Binibeca Vell ia a purpose-built vacation community on Menorca's Southeast coast. Everyone who sees it has an opinion. We wanted one too. Traveling through fields of poppies (without Dorothy & company), the town appeared like Oz on the horizon. Stark white, instead of emerald green. A surreal town. Built in 1972 by Antonia Sintes. To look like a Mediterranean fishing village. His vernacular coastal architecture was influenced, quite obviously, by Gaudi. And has been hailed as a model example of planned tourism on Menorca.

The village center of this white dream has what you'd expect. Information office, outdoor quick-eats, souvenirs. All planned for tourists & homeowners' summer patronage. Binibeca is cute & orderly. A perfect seaside resort, beach & all. Good for "Munchkinlanders" in need of a vacation.

Everything is just right, down to the narrow whitewashed alleyways, wooden balconies, front gates & charming chimney pots. All white. Disneyesque even, with its quaint church steeple, but no church! Even streets & houses are named "Bini" this or "Bini" that. Could there be "Bini" dogs (Totos) behind those doors?

Best not travel here during high season, July & August. When busloads converge on this Oz-land. But do stop and see it. The poppies greet you in May. Walk along the well-designed cobbled paths between houses. Some overlooking the sea. The plantings are wonderful, especially the huge agaves. The town beach is not the greatest. Certainly don't expect any good food. Just look. It's a vision like you've never seen before.