It was a short escape from the depressing weather in Germany in Feburary last year. Though it was still too cold to swim during that time of the year, we were lucky that the sun was shining, trees were blossoming, and not too many tourists were around.
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On the way to Santa Maria del Cami - trees are blossoming
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Mallorca (Majorca) is the biggest Balearic island of Spain. Nevertheless, you can drive from one end to the other for a day trip. Apart from great partying in Palma de Mallorca, the capital, sun and beaches in summer, there are mountains, cliffs, caves which make visits enjoyable for all seasons.
Once I heard a German saying that Mallorca is so-called the 17th German state. It is of course just for fun and not intended to make any political incorrectness. So, you can image the number of German tourists are around and very often we found people speaking German in shops or restaurants.
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| Favourite spots: |
Since we love ocean, sunrise and sunset, almost every corner of the island which is accessible to the coast offer a great view for those dramatic moments of a day. For example, sa Foradada, around Coll de la Creueta and up to the watchtower (sa Talaia), Torra en Basset, Sant Elm are the places where we caught the best sunsets in the island. Among them, Coll de la Creueta have some spectacular coastline/cliffs.
The drive from s'Esgleieta to Santa Maria del Cami was very enjoyable and picturesque as the trees were full of blossoms.
Besides, we did some light trekking in the area around Sant Elm where we were up to la Trapa. The view to sa Dragonera is great.
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| What's really great: |
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Can't take pics inside the caves...but captured peacocks running freely in the entrance area
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Coves del Drac is the most famous cave with stalactites and stalagmites in Mallorca. It is huge and can only be visited with guide tour. It was not the first cave I have seen in my life but I did like the way they performed a short classical music concert on the boat in the subterranean lake that bought the whole tour to a close. Though it is a bit touristy, I still find it worth a visit.
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| Sights: |
Except Palma de Mallorca, most towns are small. Soller, Deya, Valldemossa, which are along the northwest coast, are lovely, worth wandering around, and good place to stay if you want to do trekking and stay away from mass tourism.
In the middle, we passed by Petra, Sineu which look different than those on the northwest coast, are famous for the parish churches and cellers. But to me, they are not 'must see' sights.
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| Accommodations: |
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It is better not to take those huge hotels/resort as many of them look really styleless and destroy the beautiful coastal areas. There are many other smaller ones like finca, apartments etc. which might cost a bit more but offer a much nicer atmosphere. We chose to stay in Deya. (See also my recommendation for Hostel Villa Verda in Deya.)
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| Other recommendations: |
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Old windmill - not many left in the island
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A week is actually good time to see all bits and pieces around the island but definitely too hurry if you also want to do more trekking and some beach holidays. Renting a car is better as there are not many public buses scheduling in low seasons.
Most information can be downloaded online but a detailed map is useful in case the map in the GPS is not up-to-date or does not work.
There are good reports about Palma and Soller by other members ;-).
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Published on Friday February 1th, 2008
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Sat, Feb 02 2008 - 06:59 AM
 by rangutan
| Very good report. I like the images because most think of Mallorca as one massive tourist hive of hotels and crowded beaches. Thanks. |
Sat, Feb 02 2008 - 06:26 AM
by davidx
I think we can do with a number of reports on what I found quite a surprising island and this one contributes well to showing Mallorca as an island of great variety.
Just as a matter of record - in a week I never heard any German! |
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