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Archive for the ‘Travel Guide’ Category

Located on Majorca’s rugged east coast, the charming fishing town of Porto Cristo attracts a variety of visitors looking for a quiet, relaxing holiday. This authentic town has a quaint fishing harbour and doesn’t just depend on tourism. Just 40 miles from Palma, the town is a small family resort which is popular with couples looking for a relaxing spot away from the crowds and noisy nightlife and with yachtsman using the

Porto Cristo Harbour

nearby natural harbour. The town has a variety of restaurants, cafes and bars with many of the eateries having outdoor terraces where you can enjoy a pleasant meal looking out over the harbour and sea. Porto Cristo old town is a maze of colourful narrow lanes and has a beautiful esplanade with plenty of trees for shade.

The sandy Porto Cristo beach sits in a sheltered bay away from the main road. To each side of the town there are some quieter unspoilt beaches and pretty bays which can be reached via the local coastal bus service. Many of these sheltered beaches have a pretty pine covered hill backdrop and offer a range of water sports.

Although Porto Cristo is one of the quieter Majorcan resorts there is still plenty to do and see. The town makes an excellent base for coastal walks and hiking in the surrounding countryside with its farms, orchards and mountains. Close to the resort are the amazing Caves of Drach which feature one of the largest underground lakes in the world and the caves at Hams where many of the

Caves of Drach

rock formations resemble trees. Other excursions to take on your package holidays to Majorca can include a trip to the historic old town of Palma which is home to a magnificent Gothic cathedral, the old town of Arta, the monastery of San Salvador, Inca with its leather factory and market and neighbouring Manacor which is a centre of pearl harvesting and a well known market. The villages on the northern coast of the island are also worthy of a visit. For total relaxation take a boat trip along the islands coastline and admire the beautiful scenery of Majorca.

There are a couple of discos in Porto Cristo but nightlife here is generally very low-key. For some livelier nightlife you will need to head off to Cala Millor.

Porto Cristo

Porto Cristo enjoys a typical Mediterranean climate with good weather for most of the year. During the summer months temperatures peak at 29C with 11 hours of sunshine a day and very little rainfall. Temperatures can rise to above 29C in August and September and produce humid conditions. Autumn weather is more changeable with more frequent rain but still enjoys sunny days and mild temperatures. February sees temperatures around 16C with 6 hours of sunshine a day. In late autumn there can be strong winds along the coastline and mornings can feel quite chilly. Winter months also enjoy mild temperatures and are still a great time to take one of the many holiday deals to Majorca which are always available throughout the internet.

Camp de Mar is a small unspoilt beach resort set on a sheltered bay in a small valley between headlands on the far south-west coast of Majorca. Located just 16 miles from Palma and 24 miles from the airport, Camp de Mar is popular with couples and families looking for a quiet resort on this beautiful Balearic Island. This peaceful resort has avoided major development and has several exclusive villas in the area which are owned by

Camp de Mar

the rich and famous. Accommodation in Camp de Mar is of a comfortable standard with a variety of restaurants and bars in the resort when you require a nice meal or a few drinks. Don’t forget to sample some of the tasty locally caught fish and seafood whilst visiting the resort.

Holiday packages to Camp de Mar centre on the resorts golden sandy beach which is perfect for sunbathing and for swimming. The wide beach gently shelves to the crystal clear waters which are safe for all the family to swim safely in. Backed by pine-clad hills the bay has a floating bar and restaurant where you can enjoy a cooling drink with your lunch after using up some energy on the the water sports on offer, including surfing, jet-skiing and pedalos. The bay in Camp de Mar is an ideal diving spot for beginners while the more northern dive sites are great for more experienced scuba divers. There is also a small island in the bay which you can visit by taking the walkway from Camp de Mar. Neighbouring Santa Ponsa is a pleasant resort with a very nice sandy beach.

Camp de Mar Bay

There is plenty for the whole family to do away from the beach including several world-class golf courses in the area. Visit the up-market town of Andratx with its classy marina and the historic old town of Palma which is home to several museums and a magnificent Gothic cathedral which took nearly 400 years to build. Majorca’s capital Palma is also home to a variety of restaurants, cafes, bars and shops. Excursions to the towns of Soller, Deya and Valldemosa on the north-west coast are popular with visitors to Camp de Mar. The whole family will enjoy a visit to the Marineland park where you will see dolphins, sharks and exotic birds. Another must visit for the whole family is the famous Pirates Adventure Show and the Western Water Park at Magaluf, just 30 minutes from Camp de Mar.

Palma

Nightlife is very low-key in the resort, mainly consisting of family entertainment provided by the hotels. If you are looking for some livelier nightlife, Camp de Mar is ideally placed for visiting the islands livelier capital Palma, and the resorts of Paguera, Santa Ponsa and Magaluf. Popular with young holidaymakers, Magaluf not only has an atmospheric lively nightlife but also some great traditional Majorcan restaurants serving amazing seafood cuisine. Buses run from the resort to Paguera and along the coast to Palma.

Camp de Mar makes an excellent base for walkers and hikers to explore the surrounding countryside and coastline on their last minute holiday deals to the island of Majorca. A great walk is along the cliffs at Banalbufar.
Enjoying hot dry summers and short warm winters Camp de Mar is the ideal all year round holiday destination. From April until the end of November the temperature rarely dips below 20C with the peak season seeing temperatures over 30C with virtually no rainfall. Humidity levels during the summer are low with cooling Mediterranean Sea breezes making the high temperatures more beareable. The temperature during December and January is a warm 15C with around 6 hours of sunshine a day making this an ideal time to take your winter sun holidays to Majorca.

Located 2 miles from Palma Nova, 7 miles west of Palma and 13 miles from the airport, Costa D’en Blanes is a small tourist resort in the south-west of Majorca. The resort runs from the hills south of Palma to the coast at Portals and Punta Negra, making it an ideal base for exploring the south-west of the island and within easy reach of the capital Palma. Sitting on the west coast of the Bay of Palma, the resort is the perfect choice for those seeking a quiet resort with beautiful green surroundings on their cheap package holidays to Majorca.

Costa D'en Blanes

The Costa D’en Blanes has some great beaches where the whole family can enjoy golden sands lapped by calm warm water and plenty of beachfront bars for the odd tipple or two! Just two miles from the resort are the golden beaches of Palma Nova where you will find beachfront restaurants and bars and some excellent water sports facilities. The quieter beach of Cala Portals Nous is just a couple of minutes drive from Costa D’en Blanes.

Apart from lazing on the beautiful beaches there is lots more to do on your late deals to Costa D’en Blanes. Walk or cycle the long-distance scenic trail that runs from Santa Ponsa to Palma, enjoy a round of golf, scuba dive in Palma Nova or enjoy some water sports including windsurfing and sailing. Real Golf de Bendinat golf course is just minutes from Costa D’en Blanes and offers some amazing views over Palma Bay. Just a 10 minute drive away is another first class course, the D’Andratx Golf Club which is suitable for more experienced golfers. There are also lots of places to visit including

Palma Gothic Cathedral

quaint little villages and the quieter resorts along the islands rugged north-west coast. The vibrant capital city of Palma is a must visit on your holidays to Majorca. Buses connect Costa D’en Blanes to the capital where you will find a wide range of restaurants, cafes, bars, shops and some very lively nightlife. The old town of Palma has a magnificent Gothic cathedral and some very interesting museums. Other places to visit include the lively resort of Magaluf and the traditional towns of Soller and Deya which are just a 30 minute drive from the resort. Enjoy the family attractions of Aquacity

Dolphins at Marineland

and Marineland which is a great park with dolphins, turtles, sharks, exotic reptiles and rare birds.

There are plenty of places to dine out in the area including the restaurants and fashionable bars in the exclusive Portals Marina and the excellent restaurants in the typically Spanish village of Portals Nous.

Nightlife in Costa D’en Blanes is a very tranquil affair with the nearby resorts of Magaluf, Palma and Illetes provide much livelier attractions and nightlife.

Costa D’en Blanes enjoys hot sunny weather for most of the year. Temperatures often reach over 30C during July and August, remaining at a pleasant 16C during the winter with enough sunshine to gain a suntan. The temperature rarely dips below 25C between May and October with an average 10 hours of sunshine a day between May and August. Although the summer days are hot and dry, fresh breezes off the sea help to make the heat more bearable. By late March temperatures are already reaching the 20C mark making Majorca ideal for holidays at anytime of the year.

Located on the quieter north coast of Majorca, the beach resort of Cala San Vicente is just 35 north east of Palma. This small peaceful resort is set in a great location on a beautiful stretch of the Majorcan coastline. The resort is ideal for families and couples looking for great package holidays in a tranquil setting with beautiful surroundings and quaint little beaches. Surrounded by attractive countryside and stunning mountains, the resort offers good accommodation and a working fishing village which add to the charm of Cala San Vicente. The resort makes an excellent base for coastal walks and exploring the surrounding countryside, forested mountainside and prehistoric caves. The older part of Cala San Vicente is a mix of traditional houses and tourist accommodation grouped around a shaded promenade and delightful beach which is shared with the local fishermen. The town has a fair selection of restaurants, bars and shops with nightlife being very low-key. Most visitors to the resort prefer spending the evenings enjoying a relaxing meal in the peaceful atmosphere of the town. The beachside restaurants serve some of the freshest seafood and fish in Majorca. For livelier nightlife there is nearby Puerto Polensa or Alcudia.

Cala San Vicente

The resort has three sandy beaches on a picturesque bay with amazing views of the cliffs of the Formentor peninsula. Visitors can enjoy the unspoilt main Cala Barques Beach which is regarded as the best of the three beaches, the secluded Cala Clara Beach and Cala Molins Beach. Cala Barques offers fantastic views, beachside restaurants and a wide range of water sports. All three fine sandy beaches gently slope to clean calm sparkling waters which make Cala San Vicente holidays a popular choice with families.

For a break from the relaxing beaches visitors can take a trip to the old town of Pollensa just three miles to the south of Cala San Vicente. Here you will find a popular Sunday market where haggling for bargains is regarded as the norm and a wider choice of restaurants and shops. Pollensa has lots of small winding roads where you will find top class restaurants and atmospheric tavernas.

Pollensa

For the more energetic Cala San Vicente offers plenty of sporting opportunities including diving, jet-skiing, sailing, horse riding and golf. There are some excellent golf courses near the resort for enthusiasts to enjoy a round or two on their travel deals to Majorca.

Cala San Vicente weather is slightly cooler than Majorca’s southern coast weather but it still enjoys hot summers and mild short winters. The resort is popular with holidaymakers who prefer slightly drier cooler temperatures to the much hotter temperatures in the south of the island. April sees temperatures around 20C rising to around 28C in August. June, July and August see clear blue skies with around 11 hours of sunshine a day and very little rain. Cala San Vicente is very popular with holidaymakers around Christmas and New Year when the resort still enjoys temperatures around 14C and plenty of sunshine.

Calas is located on the east coast of Majorca and is much quieter than the resorts on the west coast. The perfect destination for quiet family beach holidays, the resort enjoys a slow relaxing pace of life. Days here usually consist of relaxing by the hotel pool or sampling the local cuisine at the resorts small restaurants. Located on a cliff top, there is plenty for the more energetic to explore around Calas. Follow the scenic coastal paths which link the beaches and discover the surrounding countryside on foot, horseback or bicycle. Temperatures in the evening during July and

calas de majorca

August hover around the 20C mark, making conditions just right for evening walks and dining al-fresco. Enjoy some retail therapy at the nearby town of Felanitx where you will find Majorca’s best market which is held on a Sunday morning. Buy your gifts, souvenirs and locally made goods here.

Calas has plenty of bars where you can enjoy some live musical entertainment in the evenings.

Calas has three small sandy beaches which are linked by a road train. Although the beaches are great for sunbathing and swimming there is a strong undercurrent along Majorca’s east coast which can be dangerous for children and non-swimmers. The undercurrent can be deceiving as the waters here are very clean, clear and shallow. The largest of the three beaches, Cala Domingos is a Blue Flag

Cala Domingos

beach. Calas offers a variety of water sports on the beach including scuba diving, snorkelling, windsurfing and kayaking. The whole family will love a trip along the coastline on a glass-bottom boat. These boats stop off at remote beaches and coves where you can enjoy a spot of sunbathing and swimming. Water temperatures reach an amazing 24C during the peak summer season, perfect for sunbathing, swimming and water sports.

There are some exciting family days out to enjoy on your bargain holidays to Calas de Majorca. These include the local adventure playground which has a bouncy castle, trampolines and go-karts, the Exotic Parque de Pajaros which is home to performing parrots and a zoo, the Tropical Park Jumaica which is home to beautiful gardens and exotic birds and the local aquarium. For day trips a bit further afield there are the Caves of Hams and the Caves of Drach, and the factory at Manacor where artificial pearls are made.

Hiring a car is a great way to explore Majorca whilst on one of the many holiday deals to this amazing island. Don’t forget to take a drive to Palma and Porto Cristo.

Caves of Drach

Calas enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate with hot summers and mild winters. Summers see average temperatures of around 29C which is perfect for sunbathing and enjoying the beach activities. Spring is more suitable for sight-seeing in Calas with highs of around 20C and still plenty of hours of sunshine a day. Calas remains warm in the Autumn with temperatures around 23C and up to 6 hours of sunshine each day.

Cala Ratjada, meaning The Bay of Rays, sits on a rocky peninsula in the Capdepera district in north-east Majorca. This lively resort was once a small fishing village and is fast becoming a popular destination, especially with older people who visit between October and April to enjoy the warm winter sunshine. Just 90 minutes from Palma the resort makes an excellent base from which to explore the areas picturesque villages and secluded coves. The town has lots of shops for souvenir hunters and a lovely promenade that leads down to Cala Ratjada’s original harbour. The resort has a wide range of hotels to choice from inexpensive to up-market and self catering apartments to suit every budget.

Cala Ratjada

Cala Ratjada has five wonderful beaches which have been awarded the European Blue Flag for cleanliness. Each beach has its own Water Haven Centre which offers families with young children safe swimming conditions. Due to the warm crystal clear waters, each beach also offers sailing courses for beginners. The main beach at Son Moll tends to get quite crowded but if you are looking for quieter beaches there are lots of good sandy beaches further to the to the north of the island. The beach at Cala Mesquida, a surfer’s idea of paradise, has long sweeping sand dunes is about 5 miles from Cala Ratjada and is ideal for children. The beach at Cala Agulla is another excellent choice for the whole family to enjoy. The golden

Cala Agulla

sandy beaches of Son Moll and Cala Angulla are connected by a minitrain which children, and grown-ups, absolutely adore. If you are feeling energetic you can take the twenty minute picturesque walk from Son Moll beach to Cala Angulla. The whole coastal area at Cala Agulla is a bird sanctuary, with amazing pine forests which overlook the golden sandy beaches. Many families camp here to explore the surrounding area and take in the areas wonderful nature. There are also lots of small sandy coves dotted along the jagged coastline, ideal for those seeking a quiet secluded spot.

Apart from the beautiful clean beaches Cala Ratjada offers water sports, hikes and beach walks, horse-riding and golf. A great day out for all the family on their cheap package holidays is a trip on the hydrofoil to Cuitadella on the neighbouring island of Menorca. Another great day out for the family is a trip to the traditional village of Capdepera. The town has an 18 hole golf course and an

Capdepera Castle

historic castle which offers amazing views down to Cala Ratjada. Five miles from Capdepera are the spectacular Arta Caves which are surrounded by mountains and have massive stalactites and stalagmites which have formed over millions of years.

Evenings can be spent at the resorts lively discos, clubs and bars or at one of the many restaurants which serve all kinds of cuisine to suit everyone’s taste.

Cala Ratjada enjoys long days of hot sunshine during the summer months with very little rain, making the resort the ideal choice for last minute holidays.

 

Cala Millor is a well established beach resort on Majorca’s rugged east coast. The resort is located close to mountains, farmland and orchards, and has what many people regard as one of the best beaches on the island. The resort has lots of very reasonable restaurants, don’t forget to try some of the great fish menus that these restaurants offer.

The gently shelving Cala Millor beach has fine sand and beautiful clear blue water making it the perfect choice for families with small children. This long beach has a lovely shaded seafront promenade which stretches for 4 miles along a sheltered bay between unspoilt headlands. The warm water temperatures are ideal for scuba diving, snorkelling, wind-surfing and sailing. There are plenty of other beaches which are easy reached from Cala Millor, including the nudist beach at Punta Amer. Travelling around Cala Millor is really easy using mini-trains and local buses.

Cala Millor offers much more than just the beach including watersports, golf at Sa Coma, tennis, go-karting and some lively nightlife. The whole family will love the Aquacity waterpark and Marineland in Portals Nous. During the day there is plenty for the whole family to do and in the evening there are discos, music bars and pubs for entertainment.

Exploring Cala Millor on foot is an easy. A leisurely stroll to the Punta Amer nature reserve on the headland is a must. Here you will find a 17th century watchtower where you can take in the wonderful views of Cala Millor Bay. Other easy walks include the Costa de los Pinos, the small port of Cala Bona around the headland to the north and the resorts of Sa Coma and S’Illot to the south of Punta Amer. Longer hikes along the coastal paths and in the mountains and gorges are best undertaken during the spring and early autumn when weather conditions are perfect for these longer walks.

Not to be missed is a visit to fascinating old town of Palma which has a wonderful Gothic cathedral. For a quiet relaxing day out visit the lovely fishing village of Cala Figures. There are lots of trips available from Cala Millor that the whole family will enjoy on their last minute holidays. Excursions include the African wildlife park, Drach Caves and the San Salvador monastery. For longer days out there is the Mondrago National Park and the town of Porto Cristo. Coastal tours take in places like Cala D’Or, Cala Santanyi and Cala Figuera.   

Family holidays to Cala Millor are very popular and can be found throughout the internet.

Cala San Vincente is located on the dramatic north coast of Majorca. Ideal for families, the resort offers peace and tranquility in a stunning location. Cala San Vincente is one of the smallest Majorcan resorts and is just 35 miles from Palma. Offering good holiday accommodation, quiet residential villas, restaurants, bars, shops and a working fishing village, all set on the beautiful Majorcan coast and surrounded by lovely countryside, Cala San Vincente is ideal for peaceful relaxing holidays. The beachside restaurants here serve the freshest fish and seafood on the island.

The older part of Cala San Vincente is set around a shaded promenade and beach which visitors share with the local fisherman. There are three other unspoilt sandy beaches set in the bay at Cala San Vincente, all offering excellent views of the amazing cliffs of the Formentor peninsula. The secluded Cala Clara beach, Cala Molins beach and Cala Barques beach are connected by footpaths so when you want a change of scenery it is easy to

Cala Barques beach

just walk to another beach. Cala Barques is the most popular of the three beaches, offering plenty of watersports and beachside restaurants. All of the beaches have gentle sloping sands and clear calm shallow waters, making them ideal for families with small children.

When you need a break from the beaches there is the lovely old town of Pollensa, just 3 miles from Cala San Vincente. Here you will find a larger choice of restaurants and shops along the winding streets and a great market on a Sunday where you are bound haggle and bag a bargain or two. Cala San Vincente makes an ideal base for exploring the

Coastal walk

 rugged coastline, stunning mountains and forest clad hills. Walks through the beautiful countryside will give the whole family great fun exploring prehistoric caves you come across on the way.  

Cala San Vincente’s quiet location means that evening entertainment is usually provided by the larger hotels. However evenings are more likely to be spent just relaxing and taking in the views over a meal and a glass of wine. If you are looking for more lively evenings there is nearby Puerto Pollensa and Alcudia.

Holiday deals are always available throughout the internet for golf enthusiasts to enjoy the excellent courses near Cala San Vincente.

If you are looking for a peaceful relaxing break with quiet unspoilt beaches and beautiful surroundings then why not take advantage of one of the many last minute holiday deals that are always available to the wonderful island of Majorca.

The Forementor Peninsula is located north of Puerto Pollensa on the northern part of Majorca. In the past Formentor holidays were popular with celebrities but nowdays it is more popular with nature lovers, bird watchers and families looking for a quiet unspoilt destination.

To the south of the peninsula, towards Puerto Pollensa, there are beautiful long sandy beaches where the whole family can enjoy some sunbathing and swimming in the clear blue sea. Formentor Beach is a beautiful little bay with a backdrop of fragrant pine forests and offers peace and tranquility. Cala de Pi de la Posada is regarded as the best spot in the area for swimming. When you want a break from lazing on the beach and fancy something a bit more energetic there is an abundance of watersports on offer including sailing and water-skiing.

Formentor beach

Nature lovers can enjoy long walks through some of the wildest scenery in Majorca. The hill paths will take you to the top of the dramatic cliffs where you can look out over the bay and pine forests. The clifftops offer fantastic photo opportunities, keen photographers will be in their element with the wonderful panoramic views. When exploring the clifftops you should also take in the small inlets that are like little fjords and also offer great scenes for photographers. Not to be missed when in Formentor is the Formentor Lighthouse. The lighthouse is reached by foot or by car along some narrow winding roads which offer beautiful scenery as does the lighthouse itself. The views out to sea are amazing and like most of Formentor offer fantastic photo opportunities. Another great way to explore the surrounding countryside is on horseback.

Spring (March and April) is the best time for bird watchers to visit Formentor as the temperature averages between 15C and 17C making it more comfortable than in the high season.

Nightlife here is mainly provided by the hotels but if you are looking for something a bit livelier you will need to Puerto Pollensa or Alcudia Bay which are both a short distance from Formentor.

Because accommodation in Formentor itself is quite upmarket try some of the cheap holidays on offer to Puerto Pollensa which is located just south of Formentor.

Formentor enjoys a typically Mediterranean climate of long hot summers with milder winters making it ideal for holiday packages at any time of the year. May, June and July enjoy 11 hours of glorious sunshine a day making this the perfect time for just relaxing on the beach and taking a dip in the crystal clear blue waters.

C’an Pastilla on the south coast of Majorca is a favourite Majorcan destination among British holidaymakers. Located just 5 miles to the south east of Palma, on the Bay of Palma, C’an Pastilla is a much quieter and relaxed resort than it’s neighbours.

C'an Pastilla

Based around a quaint harbour, the resort has 3 good beaches and an excellent marina. One beach is sheltered by the harbour, the second is next to the marina and the third beach is an extension of the famous Playa de Palma which has great beach facilities, lots of watersports, beachside cafes and bars. If you are looking for an adrenaline rush then why not try a spot of paragliding, if not then you can enjoy some scuba diving, wind-surfing and jet-skiing.

Take a trip to vibrant Palma where you will find museums, a Gothic Cathedral, Bellver Castle, Palma Aquarium, great shops, restaurants, cafes and bars. It is best to spend a couple of days visiting Palma as there is so much to see and do. There is a great mini train that runs from C’an Pastilla to

Palma

 Palma or if you are feeling more energetic you can take a leisurely stroll along the promenade to the capital. Nearby Arenal has the best mini golf course in Majorca and a great waterpark, Aqualand El Arenal which offers hours of fun for all the family, especially the kids. Other interesting places to visit include the coastal towns of Soller, Deya and Valldemosa, the town of Alcudia, the caves at Drach and Ham, and the Lluc Monastery. And then there are the many boat trips and cruises around the islands which make a great day out.

If you are looking for quiet relaxing days along with lively evening entertainment C’an Pastilla is an excellent choice for your bargain holidays. You can spend the day relaxing at one of the resorts beautiful beaches and then enjoy the nightlife in Palma or Arenal. Arenal is a particular favourite with the 18-30′s who like to party.

C’an Pastilla is a sun lovers paradise during the months of June, July and August when temperatures reach and often exceed 30C. Even during the winter months temperatures reach around 16C with plenty of sunshine. Because Majorca enjoys a great climate all year round you can take last minute holidays to enjoy the many open air bars and clubs at the beachfront or just relax in the tradition Spanish garden restaurants.