Mallorca, Spain
Snow-capped mountains, virgin beaches with crystal clear seas—and
no crowds. If that’s the kind of holiday you crave, head to Mallorca, the
largest of Spain’s autonomous Balearic Islands.
You can make it as laid-back or action-packed as you like. Hedonists
will love Palma, a compact harbour city packed with shops, bars, cafes,
museums and galleries. Local fiestas (festivals) will charge up culture
lovers. Like it wild? Jump off a cliff, wind around gruelling hairpins by a
mountain bike, or kayak to secluded coves.
Plan Now: By November, the summer crowds have packed up
and gone. The island’s highest peaks are cloaked in snow. As winter
deepens, Mallorca’s millions of almond trees come into full flower,
blanketing the valleys, hills, and plains with a layer of delicate
blossoms. Almond trees typically begin to bud in late January and
bloom through mid-February.
Travel Tip: For an authentic Mallorca experience, avoid the big
resorts and experience staying at fincas/agriturismi (ranches/
farmhouses) that offer silence by the day and star-gazing by night.
Get Me There: Mallorca sits approximately 130 miles south of
Barcelona, and 150 miles east of Valencia. The airport is located in
Palma, Mallorca’s largest city. From here, rent a car or use Mallorca’s
interurban public transportation (bus, metro, and train) network. The
Island Tour’s vintage narrow-gauge railway and tram connect Palma
to the northwest coast, taking you through scenic countryside during
almond blossom season.
16 Travel Secrets September-October 2015