Nigel Tisdall's Mallorca Report
Posted On
11.01.07
Mallorca is the quintessential holiday island - sunny, friendly, blessed with huge beaches and pretty, honey-hued villages. Being near and not too pricey, it’s an excellent choice for a get-together with friends or family. Go for a villa with a pool in the olive-studded hills around Pollença. Here you’ll be pleasantly isolated but within striking distance of beaches, markets and sights like the monastery at Lluc.
If you can’t lie on a sunlounger for long, head for the Serra de Tramuntana. These domineering mountains run right along Mallorca’s northwest coast and are superb walking country. Deià is its most famous village, and rewarding stops include the mighty monastery at Valldemossa and Mirador de Ses Barques. The peace within these forests and valleys is astonishing, and there are charming small hotels set on old fincas that have been restored through agroturismo projects.
For families with young children, Mallorca’s coves are often more appealing than the big beaches. Cala Deià has clear waters and friendly restaurants. Cala Sant Vicenç comes with some good hotels, while Cala Mondragó and Es Trenc are choice sandy spots on the south coast. There’s no shortage of waterparks and thrill-based activities, and for a cultural outing visit the Fundación Jakober near Alcúdia, which has a sensational collection of historic portraits of royal children.
Wherever you stay, save time for the Mallorcan capital. Palma is excellent for a short break, with an elegant palm-lined promenade, El Born, and shops both trad and trendy. Look out for art nouveau architecture around Plaça Mercat, while Castell de Bellver offers impressive views. Sa Llotja is the place for tapas bars and nightlife, while two rewarding art museums are Palau March and Joan Miró’s studio.
Crowning all this is Palma’s magnificent waterfront cathedral, which took 371 years to complete. That’s slow, even for Spanish builders, and today the go-ahead Mallorcans would have one up in no time. Last summer their island enjoyed its best tourist season for five years - so if it ain’t broke, why go further?
Some of the content of the magazine refers to flights or prices from the UK. At Travel Counsellors Ireland we can source flights from Ireland and provide full quotes in Euros. Please call me for latest availability and prices.
