Steve's World Blog Information and articles on cities, towns and villages around the world.

August 2, 2010

S Algar and Punta Prima Menorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 2:14 pm

The two most popular coastal resorts in the south-east of Menorca in the Balearic Islands of Spain, S’Algar and Punta Prima were also amongst the earliest resorts to be developed on the island. S’Algar in particular was one of the pioneers in Menorca travel accommodation and luckily was not spoilt by what was kept low-rise and low key, with mostly detached villa style properties and plenty of green areas. Punta Prima has a better beach than S’Algar and is thus more suitable for family holidays, unfortunately though, it does suffer from dangerous sea currents, so warnings must be heeded when swimming. Numerous ships have foundered off this part of the Menorca coast over the centuries making it good scuba diving territory, windsurfers are also attracted to this area which offers great conditions for their sport. Menorca Map.

July 29, 2010

Palma de Mallorca Part 2

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , — needahand @ 2:32 pm

In a previous post we looked at a little of the history of Palma de Mallorca, in the Balearic Islands, Spain, and visited some of the main attractions, this week we will look at what else Palma has to offer. A great place to start your day would be a morning stroll along Palma’s waterfront, with the city stirring for the day, the busy fish market bursts into life, the Es Moll de Pescadors hosts the Llotja del Peix (Fish Market), here you can pick up fresh prawns, sea-bass, mullet, sardines and much more, but you will need to be early as it opens at 6.00am.

Little is left of the Arab occupation of Palma, but well worth a look are the Banys Árabs (Arab Baths), which date from the 10th century and would have originally been part of a nobleman’s house. The domed horseshoe arches, are supported by a dozen columns in various styles. Possible salvaged from an earlier Roman building, the steam room had underfloor heating, with a separate ‘cooling off’ room, next door. The Arab Baths are located in Carrer Can Serra and are behind the Museu de Mallorca, which is the most significant museum in Mallorca, covering over 3,000 years of the island’s history, from the early Talaotic Period, through the Roman and Arab occupations, up to the present day, with exhibitions by modern day Mallorcan artists.

To take a break from the ancient and historical, you might fancy a trip to the market, in the Plaça Olivar you will find the vibrant Mercat Olivar, a covered market offering a huge range of consumables, most notably fruit and seafood which are displayed in mind boggling quantities and varieties. While you are there try out one of the tapas bars, where the market workers eat, here you can taste some real Mallorcan tapas.

If you wish to do a little shopping whilst in Mallorca then Palma is the place to do it, the main shopping area is in the Plaça Juan Carlos I, which is located beside the cathedral, here you will find numerous big stores such as El Corte Ingles, interspersed with smaller shops. Shops generally open at 10.00am and close at about 1.30pm, the evening session is from 5.00pm to 8.00pm.

When you are all spent out you could take a look at the Poble Espanyol (Spanish Village), a sort of Spanish theme park, where you can see reproductions of famous buildings from Madrid, Toledo and Cordoba, visit handicraft workshops, eat traditional Spanish food and get a lesson in Spanish architecture through the ages.

Getting back to culture one of the many churches worth a visit is the impressive Basilica de Sant Francesc, originally from the 13th century, the façade was rebuilt in the 17th century. The church houses the tomb of Mallorca’s most famous citizen Ramón Llull (1235-1316) a wealthy courtier from Palma, who later became a hermit after a failed seduction attempt, he was later stoned to death in Tunisia, for attempting to convert Muslims to Christianity.

While there is still plenty to see in Palma, you could perhaps wind down your visit with an evening stroll up the Passeig des Born, a tree-lined promenade, which has long been the centre of city life in Palma. Have a coffee in one of the al fresco cafés and relax after a busy day in the beautiful Palma de Mallorca.

Palma de Mallorca Map.

June 30, 2010

Tropic Garden Aparthotel Santa Eulalia

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,hotels,Spain — Tags: , — needahand @ 3:28 pm
Tropic Garden Santa Eulalia

Tropic Garden Santa Eulalia

Situated right on the seafront of the Ibiza resort of Santa Eulalia, the Tropic Garden Aparthotel offers 225 self-contained apartments for holidays in this popular seaside resort. Built in 2002, this modern hotel has all the facilities you would expect to find for a perfect family holiday and you will not be disappointed with your choice should you decide to stay in this 4 Star accommodation. Located only 21 kilometres from Ibiza airport the Tropic Garden Santa Eulalia has inside and outside pools, sun lounging areas, restaurant, sauna and fitness centre, tennis courts, mini-golf, children’s playground and much much more. Rooms have bathroom, kitchen, lounge, balcony, safe, satellite TV etc. Rooms are available from 54 euros (2010). Santa Eulalia is the 3rd largest resort on the island of Ibiza, and is less rowdy than some of the other resorts, it is ideal fro a family holiday.

BOOK TROPIC GARDEN

June 28, 2010

Castillo Hotel Son Vida Majorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 10:36 am
Castillo Hotel Son Vida Majorca

Castillo Hotel Son Vida Majorca

Surrounded by the beautiful 18 hole Son Vida golf course, the charismatic Castillo Hotel Son Vida is one of the most popular in the area, which is in turn extremely popular with golfers due to there being 3 fabulous courses in a small area. The Castillo Hotel has 171 well presented rooms which all have the usual facilities expected of a top class hotel including bathroom, mini-bar, air-conditioning, internet, heated floors and coffee making facilities. The Castillo Hotel Son Vida located west of Palma, is housed in a building which dates from the thirteenth century, providing a unique atmosphere, making a visit to the hotel a memorable experience. The hotel itself of course has lots of facilities with swimming pool and sun lounging area for enjoying the wonderful Majorca weather, tennis courts, games room, internet, health spa, fitness centre, massage, salon and restaurant, all set in stunning grounds. The Castillo Hotel is situated within easy driving distance of Majorca airport, which is located in nearby Palma de Mallorca. From the airport you can easily obtain a taxi or transfer, or you may choose to obtain a car hire vehicle and make your own way to the hotel.

BOOK CASTILLO HOTEL SON VIDA

June 22, 2010

Palma de Mallorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,History,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 9:53 am

The capital of Mallorca (Majorca) and of the Balearic Islands, Palma de Mallorca is home to almost half the resident population of the island, and also welcomes millions of visitors each year by way of its International Airport.

 The city itself has some wonderful attractions including the famous La Seu Gothic cathedral, which boasts one of the biggest stained glass windows in the world with 1,236 pieces and measuring some 11 metres across – amazing.

 Founded as a camp by the Romans in about 123 BC, Palma de Mallorca became an important port on the Mediterranean trade route. Known as Medina Mayurqa to the Arabs, its name is actually taken from the Roman city of Palmaria. Much of the original Roman city still exists below the present day city, and Roman remains are being found all the time.

May 19, 2010

Mallorca Spain

Filed under: Balearic Islands,History,Spain — Tags: , , , , , , — needahand @ 4:00 pm

Though it may seem a world away, the beautiful island of Mallorca is easily reachable from the Costa Blanca region and well worth a visit if you have a few days to spare. A short flight from Alicante airport or a ferry ride from the resort of Denia, will see you on the holiday island in no time.

Mallorca (normally called Majorca in the UK) is the biggest of the Spanish Balearic Islands, the other main islands are Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera and Cabrera, Mallorca itself is often likened to a continent rather than a small island, due to is rich and diverse landscape, which varies from the alpine like mountains of the Serra Tramuntana and the Serra de Levant to the flat fertile plains of central Mallorca. The island is also rich in flora and fauna and its natural parks such as the wetlands of S’Albufera in northern Mallorca, provide important protection for hundreds of bird and animal species.

Mallorca was one of the pioneers in mass tourism during the 1960’s and 1970’s and many of its popular resorts became over developed, but don’t let that put you off the place, get away from the built for tourism resorts (mostly gathered on the south coast), and you will find some charming little towns and villages, which remain much as they have for hundreds of years. Though almost nowhere is Mallorca is totally untouched by tourism, and most places rely on it, in one way or another, there is plenty to see that has not been spoiled by it.

Mallorca was first inhabited in around 5000 BC and its first organised culture was known as the Talaiotic Culture which built settlements in Capocorb Vell and Artà in  1000 BC. The Talaiots left their mark in the form of great stone towers which can still be seen today (the neighbouring island of Menorca is particularly rich in these structures). The Romans conquered Mallorca in 123 BC and called it Balearis Major, they built their capital at Pollentia (Alcudia) and introduced vineyards and olives, though it remained an outpost of the Roman Empire and less important than the Spanish mainland. After the collapse of the Roman Empire, the Vandals arrived on Mallorca, persecuting the Christian population, though their control was relatively brief and they were ousted by the Byzantines who restored Christianity and order to the island, under Byzantine control Mallorca became a province of Sardinia.

The next major year in Mallorca’s history was 902 AD when the Moors invaded, incorporating the island into the Caliphate of Córdoba, the Arabs called it Medina Mayurqa and set to work improving the irrigation of the island with their advanced techniques, introducing new crops such as oranges and almonds.

Mallorca was re-conquered for the Christians in 1229 by King Jaime I of Aragon, his son Jaime II was later to become the 1st King of Mallorca.

Mallorca suffered numerous pirate attacks throughout the 16th to 18th centuries and a number of watchtowers were built around to coast to warn the inhabitants of these attacks.

In late 1936 during the Spanish Civil War, Mallorca was attacked by Republican troops, the attack was repulsed and the island remained in Nationalist hands throughout the war (1936-39).

Mass tourism arrived in the 1960’s with the opening of the Son Sant Joan Airport and Mallorca catered for this modern invasion by developing its southern coastline, in 1983 the Balearic Islands became an autonomous region of Spain, with Palma de Mallorca as its capital.

Mallorca Map.

May 15, 2010

The West Coast of Ibiza

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 12:20 pm

Considered by many to be the most beautiful part of the holiday island of Ibiza is the stunning west coast, with its rugged pine-clad coastline backed by mountains and hills, well known for its splendid beaches it comprises a series of isolated coves and bays which are still mostly unspoilt by mass tourism. In contrast to these pretty area the vibrant resort of San Antonio (Sant Antoni de Portmany) is a little ‘tacky’ and a world away from the traditional Ibizan town, developed from a small fishing village San Antonio is now an ugly urban sprawl of hotels and apartment blocks catering for Europe’s young ravers who dance through the night in the town’s popular night-clubs. San Antonio does however have a history and was known in Roman times as Portus Magnus, and favoured for its excellent natural harbour, unfortunately little remains of its early history and culture seekers will have to make do with a visit to the 14th century fortified church in the Plaça de Esglesia. Some of the best known beaches in the area include Cala Conta, Cala Bassa, Ses Fontanelles and Cala Salada. A little to the north you will find a pretty village, high in the hills amongst almond orchards, called Santa Agnes de Corona, this is a bit more like a traditional village, with its quaint little church and laid back atmosphere. If you are booking car hire whilst visiting the area you can explore some of the more out of the way places and a number of isolated resorts in picturesque coves include Cala Moli, Cala Vedella and Port d’es Torrent, all relatively unspoilt and perfect for a visit or for a relaxing holiday away from the hustle and bustle of San Antonio. Other places worthy of a visit on the Ibiza west coast are the town of Sant Josep de sa Talaia, the Roman cemetery at Ses Paises de Cala Hort, the watch tower of Es Savinar and the islet of Es Vedra rising vertically from the sea off the south-west coast.

Ibiza Map.

Manacor Mallorca and Surroundings

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , , , — needahand @ 11:48 am

Some inland towns in the east of Mallorca include the second largest town on the island, Manacor, an industrial town which is renowned for its artificial pearls. The pearl factories are a major tourist attraction for the town and thousands of visitors arrive each week to watch the pearls in production, the pearls are made from glass beads, covered in resin and fish scales, they are hard to tell from the real thing. Another small inland town is the charming Felanitx, famous for its ceramics, it is worth visiting for its 13th century church of Sant Miguel. Further south is the honey-coloured Santanyi, built from the same stone as Palma cathedral, Santanyi is a former fortified town, with much remaining of its fortifications, its coastal are Cala Santanyi is a popular holiday resort. Ending with another little coastal resort to the north near Capdepera, Cala Ratjarda is a pretty little resort in an area of rugged coastline, this former fishing village has become popular with holidaymakers seeking a quieter holiday. Manacor Map.

May 9, 2010

Porto Colom Majorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 3:41 pm

Founded in the 13th century, the small fishing village of Porto Colom on the south-east coast of Majorca, is now a popular but generally unspoilt holiday resort, which retains much of its traditional charm. The picturesque natural harbour is one of the best on the island, and is dotted with local fishing craft, which still ply their trade along this coast. The fine beach at Cala Marcal is safe and clean and great for families, offering the usual facilities, and enjoying the splendid Majorca weather. Porto Colom has a reasonable choice of facilities and is renowned for its seafood restaurants, supplying meals of freshly caught fish. The town has a regular bus service with the capital Palma de Mallorca. Porto Colom Map.

April 9, 2010

Magaluf Majorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , — needahand @ 4:14 pm
Magaluf Majorca

Magaluf Majorca

One of the best known resorts on the holiday island of Majorca, Magaluf is a sun and fun resort that would not suit everyone. Mostly attractive to the younger generation, Magaluf boasts a wide range of entertainment with friendly bars, lively discos and nightclubs and a vibrant atmosphere. The resort does have some excellent sandy beaches which will suit those looking for a more relaxing holiday, and on the beaches visitors can make the most of the wonderful Magaluf weather, which is ideal for holidays during the summer season, and remains pleasant throughout the winter months. The nearby Pirates Show has, since its inception, attracted over 3 million visitors and continues to attract and entertain. Other attractions in Magaluf include water sports, horse riding, golf, aqua parks, go-kart racing and much, much more. Magaluf has an excellent range of hotels and some privately owned rental accommodation, so booking a Magaluf holiday should not be a problem. If you are looking for a non-stop sun and fun holiday, Magaluf might just be the place for you.

Magaluf Street Map.

April 5, 2010

Mahon Menorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,History,Spain — Tags: , — needahand @ 4:50 pm

The elegant town of Mahon is the capital of the Balearic Island of Menorca, it is renowned for having one of the best natural harbours in the world, this made it an attractive target for the British Navy, who took the town and the island in 1708, and made Mahon their main port in the Mediterranean. Mahon today is a more peaceful place and is an attractive tourist destination, with many places of interest and a great range of facilities, you are more likely to see a luxury yacht in the harbour these days than a warship although it is still a working port. The town enjoys a wonderful climate and the weather in Mahon is pleasant all year round attracting thousands of visitors both during the hot summer months and also during the agreeable winter months. Mahon Map.

March 26, 2010

Cala Galdana Menorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 11:31 am
Cala Galdana Bay

Cala Galdana Bay

One of the most popular and attractive coastal resorts on the island of Menorca, Cala Galdana is situated on the south coast in the municipal district of Ferreries. Standing around a beautiful horseshoe shaped bay Cala Galdana is probably the most photographed location on the island offering the chance for some delightful shots, worthy of a holiday brochure. With little history to speak of, Cala Galdana has mostly come to prominence with the growth of the tourism industry in Menorca, attracting those visitors who prefer a more laid back holiday away from the hustle and bustle of neighbouring Ibiza and Majorca. The beach is the place to head for in Cala Galdana and most visitors do just this, relaxing in the splendid weather conditions that the resort enjoys, particularly between the months of May and September. The beach is backed by an attractive promenade, a popular place for a stroll and also the location of a little craft market during the busy season, the beach has a good range of facilities and there are opportunities to try out some water sports. The main accommodation in Cala Galdana is hotels and aparthotels and the resort is listed with many of the major tour operators, the best known and only significant hotel is the Sol Gavilanes which overlooks the bay in a great location, if you book through a tour operator like Thomsons, this is no doubt where you will be staying, but you need not worry as this is an excellent hotel with all the facilities that you are likely to need for a great family holiday. Cala Galdana is around forty kilometres from Menorca’s airport at Mahon.

March 12, 2010

Ibiza Travel in the Balearic Islands

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , , — needahand @ 3:05 pm

Second largest of the Balearic Islands of Spain, Ibiza has much to offer travellers of all ages and tastes, known as the clubbers capital of Europe, away from the main resorts it is still a mostly rural island with large areas of unspoilt countryside and huge areas of fig, almond and olive groves. Ibiza travel can be a pleasurable experience whether you are seeking a cultural sojourn or a traditional beach holiday, for culture and history you can head for the capital Ibiza Town (Eivissa), founded by the Phoenicians in the seventh century BC, it is now a UNESCO World Heritage site, its Dalt Vila (Upper Town) is a joy to behold, and is the oldest part of the city, visit the 16th century cathedral located on what has been the site of religious buildings since 283 AD, and the ancient fortifications also dating from the 16th century in their present form. For beaches, and Ibiza has over 50, head for the beautiful west coast, where unspoilt beaches lay in picturesque coves, or the area around Santa Eulalia where you can also visit the famous Hippy Market at Es Cana or simply enjoy the delightful Ibiza weather. Clubbers can head for San Antonio, where this former fishing village offers a wide choice of clubs and discos. Ibiza travel should be fun, try a little of everything to get an idea of what this beautiful island has to offer. Ibiza Map.

February 20, 2010

Cala Millor Majorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 4:05 pm

Located to the north of Porto Cristo on the east coast of Majorca, the beach resort of Cala Millor is one of the most popular holiday destinations on the island. Boasting superb beaches (the main beach is over a mile long), and a good range of facilities, Cala Millor is a great choice for a family holiday, of course another factor which is a major attraction is the wonderful Cala Millor weather, which is very reliable during the months May to October. Tourism began in Cala Millor as far back as the 1930’s, though the main boom did not gain pace until the 1970’s and 80’s. Worth a visit whilst in Cala Millor is the wildlife park, Safari Zoo, located about a mile to the south of the resort centre. Cala Millor Map.

December 10, 2009

Cala Mondrago Mallorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 12:59 pm

If you are visiting the island of Mallorca this year and are fed up with the crowds and drawbacks of mass tourism, you might want to consider heading for somewhere a little quieter. One of the recommended places for visitors of this ilk is the beautiful Cala Mondrago, situated in the south-east of the island. Having just a couple of hotels and very little else to attract those seeking a pulsating nightlife scene, Cala Mondrago will not keep you occupied for long, if you are looking for more than a relaxing beach holiday, but if it is the beach that you like, you will find one of the finest on Mallorca and in fact in the entire Balearic Islands region and with the fine climate that goes with it, you might just think you are in paradise. To say there is nothing to do here is a slight exaggeration, as nature lovers will be attracted by the Mondrago Parc Natural, which surrounds the resort and comprises 2,000 acres of important wetland with enough bird species to keep even the most ardent twitcher happy. For those who just have to visit a rowdy club or disco at night, you will just have to head into nearby Cala d’Or for the evenings and get your fix of noise.

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