Magical Mallorca!

 Mallorca, (Majorca) a Balearic island of Spain. April 26, 2023

Port time 3 PM till 10 PM. We were able to sleep in and have a leisurely morning and lunch on the cruise ship.

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Have you heard of the Balearic Islands of Spain?

They are an archipelago of main 5 islands and an autonomous region of Spain, located in the Western Mediterranean.

Mallorca, the largest Balearic island, is famous for its breathtaking coastline, luxurious resorts, man-made Mallorca pearls, imposing gothic cathedral, palatial medieval structures, Roman and Moorish remains, lively nightlife, and high-end shopping.

Today’s Tour will include visits to Palma de Mallorca and cities outside of the capital such as Soller and  Valldemossa —3 PM until 8 PM.

Here is a brief tour description:

Discover Mallorca's wealth of treasures that is a must-see for every visit to the island, and which will take your breath away. You will have designated stops at: • Bellver Castle • La Escollera & Cathedral • Valldemossa • Na Foradada/Son Marroig • Port De Soller.

I hung out with Norey, Toni, Yolanda, and Eric from the solo travelers gatherings.

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Mallorca is the largest of the Spanish Balearic Islands In the Mediterranean and is located just off the east coast of Spain. The island is approximately 50 miles wide and 60 miles long and boasts over 250 miles of coastline, marked by a series via of small caves and beautiful beaches. 

Like the other Balearic Islands of Menorca, Ibiza, and Formentera, the island is an extremely popular holiday destination, particularly for tourists from the Netherlands, Germany and the United Kingdom. 

80% of the economy is attributable to tourism. As a result, they suffered devastating financial losses during the COVID pandemic. 

The island has been the home of some famous people including;

George Sand and Frederick Chopin, Archduke Luis Salvador of Austria and more recently, Michael Douglas.

Today, along with the active tourism trade and the port activity, agriculture Is the principal occupation and is based mainly on the cultivation of olive trees, carob trees and almonds. Although some of the beaches have become residential complexes, Mallorca still has several quiet spots waiting to be discovered.

You might know that Mallorca is famous for its stunning man-made Majorca pearls.

Palma de Mallorca is the capital city of the autonomous Balearic Islands and nearly two thirds of the total population live in Palma. This number is increases significantly in the spring and summer by tourists and cruise ship passengers as the Island is a favorite European resort.

The city lies on the bay and those lucky enough to arrive by water will enjoy an impressive first view with the white circular battlements of Bellver Castle sitting on a raised hill, over-looking the bay and the famed gothic cathedral standing out against the horizon with the ancient Almudaina Palace beneath.

The old quarter of the city is full of palatial medieval structures dating from the 17th century. One of the most interesting areas to visit for both history and architecture is the Pottelle Quarter situated directly behind the cathedral. Modern Palma also offers everything you are likely to want, from big city shopping to sightseeing and amusements.

Modern Palma also offers everything you are likely to want, from big city shopping to sightseeing and amusements.

Cathedral

The CATHEDRAL is the main religious building of the island of Mallorca and is known as La Seu. It consists of a Gothic-Levantine stucture constructed on the banks of the Bay of Palma, overlooking the sea above the Arabic walls that protected the city. In 1931 the Cathedral was declared a Historic-Artistic Monument. It has the largest rosette from the Gothic world and one of the tallest naves among those of the European Gothic style.

Over the main altar (consecrated in 1346) is the almost surrealistic bal-doquí by Antoni Gaudi: an enormous canopy, lamps suspended from it like elements of a mobile, rising to a Crucifixion scene at the top.

This is Gaudi's most remarkable contribution to the remodeling of he Royal Chapel- a project he worked on for six years and completed in 1912. To the right of it, in the Chapel of the Santísima, is an qually remarkable work by the modern sculptor Miquel Barceló: a I painted

Painted ceramic tableau that covers the walls of the chapel like a skin.

Inveiled in 2007, the tableau is based on the New Testament account the miracle of the loaves and fishes.

What a spectacular day!!!