Many visitors to Majorca (Mallorca) do not realise that the island has more than 60 wine estates producing over 300 different wines. The best time for wine enthusiasts to visit is in September when the grape harvest is well underway and many celebrations take place. Many of the tourist accommodations have their own vineyards.

Binissalem

Binissalem is home to Majorca’s leading vineyards and is the largest wine-producing region on the island. The family-run Macia Batle bodega produces a range of wines and offers tours where visitors can see the whole wine-producing process. The tour also gives visitors the opportunity to sample their award-winning vintage wines. Other well known bodegas in the area are the Jose Luis Ferrer Wine Estate which was awarded for producing the best sweet white wine in Spain and the eco-friendly Celler Tianna Negra which uses solar energy to produce in the region of 100,000 litres of wine every year. Vineyards cover about 400 hectares of the region.

Visit Binissalem from the 14th-26th September when the sleepy town comes alive to celebrate La Festa des Vernar. This annual wine festival celebrates the start of the autumn harvest. Visitors to the festival can enjoy parades, live music events, grape crushing competitions and of course the wine tasting which goes on all day, every day throughout the festival. On the final day of the festival there is a concert which is performed in the main square and in the evening visitors can enjoy a glass or two of wine whilst being entertained by the Binissalem giant puppets accompanied by xeremiers (traditional musical instruments). The festival reaches a climax on the final Saturday when the villages follow a drummer and piper to a field where a massive grape takes place!

grape vines

Binissalem is a quiet residential town just 12 miles inland from the islands capital Palma, ten minutes from the mountains and just half an hour from the golden sandy beaches on either side of the island. Visitors choose to spend their direct holidays to Majorca here in Binissalem as the town can only be described as unexploited, untouched, unspoilt and perfect for a relaxing holiday in a perfect climate. The magnificent Gothic church of Santa Maria of Robines dominates the town square and can be seen for miles around Binissalem. The church is now the site of the local parish museum. Many of the buildings here, many dating back to the 18th and 19th century here, display amazing architecture, stonework and carpentry and have special protection from future development. Binissalem is home to more small palaces than any other town on the island.

If you are interested in visiting the festival and enjoying the superb local wines and festivities there are plenty of late deals to Majorca throughout the internet.

The Sierra de Tramuntana Mountains and the Alfabia range of hills protect the vineyards from northerly winds, creating a micro-climate. Binissalem enjoys a mild Mediterranean climate with dry warm summers and short winters.

When laying on the beach becomes a bit ‘boring’ and the family start to get restless, why not try a cycle ride and discover the Majorcan countryside, you won’t be disappointed.

There are different routes to suit everyone, here are just a few that i think are good for all the family, including the kids!

Pollensa Bay

POLLENSA BAY

Pollensa Bay covers about 8 kms of beautiful coastline. This is quite an easy ride as it is quite flat and has plenty of beaches to stop off at on the way.
Pollensa Bay offers all kinds of watersports including sailing, windsurfing, snorkelling and scuba diving.

CALA MILLOR – PORTO CRISTO

Again an easy ride with lots of beaches enroute and an aquarium to view at Porto Cristo. Apart from the beaches on the way there are also the underground caves of Drach and Ham which are worthy of a visit.

PORTO CRISTO

The Caves of Drach (Caves of the Dragon) offer fascinating rock and limestone formations which reach down from the ceilings of the cave and grow up from the floors.

PALMA – S’ARENAL

A much longer ride, this one starts at the Paseo Maritimo de Palma and continues for 18 kms to the Playa de Palma. After about 5 kms you reach El Molinar where the designated cycle track ends. The ride continues along the beach at Coll d’en Rebassa and then heads inland until you reach Can Pastilla where you will again ride along the beach. This part of the cycle track from Can Pastilla to Arenal can only be used by cyclists, skaters and joggers.

There is lots to do and see when visiting the lovely island of Majorca so why not take advantage of the many holiday deals available throughout the internet.

When you want a break from the great Majorcan beaches there are lots of things to do and see on this wonderful island.

Palma Cathedral

Palma Cathedral (La Seu)

Palma Cathedral, built on the site of an Arab Mosque, overlooks the Parc de la Mar and the Mediterranean Sea and is protected by the old town walls in Palma Bay. The foundation stone of the cathedral was laid by King James I in 1229 with the construction finally finishing in 1601, although further alterations were carried out right up to 1904. King James decided to build the cathedral in honour of the Virgin Mary, in thanks for his and his troops safe return to Majorca after they were caught in a terrible storm.

Bellver Castle

Bellver Castle is located on a hill about 3 kms from Palma. This Gothic style

Bellver Castle

 castle was built for King James II of Aragon and is one of only a few circular castles in Europe. Used as a military prison from the 18th to the 20th century, the castle is now home to  Palma’s History Museum.

Lluc Monastery (Monestir de Nostra Senyora de Lluc)

Over the years many people have taken a religious pilgramage to the Lluc Monastery, in particular to see the small dark statue of the Virgin Mary. The monastery also offers magnificent views of the Tramuntana Mountains.

Deia

Deia

Deia (population about 850 people) is a small coastal village in the northwest of Majorca, about 6 miles from Soller and 10 miles from Valldemossa. The village is backed by the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. The village sits on a hill, complete with orange and olive groves and an ancient church, overlooking the Mediterranean. At the bottom of the hill is the cala (cove) where the village fishermen still cast their nets. The village is well known for its musical, literary and artistic residents, including Virgin Records Richard Branson who has a luxury residence here. With around 20 restaurants, some of which are worthy of Michelin stars, and bars, the village attracts visitors who enjoy fine cuisine. Two gourmet restaurants worth a mention are El Olivo which is built in an old olive press and mentioned in the Michelin Guide, and Bens d’Avall which overlooks the Mediterranean and serves local products.

Valldemossa

Valldemossa is a quaint old village in the mountains with lovely old houses made of stone. The saint La Beata protects the village and on every house there is a ceramic plate with the words Beata, pray for us. Valldemossa is home to a monastery where the composer Chopin lived for the winter from 1838 to 1839.

Caves of Drac

The Caves of Drac ( Cuevas del Drach)

The Caves of Drac are about a mile south of Porto Cristo. There are three chambers inside the caves, the Black Cave (Cueva Negra), the White Cave (Cueva Blanca) and the Luis Salvator Cave (Cueva Luis Salvator). The caves are home to Lake Martel (Lago Martel) which is one of the largest subterranean lakes in the world. On a boat trip around the lake Visitors see beautiful limestone formations, including stalagmites protuding from the rockface and stalactites hanging down from the roof of the cave and are serenaded by musicians performing classical music.

Cap de Formentor

Cap de Formentor is a magnificent bluff located at the northern most point of Majorca. The highest point Fumart is at 384m above sea levels, offering spectacular views across the island and out to sea.

The above are just a few of my favourites from my many holidays spent in Majorca.

Take your family holidays on this beautiful island,  you will not be disappointed and you will return again and again.

For more information on Majorca and to view my latest articles please visit my Majorca Blog.