DETAILED ITINERARY

Mallorca (or Majorca) is the largest of the Balearic Islands, with an extremely scenic coastline featuring over 40 marinas and more than 200 breathtaking beaches. This lush island is defined by the rugged Tramuntana mountains in the north-west, a UNESCO World Heritage site, and the fertile farmlands of the central and southern plains that are planted with olive and almond trees, orange and lemon groves and vineyards.

Owing to its central location on the ancient Mediterranean trading routes, Mallorca has seen its share of invaders and settlers over the centuries including the Greeks, Romans and the Byzantine Empire. Eventually it became part of the Catalan Empire and Catalan is still spoken as the local dialect, Mallorquín.

This history is evident in the lovely capital of Palma de Mallorca with its narrow cobbled streets, stout city walls and grand courtyards. It offers plenty of interest with relics and buildings from the Roman, Byzantine, Moorish and Spanish occupations. In the Old Town you can visit Palma Cathedral (also known as La Seu), which is one of the finest Gothic churches in Spain, with a modern altar canopy designed by Gaudi. The adjacent Cathedral Museum has some interesting medieval paintings and holy relics, and you can see sections of the original Roman city through a glass floor. The imposing Royal Palace of La Almudaina was originally a fortified Moorish Palace (alcázar) and you can see the 10th century Arab Baths. The Es Balaurd Museum of Modern & Contemporary Art is housed in an 18th century building, whilst the Casal Solleric palace and courtyard hosts interesting exhibitions, which change regularly. Palau March Museum has a small but good collection of contemporary sculptures, including works by Henry Moore, Barbara Hepworth and Rodin. West of the city, hilltop Bellver Castle is a medieval fortress with a distinctive circular shape.

You can stroll along the seafront with its tree-lined promenade and marina, shop for leather goods and pearls, browse in San Juan local produce market, or hire bikes and pedal east to Palma Beach to soak up the sun. Palma has a vibrant culture with festivals, concerts, literary competitions, exhibitions, recitals and theatre performances held throughout the year.

You can stay in or near Palma, which has a lovely Blue Flag beach, or at one of the popular beach resorts that are within easy reach of the city. Illetes is a quiet resort 10 km west of Palma with two pretty pine-clad coves and only a handful of restaurants and shops (but not suitable if you have mobility issues). Quiet residential Costa d’En Blanes is 20 minutes west of Palma, a short distance from the chic Puerto Royals Marina and Royal Bendinat golf course. Palma Nova is a popular family-friendly resort with three fine golden sandy beaches, including the mile long Platja de Son Maties, another Blue Flag beach. Port Adriano is an upmarket marina with a beach, close to the golden sands of Santa Ponsa. The vibrant resort of Peguera has three wide sandy beaches that gently shelve into the sea, and a semi-pedestrianised high street offering an excellent choice of restaurants, bars, cafes and shops. Cala Fornells is a small and secluded cove with part sand/part rock bathing, situated around a headland from busy Peguera, which is an easy 25 minute stroll away. It has an ‘away from it’ feel and is popular with locals. Portals Vells has three lovely beaches and coves that are slightly less busy, accessed by car and then on foot. They are mostly sandy, with clear shallow waters surrounded by trees and nature, but be aware that the middle one (Platja de Portals Vells II) is a nudist beach.

In the north-west, Deià is an idyllic hilltop village in the shadow of El Teix mountain that has attracted artists and musicians in search of a bohemian lifestyle, with its narrow alleyways and traditional stone houses with green shutters. It is a steep 4 km walk down to Cala Deià. This village is popular with day trippers so can get very busy, but once they have left, the alleyways are quiet and peaceful. The quaint cobbled village of Valldemossa, tucked high in the Tramuntana mountains, is only 15 minutes from here.

Another option along the north-west coast is Port de Sóller, a delightful resort situated in a horseshoe-shaped bay with a narrow sand and stone beach, surrounded by mountains. A 5 km vintage tram service connects the port with the small inland town of Sóller. This is a good base for walking, hiking and bird watching, with a path that winds its way through rocky olive groves and along an old mule track all the way to Deià.

Port de Pollenca is a small town with a relaxed atmosphere in the far north, near the scenic Formentor peninsula. It has wide golden sandy beaches, a marina and an excellent choice of bars, cafes and restaurants. Originally a fishing village, it retains the old tradition of the evening ‘paseo’ (stroll), so on warm balmy evenings you will see many people walking along the seafront promenade and rugged Pine Walk, edged by charming old villas and stone houses. 10 km inland is the town of Pollenca, with its traditional café life and Sunday morning market. You can also stay at a luxury hotel on the breathtaking Formentor Peninsula itself, with its dramatic scenery of tall cliffs, turquoise waters, pine-clad white sandy beaches and views to the mountains. A 20 minute bus service operates the last stretch to the windswept lighthouse at Cap de Formentor.

On the east coast you can stay at Cala d’Or with its sophisticated marina, cobbled streets, whitewashed buildings, attractive coves and pine-clad rocky outcrops. With its super yachts, stylish restaurants, bars and shops, people come here to sail and dive. There are a number of small beaches, but they are quite narrow and the water is deep. Es Trenc is 30 minutes away and offers a 2 km sandy beach.

There are many water sports on offer around the island including sailing, windsurfing, water skiing, kitesurfing, paragliding and fishing. Snorkelling and scuba diving are particularly good in the clear shallow waters along the south and east coasts.

Golf is also very popular, with around 20 excellent courses. Son Vida was the first golf course on the island, designed by F.W. Hawtree. The tree-lined fairways have great views over the Bay of Palma, but golfers have a wide choice.

If you hire a car, you will have the freedom to enjoy lunching at marinas such as Portals Nous and explore the mountains and fertile central plains. If you take the road from Palma to Manacor, you can visit the Gordiola Glass Factory located outside Algaida, where you can watch glassblowing and view some of their antique pieces. In Manacor you can get a glimpse into the world of cultured pearls, and you can explore the caves at Porto Cristo. Cala Mondrago has been voted one of the 10 best beaches in the world and is a nature park divided into two sections – Cala de ses Fonts de n’Alis, and the less crowded s’Amarador.

With almost 40% of the island protected, there are many opportunities for walking, horse riding and mountain biking, especially in the spring when the flora is at its most beautiful. The Tramuntana mountains and wild Formentor peninsula offer many trails. Bird watching can also be hugely rewarding due to the island’s location on the migratory route between Europe and Africa, with as many as 200 species migrating here in spring. Birds of prey are best seen in the Tramuntana mountains.

Another option is to take a train ride from Palma, travelling through the mountains to Soller and the monastery in Valldemossa, where Chopin and George Sand spent a winter. Don’t miss the Plaça Constitució, which is dominated by the beautiful Sant Bartomeu Church.

Mallorquín food is delicious and makes full use of fresh local produce. Local specialities  include ‘ensaimada’, a spiral yeast bun dusted with icing sugar and ‘pa amb oli’, a bread with garlic, tomato, olive oil and sometimes ham or cheese. There is also a wide variety of tapas.

PRICING

Price is based on two adults sharing en-suite accommodation on a bed & breakfast basis. La Palma airport transfers & flights from London Gatwick are included, with other regional departures on request. Car hire can also be arranged.

We offer a choice of hotels at different prices, so please discuss your requirements with us. All hotels are subject to availability.

It is essential that you have personal holiday insurance, and an appropriate driving licence if you intend to hire a car. The FCO should also be consulted.