Welcome to Balearic Islands
A beautiful
Spanish enclave set in the Mediterranean Sea - are famous
throughout the world. Their climate, scenery and beaches are
exceptional, and their inhabitants have a tradition for being
particularly hospitable. The capital of the islands - Palma de
Majorca - is 132 miles from Barcelona, 287 from Marseille, 172
from Algiers and 140 from Valencia.
Mallorca Villa Rental
It would appear
that these islands are the ideal location for resting and
relaxing since they contain all the necessary ingredients for
achieving this aim: beautiful scenery, forests, fertile
farmlands, quiet and secluded beaches with crystal-clear
waters, interesting folklore, a mild climate and temperatures,
and a first-class hotel industry. 
[ Map of Balearic Islands ]
In spite of the
close proximity of the different islands and the very many
common ties between them, each one has its own very different
landscape. Majorca has a magnificent coastline consisting of
rocky outcrops intermingled with many small coves that offer
excellent sandy beaches. Menorca, on the other hand, is noted
for its tranquility, while Ibiza has a personality all of its
won. Formentera and Cabrera are extremely solitary islands.
Climate of the
Balearic Islands
Thanks to their
privileged position in the Mediterranean, these islands enjoy
an incomparable temperate climate. Even at the height of
summer the maximum temperatures are not excessive, and the
winters are renowned for their mildness.
The relative
humidity oscillates around 70% throughout the year. As a
result, these two factors--temperature and humidity--help to
produce a feeling of extreme well-being on the human body.
There are approximately 300 days of sun during the year, with
an average of five hours a day in winter and more than ten
during the summer months. The sea is an intense blue colour,
crystal- clear along the coasts where the temperatures are at
their best. The prevailing wind is generally from the
south-west, and the average yearly atmospheric pressure is
758.7 mm.
Hotels in Baleares:
Local
Festivities and Folklore
Among the typical
festivities that are held in the different towns and villages
of the Balearic Islands, one of the most important is that at
Ciutadella around June 18th, 23rd and 24th. The festivities of
La Devallament at Pollensa (March 23rd), Sa Pobla (January
16th and 17th) in honour of San Antonio Abad, and the Day of
La Beata at Santa Margarita (September 3rd), are all of
interest to tourists. Ibiza celebrates its festivities on the
days between July 30th and August 5th, while Mahón does
likewise from September 7th-9th.
The folklore of
Majorca is typified by its dances and songs. These include
boleros, mateixes and copeos.
On Menorca there are
Medieval jousting tournaments held at Ciutadella, and on Ibiza
one can witness primitive dances that constitute a unique
spectacle.
Local
Crafts
The Balearic Islands maintain a rich and flourishing
tradition in local crafts. Embroidery, carvings in olive wood,
wrought-iron works, cut glass, objects made from palm leaves
and raffia, cultivated pearls, pottery, handmade shoes, and
exquisite imitation jewellery are just some of the things that
entice all those who come to visit. At Ciutadella, Alaior and
Mahón (Maó) it is possible to find high quality shoes at very
reasonable prices, whereas Manacor and Felantx are famous for
their cultivated pearls. Throughout the island of Majorca one
can find embroidery of an exceptionally high quality. Menorca
has a long-standing tradition of furniture manufacture, and
also offers the opportunity of buying the typical bowls and
plates from Alaior and Ciutadella.
Ibiza is noted for
the growing importance of its fashion industry.
Accommodation
The islands can accommodate approximately 250,000
visitors in their modern and constantly-growing hotel network.
The province can also accommodate up to 350,000
holiday makers in other modern and comfortable establishments
that range from apartments, Villas and bungalows.
There is also the possibility of renting accommodation
(with or without furniture), as well as buying property and
land (although this largely depends on the availability in
different areas). Nertheless, the prices are generally quite
reasonable here.
Transport
The Balearic
Islands have the airports of Palma de Majorca, Ibiza and
Mahón, making any journey extremely easy.
It is also possible to reach them by ship, since Barcelona
is only a night-crossing away aboard the most modern vessels.
The journey takes just eight hours. By air the flight from
Barcelona, Valencia, and Madrid takes less than an hour, while
from París and London it takes under two. It is also possible
to take vehicles to the islands aboard ferries specially
designed for the purpose. Both air and sea services have extra
flights and crossing during the "high season" (July
1st-September 30th), the latter being organized through the
company Trasmediterránea ( - Palma - Ibiza -
Sete.
Local
Cooking
The local cooking
of the islands is exotic, exquisite and at the same time
imaginatively presented.
There is a clear dominance of
pork and vegetable dishes, and the majority of the fish and
meat dishes are given the typical Mediterranean touch in their
elaboration. We can also find a sauce that has become
internationally recognized and was probably invented on these
islands - more exactly on the island of Menorca: mayonnaise.
On the tree main islands, i.e. Majorca, Menorca and Ibiza, we
can find certain differences in typical local cooking within
the main characteristics of Mediterranean-type food. In all,
the experts have encountered some 600 different recipes, which
give some idea of the range there is available.
On
Majorca the most popular dishes are the soups, of which there
are two main varieties. The first are of a more liquid nature,
composed of fish or meat, while the second - considered true
Majorcan soups - are drier and more substantial and are
nowadays much more difficult to find.
On the island of
Menorca the most important dishes are those based on fish and
shellfish, both of which are found in great quantities off the
coast and are of an exceptionally high quality. Perhaps the
most outstanding dish of all is lobster stew, consisting of
pieces of lobster, peppers, onion, tomato, garlic and a
liqueur made from herbs. Other typical dishes include lobster
with rice, tunny fish with mayonnaise, partridge "a la
menorquina" and roast goat with sobrasada. The cheese from
Mahón is yet another fine local product.
On Ibiza
there is also a predominance of fish dishes. Typical dishes
include burrida de ratjada, which is boiled ray seasoned with
an almond sauce; lobster with squid and herbs; and el guisat
de marisc - a succulent stew made with fish and shellfish.
Throughout the Balearic Islands there are a large variety of
coques--rectangular tarts that are covered with minced
vegetables, fish or meat.
As for wines, Majorca is the
only islands which produces them. Nevertheless, these islands
do have other interesting drinks. For example, Menorca is
noted for its gin production, which is used in the preparation
of the very popular pallofas, and on Ibiza there is a very
strong herb liqueur known as frigola which is normally served
with ice.
The Island of
Majorca
The largest and most popular of the Balearics, Majorca is an island of startling contrasts. Its landscape varies from rugged mountains in the north to pine-covered hills and windmill-dotted plains in the south. In the west, the historic and elegant capital, Palma, skirts an attractive harbour while in the east, you can explore pretty, secluded sandy coves. Despite great popularity and development, Majorca remains an astonishingly beautiful place, with verdant pines, rolling green hills, endless superb beaches and a varied choice of resorts, each with a character and flavour of its own. Whether you want to sun yourself in peace and quiet or live it up in the hot spots until the early hours, Marjorca has just the resort for you.
The furthest
distance that can be traveled on this island of 581,564
inhabitants and covering an area of some 3,640 km2 is 120 km,
which is the distance between Puerto de San Telm and Formentor
lighthouse at Cape Formentor.
Most visitors tend to
stay around only part of the coastline, many without realizing
about the magnificent inland scenery of plains and mountains
that can also be enjoyed.
Palma, the island's capital,
has a population of approximately 300,000, which is
practically half of the entire population of the island. It
stretches some 15 km along the coastline, from El Arenal and
Palma beach in the east as far as the cosmopolitan districts
of Cala Mayor and San Agustín in the west.
Palma is a
smallish city, having all the advantages that this brings,
while at the same time having all the possibilities of a much
larger city. Its main source of income comes from tourism and,
consequently, leisure activities of all kinds are more than
well-catered- for here. There are restaurants, cafeterias ,
pubs, concert halls, discotheques, a bull-ring and all types
of shows, offering the visitor entertainment and amusement at
all times.
Tourism had already become an important
aspect of life on the island of Majorca back in the early
1920's although on a much smaller scale than today, of course.
It was a select, mainly winter tourism which grew up steadily
until the begins of the Spanish Civil War. The later
"discovery" of Ibiza and Menorca did not occur until well
after the Civil War. At that time Majorca was full of artists,
who established what was, to all intents and purposes, a
colony in and around Pollensa and its port. One of the most
famous of them all was Anglada Camarassa.
Menorca
Menorca, with a population of 62,000, is a bright and
radiant island bathed by the magnificent Mediterranean sun,
which reflects the dazzling whiteness of the whitewashed
houses. The green countryside, the blue sea and sky, and the
white of the buildings are the three main colours that go to
form the island of Menorca.
A visit to the island is like arriving at a promised land,
where everything is simple and nice, as are its inhabitants.
Strange as it may seem, Menorca is basically an unknown island
in terms of modern tourism. Its rocky and ever-changing
coastline is made up of magnificent beaches and coves, some of
which are being developed, and others which are secluded and
quiet, where man has yet to read.
Thanks to the shape
of the island, which is only 47 km long and between 10 and 19
wide, it has a coastline of some 200 km. As a result, the
entire island is really all coast. The sea is a constant
factor in the life of Menorca, and its numerous coves and
natural harbours are ideal for the practice of all kinds of
water sports. Menorca presents a fairly level landscape, its
highest point being Mount Toro, on the top of which stands the
shrine of the island's patron saint. The views from here are
quite breathtaking.
The shortest distance from the
mainland by sea is via Barcelona, although there is also a
ferry service from Palma. In addition, there are regular
flights between Barcelona and Mahón (Maó) that take about
forty-five minutes, and also flights between Mahón and Palma.
The latter now has a new and modern airport that is specially
designed for handling heavy air traffic, both from mainland
Spainand abroad.
The Island of Ibiza
Ibiza, an island which is one in a thousand! It is undoubtedly popular within the international club life scene. Every one who loves nightlife clubbing should have been at least once on this magical island.
In the sixties, the island dissociated itself from the rest of the European resorts with the arrival of Baghwan Shree Rejneesh. This religious cult hero was the leader of a rather strange sect and his hippytrain followed in his wake to Ibiza. The party community was born.
From all over the world, top DJ's are attracted to play records at this party island. Real die-hards, however, think that Ibiza has become too much commercialised. The island, with its 84,000 inhabitants, attracts over a million visitors every year. Despite this, Ibiza remains a draw. During the whole summer, the island is the scene of non-stop parties, which can be said of only a few other places in the world.
Ibiza Town is the place to head for - it has everything the island is famous for; the other towns are nothing compared to the capital of the islands. San Antonio Abad has lots of ugly hotels and appartment complexes, Santa Eulalia is nice daytrip but not much more. The island of
Ibiza is the third largest of the archipelago, covering an
area of 541 km2, and with a population of over 70,000. Thanks
to its hilly terrain the island offers some magnificent
scenery of great beauty. There are a great deal of pine
forests (the Greeks in fact named the island Pitiusa which
means "pinery"), as well as almond trees, fig and olive trees,
and also palm trees.
Another interesting fact about Ibiza is that the use of the
windmill and the waterwheels is still quite common, mainly due
to the lack of rainfall. Rainy days on this island of almost
perpetual sun are something of a luxury.
There is also
an excellent airport on Ibiza which is one of the busiest in
Spain. The flight from Valencia tales half an hour, while from
Barcelona and Palma it tales an hour and approximately twenty
minutes, respectively. The airport never has to close because
of adverse weather conditions.
The Island of
Formentera
Formentera is the
fourth island of the archipelago, covering an area of some 100
km2 and with a population of 4,800. It lies to the south of
Ibiza, from which it is separated by the Straits of Es Freus.
In fact, the city of Ibiza is only 11 miles from the port of
La Sabina on Formentera.
The scenery is extremely
beautiful and varied. The island itself is formed by two
capes: Cape Berbería to the south and Cape La Mola to the
east. Both have a wild beauty with thick pinewoods, and run
down to the sea forming steed cliffs. The centre of the island
spreads out in a long, narrow depression which runs northwards
where it ends in salt pans and two large lakes. The entire
coastline is bordered by beautiful beaches with
fine sands.
Access to Formentera is via Ibiza. There is a ferry
service between the two islands six times a day, and this
rises to ten during the summer months. This service is also
linked to a bus service that runs between La Sabina, Sant
Franesc Xavier and La Mola.
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