captured the moment he and his friends embraced, perfectly reflecting the camaraderie built over the last six months.
A gift Jägermeister from the bar sent us peacefully to sleep, and we woke to a cool yet bright Menorcan morning.
Checking the forecast and seeing rain again, we opted for a coastal walk along the ancient Cami de Cavall trail. With clouds gathering above, we headed back to the hotel for lunch (yes, I had another chicken kebab, no shame).
But then the rain cleared, and we enjoyed a beautiful, quiet afternoon at Sa Caleta Beach, towels laid out, drinks in hand, book open.
What a stunning afternoon in October on this beautiful island.
In the evening, we took a 30-minute stroll to Cala Blanca, a familiar place. The clear night framed Cala Santandria beautifully as we walked.
The streets were eerily silent, not unsettling but strangely peaceful. Only a couple of beach bars were still open, closing by 9 p.m., so we stopped for a drink at Globales Mediterrani Hotel, where a bartender remembered me from a previous stay. “Nice to see you again,” she said as she handed over a complimentary round.
The next day, we journeyed from west to east across the island to Mahon, Menorca’s vibrant capital with a rich history.
And Menorcas interior is truly beautiful.
Made our way Harbourside, watching the Cruise Ship tourists coming & going, while we lunched with the locals at a small cafe. Just sitting watching the world go by, which we all maybe don't do enough?
Heading back up to the city centre, we took the glass elevator, which isn't us being lazy, just never used it before.
And as you leave the elevator, you are graced with a beautiful view of the city.
As the evening approached, we enjoyed a few more quiet drinks in local bars. Standing at one bar, a guy next to me asked, “Is that Sauce & Brown, mate?” “Yes, mate,” I replied, smiling as we bonded over being from Nottingham. I didn’t mention I co-owned the brand, but knowing our clothes were an icebreaker like that was exactly the feeling we want them to inspire.
Blue skies greeted us on the last day of our four-day break. The early morning sunbeds sat empty, no rush, no fuss—just peace and tranquillity as we soaked up Menorca’s charm. It was the perfect October escape, saying goodbye to summer, the warm air, and the island settling in for its six-month rest.
