Archive for the ‘Menorca’ Category

Mayonnaise sauce and Menorca Island

Tuesday, December 2nd, 2008

The origin of the mayonnaise sauce or mahonnaise is uncertain, one of the most accepted theories is related to the city of Maó (Mahón in Spanish). Where it is believed that the Duke of Richelieu, Louis François Armand du Plessis, took it to the court of Versailles, popularized and spread it throughout Europe.

Even inquiring into the Minorcan origin of the mayonnaise sauce, we found three different versions, always related to the stay of the Duke of Richelieu in Menorca. The most widespread explains that mayonnaise was served, in the banquet to celebrate the French victory over the British to control the Port of Maó, in 1756. It is said, that it was an invention of the French chef in charge of the banquet, or that he had learned it from the local population, as a variant of the alioli.

Attributed to the oral tradition of Menorca, is counted as the Duke of Richellieu was walking through the streets of Maó, considering plans for the battle, without thinking of taking any food. Already too late, pushed by hunger, he entered into an inn to eat. Where there was only one dish of meat, looking ungrateful, it was served with a simple sauce made with egg and olive oil. So much it liked him, that he asked for the recipe to the innkeeper, which when he returned to France unveiled as sauce from Mahón.

The third story talks about a Minorcan lover of the Duke, who made him discover the sauce. Maybe the three stories are true, or perhaps none of them is. In any case, they reflect the idea of how the French during their domination of the Island, got to know the mayonnaise sauce in Menorca, from where it was taken to France.

Hotel reviews

Saturday, November 22nd, 2008
Bouganvilla Park apartments in Sa Coma, Mallorca

Bouganvilla Park apartments in Mallorca

The reviews made by customers about their stay in a hotel, have become an indispensable reference when booking trough the Internet. It is not surprising, given that the descriptions of a hotel characteristics, in travel websites, tend rather to highlight the virtues, and put aside those aspects less favourable. As it could not be otherwise, for texts with a strong commercial orientation. Instead customer feedback, responding to a subjective opinion based on their experience, which inevitable has far more credibility for future guests.

This phenomenon has created a strong controversy among hoteliers, who see how the comments of their guests have switched from private to public domain, with the wide circulation that could reach the informations in a website. One of his main concerns, is to see false reviews published by competitors, or people who for one reason or another, wants to discredit their establishments.

At MCA Travel, this year we have begun to gather hotel reviews, among the customers who have booked on our website http://www.mca-hotels.com. The experience couldn’t have been more positive, thanks to the generosity of people often anonymous, we have some reviews of incalculable value, to better understand the experiences of our customers, which are clearly of great help for future travellers and the hotel managers.

Every Friday, our system looks at all the reservations with check-out date between this and the previous Friday to send an email, to all those who when were registered on our site, expressed their desire to review their chosen accommodation. In this message, they have a link to go directly to the page where they can review the hotel in which they stayed. Most of them never do it, although there is a significant number of people, who spend a few minutes to share their views. One might think that those are the only ones, who have suffered a bad experience, but it does not. Despite being subjective reviews, most people try to highlight in an objective way, both positive and negative aspects. We also notice, that an establishment review is conditioned by the kind of guest. As an example, the stay at a hotel full of young girls waiting to party, could end up being a real bad experience for a couple with young children, or the opposite, a real paradise for a group of young boys waiting to party.

Holidays in the Balearic Islands

Friday, October 10th, 2008

The Balearic Islands have become one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. This is primarily thanks to its outstanding location, its mild year-round climate and, above all, the appeal of its captivating landscapes and white sandy beaches, where the Mediterranean never ceases to enchant visitors. Summer is the most intense period on the Balearic Islands, as this is when the tourist resorts fill up with thousands of visitors and famous stars from around the world, creating a cosmopolitan atmosphere and meeting point for people who really want to enjoy their holidays.

The Balearic Islands are indeed four different realities, very close to each other at the same time. In Formentera and Menorca they have managed to preserve its natural environment, which is closely linked to the Mediterranean sea and hence includes a number of exceptionally beautiful beaches. In Ibiza in addition, we find a warm and tolerant atmosphere that makes after dark a unique and exclusive experience. Meanwhile in Mallorca, being the biggest of the four island we find a little bit of everything. The city of Palma de Mallorca stands with its historical legacy and cosmopolitan atmosphere, as well as the charming villages inland and in the Serra de Tramuntana mountains.

The accommodation available for your holidays in the Balearic Islands primarily consists of excellent-value 3 and 4-star hotels and apartments. Nevertheless, there is a wide range of all sorts of accommodation, with a variety of luxurious and exclusive hotels as well as budget options. July and August are the hottest months and this is when demand is greatest, meaning that prices are higher and there is less availability, so it is advisable to book well in advance if you plan to take your holidays in this period. The weather is also good in May, June, September and October, and during these months visitors can swim in the sea without the crowds of high summer. During the rest of the year it is worth bearing in mind that many hotels and other types of accommodation close.

Due to the Balearic Islands popularity as a tourist destination, there are many direct flights from most of the principal European cities, especially from Germany, the United Kingdom and Spain.