The real-life island that inspired the world's oldest travel story

The sky above Mahón, a town in Menorca, was a bright winter blue. The buildings were painted in vibrant shades of citrus and lemon, creating a colorful scene. Palm trees swayed in the wind, and the road led down to the port where white yachts awaited summer. Along the shopping avenue, orange trees were full of fruit, and sparrows chattered loudly in the branches at dusk.

After spending time in icy Croatia, Menorca felt tropical in comparison. The air was warmer, and there was a sense of optimism in the sunny streets. At Café Nou, I enjoyed a tostada con tomate while reading about Mauricio Obregón, a historian who believed the island of the Cyclops could be in the Balearic Islands.