Page 76 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Mallorca, Menorca & Ibiza

74  THE BALEARIC ISLANDS AREA B Y AREA M ALL ORC A  75

t Jardines de
r Train from Palma to Alfabia
Port de Sóller 14 km (9 miles) north of Palma. @
Tel 971 613 123. Open Mar:
The most enjoyable way to travel from Palma to Sóller 9:30am–5:30pm Mon–Fri, 9:30am–
is aboard the “Red Arrow”, an electric narrow-gauge 1pm Sat; Apr–Oct: 9:30am–6:30pm
railway line, which opened in 1912. After passing daily. Closed Nov–Feb.
& ∑ jardinesdealfabia.com
through farmland, the 27-km (17-mile) route winds
its way through the steep peaks and valleys of the
Serra de Tramuntana. The line is justifiably regarded 4 Sóller Most visitors come to see the
as one of the most attractive in Europe, and the After a one­hour ride the train magnificent Moorish gardens
of this old manor house, set
reaches Sóller. From here a vintage
narrow-gauge rolling stock and musty carriages tram running through the busy town amid lemon groves. Footpaths
only add to the experience. centre takes you to Port de Sóller. shaded by pergolas crisscross
streams and take you past
3 Mirador Pujol d’en Banja murmuring fountains, ivy-clad Beach at the end of Torrent de Pareis canyon, near Sa Calobra
Two special tourist trains, leaving walls and beds of splendid
Palma daily at 10:50am and noon, roses. The house is approached y Sa Calobra impassable, as the bottom of
stop briefly at this viewpoint J via a long stately avenue of the canyon, known as the
to provide a splendid view of plane trees. 30 km (19 miles) NE of Fornalutx. “Great Canyon of Mallorca”, fills
Sóller, the surrounding moun­ Pollença Following the conquest of the This tiny hamlet occupies a with torrential waters. Once
tains and the coastline. island by Jaume I, the estate was beautiful cove surrounded by upon a time Sa Calobra was
given to the Moorish governor high cliffs. A busy tourist centre, accessible only by boat. Now
Andratx Benhabet. Benhabet had been its main attraction is the Torrent there is a twisting road leading
J
the governor of Pollença but de Pareis (River of the Twins) to it, which in view of its break-
supported the king by pro- canyon, which is reached by neck descents and bends has
visioning the Catalan army a coastal walkway, leading been nicknamed Nus de la
during the invasion. For this help, partly through a tunnel. Corbata (“Knotted Neck-tie”).
5 Port de Sóller Jaume I gave Benhabet this land It is also possible to reach Two kilometres (1 mile) before
J The journey from Sóller and he set about planning an this impressive canyon from Sa Calobra, you can take a left
to Port de Sóller takes estate in the Moorish style. After Escorca, a hamlet on the way turn to the popular resort of
15 minutes. The tram his death the castle became the from Sóller to Pollença. This Cala Tuent. Set against the
route runs along the residence of the Mallorcan nob- route is extremely difficult, northern slopes of Puig Major,
2 Bunyola beach and ends at ility. The origin of the estate’s however, and requires rock- the quiet village has a modest
This is the last stop before passing the harbour. Trams run name goes back to the days climbing skills, ropes and gravel and sand beach. The
through the dizzying Serra de much more frequently of Arab rule, when it was called wetsuits. It takes about six Es Vergeret restaurant has a
Tramuntana mountains. This than the train. Al-Fabi (“Jug of olives”). hours to cover it. During the large selection of fish dishes
typical Mallorcan town, towered Valldemossa The house itself, with its winter and spring or after and its terrace affords a fine
over by its church, enjoys an 0 km 2 courtyard surrounded by heavy rainfall, it is virtually view of the rocky coast.
idyllic location in a beautiful 0 miles 2 domestic buildings and shaded
verdant valley.
by a giant plane tree, is actually
Key modest though attractive. Most Serra de Tramuntana
Suggested route notable is the 14th-century oak The northern coast of Mallorca is dominated by the Serra de
throne made for Jaume IV. The Tramuntana (Mountains of the North Wind), which run from Sa
Route through the tunnel
gatehouse features a lovely Dragonera in the west to Formentor in the east. The highest peak
Motorway Mudéjar (Spanish-Moorish) of this 90-km (55-mile) stretch is Puig Major (1,445 m/4,740 ft),
Scenic route style vault, with an inscription though part of this is used by the military and closed to visitors.
Other road praising Allah. The steep slopes are covered with sweet-smelling wild rosemary
and are home to goats, sheep and rare birds. The best way to enjoy
Inca this area is on foot, and a
number of maps are easily
available that list walking
routes through all or part
Andratx
Tips for Passengers of the mountain range.
Alternatively, you can
1 Palma Length: 27 km (17 miles). explore the mountains
A trip aboard this vintage Andratx Manacor Stopping-off points: Sóller has by car, although great
electric train is a real delight. many cafés and restaurants. care should be taken on
The line was originally built Santanyi Information: Eusebio Estada 1, the narrow and twisting
to transport fruit to Palma Palma (971 752 051); Plaça roads and frequent hairpin
from Sóller at a time when d’Espanya, Sóller (971 630 130); bends that descend
the journey by road took an or contact ∑ trendesoller.com through steep cliffs
entire day. Sun shining through a pergola in to the sea. Steep mountain slopes west of Santuari de Lluc
Jardines de Alfàbia
For keys to symbols see back flap For hotels and restaurants in this region see pp148–50 and pp155–9
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Eyewitness Travel LAYERS PRINTED:
Catalogue template “UK” LAYER
(Source v2.4)
Date 25th April 2013
Size 125mm x 217mm