Majorca...an island of two halves!

Guy Johnson on 29 May 2014
I have just returned from an amazing week exploring the beautiful island of Majorca. Of course, we all know the island, it’s been on the tourist map for decades, and we have all seen the photos of sunburned tattooed bodies on the beach at Magaluf and Palmanova…that’s what Majorca is like everywhere, right?

Well, if you think that, you would be wrong! Don’t get me wrong, if you want to spend your nights clubbing, your days recovering and return home whiter than before you left, the resorts mentioned above to the south west of Palma would be the perfect place for you to holiday.

If, like me however, you like a little luxury and can’t bear the bang bang of the party scene, then you could do a lot worse than heading north. 30 minutes outside Palma, heading up the MA10 motorway, you reach the beautiful town of Puerto de Pollenca. Four good friends and I hired a villa for a week, and believe me, sitting by the pool, glass of Rosada Wine (Rose in English) and a good book in your hand, listening to the sounds of the swallows flying above my head, you could be as far away from real life as possible.

Our property was outside the town in rolling countryside, surrounded by orange tree orchards but with our own pool, and easy access to the beaches. It was a perfect place to chill out and relax. We had a car (essential really), and took day trips to Alcudia, Deia and Port Soller whenever we felt the need to travel a little. Always back at the villa by 4pm in time for a drink or two, before cooking a meal and watching the sun set.

We travelled in May, which is just at the beginning of the season. We had five good days, and two overcast - pretty good going for so early in the year. The villa was a lot cheaper than high season, but all the bars and restaurants were open, and with less people around. It felt 100% quieter than if we had gone in July or August.

As a typical travel geek, I couldn't resist the opportunity to have a look at some hotels as well, and was lucky enough to see the Belmond La Residencia in Deia, the Jumeira Hotel in Port Soller and the Gran Hotel Son Net in Puigpunyent (just out of Palma). All three properties are amazing, and if you are looking to score a few brownie points, take that special person there off season, and you will be amazed at the deals you can get. All only two hours from London.

And yes, you guessed it..we even drove through Magaluf on the way back to the airport!