Calas De Mallorca Review - View from Hotel America

Here's a short video showing tha magnificent sea views we enjoyed from our room and balcony when we stayed at Hotel America in Calas De Mallorca.
As you can see, from our room in the annexe, the view could not have been more spectacular, with glimmering Mediterranean sea in every direction, a relaxing and privileged location. You can also just catch a glimpse of part of the footpath below that winds around the cliff tops, perfect for an evening stroll.
Read the full review of Hotel America here.

Majorcan Food

Whether you're keen to sample the true taste of Majorca, or prefer more international cuisine options, you'll find a wealth of options in Majorca, from up-market seafood restaurants to greasy spoon cafes.

There are well over 2000 restaurants on the island of Majorca, with a vast array for international dishes to enjoy when you are on holiday.

The main resorts of the south-west that attract hordes of tourists each year, have streets packed with "British" cafes and restaurants, you don't need to go far to find an all-day English breakfast, or even a Scottish or Irish variation. Chinese and Indian restaurants also abound in the main resorts, along with the occasional Italian or Greek restaurant.

The keyword in Majorca dining is choice: if you prefer to sample authentic Majorcan cuisine, you can enjoy some wonderful dishes.

Majorca's local cuisine specialises in tapas and seafood dishes, flavoured with herbs, olive oil, vegetables, and often featuring almonds, most resorts provide a choice of places to sample the more traditional Majorcan flavours.

Some common Majorcan dishes:

• Tapas - very popular
• Fish - particularly bream and monkfish. A local speciality well worth a try is 'serviola a la mallorquina', a baked fish dish with tomato, pine nuts and raisins.
• Paella - or try the local variation 'fideua', which is a noodle dish, with fresh fish and seafood.
• Spicy meatballs
• Pork is very widely served in Majorca - served in most Majorcan restaurants and hotels on a nightly basis. A particular Majorcan speciality is roast suckling pig.
• Tumbet - vegetable dish not dissimilar to ratatouille with potatoes and peppers
• Bread - served with olive oil, or with tomato, garlic, or ham, Majorcan 'pa'amb oli' bread is a nice introduction to Majorcan cuisine.

Palma Cathedral

Palma Cathedral (also known as La Seu / La Seo) is a spectacular landmark and tourist attraction in the Majorcan capital. Neo-gothical in style, the 14th century cathedral sits atop a hill, above the city walls of the old town of Palma, facing the sea.

Construction began in 1230 on the site of an existing Arab mosque and was not completed until 1601. At over 121m by 55m, the cathedral is an impressive building that attracts many visitors to Majorca. The cathedral was damaged by an earthquake in 1851, and the main facade was later reconstructed.

Features and things to see in Palma Cathedral:

• The bell tower (Campanario)- never completed, stands at 52m has nine bells, including the notable 2m diameter N'Elio bell that weighs over 4.5 kilos
• Trinidad Chapel - where the mummified remains of King Jaime II and a tomb containing the ashes of Jaime III were laid to rest
• Main south door (mirador) - sculptured with ornamental and geometric motifs
• 18th Century Baroque silver candelabras
• Statues of Saint Peter, Saint Paul, The Last Supper and Virgin with Child
• Gold and silver sacred shrines
• Gothic and baroque sculptures and paintings
• Treasury and museum
• Walnut choir stalls.
• Royal Chapel - a church in itself within the cathedral
• Early 15th century religious paintings and vestments
• Rose window - said to be the largest gothic rose window in the world

Palma Cathedral Visitor Information:
Opening times:

• 1st April - 31st May : Monday-Friday 10am-5.15pm. Saturday 10am-2.15pm. Sunday closed.
• 1st June - 30th September : Monday-Friday 10am-6.15pm. Saturday 10am-2.15pm. Sunday closed.
• 1st October - 31st October : Monday-Friday 10am-5.15pm. Saturday 10am-2.15pm. Sunday closed.
• 1st November - 31st March : Monday-Friday 10am-3.15pm. Saturday 10am-2.15pm. Sunday closed.

Admission is €4 (children up to age ten are admitted free of charge)
Guided tours are available.

Contact Address for Palma Cathedral:
Plaza Almoina, s/n 07001, Palma, Majorca
Tel. +34 971723130
website: www.catedraldemallorca.org
email enquiries: info@catedraldemallorca.org

Flights to Majorca from the UK

Flights to Majorca's Palma Airport depart from most of the UK's airports and flight times from the UK are on average around two and a half hours.

UK Airports that serve flights to Majorca:

Aberdeen
Belfast International
Birmingham
Blackpool
Bournemouth
Bristol
Cardiff
Coventry
Doncaster
Durham
East Midlands
Edinburgh
Exeter
Gatwick
Glasgow
Heathrow
Humberside
Leeds Bradford
Liverpool
Luton
Manchester
Newcastle
Norwich
Nottingham
Prestwick
Shannon
Southampton
Stansted


Airlines offering flights from the UK to Palma Majorca Son Sant Juan International Airport (PMI):

AerLingus
BmiBaby
British Airways
Easyjet
Flybe
Flyglobespan
Jet2
Monarch
Ryanair
Thomsonfly

Have we missed one? If you know of other UK airports or airlines flying to Palma from the UK, feel free to comment on this post so we can update the list.

Walking holidays in rural Majorca

The beauty of Majorca's more rural areas is a real attraction to walkers - there are many excellent routes on the island.

Here is our recommended reading for anyone planning a walking holiday in rural Majorca.

A 160-page full colour guidebook containing 44 fully detailed walking itinerarys, complete with GPS waypoints and 1:40,000 colour map sections for every walking route, plus colourful background information.

Walking routes range from strolls up to full 5 Walker ratings for fit, adventurous, mountain walkers.

More details and product reviews:
Walk! Mallorca North and Mountains

Language In Majorca

The official languages of Majorca are Catalan and Spanish.

The local dialect of Catalan is Mallorquí, even though the dialects are different in each island and in most villages.

Typically, young Majorcans are bilingual in Catalan and Spanish, with some knowledge of English or German as a foreign language, especially due to the large number of tourists and foreign residents on the island.

Some common phrases in Catalan and Spanish:

Excuse me
Perdona (Catalan)
Perdone (Spanish)

Please
Si us plau (Catalan)
Por favor (Spanish)

Thankyou
Gràcies (Catalan)
Gracias (Spanish)

How are you ?
Com estàs? (Catalan)
¿Cómo está? (Spanish)

Why not try and learn a handful of phrases before your holiday to Majorca?

Currency Conversion For Your Majorca Holiday

The currency in Majorca is the Euro and you should shop around for the best deal before you order your holiday money.

Here's a handy currency converter that you can use to check current exchange rates for the Euro.

Currency Converter

Banks in Majorca are usually open for just a few hours (usually 9am - 2pm), but most resorts have ATM hole-in-the-wall machines that allow you to access your bank accounts directly. Most hotels will also exchange currency for you.

About Majorca

Majorca, or Mallorca as it is spelled locally (Catalan spelling), is the largest of Spain's Balearic Islands, set south-east of mainland Spain, in the Mediterranean sea.

Best known for it's warm climate and sandy beaches, Majorca is such a beautiful island, with so much to offer. From dramatic cliffs and pictureque coves, countryside walks, golf courses, waterparks, markets, caves, white sandy beaches, lush gardens and clear seas, to the fun and entertainment found in most of the islands resorts, it really is a fantastic holiday destination.

Majora as a holiday destination has been growing and developing since global tourism became popular during the 1960s. Many resorts, such as Puerto de Pollensa have sprung up around old port towns and bays, while others have been custom-built for tourism, such as Calas de Mallorca.

Majorca is now well-established as one of the most popular holiday destinations in the med - attracting all age groups with it's blend of beautiful and rugged scenery, fabulous bays and beaches ideal for watersports, fabulous restaurants and cocktail bars and enduring charm!

There is something for everyone in Majorca, young and old. Magaluf and Palma Nova are the obvious choice for younger holiday makers, packed as they are with lively bars and nightclubs. Magaluf is a mecca for hen and stag parties and is packed with 18-30s during peak season.

Meanwhile, elsewhere on the island you can find some relaxed and even tranquil resorts to escape to, ideal for family holidays and couples getting away from it all. Go further than the south west corner that is home to Magaluf and Palma Nova, and you'll find a wealth of laid-back resorts with stunning scenery and breath-taking views, perfect for a relaxing holiday in the sun.

More than anything else, what Majorca excels at is clean, sandy beaches and a warm friendly welcome. And they are the reasons why so many people return to Majorca time and time again.

Puerto Pollensa tourist information link

Here's a link to a nice website I found - dedicated to Puerto Pollensa with in-depth tourist information about every topic. A really good resort guide, thought I'd share it with you in case you're considering a holiday in Puerto Pollensa:

http://www.puertopollensa.com/


View Larger Map

Magaluf - resort map

Resort map of Magaluf


View Larger Map

More Magaluf Info: http://lovemajorca.blogspot.com/search/label/Magaluf

Magaluf resort guide

Magaluf is truly the party destination in Majorca.

Ever popular with 18-30s and now stags and hen parties, it's a buzzing resort with one mission: to get you partying!

The main strip in Magaluf is lined with bars, each vying for your custom with buy-one-get-one-free offers on all kinds of drinks to night-long happy hours!
Jelly shots and rudely-named cocktails abound in Majorca's party capital!

If you're looking for a good time that involves drink, drink and more drink (and maybe some dancing), Magaluf is definitely the place for you.

There's no escaping Magaluf's party atmosphere in the evenings, so if you prefer a quiet holiday, perhaps look at the more laid-back resorts on the east coast of Majorca.

Having said that, the resort is still very popular with families and there is plenty on offer for all ages!

The beach at Magaluf is fantastic - over 1.5km of soft white sand and clear shallow water. It gets quite busy in peak season but there's still plenty of room for everyone.
Beware: pickpockets do frequent the beach at night-time when it can be pitch black in places - always keep your possessions safe. I learned this the hard way.

All in all there is plenty to do in Magaluf - and it's the ideal party resort for groups of friends and families. Give it a try if you're up for a lively holiday - it will certainly be memorable!

Majorca attracts celebrities on vacation

A look at Majorca and how it attracts the rich and famous...

Majorca - A Favourite Island For Celebrity Vacations by Alcudia Pollensa

When it comes to celebrity tourists, the Spanish holiday island of Majorca has more than her fair share.

And if celebrities weren't enough, Majorca is frequented by royals too.

The Spanish have long been aware of King Juan Carlos love for the area. He even maintains a retreat and moors a yacht there for his regular Majorca holidays. In fact, the isle is popular with the entire royal family, including King Juan Carlos' son, Prince Felipe, who also holidays there frequently.

Other famous visitors to this Spanish paradise include Queen Elizabeth, actress Patsy Palmer, actor Michael Douglas, actress Catherine Zeta-Jones, musician Mike Oldfield and more.

Celebrities from all over the world have purchased holiday properties and second (or third or fourth) homes on the island. Majorca is so popular with the rich and famous that it isn't unusual for residents to spot a celebrity on any given day. And though it is the largest of Spain's many islands, at only 3700 square kilometers, it isn't the easiest place in the world to hide. Still, with its private beaches and secluded mountain retreats, it offers enough solace to continue enticing celebrities as it has for almost 50 years.

Majorca's year round population stands at less than one million, smaller than many major cities. Yet tourist numbers may double that number during the peak holidays season.

The biggest piece of the tourism pie comes from other European countries and the UK. However, Majorca has become increasingly popular with visitors from North America in the last two decades. In fact, thanks in large part to Majorca's draw of visitors, Spain has become the second most visited country in the world. It is second only to France for the most foreign tourists.

Majorca has invested billions of dollars in the tourism sector since the 1960s. That investment has certainly paid off - Majorca draws over 6 million tourists annually. An astounding 95 percent of Majorca's economy is directly or indirectly sparked by tourism.

Both short-term and long-term holiday-makers are drawn to the area mainly for its sunshine, beaches and breathtaking natural beauty. Hotels do a brisk business in every region of the Spanish isle. Tourists who like to stay longer and visit more frequently (especially the rich and famous) have helped to keep the real estate business booming on Majorca. The politically stable climate of Spain has made its many tourist destinations, including Majorca, popular places to invest in property.

These are just a few of the reasons that the British newspaper The Telegraph recently touted Majorca on its 'best of' list.

It noted that the island's 'lovely' geography and natural features make it a particularly worthwhile destination for holidaymakers.

La Residencia hotel is often quoted in the European press as one of the best hotels on the continent, and is good enough to draw the rich and famous, and is one of the best Majorca hotels

Majorca remains extremely popular with outdoor lovers. Both celebrities and the average vacationer alike appreciate the quality of outdoor life that can be found on the island. As long as Spain remains politically stable, Majorca will surely continue to draw visitors from around the world in the years to come.

About the Author

Palma Airport Majorca and cheap flight to Majorca deals plus a range of holidays in Majorca with photograph galleries are among the details offered at yourmajorca.net

Hotel America - Calas De Mallorca

In June 2008 we took a holiday to Calas De Mallorca, a small resort on the east coast of Majorca. We booked through Thomas Cook and stayed all-inclusive at the Hotel America.

It was our first all-inclusive holiday but we had done our research and found only good reviews of Hotel America, although some reviews of the resort of Calas de Mallorca itself were a little negative.

We were looking for a quiet holiday anyway, so we were not put off by any of the negative comments about the resort being too quiet or the fact that the resort is purpose-built.

We arrived at Hotel America in the early hours and the reception was friendly. We were immediately fitted with wristbands that were our all-inclusive pass to use the facilities and shown to our room by a security guard.

We were staying in the annexe of the hotel, about 30 seconds walk away from the facilities. The annexe is positioned overlooking the sea above rocky coastline - the view from our room was spectacular!

In fact Hotel America is cleverly designed so all of the rooms have a sea view, taking full advantage of it's position at the edge of the Mediterranean. Watch our short video showing the view from our room

The room was spacious, clean and comfortable, with a double bed and a single bed, and bathroom. The rooms were spotlessly clean, and were maintained daily with fresh towels and bedding etc.

Each room had a large mirror, a safe inside the room, balcony with sea-view, and there were plenty of plug sockets - also plenty storage space with a wardrobe, dressing table and two bedside cabinets and plenty of space to store suitcases.

The room had air-conditioning (not the best) which is linked to the balcony door so be sure to close the doors if you want to stay cool.

Food at the Hotel America

There are plenty of options for all-inclusive guests at Hotel America. The main restaurant opens for breakfast, lunch and dinner, and is buffet-style. The food was very good, with a good choice each night, and plenty of variation over the week, with international tastes catered for - their steak and kidney pie was fantastic! There is always something for everyone, including several main meal selections with vegetarian dishes, pasta dishes, meat dishes, a carvery, salad bar, soup, cold meats, bread, cheese and biscuits, dessert trolley & more.

In addition to the main restaurant, Hotel America also has several other options for dining: there's a pizza restaurant that opens as soon as breakfast is over and stays open until midnight, serving pizza, pasta and salad plus drinks. Wine, soft drinks, ice-cream, water, tea and coffee are available self-service in both the pizza bar and main restaurant.

There is also a snack bar located in the pool bar - here you can get burgers, chips and hot dogs, plus there's a fridge with salad, cold meat, cheese and bread if you fancy a sandwich. The pool bar serves drinks all day long and into the night (until midnight) as the entertainment is based outdoors near to the pool area.

As if that wasn't enough - there is also a barbecue when weather permits, situated in the gardens just down from the pool area.

Hotel America also has a cafe bar with a smoking lounge (with TV) and an outdoor patio to the front of the hotel, where the sun shines into the evening.

Another bar opens at midnight - the disco bar. This is not part of the all-inclusive package.

There are vending machines in the foyer downstairs near the entrance to the pool bar.

There are two swimming pools at Hotel America - one of which was fairly quiet when we stayed there in June so was good for swimming lengths, particularly in the late afternoon when the sun has gone from that area. There is also a childrens pool situated away from the other pools, behind the entertainment area.

Entertainment for the children is good, and is followed by a variety of acts, which in our case included the Russian Beatles. Bingo is also played. It's difficult to get a seat for the entertainment - all the tables are taken before the children's acts finish, so it's a case of fighting it out for the spare seats at the back!*

(*but closer to the bar!)

The hotel is situated above the beach, which is accessible via a series of sloping paths and/or steps, which can be tricky to navigate, but it is very close and takes just a couple of minutes to get to the beach from the hotel.

We had a great holiday at Hotel America and could certainly stay there again if we return to Calas de Mallorca. The food and service and very good standard, and the staff are very hard-working, efficient and friendly.

Highly recommended.

See also: video showing the sea view from Hotel America in Calas de Mallorca

A Secret Side of Majorca

Here's a great article I stumbled upon today - writer James Scott explored some of the lesser travelled parts of Majorca - including Puerto Pollensa and Soller. Read this descriptive holiday review and you'll feel like you were there!

FindArticles - HOLIDAYS: A secret side of Majorca
Sunday Mirror, Jun 1, 2008, by JAMES SCOTT

The best time of year to go on holiday to Majorca

What's the best time of year to visit Majorca on holiday?
That really depends on the type of holiday you are looking for.

Majorca's peak season is July-August-September and these are the hottest months weather-wise, with temperatures soaring! If it's sun you're after, the months of July August and September are very hot indeed.

The island is quietest in winter season, November-December-January: when temperatures drop to a more comfortable level, although winters are relatively mild in Majorca, where freezing temperatures are rare. October tends to see the start of a more rainy period that continues through to January.

A guide to the minimum, maximum and average temperatures throughout the year in Majorca:



The mild winters in Majorca mean that each season appeals to a different set of holiday makers: for cycling and walking holidays, the cooler winter months are appealing. Palma is a great place for a city break too.

Sun worshippers love to take their holidays to Majorca in the peak summer months for maximum exposure.

For those who can't stand the intense heat, May and October are more comfortable yet still sunny and warm.

In defence of Calas De Mallorca

We recently returned from another fantastic Majorca holiday (although it seems like a lifetime ago, it was just a few weeks...).

This time we tried Calas de Mallorca, a small purpose-built resort on the east of Majorca, with some less than favourable internet reviews and commentary.

I'd like to say in defence of Calas de Mallorca, that this is a charming resort with pretty beaches and a nice central commercial area. We worried it might be too quiet for us (we're aged 28 and 35), but it was fine. Yes, it's quite a small resort, but we liked that aspect - not too much walking involved, so less blisters!

The resort is quite contained everything you need is close by - the atmosphere is relaxed and it feels a very safe resort, ideal for those with children. One caveat: the beaches are accessed via steps or sloping paths that can be tricky to navigate with pushchairs, but don't let that put you off, it's a great place to have a family holiday.

Calas de Mallorca doesn't have the pumping nightlife of Magaluf, but many would consider that a good thing, and there are plenty of bars to try: we particularly liked the Central bar, where the staff were very friendly and they serve pina colada in fresh pineapples!

I'll be posting again with a review of our hotel in Calas de Mallorca - Hotel America, which was excellent.

Update: read our review of our hotel in Calas de Mallorca - Hotel America

Credits & Thank Yous

Thanks to all those who have allowed their photography to be used via the creative commons licence.

Main title image courtesy:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/willpalmer/173462127/

Palma Cathedral image courtesy:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/vix_b/2337758867/

About LoveMajorca

Welcome to the LoveMajorca blog.
We hope you find the information you are looking for here.

Majorca is a beautiful island with much to see and do.
We'll try our best to show you the highlights of Majorca!

Palma Airport & Transfer Times To Resorts

Majorca's Airport - Son Sant Juan International

The main airport in Majorca, Son Sant Juan International Airport, is just outside the island's capital city Palma. The airline code for Palma International Airport is PMI.

Below is a guide to transfer times from Palma airport to the main resorts of Majorca. Please note these are meant as a guide only and times may vary somewhat depending on route taken and road condition, and coach transfers may take even longer as they stop at various drop-off points.

Approximate distances and transfer times from Palma International airport to main resorts:

Alcudia (62km) - approx 1 hour 30 minutes
Andratx (32km) - approx 45 minutes
Arenal (10km) - approx 20 minutes
Cala Bona (65km) - approx 1 hour 45 minutes
Cala Millor (70km) - approx 1 hour 45 minutes
Calas de Majorca (70km) - approx 1 hour 45 minutes
Cala d'Or (65km) - approx 1 hour 45 minutes
Cala San Vincente (60km) - approx 1 hour 45 minutes
Cala Ratjada (65km) - approx 1 hour 45 minutes
Camp de Mar (30km) - approx 45 minutes
C'an Pastilla - approx 15 minutes
C'an Picafort - (60km) - approx 1 hour 30 minutes
Colonia Sant Jordi (40km) - approx 1 hour
Illetas (10km) - approx 20 minutes
Magaluf (15km) - approx 30 minutes
Paguera (35km) - approx 45 minutes
Palma (8km) - approx 15 minutes
Palma Nova (15km) - approx 30 minutes
Playa de Muro (60km) - approx 1 hour 45 minutes
Playa de Palma (2km) - approx 10 minutes
Porto Colom (65km) - approx 1 hour 45 minutes
Porto Cristo (65km) - approx 1 hour 45 minutes
Puerto de Soller (35km) approx 45 minutes
Puerto Pollensa (60km) - approx 1 hour 30 minutes
Sa Coma (65km) - approx 1 hour 45 minutes
Santa Ponsa (20km) - approx 45 minutes
S'Illot (65km) - approx 1 hour 45 minutes

Balearics - Fun in the Sun on Stone Age Islands

An introduction to the Balearic islands:

Balearics - Fun in the Sun on Stone Age Islands
by: Mark Buckingham

Located in the western Mediterranean Sea around 60 miles from the Iberian coast is the archipelago of the Balearic Islands that forms one of the Autonomous Communities of Spain.

Mallorca, Menorca and Cabrera can be found to the Northern end with Ibiza and Formentera in the Southwest. These wonderful islands have Palma de Mallorca as their capital city and have two officially recognized languages – these being Catalan and Spanish.

There is no wonder that the Balearics are one of the more favoured holiday destinations in Spain, as with over 300 days of sun per year and some of the world’s prettiest beaches they offer near perfect conditions for getting away from the stresses and strains of modern life.

As close to each other as they are, each of the islands has a personality all of its own. They have a rich cultural heritage and the locals are extremely accommodating, welcoming the influx of tourists (mainly European) each year with hospitality, which is second to none.

There are numerous accounts as to where the islands got their name from, but probably the most interesting is the one which says that they were named Gymnesiae (which is Greek for ‘naked’) by the ancient Greeks as the early inhabitants were often found to be nude or clad only in sheep skins.

Majorca (Mallorca)

By far the most popular tourist resorts on the island of Majorca are the ones around the bay of Palma. S’Arenal, Magaluf and Palma Nova are among these attracting thousands of visitors into package tour hotels near the beaches although in recent years there has been a growing trend for more experience, individual travellers to book their own accommodation and take advantage of the low cost airlines. Puerta Pollensa, for example, is a more upmarket and exclusive option and is a popular destination for these independent styles of villa holidays.

Majorca has many beautiful villages, mountains and hidden bays, which are rarely discovered by tourists. The capital of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca is located here and has a beautiful historic centre overlooked by a Gothic cathedral.

Minorca (Menorca)

Minorca is the second largest of the Balearic Islands at 9 miles (15km) wide and 32 miles (52km) long. The capital of the island is Mahon, which has one of Europe’s largest natural harbours with both local and colonial architecture built on a hill overlooking the port.

The coastline of Minorca is one of rugged, rocky coves and inlets, which make ideal and relaxing un-crowded beach holidays.

Unlike the other islands in this archipelago, Minorca and its hilly rural interior has been left almost unspoilt which means that the locals do not have to rely on tourism, which has resulted in a thriving local industry.

There is also plenty of history and culture to be found in this relatively small area, with the most famous of the attractions being the Pipe Organ and some of the many archaeological sites.

Mahon itself can offer its visitors plenty of sights to see for those who don’t just want beaches and sea, such as the mansion house overlooking the bay, once occupied by Lord Nelson, and the Xoriguer distillery where the world famous Menorcan gin is made.

Ibiza

Probably best known as the party capital of the world, Ibiza is a Mecca of a destination for the young (at heart?) who want to stay out late and visit some of the most famous clubs in the world.

Although the holiday resorts are filled by thousands of visitors during the season, there are plenty of other things for them to see and do other than the legendary nightclubs. Some of these attractions include the museums, the festivals and events and more than 50 stunning beaches.

Due to the beauty of the island and the generally guaranteed weather, there are many companies who use the island as photographic and film shooting locations.

Ibiza town, the largest town on the island, also lays claim to being one of the best-preserved medieval towns in Europe.

Formentera

Most of the beaches of Formentera, the beautiful and unspoilt island in the South-western Balearics, attract nudists from all over Europe in addition to nature lovers and young families seeking safe and relaxing holidays in a tranquil environment.

As there is no airport on the island, the only way to get here is by ferry, which leaves from Ibiza every 2 hours. There are then many transfer buses from the port of Formentera to the towns of La Sabina, San Francisco and La Mola.

The fact that the island can only be reached by ferry means that the it has retained the original Spanish feel and with little mass tourism this gives the visitor a great chance to explore the island and browse through the old shops and villages.

Cuisine of the Balearics

Due to the many cultures that have passed through the archipelago over the years, there are hundreds of different dishes that now make up the gastronomy of the islands of Majorca, Minorca and Formentera with most of them taking full advantage of the islands resources.

Fish and fruit are abundant and occur as an ingredient in many dishes.

Food products you should try...

Olive oil from Majorca, Cheese from Mahón, Artichokes, Majorca almonds, Gin from Minorca, Sobrasada, Majorcan Ensaimada, Aubergine.

Don’t forget to try these dishes...

Black rice, Crayfish stew, Fish 'tumbet', Majorcan vegetable soup, Pork loin with cabbage, Sóller eggs.

Find more articles on Spain here: http://www.rentaccomspain.com/articlelist.asp

Find properties to buy in Spain here: http://www.rentaccomspain.com/searchproperty.asp

Find properties to rent in Spain here: http://www.rentaccomspain.com/home.asp

About The Author

Written by Mark Buckingham for http://www.rentaccomspain.com - Rent or buy your perfect Spanish retreat direct from the owner.

Rural Tourism in Mallorca: Where To Go

Featured article:

Rural Tourism in Mallorca: Where To Go
by: Oscar Riera


Rural tourism has become quite popular on the last years and Mallorca (Majorca) is a good destination for those looking to escape from massified areas and resorts.

There are many rural hotels in Mallorca, some of them offering luxury accommodation with all the facilities for the modern and smart traveller, which is looking for a place to escape and relax, and others are somewhat more agriculture oriented, perfect for those that want to try what living in community is and learn a little more about farms and its kind of life.

In Pollensa, places such as the Son Brull Hotel and Spa that mixes both relax and farmhouse-community style. The guest is here given the option to choose which of these fits more its holidays.

Next to the world famous sandy beach of Es Trenc, in the Campos area, a good and cheap (or at least affordable) option for a rural finca is Finca Sa Casanova which offers activities such as trekking, horse riding and mountain bike, among others.

More in Campos: the Finca Es Palmer, which as been awarded by many traveller guides and offers 10 superb rooms, swimming pool and solarium. It is also really near to the beach as well as to the Golf Sa Rapita.

In Fornalutx, a small village with less than 600 inhabitants the Fornalutx Petit Hotel offers interesting rates for accommodation in this small and unspoilt village. Unfortunately this small charming hotel seems to offer only its pool and sauna as pluses. However, be pretty sure that in familiar hotel like this their staff will help you in organizing your activities.

At Alaro, the rural hotel S'Olivaret also offers activities such as trekking, hiking, tennis and the like. S'Olivaret perfectly conjugates history and tradition with comfort. More in the north of the island, in Soller, the Rural Finca Ca's Sant offers peace, tranquillity and calmness surrounded by more than 30.000 sq. metres of enviable beauty.

And in Llucmajor, the Finca Son Guardiola offers authentic Mallorca accommodation in an old by completely refurbished area with more than 50.000 square metres of its own property.

The finca Sa Torre is situated in Santa Eugenia, next to the Santa Maria villa and could be a good choice if you plan to visit Palma during your holidays, as it is only 15 minutes driving from Palma de Mallorca. This village is still really small and keeps it Mallorcan character. Every body still greets you while walking although they do not know you. Also, on Sunday you can visit the Santa Maria market, which in my humble opinion is one of the best to be found around the island. And by the way, is not more than 20 minutes driving from Palma.

Mallorca is not only sun, beaches and sangria, but the smart destination to escape from major cities. And rural tourism the way to find the real Mallorca.



About The Author

Oscar Riera has been working in Mallorca hotels for more than 12 years and has given advice to thousands of travellers during that time. Now, he is also the webmaster for Best of Mallorca (www.bestofmallorca.net), an online tourist to guide to the island.

This article was posted on October 28, 2005

Source: http://www.articlecity.com/articles/travel_and_leisure/article_869.shtml

Majorca Family Holiday Activities

Author: Daniel Eyre

A cheap Majorca holiday is a fantastic getaway for the whole family, and there are plenty of ways to entertain all ages with these great Majorca family holiday activities, with highlights ranging from pirates to parrots. Hold on tight!

The Magaluf Pirates Show

The Magaluf Pirates Show is one of the most popular days out for Majorca family holidays - just make sure that you pick the child-friendly version if you're bringing the kids! This stunning show features world-class acrobatics and impressive dancing from actors, dancers and acrobats from eight different countries.

With former World Champions, European Champions, British Champions, World Games Silver and Bronze medallists, European silver medallists and Commonwealth Games competitors, the Magaluf Pirate Show is an amazing spectacle. Dinner is included with the ticket, which is reasonably priced if you're aiming for a cheap Majorca holiday.


Aqualand, Magaluf

Aqualand, also in Magaluf, is arguably the best water park in Majorca, featuring a variety of water rides and activities for waterbabies of all ages. The park has 16 water-based slides and attractions, from the fearsome Boomerang to the more sedate Congo River.

But Aqualand's most famous attraction is The Tornado - a tubular slide that sweeps the most daring guests down a giant whirlpool, whirling them around with the water before hurling them down into the swimming pool below. A brilliant way to re-energise on a cheap Majorca holiday!


Majorca Auto Safari park

As the island's only dedicated zoo, the Majorca Auto Safari offers tourists a unique experience. The 4km drive across open countryside, punctuated with unusual wildlife, provides an ideal day out for family holidays to Majorca. Monkeys, giraffes, zebras and flamingo are amongst the animals to be spotted by park visitors in the drive, and there is a baby zoo with baby elephants and crocodiles. Aaah!


Marineland, Majorca

A regular highlight for family holidays, Majorca's Marineland offers a fantastic day out for adults and children, featuring dolphins, sharks, reptiles, penguins, sea lions and several exotic birds. The dolphin show is the highlight of the park, rated amongst the best in the world.


Go Karts in Majorca

Karting Magaluf is an excellent attraction for those looking for something a little different. Trying to replicate the experience of real racing, the course is perfect both for amateur and professionals and will inject a high-adrenalin rush into your cheap Majorca holiday.

Karting Magaluf is highly recommended for families and groups of friends, as the experience is great fun when racing against people you know. There are also karts (and a practice course) for children as young as three years old.


Fantasia Golf, Palma Nova


If you're at all interested in improving your swing then this enormous crazy golf complex is very enjoyable for all levels of golfers with its novelty waterfalls, caves and tropical gardens. Fantasia Golf at Palma Nova is considered to be the best mini golf course in Majorca, with three different 18-hole courses. It is extremely popular with tourists of all ages and perfect for a day out on a family holiday in Majorca.

Article Source: http://www.articlesbase.com/home-and-family-articles/majorca-family-holiday-activities-434058.html

About the Author:

Daniel Eyre is the Product Manager of Search Travel Online.
Search Travel Online is part of the Co-operative Group, specialising in cheap Majorca holidays.

The Balearic Islands

The Balearic Islands - an introduction

The Balearic Islands (Illes Balears ~ Islas Baleares) are an archipelago in the western Mediterranean Sea, near the eastern coast of the Iberian Peninsula. They form an autonomous community and a province of Spain, of which the capital city is Palma.

Map:


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The Balearic Islands are one of the Catalan-speaking territories designated by the cultural term of Catalan Countries.

Majorca and Minorca are the Balearic Islands proper, while the other islands are included in the appellation as part of the Autonomous Community of the Balearic Islands.

The main islands of the autonomous community are Majorca (Mallorca in Catalan), Minorca (Menorca), Eivissa (Eivissa), and Formentera, all of which are popular tourist destinations. Among the minor islands is Cabrera, which is the location of the Parc Nacional de l'Arxipèlag de Cabrera. The islands can be further grouped, with Majorca, Minorca, and Cabrera as the Gymnesian Islands, and Eivissa and Formentera as the Pine Islands.


Read More about the Balearic Islands:
http://lovemajorca.blogspot.com/search/label/Balearic%20Islands