Page 16 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

14  INTRODUCING THE BALEARIC ISLANDS DISC OVERING THE BALEARIC ISLANDS  15

Two weeks in Cap de Formentor (see p79), a striking sandy beach and
Mallorca at the tip of a wild and facilities for all sorts of water
mountainous peninsula. sports. Spend the rest of the
• Arriving Mallorca’s day relaxing on the beach,
international airport is a Day 8: Alcúdia; Port before dining at one of the
short bus or taxi ride from d’Alcúdia; Parc Natural resort’s many restaurants
Palma, capital of the island. de S’Albufera and rounding off the day by
• Transport Palma is best Be sure to visit Alcúdia (see p79), dancing in one of the clubs.
explored on foot, but a car is an amenable little place with
essential for the rest of this medieval walls and a clutch of Day 13: Porto Cristo; Coves
itinerary. You should take Roman remains. The best time to del Drac; Felanitx; Parc
the vintage train which visit is on market days – Tuesdays Natural Mondrago
runs across the island from and Sundays. Relax on the beach Enjoy the charms of Porto
Palma to Sóller (6–7 times at Port d’Alcúdia (see p79), an Cristo (see p84), an agreeable
daily; 1hr; see p74). immaculate arc of golden sand port and resort with an
crowded with tourists, or take The medieval battlements of the attractive centre and a
• For a shorter trip If you
Tourists enjoy the beach on Cala Tuent a boat trip around the bay. Artà fortress harbourside beach. Stroll
only have five days in
Mallorca, select a day Introduce yourself to the island’s over to the Coves del Drac
in Palma from the two- village of Estellencs (see p66). trellises, waterlily ponds and wonderful birdlife at the Parc Day 11: Artà; Capdepera; (see p84) – the Dragon’s Caves –
day itinerary on p12, Push on to Banyalbufar (see bulrushes – all set behind an Natural de S’Albufera (see Cala Rajada a subterranean maze of caverns,
take the vintage train p67), which is – if anything – attractive manor house. Be p80), a reedy, marshy wetland Begin the day with an explor- where you can take a boat ride
from Palmer to Sóller even prettier, with its honey- sure to take the vintage train, backing onto Alcúdia bay. ation of Artà (see p82), a pretty on an underground lake to the
and then follow days coloured stone houses ringed which clanks down from Sóller hilltop town with a splendid sound of a string quartet. Pause
5 to 8 of this itinerary. by terraced olive groves. Take the to Port de Sóller (see p74), a Day 9: Interior towns: Muro; set of medieval walls. Clamber at Felanitx (see p86) for a brief
minor road as it zigzags over family-friendly resort that Sineu; Petra up to the sanctuary at the top look around this historic town
the mountains to the dramatic arches around a beautiful Avoid the more commercialized of the town for the magnificent and continue onto the Parc
cove of Port de Valldemossa horseshoe-shaped bay. parts of Mallorca by heading views over land and sea. Stroll Natural Mondragó (see p86), a
(see p70), home to a wide, inland to the towns of the over to Ses Païsses (see p82), protected slice of coast offering
shingly beach. Finish the day Day 6: Cala Tuent; Sa central plain. Begin with Muro one of the island’s most peaceful country walks and a
with a visit to Valldemossa Calobra; Santuari de Lluc (see p80), a sleepy place with a atmospheric prehistoric delightful pine-covered beach.
(see p70), a handsome old town Escape the tourist throng by handsome main square and sites. Push on to Capdepera
whose famous monastery once driving over the mountains to church, the imposing Sant Joan (see p82), the proud possessor Day 14: Colonia de Sant
sheltered the composer Chopin. Cala Tuent (see p75), where Baptista. Proceeding south, you of a medieval castle, and round Jordi; Cabrera island
soaring peaks frame a shingle soon reach Sineu (see pp80–81), off the day at Cala Rajada (see Relax at Colònia de Sant Jordi
Day 4: Son Marroig; Deià; beach. Admire the even more a lively and particularly pretty p82), an agreeable resort and (see p87), the pick of the resorts
Cala Deià dramatic coastal scenery at tiny little town where the kings of fishing port with several lovely dotting the south coast and
Sense the history of Mallorca at Sa Calobra (see p75), a popular Mallorca once held court, and sandy beaches. a charming combination of
Son Marroig (see p72), a manor day-trippers’ destination, which then Petra (see p81), where the an old seaport and a holiday
house perched high above the is famous for the impressive box prime target is the birthplace Day 12: Coves d’Artà; Cala destination. Laze on one of
ocean. Linger at Deià (see p72), canyon, where the River of the of Junipero Serra, one of the Millor; Safari–Zoo the resort’s several beaches
a beautiful mountain village Twins crashes down to the sea- first Europeans to explore Don’t miss the Coves d’Artà or head off to Es Trenc (see p87),
Green waters of Estellencs, a charming made famous by the English shore. Make a beeline for the modern-day California. (see p82), one of the most a long strip of sandy beach that
town on the northwestern coast poet and writer Robert Graves Santuari de Lluc (see p76), a impressive cave systems on extends as far as the eye can
(see p73), who lived here for beautiful monastery set in Day 10: Interior towns: the island with huge stalactites see. Catch the passenger boat
Day 1: Palma several decades. Visit the intrig- a shallow valley amid the Vilafranca de Bonany; Els and stalagmites illuminated in to Cabrera Island National
Pick from the Palma itineraries uing museum devoted to him – mountains and home to a Calderers; Randa; Llucmajor a variety of striking colours. Park (see pp88–9), a bare and
on p12. La Casa de Robert Graves (see revered statue of the Virgin Sample the atmosphere of rural Push further down the coast rocky archipelago renowned
p72). Brave the steep, curving Mary, known as La Morenta. Mallorca at Vilafranca de to Cala Millor (see p84), a for its wildlife, particularly its
Day 2: Port d’Andratx; Sant Elm; road to reach Cala Deià (see Bonany (see p85), a quiet village large, sprawling resort with picnic-eating lizards.
Parc Natural de Sa Dragonera p73), a narrow cove battered Day 7: Pollença; Port de where they sell the freshest of
Travel via Port d’Andratx, by the surf and home to two Pollença; Cap de Formentor produce – especially peppers.
enjoying the pine-covered hills, excellent beachside restaurants. Explore Pollença (see pp78–9), See how the local landed gentry
to Sant Elm (see p65), which a lovely little town of fine old while away the hours at Els
has a small beach. From here Day 5: Sóller town; Jardines mansions and stone churches. Calderers (see p85), an elegant
take a boat trip to the island of Sa d’Alfabia; Port de Sóller Be sure to climb its Via Crucis manor house surrounded by a
Dragonera (see p65), for its hiking Savour the charms of Sóller (Way of the Cross), a long and working farm, and then go up
trails, cove beaches and bird life. (see p73), the prettiest town on wide stone stairway that leads to the top of Puig de Randa
Mallorca, where an exquisite up to a shrine with great views (see pp90–91) to visit the hilltop
Day 3: Estellencs; collection of old stone houses over land and sea. Take a stroll monastery and its beautiful
Banyalbufar; Port de flanks a cobweb of narrow along the long sandy beach at shrine. Complete the day
Valldemossa; Valldemossa cobbled lanes and alleys. Port de Pollença (see p79), a with a quick ramble around
Explore Mallorca’s rugged Detour south to the Jardines charming family-friendly resort Llucmajor (see p90), a quiet
northwestern coast (see p66), d’Alfabia (see p75), a lush garden that is especially popular with town with a particularly
beginning with the charming of water fountains and jasmine the British. Venture out to the pleasant main square. Yachts in the coves of Parc Natural Mondragó
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