Experience Traditional Mallorca With a Visit to Santanyi Market

If you're looking for a taste of real Spain on yourthe seafront of Palma. Also in the capital is the formal
holiday to Mallorca, why not visit Santanyi Market toroyal residence Almudaina Palace and numerous art
mingle with the natives and experience the hustle andgalleries and museums.
bustle of the area?With its arty image, it's no wonder that the island is
Of course, you might like to visit the location'shome to works by world-renowned painters, such as
beautiful beaches, but if you'd prefer to steer clearPablo Picasso and Salvador Dali, whose paintings are
of other tourists for a little while then a visit to thedisplayed at the Museu d'Art Espanyol Contemporani.
marketplace could be a real eye-opener into theMeanwhile, the Museu de Mallorca could also be an
Spanish way of life.interesting visit, housing thousands of exhibits from
Once you've settled into your Mallorca villa, it's timeMoorish artefacts to Baroque paintings.
to explore the local area. Why not have a cup ofIf you'd like to take in further areas, a day at
fresh coffee at Santanyi Market and decide which ofManacor is not to be missed. Mallorca's second-largest
the stalls you'd like to visit? Every Wednesday andtown is famous for its pearl industry, which dates
Saturday, traders sell their wares in the open air, withback to the late 1800s. You can opt for a guided
the marketplace also acting as a popular place fortour of the pearl factory, which is located on the
people to meet up. It's surrounded by bars andoutskirts of the town, to gain a greater insight into
terraces where you can sample tasty tapas or takethe trade and perhaps pick up some of the precious
in some live music of an evening at Sa Cova.gems to take home. While in Manacor, you might
After a bit of people-watching, you'll notice theenjoy a visit to the Nostra Senyora dels Dolors
diverse community of Santanyi, which is one ofchurch too, to admire the architecture of its bell
Europe's wealthiest municipalities and is home totower.
businessmen, artists and musicians. Why not mingleOr why not see some of the island's past by
with the natives as you shop for some freshexploring its caves? Mallorca has over 200 caverns,
produce to take back to your Mallorca farmhouse?some of which are open to the public and house
And after you've whipped up some tapas in yourstalactites, stalagmites and underground lakes. The
villa, you might like to walk off the meal at theacoustics are so extraordinary in some of the caves
town's sandy beaches. Travel towards the souththat they can be used as venues for short concerts.
coast and visit the National Park of Mondrago, whichChildren might particularly enjoy the caves but can
is a natural beach home to a range of differentlikewise be just as entertained by a trip to S'Arsenal's
species of bird. The golden sands could be theAquacity, where they can splash about in large pools
perfect place to relax and unwind. Or make a day ofand whizz down water slides all day long. For another
it and take part in various watery activities that willfun adventure out, why not treat youngsters to a
really give you a thrill, from canoeing to water skiing.visit to Marineland? The amusement park boasts
If you'd like to gain a deeper understanding of thecollections of creatures from crocodiles and other
area, you might even choose to go snorkeling in thereptiles to parrots. It also puts on displays of
clear waters and explore the undersea rockperforming dolphins and sea lions, which are the stars
formations. If dry land is more appealing, however,of the show.
you might consider visiting Es Pontas - anAfter returning to your villa to pack up before your
arch-shaped natural rock formation. A brief walk fromjourney home, don't forget to call in at Santanyi
Cala Santanyi to Cala Llombards - which is a small inletMarket on your last day to pick up some mementos
housing a sandy beach - will bring you out above Esof your stay in Mallorca.
Pontas for the perfect picture opportunity.For an authentic Spanish experience, you can't go
Afterwards, you could travel around the wider areawrong with a break in a comfortable Mallorca
to take in some impressive architecture, such as thefarmhouse, and you're sure to want to return again
14th century Catalonian gothic cathedral La Seu -and again.
which took almost 300 years to build - situated on