Page 17 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

DISC OVERING THE BALEARIC ISLANDS  15

Cap de Formentor (see p79), a striking sandy beach and
at the tip of a wild and facilities for all sorts of water
mountainous peninsula. sports. Spend the rest of the
day relaxing on the beach,
Day 8: Alcúdia; Port before dining at one of the
d’Alcúdia; Parc Natural resort’s many restaurants
de S’Albufera and rounding off the day by
Be sure to visit Alcúdia (see p79), dancing in one of the clubs.
an amenable little place with
medieval walls and a clutch of Day 13: Porto Cristo; Coves
Roman remains. The best time to del Drac; Felanitx; Parc
visit is on market days – Tuesdays Natural Mondrago
and Sundays. Relax on the beach Enjoy the charms of Porto
at Port d’Alcúdia (see p79), an Cristo (see p84), an agreeable
immaculate arc of golden sand port and resort with an
crowded with tourists, or take The medieval battlements of the attractive centre and a
a boat trip around the bay. Artà fortress harbourside beach. Stroll
Introduce yourself to the island’s over to the Coves del Drac
wonderful birdlife at the Parc Day 11: Artà; Capdepera; (see p84) – the Dragon’s Caves –
Natural de S’Albufera (see Cala Rajada a subterranean maze of caverns,
p80), a reedy, marshy wetland Begin the day with an explor- where you can take a boat ride
backing onto Alcúdia bay. ation of Artà (see p82), a pretty on an underground lake to the
hilltop town with a splendid sound of a string quartet. Pause
Day 9: Interior towns: Muro; set of medieval walls. Clamber at Felanitx (see p86) for a brief
Sineu; Petra up to the sanctuary at the top look around this historic town
Avoid the more commercialized of the town for the magnificent and continue onto the Parc
parts of Mallorca by heading views over land and sea. Stroll Natural Mondragó (see p86), a
inland to the towns of the over to Ses Païsses (see p82), protected slice of coast offering
central plain. Begin with Muro one of the island’s most peaceful country walks and a
(see p80), a sleepy place with a atmospheric prehistoric delightful pine-covered beach.
handsome main square and sites. Push on to Capdepera
church, the imposing Sant Joan (see p82), the proud possessor Day 14: Colonia de Sant
Baptista. Proceeding south, you of a medieval castle, and round Jordi; Cabrera island
soon reach Sineu (see pp80–81), off the day at Cala Rajada (see Relax at Colònia de Sant Jordi
a lively and particularly pretty p82), an agreeable resort and (see p87), the pick of the resorts
little town where the kings of fishing port with several lovely dotting the south coast and
Mallorca once held court, and sandy beaches. a charming combination of
then Petra (see p81), where the an old seaport and a holiday
prime target is the birthplace Day 12: Coves d’Artà; Cala destination. Laze on one of
of Junipero Serra, one of the Millor; Safari–Zoo the resort’s several beaches
first Europeans to explore Don’t miss the Coves d’Artà or head off to Es Trenc (see p87),
modern-day California. (see p82), one of the most a long strip of sandy beach that
impressive cave systems on extends as far as the eye can
Day 10: Interior towns: the island with huge stalactites see. Catch the passenger boat
Vilafranca de Bonany; Els and stalagmites illuminated in to Cabrera Island National
Calderers; Randa; Llucmajor a variety of striking colours. Park (see pp88–9), a bare and
Sample the atmosphere of rural Push further down the coast rocky archipelago renowned
Mallorca at Vilafranca de to Cala Millor (see p84), a for its wildlife, particularly its
Bonany (see p85), a quiet village large, sprawling resort with picnic-eating lizards.
where they sell the freshest of
produce – especially peppers.
See how the local landed gentry
while away the hours at Els
Calderers (see p85), an elegant
manor house surrounded by a
working farm, and then go up
to the top of Puig de Randa
(see pp90–91) to visit the hilltop
monastery and its beautiful
shrine. Complete the day
with a quick ramble around
Llucmajor (see p90), a quiet
town with a particularly
pleasant main square. Yachts in the coves of Parc Natural Mondragó

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