The largest island (“mallor” means big) of the Balearic Islands, Mallorca has a 3000-year old reputation as one of its country’s most gorgeous islands and has been seducing celebrities, kings, princes, artists, musicians who can’t tear themselves away from this captivating isle. An exotic privileged enclave, Mallorca (in English, Majorca) is 40% protected countryside, an exquisite blend of Mediterranean party paradise with 550 kilometres of coast next to romantic small fishing villages, and yonder, the idyllic bucolic life where stone ovens are still in use in whitewashed houses, where windmills, olive and fig trees are entertainment fare.
From the continent, it is less than 200 km, easily accessed by ferry—fast or otherwise—from Barcelona or Valencia. By air, there are heaps of charters and direct flights from the main European cities. Around 11 million visitors a year are ensnared in Mallorca’s exotic allure.
http://www.red2000.com/spain/baleares/mallorca/night.html
http://www.mallorcaspain.net/
http://www.spanish-fiestas.com/mallorca/
http://www.virtourist.com/europe/mallorca/
http://www.mallorcaonline.com/malhomu.htm
http://www.mallorcafact.com/permanent/photo_gallery_index.htm
If you want to catch some 7 million Almendros trees in bloom, come at the onset of February. For 3 weeks, the blossoms paint the island a pinkish, frosty hue set against the almost neon grass.
December’s unpredictable winter weather has its rewards: views of the snow-peaked Tramuntana Mountains, and the tallest Puig Major. The tiny village of Puigpunyent dips below zero by January, accompanied with icy high winds.
Otherwise, just take advantage of pleasant sunshine 300 days of the year.
Every human interest of any race and culture will find home in Mallorca: the sea for ocean lovers, beach bums, yacht folks, divers, water sportsmen. Party for the untamed, concerts for music lovers, romance for lovers, wining and dining for epicures, shopping for the shopaholics, celebrities for the paparazzi, agriculture tours for the earthbound, mountains to scale, cliffs to spellbind, caves and coves to explore…and on and on.
Take a virtual tour and drool: http://www.red2000.com/spain/baleares/mallorca/photo.html.
There’s Therapy
If the island’s sights, sounds and smells aren’t enough relaxation therapy for you, avail of the options proliferating the therapy boom (thalassotherapy, physiotherapy, hydrotherapy all set with beauty centers, spas and gyms).
Sports Activities
Only the sky is the limit… there’s cycling, tennis, golf, water sports, beach volleyball, windsurfing, water skiing, jet skiing, parasailing, ad infinitum) - http://www.mallorcaspain.net/mallorca-sports.asp
Diving
January two-day fiesta
Revelta i Beneides de Sant Antoni Abat, bonfires, parades, dancing, and people dressed in fancy bright costumes.
January 20th
Festa de Sant Sebastia - in Pollenca, a procession with two dancers (cavallets) escalating wooden horses
February and March
Carnival Parades - the last jovial events before the Lent Season, marked by extravagant carnivals and parades, quite a spectacle to behold.
March
Mallorca is actually one grand beach of rocky coves, turquoise bays, majestic cliffs said to be some of the best in the Mediterranean. The one grand beach is subdivided into more than 70 beaches enjoyed by the 11 million tourists that partake of its splendor yearly. Check out some of them:
Shopaholic or not, you will love Mallorca shopping—from high-browed name-brand shops to quaint haggle-friendly joints. To name drop a few: Avinguda Jaume III, the side streets of Bonire, Sta. Maria del Sepulcro, and Sant Marty.
Worth waiting for are the old-world flea markets on Saturday mornings at Palma at the start of the "Avenidas" (streets) and in Campos and on Sunday mornings at Binissalem, Consell, Inca and Alcudia.
The continuing avalanche of tourists from all over the planet has not dented the famed Mallorcan cuisine, defined by generous olive oil and homegrown produce. For just less than a million residents, there are a staggering 1,200 restaurants of all tastes in Mallorca.
