Mallorca – An Insiders Guide

Before the 1950s, when the first tourist charterwater taxi, while longer excursions are available if you
flights arrived on the island, Mallorca was an exclusivewant to truly discover the wonders of the Mallorcan
destination for artists, writers, and more adventurouscoastline. Numerous picturesque coves and inlets dot
travellers. They all found Mallorca the ideal retreat forthe sweeping bays of Mallorca, where there are
an escape from Northern European winters,some fantastic walking opportunities. Outdoor types
inspiration and relaxation. Anyone visiting Mallorcawill love Mallorca, and the amount of variety means
today will understand why. Roman, Moorish andthere is usually something for everyone when it
Byzantine occupation have all left an impression oncomes to sporting activity and recreation. With sea
Mallorca, presenting a colourful mix of architecturetemperatures averaging at over twenty degrees in
and history in the towns and villages. Adventure isthe summer and at least fourteen degrees in winter,
one way of describing the island today still, especiallyit's no wonder that Mallorca is ideal for swimming,
if you are prepared to go out and about. The narrowsailing, diving and windsurfing.
cobbled streets of the cities and towns are all tooWhile Mallorca is well known for it's glorious coastal
easy to become lost in, and every corner revealssunsets, it often goes unnoticed as a holiday
trendy shopping opportunities, great places to eatdestination for mountain walking. The Tramuntana
out and traditional markets and fairs.mountain range in the north of the island easily rivals
But Mallorca is much more than just sandy beachesmany more famous mountainous regions. A drive or a
and interesting rural villages. The landscape toowalk through the mountains is made all the more
beckons a feeling of discovery and anticipation of theworthwhile for the astounding array of wildlife,
unexpected on finding a pretty Mallorcan scene.tucked away villages, and some of the most
There are mountains, rugged cliffs, vast naturebreathtaking views of the island – sunsets from a
reserves in the interior and some remote butMallorcan peaks are as good as from the beach.
stunning areas that only a few visitors manage toThe further inland you travel, the more you forget
locate. Getting around the island is easy, with goodMallorca as a holiday island and discover its traditional
roads, low cost and regular bus services and somecharms. Little ochre villages and vast olive and almond
good rail services between the major towns.groves, almost unchanged since the Middle Ages, can
The east coast is largely given over to touristbe found around every corner. You'll find villas in
developments and resorts, mainly due to the almostMallorca in rural areas and as well as on the coast so
continuous string of beaches, although the emphasisif you prefer the rolling countryside then they provide
is on quality, especially some of the stylish villas andan option for a few days of sylish luxury away from
other holiday accommodation. Mallorca resorts canthe crowds. Tours of the olive farms and vineyards
suit a range of tastes, and some can be ideal as aare available all over rural Mallorca, and gives you a
base to explore the island, as well as containreal flavour of the island's important farming history,
everything you need for the perfect sunshine holiday.with many historic buildings and traditional methods of
For those who can afford, it an interesting way toagriculture still practised.
get around the resorts on Mallorca is by boat or