I am a lucky girl. I love traveling and I know so many people who live in another country. My neighbor in my German apartment has a second home in Mallorca and invited me to come over for a few days. She is a wonderful woman, full of life and energy, loves to go around, visiting museums, theaters and having walks on the beach. And we have many points of view that match perfectly together although we are not the same age. And last May I finally had the possibility to go to.
For me it was more than visiting a nice friend. Years ago I worked for a winter season on the Western coast, in Puerto de Soller. It was a tough time, a lot of work, a lot of experiences and a very happy time with my dog. So it was a journey back into my past too. I stayed for 10 days this visit.
Well as a tourist guide I had to know a lot about the island. I had to learn all very quick to give good tips to my guests. And so I learned about history and places to go, where to dance all night long and which paths are good for hiking. I worked the Winter season but weather is often fine and there is a lot of outdoor leisure.
Some interesting facts about the island? The Balearics have 154 islands, the 4 major ones are Formentera (the smallest), Ibiza (the most famous), Menorca and Mallora (the biggest). More than 700.000 people are living on Mallorca, don’t even try to imagine how many are here in the high season! The island itself has its inhabitants since 5.000 b. C. And there are still relics from the Talayot Time. Even the Romans brought their civilization to Mallorca which has gone much later into Moorish hands (freed from Jaume I in the 13th century). The island is much more than gorgeous beaches, enormous hotels and tourists in white socks. It has beautiful markets, a great mountain range with pure nature and fine little villages, a great cuisine and a lot of leisure. Once I had a prejudice like many in Europe but I know now better.
My friend took me in many places, often to let me remember times of the past. One day we’ve to the East. It’s a part with a lot of nature and a natural reserve. Manacor is on this side and is famous for its artificial pearls. They look fabulous and are worth to buy – at least as a gift for mom or a female friend at home. Porto Christo is nearby and has nice limestone caves to offer. Look beautiful. As a child I was in one and remembering a huge lake inside (Coves del Drac), with candle lights and music. As an adult the cave was small but still magic. Unfortunately I have never been to the Botanic Garden at Satanyi. It has a huge selections of cactus. Who loves to swim naked: the beach of Colonia San Jordi is the perfect place. I was there in a winter many times to run with my dog and loved the beach and the crystal clear water. My friend and me have been this time to the monastery ‘Ermita de Nostra Senyora de Bonany’. A beautiful panoramic view on the flat land around and a great cafeteria/restaurant were waiting. We had something to eat and spent a nice two hours in the gardens and historical structures.
Of course we spent a day at Soller and especially Port de Soller where I once worked. I didn’t recognized nearly nothing. Streets are different now, houses gone, shops changed. But ‘my’ office is still in the same place, and the desk still in the same corner. That’s awesome! We spent hours there, walking around, having a beautiful view on the harbor and its natural form of a shell. Funny: I never ever took the small historical train which goes from here to Palma and is very famous.
Here in the West there are the high mountains of the island. A great thing is to hike in the mountains. ‘La Reserva de Piug de Galatzò’ is a very good place to do so. Mountain biking is also possible.
While we came passing the tunnel we returned the coast via Andratx. A lot of ‘miradors’, points of panoramic views, are on the way and of course the beautiful place of Valdemossa. In 1938/9 the composer Frederic Chopin and his companion writer Georg Sand stayed here in a monastery. We’ve been to that one and walked in the garden, very relaxing and absolutely a ‘must do’. In the little town center there are beautiful small streets with cobbled pavements and flower pots everywhere. You will take a lot of pictures!
There was no time to go to the North of Mallorca. with the biggest market place in Sineu, I have been many times in the past. Typical handcraft, animals, leather and much more. A beautiful place where to go is Cap Formentor. It’s the very North of the island and with good weather conditions one can see Menorca. If you go from Soller then you will pass the two artificial lakes (Cùber and Gorg Blau) which are nice to walk around, and the really interesting snake-winding road to ‘Sa Calobra’. For every good driver a ‘must’, for others: forget it! I did it many times 😉
We spent one whole day in Palma, the capital. When I worked on the island I had the main office here in the center but I have never seen the city, walked the streets, having a meal or even gone out. This time I did nearly all that. A very multi-national city, with ancients streets and places, beautiful shops and really various restaurants for every taste. We had something to eat in a vegetarian restaurant. I don’t remember the name…
We walked the streets, looking into small shops with handcrafts, wine and liqueurs, typical tastes of the island and much more. Of course we have been to the cathedral ‘La Seu’ and the palace ‘Almudaina’. We haven’t been inside because of the massive crowd but already seen from the outside is really amazing.
I didn’t go to the Castel Bellver where from one can see the whole city. Next time I want to see the Mirò Museum. By the way: we took the bus from the place where we stayed (St. Augustì).
There are a lot of excursions to do. They are offered in all hotels and by travel agencies in loco. A very exciting is to fly with a balloon. To see the island with an eagle’s eye is very special. I never did that unfortunately. Son Amar is the Las Vegas of Mallorca. Who has never been to Vegas. Here it is. I liked a lot La Granja. That is a great Finca near to Esporles. It has many springs and was already in the Roman period a living place. It has good wine, nice food and a beautiful nature where to relax especially in a hot summer day.
If it comes to sport of course all about water.: water skiing, diving, swimming, fishing, surfing… just do what you want, the many beaches have schools, renting and all you need. Biking is something many people are doing in spring and fall. Sometimes so many bikers are on the road that car drivers go crazy.
I just relaxed those 10 days, sun bathing wherever we’ve been. Eating well was a big option to me. Especially in the Mediterranean countries it s much easier to find something without meat and white flour. I made a few exceptions of course. I love bocadillos, bread with olive oil and cheese/tuna/bacon, tomatoes, onions and olives. Tapas I had without bread and I had some very nice ones. I love the sopa mallorquin. That is a kind of minestrone (vegetable soup) with bread on the bottom of the soup bowl. Very tasty! And of course all kinds of fish are great. My meat-exception very rarely. Because here the fish is fresh, straight from the ocean and with proper ingredients. Don’t forget the aioli one get nearly in every restaurant just before ordering. Famous is the ‘conill amb llagosta’ (rabbit with crayfish). I never had it of course but who eats meat should give it a try. Drink some great white or red wine from the house or maybe a fresh sangria. Very, very refreshing in the summer. By the way: all menus are also in English. Close your dinner with a nice Herbas (very good digestive!) or Suau, a Cognac.
I loved those days and I will return again. When I worked that far away Winter I have known beautiful places, incredible nice people of the place and had really a great time in Mallorca.
