Astronomy and ecotourism in Menorca

Summer is approaching, where the basic proposal of Polaris Menorca is to merge ecotourism with astrotourism, although we fit more into regenerative tourism, which has the same basic premises as Sustainable Tourism but goes further by attempting to improve environmental conditions and the quality of life for the inhabitants of our surroundings through responsible consumption, synergy with local companies, voluntary participation in social projects… and above all with ecological behavior, remembering that ecology is the mother of the economy… This is a moment when we invert the menu and focus it on the visitor, leaving behind the dissemination of astronomical science and science in general through activities such as workshops, talks, courses, and activities more aimed at the local Menorcan who already knows their environment more deeply. Very pleasant months for astronomy are coming, but for me, there is nothing like the winter sky with its pristine skies, clean atmosphere, and constellations that take your breath away! But going to visit Menorca and not enjoying the quality of its night sky is like going to Paris and not dedicating a day to the Louvre, or going to Africa without visiting a wildlife reserve… you will definitely regret it! Especially considering that 80 percent of the planet's inhabitants no longer have the possibility of accessing the stars due to excessive light pollution. This is another of the privileges that Menorca has; it is to its credit to be one of the best places in Spain and all of Europe where you can marvel at the immensity of the firmament. Participating in an astronomy activity is something simple and affordable for everyone, and it does not require prior knowledge. Polaris Menorca has qualified and certified guides for this, in addition to state-of-the-art instrumentation. Each season, each month, each night is different and unrepeatable if you have the sensitivity to appreciate the spectacle of the night sky, which begins with the sunset, the play of lights of the blue hour, the golden hour, the green flash… In our guided night sky tours, each observation is different, which is why there are not only many people who repeat and have already reserved their night exclusively. But we like to play with astronomy and as you will see, we have a thousand and one activities with our regular collaborators of each year, to which some new ones have joined this year, for which we are very grateful to be able to collaborate and offer in synergy unique activities that can only be enjoyed in Menorca. This means that nowhere else in the world can you see the stars leaning against a megalithic monument like a talayot, or lying on a beach full of posidonia balls while they explain to you how stars are formed! Summer begins and we are very happy about it, very eager to offer and share astronomy and ecotourism in Menorca after grey and difficult months that have barely allowed us to do what we like most: working in the natural environment, merging land and sea with the sky!