Located in the Mediterranean and known for its beach resorts, impressive mountains and sheltered coves, Majorca (or Mallorca) is one of the four Balearic Islands located to the east of mainline Spain. One of the most popular destinations for British tourists for the best part of a century, in recent times the name has become undeniably associated with the town of Magaluf and the embarrassing escapades that occur along their bar-rich strips. Although you may have to share a flight with a group of teenage boys traveling to their first forray into parent-free vacationing, if you can look past that initial stumble then the island has so much to offer anyone wanting a relaxing and rejuvinating week in the sun. You may have seen my Instagram snaps of my recent trip to the north of the island, but suffice to say Cala Sant Vicenç has so much more to offer than drunken Brits abroad. Less than an hour's drive from the airport, these idyllic locations offer up beautiful beaches and incredible views that couldn't be further from the perception that Majorca often generates.
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We stayed in the Hotel Don Pedro, an adults-only four-star resort situated between two semi-private beaches that couldn't have offered more of what we wanted. All inclusive, a stone's throw from the seafront and staff that couldn't be more accommodating, it was the perfect way to spend a week. After a very busy and somewhat stressful year, I wanted to simply read a book and lay on the beach with a glass of something cold in hand; I loved the fact our room overlooked the ocean and we woke up to the sound of the tide every morning, and that we could pop back to pick up something we'd forgotten or grab another beverage without having to gather up all our stuff. Although unsurprisingly the sunbeds were all gone by the time we even went down for breakfast, it really didn't matter when we had pretty much a private cove to ourselves. The water was the bluest and calmest I've possibly ever seen, allowing us to swim out and discover the local sealife on almost a daily basis with only a handful of other people around at any one time. Surrounded by the most impressive mountains, this area of the island is also perfect for any explorers amongst you who like to trek or discover new landscapes - although I have to admit Josh went off on his own while I was happy to stay on the beach!
If Cala Sant Vicenç sounds like a dream but you want to have a taster of local culture too, it's a short drive to Port de Pollença (15 minutes) and Alcúdia (25 minutes). Port de Pollença is traditionally a fishing village, but it offers a buzzing strip of bars, restaurants and tourist shops along the longest beach on the island. Offering an array of watersports or dining options, there's plenty to fill your time with - as well as it being a slightly more bustling location to set up shop for the week. We drove over here for an afternoon in the sun, as well as for the best array of tapas as an alternative to our all-inclusive dinner options that do start to get a little tiresome after a few days. Similarly, Alcúdia is a historical town situated within castle-like walls - but it offers bustling markets, a huge selection of restaurants and the perfect way to spend a Sunday. If you want to get a taste of what it's *really* like to be a local, check it out on market days and hit up the food stalls; you won't get better quality fruit, veg or meat at such low prices anywhere else.
If you love the idea of a tropical holiday but are loathe to the idea of spending a small fortune or traveling for the best part of a day to get there, you'll be happy to know that Palma airport is only 2.5 hours away and our entire holiday cost us less than £500 per person. That included flights, hotel, transfer (although we chose to hire a car as an alternative) and all the food (and drink) we could consume during an eight day sprint. We took an additional €100 each, but barely got through half of that the entire time we were there, making it the most affordable holiday I've been on since my student days. With a beautiful rootop bar offering stunning views of the cove at sunset, a private gym and spa for a bit of body pampering, in-hotel entertainment (including flamenco dancers, cabaret sessions and even a Mr Don Pedro competition!) and wine on tap 24/7, I would definitely go back in a heartbeat. You couldn't get more opposite to Magaluf if you tried.
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We stayed in the Hotel Don Pedro, an adults-only four-star resort situated between two semi-private beaches that couldn't have offered more of what we wanted. All inclusive, a stone's throw from the seafront and staff that couldn't be more accommodating, it was the perfect way to spend a week. After a very busy and somewhat stressful year, I wanted to simply read a book and lay on the beach with a glass of something cold in hand; I loved the fact our room overlooked the ocean and we woke up to the sound of the tide every morning, and that we could pop back to pick up something we'd forgotten or grab another beverage without having to gather up all our stuff. Although unsurprisingly the sunbeds were all gone by the time we even went down for breakfast, it really didn't matter when we had pretty much a private cove to ourselves. The water was the bluest and calmest I've possibly ever seen, allowing us to swim out and discover the local sealife on almost a daily basis with only a handful of other people around at any one time. Surrounded by the most impressive mountains, this area of the island is also perfect for any explorers amongst you who like to trek or discover new landscapes - although I have to admit Josh went off on his own while I was happy to stay on the beach!
If Cala Sant Vicenç sounds like a dream but you want to have a taster of local culture too, it's a short drive to Port de Pollença (15 minutes) and Alcúdia (25 minutes). Port de Pollença is traditionally a fishing village, but it offers a buzzing strip of bars, restaurants and tourist shops along the longest beach on the island. Offering an array of watersports or dining options, there's plenty to fill your time with - as well as it being a slightly more bustling location to set up shop for the week. We drove over here for an afternoon in the sun, as well as for the best array of tapas as an alternative to our all-inclusive dinner options that do start to get a little tiresome after a few days. Similarly, Alcúdia is a historical town situated within castle-like walls - but it offers bustling markets, a huge selection of restaurants and the perfect way to spend a Sunday. If you want to get a taste of what it's *really* like to be a local, check it out on market days and hit up the food stalls; you won't get better quality fruit, veg or meat at such low prices anywhere else.
If you love the idea of a tropical holiday but are loathe to the idea of spending a small fortune or traveling for the best part of a day to get there, you'll be happy to know that Palma airport is only 2.5 hours away and our entire holiday cost us less than £500 per person. That included flights, hotel, transfer (although we chose to hire a car as an alternative) and all the food (and drink) we could consume during an eight day sprint. We took an additional €100 each, but barely got through half of that the entire time we were there, making it the most affordable holiday I've been on since my student days. With a beautiful rootop bar offering stunning views of the cove at sunset, a private gym and spa for a bit of body pampering, in-hotel entertainment (including flamenco dancers, cabaret sessions and even a Mr Don Pedro competition!) and wine on tap 24/7, I would definitely go back in a heartbeat. You couldn't get more opposite to Magaluf if you tried.
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