Island Life Reports from Mallorca

Winter finally arrives in Soller

The blue skies of January have been such a treat. Endless sunshine and lunchtime temperatures worthy of spring. The hidden valley of Soller is always beautiful but right now the clear light of day and the tiny sliver of moon at night make it stunning. We haven't had to think about umbrellas or boots as we make our plans for walks or winter picnics. It's all change today and the excitement gathers. The locals greet each other with dire warnings of snow, rain and plummeting temperatures. ...read more

The Fiestas of Sant Antoni & Sant Sebastian in Mallorca

A week of traditional celebrations

Spain, being predominantly Catholic, worships its saints devoutly. Every day of the year has a saints name associated with it and some are honoured with celebrations. January is a busy month, with Saint Anthony's day on 17th of January and Saint Sebastian following shortly after, on 20th January. ...read more

Winter picnics in the Tramuntana

The January day was just a little foggy, with the promise of brightness to come and a winter picnic beckoned.  The ingredients for a Soller picnic are a crowd of friends all bringing food, a few chefs ready to cook, a little alcohol or hot coffee and plenty of space for the children to play.  The Kings (or Three Wise Men) had arrived the night before and all the special days of the Spanish Christmas/New Year/ three kings celebrations were at an end. No better way to kick start another year than a communication with nature, high in the mountains in the company of good friends. ...read more

The Christmas market in Santa Ponsa

All that's missing is the snow!

Mallorca's largest foreign community is actually the German one, so much so that in Germany, Mallorca is jokingly referred to as the 17th Federal State. ...read more

A visit to Estellenchs, a bodega and the Sa Plana 'agroturismo' hotel

The drive or bus ride to the small mountain village of Estellenchs, in the southwest corner of Mallorca, is quite breathtaking in its beauty. If sand, sangria and discos are your thing then read no further. However, for the discerning lover of pure and unspoiled Mediterranean countryside read on. How to get there? If you have a car at your disposal, so much the better. If not, head to the Plaza España underground bus terminal in central Palma and take the red and yellow IB 11 or 217 (beware, the numbers are frequently changed just to keep you on your toes! Obviously, the key is to look for the names of the villages (Palma) – Esporles – Banyalbufar – Estellenchs).  If you are fortunate enough to miss the last bus back (18.05, when I enquired) you could do a lot worse than to check into the small, family run hotel called Sa Plana, but more of that later.  ...read more

An adrenaline filled trip to the Jungle Parc, Santa Ponsa

It's been years since I had a pure, adventure invoked adrenaline rush. Let's face it, I'm forty, a mum and no longer the sporty type I once was. The most extra exercise my heart gets, these days, is watching my son doing stunts, so more like second-hand adrenaline. ...read more

The town of Sineu and my favourite market in Mallorca

If someone says 'Mallorca market', the one that springs to mind for me is the traditional and popular Wednesday market in Sineu (pronounced Sin a you), which has been going since way back in the 14th century. Sineu is a quaint inland town. If you stuck a needle where you guess the middle of the island of Mallorca is, you'd probably hit Sineu, geographically almost centric, strategically situated in the plains known as Es Pla. ...read more

Family outing to Sa Dragonera

If decent but doable walks, entailing breathtaking views of the Mediterranean Sea and ending with a hop into crystal clear waters, are your cup of tea, a trip to Sa Dragonera Nature Reserve, off the west coast of Mallorca, could be just what you are looking for this holiday. ...read more

Mallorca's favourite hike - Torrent de Pareis to Sa Calobra gorge walk

Having bravely risked my limbs to bring you an account of diving with sharks at Palma Aquarium I was convinced that I was the most extreme person in Mallorca. Red Bull flowed in my veins, fear had been banished into my bedroom wardrobe, and I chortled in the face of death. ...read more

The Feria Dolça or 'Sweet Fair' in Esporles

Sunday 2nd October, Tramuntana, Mallorca

The Esporles Sweet Fair began in 2005 and is held on the first Sunday of October to guarantee fine weather. The event is becoming increasingly popular and diverse with every passing year and offers a unique opportunity to meet the people who make a fine range of traditional, homemade and, often, organic foods including wines, cakes, pastries, jams and sweets. And, of course, to sample their wares! Here are some of my favourite stands from Sunday's fair, with an insight into the characters and traditions behind the produce. ...read more

Diving with sharks at the Palma Aquarium, Mallorca

"The Big Blue" is Palma Aquarium's shark tank. It's the deepest tank in Europe and as well as four different species of shark, two species of ray and many assorted fish, it holds three and a half million litres of sea water. For €200 (which includes hire of all the equipment), you can add yourself to that list. ...read more

Winds of change in Soller this summer

The lazy days of summer are here. The weather is perfect if you like it hot and steamy and it hasn't rained in weeks. Visitors and locals gather on the beaches and the routines of summer establish themselves. Get up early, do your chores and then let the day unfold. A little walk to the Soller square, collapse with an iced coffee and local gossip and that's it until the sun loses its heat. At least that's how it was but now it's all change. There is a huge amount of action in the Soller streets and opening parties galore. Men in suits and bottles of Cava tell you that this summer isn't going to offer the indolent respite of previous years. There is a frisson of excitement as, one after another, the big hitters arrive in town ready to make their mark. Alarm bells are ringing and worries abound that this could be the end of the Soller we know and love. Come on friends, don't be worried. They are only estate agents after all. ...read more

Pere Salvà exhibition at the Hotel Palau Sa Font

‘Insecticida’

Boutique hotel, Palau Sa Font, is hosting an exhibition by the young Mallorcan artist, Pere Salvà. Featuring a selection of his paintings and drawings it opens on 14th July at 8pm and runs until 13th September. ...read more

Pola Brändle exhibition at Rialto Living

‘Plakatief - A world in layers’

Lifestyle boutique, Rialto Living, is holding an in-store exhibition by emerging German artist, Pola Brändle. Featuring a selection of works from a project entitled ‘Plakatief - A world in layers', it opens on July 14th at 19.30 and runs until 16th August. ...read more

Spring Lamb - Recipes from Marc Fosh

The Spanish are justifiably proud of their lamb and springtime is without doubt the best time to enjoy it. The taste is sweeter and more refined at this time of year, before the really hot weather arrives and the lambs start to suffer like the rest of us, and sweat in the heat. ...read more

The Valiant Women of Soller - Soller's Fira & Firo

The sun is shining and Soller is getting ready for a major fiesta - the Firo that celebrates the battle between the Moors and the Christians that happened on our beach and in our town. The 450th anniversary of the event is taking place from 5th to 9th May 2011. Flags are already festooning houses and shops all over the valley and the nature of the people means that they usually have both flags dangling from their balconies - as if they can't quite decide who to support. The Balearic flag is often alongside so all aspects of life and country are represented. ...read more

Bike Hire in Palma de Mallorca

Another sunny Sunday in Palma, and The Frenchman, James and I were sitting with our feet up in our little flat pondering on what we should do for the day. The Frenchman, as ever, was worried only about what we would be doing for lunch. James was more interested in being active, and I was just happy to make sure we didn't spend all day indoors. ...read more

Mallorca 312 Cycle Race

On the 30th of April, 'Mallorca 312' is hosting its second international cycle tour on the island in conjunction with the Iberostar hotel, the Mallorcan tourism board and Decathlon. '312' stands for the distance of the main race, which circumnavigates the exterior of the island and challenges the riders with a combined elevation of 4300 metres, a little over 14000 feet! ...read more

Mallorca Hiking Club - The Old Postman's Route

When a post for the Mallorca Hiking Club popped up on Facebook on a miserable February day, it immediately grabbed my attention. My New Year's Resolution to get fit was but a distant memory, and this sounded too good an offer to pass up. I have always fancied mooching around the pretty part of Mallorca that I knew existed, but with a hopeless sense of direction, I was nervous to go off on my own in case I got lost and ended half way up a mountain in the middle of nowhere. ...read more

Canyoning through the Torrent de Coanegra

After a relatively dry winter, the silver lining to the recent heavy rain in Mallorca is that the canyons are now full of water and flowing again. And so it was we organised a trip yesterday morning for a group to go canyoning through the Torrent de Coanegra. ...read more