Mallorca Tour

Set in the western Mediterranean sea and settled for more than 3,000 years, Mallorca/Majorca, Spain's largest island, boasts a rich history and a diverse ecology. From rugged coastlines and mysterious caves to charming mountain towns and world-class vineyards, there are endless riches waiting to be discovered.

Mallorca offers dramatic scenery and fabulous driving. Whilst it's a compact island, this tour begs to be lingered over. Distances that appear short on maps usually involve twisting, winding roads and rewarding vistas. There are craggy coastlines, shimmering salt pans and red earth plains dotted with windmills. Roman roads cross apricot and almond groves and through small market towns. Follow the beautiful twisting coast road between the sea and pine-scented hills to one of Mallorca's prettiest villages with its narrow, steep cobbled streets. Stay in just two exquisite and luxury hotels on Mallorca.
Getting to and from Mallorca

There are regular ferries to Mallorca from Barcelona, Spain and Toulon, France.

For those travelling from the UK there are overnight ferries from Portsmouth, UK to Bilbao, Spain and then it's a motorway drive to Barcelona. Barcelona will be the meeting point for tour participants (unless you make your own arrangements to take the ferry from France to Mallorca). We shall also be offering transport for your car from the UK to Mallorca, if you prefer a fly-drive option. Please get in touch if this is of interest.

Itinerary

May be subject to change.

Day 2: 22 September 2019
Arrive at your leisure in Barcelona, Spain, the start point of the tour. We shall all meet for welcome drinks and dinner at a restaurant near the port. After dinner take the overnight ferry, departing at 23.00, to Palma. Sea view cabins will be booked for your comfort.

Day 3: 3 September 2019 21 miles Arrive in Palma at 7.30am. Drive into Palma for breakfast and a wander around the town. Either stay in Palma for lunch or drive to the hotel. Although rooms will not be available until this afternoon you can use the facilities to relax, or enjoy a local scenic drive.

Stay for three nights at a superb, luxury, boutique hotel, located in the wild, UNESCO Sierra de Tramuntana Mountains. Surrounded by its own vineyard, the hotel dates back to 1672 and encapsulates quintessential Majorca. Rooms and suites are awash with colonial influences; beautiful four-poster beds and immaculate marble bathrooms. Dinner will be included this evening.

Day 4: 24 September 2019 86 miles
After a leisurely breakfast enjoy a beautiful circular drive around the south-west of the island. It's a lovely drive on undulating roads through stunning mountain and forest scenery down to Port d'Andratx. The port enjoys a picturesque setting and many consider it to be the loveliest harbour in the Mediterranean. It is a working fishing port and has a good yacht club, which also means there are many bars and cafes from which to watch the bustle of maritime life.

The route then winds through the magnificent Serra de Tramuntana mountain range. This 90km long range is a UNESCO World Heritage Site and forms the backbone of Mallorca, and stretches from Andratx in the southwest to the Cap de Formentor in the far north of the island. The rural landscape is dominated by ancient dry stone terracing and walls, and nature's own sculptures - gnarled centuries-old olive trees - but there are also towns and villages, such as Estellencs, Deia & Soller, worth visiting for their cultural and historical interest.
Dinner will be at leisure this evening

Day 5: 25 September 2019 133 miles
There will be more fabulous driving today to discover the south-east of Mallorca. Drive across to the east coast and the traditional fishing village of Portocolom. The village nestles around one of the largest, most sheltered bays on the island, where the boathouses, lighthouse and boats add to the picturesque nature of the place.

Drive along the south coast where, with the exception of a few resorts, this region has a less touristy vibe than the southwest, and is more about chilled-out fishing harbours and arguably the island's very best 'playas'; ravishing pockets of paradise spread along endless kilometres of coastline, backed by pristine nature reserves. Look out for the windmills that pepper the countryside; living reminders of their past role in grinding grain and pumping water.

Salt has played a vital part in the history of this region since the 4th century BC, when Carthaginian merchants began to mine its expansive salt flats. The Byzantines, the Moors and the Christians continued the enterprise; and, wonderfully, it is still practised today.
Return to the hotel for dinner, which is included this evening.

Day 6: 26 September 2019 86 miles
Leave the hotel after breakfast and drive to the charming hillside village of Fornalutx, nestled up high in the Tramuntana mountains and overlooking the Soller valley. Often referred to as Spain's prettiest village, the stone buildings and red-tiled roofs combine with the scent of the surrounding orange and lemon groves to provide a traditional rustic charm.

Continue across the mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage landscape, and descend to Cala Tuent, with its remote, tranquil beach. Continue north to Pollenca and around the bay to Alcudia. Head to Canyamel and our next gorgeous hotel for two nights. The tour will be staying at adjoining sister hotels, both wonderful, luxurious places, each with a slightly different vibe.
Dinner is included on both evenings and we shall all dine together.

Day 7: 27 September 2019 97 miles
Spend the day exploring the north-eastern part of the island, which has very different scenes from those in the south, east and west. Past the inland town of Inca and reaching the northern border of the central plain at Sa Pobla, the diversity of the landscape becomes apparent. It's a fresh, fertile, colourful region where the sea meets the mountains, and resorts catering splendidly to holidaymakers sit peacefully alongside traditional, historic towns and villages.

Enjoy dinner back at the hotel.

Day 8: 28 September 2019 52 miles
Head down to Palma for the 12.30 ferry to Barcelona. A light dinner is included this evening on the ferry. Arrive in Barcelona at 19.45 and drive to the Fairmont Hotel, our final stay. There will be farewell drinks in the bar to say goodbye.

Day 10: 29 September 2019
Depart for home at your leisure after breakfast.
The tour starts in Barcelona with an overnight ferry to Palma. The tour will then stay for five nights in two stunning hotels on Mallorca. The first is in the western part of the island and will be for three nights. The second, two-night stay will be in the north-eastern part of the island. To return there will be an evening ferry from Palma to Barcelona, with an overnight stay in a lovely hotel in Barcelona. (Alternatively there are also ferries to Toulon in France.)