Mallorca Travel: Eyewitness Travel Guide Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza, Spain

There are many things one can do when visiting Mallorca, the biggest of the Balearics Islands (Spain). There is not only sun, beach and sangría in the island.

1. Segway visit to Palma's old town
Cultural sight seen could be somewhat boring sometimes, or maybe one is just too lazy to get a Mallorca guide and walk himself into the old town. Make it funny: get a Segway tour (book at your hotel or call +34 697 574 282) and have a quick 2 hours guided tour into Palma's old town for just 40 euro.

2. Visit Sóller, Deía and Valldemossa
A trip for a day. Rent a car or take the old train to Sóller which leaves from the centre and visit the villages on the north coast of the Island, along the Sierra de Tramuntana: Sollér, Deía (well known for being Robert Graves home during many years, and now the place for foreign and local artist looking for inspiration) and Valldemossa, once Frederic Chopin< and George Sand home, where they were retired at the Valldemossa Cartuja while Chopin was recovering from its illness.

3. Sailing along Mallorca's coast
If you can, rent a boat with a skipper (ht www.yates-alemanes.de provides a good service). If not, take any of the organized tourist trips along the coast which can be joined for a small amount of money. For the latest, check Cruceros Iberia (+34 971 71 71 90) for a Palma - Sant Elm (and back) morning trip, or Barcos Azules in Puerto de Sóller for a north coast sail up to Sa Foradada.

4. Eating tapas
As in other place in Spain, "tapas" (small amounts of food usually shared with other friends while drinking a "chato" -a tiny glass of whatever- of wine or beer) are a must try if visiting Mallorca. There are many places where you can do that, but it's either recommended to go to La Boveda (Plaza La Lonja, in Palma de Mallorca +34 971 714 863) or just simply enter in to the any bar that looks like frequented by locals.

5. Discovering Mallorca's unending and unspoilt sandy beaches
Well, not really discovering, as there is nothing which has not already covered by any of the millions Mallorca visitors. But going to Es Trenc in Campos, which is more than 4 kilometres long (and perfect for sky surfing) or to Cala Varques, a small hidden virgin beach next to Cala Millor, only reachable by walking 20 minutes, is something you must do if visiting the Balearics during the hottest seasons.

6. Visiting any of the Street Markets in the villages
Mallorca markets are pretty different from those at the major cities in Europe. Mostly, they sell food, leather goods and some clothes. There you will find a lot of locals and see the mallorcan way of live.

Recommended: either the Sineu one on Wednesdays or the one at the main square in Santa Maria on Sundays. Keep in mind that markets starts early in the morning so be ready to be there by 10:00.

7. Late night drinks and night spots.
In Palma, Pacha Disco and El Garito, both of them near the Can Barbará Darsena in the Paseo Maritimo (the way along the sea front) are a must. In La Lonja, next to the Cathedral, visit the Abaco Bar (a luxurious, impressive and magnificent courtyard bar) or the Atlantico Cocktail Bar, once the place for marines stopping in the island and now meeting point for many expats living in the island.

If you are accommodated in Magaluf, Palma Nova or around and like clubbing, you must visit either the BCM Disco Empire or Bananas. If not, just walk around the streets of Punta Ballena which is full of nice bars and British people.

In Alcudia nightlife is mainly hotel based. However, the people of Lokita organize great parties at the Menta Disco (Avda. Tucán s/n) during all summer. An inside pool, 7 bar desks and Deejay's like the Groove Armada group for a great night of fun.

8. Having a seaside breakfast
There are many bars, restaurants and hotels by the seaside of Mallorca where you can enjoy a late sunny seaside breakfast after a night out (check www.portixol.com for a hip one). Spanish eat usually late, and breakfast can be taken at any place until 12:00. If you can, try the typical ensaimada (a pastry) with your café con leche (white coffee).

Rural Tourism in Mallorca:

Where to Go

Author: 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 living in Mallorca and working in the travel industry

during more than 12 years. Now, he is also the editor for Best of Mallorca (http://www.bestofmallorca.net), and online guide to the island offering

information and advise for these going to Mallorca.

Things To Do and See in Majorca

Abaco, Palma, Majorca
With its church-like interior and bizarre fruit-themed

decorating motif, this bar is easily one of the most unusual

nightspots in the area: the wacky, surreal ambiance is well worth the pricey drinks.
Attraction type: Bar/club

Marineland Majorca, Calvia, Majorca
Marine zoo with dolphin and sea lion shows, parrots, children's park and beach.
Attraction type: Amusement/theme park

Es Trenc, Majorca, Majorca
This large, undeveloped stretch of beach is a very popular

destination - especially on the weekends.
Attraction type: Beach

Antique Train (Soller Railway), Palma, Majorca
A seventeen-mile scenic train ride through the

Spanish countryside between Palma and Soller.
Attraction type: Scenic railroad

Serra de Tramuntana, Majorca
A craggy, limestone mountain range stretching the length

of the northwest coast of the island.
Attraction type: Mountain