The Balearic Islands are an archipelago of Spain in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula.
The four largest islands are Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza and Formentera. There are many minor islands and islets close to the larger islands, including Cabrera, Dragonera and S'Espalmador.
The Posidonia Oceanic marine plant
Formentera has launched a new initiative to raise funds to conserve the Posidonia Oceanic marine plant.
Each of the island's 76,500,000 square meters of Posidonia are available to sponsor and name, for just €1 per square metre.
Posidonia is a marine plant, endemic in the Mediterranean and since 1999 the meadow of the Natural Park of Ses Salines d'Eivissa and Formentera has been declared a World Heritage Site.
The Posidonia meadows help to protect the beaches from erosion and are also the habitat for more than 400 species of marine plants and 1,000 species of marine animals.
Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró, Palma, Mallorca
One of the main cultural attractions in Palma, the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró, is celebrating its 25th anniversary in 2017.
The museum features a vast collection of Joan Miró's work including 217 paintings, 178 sculptures, nine textiles, four ceramics and over 8,000 drawings and prints, as well work by other artists dedicated to Miró.
The museum is a centrepiece for culture in Mallorca and the anniversary celebrations will include talks and conferences, guided art tours of the city and film screenings.
Gardens of Marivent
The gardens at the Marivent Palace in Palma, the Spanish Royal Family's summer residence, has opened to the public for the first time.
Free to visit, the gardens are home to over forty different plant species, as well as several birds of paradise. Spread throughout the garden are 12 bronze sculptures by the artist Joan Miró, which were made between 1969 and 1981, and have been donated by the Miró family.
Balearic Islands official partner of UN's Sustainable Tourism Year
The Balearic Islands are the only official partner destination for the United Nation's 'International Year of Sustainable Tourism'.
The islands have been working extensively to help promote sustainable tourism, and a Sustainable Tourism Tax was introduced last year, with the aim of funding approximately €500 million of environmental improvements over the next decade.
Menorca puts forward archaeological sites to UNESCO World Heritage Status
The island of Menorca has put forward 25 archaeological sites that are representative of the Talayotic culture of Menorca for UNESCO World Heritage recognition.
Representing the prehistoric past of the island, there are in total 1,574 archaeological sites on the island.
The Talayotic period began around 1400 BC and this ancient civilisation built 12 villages on the south side of the island.
The name Talayotic derives from dry stone megalithic structures called Talayots. Menorca could find out this summer if the application has been successful.
First Cappuccino Hotel to open in Mallorca
The Hotel Cappuccino, a four star hotel located near the Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma, will open in 2018.
The Gecko Hotel & Beach Club, Formentera
The Gecko Hotel & Beach Club reopened in 2017 following a major refurbishment.
Located on one of the island's most beautiful beaches, Playa Migjorn, the new design of the hotel takes inspiration from the seaside elegance of the 1950s, and was led by Mallorcan designer Antonio Obrador.
Son Bunyola Villa, Mallorca
Virgin Limited Edition has opened its Son Balagueret on the north coast of Mallorca in the Son Bunyola Estate.
The estate is spread over 700 acres and is located between Esporles and Banyalbufar on the northwest coast of Mallorca.
www.virginlimitededition.com/en/son-bunyola
Hipotels Gran Playa de Palma
The four star Hipotels Gran Playa de Palma has opened in Mallorca some 200 metres from the beach.
Hipotels Playa de Palma Palace & Spa
The adults only, five-star Hipotels Playa de Palma Palace & Spa has opened in Playa de Palma, a short walk away from the beach.
Sant Jaume Boutique Hotel, Palma
The new Sant Jaume Boutique Hotel has opened in Palma de Mallorca with 36 rooms and a rooftop sundeck with a plunge pool and views of the city and cathedral.
The hotel is found on one of the city's oldest streets between the historic buildings of the Church of Sant Jaume and Santa Magdalena Convent.
www.boutiquehotelsantjaume.com
Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay
The new Nobu Hotel Ibiza Bay has opened near Cala Talamanca beach, with 152 high-end rooms and suites, two pools, a kid's club and a spa with a range of treatments and wellness programs.
The hotel concierge team can also provide island excursions.
Cap Rocat
The five-star Cap Rocat Hotel, built within a 19th century military fortress, has opened a new spa ahead of the summer season.
The focal point of the spa is a 25m saltwater swimming pool, sunk 12m below ground level.
Zafiro Palace Palmanova & Spa Hotel
Magaluf has welcomed the city's first five star hotel, with the opening of thePalace Palmanova & Spa Hotel, part of the Viva-Zafiro Hotels.
Located on Avenida Saboners, the hotel is 300 metres from the beach and five kilometres from Palma.
The hotel will feature 240 rooms, a choice of ten luxury swimming pools including one 'adults only' pool, premium Spa facilities including a Jacuzzi, sauna and Turkish baths.
Casa Ládico, Menorca
Opened in April, the Hotel Casa Ládico is located in Mahon's historic centre, with 14 rooms.
Bo Hotel, Plama
The four star boutique Bo Hotel is located in the Lonja quarter of Palma in a renovated 19th century building and close to the fashionable Paseo del Born and the harbour.