Almost a week in Majorca
I don’t think I’ve been this long without posting, or traveling, in recent years. Here I come with a vengeance: almost a week in Majorca!
My wife and I are going to start a new Tourism Industry venture, which required research, so we had to take a mask-on, social-distanced trip to Majorca September 2-6.
It was absolutely gorgeous, wonderful… with the added bonus of very few tourists, in high season, so we got to swim at the best beaches, dine at great restaurants, and all without crowds or waiting lines.
On Wednesday, September 2nd, my wife, my daughter and I flew Valencia-Palma, rented a VW Golf, and drove to our hotel, the spectacular (and amazingly located) Hospes Maricel. We checked in, dropped our stuff in the room, changed, and went straight to the Sa Caleta del Portal Vells beach. For dinner we went to La Parada del Mar, a restaurant with an interesting concept: chose your fish from the market stall at the entrance, and they prepare it for you.
The next day we went to Marina Port, where we inspected a yacht and also saw the Louise Michel (the boat that Banksy bought to rescue refugees - thank you!). From there we went to Santa Ponça to meet the CEO of a company that produces luxury solar-powered catamarans. He invited us to cruise with him and his crew, and prepared a delicious lunch. It was absolutely exhilarating to cruise without vibration, smell, noise, or pollution. I totally fell in love with the experience, and now I am determined to live in one of those, cruising around the world.
After meeting another charter vendor, we went to have dinner at L’Ambigú, a nice little restaurant in the old town.
On Friday we met another yacht charter vendor at Club de Mar, inspected another yacht, and then drove near Pollensa to the amazing Son Brull Hotel & Spa for an inspection and a delicious lunch. After that we drove across the Tramuntana National Park to Cala Formentor / Cala Pi de la Posada. So amazingly transparent, and beautiful with white poweder sand and the hill in the background! Later on, for a change in beach style, we drove to the very large Alcudia Beach.
On Saturday we went to the very secluded and beautiful Cala Torta, where you have to leave your car far away and take a little hike before reaching the beach. Then we went to have lunch at El Rincon del Patio (very decent if extremely old fashioned and traditional food) and to visit Cala Agulla. But instead of staying, we decided to drive to the next beach in our list: Cala Mondragó. Just the walk in and out of the beach is completely worth the drive. So beautiful!
For dinner we drove to Calviá, to Fernando Arellano’s (two Michelin Stars) Restaurante Baiben, in the Marina of Puerto Portals. A fancy dinner to remember.
On Sunday, before checkout, we did a little paddle boarding in the hotel’s cala, then drove to Puerto Sóller, where we had an amazing seafood paella (a legit good one) at Las Olas. From there we drove to the airport and a very short flight later took us back to Valencia.
Give me work trips like this any time! It makes me want to change careers…
