Before the Easter (school) holidays started (in Germany) my better half & I made a 1-week-trip to Majorca.
In short: We had a brilliant time, lots of blue skies & sunshine and very, very few tourists … Although Corona slowed down the exciting life on this Mediterranean island, it was a welcomed break from our everyday life. It was really relaxing … In my previous post I talked in detail about the rules & conditions for everyone due to Corona – no more about that now. Let’s enjoy Majorca!
Somehow Majorca passes for a notorious island. Of course it’s not comparable to notorious Ibiza. During the last long Easter weekend I started re-watching White Lines on Netflix. I’m sure you remember the series from beginning of 2020 about Love & Sex & Drugs & Rock’n’roll, this roller-coaster movie trip when about 20 years later a little sister tries to unravel the murder of her big brother. This series is some sort of epitome of notorious Ibiza.
Majorca otherwise is the poor sister of glamorous Ibiza, the presumed home of all people who book a fortnight’s all-inclusive trip to one of the jam-packed beaches overflowing w/ alcohol in a 24 h-mode. (Best glimpse of this: the bucket filled w/ sangria & had a dozen straws in the sand of the beach.) It was certainly a hard way to go to get this reputation during the 60s & 70s … 80s. Later on there was a rethinking phase – at least I learnt so. Since some decades (or so) Majorca works really hard to create an image shift: breaking the alcohol & partying fame for establishing a cultivated island for sound tourists interesting in the beautiful landscape, the historical treasures & the good life.
Mid of the 90s I was in Majorca for my 1st time. Then we lived in an apartment on a finca in the thick of Majorca & made trips to any part of the island – in a convertible. About 10 years ago my better half & I decided spontaneously during a cold autumn to escape to a sunny Majorca for a week of leisure. We found an oasis of quietness in a resort on the south coast.
Now we booked a hotel in Palma de Majorca. It was end of March so the water in the Mediterranean Sea is still rather – let’s say – fresh. We didn’t plan any swimming in the sea. Instead we planned to do some intensive sightseeing in Palma & cruise across the island at times.
The most impressive building of Palma is its cathedral. We had a perfect panorama from the balcony of our hotel room: the cathedral rising high all over the marina of Palma.
Almost each morning we started along the marina for a walk. There is a wide promenade along the moored sailing ships & yachts. We pass old windmills, these characteristic features of the Balearic Islands. Finally we arrive at the heart of Palma w/ its ancient buildings, the royal palace & the cathedral.
Each time we approached the cathedral we found new angles of view & took photos. I didn’t remember the cathedral so splendid & sand-blasted in each detail.
Unfortunately the cathedral is open for sightseeing only from May …
Around the cathedral there are more ancient monuments w/ arches & elaborate gates. This was the home of the king as well as prosperous merchants.
Finally you may immerse yourself in the back country: the Old Town of Palma.
There are lots of alleyways almost to narrow for cars. You nay really get lost there although this year in march it was rather empty. Suddenly when glimpsing to the right or left you get an impression of an ancient mansion w/ an exquisite inner courtyard.
… & of course there are more churches & chapels, monasteries … & suddenly you are in more modern quarters w/ shops & restaurants. There are also small cafés or bistros as soon as there is a small square for open air coffees, beers or glasses of wine.
Our next activities were to rent a car & start exploring the island – just a little bit. From Palma we went westwards along the coast climbing into the Serra de Tramuntana. It’s long & winding road w/ breathtaking views of the rocks, the sea & the sky.
This is one of the oldest watchtowers in the east of Majorca.
You may recognize the watchtower in the following gallery down right: it’s really on the edge to nowhere.
For the rest: dream about this landscape & the deep blue sea.
We made a coffee break in Valldemossa & admired the church & the former monastery. Of course you cannot ignore that Chopin & George Sand lived here; there’s more than enough information about their stay.
We proceeded to Deià, one of the most beautiful villages of Majorca (general opinion!), & to Sóller.
Our next trip: the east coast. We went to Artá.
Artá is a beautiful village w/ ancient buildings & churches. From the church on the hill there is another hike to the top – to the fortress i. e. its remains. Believe me the walk is worth to be done, not only because of the nice chapel in the fortress, but also for the overview of Artá.
The fortress is restored, beautiful restored & rather vast.
Next stop was Alcúdia & its Old Town.
The ancient town wall still exists & inside there is a quarter w/ homes & shops & restaurants …
Some exquisite details characterize the Old Town.
Back in Palma we enjoyed once more our stroll along the marina under shady palm trees.
Bye, bye Palma & Majorca – I’m sure we’ll be back!
