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

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.

December 8, 2009

The Search for a Majorca Beach

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 7:14 pm

When considering taking a Majorca beach holiday, the most important factor to take into account will be the exact purpose of your visit. If you are looking for a Majorca beach with good water sports facilities, there are several beaches which would be perfect choices – Platja de Formentor, Cala Tuent and Platja de Sa Coma for example, all have first class water sports facilities. For families with children, looking for safe swimming, and sunbathing, the perfect white, sandy beach might be Colonia de Sant Jordi or Badia d’Alcudia. Naturists heading for Majorca will pick a more isolated beach such as Cala El Mago, one of 3 small coves at Cala Portals Vells. Whatever the purpose of your visit, you should have no trouble finding a Majorca beach which meets your requirements, to take a tour of the best beaches finding a Majorca car hire vehicle would be essential when making plans for your holiday, and booking in advance is recommended to avoid disappointment.

November 19, 2009

Majorca Resorts Puerto Pollensa

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 7:07 pm

Located on a beautiful bay some 4 miles to the east of Pollensa, the resort of Puerto Pollensa is one of the most popular on the island of Majorca. Situated on Majorca’s north-east coast, Puerto Pollensa attracts families and those seeking a more laid back holiday. The resort boasts a pretty harbour, a fantastic climate and a fine gently sloping, sandy beach, it has plenty of hotels and holiday rental accommodation and a lively, but not frantic, nightlife scene. If you are looking for all night clubs and raves, then look elsewhere in Majorca. Places to visit in the area include the historic town of Pollensa (Pollença) itself, the 330 metre Puig de Maria, and its 17th century hermitage.

October 24, 2009

Puerto Pollensa Majorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 1:33 pm

The harbour area for the ancient Majorcan town of Pollensa, is known as Puerto Pollensa. For many years a popular destination for rich tourists to Mallorca, Puerto Pollensa was the subject of a 1936 short story by the famous author Agatha Christie (Problem at Pollensa Bay). The present town still retains much of the charm that it would have had in Agatha Christie’s day and has not been ruined by concrete tower blocks, as has much of the Majorca coastline. The colourful Majorcan fishing boasts are however being largely superceded by luxury yachts, though the hope is that they will not replace them entirely. The attractive Pine Walk which runs beside the harbour of Puerto Pollensa, is a wonderful setting for an evening stroll, before settling down for a delicious meal in one of the local restaurants. The region enjoys a splendid climate and Puerto Pollensa weather is ideal for sunny summer holidays or pleasant winter breaks, so why not visit the picturesque Mallorcan town of Puerto Pollensa soon.

October 19, 2009

Arta, Petra, Sineu and Capdepera Mallorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Spain — Tags: , , , , , — needahand @ 7:22 pm

Four lesser known towns on the island of Mallorca in the Balearic Islands, Spain, that may be of interest should you be visiting are Sineu, Petra, Arta and Capdepera. Some charming little towns, they all have a different history to tell. Sineu, located in the centre of the island was where King Jaime II built his royal palace, much of which exists to this day, and presently home to an order of nuns, you can also visit the Nostra Senyora de los Angeles church originally from the 13th century. Petra was the birthplace of Mallorca’s most famous son Fray Junípero Serra, famous as the founder of California after being sent there to found missions for Carlos III at the age of 58, visitors can see the house where he was born and the font where he was baptised. Arta is a charming little mountain town which was an Arab stronghold during their occupation of Mallorca, the town still has many remnants of its ancient fortifications, the nearby Ses Paisses is one of Majorca’s best know archaeological sites. Lastly we visit Capdepera, another ancient town dominated by its medieval castle – the largest on Majorca, a castle has existed here since Roman times and has been rebuilt numerous times by various civilisations. The nearby Caves of Artà, with immense cathedral sized caverns and interesting rock formations are well worth a visit.

October 17, 2009

Valldemossa Majorca

One of the big attractions on the cultural tourist route of Mallorca is the small town of Valldemossa, which sits in the mountains north of the capital Palma de Mallorca. What makes this place so special is that for a short time in the winter of 1838-39, it became the home of French novelist George Sand and her lover composer Frederick Chopin, who went there to escape the gossip of Paris, and also in the hope that it would aid Chopin’s bad health (he suffered from tuberculosis). Ironically that winter Valldemossa weather was not kind to its new visitors and it remained wet and windy for most of their stay. The celebrities were also apparently given the cold shoulder by the locals as they were not married, and George Sand wrote a derogatory book about their stay called “A Winter in Mallorca” in which she called the local inhabitants savages and thieves. Their visit has still not been forgotten and the book can still be found on sale in the town! Valldemossa Map.

September 6, 2009

Can Pastilla Majorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,hotels,Spain — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 9:35 am

Ideally located on the Bay of Palma, the popular family resort of Can Pastilla is a good spot for a holiday or a winter break, its safe sandy beach is ideal for children, gently sloping into warm Mediterranean waters. The beach is backed by a palmed promenade which stretches all the way to the neighbouring resort of El Arenal, along the promenade you will find plenty of bars, restaurants, shops and arcades for your entertainment and amusement, and in the evenings the promenade comes alive and offers great views across the bay to the neon light capital Palma de Mallorca. Not to be missed is the pretty little harbour, with luxury yachts moored alongside traditional fishing boats. There are a decent selection of hotels to choose from in the resort one of the most popular being the Linda Hotel Can Pastilla, which is located near to the beach and facilities, other hotels include the Hotel Balear, the Hotel Balmes, the Hotel Bari and the Hotel Baltic. The weather in Can Pastilla is of course typical of Mallorca in general being hot and dry during the summer and generally mild during the winter making it an all year round location. Can Pastilla Map.

September 2, 2009

Ibiza Balearic Islands Spain

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 11:34 am

The spiritual home of the raver, Ibiza is located twenty five miles south-west of Majorca. The majority of its population live in the capital Ibiza Town (Eivissa) which developed around a well preserved old walled centre (Dalt Vila) in a beautiful location. A picturesque island with a rugged coastline, fine beaches and an unspoilt countryside, Ibiza is noted for its fine restaurants, and vibrant nightlife scene, it has some of the biggest and most outrageous clubs in Europe. Ibiza is the most fashionable of the Balearic Islands, after being discovered by artists and celebrities during the early 1960’s, mass tourism followed quickly, though Ibiza did not suffer the over development experienced by neighbouring Majorca. Ibiza has some of the more expensive properties in the island group, with a considerable number of millionaire villas, a desirable area being between Ibiza Town and Santa Eulalia des Riu. Ibiza experiences a pleasant climate with Ibiza weather being ideal for holidays and winter breaks, it makes a great change from mainland Spain. To view a map of Ibiza and its resorts look here: Ibiza Map.

September 1, 2009

Can Picafort Majorca

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain — Tags: , , — needahand @ 8:43 am

Once upon a time, just a small fishing village on the Bay of Alcudia in Majorca, the resort of Can Picafort is now a busy holiday destination, visited by a variety of nationalities. Located in the north of the holiday island of Majorca, Can Picafort boasts a long sandy beach and a pretty marina and has a good selection of bars and restaurants offering cuisines to cater for its cosmopolitan clientele. Popular with water sports enthusiasts, the Bay of Alcudia is especially ideal for windsurfing, there are also facilities for water-skiing and diving, and boat trips are available from the harbour and pedalos from the beach. Nearby attractions include the prehistoric burial site at Son Baulo (Son Real Necropolis), the huge Hidropark at Alcudia and the nature reserve at S’Albufera. The area enjoys a fine climate and Can Picafort weather is perfect for summer holidays and winter breaks. There are a number of hotels in the area and some privately owned rental accommodation should you wish to holiday in the resort. Can Picafort Map.

August 28, 2009

Majorca Resorts Cala Bona

Filed under: Balearic Islands,Holidays,Spain,Travel — Tags: , , , — needahand @ 12:37 pm

If travelling to the east coast of Majorca for your holidays this year, you may want to consider staying at the pretty little resort of Cala Bona (which means “Good Bay”). Less well known than its bigger neighbour Cala Millor, Cala Bona has an attractive harbour and its original network of narrow streets and alleys from its former days as a small fishing village. Lacking a real sandy beach , Cala Bona may not suit all holidaymakers, and if it is a beach holiday that you prefer you may be better advised to head for Cala Millor or one of Majorca’s other big coastal resorts. Cala Bona still has some small beaches, located in little rocky bays and inlets along the coast and it is a good base for exploring the east coast of Majorca and its many attractions. Cala Bona Map.

August 14, 2009

Mallorca Resorts – Alcudia

Worth visiting on a holiday in Mallorca is the northern town of Alcudia and its harbour area Port D’Alcudia. Less touristy than the southern resorts, Alcudia also has a bit of history to go with its 6 miles or so of coast and beaches. An old walled town, Alcudia was for centuries the target of pirate raids and many of its ancient fortifications can still be seen today, the sturdy church of Sant Jaume (Saint James) forms part of these medieval walls. In the busy Port D’Alcudia you will find fishing and pleasure craft along with Naval and commercial vessels, as this is still a working port, it is also where most of the tourist facilities are located including plenty of bars and restaurants where you can eat by day and party by night. Alcudia is a mostly quiet family resort though, and those seeking a hectic sun and fun holiday should head for the southern resorts such as Magaluf. Many do choose to holiday here however, and those that do are rewarded with the fine weather and a more peaceful and laid back holiday away from the hustle and bustle of the major package holiday resorts. Alcudia Map.

July 28, 2009

Majorca – Interesting and Historic Sights

The holiday island of Majorca in the Balearic Islands is one of the most popular tourist destinations in Spain. The large majority of holidaymakers head for the well known beach resorts and may be missing out on some interesting and lesser known attractions that would add to the enjoyment of their visit. The best prehistoric site on Majorca is located 5 kilometres inland from Cala Pi, this Talaiotic site known as Capocorb Vell takes the form of an ancient village, some 3,000 years old. South of Algaida is Puig de Randa, site of an ancient monastery founded by Ramón Llull a famous resident of Majorca, it was founded in the 13th century. Off the south coast of Majorca about 18 km off Colonia Sant Jordi, you can visit Cabrera Island, now a protected Natural Park, it boasts the famous “Blue Grotto” cavern and some rare species of flora and fauna. Close to Colonia Sant Jordi on the Majorcan mainland is a small town known as Ses Salines, significant since Roman times for the production of salt, which was extracted from local marshes. East of the capital Palma de Mallorca, is the hub of the Majorcan shoe making industry, Llucmajor, which was also the scene of a bloody battle between two Spanish kings, resulting in the death of Jaime III and the end of the Kingdom of Majorca. This is the end of a short journey to just some of Majorca’s interesting places to visit, so if you are looking for something a little more than lazing on the beach, lapping up the fabulous Majorca weather, then the places listed above may be just right for you.

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