I
can't remember the first time I went to Mallorca as I've been there countless
times for so many different purposes; family holidays, girls weekend, romantic
break (Ben and I went here on our first holiday so it's a little bit special
for us). It really does have a little bit of everything. Ben's mum has a little
place in the Santa Catalina area of Palma (you can rent it if you like, here) so it's the perfect place to escape to
for a bit of R&R. Although I've visited Mallorca a lot, I didn't
really know Palma itself before we came out last year. Our agenda
consisted of two main priorities: sunshine and avoiding every single stag and
hen do from the UK (and all that goes with it).
the
biggest G&Ts you have ever seen. at Zanzibar, Santa Catallina
It's
a beautiful little city with a lot going for it - all the history, views,
restaurants and nightlife you could really ask for. On our first time we
wondered into the old town and to an infamous little tapas bar called Bar Dia - recommend it for "simple
style" tapas; nothing fancy but you'll guess by the number of Mallorcans
and the possible queue by good it is... We ate as much calamari, dates
with bacon, tortillas, padron peppers and meatballs that we could physically fit
into us for around 40€ (£35).
the
harbour at Portals Nous, pick a boat..?
The
two main beaches we go to are both about a 15 minute journey from our
apartment by bus (which costs between 3€ and 5€ return, and run every 10/15 minutes). Illetas is a great
spot with a fantastic beach including a little beach "club" called
Virtual on the rocks where you can have a sunbed for the day for 20€. The
other has a very different feel as is more within a holiday village called Portals Nous. Wonder down the beach
(through the clearest water you've even seen) to get to our Favourite Bar In
The World Ever, Roxys. It's consists of a shed turned
into a bar/kitchen, a handful of beach beds, chill-out playlists (you'll want
your 3G working as you'll be Shazaming a lot) and deck chairs.
Just go, you won't regret it. Super fun, and when it gets too hot dip in
the water (optionally with your wine glass) to cool down.
More from
Roxy's Beach Bar...
As
for Palma itself, I can't recommend Santa Catalina enough. It's got an
extremely local feel and staying in the area means renting an apartment rather
than a hotel. You can walk to the old town in 15 minutes, and directly in
the area is a fab food market (go early to avoid disappointment, and pick out
your fresh fruit, vegetables, fish etc), great furniture and nick-nack stores (B Connected
is a personal favourite) and coffees (Fibonacci and The
Room are great for breakfasts). Bar wise, definitely check out the
local-style bar Zanzibar just to see the size of their
G&Ts for yourself... They tip the bottle into your pint size glass. Eat
beforehand, or your night could well finish there. If you make it past bootcamp
stage, Havanna
down the road is a great place for an equally strong drink and stays open into
the early hours...
Amazing
food at Patron Lunares, Santa Catallina
As
for restaurants, definitely give Bunkers a go. Run by an Italian with a
penchant for surfing (who also cooks all of the food behind the bar, in a
kitchen the size of a shower room) the menu is exceptional - we enjoyed thai
duck followed by papardelle with venison, followed by limoncello, followed by
more wine. A new discovery for us this time was Patron Lunares.
JUST AMAZING. I mean, just look at the calamari. Really cannot recommend it
enough, kitchen opens at 8pm - worth getting there early to avoid
disappointment.
amazing
turbot at Bunkers / forcing Ben into a couple selfie...
I'm
back there in August for a girls long weekend, and Ben is doing the same in
September. As it's only 2 hours away (unless you fly with Monarch, where we had
a 26 hour delay - yes really) I can't recommend it enough. Style
wise, I've got a few outfit posts going out this week but essentially its
casual cool. You don't need much: bikini, shorts, tees and some half-smart
heels for the evening if you want to. Here was what I packed into my hand luggage:
green and white print shorts, Reiss
/ leopard print bikini, Triangl / palm print trousers, Ganni / cashmere halterneck, Whistles / breton tee, Saint James / green bikini, Reiss / black sandals, Topshop / cropped lace tee, Topshop / bracelets, Astley
Clarke
Flights to Mallorca start from around £40,
returns can be found for around £100. Wouldn't recommend Monarch (!) but
Norwegian were amazing on our way back - so go with them! Have a look here.
3 comments
Your photos are lovely! I'm glad you had a great time. I went there a few years ago and all I remember was that it was unbearably hot!!
ellenunderwater.blogspot.co.uk
We used to holiday in Mallorca every year but I have not been since I was about 14....we stayed in puerta pallarta (I think) - so gorgeous, the old town is beautiful...And ironically, we're off to Menorca this summer to film a wedding - can't wait! Looks like you had a fab time xx
This looks amazing!
x
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