| London artist Ben Robbins has been coming to | | | | 6. Palma-Soller train - I have to say this is not to |
| Mallorca for over 15 years now, first succumbing to | | | | every one's taste but I find this train ride is a great |
| the nightlife of Palma but nowadays he comes to | | | | way to get under the skin of the island. The 28km |
| enjoy the more tranquil side of the Island. Here he | | | | journey takes you through the mountains and the |
| gives us his views on the top 10 things must do's | | | | valleys of the Serra de Tramuntana. Holidays in |
| while on the island. | | | | Mallorca take a new dimension when you see the |
| 1. Palma Cathedral - Standing tall in a striking | | | | island from this perspective. |
| waterfront location within the city of Palma Mallorca | | | | 7. Soller - Hidden away in the mountains the country |
| is one of Spain's finest examples of gothic | | | | town of Soller is full of old stone mansions and |
| architecture. Made from golden sandstone, the | | | | sloping narrow lanes that navigate you around the |
| beautiful interior is accentuated by floods of light | | | | town. Many of the houses were owned by the |
| filtering through the stain glass windows. A favourite | | | | regions wealthy fruit merchants centuries ago. Today |
| with photographers I have painted this many times. | | | | the town is a picturesque place to walk around and |
| 2. Valldemossa is an artists dream from a distance. | | | | enjoy the surroundings. Soller has become more and |
| Situated in the hills just south of Miramar this | | | | more popular with holiday makers and there is plenty |
| picturesque old stone town has a beautiful | | | | of choice when it comes to self catering holidays in |
| monastery that once housed Chopin and George | | | | Mallorca. |
| Sand. Dating back to the early fourteenth century, | | | | 8. Arta - The small town of Arta is situated at the |
| the monastery is the second most visited tourist | | | | top of one of Mallorca's steepest hills and is home to |
| attraction after Palma Cathedral. There are plenty of | | | | arguably the most important Mallorcan shrine. There |
| nice restaurants to enjoy and you will find many | | | | are some great spots to paint the town from above. |
| Mallorcan holiday villas to rent nearby. | | | | Although the town is not quite as dramatic as its |
| 3. Platja de Palma - If you are staying for a short | | | | setting, the shrine is the main reason to visit the |
| period then Palma's nearest large beach is more than | | | | town. Walk 10 minutes up to the Santuari de Sant |
| adequate. This long white sandy beach located next | | | | Salvador for a worthwhile look at this holy place. |
| to the islands capital is probably the most self | | | | 9. Deia - Located on the western side of Mallorca half |
| conscious place to hang out on the island. It can get | | | | way between Valldemossa and Soller, Deia is a |
| crowded as there are many local holiday apartments | | | | beautiful old village of stone buildings that sits on a |
| to rent nearby. | | | | spectacular mountain backdrop. The tall Puig d'es Teix |
| 4. Peninsula de Formentor - At the north east of the | | | | mountain (1062m) meets the coast here and at night |
| island beyond Port de Pollenca you will find the | | | | the moonlight brings the wonder of this enchanting |
| jagged peaks and sheer drops of Peninsula de | | | | town to life. The mountain road running along the |
| Formentor. Leading down to one of Mallorca's finest | | | | coast is spectacular and makes for a great days |
| beaches and hotels, this makes for a great day trip if | | | | driving. Holiday villas in this part of Mallorca can be |
| you have a hire car. You can get a boat from Port | | | | quite expensive but if you look hard enough there |
| de Pollensa to avoid the crowds in the height of | | | | are always bargains to be had. |
| season. The Hacienda meets art-deco style Hotel | | | | 10. Monestir de Lluc - Sightseeing in Mallorca would |
| Formentor is worth a visit for a drink or maybe a | | | | not be complete without a trip to the remote valley |
| longer stay if you have the budget. Mallorca Holidays | | | | 35km north east of Soller, where you will find the |
| are not complete without seeing this. | | | | Monestir de Lluc (Monastery of Our Lady of Lluc). |
| 5. Palma Restaurants - Palma has by far the best | | | | This has been Mallorca's most important place of |
| selection of restaurants, cafes and bars the Balearics | | | | pilgrimage since the thirteenth century. With its |
| has to offer. Whatever your taste you will find | | | | orange tiled roofs and high-sided dormitories, the |
| something to satisfy. I have eaten at so many places | | | | building clearly stands out within the surrounding |
| over the years but my favourite Restaurant in | | | | mountains. |
| Mallorca has to be Eden in S'aigua Blava. | | | | |