Wild Tortuga

This beautiful, 250-year-old farmhouse has been lovingly restored to create a charming, peaceful retreat just outside the historic town of Alaior. Spacious and tastefully styled, it really is a cut above, especially in terms of its rural setting. The 160-acre farm estate it sits on has been thoughtfully rewilded to create a home for native flora and fauna – including the local red kites and wild tortoises.

When you're not exploring the grounds, there's a stunning saltwater pool and a covered terrace where you can eat outdoors, taking in views across the lush gardens. Cooking can be done inside, in the smart country kitchen, or outside on the barbecue – both the rustic dining table and the outdoor table seat twelve comfortably. Elsewhere, bedrooms and bathrooms are spread across two floors and a small annexe, with plenty of flexibility if there are two or more families sharing.

Having recently gained an agrotourism license from the local government, it has excellent eco credentials too – the well water is purified to make it safe for drinking and the home's hot water is heated by solar panels, while any water used in sinks and showers goes into a system to irrigate the lawns and gardens.

By day you can swim in the pool or play on the private tennis court, explore the land or head to the nearby town – just seven minutes away by car – for lunch. Just a fifteen-minute drive from the airport, you'll be in the heart of rural Menorca here. Mahon is around twenty minutes away and the coast is even closer – we recommend the dreamy, white-sand beach at Son Bou.


Home truths:
*You'll need a car here – there's plenty of private parking
*There's laptop-friendly workspace
*A cot and high chair are available for little ones
*The Sonos system runs through the house and outside to the terrace
*Not all the rooms have air conditioning – some have a fan
*The saltwater pool is kinder to skin but it is unheated
*One first-floor bedroom has a terrace with a low wall – it's not considered safe for children
*The annexe suite has its own entrance – perfect if some of your group prefer a little more independence
*Two of the twin bedrooms are interconnecting and share a bathroom – perfect for kids
*The coffee machine is Nespresso