Page 14 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

12  INTRODUCING THE BALEARIC ISLANDS DISC OVERING THE BALEARIC ISLANDS  13

2 days in Palma a tour of the Basilica de Sant about in Cala Vedella (see p130)
Francesc (see p59), which nearby, an appealing mini­resort
boasts a splendid rose window with a strip of golden sand
• Arriving Son Sant Joan and is littered with the tombs arching round the back of a
international airport is of the local aristocracy. slender cove. Continue north
about 11km (7 miles) along to Cala Molí (see p130),
from Palma. Public buses Day 2 where a lovely sandy beach is
run approximately every Morning Start the day by stroll­ framed by pine­dusted hills.
15 minutes into Palma, ing up the elegant Passeig d’es Proceed further north, and
and taxis are also available. Born (see p53), once the city’s enjoy the assorted water sports
• Moving on Inter­island main thoroughfare sheltered of Cala Bassa (see p131), a large
flights are frequent. A car from the sun by ancient plane beach resort teeming with life.
is recommended for trees. Enjoy the charm of one
exploring the island. of Palma’s most interesting Day 3: North Coast
houses, Casal Solleric (see Escape the tourists by heading The shores of Es Grau, a small fishing village with a wide beach
p53), and continue onto Es inland to Santa Agnès de
Day 1 Baluard Museu d’Art Modern Corona (see p127), a pretty 4 days in Menorca push on to the beautiful Cap de
Morning Begin your visit to i Contemporani (see p58), a Part of the Renaissance city wall in Palma, little village set in the heart of Cavalleria (see pp108–9), a rugged
Palma at the Cathedral – prestigious museum of mod­ dating back to the 1500s the countryside. Hike out head land with empty beaches
La Seu – (see p54), a beautiful ern art located in a massive of the village to the chapel of • Arriving Menorca’s airport and an ancient British watchtower.
sandstone edifice, whose Renaissance bastion. Thereafter, 3 days in Ibiza Santa Agnès (see p127), an is a short journey from the
mighty buttressed walls soar proceed to Plaça Mercat (see unusual grotto church of main town, Maó. Shuttle Day 3: Inland towns
high above the seafront. Explore p53) to sample the freshest of ancient provenance. Thereafter, buses and taxis connect and villages
the exquisite Gothic cathedral food at Palma’s biggest and • Arriving Ibiza Airport is proceed east along the main the airport to Maó. The attractive old centre of the
and then pop over to the Palau best market. Visit the Plaça approximately 7 km (4 miles) road with farmlands on one • Transport A car is required town of Alaior (see p104–5) rolls
d’Almudaina (see p52), once a Major (see p58), a handsome away from Eivissa and is side and the peaks of the Els to explore the island. over the top of a steep hill.
royal palace and now home to open square. Don’t forget to well­connected by a public Amunts (see p132) mountain Cheese is the big deal here –
a small but superb collection check out the modern art of the bus service. range on the other. Junipers, be sure to sample some. Take a
of Renaissance tapestries. fascinating Museu Fundación • Transport Eivissa town is fan palms, carobs and straw­ Day 1: Maó detour to Torralba d‘en Salord
Admire the sculptures in the Juan March (see p60). best explored on foot, but berry trees dot the mountains. Enjoy the cosy, small­town (see p105), an impressive pre­
courtyard of the Palau March a car is essential for the Keep an eye out for falcons, atmosphere of Maó (see p98) historic ruin. Proceed onto Es
(see p58) and walk over to the Evening Take a tour to the rest of this itinerary. greenfinches, goldfinches and admire its pretty harbour­ Mercadal (see p105), a quaint
Palau Episcopal. This palaca is Castell de Bellver (see p61), and hoopoes. side setting – Maó has one hamlet at the base of Monte
home to the Museu Diocesà a medieval castle perched high of the finest harbours in the Toro (see p105), the island’s
(see p59) which has a remark­ on a hill overlooking Palma. Be Day 1: Eivissa Town To extend your trip… Mediterranean. Explore the highest hill. Drive to the top to
able collection of medieval sure to examine the collection Spend at least a day in Eivissa Eivissa town is just a short old town, visiting the bustling visit the monastery. The next
religious paintings. of classical sculptures inside town (see pp120–23), exploring ferry ride from the fourth Mercat Plaça Sa Carme (see stop is Santa Galdana (see
and enjoy the views out over the ancient buildings and inhabited Balearic island, p98) and the intriguing church p110), a resort that nestles in a
Afternoon Stroll down the the Bay of Palma. Keep aside narrow lanes and alleys of the Formentera (see p136–43), of Santa Maria (see p99). With steep wooded gully, which is
narrow lanes of the Old Town a couple of hours for the old town, known as Dalt Villa a small, flat island with ample time in hand, visit Museu conveniently located near several
that are lined by ancient stone intriguing Fundació Pilar i (see p121). Highlights include the several splendid beaches, de Menorca (see p100), with its delightful beaches: Cala Turqueta
houses, and go for a walk along Joan Miró (see p62), where the cathedral and the imposing city the longest of which is collection of prehistoric and (see p110) is the best.
part of the old city walls (see famous artist lived and worked walls that zigzag around the Platja Migjorn (see p142). Roman artifacts. Wander down
p59), stretching out behind the for several decades – at a safe city centre. Also, look out for the harbour around Xoriguer Day 4: Ciutadella
seafront. Be sure to visit the old distance from Franco, the dic­ the antique exhibits of the Distillery (see p100), which Spend the day in Ciutadella
Arab baths, the Banys Àrabs tator. Here, you should spend excellent Museu Arqueològic stands testimony to bygone (see pp112–15), the pearl of
(see p59) and Santa Eulàlia (see time in the Miró museum, with (see p122) and drop by the days when the Menorcans sup­ Menorca, where beautiful, honey­
p58), the handsome church its prized collection of the Museu d’Art Contemporani plied British sailors with gin. coloured stone mansions fan
with an imposing interior. artist’s work, and even gaze d’Eivissa (see p122), which out from the Plaça d’es Born
Round off the afternoon with into his former studio. boasts a collection of modern Day 2: North Coast (see p112), the town’s elegant
art. Round off the day with Heading north from Maó, make main square. Explore the
a visit to a nightclub – Eivissa a beeline for Es Grau (see p102), medieval cathedral (see p112),
has some of the best in Europe, an intimate resort draped around and investigate the assorted
including Pacha. a sandy bay. Take a boat ride to antiquities of the Claustre de
the craggy, offshore islet of Illa Convent de Sant Agustí (see
Day 2: West Coast d’en Colom (see p102), where you p113). Wander along the harbour
Head for Ibiza’s lovely west can hike up to the light house or (see p114–15), where fishing
coast, stopping just for the laze on the beach. Continue boats dock and restau rants line
short hike up to the Mirador north to Fornells (see p108), a the quay. Finally, drop by the
des Savinar (see p130) view­ beguiling village that strings Museu Municipal (see p114),
point and watchtower. Carry along a rocky, sun­bleached where an excellent collection
on to Cala d’Hort (see p130), coast. The bay here is ideal for of prehistoric finds is lodged
where you can unwind on a Colourful sails and people enjoying the windsurfing – there is almost within the safe confines of
The Gothic cathedral of La Seu, towering over Palma, Mallorca shingly cove beach. Lounge sunshine on Platja Migjorn, Formentera always a breeze – or you can the old city wall.
For practical information on travelling around the Balearic Islands, see pp190–93

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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Country itinerary template “UK” LAYER
(SourceReport v1)
Date 15th January 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm