SAMPLE ITINERARY

Day 1: Fly to Palma de Mallorca

Take a morning flight from London Stansted to Palma de Mallorca. On arrival we transfer by coach to our city centre hotel, where we stay for 5 nights.

Palma de Mallorca is the island's historic capital, with 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. Enjoy an included welcome dinner at our hotel tonight.

Day 2: Manacor & Palma (free time)

After breakfast we take the train across the island to Manacor, the second city and home of the artificial pearl industry. Away from the gift shops, the town has lots of narrow streets with large houses and churches, which are worth exploring. As the rail tickets are issued on an individual basis, you can return to Palma in your own time.

Spend the afternoon independently exploring Palma. 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.

Day 3: Soller

A day out on the Soller network, which is over 100 years old and still operates with historic rolling stock. First we travel on the 27km long Soller train from Palma, through the Sierra de Tramuntana Mountains to the north of the island. The train terminates in the town of Soller which, with its warren of narrow streets, is still charming in spite of the tourist influx. After a break to explore, we continue by tram to the port of Soller. The tram was originally designed to carry passengers but has also been used to transport goods such as fish. We return to Palma by the same tram and train route.

Day 4: Inca

Leaving Palma after breakfast we take a short train journey to Inca, the third largest town on the island. All of the lines on the island were originally 914mm narrow gauge lines but, except for the lines run by Ferrocarril de Sóller S.A., have since been converted to 1,000mm gauge. Inca is well worth exploring and Thursday is market day, showcasing the local leather trade. After a break we carry on by train to Sa Pobla, which is very rural and well off the tourist trail.

Day 5: Pollença

We board our private coach for the day, and head right across the island to the northeast tip. Firstly we visit Pollença with its delightful light coloured stone houses and main square, where its cafes invite us to linger! There are many small galleries and shops in the narrow streets and, for the energetic, the best view of all can be found by climbing the 365 stone steps to Calvari chapel. Our coach takes us the short distance to the port itself, with a wonderful promenade and stunning views over the Formentor peninsula. We then return by coach to Palma.

Day 6: Fly Home

We take a coach transfer back to the airport in the late morning, for our afternoon flight back to London Stansted.

PRICING

Included:

• Economy flights from London, with assigned seat and 15 kg hold luggage

• B&B accommodation in a good quality hotel (may be subject to change)

• Welcome dinner

• Daily excursions with rail tickets paid for

• The services of a UK tour leader throughout 

Not included:

• Meals other than those described above

• Drinks

• Gratuities and tips

We recommend packing lightly, with one manageable main piece of luggage per person.