Page 311 - (DK Eyewitness) Travel Guide - Europe

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g Mallorca and the La Granja, and Alfàbia, which
Balearic Islands exudes a Moorish atmosphere,
are aristocratic estates open to
k g @ Palma, Mallorca; Maó, the public. The Sanctuari de
Menorca. n Plaça de la Reina 2, Lluc, in the remote mountain
Mallorca (971-17 39 90). village of the same name,
incorporates a guesthouse,
The largest of the Balearic a museum, and a church.
islands, Mallorca has a varied
landscape and a rich cultural Menorca
heritage. A massive Gothic Menorca’s capital, Maó, has
cathedral is poised high on one of the finest harbors
the sea wall of Palma, its in the Mediterranean, an
capital. Completed in 1587 18th-century Carmelite church,
The mountain village of Castell de and known locally as Sa Seu, and a museum – the Collecció
Guadalest, Costa Blanca the cathedral is one of Spain’s Hernández Mora – housing
most breathtaking buildings. Menorcan art and antiques. The
P Palau de la Generalitat The interior was remodeled town of Ciutadella boasts an
Calle Caballeros 2. Tel 96-386 34 61. by Antoni Gaudí and a high- impressive main square and a
Open by prior appointment only. light is the Baldachino, his delightful Art Nouveau market.
E Museo de Bellas Artes bizarre wrought-iron canopy Menorca’s many Bronze Age
Calle San Pio V 9. Tel 96-387 03 00. above the altar. villages – to which there is
Open 11am–5pm Mon, 10am–7pm Also worth visiting in Palma usually free access – are mostly
Tue–Sun. Closed Jan 1, Good Friday, are the Basílica de Sant Francesc, the work of the “talaiotic” people,
Dec 25. 8 7 the Moorish Palau de l’Almudaina, who lived from 2000–1000 BC.
and the Fundació Pilar i Joan Miró
f Costa Blanca – a stunning modern building Ibiza and Formentera
housing Miró’s studio and a A popular package-tour
k g £ @ Alicante. n Rambla collection of the artist’s work. destination, Ibiza has some
Méndez Núñez 41, Alicante (96-520 Around the island, Andratx of the wildest nightclubs in
00 00). ∑ costablanca.org is a chic and affluent town Europe. An hour’s boat ride
with yachts moored along its from Ibiza harbor are the
The Costa Blanca occupies a harbor, while Pollença is a tranquil shores of Formentera.
prime stretch of Mediterranean popular tourist resort which has The capital, Sant Francesc, has
coastline. The main city, Alicante remained relatively unspoiled. a pretty 18th-century church
(Alacant), has an 18th-century The 18th-century family home and a folk museum.
Baroque town hall and a
16th-century castle, the Castillo
de Santa Bárbara. The nearest
beach to the city center is the
popular Postiguet; slightly farther
afield are the vast beaches of La
Albufereta and Sant Joan.
The massive, rocky outcrop of
the Penyal d’Ifach towers over
Calp harbor, and is one of the
Costa Blanca’s most dramatic
sights. Its summit offers
spectacular views. A short drive
inland, Castell de Guadalest is
a pretty mountain village with
castle ruins and a distinctive
belfry perched precariously
on top of a rock.
Also worth visiting are the
whitewashed hilltop town of
Altea, Denia, which has good
snorkeling, and the cliffs and
coves around Xabia. South of
Alicante, Guardamar del Segura
has a quiet beach bordered by
pine woods, while Torrevieja is
a highly developed resort with
sweeping, sandy shores. Looking across the marina to the spectacular cathedral, Palma, Mallorca

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