Replies

  • Gina Vasquez July 28, 2011 at 1:04pm

    Ha! That's funny. Actually most of the crims here are island grown and they all seem to like politics (couldn't imagine why).

    G!

  • Melanie Ball July 28, 2011 at 3:31am

    That's brilliant Gina,

    Lots for me to work with.  Will follow up with interest.

    So excited about seeing the island, given that most Australians know it only as a refuge for renegade businessmen and crims escaping the law!

    Thanks and cheers,

    Melanie

  • Gina Vasquez July 27, 2011 at 11:45am

    Hi Melanie,

    A lot of friends recommend Record. They seem to have good prices but expect a long line at

    pick up in the airport. What are your plans while you're here? Maybe I can give you some leads.

     

    Gina

    http://mallorcagolfandgo.com

    • Melanie Ball > Gina Vasquez July 27, 2011 at 12:37pm

      Thanks Gina, will look into Record.

      My partners mother and stepfather lived their for 20 years and he has easily convinced me that there's a great article or three to be written about the island, away from the British and German encampments.  We are concentrating on the northwest - Andratx, Estellencs, Valdemossa, La Granya, LLuc monastery, and ending in Palma.  Want to do some walking, ruins, villages, history - and eating of course.

      We are not golfers!

      But any suggestions received with thanks.

    • Gina Vasquez > Melanie Ball July 27, 2011 at 1:31pm

       

      Hi again.

      When are you visiting? Valdemossa is beautiful but a tourist trap so is La Granja but they are great visits for first time visitors and obligated visits when relatives and friends are visiting.

      You will be travelling through the Tramuntana Mountains which is great. Just chosen as a World Heritage site by UNESCO. Would highly suggest that you visit Deya (Deia), a small mountain village 15 minutes (going up) from Valldemossa. It's probably the smallest village on the island with the highest concentration of great restaurants.

      There is a wonderful house there where the British poet (author of I Claudius) Robert Graves lived with his family for 30-odd years. The interior hasn't changed since the 1940's. It's as if he just walked down to the village to pick-up his mail. He is buried in the village cemetary.

      http://www.lacasaderobertgraves.com/index_eng.php

      Also visit the Hotel La Residencia. At the moment they are organizing a new cultural offer, a Sculpture Garden. The 1st half of the 1st phase will be inaugurated on Oct. 4. The actual sculptor in residence is curating it. Sculptures for installation are arriving in the coming weeks. This is a new offer that needs some reporting on. The sculptors are all of the highest quality and will inc. some of Spain's most international such as Chillida and Oteiza and some of the Balearics top sculptors such as Joan Costa. The curator is available for visits. His email is juan@juawaelder.com in case you want to set up a time to visit or best louise.davis@laresidencia.com since Juan does not always have internet access when he is up there working. http://www.hotel-laresidencia.com/web/olar/sculptor_in_residence.jsp

       

      Soller is another place you can't miss. It continues through the mountains from Deya or you can take the old train from Palma. http://www.trendesoller.com/en/cms.php

      Soller is one of the most beautiful places. It is nestled in the Soller valley. Since the Tramuntana cut it off from the rest of the island, historically it was easier to trade with the south of France than with Palma so they have a lot of French tradition. Several Modernist buildings seen from the plaza. Also visit Can Prunera, the recently restored Modernist house turned into a museum. Famous for the oranges and lemons (the best in Spain). Sadly they never found a real market for them so who knows for how long we'll be able to enjoy them. Try the orange ice cream. Take the tram to the port of Soller which has a 1950's feel but that may disappear quickly since they are doing a lot of building etc. at the moment.

       

      Mallorca was an agricultural based economy. The traditional Mallorcan food is very different from what one would find in a tapa bar. Tapas are an item that has been imported and are native to Andalucia, Madrid, Basque country.The best tapas are found in Aquiara. The Basque chef is Koldo Royo. He had a Michelin star for 18 years until the crisis forced him to down-size. On Tuesday nights you can't miss the tapa route, the Ruta Martiana in Palma at the beginning of the C/Sindicato and behind in old quarter. Get there early by 8pm to take pics. Gets really crowded later.

      There is a lot going on here with material for 100 articles at least. Wineries...and try to get to the village market in Sineu on Wed. mornings. Probably one of the most authentic.

       

      Welcome to Mallorca and enjoy your trip.

       

      Gina

       

       

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