News from Mallorca & Palma de Majorca

Cold snap heading for Mallorca

Parts of Majorca are on a severe weather alert today, as the cold snap that has already claimed lives in eastern and southern Europe spreads to other parts of the continent. The north and north east of the island are to be hit with snow and high winds, according to the meteorological office (AEMET). ...read more

Spanair collapse leaves Mallorca with 20 percent fewer flights

Spanair, Spain’s fourth largest airline, has collapsed leaving tens of thousands of passengers stranded across Europe and Africa. On Monday the Barcelona based company filed for voluntary bankruptcy, having halted operations and cancelled 200 flights three days beforehand. ...read more

Cavendish & Wiggins at training camp in Mallorca

Mark Cavendish and Bradley Wiggins joined their Great Britain and Team Sky team mates for a second training camp on Mallorca last week.  ...read more

Mallorca registers 41.6 million overnight stays in 2011

Figures confirm the island is one of Spain’s leading holiday destinations

The number of overnight stays in the Balearic Islands last year was 54 million, up 11.7% on 2010. A massive 41.6 million were in Mallorca alone with Palma and Calvia achieving 8.1million and 8.7 million respectively. ...read more

Almond production in Mallorca up 20 percent

Last year saw an increase in almond production of 20%, when compared with 2010 figures. Typically fifty per cent of Mallorca almonds are then exported abroad, with Germany and Belgium being the largest consumers. ...read more

Mallorca based drama, Mad Dogs, returns to tv screens

Sky’s BAFTA nominated drama, Mad Dogs, returns to tv screens tonight for a second series. And, once again, the popular four part thriller was shot on location on the island of Mallorca. ...read more

Palma de Mallorca’s new Tourism Foundation established

On Monday, Palma’s new ‘365’ Tourism Foundation was officially formed. Mayor of Palma, Mateus Isern, presided over the event at Bellver castle. ...read more

Increase in holidaymakers visiting Mallorca in 2011

Passenger numbers for Son Sant Joan airport, Palma de Mallorca, were up 7.6% in 2011, according to figures released this week. ...read more

Duke of Palma summoned by Mallorcan court

The King of Spain's son-in-law, Inaki Urdangarin has been served by the Balearic Islands Superior Court of Justice to appear as a defendant in a case investigating the mis-use of public funds. Urdangarin who is married to the King of Spain's younger daughter Cristina, holds the title of Duke of Palma. ...read more

Five star hotel complex ear-marked for south east Mallorca

Spanish hotel chain, Blau Hotels & Resorts, is planning to build a large hotel complex in the sleepy beach resort of Sa Rapita, in the south east of Mallorca. Local opinion is divided on the construction, as supporters of the development clash with environmentalists keen to preserve the natural beauty of the area. ...read more

Ryanair announces new base in Palma de Mallorca

Ryanair has announced the opening of a new European base at the Son Sant Joan airport in Palma, Majorca. ...read more

Contador & Evans confirmed for Mallorca Challenge cycle race

Two of the finest cycling champions of this generation are confirmed to compete in Mallorca's Iberostar Challenge Ciclista event next February. Spain's Alberto Contador and Australian Cadel Evans are both winners of the Tour de France and they join an already illustrious line-up that includes Andy & Frank Schleck. ...read more

First acts for Mallorca Rocks 2012 announced

Two acts have been announced for Mallorca Rocks 2012 summer season. Ed Sheeran - one of the UK's biggest and brightest new stars to emerge in 2011 - will headline the opening parties on the 5th June, and Two Door Cinema Club will provide the entertainment for the closing parties on the 18th September. ...read more

Palma de Mallorca to become new base for Ryanair

The airline Ryanair today announced that Mallorca's airport in Palma is to become one of it's 49 European bases, and from March 2012, there will be four aircraft based at the airport. 17 new routes will be added to the existing 30 routes that Ryanair already operate, many of which are from the UK's regional airports. ...read more

Regeneration of Playa de Palma to begin in 2012

The team responsible for the regeneration of Mallorca's Playa de Palma announced yesterday that two projects valued at €6.3 million have been approved by both local businesses and the government. The projects aim to improve the areas around Can Pastilla and Las Maravillas. ...read more

Christmas markets in Palma de Mallorca

Feeling festive yet? If you can't quite believe that Santa will be whooshing through the skies in a couple of weeks time, maybe you should head into Palma where the Christmas markets are now in full swing! Head to Placa Espana for stalls selling all sorts of gifts and hats and scarves, or try Placa Major for a huge selection of religious and Christmas figurines. Placa Major is also where you can buy Christmas decorations, more gifts and you may even spot Santa himself! ...read more

The palms of Palma de Mallorca are under threat

The red weevil beetle is continuing to ravage the palm trees in Mallorca. Palma City Council this week has said that the insect is munching its way through the palm trees of the city - in particular, in Cala Major and along the iconic Passeig Maritimo. Lack of funds has meant that the weevil has been able to spread rapidly, with over 170 trees known to have been infected this year. ...read more

Iberian pilots to strike over Christmas period

The Spanish SEPLA airline pilots union have announced that pilots employed by the airline Iberia will strike on 18th and 29th December 2011 over a dispute about the introduction of a low cost Spanish air carrier, Iberia Express. The pilots fear that the new budget airline will employ new staff on lower salaries which will undermine their own jobs. ...read more

Two new Mallorcan restaurants named in Michelin Guide 2012

Michelin stars have been awarded to two new Majorcan restaurants in the 2012 edition of the Michelin Guide to Spain & Portugal. Restaurante Jardin in Port Alcudia and Es Fum in St Regis, Mardavall, near Puerto Portals now have Michelin star status. They join a number of restaurants on the island who have retained their star rating: Tristan Restaurant, Puerto Portals; Es Moli d'en Bou, Son Servera; Es Racó d'Es Teix, Deià and Zaranda in the Hilton Sa Torre hotel near Llucmajor. ...read more

Agricultural output for Balearic Islands up 5.9 percent

Wine and olive oil in double digit growth

Figures released by the department of agriculture this week show that agricultural production across the Balearic Islands increased by 5.9% in 2010, with growth driven by wine, olive oil and speciality liquers or 'hierbas dulces'. In contrast, output levels for dairy produce, meat and potatoes were all down. ...read more