Page 24 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

22  INTRODUCING THE BALEARIC ISLANDS A POR TR AIT OF THE BALEARIC ISLANDS  23

The Arts Pollença Bay. In the 1960s, Ibiza was
The islands have long been “discovered” by hippies. Soon after, charter
a draw for artists. Frédéric flights began operating to Mallorca.
Chopin came to Valldemossa Mass tourism developed rapidly before
on Mallorca, though the the death of General Franco in 1975.
weather was far from ideal In 1983, the islands became an
(one of his Mallorcan compo­ autonomous region of Spain. The
sitions was the Raindrops authorities made Catalan and its
Prelude). The picturesque local dialects (Mallorquín on Mallorca,
Mallorcan village of Deià was Menorquín on Menorca and Eivissenc
for many years the home of on Ibiza) the joint official language
the English writer Robert with Spanish and introduced strict
Graves, whose guests included control of the local economy.
Pablo Picasso and the actors Following a string of environmental
Entrance to El Palacio Hotel in Palma Alec Guinness and Peter protest marches in 1998 and 1999, an
Ustinov. The most famous artist associated “eco-tax” was introduced in 2002. The
Another important element of island with Mallorca, however, is Joan Miró, tax, levied on visitors to the islands,
life is the numerous national, local and whose works can be seen in the Fundació was intended to tackle some of the
religious holidays and fiestas (see pp30–33). Pilar i Joan Miró, on the outskirts of Palma. environmental havoc that had been
Normally these are days devoted to the wreaked by unre gulated tourism over
patron saints of local parishes, but they Sports the last 30 years. In its first year the tax’s
can also be held at the end of harvest The archipelago is famous for its water benefits included funding the demol-
time or to celebrate an anniversary of sports, particularly the many races held ishing of a number of unsightly hotels.
an important public event. on the waters of the Badia de Palma. The “eco-tax” was always controversial,
A long calendar of fiestas begins in The most important of these are held Felipe VI, the King of Spain however, and the government finally
January with the Festa de Sant Antoni under the patronage and with the decided to scrap it in 2003, though its
in Mallorca, where costumed revelers participation of King Felipe VI. They not surprising, perhaps, since the tennis revival – and reimposition – is likely to
parade past bonfires. Perhaps the most are attended by leading members of the star Rafael Nadal hails from Manacor, on happen soon. The commercial success
colourful is the Festa de Sant Joan in yachting world. The big events, including Mallorca – but the true local passion is of tourism in the Balearics seems assured,
Ciutadella, Menorca (23–24 June), with the King’s Cup and Queen Sofia’s Cup, fútbol (football). Real Mallorca, based but a majority of the islanders – and their
horseback processions along the are celebrated as public holidays. in Palma, is one of the leading Spanish politicians – are keen to make the islands
narrow streets, firework displays Tennis is popular, too, and the islands sides and won the 1998 Spanish Cup. It an upmarket destination and keep the
and a jousting tournament. hold a good number of clay courts – is worth attending a match, not just as seamier side of tourism at bay.
a sporting event but to enjoy the good-
natured enthusiasm of the crowd.
Other sports associated with the islands
include windsurfing, horse riding and
golf. Excellent golfing conditions exist
in the islands, even in winter.
Present-Day Balearics
Once removed from the mainstream of
international life, the Balearic Islands have
now found themselves drawn in, thanks
to tourism. At first, it was the great and
the good who were drawn here – or, at
least, the great and the rich – and this
high-society tourism reached its peak
in the 1930s, when the poet Adam Diehl
The cosy writing studio of English novelist Robert Graves in his house in Deià, Mallorca built the luxurious Hotel Formentor on Kite-surfing off the coast of Mallorca on a sunny winter’s day

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