S’Almonia and Caló d´es Moro near Santanyi, 2 spectacular beaches, hidden in Southeast….

Every year the Moors and Christians day takes place in May and yet it owes little to historical accuracy. The origin of the current fiesta is the restoration of the Turkish domination over the Mediterranean sea in the late fifteenth century, beginning with its series of invasions in the western Mediterranean from Africa.

Charles V of Habsburg attempted to beat the pirates along with Aragon, Castilla and the Balearic Islands but he failed.

In the mid-sixteenth century nowhere on the coastline was safe from a pirate sacking, something that the then inhabitants of Alcudia, Andratx, Pollença and Sóller would have confirmed. The watchtowers dotted around the island bear witness to those pirates threats.

The Sollerics celebrate every May victory in a battle that took place in 1561. The way that it was won is not quite certain but everyone taking part wants to play the role of the Moors as they have the colourful costumes, faces painted black and they get to chase women and sail boats.

The beginning of the fiesta is announced at 3 o’clock, and the Moors sail out to sea, then return immediately to invade.  On the beach, the Christians are waiting for them, and they fill their mixed powder guns and shoot constantly in the air.

Majorcan women remain outside at first and sing their songs of war. The victory against the Moors in Soller is attributed to the brave women of the town because, when the men seemed to be losing, it is the women who attacked.

As a spectator it is best if you watch the event with a sense of humor or join in the action….

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Elena Gatti paints pictures. That’s her profession. But that’s not essential. The point is that she must paint. Her discussion between the outside world and her inner world, she translates it into images.

Images must be in the canvas. They are the language of Elena Gatti. Much of her works seem to open itselves to the surface, colors and forms spontaneously target the spectator. But it is not worth staying with the first impression but looking longer and more intensely. Only then, the beauty and bounty of her paintings begin to develop. Its beauty is reserved. Her richness must not be shown. The colors do not shine they sparkle. The message doesn’t scream. It whispers, with a quiet voice, few words, but very well made ​and often very slightly to melancholy.

In the heart of Portals Nous, is the restaurant Akbar with a romantic and cozy atmosphere, the restaurant Akbar offers a feast of different spicy food, milt or hot with a range of taste in any imaginable flavor.

Curry with various spices is the specialty as well as their fresh products, cooked in a Tandoor, a special oven from India. The restaurant never forgets its roots and is constantly looking for new recipes and spice mixtures, to create a fusion of unique dishes.

Do not wait, go and find out and feel yourself, parking is right outside. So you can enjoy the hospitality of owners Gul and Laura, as you sit inside the restaurant or outside on the garden terrace. Akbar also has a catering service that delivers to your home or boat.

Akbar Restaurant, quality indian food in Portals village

On Mallorca, in the famous and beautiful marina of Puerto Portals, just in front of the sea with great views of the harbour and its luxurious yachts, there is a privileged place situated right on the front line: Ritzi Restaurant.

The famous german chef Sven Grabolle offers creative italian cuisine witch satisfies the most demanding palate. The Restaurant Maitre, Salvatore Longobardi and his right-hand team care about the well being of guests and endeavour to bring the first class service.

In summer you can have lunch or diner on the outdoor terrace, while in winter you can enjoy the heated pavilion with a pleasant atmosphere.

The team behind Ritzi Restaurant is waiting for your visit in Puerto Portals!

On Good Friday, on the stairways of the Cathedral of Palma, La Seu, you may see a very particular play of Christ’s “Via Crucis” or Way of the Cross, the dramatic moments on the road to Calvary and the crucifixion of Jesus are played out by the theatre group “Taula Rodonda” with dialogue written by the Mallorquín poet Llorenç Moyá.

The performance is regarded as the cultural zenith of the Semana Santa, Holy week of Easter, and thanks to the sensitive writing and the actors capable performances a particular and peculiar relationship hangs in the air between the performers and the public observers.  The drama in front of the impressive Cathedral takes place on Good Friday at about 12 pm.

Semana de Pascua, Easter Week on Mallorca truly is spectacular. The festivities begin on Palm Sunday with the Mass. The festivities begin on Palm Sunday with the Mass of the Lord’s Passion celebrated in the Cathedral of Palma. Priests and believers pass through the alleys, led by the bishop of Palma. Palm and olive branches are consecrated with blessed water and numerous spectators decorate themselves with the green branches as well.

During Semana Santa, the Holy Week, enormous images of Christ on the Cross, Madonna’s and Saints are carried through the city accompanied by figures in long pointed hoods. Like this the various brotherhoods of Palma create a medieval atmosphere in the procession “Crist de la Sang” (The blood of Christ) – Goosebumps included! This procession, documented in 1554 is one of the most important of Semana Santa.

The oldest brotherhood of Palma also dates from this time. There are 30 brotherhoods in Palma alone, 50 in all of Mallorca and most of them were established in the twentieth century particularly in the forties or fifties and a few in the nineties. The brotherhoods each have their own habit and hood colours, different banners and unique statues of Saints or of Christ on the cross. The Ceremony of the Silent Penitents (previously an all male affair, nowadays also has women members of the brotherhoods, there being one brotherhood that is only women) begins in the evening at the Plaza de l’Hospital and travels through the centre of the city along and crossing the streets of Olmos, Sant Miguel, Colom, Plaza de Cort, Paseo Borne, Jaime III, Calle Bonaire until reaching the Church, Iglesia de La Sang.

Each brotherhood is accompanied by a musical group whose drums beat the rhythm of the march. The figure, “Crist de la Sang” is the most important Crucified Christ statue in Palma. Only after the penitents have received their blessings can the celebrations of Easter begin. The Villages of Mallorca also have their processions and masses.

The Evening Mass on Easter Sunday is especially worth seeing as it is the most important Mass in the whole year and there is the presence of a great number of Mallorcas priests. The ceremony is led by the Bishop of Mallorca, with the highlight being the renewal of the sacramental oils. The oils which come from Bunyola are blessed along with bread, water and wine. On this day The Cathedral of La Seu is not only wonderful from the outside but also inside where the resplendent atmosphere of devotion is unique.

News (09.11.2011): The restaurants Piccola Italia I y II offer for this Christmas  excellent menus for groups and companies, for more details you can check the pdf attached or  its webpage: www.piccolaitaliamallorca.com.

On Palma boulevard, the Paseo Maritimo, there are many restaurants – but few as authentic as the Ristorante Piccola Italia. Here the pasta is prepared in front of the guests. And the pasta is the highlight of the house, without forgetting their other specialities like fish and meat dishes and their variety of desserts. Whilst eating you have a wonderful view over the lively Paseo Maritimo from the harbour of Palma to the cathedral.

The waiters and waitresses work nimbly under the direction of the maitre from Naples and read all the wishes from the guests eyes. The restaurant is open all year from 12:30 till half past midnight. Reservations can be made by telephone on 971 45 80 36.

Celebrations can also be held in separate venues inside the restaurant.
Ristaurante Pizzeria Piccola Italia – on the Paseo Maritimo in Palma.

Since ever, religious festivities have had a lot of repercussion in the islands. The “panades” and “rubiols” are an example of this. Although nowadays they are consumed throughout the year, these products are traditionally elaborated only during the Holy Week and were they consumed after the Lent fast.

The dough is made in a similar way, but the shape and content are so different that make of them two products with an incomparable taste.

The “panada” is savoury and is usually filled with meat, fish and peas. The “rubiol”, with a thinner dough, is filled with a filling made of pumpkin and syrup or cottage cheese, and is consumed as dessert.

Would you like to taste these products? You can find them in every bakery of Mallorca

Located in Santa Maria del Camí, Macià Batle’s vineyards have been producing wine since 1856. The vineyards, expanded in 1998 and 2006, are provided with the most modern installations, machinery and high technology. A new generation of wine growers and oenologists continue to use traditional methods to prepare the most modern wines on the market.

The vineyards are directed by Sebastià Rubí and Ramon Servalls i Batle, whom both continue the family tradition of the harmony between wine and art. This is reflected in their “Private Reserva”. The labels, each year are created by renowned artists such as Rebecca Horn, Jaume Plensa, Yannick Vu, Ramon Canet or Erwin Bechtold, therefore becoming unique art labels.

Under the appellation of origin Binissalem, the Maciá Batle wine cellars, cultivate mostly traditional grapes: Mantonegro or Callet for red wine and Prensal for white wines.

Year after year, their wines are gold medal winners in national and international contests: “Macià Batle Blanc of Blancs 2008”, won the Grand Gold Medal in Berlin in 2009, and gold medal in the International Wine Masters competition amongst others; “Macià Private Batle Reserva 2005” brought to Santa Maria the gold medals of the International Sommelier Awards of England and from Expovina in Switzerland; “Macià Batle Crianza 2006” also received numerous Gold medals in 2009 – the one of the World Contest of Brussels, Mundus Vini Germany, International Contest of Wines in Seville and the Berliner Wein Trophy.

Apart from its exceptional wines, Macià Batle has a wide range of delicatessen goods to offer its clients. Combining tradition and innovation, with new lines of flavours and compositions, the vineyard shows the exquisiteness of the Majorcan cuisine.

Group visits are available for wine tasting with small aperitifs in two different rooms. The number for telephone reservations is 971 14 00 14.

Enjoy visiting the Vineyard Macià Batle in Santa Maria!

Here we invite you to taste with us cheese and sobrasada, a typical Majorcan sausage consisting of minced pork seasoned with salt and ground pepper.

In many towns you will find details about the agriculture products of the Balearics in a promotional brochure. You can taste the delicious typical products of Bon Gust – Good Taste.

We start with the cheese factory “Formatges s’Atalaia“, located in the south of the island near to Llucmajor. Here, the effort is focused on keeping the craft production of sheep and goat’s cheese high. There are historical documents about this estate that date back to 1407.

The country estate of is over 304 hectares (or 751 acres) and is situated 8 kilometres from Llucmajor in the Marina de Llucmajor – the coastal area of Llucmajor, in the direction of S’Estanyol,

We continue in the south of Mallorca, to near Campos. The 60 black and white Friesan cows from the north of Holland that belong to the Burgueras family produce 1000 litres of milk per day, which is the best and most important raw material to make good cheese. 80 kilos of cheese are produced daily. Without a doubt, you must also taste the cottage cheese. The country estate “Formatges Ca’n Burguera” is situaded on the road between Campos and Colonia Sant Jordi, 10 kilometres from Campos. It is open on Saturdays between 9 and 1 and from 3 till 6pm

The famous Majorcan sobrasada is usually made with white pig. Sobrassada made from Black pig is considered a special delicacy.  It is served well in “Ca’n Manxa”, in Felanitx, Calle Pare Auli, 13.

1 kilometre from Felanitx, in the direction of Porrerres, we find another factory where they make the typical sausages, as well as fresh meat. “Ramaders Agrupats”,. Of course, we recommend that you taste sobrasada.. Here you will also discover the Majorcan cheese flavour of “Ca’n Roig”.

After this tasting, we head to the northeast. In Sóller, we make another stop at “Embutidos La Luna”. Here try all the range of all the delicious cold meats of Mallorca, especially the sobrasada and the delicate pâtés. but also the small blood sausage butifarrón and the dark camaiot made from lean meat and many spices.

The last stop of our route is in Artà, in “Ca’n Balaguer”, Calle Gran Via de la Constitució, 55, where again we will taste the white and Iberian pig sobrasada.

We hope you have fun and enjoy tasting all the delicious meats of Mallorca.

When a natural masterpiece meets an architectural masterpiece, the two combine to create something truly unique. The breathtaking Serra de Tramuntana Mountains and the azure-blue sea create the stylish backdrop for this luxury hotel in Majorca. This hotel charms guests with its subtle elegance and service. Enjoy an unforgettable stay with the St. Regis butler service. Attentive and discreet.

The 133 luxurious rooms with stunning views of the ocean and the lush gardens are timeless.

Discover the timeless World of pure elegance of the St. Regis Mardavall Mallorca.

Maioris Golf, opened in 2006, is a 72 par course with 18 holes. From the beginning, Maioris has given great importance to competitions at a local and national level. The round is hard; even so the club takes care of new and inexperienced players, both with its golf school and with its nice training course

In Mallorca’s white winter you can see from the end of January until the middle of March the beautiful almond blossom.

The head chef at Celler Sa Premsa restaurant teaches us  how to prepare one of the most characteristic recipes from the island: Cuttlefish Mallorcan Style.

Ingredients:

· 1 spring onion
· 150 grams of clean cuttlefish
· 20 grams of pine nuts
· 20 grams of raisins
· 125 grams of crushed tomatoes
· Olive oil for frying

Preparation:

We put two tablespoons of oil in a frying pan. Then we add the cuttlefish cut into cubes, we will fry it for ten minutes.

Then add the spring onion cut and sauté for five minutes. The next step is to add the raisins and pine nuts and sauté a couple of minutes. Then add the chopped tomato and let cook over medium heat for ten minutes.

We will present the dish with a sprig of fennel.

During Mallorca’s white winter you can see from the end of January until the middle of March the beautiful almond blossom.
Always, except for the February, 4th 2012, the day that for sure will enter in the Island´s history: snow on the sea level, the beach is white, snowmen of all kind are being built and the joy is great, although short. Untill now we had on this place a typical video of snow in the Tramuntana Range of Mountains near Lluc; the one you are seeing now is from the beaches of Santa Ponsa and Costa de la Calma… vaya…

Traditional Feast around the Sant Antoni Celebrations including the belssings of animals -  in catalán/mallorquin “beneïdes” – in many villages and cities on the island from Sunday on, e.g.:
- Binissalem: 15.1.2012 at 12.00 am
- Alaró: 17.1.2012 at 4.00 pm
- Palma de Mallorca: 17.1.2012 at 12.00 am
- Sa Pobla: 17.1.2012 at 15.30 am
- Manacor: 17.1.2012 at 11.00 am

Discover the majestic and elegant Castillo Hotel Son Vida high above Palma de Majorca in the most renowned estate Son Vida. Built in the 13^th century, surrounded by subtropical lush gardens and incomparable views of the bay of Palma, this enchanting castle invites you to dream.

With its 164 rooms and suites, including the iconic LOEWE suite, decorated by the famous Spanish designer Enrique Loewe, the Castillo Hotel Son Vida is the perfect escape for an unforgettable experience.

Close to the fascinating city of Palma, in the residential district of Son Vida, you will find a unique and extraordinary Golf Hotel.

Set in wonderfully lush gardens bordering the famous Son Vida golf course,  is where the dream of holidaying in Majorca becomes a real-life fairytale. This irresistible 5-star hotel is not only known for its excellent location and proximity to golf courses, but also for its extraordinary service and traditional Spanish architecture.

Where:
Ctra. Portocristo-son Servera, Km 5
07560 Sa Coma (Sant Llorenç)
Mallorca
Tel.: +34 971 81 09 09

www.safari-zoo.com

The safari zoo is a successful mixture of a wildlife park and leisure park. The safari land with the wide animal outdoor enclosure gives more than 600 animals a home and the visitors the opportunity to experience animals in the wild.

The safari zoo on Majorca , situated in a beautiful and unique landscape offers fun and pleasure for the whole family. A restaurant and several great playgrounds for children do not leave a wish unanswered.

Happy parents and shining children’s eyes make it a special event.

Opening Hours: All year round open! Summer: Daily from 9.00 to 18.30; Winter: Daily from 10.00 to 16.00

Impressions of the magical miniatures of the many Christmas crips you can visit in Palma…

Holy three kings, Reyes Magos, arrive on the 5th January by the ship in a lot of harbours of the island but the pageant is extremely worth seeing in Palma (you can check the whole route here). The Reyes Magos go loaded with package, delivered by parents for their children before, from the harbour to the town hall and by the oldest part of the town. The „cabalcada“ is one big happening of greatest importance for the children of all ages.

Earlier the Majorcan children received on the 6th January their Christmas presents. Today they write their long lists of Christmas wishes to the Kings as well as to the Santa Claus – there is nothing like being on the safe side.

Pollensa has always been the city of the artists: painters like Anglada Camarasa and Tito Cittadini even changed Paris for this place. More than thirty years ago, here took place the International Contest of Plastic Arts, whose winners exhibit their work at the Pollensa Museum, which has many other things to offer, such as the collection of gothic altarpieces that, in part, come from the parish church and, in part, from the chapel of the Puig de Santa María – Santa María hill.

An important part of the museum is dedicated to the artist Atilio Boveri, whose oil paintings, which were created in Mallorca between 1912 and 1915, reproduce the Gardens of Raixa, the King’s Castle, the Caves of Bóquer, the Torrent of Pareis, the Mill of Ca’n Jura, the Pass of Ternells, the fruit trees and orchards of Pollensa, the Calvari way, the streets of Pollença and the fig, olives and almond trees.

Moreover, a Mandala surprises those who visit the Pollensa Museum. For Buddhists, this is the explanation for the birth, existence and destruction of the universe; a complex aid for reflection and concentration.

During his visit to Pollensa, in 1990, the Dalai Lama gave a Kalachakra Mandala to the city, also known as a wheel of time. The complex Mandala represents 722 gods together with their palaces, and it was made in the Namgyal Monastery, in the Indian Himalayas.

Officially, the Pollensa Museum, opened in 1975, is located in the old monastery of the Dominicans that was built between 1588 and 1616 and occupied by monks to 1836. Today the Museum is a cultural meeting point for the art and music lovers, as well as for theatre enthusiasts.

New Wine and Gourmet Shop in Bodegas José Luis Ferrer!

For the past 80 years the Winery Bodegas J.L. Ferrer has been firmly committed to quality and innovation, that´s why they have opened now a new wine shop with a small place for gourmet products, available for all their customers.

Here, you can taste the wonderful wines from this winery, enjoy the delicacies from the land like marmalades, pates, .. and ultimately take home the magic and light that come from the products of Bodegas José Luis Ferrer in Binissalem.

NICE PRICE SUPERMARKET – your one stop shop for all your favourite UK food and household products.

Stocking a wide range of ICELAND FROZEN FOOD, Herbs and Spices, Indian Sauces and Pastes, Dutch, Chinese and American Products. You are never far away from all that food that you miss from home.

Visit them! You will be surprised at the great products, personalised service and familiar atmosphere of Nice Price, in Costa d’en Blanes.
NICE PRICE – your home from home supermarket on Majorca!

Opening hours:
Monday – Saturday 10 am – 7 pm

Those were the days! You can see our team in the studios in Olmos, the pedestrian street in the center of Palma de Mallorca. Great time we had there! On air every day at 9 am and 5 pm – news, features, interviews, sales of adverts, presentations, music, administrations, competitions – work, good work!

The beginnings of the first on-line TV on Majorca – Teleweb!

Are you dreaming of a property on the most popular island of the Mediterranean Sea? Then the Real Estate SGI Majorca in Santa Ponsa is your best choice. Hermann Köppler, the owner, has gained experience as a real estate agent in Spain since 1992.

The customer is still the king in SGI Majorca. So the top-class service is guaranteed from the first contact until far beyond the signature of the sales contract, offering a full after-sales service. So it’s no surprising that their satisfied customers always come back.

The Real Estate SGI offers properties for every taste and budget: From luxury apartments to penthouses, pieces of land, villas, luxury spanish estates up to spectacular castles and mansions.

Just settle back and let the SGI-Majorca team fulfil your dream of a property under the sun of the Mediterranean Sea.

Porreres is situated in the south of the Mallorcan plain or Pla. Its 4500 inhabitants live in an area of 86 square kilometres, which is the second largest municipality of the Balearic Islands after Algaida.

The Pla has always been considered the breadbasket of Mallorca. Successive invaders who settled on Mallorca valued the fertile plain and used it for growing agricultural products. The reddish hue of the earth, produced by deposits of iron oxide, gives the landscape a warm glow.

The fertile wealth of this land of shades, ranging from dull to bright red, has been known since early times. Balanced farming methods were practised and the diversity of the farming was always a priority so many different types of crops and cereals were cultivated. Farmers also managed to increase the fertility of the soil by changing the fruits grown and by diligent weeding. Today they continue to combine growing cereal with almond trees, carob trees and fig trees.

Porreres has also made a name for itself as a wine producing area, and since the Arabs planted apricots in large numbers in the early tenth century, Porreres has become the centre of albarcoc. This type of stone fruit has its origins in Central Asia and Eastern Europe and was also known by the Romans, however the grandeur of the Roman Empire favoured larger fruits like peaches which looked better on silver platters than the smaller apricots. The Romans treated the velvet-skinned apricots as if they were failed peaches and therefore were never good enough to be a chosen delicacy.

As often happens in Mallorca, the detailed description of the story begins in Porreres with the Christian conquest. Some traces of early human occupation still exist in the form of talaiots, or have been left from prehistoric times.

The time of Roman rule is documented by the stones, discovered in the nineteenth century. In the Arab period the town belonged to the Manqur district, which also included Manacor, Felanitx and part of the present areas of Campos and Santanyi. The public fountains are a testimony to the presence of the Arab occupants. The current apricot plantations, which had already been planted in large part by the Arabs, were not worth mentioning by Western historians.

During the rule of King James I, the land of Porreres was given to Count Nuño Sanç, one of the kings loyal servants. After his death, King James II became the new owner, who in the fourteenth century declared all the land as a municipality. The name Porreres comes from the knight Guillem Porrera, who took part in the conquest of Mallorca.

Porreres has many interesting sights of interest. In the town centre there is the stunning church of La Mare de Deu de la Consolació, documented in 1277. A bell tower was added to the side in the 17^th century. The nave with its domed roof is the widest on the island. In the sacristy ecclesiastical treasures of great value are kept safe.

… so we don´t forget the beginnings – here our Blooper Reel 2003 (more to come, of course..)

Merry Christmas and a very succesfull 2012
wishes you on this informal way the Team of Teleweb

(now with the christmas-greeting per mail: this video can been seen on your computer screen. In order to see Teleweb-videos on iphone/ipod/ipad you can download our application MallorcApp in itunes or directly in AppStore)..

Bon Sol is a seaside hotel with all the comforts of a city hotel in Illetas close to Palma de Majorca. Hence, it’s not surprising that even Christmas and New Years are included in the peak season, as well as other festivities as St. Valentine’s Day, Carnival, Easter, the start of Summer and other events as an evening with Flamenco in the bar for example. It is always a good decision to spend your holidays in this hotel, managed by the owner family Martin y Lorraine Xamena.

As well, visit the Hotel video on this side.

Fritters can be eaten at any time of year on Mallorca but are most popular during the “festivity of the virgins”  at the end of October when the famous “day of the virgins” is celebrated.

The tradition says that on this day lovers give each other gifts: the men give the woman carnations and women make fritters to the man. Although its preparation goes to the detriment and, every time, less people know how to prepare them now, fritters are still made and bought at this time of the year.

Its preparation is simple: you only need some potatoes, flour, yeast and eggs for the dough. The making process is a bit more difficult: fritters are prepared exclusively with the hands and they are fried in boiling oil.

If you fancy tasting them wether in love or not you will not regret the experience!

Turron is a traditional dessert, not just in Mallorca, but also in the rest of Spain. It is a sweet pastry made of flour, sugar, egg white and almonds. Although you can enjoy it throughout the year, it is especially popular between December and January when it is produced and consumed in greater quantities. There is a lot of variety in taste and some of them are the result of secrets that are passed down from generation to generation. Others are made with in a new way. Some of the new ingredients incorporated over the last years include truffles, coconut, cream, chocolate or hazelnuts. Although in Mallorca, the almond-flavoured turron continues to be the favourite.

Jam is also as special as turron. The great variety of fruits that can be found on the island allows the production of local jam, which is even exported. Naturally, the best jam is home-made, but you can also find the best traditional jam in well-known vineyards and shops that sell typical products of the islands.

You may not take much notice of it but there is glass is all around us; windows, vases, mirrors, spectacles and cars, amongst many other things.

For some people glass is art. In the creation of glass, talent and skill come together to create unique items. If it is fascinating looking at a slender glass, to imagine that glass figures can be blended into each other or even that colour can be added to make amazing shapes.

The glass produced in Mallorca is famous world-wide and is exported to Belgium, France and Germany.

Naturally, as in many other crafts, there are several techniques for home-produced glass, but glass blowing is the most remarkable. Whilst here on the island you can visit various glass making factories.

Why do not take a piece of brightly coloured glass?

If you like and admire the glassmakers skill you will find plenty of variety here on Mallorca.

The songwriter and singer Donovan himself sings for us his famous song “Catch the Wind”. It´s been a couple of years now, but the concert in Artá stays unforgettable. Sure you´ll enjoy it…

Situated three and a half kilometres from Porreres is the monastery of Montesión. Along the way, there are seven pairs of gothic columns from the 15^th century. They symbolized the seven joys, on one side, and on the other, the seven sorrows; however, not all them have survived and only some of them are still preserved.

In 1348, there was a boys school in the monastery that existed until it was secularization. In the 14^th century a hermitage devoted to the protection of the Virgin of Mount Sión was built thanks to funding from two rich families of the area. In the Latin grammar school, the schoolchildren prepared to graduate to higher education.

Today, Montesión is a hostel with beds for pilgrims and tourists. During Santa Semana or Holy Week before Easter, the sanctuary becomes one of the most popular pilgrimage places in Mallorca.

From here the visitor has a wide view across Porreres to Manacor, located at the north-west. And to the southeast, you can see Campos and Felanitx.

News (16.11.2011): “Dijous Bo” -Good Thursday Fair- has arrived, a wide programm of acts is waiting for us in the most famous fair in the Island. For more details you can check the pdf attached.

Not every day is a good day. But you can be sure that the third Thursday of November on Majorca it will be a “good Thursday”  or at least it is in Inca. Dijous Bo, it’s Majorca’s most renowned fair, and it is organized in a city that is known for leather-merchandise and shoe-industry.

Inca finishes its traditional Herbstkirmes, whose origin goes back to 1543, and finishes with the Dijous Bo. It is about a series of fairs, that starts on Sunday after Saint Lukas in October and includes the three following Sundays. The fourth Sunday there’s no fair-day, but the Thursday of the next week is called the Dijous Bo.

On this big fair is as good as everything to find, from handicraft until industry-products, including a big country-machine-exhibition. Also animals give to buy it there, and it is organized livestock-competitions, in which outstanding copies are introduced. The number of the exhibitors is very high, as well like the selection at products, so that real streams of people, that one cannot escape the Dijous Bo, meet here every year. independently from the weather.

The event-program begins already several days with numerous and versatile suggestions for each public previously. Is a painting-competition, a chess-tournament and the Rallye Dijous Bo from it to accentuate.

A parking place, to find in Inca on this day. even the good Thursday is not sufficiently good for it – the train, to recommend here by all means, is. You find the railway station of the Spanish place (Plaça d’Espanya) in the heart Palmas from Palma from coming

Today, we would like to introduce you to the bodegas of the “Pla i Llevant” region. This area in the center and eastern part of Mallorca has received the certificate of origin in 1999, which guarantees the wines to be of a high quality and grown according to strict regulations. As opposed to the region around Binissalem, Pla i Llevant vintners include imported grapes like for example Cabernet Sauvignon or Chardonnay to improve the overall quality of the wines, as well as growing pure wines.

We start our wine tour in Algaida at Vins Ca’n Majoral. Our first glass will be a red wine, the 2000 Tinto, the Vin Ca’n Majoral Son Roig, a Crianza made from Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah grapes, which has been stored in French and East-European oak barrels for 12 months. If you prefer to start with a glass of white wine, we recommend the 2000 Blanc Butibalausi, a young and very fruity wine with a flowery taste of the various local Prensal grapes. Where do you find this vinyard? Can Mayoral is located at the end of a cul-de-sac, which diverts off Calle del Campanar in Algaida.

Our next stop is at the Bodegues Jaume Mesquida, in Calle Vileta 7, near the Plaza in the center of the village of Porreres. The history of the Mesquida family dates back to 1589. As the family has continuously improved their knowledge and built on their expertise through the centuries, it is no surprise that even the youngest vintner of the family is counted amongst the best of the country, and that his name is still Jaume Mesquida. We would like to recommend you the 2000 Cabernet Sauvignon, a cherry-colored wine, elegantly full-bodied with a very harmonious character.

Villages like Felanitx and Manacor have been maintaining the tradition of growing wine for generations. For this reason it is always worthwhile to take a detour to the South to Felanitx and the Bodegues Armero i Adrover in Calle Camada Reial. Here you will find an excellent selection of delicious white and red wines of both Mallorcan and French grapes.

In Manacor, we will visit a total of three wine cellars. We start at Vins Toni Gelabert. This vintner’s philosophy is it to produce wines with a Mediterranean personality. The accomplished result is the very interesting 2000 Ses Hereves red wine, a Crianza wine combination of Cabernet Sauvignon, Merlot and Syrah grapes. This wine comes straight from the barrel, un-clarified and unfiltered. You will find the Bodega in Son Fangos, which is located along the Felanitx-Manacor road at the Son Macia turn, where you take the opposite road and follow it for 1,3 km until the Bodega comes into view.

Our tour continues to the well-known Bodegas Pere Seda. Here you have to try a glass of the 2002 white Blanco Chardonnay, as well as the 2001 red Tinto Mossèn, both excellent wines. If you turn at the first gas station in Felanitx and at the end of the road look for Calle del Cid Campeador, Pere Seda is located at no. 22.

The last wine stop in the Manacor area will be a visit with vintner Miguel Gelabert. His Chardonnay achieved it for the first time that a Mallorcan wine was awarded a gold medal for the best white wine in Spain at the International Wine Fair in Madrid in 2001. But you should also sample his 2000 Gran Vinya Son Caules, which is produced to 80 percent from local grapes.

Our next destination is Petra, where Bodega Miguel Oliver is praised in three of the favored Spanish wine guides. You will find them in Calle de la Font 26, where Miguel Oliver’s daughter – certified in enology – runs the family business. Their wines belong to the elite of Mallorcan wines, and are at the top of the list of wine aficionados.

In a superb location just 8 km. from Palma, overlooking the small cove of fine sand is the Bon Sol resort hotel with all the comforts of a city hotel.

Its terraces and fully equipped rooms, with splendid views over the bay of Palma, will make your vacation an unforgettable and unique experience.

During all months of the year, may you enjoy many sports and recreational facilities: spa with sauna, solarium, steam bath, heated pool, seawater pool, tennis court, minigolf.

The Hotel has been certified with the “Q” for quality and is part of the exclusive Hotel Association “Reis de Mallorca”. The intimate atmosphere and accommodating service will make you feel like a king.

In the southeast of Mallorca, in the small and beautiful town of Santanyí, is located a house dating from the seventeenth century with a patio and garden, which houses the Gallery Sailer.

Sailer Gallery is one of the leading galleries worldwide of tapestry art.

For 50 years, Franz Sailer has been dedicated to antique kilim carpets, fabrics and embroideries from Persia, Anatolia, South America and India. After having galleries in Salzburg and Vienna, Santanyi has been the center of attention for Ingrid and Franz Sailer since 2004.

Since the middle of August and until the 30th of November, the authorised fishermen are allowed to catch the Golden mackerel. During this period, it can be found in the Mediterranean Sea and especially around the Balearic Islands. The Majorcan name for the fish is Llampuga and during the mentioned period of time, various dishes with Golden mackerel can be found on the menus of the island’s restaurants.

These fishes use to gather around floating objects and that’s why special nets of approximate 200m length and 22m width are used in order to catch them. The nets are meant to sustain the objects thrown by the fishermen from the shore. The Golden mackerel – Coryphaena Hippurus – surround the object and the fishermen’s task is only to pull up the net and get the capture.

In order to promote the sale and consume of this fish type a “new” tradition has been started in Cala Ratjada, at north-east of the island; the Llampuga fair. Lots of tables are laid in the harbour during the fair, where one can taste around 22 delicious Llampuga-dishes, enjoying at the same time the ever lasting sunshine of the island.

News (07.10.11): During this weekend you can enjoy the X Mostra Llampuga in Cala Ratjada. There, you will be delighted by the Llampuga prepared in many different ways, tasting new flavors and possibilities.

Pere Reus Morro, called Pere Seda, started to dedicate his life to wine already at the end of XIXth century. Since then, 5 generations of winemakers have been following this family tradition and have converted the winery that carry their name to a center of most modern technologies to produce wine. Today Pere Seda in Manacor is posibly the only bodega on Majorca, where the same family has been producing wine during each and every year of the XXth and XXIst century.

130 hectares of vineyard situated between the municipality of Manacor and Felanitx deliver the necessary grapes to produce the Pere Seda wein. The bodega disposes of 2 control systems of manufacture and upbringing in order to achieve the best wine quality.

Usually the variety of autochtonal grapes are being used to produce the Pere Seda wine, such as young wines, crianza, reserva, gran reserva, and sparkling wines. To maturate the wine, oak barrels from France and United Stated are in use. The most famous and popular brands and wines of the bodega are Pere Seda, L’Arxiduc Pere Seda, Chardonnay, Mossen Alcover and Guium. Besides the traditional wine production, the bodega Pere Seda has started recently the production of sparkling wines.

The winery Pere Seda unifies the traditional with modern, but above all with the affection for an excellent wine.

Welcome to the restaurant “Es Mercat” on the market square of Santanyí!

In Santanyí in the southeast of Mallorca, right next to the church, is located the picturesque Main Square (Plaza Mayor) and in the middle of the action is the trendy restaurant “Es Mercat”.

Sit on the terrace and surround yourself with the hustle and bustle of the lively square, especially on Wednesdays and Saturdays which are market days. But the everyday motto is TO SEE and TO BE SEEN!

You can also spend the time between your purchases in the market in the front or back dining room of “Es Mercat” – with a great window into the kitchen.

Come by! A fabulous range of delicious meals and “tapas” is waiting for you in the restaurant “Es Mercat” in Santanyí!

The Krekovic Museum is named thus because of the Vienna born artist, who settled in Mallorca, who captured the culture, customs and traditions if Mallorca in his oil paintings.

Kristian Krekovic was born on 28^th February, 190, the son of a forest ranger and hunter of the Vienna court. From childhood he showed a great interest in painting. In Vienna, he discovered the great masters, as well as his own vocation. His artistic training was reflected in his hard work.

After finishing his studies in the Viennese school he travelled to Paris, where he completed his training in the art school. In 1928, he was awarded with a gold medal and an honours diploma in the International Art Exhibition of Bordeaux. In 1960, he moved to Mallorca, where he settled permanently.

During the last 25 years before his death, he devoted his study to Spanish and Balearic art. The most outstanding episodes of the history and customs of Mallorca can be appreciated in his paintings.

Some of the first settlers to ever to make Mallorca their home arrived on the north coast of the island thousands of years ago and discovered a place where it was possible to survive.

It is thought that they lived in caves and the talaiots that we can still see today were built as funeral monuments for the dead.

The talaiots are huge on the outside and tiny on the inside. These stone monuments were always built at places that were of strategic importance to the people of that time, as anyone who has climbed up the huge stone edifices will appreciate.

In the north and northwest of Mallorca there are many sites of archaeological interest. In the town of Santa María, there are 153 excavations which are evidence of that this region had been inhabited from time immemorial.

Although the town is located at 10 kilometres from the coast, it has its own beach: the beach of Santa Margalida, situated at the touristic area of Ca’n Picafort, in the bay of  Alcudia. Son Serra de Marina also belongs to this municipality. Nowadays, this small city has 4500 inhabitants who are called santamargaliders.

The first time that the parish church of Santa Margalida appeared in the archives was in 1232 but that was destroyed by fire in the 14^th century. After that, no reconstruction took place until the 18^th century and the church has stayed more or less the same since then.

The church is devoted to Santa Margarita, whose legend if comparable to the one of Sherezade, from A Thousand and One Nights. The beginnings and setting of the legend date back to Arab times

The troubadours who came from the east told the tale of an  innocent and charming princess who fell prey to a dragon. With the magic of her beautiful eyes, she was able to tame the beast and turn him into a faithful lapdog. The Christian conquerors gave her name to this beautiful place and the princess and the Mallorcan saint Catalina Tomás have been venerated as patrons of the town by the santamargaliders since ancient times.

In the 17^th century, Mallorca was hit by famine and chaos. The Catholic clergy sided with the nobility and together they tried to prevent economic and social change.

One of the nobles was Count Ramón Zaforteza, from Santa Margalida, whose palace is located in front of the parish church. His aim was to impose his feudal rights through massive reprisals against the people, who were trying to reassert their rights through legal means and the courts. However, the count used inimidation by hiring murderers frighten the inhabitants of Santa Margalida.

In November, 1647, the situation came to a head. A respected and honourable representative of Santa Margalida, Baltasar Calafat, was killed on the threshold of his house by the counts death squad. Calafat had fought to defend civil rights and paid for his resistance against the feudal powers with his life. The citizens were so outraged and angry about the death of Calafat that the count, fearing reprisals and revenge, had to flee to his isolated estate at the foot of the Galtazo mountain.

The legend says that even today, the restless spirit of Count Mal still roves the the summit of the mount Galatzó causing fear and mischief..

Santa Margalida has always been a prosperous town. The viewpoint behind the church offers a panoramic view of the pastures where crops have always been abundant and their grain has brought wealth to the citizens. It is a wide landscape of rolling hills which seemlessly blend with the plain of Mallorca. To this day this region still continues to be “the granary” or grainhouse of the island and is one of the wealthiest areas of Mallorca.

Today, we would like to introduce you the golf course Son Termens that was opened to the public on May, 1998 and is located in a wonderful valley that belongs to Bunyola. Son Termens is situated at 10 kilometres of Palma.

The course offers a beautiful view of Palma from its location at the foothills of the Sierra de Tramuntana – the Tramontana Mountains –, although it is important to highlight that this is one of the places of the Balearic Islands which is more blended into the natural environment.

Son Termens is surrounded by wooded mountains and slopes, without any buildings around with the exception of the club that was built following the Majorcan style.

The 18 holes of the course are distributed all over the mountainous spot. The round, extended along the hillocks and hollows, has a medium difficulty.

Son Termens is a place with a privileged location, a balanced ecosystem and a nice calmness during summer months; just for professionals and amateurs to enjoy training their strokes. Its restaurant is also an attractive place thanks to the views, but it is known not only among the golfers, but also for its good cooking. In general terms, this golf course will offer a warm welcome to the visitors.

Today, in our report, we are going to cross Mallorca from one end to the other. We are going to visit some bio country estates and taste products completely free from chemicals. This is the organic products route of Mallorca.

We start in Algaida. At the end of the Calle del Campanar we can find the winery “Vins Ca’n Majoral”, where the strict rules of ecology are followed. Here, we recommend you the “Blanc Butibalause” of 2000, a wine with a fruit bouquet and a fruit taste that has various grapes “Prensal”, the ones used for white wine in the island. If you prefer red wine, do not hesitate to taste a glass of vintage wine “Son Boig 2000.”

From Algaida we move to Llucmajor, because after tasting these wines our stomach asks for some solid food. The company Bio-Mallorca will offer us vegetarian hamburgers, organic croquettes or some pâté. The products of Bio-Mallorca are remarkable not only for their taste, but also for the presentation and decoration of fruits in syrup and preserved vegetables. You can buy these products at “Embutidos Escala”, in Calle Ronda Ponent, 66 , located between the road of S’Arenal and the one that goes in the direction of S’Aranjassa.

You can also buy some fresh, organic fruits and vegetables near Manacor. The products “Biel Oliver” belong to the agricultural cooperative “Es Vinyol”, located in the same road towards Felanitx. Just for you to find it easier, beside the petrol station there is the Camino de Son Fangos, at the kilometer 3, there is a sign that indicates the way to the cooperative.

In Capdepera it is worth to visit the bio country estate “Binefela”. Its cows belong to a special breed, which has horns. There are only 400 examples in the world. The production of fruits, vegetables and wheat is not just organic but also biodynamic. Home-made honey is particularly delicious. The country estate is located between Capdepera and Cala Ratjada, heading for Cala Mesquida, in the Camí de Cala Moltó.

Once in Petra, do not forget to visit the country estate “Sa Taulera”. You will enjoy the dairy products, vegetables and fruits organically grown.

After having some food and drink, we may thing at eating something sweet. In the cooperative “Camp Mallorquí”, in Consell, a healthy dessert is waiting for us: some dried fruits, such as Majorcan almonds and carob. In the past, carob was used to make syrup; nowadays, it is the most important ingredient for the famous liqueur “Palo”, which is a digestive. The cooperative is located at Avenida del Raiguer, 5, in the industrial estate of Consell.

Now, if you feel like having some good wine, we shall move to Santa María, to the winery “Jaume de Puntiró”, which is familiar to us because of our route Wines of Binissalem. This wine is made following the agricultural rules and, consequently, it is organic. One of its specialities is the Vi Dolç – Sweet Wine  –, which is a gold semi-sweet wine that ripens for 12 months in oak barrels, just to achieve its warm bouquet.

We cannot finish with this route without making a stop in Sóller. The country estate “Fet a Sóller” – made in Sóller – is known around the island by its variety of high-quality products: fig bread, honey, infusions, jams and dried tomatoes in olive oil. “Fet a Sóller” is located at Camí des Dragonar.

ENJOY YOUR MEAL!!!

Buying a property means making a very important decision.

The real estate agent Maredcasa S.L.(founded in 1995) will find the right property for the right buyer, taking into account the personal wishes and financial possibilities of their clients with regard to the local property market.

The way that they work makes the acquisition of a property a relaxing and enjoyable experience. Also, if something unexpected happens, Maredcasa will stay as your partner and advisor over the years.

Working with many specialized companies, Maredcasa will help you in all matters related to improvements -small and large alteration works- and enhancements -decoration and refurbishing- of the acquired property.

Maredcasa, the estate agent worthy of your trust

The country wine route – “Vins de la terra” is taking us to Andratx, Alaro and Inca today. These country wines are by no means to be classified as simple “table wines”. The fact that they do not receive a quality classification according to the certificate of origin “Denominació d’Origen”, because their stocks grow outside the two well known wine regions Binissalem and Pla i Llevant, do not at all imply them to be of a lesser standard.

You may test their quality for yourself at the vinyard Bodegues Santa Catarina in Andratx. Our recommendation are the 2002 White “Blanco” as well as the blush or rosé “Rosado”, and if you prefer red wine you should sample the fruity 2000 Merlot.

From Andratx we head to Alaro. The vines of the vinyard Castell Miquel are not yet being marketed in Mallorca, but are being exportet directly to Germany. You may taste the specially well rounded 2001 Castell Miquel red (tinto) and white (blanco).

Inca is home to one of the oldest vinyards in Mallorca, Son Bordils, with a reputation that reaches far beyond the island. Our special recommendation here is their white wine: the pure 2002 Chardonnay, a robust wine containing 13 percent alcohol. Furthermore the Muscadet of the same year, as well as the Mallorquin Blanc de Reim Blanc which is made from local Prensal grapes.

At the end of your tasting journey, you may be able to relate to what legend says: The real motives of King James 1st of Aragon for wanting to conquer Mallorca and take it out of the grip of  the Moors, was to own the Mallorcan vineyards.

His Royal Highness the Archduke of Austria, Luis Salvador of Hapsburg, sailed past the rock of Son Marroig with its characteristic 18 metre hole, and immediately fell in love with the area.

Three years later, he sailed between the two islands again and decided to make this his home. To the surprise of the locals, he bought this rocky, steep piece of land situated in the north-west coast of Mallorca and settled in Son Marroig. This was how the island showed sympathy towards another famous tourist.

The historians attributed the Archdukes predilection for Mallorca to his Mediterranean origin. His mother was the daughter of the king of Naples and Sicily, a region that had already belonged to the crown of Catalonia and Aragon which had ruled over Mallorca. A talented scientist, the archduke certainly had no trouble communicating with the locals as he could speak 14 languages; something really enviable.

Today, the property of Son Marroig still remains in private hands. However in 1924, a part of it was opened to the public. The father of the current proprietors inaugurated a museum in the archdukes honour., after he entrusted the property to them when he left it because of the outbreack of the First World War.

The museum has not altered since then. In three of the rooms, writings, paintings and photos of Ludwig and his friends, including Sissi, are on display. This is a really romantic place that led into the most turbulent speculations about the love-life of this intelligent and wealthy man. The story is told in the museum …it is a tragic love story.

Ludwig fell in love with a peasant girl, Catalina, the daughter of a humble farmer who could not read or write. However, after a short period of time, just like in My Fair Lady, she became fluent in German, Italian, French and Arabic. The tragic end of the romance arrived with her premature death from leprosy aged just 47.

Luis Salvador lived until he was 68 years old. On 12^th October, 1915 he died far away from the island because, as mentioned, the outbreak of the  Great War.

Today we thank him for his early contribution to defending the environment. For example he refused to concrete the track that led from the pier of his yacht.

In the north-Northwest of Mallorca land and sea come together in a big way, creating picturesque small coves framed by the rugged cliffs of the Serra de Tramuntana.

This dramatic landscape is in contrast to the great fruit plantations that extend across the triangle formed by Pollença, Cala SanVicente and Port Pollensa. But it is the sandy beaches that attract the majority of the tourists. The Bays of Pollensa and Alcudia are some of the busiest places in Mallorca for hungry visitors and for sun worshippers.

Due to length of its beach, the winds and water depth, the bay of Alcudia has become one of the most popular destinations for surfers around the world.

The Archduke Luis Salvador described the fishing village of Port Pollensa in detail in his work on the Balearic Islands published in 1897. he mentions the small road running  parallel to the sand leading to the Bay of Pollença, but does not speak of this wide beach because that was considered a useless piece of land of no interest 100 years ago.

General Franco ordered republican prisoners, mostly Basques, to construct a road from Cap Formentor to Cap Pinar across the entire bay of Pollença to the Peninsula Sa Victoria. The Spanish army still maintains a base in the Cap Pinar military zone that is restricted.

The most successful crime author ever, Agatha Christie, wrote enthusiastically about the Port of Pollença. In the first decades of the twentieth century there were only a few small family hotels and the first tourists were all British. The Port, as it was called by the Pollensina, has never ceased to be British, it continues to be a pull to well-off tourists and has little in common with the great centres of mass English tourism in the south, such as Magaluf and Palma Nova.

The Catalan artist Anglada Camarasa lived in Port de Pollença for many years, and he died there in 1959. He is considered the founder of the Pollensina School, a group of artists including the photographer Guillem Bestard. Camarasa made Mallorca famous far beyond its coastline. Many artists settled in the fishing village and in 1930 there were a number of 500 people registered in the town.

The Argentine artist Adam Diehl oversaw the building of the legendary Hotel Formentor, which still remains a luxury meeting place for international celebrities.

The Royal Yacht Club in the Port is a futuristic style building with Californian features. The natural harbour of Pollensas bay is relatively protected from strong waves.

Throughout the area of Boquer one road leads to Cala Boquer: a picturesque bay which is reached by passing between the Serra de Cavall Bernat and Coll de Mormorall, with a height of 353 metres.

The San Vicente valley is rich for many reasons, not only for its attraction to landscape painters. Next to the prehistoric caves there is a bridge that was built back in the time of the Roman occupation. Along the valley lies a fertile plain which is often quoted in the records as a region of high productivity. Even today there are properties which house a large number of chickens which are raised freely with tame pigs, sheep and goats, all a long way away from the mass rearing of high technology.

The valley creates a natural link between the open sea in the north and the bay of Pollensa, an exceptional area for hiking and a land rich in artefacts that are the subject of study for archaeolists.

Cala San Vicente has three sandy coves that open to the north, less protected from the onslaught from the north wind, the Tramuntana. The rock formation of the Serra de Cavall Bernat, with its peaks and undulating lines reminiscent of horse trails, which doesn’t offer any protection either. So the north wind sends its strong gusts, as the waves hit the rocks with a crash in seconds.

Pure nature: simply beautiful.

Alaro has always had plenty of water and possibly owes its origin to the source of Ses Artiques located on the old road to Orient, next to the district of the same name, which is one of the oldest in the region.

The first houses in the village were built at the foot of the mountain and so the district of Los Damunt came about. Its centre is an idyllic small square that bears the names of heroes Cabrit and Bassa.

The houses are built very close to each other, many of them directly on the mountain. In sharp contrast is the badly located, too big and old Guardia Civil building, which has been unoccupied for 2 years and is now severely run down.

The torrent or rain stream of the Marantxa separates Los Damunt and Los Davall, both neighbourhoods appear in records dating back in the fourteenth century. Also at that time they began building the church, one of the oldest on the island, dedicated to St. Bartolome. The religious year determines the use of the church and it is busiest during the celebration of Easter.

The history of this small town of about 4000 inhabitants is closely related to the history of its castle. The first documented quote about Alaro appears in the journal of King Jaume I, who wrote that: “on the way to Bunyola on the right hand side there is a castle located on the mountain named Alaro”, being the robust fortress of the kingdom of Mallorca.

700 years ago the battle to conquer this impregnable fortress was a fierce one. After the taking the kingdom of Mallorca by the conquerors from Aragon, the castle became a ruin and then in the eighteenth century a place of pilgrimage.

During the time of Francos dictatorship Alaro was a quiet town, in bars like Protectores and Casino the elderly men played card games whilst the women could be seen in the early hours carrying huge laundry baskets to the laundrette. They spent all morning chatting and exchanging news. What has changed their lives more: the washing machine or the many bars that have opened?

In the late seventies the first pub opened, the Machine. The tables were made out of unusable sewing machine parts.

In Alaro there are still antique shops, despite all the supermarkets, whose schedules are geared to the needs of customers. Ca’n Bou is one of those legendary shops where you can buy everything you need in a home from moth balls to fly swatters.

The area controlled by Alaros town hall covers a surface area of 50 squared km, managed by large fholdings. One of the richest is Ses Verger. Almost all of them have oil presses, to make olive oil. It is the almond and olive groves, and the carob and fig trees that determine the landscape of Alaro.

It has now been more than a century since archduke Luis Salvador directed his steps from Consell to Santa Eugenia. We followed his trail as we visit this small town in the Pla, the central plain of Mallorca.

If you want to capture the authentic charm of Mallorca, Santa Eugenia is the right place to do it, as it offers much more than just a picturesque panoramic view of the plain. The town is situated 22km from Palma and gives a name to a more oriental area of the island

The 1500 inhabitants are distributed between its four villages, how they all came to be Santa Eugenia is a long story.

During the Moorish occupation of Mallorca, the island was divided into 13 districts called farmsteads. After king Jaume I defeated the Arabs in 1229 he divided the territory between his nobles and followers, using the existent Arab farmsteads as borders. The centre of the island, Benizabari farmstead, was handed to Bernat the saint of Eugenia, who named the town after himself.

During the Muslims occupation of the island some farms already existed, after their departure the inhabitants relocated to the centre of the town where you can now find the church. In the year 1317 the construction of a chapel began. In view of the expansion of the town in the eighteenth century a larger church was built.

Santa Eugenia has become a popular place for those who value tranquillity, but also the proximity to Palma. One of the locals favourite places is the cave of the statue of the Virgen of Lourdes. The 100 step climb up to the caves is a great opportunity for penitence. Every February a mass is celebrated in the caves, in a sacred place where popular religion and natural witchcraft mix together.

In 1978 the Jewish community of Mallorca founded a Jewish cemetery on the outskirts of the town, the only one on the island. Its wrought iron front door has been engraved with Hebrew characters.

In the Cas Pinar wineries they still press the grapes in the traditional manner. In the terrain that is almost 21 square kilometres grow a mass of well maintained vines belonging to the wine region of Benissalem. The winemaker at Cas Pinar will gladly invite you to taste his wine.

We hope our little report has aroused your interest in visiting Santa Eugenia, a lovely little town…

Since the dawn of time, salt has been one of the essential ingredients of life. Its purest form is the “fleur de sel”, the star product of Bodega Llum de Sal. To enjoy the flavours and aromas of Mallorca, Llum de Sal offers their creations at the Bodega in Ses Salines. Here you will find a very different place where you can spend an unforgettable time enjoying the impressive selection of products of the delicatessen.

A few kilometers from Ses Salines, near its Plaza Mayor, you will find the Bodega Llum Sal of  Santanyí: A sophisticated and authentic atmosphere. Whether in the wine cellar, the gourmet room or on the terrace, in Bodega Llum de Sal you can enjoy a variety of delicacies and even take home some aromas with flavour of Mallorca.

Come and enjoy the atmosphere, and the company and the Llum de Sal.

Moving house involves the whole family.

The german removal company Otto Krosanke, founded in 1945 in Hamburg, is proud of having a professional and qualified team to make any removal easier.

Krosanke´s trucks leave their base in the industrial area Son Bugadellas in Santa Ponsa, to work in Mallorca, the Balearic Islands and even the whole Europe. Otto Krosanke offers you a complete and personalized service, including the possibility of keeping your furniture and belongings in its storage.

There is no need to involve the whole family any more, any removal – large or small – the team of Krosanke will handle everything.

Otto Krosanke, your shipping company here on the island.

The Cultural Centre Costa Nord opened its doors to the public in the year 2000 and the project has since then become Mallorca à la Hollywood as the one and only Michael Douglas leads us on a trip through the Serra de Tramuntana, Mallorcas very own Sierra or Mountain range.

The documentary is a production of the centre itself and with Michael Douglas as the presenter and his oft actual presence, Costa Nord  attracts as many Majorcans as tourists.

That said Costa Nord has more to offer than “just” Michael Douglas;

For example there are the “Noches Mediterraneas” The Mediterranean Nights, a series of concerts organized every year in the centre.

To see these concerts, to participate is a privelage, firstly because the centre only hosts artists of worldwide fame who most likely otherwise would not be performing in Mallorca and secondly there is but a small amount of seats in the amphitheatre! Therefore completing the fact that you are present at something very unique & special.

Enjoy artists such as the latin musicians Compay Segundo, the great American singer Art Garfunkel, Van Morrison and many more in an intimate family atmosphere, sitting beside Oscar nominated actors!

It’s an experience that even the Royal family escapes to on their annual holidays in Mallorca.

In 2004 Michael Douglas sold the cultural centre to the Mallorcan Government.   But nevertheless both Michael and his wife Catherine Zeta continue to attend concerts and to hold press conferences at Costa Nord in Valdemossa.

Everyone who has been to Mallorca knows this scene. Shortly before landing at Mallorca you are greeted by the different coloured wheels of many mills. These are the first impression of the island. If Don Quixote had been mallorquian he would surely have completely depleted his resources.

Mills of mallorca go back to the Christian conquest in 1229. In the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries they were at their peak with about 1,000 scattered throughout the island. Most were built in the nineteenth century to extract water. The oldest was built in 1845 and is in the plain of Sant Jordi.

The mills of the area around the airport, called the Pla, draw water to irrigate the fields every day. Particularly in this part of the island, which because of its fertility has been called the “pantry of Mallorca”, the mills sometimes work by the piece.

Not only are there water extraction mills around Palma, but also and especially in the area of Santanyi, Campos, Sa Pobla and Muro.

Another widespread type of mill, yet older in origin is the windmill which was formerly used for grinding grain. We find them particularly in the towns of Llucmajor, Felanitx, Manacor and Porreres, but also near Palma, Santanyi and Campos.

This mill not only produced flour, but was also used to grind salt.

The typical construction of a windmill consists in part of a tower a good 10 meters high. At the top there is a paddle wheel. The flour mill has fewer but larger blades, while the water mill has narrower blades attached to a ring which has a single large tail coming out from it.

The number of pallets and wheel size has varied over the centuries and characterize the type of mill. On the top floor of the tower mill wheels crushed the grain and on the ground floor or, rather, in a flat construction, lived the miller.

But there is a third type: the windmill without sails, called blood mill, in which the wheel moves by being driven by an animal, usually a donkey. This is the most widespread type of mill on the island, especially needed in areas where there isn’t enough wind or the water is not abundant. Its performance is somewhat lower, but thanks to the simplicity of its use it is popular for the making of olive oil.

Some time ago the mills began to decline and lose their significance for agriculture, however their value to cultural heritage and as witness the events of the history of Mallorca is incalculable.

Today we see them as something normal and we are glad to see their coloured blades move with the wind, although many are still in ruins without blades or falling towers. Fortunately, an initiative created by the Consell de Mallorca in 1993, strives for the conservation of the mills. It is working to restore them to their former glory, 3keep craft making alive and encourage valuable studies and reports published for the protection and conservation of this important symbol of the island.

The Sant Salvador sanctuary was built in 1348 by order of King Pedro IV of Aragon and in veneration of an unknonw statue of the virgin. In the 16th the hermitage became a place of pilgramage for the Marianism cult and, around the same time, a grammar school was built.

The monastery and its church constantly fell prey to attacks and plundering by pirates and had to be rebuilt several times. Thanks to more pilgrims viisting the site, lodgings were built in the 18^th century and in 1824, the hermits of the religious orders of Saint Peter and Saint Paul stayed here.

The most impressive part of the monastery is the entrance gate which is decorated with a reproduction of the Last Supper the origianl of which is at the Portal el Mirador – Viewpoint Portal – of the Cathedral of Palma. The baroque high altar of the church was made by the sculptor Pere Coronero, from Valencia. In one side chapel, there is a gothic altar from the 15^th century which has many figures representing scenes from the life of Christ..

Situated behind the Monastery of Lluc, the Hermitage of San Salvador is the second most important pilgrimage place on Mallorca and is a very popular tourist attraction as you can tell from the large quantity of buses that are parked there. The sale of souvenirs and small figures of the Virgin and saints is a profitable business for the monks.

The view from the Puig de San Salvador – hill of San Salvador – is impressive, There is the Sierra de Tramontana  – Tramontana mountain range – to the west, The City of Palma to the south Cabrera to the southeast and directly below the monastery, the central plain of Mallorca can be seen. Finally to the north, the ports of  Pollensa and Alcudia can be seen in the distance and the island of Formentor.

Thousands of years ago, the landscape of Mallorca was made up of a single forest of oak trees. There are no written records so nobody knows who lived on the island at that time.The only proof that there were living creatures on the island is the excavated remains of dwarf goats. At some point, the human inhabitants of the island began to build houses and pile up giant stones to make constructions that the archaeologists call talaiots.

It is unknown whether the inhabitants lived in them or if they were only places of an unknown cult. Perhaps they were large burial places for dead relatives. The history of talaiots cannot be deciphered through hieroglyphs, as it can with Egypt pyramids built around the same period.

History continued on its way, but the stones remained. It is impossible to imagine how such blocks of stone could be transported in a period when there were no axes, wheels or other tools. What great and small events happened around them during the many centuries when they remained silent and still? Did they witness the moment when an Arab princess kissed a Saracen prince? Did the pirates hide behind them when they were looking for the plunder in the nearby Artá? When we look at the talaiots we do not find any answers. They are mysterious places and everybody still has their own questions about them

Whoever visits Cala Llombards, Cala Santanyi and Cala Figuera, will feel is if they have been transported to the landscape of the fjords of Norway. There are no roads along the coastline and the stretches of beach are only accessible by going through Santanyi.

On the way to the rugged coastline you cannot miss the well-tended almond plantations where the trees are professionally pruned before flowering. The cut branches are burned directly in the field or are piled near the house where the farmer  will use them to light the fire in the fireplace.

The sheep help to keep the almond groves clean by eating the grass and leaving their manure.

This perfect almond grove maintains a healthy ecosystem. When the fruits are mature stems do not grow in the earth and harden, they can spread the nets and collect the nuts without hindrance.

The sea has been eroding the cliffs covered with shellfish and marine animals for millennia here. At the end of the track, you will find calm turquoise water for bathing in a small sandy cove.

Between Cala Santanyi and Cala Llombards is one of the main attractions of the coastal landscape of Mallorca, the rock of Es Pontas. The Archduke Luis Salvador described the three bays in detail with illustrations in the second volume of his book “The Balearics described by the word.”

He described the Torre Nova, located high in the tip of Cala Santanyi on Roca Fesa “Santanyi Tower was built in 1963. Circular stone, reinforced with sandstone the tower has a small door with high ledge and a large open tank of water at its base

Next to it, in between large prickly pear trees are and two small houses with iron gates. From the tower you can enjoy a beautiful view over Cap Cabrera Salinas and all that lie before our eyes. ”

Until the early twentieth century only fishermen lived in Santanyi, Cala Llombards and Cala Figueras, and they inhabited the coves during the warm months of the year.

Around 1920 some fisherman huts were built as shelter for fishermen but occasionally they were used by their families as a place to stay on vacation.

In the 60s building began on these shores and the visitors began to come, some of them were models and the area began to change.

The inhabitants of the small village of Es Llombarts lead a simple and frugal life in winter and enjoy the tranquillity of the absence of crowds of tourists. Great wealth has not reached them, but rather addressed Santanyi, so the inhabitants of Llombarts are still hanging tomatoes on large strings.

Santanyis small coves are particularly attractive sunny winter days. The Mallorcan writer Josep Pla wrote in 1950 in his book on the island: “In Santanyi begins a charming African landscape …”

When we speak about Mallorcan herbs, many people may undoubtedly think in the popular herbs liqueur. However, the fertile land of Mallorca opens a world of possibilities to those who are interested in them.

From beauty products to potions used to keep healthy or to therapeutical preparations. The natural products gain strength every day and a lot of people are interested in them.

The camomile, as well as relaxing infusions, may serve to treat the skin or for minor infections. Nowadays, the Aloe Vera cactus is the most used plant: from cleansing drinks to creams or prescriptions for the palate.

Mallorcan herbs, a world full of possibilities.

The view over the fields and plantations in the south of mallorca is extensive and awakens a sense of infinity. At one point the sea and horizon are united as one and if you sailed south you would end up in Algeria. This region is named for the warm wind Migjorn that often carries a reddish sand from the Sahara to Mallorca.

The name of the town of Santanyi dates back to a farmhouse from the time of Arab rule and was quoted for the first time in the archives in the thirteenth century. The Christian conquerors called the city Sancti Agnini, The Holy Lamb, but over the years the use of the Arabic name increased more and more.

The fertile plain of the Alqueria Blanca is also Arabic in origin. However, this area had been populated long before the locals built talaiots, or stone monuments and small stone cottages. This is where the story of Santanyi really began.

Besides agriculture an extensive trade in building stone developed. The Arabs built a famous palace with these stones which later became the Almudaina. The construction of Palmas cathedral took more than five centuries… a very long time…during which the master builders continually noted down the construction blocks that were supplied from the Santanyi area.

Also the Lonja in the dock of the old harbour in Palma came from the rocks of Migjorn. The stones in Santanyi are limestones, campact fine-grained sedimentary rocks caused by the cementation of mineral grains extracted from quarries. One of them is the gravel pit of Puig the Consolacio. Huge sides of hills that have been sculpted into the landscape by generations of stone-cutters look like a canyon created by man.

The structure of the surrounding city of Santanyi still appears clearly marked by the centuries that it was threatened by pirate attacks from the sea. At the peak of the danger, between the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries, the place was built as a real city, with mighty walls the remnants of which now only exist at the Porta Murada.

The town is situated just 70 metres above the sea level. Ground water was always too salty, so the drinking water was gathered on rooftops with channels that fed through to tanks. In the middle of town there is a large covered cistern called s’aljub, which has been painstakingly restored and is considered to be one of the most significant monuments of the town.

The centre of the city’s religious life is the parish church dedicated to St. Andrew. The oldest part of the church is the Chapel of Rose adorned with a shield with the year 1278, so it was built shortly after the conquest of James I. The imposing nave of the church resembles a fortress and was consecrated in 1811.

Not much has changed in Santanyi. The 7,000 inhabitants that live around here are known as santanyiers, and the municipality has attracted wealthy visitors from abroad. The council is among the largest in Mallorca, with an area of nearly 130 km2. Many young santanyiers have left their place of birth to find alternative work as agriculture is becoming less profitable and work as a stone-cutter too laborious. Maria del Mar Bonet even sings a song about those who leave their village.

On the Santanyi road to Alqueria Blanca, just before entering the town, you will find the Oratory of the Consolació. This chapel was built in the sixteenth century to protect against pirate attacks in the municipality of Santanyi in 1590.

It is a quiet place well worth a visit even only for its views, where it seems as if history has left no trace in the buildings or in the gardens. Here again we recognize the stonework surrounding the building. The tank, of great beauty, was carved from a single piece of stone. A fountain invites the thirsty traveller to rest.

The view from this point covers the entire west and south coast of Mallorca, only the residential areas of Porto Colom, Cala d’Or and Porto Petro disrupt the grand panorama. To the south, the island of Cabrera stands out on the horizon like a silver band.

Water searchers have been existing in the island of Mallorca for ages.

In many towns of the island, there are still water searchers, so this job is going to persist in the future.

Towns such as Sa Pobla, Santa Margalida or Maria de la Salut have some water searchers among their inhabitants. It is something that cannot be learnt or passed from generation to generation. Controlling the energies of the earth is a gift not available to everybody.

Through the study of the ground with a branch of a wild olive tree, a searcher will able to detect subterranean water streams. If the branch moves, there is water; if it moves a lot, there is still more water.

The elderly say that all the wells of the island have been found through this traditional job.

If somebody does not believe it, give it a try

During the 10^th century the conquerors of Mallorca discovered a new pleasure within the walls of the old city of Palma. The Arab baths made it possible to immerse the body into the waters in a relaxing way.

Nowadays, the irrigation of gardens and golf courses exhaust the water supply quickly without being a problem for our resources; but centuries ago, it was in a very different matter. The lack of rivers and the scarcity of rain in the Mediterranean made the supply of fresh water a precious issue.

When the Moors came to the island, they were captivated by the vegetation in the northern mountains. In the Arab baths they tried to reproduce the same scenario with bushes, trees, plants and flowers. Small but beautiful, they grew everywhere.

Water was one of the most precious commodities of the island however it did not prevent the newcomers from using it. In fact, the Arabs were the instigators of a sustainable development for both the country and the city. They brought with them irrigation systems for orange, lemon and peach trees and they are considered to be the creators of the lush fields of Raixa and Alfàbia, two of the gardens of the island.

The Moors called Palma Madina Mayurqa, and during the 10^th century the Arab occupation began to transform the city which had previously existed for so long. The walls shielded the private residences of Muslim nobles, who lived in the city, from prying eyes.

In the plaza where the baths are located, there are twelve columns that stand as proof of their own the age and history. It is strange to realise that this area was built from the recycling of former elements, such as capitals from other periods, of which the Arabs knew how to make use of them.

The baths were situated not far from the cathedral and were not only used to escape from the dirt of the dusty streets in the old quarter of the city, but also to get a bath of spiritual purity in an atmosphere of peace and calm.

Unfortunately, the Arab baths are only partially preserved and today there are no remains of the cold bath room. The warm bath room still exists with its double floor through which warm water and steam circulated.

The baths were also used as a meeting place for men and women, although they were segregated. Here they found some relax after a hard days work. We know that there were two types of baths: the calendarium was a type of steam bath, whereas the tepidarium was a bath with ice.

Walking through the corridors of the Arab baths is like getting immersed in another age, when water was a luxury and baths, a gift.

The history of Majorcan embroidery dates back to the Middle Ages. In the early Middle Age, it was used to make maps for decoration. When scholars or nobles wished to decorate their homes with something original and affective, they ordered a map manufactured with the traditional embroidery.

There was a time when Mallorca was a strategic point for the shipping routes that crossed the Mediterranean. Then the embroidered maps began to be put in ships because they lasted longer than others made from traditional parchment, and this led to an increase in trade.

Today, embroidery is used to decorate clothes, blankets and curtains.

No matter what your taste, or what you want to use it for, you will find some Majorcan embroidery to suit you.

The “llatra” is considered one of the craft jobs typical of this island. It consists of plaiting dry leaves from a type of local palm tree.

This tradition has survived thousands of years throughout the history of Mallorca and all the Majorcans have baskets made of this at home since ever. The art of plaiting, traditionally linked to women, has passed from generation to generation.

Baskets, bags and all products derived from the “llatra” have a high quality. Its toughness makes them resist a lot of weight, as well as the passing of time.

This leaf comes from a dwarf tree locally named “garballó”. It is a type of palm tree that has survived in the island. It is picked exclusively once in the year over the first two weeks of July. It can be found abundantly in the east coast of Mallorca and, above all, in the municipalities of Capdepera and Artà, where this tradition still survives.

The ocarina from Algaida is a wind instrument similar to a recorder. It is such because its shape is similar to the head of a goose, or oca, and the sound it makes is truly amazing.

The history of this special instrument began in 18^th century Italy, and it has been very popular since it arrived on Mallorca.

The ocarina is made with clay and its strange shape has not changed over the years. It is easy to use: you have to blow through a hole and, as with other wind instruments, you must put your fingers over more holes to change the pitch. The tones (C, D, E, F …) are made by the closing or opening of the other holes through the fingertips just like a with a flute, only easier.

Those who enjoy trying new musical skills should come to Mallorca, or rather, to Algaida, to discover this exotic instrument.

The small town of Artá has an oldy worldy character and radiates a confident civil pride. The medieval fortified wall, the noble feudal palaces with their coats of arms, the impressive parish church of the Transfiguration of Christ and the Santuario de San Salvador – Sanctuary of San Salvador – make up an impressive area, with lots and lots of steps.

The parish church was built in the middle of the 13th century, after the victory of King Jaime I, on the foundations of an Islamic mosque. It was destroyed and ransacked several times by pirate attacks and had to be rebuilt. The current church dates from the 16^th century and, through its coloured rose windows, the prism of light blends and illuminates the beautiful inside of the church. In the vaults of the ceiling, you can see baroque style naturalistic representations.

Directly behind the church there is a route of 180 stone steps constructed in 1831 and  flanked by cypress trees that leads to the sanctuary of San Salvador. This is an imposing fortress with its high walls and defence towers.

In the church, there is a valuable collection of paintings, including ones that depict the surrender of Mallorca by the moors emir to the King Jaime I and the martyrdom of Ramón Llull who was stoned to death in Algeria.

The view from the terrace of San Salvador is stunning, since it takes in the mountainous, rocky landscape of the Serra de Llevant in the east to the Serra de Tramontana – the Tramontana Mountains – in the west. Also to the east, beyond the Torre de Canaymel you can see the shining blue sea with its pine coast.

Pollensa invites to many things. The natural environment is marvellous, the city is full of passages to explore and art lovers can also amuse themselves. Apart from the Pollensa Museum, it is worth to visit the Martí Vicenç Museum – especially if you have not visited the factories of typical fabrics of Mallorca in Santa María.

Martí Vicenç Alemany was born in Pollensa in 1926 and he followed the steps of his family. His father, who was also a weaver, experimented with the fabric of llengües, a characteristic fabric of Mallorca that combines the white and blue or the green and red in a way as if these colours created tongue-shapes.

Around 1945, when the industry of Pollensa began to flourish after years of recession, he created the textile company Galeries Vicenç and developed a wide collection of textures with innovative ideas, although he kept the spirit of the llengües fabric.

Part of this craft production can be seen in the Martí Vicenç Museum, located at Ca’n Sionet, a building of the 17^th century that formerly was part of a monastery. Its location is also special because it is situated in the beginning of the Calvari – Calvary –, a steep slope with 365 steps.

In this museum house can be visited all the rooms. The first of them is the loom room, where the most common instruments for the manufacturing of textiles are exhibited. In the middle of this room, there is an old loom with a warp still assembled and a launcher prepared to be used. Another of the interesting pieces is the hemp cutter that was used to extract cane fibre; or the sharpeners, with which the sheep line was spun. Among all the llengües fabrics of the artist stands out the one that received an award in 1980, at the International Fair of Vanguard Craftsmanship of Barcelona.

The discovery of Aloe Vera goes back to the beginning of mankind. The first people to understand the effects and benefits of this plant were the ancient Chinese. Although in ancient Egyptian culture there are references to it as the plant of immortality.

Fortunately for us, this plant grows in warm places. Here, in Mallorca, it has grown in wild areas for ages. Known worldwide, nowadays it is in great demand in the field of beauty and medicine.

The aloe has some features that are very prized in the cosmetic world. It has a lot of benefits when applied to skin and can remove impurities, open pores, regenerate cells and prevent stretch marks. As for medicine, it is an excellent natural antiseptic; it relieves muscular pain, calms the nerves and has a great antibacterial action.

In short, Aloe Vera is a plant so perfect that it contains, according to what they say, magic in it.

Deià is a picturesque town located in the middle of the Sierra de Tramuntana – The Tramuntana mountain range. It is one of those awesome towns that will impress you greatly.

Its stone-made streets and Mediterranean, mountain views make it a privileged location for many people. This small mountain town has been the home of many artists, painters and writers in search of the quiet that those Majorcan towns offer. Robert Graves is a typical example, one of the 20^th century living-British writers, whose remains are buried in the island.

Apart from its mountain views to the sea, Cala Deià is a gorgeous little fishermen village.

Portic Mobles is a mallorquin company with more than 15 years of experience furnishing private residences with the highest quality and the best trademarks on the market.

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Fresh oranges – best olive oil – delicious almonds – precious wine
Intense taste – pure nature

Mallorca, fresh to your table
Simply ordering unter
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Or visiting one of the shops in Soller.

With the camera Teleweb visits the modern factory of the company Embutidos Abel, situated in the largest industrial area of the island, Poligono Son Castelló in Palma. In the building, approved by the EC, with new refrigeration and freezing installations and machinery, the team is welcomed by Dirk Abel, head of  manufacturing and production of the Corporation:

“Hello, my name is Dirk Abel, director of Embutidos Abel. The company Abel was founded by my father in 1970 and is manufacturing since then high quality German sausages. Today, my sister, my brother, me and even my son are working in the manufacturing, distribution, marketing and management of the Abel Corporation.

We deliver our products and German products in general all over the island to more than 200 clients – hotels, restaurants, cafes etc.”

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Sencelles is one of the villages located in the middle of the island of Mallorca. Far from the coast, it is one of the flattest towns, since it has no land over 160 metres by.

This village is considered to be a “town of towns”, as there are other population centres that belong to it. Such as Biniali and Ruberts or Jornets, which are hamlets with the charm of being slightly isolated.

In this village, the market is becoming more and more a huge tourist attraction. Here, local people and tourists take the opportunity to find fruits and vegetables of the best quality. Since it is never been any other way, the market takes place every week once a week on Wednesday at the town square.

Sencelles is, undoubtedly, a place worth seeing.

Vins Miguel Gelabert is a small vineyard with great wines. It has won more than 80 prizes, guaranteeing the aims and the reputation of this tiny bodega. A pioneer in the development of elaborate techniques of high-class wines, the vineyard works to recover almost extinct grapes. Today, 10 years after the first bottle of wine left Mallorca, more than 50% of its wine production is being exported.

- Vins Miquel Gelabert, in Manacor, Mallorca.

If there is a musical instrument that defines the sound of Majorcan culture it is the ximbomba, a traditional, rustic drum-like instrument.

The ximbombas are instruments that have livened up local gatherings and fiestas for a long time. It is said that this is a modest instrument because, even people who are poor have a pot, some leather and a cane to make a ximbomba.

The ximbombas are particularly used in January during the traditional fiestas of Sant Antoni.

Today, they are still traditionally hand-made and some of the people that manufacture them are able to make between one thousand and three thousand instruments a year.

The products are exhibited in fairs on the island such as in the Fira del Fang, or the annual clay fair Marratxí. Even supermarkets sell the craft work made by the potters

Llevant is located in the Northeast of the island of Mallorca and has a wonderful mixture of endless beaches and idyllic coves together with towns like Manacor, Capdepera, Son Servera and Sant Llorenç. The region is known for its variety on offer: many hotels are targeted to both families, sports enthusiasts and golfers.

We begin our journey in northern Capdepera, where we find a beautiful landscape, high quality Majorcan golf courses and a great view. From there we go to Sant Llorenc and Son Servera and a few miles away rises the fortress of Canyamel, which, according to some historians, was built during the period of Arab rule over the island.

Slightly further south is the family paradise Cala Millor, which belongs to the municipalities of Sant Llorenç and Son Servera it constitutes a commercial oasis for young adults and families.

One of the most beautiful parts of the region is the PA tower from the seventeenth century, from which you can see up to Porto Cristo on a clear day.

When talking about Llevant you can not avoid talking about the city of furniture, Manacor. A cultural symbol of this city is the Enagistes Tower, next to the imposing church in the centre of the town, which is a singular example of pre-seventeenth century elegant Mallorcan architecture.

The more we move towards the south, everything becomes calmer and more natural and there are more beaches and bays.

In short, the coast of Llevant shows its visitors a beautiful part of Mallorca, offering multiple ways for a relaxing stay.

Mallorca is an island bathed in sunlight, but this does not mean that the sea is warm enough to be bathed in 365 days a year. Only the most experienced swimmers dare to venture into the sea all year. So to go swimming all year round residents have at their disposal more than 10 indoor pools throughout the island. Teleweb Mallorca presents the one in Palma called Son Hugo.

Municipal pools in Son Hugo were completed by mid 1999 and opened to the public in September of that year. The pool is the newest and most modern of the municipal pools, and immediately began to be frequented by citizens, particularly in the afternoon.

The reason for its construction was the holding of the Universiade, the International student Olympiad, therefore the size of their pool was dictated for this purpose. Of the 4 existing pools, the 2 largest are the competition pools, one Outdoor one is 50 by 25 meters.

Furthermore, there is a children’s pool and a board for those who can or who want to dive. There are also facilities for people with special needs.The entire complex, including changing rooms, has a wide range of multiple uses, for example, international fashion shoots have been held here.

In Son Hugo you must wear bathing caps and slippers. It is get there by car, since there are no buses that go there directly and there are enough parking spaces.

Teleweb tested and recommend the pools. Well worth a visit as fun is guaranteed, and a visit to the cafeteria will finish off the day.

Pollensa looks at its most beautiful when it’s viewed from the top of the shrine of Our Lady of Puig. Therefore we begin with the view from this height of 300 meters above the town and its surroundings.

Pollensa citizens are rightly proud of their city. The peaks of the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains and their foothills leading down to Cap de Formentor, the fertile plains and the sea are all part of the scene that describes Pollensa. They are also proud of the fertility of their fields and the town has always led very productive agriculture.

The development of Pollensa is closely linked to the history of Alcudia. When Quintus Caecilius Metellus conquered the island for Rome in 121 BC he landed in Puerto de Alcudia and described a rich and flourishing colony which he called Pollentia. Although the capital of the area from the Roman era right up to the present day is Alcudia.

This is possibly the reason why there is little evidence of Roman rule in Pollensa, unlike in Alcudia. The Roman bridge of Sant Jordi Torrente was built in 500 AC, at a time when the Roman empire had almost become extinct. The Arabs conquered Pollentia and renamed it Al Kudia, “the hill.”

From 1400 onwards when pirate attacks from the sea became more and more unbearable, the Alcudia population left the city to take refuge in the mountains. In memory of the Roman Pollentia the new town was named Pollensa.

Today the town has a population of 15,000. Every year on the 2nd of August is the great battle between Moors and Christians which reminds the locals of the attack by pirates in 1550, which was successfully repelled by the citizens of Pollensa. The hero of the battle was Joan Mas, who beat the Ottoman corsair Dragut. The tomb of the victorious hero in this bloody battle for the town can be visited at the convent.

The Dominican convent is one of the most visited monuments in the town. In the cloister of the Convent de Sant Domènech there is a monument to Philip Newman, founder of the famous Pollensa Music Festival in 1962.

The small chapel of Roser Vell was the first church of the Dominicans, who built it in 1406 to commemorate the founding of the place.

But there are more churches in Pollensa. The original parish church is first cited in 1248 in the archives of Rome. In the eighteenth century the local Pollensina built the present parish of Nostra Senyora dels Angels. Montesión church was built by the Jesuits in the seventeenth century and was then desecrated after their expulsion from the island but restored in the late nineteenth through by an initiative of Miquel Costa i Llobera, a poet who lived from 1854 to 1922.

Pollensa is a charming little town, a successful blend of old and new found in the original traditional Mallorca and the middle class. There is even more to say about Pollensa, for example the school to which he belonged Pollensina Dionís Bennàssar or the Vicens Marti Museum. This town is a place in the Northwest of the island that is very rich in history and stories, which is a good reason to revisit it again and again.

Puerto Portals was born in 1932 on the table of an artist. The difference it has with natural ports is that it is not used for the loading and unloading of merchandise and therefore for that reason not considered a doorway to other continents, it is rather a gateway to another world: the world of the rich and beautiful, of splendor and pomp.

The yachts that lie at anchor here have above all one thing in common, they are expensive jewels that state that here in this famous place one can step onto the ladder of high society.

You do not have to be the King to eat in the port, though its possible to see one! King Juan Carlos and his family often visit here during the summer just like Claudia Schiffer or Antonio Banderas.

This place is very exclusive just like its visitors and ships berths are highly coveted. It’s quite likely that your boat neighbour could be famous…

The Restaurant Tristan is loaded with style for this social class and not only because it is an alternative to traditional Mallorcan restaurants but because it is the only restaurant on the island with two Michelin stars. Tristáns famous chef, Gerhard Schwaiger states that his favourite food is a native one, Weisswurst, white sausage, with mustard!  Nonetheless you will search in vain for basic homemade food like this on the menus of Tristán instead you may encounter elevated, exquisite variants à la Schwaiger in his Bistró.

“That is the neighbourly back door to Tristan. Many people were afraid of entering the restaurant as they thought they would not know how to comport themselves, so we built the bistro here on the corner where we could cook at another level with equally fresh products in a relaxed atmosphere where the guests can accustom themselves to the tastes and atmosphere of the place”

After drinking in the exquisiteness of the port you start to feel hot under the sun its also possible to take a swim in Portals.  The sandy beach of the same name is only two steps away. Whoever gets the perspiration when listing and connecting consuming of the exquisiteness, can take a bath also in postage of portal. The sandy beach is distant for only one cat-jump.  La Dolçe Vita is really here.

On the docks and on the boats things are not so casual. Here everybody that can, proudly show that they are at their leisure. Though the builders of the harbour work hard the place still seems to have the appearance of a Disney movie set, perfection wherever you look.

In a place of High Society there is no lack of quality boutiques.  Exclusive shopping is available at numerous stores.  The garments are designer wear and nothing is factory made.

While people prepare for the nightlife there is silence over the Port and it is now, with the falling dusk that Puerto  Portals shows its most beautiful face.

”Nomen est omen” is a name given to the boulevard Palma more commonly known as the Rambla. Translated is mean a gully where rainwater flows.

In actuality this road deserves (and has) a nicer name as officially it has been called the Via Roma since the Civil War.  It is no surprise then to find a Roman soldier greeting us at the beginning of the pedestrian street. The boulevard created from a  river bed soon became an avenue and as history went on an Easter fair, the Fira de Ram, began to be celebrated here.

The remnants of this period are the souvenir shops and flower stalls, where you can find fresh flowers arranged in bouquets depending, of course, on the time of year.

It is true to say that this avenue is quieter than the Borne but it is not really silent, except in the convent of Santa Teresa, where Carmelite nuns still live in utter silence and isolation even today.

Another oasis of tranquillity is the Cultural Centre of Mercy, which has a garden well away from the hubbub of the Rambla as it is at the top of the street. This is a place where you can always stop for breath.

Flowers, cars and pedestrians fill the Rambla, which exhibits a charming contradiction between a somewhat faded elegance and the authentic charm of a Mediterranean city. This avenue in the heart of Mallorcas capital city  is worth a stroll.

The Paseo Marítimo of Palma – the promenade – is one of the busiest places in the city of Palma.

From the religious spirit of La Seu, the only cathedral that reflects itself on the sea, to the nighttime festive atmosphere or the luxury yachts of the marina. You can find it all here.

The Paseo Marítimo has a long line of restaurants with outdoor cafés that you are can while facing the views of the marina.

The Port of Andratx is a tourist attraction in itself as here you will find VIPs, luxury cars and yachts that almost make you forget that the Puerto de Andratx is actually a port – in this video you can see some images of it …

If the town of Andratx is a fair size then its harbour is equally impressive and is one of the largest on the west coast of Mallorca. What do we find here? Many restaurants where you can eat fresh fish enjoying a gentle breeze, souvenirs shops, along with luxury accessories, beachwear shops with branded products, many big names and particularly in the summer months you will see familiar faces. The port is especially popular with many German tourists and residents. There are beautiful views, with In the mountains of La Mola behind the port, and since a recent building boom it has the second largest concentration of luxury homes of the island, just beaten by Son Vida.

The winter here is quieter than the summer, and you find traditional fishermen with their Llaüts taking the place of Luxury Yachts.

At least once during your stay on Mallorca should you visit the Port of Andratx. So you can say next time you see it on a television program on Mallorca “I was right there, that is the Puerto de Andratx!”

News (12.07.2011): The mallorcan summer is full of feasts and events. The Harbour of Andratx celebrates every 16th of July a boat Mass in honour of the Virgin Carmen, the patron saint of the fishermen – a colourfull popular feast for everyone..

Presumably many people think that the traditions of Majorca are a thing of the past. But you will be surprised to see how connected the people of Majorca still are to their culture and traditions, amongst other things to their traditional dances too. It doesn’t matter in which season you visit the Balearic Islands, you will definitely find a festival in which to participate, experience the traditions and have fun.

The oldest and most famous dance of Majorca is the so called „Ball de Bot“. It is a tranquil dance created by farmers, pleasant to watch and fun for old and young to dance with the typical music.

Llucmajor is not only a town situated 12 km from Palma (now easily reached by the Llucmajor-Palma highway). It has approximately 31,000 inhabitants and is a key part of the genuin Mallorca. We will show you a little parte of it in this feature…

A ride to the pass street of Sa Calobra may be a real challenge as well as an unforgettable experience. Right after passing the village of Escorca, one can see the abandoned Barracks of the Carrabinieri, standing lonely and forgotten in the middle of the landscape. Once, they had been built in order to control the smuggling traffic to the island. The entrance to the Torrent de Pareis, known as “entre foc”, is also located in the vicinity of Escorca.

The road to Sa Calobra starts right after the viaduct, built in the 19th century. The plans for the road have been designed by the engineer Antonio Pavetti in 1932. It may be interesting to know that it has been constructed without machinery, using only manpower. It overcomes a vertical interval of 800 metres and during its construction it was necessary to remove approximately 31000m³ of rock, which has been mainly used afterwards for the piling up of the road.

The journey is a really thrilling experience, because often one may not recognize where the road – slopes start and where they end. There are tracks which one may perceive as behind oneself, but which in fact are still to be driven over. One of the most spectacular tracks is the passage between two tapering rock walls. The final point of the ride is the, once unattainable, quiet and peaceful Cala Sa Calobra, where nowadays we can enjoy the services of a hotel and of several restaurants. From here, it is worth trying to trek up to the Torrent de Pareis.

(2.7.2011) The traditional concert in Torrent de Pareis takes this year place on Sunday July 3rd. The performances of the groups “Alta Mar” and “Diapaswing” start at 5.30pm. Enjoy it!

Es Baluard – the bastion –, is the reference museum of Palma. Situated in a unique tourist enclave, it gathers together an important contemporary art collection.

Baluard is the name of the building where it is located. The bastion of San Pere is a fortification built in the 17^th century on the ancient medieval wall. Today it is in good condition and it is located in a privileged place.

Since its foundation in 2004, it has held the works of artists such as Andy Warhol, Santiago Russiñol or the famous Spanish architect Calatrava; whereas in its permanent collection, there are artists of the stature of Miró or Anselm Kiefer.

If you decide to visit the museum in summer, do not forget to come over here on Fridays night to feel the festive athmosphere. Es Baluard also organizes live theatre, dance and music performances.

(01.07.2011):
Es Baluard presents from July 1 to September 25, 2011 the work ”Signatures” which Christian Boltanski has conceived specifically to be placed in the Es Baluard’s Aljub, the old subterranean watertank built in the 17th Century which was turned into one of the museum’s exhibition halls. “Signatures” ,  is focused on the memory of the people who built the Aljub and the bastion of Saint Peter, which lend the space to museum Es Baluard.

Sport unites people and the world and if you think of the Olympics, it is always fascinating just how many millions of people get excited just watching it. There are two types of spectators: one is the couch potato who channel-hops the world of sport with a remote control, the other is the one who prefers it live and goes to the events. Without doubt the atmosphere at a live sporting event is unique and today we will introduce you to the Son Moix stadium in Palma where Real Malorca play their matches.

The football stadium Son Moix, located in the La Vileta district, is not an ordinary stadium, but the biggest, newest and most multipurpose ground in the Balearics. For year national and international football matches have been played here, as well as athletic competitions. Formerly the stadium Luis Sitjar, it is comparable to the Hamburg stadium of Sankt Pauli, where you can sit almost right at the touchline and feel like stirring up a hornet’s nest. An atmosphere like this is difficult to create in a stadium of the size of Son Moix.

However, there are other advantages. At the Vía de Cintura motorway there is an exit that leads you directly to the stadium. Today, there is plenty of car park space and the entrance and exit are ideally regulated. The Son Moix stadium has a capacity for more than 23,000 spectators. The sanitation facilities are excellent and there is also a bar service available.

If Real Mallorca is playing, nothing can stop the fun.

José Ramón Bauzá Curriculum Vitae

Birthday: 16.11.1970.
Birthplace: Madrid, Spain.
Marital status: married.

Interview: Hanna Christensen

There is a beautiful legend about the caves of Portals Vells, also called “Caves of Mother of God”. It tells that around the middle of the 15th century, a Genoese sailor had been caught by a horrible hurricane near the Bay of Palma. The tempest tore the sail to pieces and the huge waves cracked the planks and masts of the ship. Seeing that their lives were in danger, the captain and his crew decided to make a vow, promising that if they were going to save their lives, they would build a place of honour for the statue of the Virgin from their ship, exactly at that place where they were going to be driven ashore.

Actually, the tempest ceased, and the ship was driven to the little natural harbour of Portals Vells, where the sailors discovered several caves. They decided to place in one of them the statue of their Madonna, carved an altar into the rock and decorated the walls with religious inscriptions and drawings.

At first the Virgin’s statue was worshiped only by sailors and fishermen, but later on the caves became a place of pilgrimage for the citizens of Calvia and the surrounding villages. During the 18th century, the Madonna statue had to be transferred to the church of Calvia, in order to protect it from the enormous boulder that had fallen from the ceiling of the cave. Nowadays, the statue can be admired in the church of Portals Vells. The Caves still preserve the inscriptions and paintings of those rescued fishermen as well as a wonderful view on the charming Bay of Portals Vells.

Dónde
C/ Sant Vicenc De Paul, 29
07010 – Palma de Mallorca
Tel. +34 971 203 957
Fax +34 971 292 905

www.proyectosjufer.es

PROYECTOS JUFER Y PROMOCIONES S.L.  is a construction company with a solid base of experience. They have been working on the island of Mallorca since 1985 with the sole aim of achieving the most satisfactory  results.

Jufer works with the best professionals the market has to offer. Whatever your project, Jufer guarantees quality and a particularly  professional approach, especially   where the environment is concerned.

With its own dedicated team of professionals  and collaborators, Jufer will see your project through to the end, leaving you free from worry. PROYECTOS JUFER Y PROMOCIONES S.L.,  a company committed to taking care of the smallest detail, from start to finish.

The  company has overseen many constructions  on the island, from the more ambitious projects to family houses, home refurbishment and repairs. This demonstrates their  passion for the job, big or small.

If you’re looking for taste, quality and reliability, look no further than  PROYECTOS JUFER Y PROMOCIONES S.L., your best choice on Mallorca.

The port of Sóller is a small natural port that over the last few years has become a large marina. It is one of the favourite places in the north coast of Mallorca for sailors as there are plenty of restaurants and shops.

Do not forget its small beach, where you can go for a swim.

The port is located five kilometres from the town of Sóller, you can get there by its famous local tram. It’s only a short journey but it will, without a doubt, leave you with memories that last a lifetime.

Sineu is located in the geographical centre of the island and ever since the Arab occupation, it has been the breadbasket of Mallorca. The Archduke Luis Salvador mentioned the market of Sineu in his books about the Balearic Islands published at the end of the 19^th century. At that time, the weekly market already took place on Wednesdays,

Of course, over the years, the market has changed. For example today grain is no longer weighed, but it is till still the meeting point for the farmers of the Pla, (or the plain) of Mallorca, who visit it to buy chicken or choose from the many rabbits on the stall.

Anyone who visits the church after going to the market will find it well-worth while.

At the market the local farmers offer fresh, ripe fruit which no supermarket can compete with: cherries, peaches, apples and, above all, the sweetest melons. The country women sell home-grown aromatic herbs: rosemary, lavender, and basil. The fresh fruit comes from their orchards, as well as beans, garlic bulbs and the ripest tomatoes.

If you arrive to the market at 9 o’clock in the morning, you will still be smelling the aroma of spices packed in small bags. The whole market is a pleasure to the senses. Potters have their clay pots on sale and next to them are the  basketmakers with their traditionally made typically Mallorcan baskets. Giant watermelons, excellent for quenching the thirst of the farmers and the local inhabitants of Sineu are even directly sold off the back of a truck…straight from the fields. The fresh melons and watermelons of Sineu market have been prized for generations.

The cathedral of Palma is called La Seu and it is considered the fourth most beautiful church in the world. The famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí said about La Seu that it was “the greatest and most perfect achievement of gothic style in terms of harmony, construction and mechanics”.

After his victory against the Muslims in 1229 King Jaume I wrote in his diary that his wish was to build a church in gratitude. The construction site was chosen as the place where the biggest mosque in the island had been built and the King ordered the placing of the first stone of the Christian cathedral in 1230.

The cathedral is totally built of sandstone blocks or ashlars. The choir in the east part was built first and then the north and west façades, where we can find the imposing Puerta de Almudaina – Almudaina Entranc, followed. Finally, the towers and the supporting pillars that face the sea were built. Here the Portal el Mirador – Viewpoint Portal, (which is currently closed) can be found. Standing at 15 meters high is one of the most beautiful testimonies of the Spanish civil architecture. The south part of the cathedral can be observed in all its magnificence from the Parc de la Mar – Park by the sea.

King Jaume I lived to see its dedication which was led by the second bishop of Palma and after the death of the Conqueror the building work continued, funded by the viceroys, the rich merchants and the wealthy bourgeoisie of Palma.

Nearly 400 years passed between the placing of the first stone and the last, on 29^th July 1578. There are archives in the cathedral commemorating the names of all the foremen. We don’t know how many workers helped to build it stone on stone or even their names, although they were certainly thousands and thousands who transported the ashlars with carts pulled by mules along rough tracks to Palma.

The ashlars were lifted to huge heights with pulleys and their joints were filled with plaster: the work was done without cranes or concrete, but only using wood frames and stones. The work on the cathedral took over ten generations, (based on an average life expectancy). The building of La Seu in Palma, like other churches of gothic style, was developed in such a long period of time that it is difficult for us to imagine.

Any observer that goes into the cathedral´s basilica and looks upwards may wonder how this work of art could have been constructed. The columns, almost 22 meters high and less than two meters wide, withstand the pointed arches that ornament the elevation of the ceiling. The inside of the temple is not only impressive due to its height, but also because of the play of light and shadows. The high sided naves were built in such a way that the entry of light to the central nave is not obstructed.

Gothic churches were not built for electric lighting. Amongst other things, their height was used to stand out prominently over the city buildings and the light of the sun could be captured through the large glass windows. The rosettes of the west and east sides of the cathedral are located one in front of the other in such a way that the sunlight shines through both of them at the same time in certain hours of the day, inundating the central nave with light of many colours.

In 1851 an earthquake destroyed several parts of the cathedral. Most of the renovation work was made in a neogothic style. The original strict and sublime character of the gothic cathedral was substituted more and more by a neogothic style that caused an artificial effect.

In 1902 the famous Catalan architect Antonio Gaudí arrived to Palma with the commission to restore the gothic style of the cathedral. The central nave was reserved for the faithful, following his advice, the baroque altar of the 18^th century was dismantled and the old gothic altar was cleared. But when the great artist began to make designs for a big canopy of seven sides the head of the church, the cathedral council, thought that he had gone too far. Gaudí was too creative for the conservative religious people because, in their opinion, he wanted to include too many elements from modernist art to the gothic cathedral. He had designed sumptuous lighting with electricity and stained glass windows. The seven-sided canopy ought to substitute the simple one that already existed, but only one of the sides could be finished. We can find a reminiscence of the original design by Antonio Gaudí in the lighting on the main altar. In 1914 the Catalan architect gave up the work at the cathedral of Palma. Perhaps it was because of the outstanding arguments that he decided not to accept more commissions and instead to devote himself exclusively to the Sagrada Familia in Barcelona.

The surface area of the cathedral is 6,600 constructed square meters, with a supposed capacity for 18,000 people, although there are only a few festive occasions when the church is really crowded. Then, when the visitors listen to the organ music, they can feel a bit of the attraction that constitutes the grandeur of the gothic style.

Each year the chant of the Sibil·la is sung on Christmas Eve, during the midnight mass in the Cathedral of Palma. The Sibil·la is one of the best known oracle characters of the classical antiquity and her announcement announces the arrival of the Last Judgment, for everyone.

Paguera – You can appreciate it at once since your first visit to Mallorca or after many years visiting the island. Souvenirs, shops for the residents, hotels, restaurants and much more. Everything at hand.

The Paseo Marítimo – the promenade – like the one from Magaluf – has made it a little more difficult to drive on the area, but also more attractive. The beaches of La Romana, Palmira and La Torá, which have convenient approaches every 100 metres from the Paseo Marítimo, are watchful from the first coffee to the sunset… and as if that was not enough, the Basilea mountain affords the tourist the opportunity to make numerous trips, especially during the low season when the heat does not spoil the fun. During the high season there are also a lot of shopping and leisure activities.

Distances:
Paguera – Palma de Mallorca: 24 km
Paguera – Puerto Adriano: 9.3 km
Paguera – Puerto Portals: 11 km
Paguera – Puerto Andratx: 9.1 km

Ses Salines is a small town in the southeast of Mallorca where there is a natural source of salt: a staple food in the Mediterranean diet.

Due to its purity and unique flavour, there are many cooks in Europe who use  the Flor de Sal (Salt Flower) of Ses Salines in their cooking. The extraction of the salt, which takes place every year in August, is still carried out using traditional methods passed down from generation to generation. Picking the salt is a common practice among the people of Ses Salines that is passed down from generation to generation.

The town of Ses Salines is known worldwide for its salt mine and many photographers use the extraordinary landscape for photo shoots.

The Flor de Sal is used in all the restaurants of the area that also act as agents.

You can taste the difference between a fish baked on a bed of ordinary salt and one cooked in Flor de Sal, likewise if you change your table salt for pa amb oli (a typical Majorcan dish that consists of bread with oil) you will notice the change in taste.

Don’t take our word for it, try it yourself and you will see what we mean.

When traveling through the Majorcan countryside you will see light coloured stone walls bordering many local roads. If you look closely at them you will discover their secret.

The stones used to construct these typical walls are selected from nearby plots or brought from local the quarries. The marger, – the quarryman -, places them one on top of the other. The shape of each stone determines the random way that it is placed so, the job is a kind of puzzle. The biggest stones are placed at the lower part and constitute the base for the external wall, whereas the centre is filled with smaller ones. The wall masterpiece is crowned with a prime particularly nice, big and round stone.

The real art consists of not using any mortar among the stone layers, which are based and held by each other. If a wall falls down or is damaged because of a traffic accident, the stones will scatter on the road. Then, its reconstruction is a difficult matter because wall builders are difficult to find and, unfortunately, more and more the tendency is to substitute the old stone walls by modern wire fences. However, this kind of wall is very common in the Majorcan landscape and, under the light of dusk, they are simply stunning…

Santa María is a town that can be reached from several roads. Those who come from Alaró across the almond groves will find the remains of the old Roman pavement.

The town hall belongs to the Mancomunidad Es Raiguer – the community of Es Raiguer – and is extended on a surface of around 38 square kilometres. The water reaches the valley through a torrent and it is thought that the first Arab settlements, as well as the farmhouse Camarossa arose here.

The property and country house of Son Torella was mentioned in the archives in the 14^th century. After the conquest of the King Jaume I and the fall of Palma in the hands of the Christians in 1229, there was a second battlefield: the great Arab armies followed the former Roman way towards the northeast in the direction of the Camí – the town of Santa María – to find shelter in the Castle of Alaró. However, they failed. Later, almost half of the island fell in the King hands without offering any resistance.

Today, around 1300 inhabitants called Santamariers live in this municipality, at 130 metres above sea level. During the week, the silence reigns; but this changes every Sunday when the market begins early in the morning.

In Santa María, two towers stand out; one of them belongs to the parish church. The current church was built in the 18^th century and is dedicated to Nuestra Señora del Camí – the local virgin. In the 16^th century, a monastery located on the outskirts of Palma was moved to a place between Palma and Alcudia. This was how the current monastery had its origin. Its inner cloister is opened to the public during the day.

The town of Santa María is known inside and outside the island by its textile production. Since the last three generations, the family Bujosa keeps working with linen. They manufacture fabrics of llengües, which are fabrics of cotton-linen and silk woven with a complex technique called picard, creating motives thanks to the coloration of the warp. The looms that remind to the beginning of the Industrial Revolution are handled by six workers, although this company continues to be a family company.

At dusk, the silhouette of the Serra de Tramuntana – the Tramuntana Mountain Range – can be seen from Santa María in a blue, clear colour. Between the plateaus of the Alaró Castle and Son Cadena, it stands out the depression of Tossals Verds. More at the north, it can be sighted the impressive hillock of Massanella.

One of the most spectacular excursions that can be made in the beautiful mountainous area of Mallorca is a visit to the castle of Alaró. It can only be reached on foot but during the 20 minute climb up the hill, you can enjoy, (on a bright day) a sensational view of the plain “Es Pla”, the bays of Palma and Alcúdia and the “Serra de Tramuntana” – the Tramuntana mountains –. This is one of the few points from which the whole island can be seen.

The remains of the ancient Castle of the Puig de Alaró (the hill of Alaró) date back to the Muslim age. For eight and a half years from 902, it was a shelter for the resistance against the Arab conquest. Everyone knows the legend of 1285, as well as the fierce resistance put up by Guillem Cabrit and Guillem Bassa, who were loyal to King Jaume II against King Alfonso II of Catalonia and Aragon. After the conquest of the castle they paid for this resistance with their lives, burnt at the stake

Furthermore, the fact that you can spend a romantic or an adventurous evening in this castle is sensational. Spend a night shut in among the walls of this old castle! For only €6 per person you will stay in a kind of cell room with several beds. There are double rooms, as well as rooms with 5, 6, 8 and 10 beds.
To enjoy this adventure you will only need a sleeping bag, sheets and a towel. It is better for you not to carry too much baggage because of the slope of the hill, as you will have to climb it on foot. You can park your car in the flat area of “Es Verger” or a little further at the restaurant. To reach it you have to go across the town of Alaró and then take the road in the direction of Orient until you arrive to the country state “Es Verger”.

Depending on the season, your sleeping bag should be a warm one, as there is no heating between the ancient walls of the castle the only a fireplace in the bar where you can get something to eat In spite of this, in the colder months of the year, you can enjoy absolute peace in a wonderful spot, especially during the week. The small chapel of the castle is also worth seeing.

Andratx is one of the biggest towns of the island, although nobody would say it when looking at the narrow streets of the historic town centre. Discover the little wonders of one of the most tourist towns of this area.

Santa Ponsa is remarkable for its contrasts. The large sand beach that dominates the tourist enclave, where we can find a bit of everything (bars and restaurants right beside where we can have lunch and dinner or collect lots of good memories) and up to three golf courses – Golf Santa Ponsa I, Golf Santa Ponsa II and Golf Santa Ponsa III – as well as a wonderful marina, luxury houses and apartments, shops, boutiques, offices and supermarkets.

During the winter, Santa Ponsa is a place only for its residents – foreigners and Majorcan people – that keeps its charm, like Paguera, located in the nearest bay. We can have the feeling of missing school or being offstage. Then comes March, the summer is here yet, and suddenly, we return to be some of the privileged who enjoy Santa Ponsa.

News on 19^th December, 2010: To 24^th December you can enjoy the typical Christmas street market that takes place on the exhibition site El Molino, in Calvià (Santa Ponsa.) A festive market where people meet to enjoy the Christmas spirit. This street market offers us all kinds of culinary delicacies, sweet and toys, as well as shows and attractions for children.

Cala d’Or is one of the tourist centres situated in the east coast of Mallorca. With its beaches located a few metres from shopping streets and hotels, it also has a luxury marina. In case you haven’t been there, come into Cala d’Or…

Basic Information:
Cala d’Or-Santanyí: 13.4 Km.
Cala d’Or-Portopetro: 4.3 Km.
Vall d’Or Golf-Cala d’Or: 7.0 Km.

Water-sport – there is nothing better!

The best of these is, of course, your own ship. One type of boat that has been proved for centuries in the Mediterranean Sea – is a “Llaut”! In this feature we´ll see how a typical Llaut is built.

Every boat is a work of art; from the hull and the cabin construction, all the way up to the interior, made by experienced and specialized carpenters, electricians and plumbers. A shower, toilet and wash basin provides self-sufficient sanitation. The owner’s cabin has a double bed, living-room furniture which can be converted into a double bed, cupboards and drawer cupboards – all highly skilled bespoke carpentry work.

When the work is finished, the brand new Llaut goes by low loader to the desired harbour – a big adventure! Not until then can it set sail. The Llaut a ship that closely connects Mallorquin tradition to today’s most modern technology.

At ten kilometres from the Port of Pollensa, we can find the viewpoint “Es Colomer”, which is an essential stop for all those who may visit the north of the island.

From here, the best pictures of the island can be taken. The viewpoint is frequented by tourists and visitors who are in search of spectacular views of  Cape Formentor. The truth is that you are not going to be disappointed. The beauty of the landscape will leave you speechless…

The region of Binissalem is one of the two wine-growing regions on Mallorca that can use a guarantee of origin on its labels, which (according to the state regulations) guarantees the quality.

Today, in total there are about 390 hectares of vine shoot being sown and  from the juice of these grapes 80% goes to red wine – tinto – and rosé wine – rosado – and only a 20% to white wine – blanco.

The red wine must contain at least 50% of Majorcan grape “Manto Negro“. For white wine the Majorcan grape is called “Moll/Prensal Blanc“. It is very common to combine Majorcan grape with the French one Cabernet Sauvignon. Thanks to the efforts of the vineyard workers, the Majorcan wine is known worldwide. Several times the “Consell Regulador“ – regulating board – has granted it an excellent qualification and the Majorcan wineries are focused on quality more and more each day.

We are going to start now with the wine route of Binissalem and its most important wineries.

At the exit for Santa Maria, heading to Consell, is the vineyard “Macià-Batle”. Since 2000 the national guide “Gourmet” has qualified the wine “Macià Batle Blanc de Blancs” as one of the best wines in Spain. With its 13 degrees, this wine extracted from the island’s vine shoot “Prensal Blanc/Moll” has a fruity bouquet.

Next we move from Santa Maria to Santa Eugenia. At the entrance to the town we find the vineyard “Viña Taujana”. Here we suggest the “Negro” – black – of 2001 or the “Moll”, a white classic wine. Do not forget also to taste the table wine that is served direct from the barrel.

We leave Santa Eugenia and move to Sencelles. In the rural way “Camí dels Horts” we visit the vineyard “Vins Ca Sa Padrina”. Here the “Manto Negro” is the only wine that is sold bottled.

“Ca’n Ramis” is another vineyard located in Sencelles, 50 meters from the church. The wine “Serral Ca’n Ramis” of 2001 is a strong wine that must be accompanied with some food. There is nothing better than tasting it in the restaurant located beside the cellar.

Between Sencelles and Binissalem, we can find the country estate “Son Roig”, property of the vintner “Antonio Nadal Ros”. Its wine “Tres Uvas” – three grapes – is made from casks of three wine stocks: “Manto Negro”, “Callet” and “Monastrell”, the typical wine of this region, through this we can appreciate the love that Don Antonio has for his grape “Manto Negro”.

We continue heading towards Binissalem, City of Wine, and once at the centre of the town we look for the street Ramon Llull, 2, where the vineyard “Vins Nadal” can be found. Here modern technology and the knowledge of hundreds, maybe thousands of years of wine-growing tradition come together. If we focus our attention on the red wine “Albaflor Crianza” of 2001, settled only for nine months, we can notice a well-balanced bouquet that invites us to continue tasting it. Similarly with the “Merlot 110,” which, apart from the grape “Manto Negro” also contains the French grape “Merlot”. It is reminiscent of forest fruits. In the old part of the vineyard it is interesting and worth a visit to the basement that was built with the typical Majorcan stone: sandstone.

At the Binissalem exit, heading to Consell, we find the most well-known representative of all the wines of Binissalem: the vineyard “José Luis Ferrer”. The reserves and aging of “Ferrer” are very good and well-known. The wines “Veritas” are classic and rich in bouquet, and in addition their cavas must be also be taken into account. Visiting this vineyard is an experience.

Finally we go into Consell to visit the vineyard of the Ribas´Sisters who are said to have the best wine stocks of Mallorca. The vineyard “Hereus de Ribas” is a typical Majorcan country estate from the 17^th century. The wines “Ribas” have been among the best of Spain for many years and the “Ribas de Cabrera”, delicate and ruby red, is the best wine of this vineyard.

If you have enjoyed visiting the vineyards of Binissalem that have a guarantee of origin with us, you will also enjoy the report about Wines of Pla i Llevant and Wines of the Land.

Situated in the northeast of Mallorca, Canyamel Golf course distinguishes among others by its great beauty. Designed by José Gancedo, who has respected to the maximum the natural topography of the east coast of the island, this course has 18 holes that players of all levels will enjoy.

Basic Information:
Canyamel Golf-Capdepera: 5.8 Km.
Canyamel Golf-Capdepera Golf: 7.1 Km.
Artà-Canyamel Golf: 9.2 Km.
Canyamel Golf-Cala Agulla: 9.3 Km.
Canyamel Golf-Cala Millor: 13.9 Km.
Manacor-Canyamel Golf: 26.2 Km.

A few kilometres from the town of Santanyí we can find Portopetro, a small place with a port and a restaurant area, which is remarkable for its sea cuisine. With some tourist development around it, here you can still breathe the real atmosphere from the island. Check it yourselves!

Basic Information:
Portopetro-Santanyí: 10.2 Km.
Portopetro-Vall d’Or Golf: 12.3 Km.
Portopetro-Campos: 22 Km.

A few kilometres from the tourist centre of Cala Ratjada we can find one of the beaches with a Blue Flag guarantee, thin sand and crystal-clear water for most of the year. With hardly any buildings around, it is surrounded by a magnificent pine grove. Enjoy yourselves…

Basic Information:
Cala Agulla-Cala Ratjada: 1.5 Km.
Cala Agulla-Capdepera: 3.4 Km.
Cala Agulla-Capdepera Golf: 7.1 Km.

Situated in the centre of the Pla de Mallorca – Plain of Mallorca –, the town Maria de la Salut offers its visitors the possibility of getting lost in its streets and still enjoying the charm of its people: the Mariers or Marieres.

Basic Information:
Weekly market: Fridays
“Baratillo des Pla” (Flea Market):  Last friday of september
Night fair of artesanal trade: Every friday of August
Maria de la Salut-Sineu: 7.1 Km.
Maria de la Salut-Inca: 19 Km.
Maria de la Salut-Santa Margalida: 5.4 Km.

The popular dish “Pa amb oli”, (pronounced plm bowly), just like ensaïmada or paella, is known as a national delicacy.

Literally translated “Pa amb oli” means “bread with oil”, it’s as simple as that. Quick and easy to prepare, it is a humble combination of brown bread, scrubbed tomato, oil and salt. It may be simple to make, but that does not mean it has a simple taste.

There are variations on the basic Pa amb Oli such as adding garlic and fennel or leaving out the tomato. These varieties depend much on the area where the pa amb oli is made or on the particular tradition of each family. Pa amb Oli can be combined with salted or Iberian ham or with cheese and of course, you can eat it unadorned, just as it is, for lunch or for dinner.

Pa amb oli has become a sort of cultural tradition among the Majorcans. It is frequent to meet to prepare pa amb oli rather than having a coffee.

This simple meal can be found round every corner in Mallorca and in some restaurants it is served with olives as a starter.

And of course: enjoying pa amb oli in a Mallorcan beach is a dream come true.

The history of Majorcan shoes began back in the Middle Ages, when the shoe industry was one of the activities that drove the economy of Palma. It was in then that the Balearic Islands became known as the “shoe islands”.

Apart from the Majorcan people wearing them, the shoes made here were also exported to other countries.

The First World War caused a rise in the shoe industry and Mallorca, one of the main locations for their production, enjoyed a boom in this sector. In 1930, the shoe trade was founded in Inca.

In both good and bad times, Mallorca continues to be linked to the leather industry. Through trade with the rest of Europe and international commerce Mallorcan shoes are established as a reference in innovation, creativity and design.

There are also traditional shoes: sandals made of material with a rubber called Avarca. These are so comfortable and special that everybody in Mallorca has, at least one pair of them in the wardrobe. The headquarters of the shoe industry is in Inca. Here can be found the most prestigious, longest-standing shoemakers on the Island.

In fact there are so many different kinds of shows made on Mallorca – why not come and try some on for size?

Fornalutx has the magic of a small mountain village and the charm of well-preserved antiquity. It has a reputation for being one of the architectural relics of the Majorcan people and it has won several awards.

The village is situated in a valley that goes as far as the nearby village of Sóller, the reason for its impressive views.
One of the peculiarities of this village are its painted tiles. This was a tradition that began in the 17th century on Mallorca and it is in Fornalutx where this kind of art was most popular.

More than a thousand years ago, Fornalutx was Islamic farmland. Nowadays, it resists the passing of the years in the best possible way. Its inhabitants are conscious to take care of the paved streets and the flight of limestone steps. If you walk along its streets you will see carefully decorated front doors and cultivated plants that make this village a little treasure in the middle of the Sierra de Tramuntana – the Tramuntana mountain range.

Apart from the luxurious yachts that can be found in the port, in Portals there are also beaches with crystal-clear waters. In this report we show you some pictures taken first thing in the morning that prove that the early risers are those who know how to enjoy the turquoise waters.

Jewellery, typical sausages, fresh vegetables, fruit, clothes, music and candy crafts. You can find it all at the market of Santanyí, a small town in the south of Mallorca. Come in, have a look, take a walk… and buy something!

Santanyí market takes place every Wednesday and Saturday.

The beach of Camp de Mar stands out, undoubtedly, by its small island, with a restaurant included, that can be found in front of the beach. Original and unique in the island, it is the target point for many nautical tourist trips and a place where thousands of tourists who come to this town every year can relax.

Pula Golf Course, near from Son Servera, situated in the Costa de Levante – the east coast of Mallorca, has changed a lot since it was opened in 1996. Nowadays, it has 18 holes that were completely redesigned in 2001. It stands out by the archaeological remains of the talaiotic age, in which there were megalithic monuments that currently are in perfect condition.

The president, Romeo Sala Massanet, wishes that the name of Pula appears among the most important courses of the national scene. That is why he has organized several tournaments with various personalities such as Franz Beckenbauer and his solidarity tournament, as well as Claudia Schiffer (Pula Golf Mallorca Claudia Schiffer, 1999) and Johan Cruyff (Johan Cruyff Welfare Foundation, 1996), among others.

The great golf players know very well Pula Golf: José Mª Olazábal, Bernhard Langer, Marc Mc Nulty, C. Suneson, among many others who are regular guests of Pula Golf.

Through our review, we can take a look at the atmosphere that surrounds this course

Vall d’Or is a 71 par course that has 18 holes along 5539 metres. Combining two different landscapes, players will enjoy practicing golf at the time as they breathe Mediterranean air.

Designed by the famous architect Dan Maples, Capdepera Golf is a 72 par course with 18 holes that will delight players of all levels. This course stands out among others because of the peace and quiet that surrounds the exceptional environment where it is located.

Golf Park Puntiró is a 71 par course with 18 holes, extended to a property of 66 hectares (163 acres). Designed by the prestigious company Nicklaus Design, its adaptation to the natural environment of the island stands out, without changing the terrain.

Son Quint Arabella Golf Mallorca is the third of the golf courses that belongs to the group Arabella Golf & Spa Resort. This course, designed by Ramón Espinosa, has 18 holes extended over more than 6200 metres of the Majorcan green landscape. It stands out among other golf courses because of its special location that makes possible for players to enjoy incredible views over the bay of Palma.

The Real Cartuja, Chopin and the Costa Nord of Michael Douglas are not the only things that attract thousands of visitors to this wonderful town, also the famous “coca de patata”, potato cake, the locals and the atmosphere of it’s pedestrian zones are a part of the experience…

Here you´ll find markets every Sunday on Mallorca: Alcúdia, Consell, Felanitx, Inca, Llucmajor, Muro, Sa Pobla, Industrial zone of  Marratxí, Pollença, Porto Cristo, Santa Maria del Camí, Valldemossa.

Polígono Son Bugadellas (Santa Ponsa), Alaró, s’Arenal, Artà, Bunyola, Sa Cabaneta, Cala Millor, Cala Rajada, Campos, Costitx, Llombards, Esporles, Lloseta, Manacor, Portocolom, Sa Ràpita, Sta. Eugènia, Sta. Margalida, Santanyí, Sineu, Sóller, Palma  (Avenidas), Plaza del Bisbe Berenguer, Son Ferriol.

And also: Olivar Market, Santa Catalina Market and Pere Garau Market in Palma de Mallorca, Manacor Market until 02:00 pm.

Algaida, Arenal, Binissalem, Can Picafort, Inca, Llucmajor, Maria de la Salut, Es Pont d’Inca, Son Carrió, Son Ferrer, Son Servera, Rafal Nou, Sa Vileta.

And also: Olivar Market, Santa Catalina Market and Pere Garau Market in Palma de Mallorca, Manacor Market until 02:00 pm.

Every Thursday on Majorca you´ll find following markets during the morning hours: Arenal, Ariany, Calonge, Campos, Consell, Inca, Pòrtol, Ses Salines, Sant Joan, Sant Llorenç des Cardassar, Sa Torre, Can Pastilla.

And also: Olivar Market, Santa Catalina Market and Pere Garau Market in Palma de Mallorca, Manacor Market until 02:00 pm.

Andratx, S’Arenal, Bunyola, Sa Cabana, Capdepera, Cas Concos, Llucmajor, Petra, Port de Pollença, Santanyí, Sa Ràpita, Selva, Sencelles, Sineu, Vilafranca de Bonany, Arenal, Coll d’en Rabassa, Son Roca.

And also: Olivar Market, Santa Catalina Market and Pere Garau Market in Palma de Mallorca,  Manacor Market until 02:00 pm.

Alcúdia, s’Alqueria Blanca, s’Arenal, Artà, Campanet, Llubí, Moscari, Pla de na Tesa, Pina, Porreres, Portocolom, Santa Margalida, Can Pastilla.

And also: Olivar Market, Santa Catalina Market and Pere Garau Market in Palma de Mallorca, Manacor Market until 02:00 pm.

Biniamar, Caimari, Calvià, Lloret de Vistalegre, Manacor, Mancor de la Vall, Montuïri.

And also: Olivar Market, Santa Catalina Market and Pere Garau Market in Palma de Mallorca, Manacor Market until 02 :00 pm.

Andratx, Arenal, Bunyola, Sa Cabana, Capdepera, Cas Concos, Llucmajor, Petra, Port de Pollença, Santanyí, Sa Ràpita, Selva, Sencelles, Sineu, Vilafranca de Bonany, Arenal, Coll d’en Rabassa, Son Roca.

In Great Britain was Susan Boyle and in Germany was Freddy Scholl, known as Galileo, who won the very-well known german “Got Talent 2010″. In this video Galileo sings for us his famous “Carpe Diem” with his two voices in a matchless scenario: The Bellver Castle in Palma de Mallorca.

Sóller is an attractive and beguiling town in the northwest of Mallorca. Situated 3 km from the coast and it’s own port, it sits in a bowl shaped valley lush with olive trees and orange groves for which it is famous!

The valley and the mountains that surround it, the Serra de Tramuntana are a popular destination for those that enjoy sport anhd particularly when combined with natural surroundings.  It also suits those that simply wish to chill and relax in the silence that the 13,000 residents of Sóller enjoy everyday.

There is the famous wooden electric train that connects Palma centre with Sóller which dates from 1912 and which today is preserved in its original state and condition.

A walk through the town of Sóller is a fascinating experience.  There are houses which originated in the 14^th century and numerous old buildings that have been wonderfully reformed.  Especially outstanding is the parish church of San Bartolomé on the Plaza de la Constitucion. Also impressive is the bank of Ca’n Prunera on Carrer de sa Lluna and many of the buildings on the Gran Vía are worthy of note.

Simply violin and simply guitar play simply together – simply music. This is the way that Farfarello official website  describes the music that they play… More than simple it’s extraordinary, like you can see and listen to in our video.

“Weite Felder”/ “Extensos campos”: Mani Neumann – violin, Ulli Brand – guitar. ¡Thank you!