We sent two tireless yeahbaby readers to spend a couple of days in the Mallorcan capital. Here’s what they got up to…
PHOTOGRAPHY: 4 CORNER IMAGES
THE ADVENTURERS:
John Woolliscroft and Donna Preston have been best friends for over 20 years: indeed, they’re so inseparable that – à la “Brangelina” – they’re known as “Jonna”! John (28) teaches German and French in a secondary school in the town of Biddulph in the Staffordshire Moorlands, while Donna (also 28) is a nursery school practitioner in Buxton, a small spa town on the fringe of the Peak District National Park where both Donna and John live. They’ve travelled extensively, with Sydney, the Gold Coast, Berlin, Munich, Nuremburg, Hurghada, Edinburgh, Barcelona and the Greek island of Rhodes just some of the places they’ve visited together. With so many travel memories, which one stands out the most? “My favourite moment has to be when Donna was attacked by a pigeon while we were taking photos outside the Sydney Opera House,” says John. “It appeared to have a real vendetta against her – I have never laughed, cried and nearly wet myself so much. It happened just before we did the Sydney Harbour Bridge climb – where we were mistaken for reporters and interviewed for Australian television!” We sent “Jonna” to Palma de Mallorca to explore the island’s capital on a weekend getaway…
When visiting a new city, there’s one thing you always need to pack: comfy walking shoes. After checking into our gorgeous hotel, we quickly donned practical footwear and set off on a mammoth seven-hour walking mission to explore the city. A 15-minute stroll along the front of the harbour led us to the Old Town. Shopping, sadly, was ruled out (it was a public holiday), so we consoled ourselves with a coffee and beer at Forn des Teatre, probably the most famous café on the island. The pimientos de padrón (small green peppers fried in olive oil) were divine!
When it came to restaurants, we were spoilt for choice on Carrer dels Apuntadors. We ultimately decided on Tirol Cerveceria, a fascinating fusion of tapas bar and bierkeller (German-style public house) – it obviously works, as by the time we left there was a queue of people waiting to go inside. The evening ended in style with cocktails at Abaco, a unique and extremely discreet bar in the heart of Palma. It’s housed in a grand former manor house overflowing with ornate fruit and flower arrangements, and has to be seen to be believed.
After a superb breakfast at our hotel, our first stop on day two was the Museu d’Art Modern I Contemporani de Palma for a spot of modern culture. We were transfixed by abstract, Latin American and Mallorcan pieces from the 20th century.
Our artistic sensibilities aroused, it was time to hit the shops in the Old Town. Plaça Del Rei Joan Carlos I and Avinguda Jaume III both had a great mix of designer and local stores – including shoe shops, much to the delight of Donna! Then it was time to check out Palma’s iconic cathedral (La Seu), which has one of the most beautiful, detailed exteriors we’ve ever seen on a building. It was very busy, with hundreds of people of all nationalities snapping away. Adjacent to the cathedral is La Almudaina Palace, which is worth checking out for its beautiful gardens and the grandeur of the architecture.
For a change of pace we went to Palma’s main train station and took the 90-minute “Orange Express” to Port de Sóller, a resort town on the west coast. John actually fell asleep and didn’t wake up till we arrived… to discover his camera battery was flat! Definitely take this journey if you want to see beautiful Mallorcan scenery. It’s simply sublime. Afterwards, we headed back to our hotel – stopping for drinks en route! – and then Donna took a catnap while I watched German television in our lovely room.
An early dinner in a quiet Italian restaurant on the harbour front set us up for an evening at one of the biggest nightclubs in Majorca, Tito’s. Entering via a glass elevator was certainly a fitting start to the evening. The end, however, didn’t come until the following day. Picture this: sunrise over the harbour and two people walking without shoes back to their hotel – good job it was only next door!
Our break to Palma was perfect, but when, you may ask, did we go to the beach? We never actually got that far! Next time…
GOT A PASSPORT & A DIGITAL CAMERA?
We’re looking for two people to visit a bmibaby destination for 24 hours. If you’re handy with a camera and happy to tell our readers what to see and do, we want to hear from you! Email bmibaby.ed@ink-publishing.com with a photo of you and your travel buddy, and tell us why you’d like to be a guest writer. Winners receive return flights to a bmibaby destination from either Birmingham, Cardiff, East Midlands or Manchester (please advise which is best for you), one night’s accommodation and £100 towards transfers, meals, etc.
WHERE TO DRINK/PARTY
ABACO
Even if you don’t stay for a cocktail, it’s worth popping in for a look around. 1 Calle San Joan, Palma de Mallorca, tel: +34 971 714939.
TITOS
On the harbour front, this is the one-time haunt of celebs such as Marlene Dietrich and Ray Charles. Passeig Maritimo S/N, www.titosmallorca.com
WHERE TO EAT
FORN DES TEATRE
Delicious home-made food and a Mallorcan institution. Try an ensaïmadas, a pastry with a choice of fillings. 9 Plaza Weyler, www.forndesteatre.com
TIROL CERVECERIA
A relaxed atmosphere and good food and drink make this a popular spot, so it can get busy. 3 Calle Apuntadores, www.tirolrestaurante.com
WHAT TO DO
MUSEU D’ART MODERN I CONTEMPORANI DE PALMA
10 Plaça Porta Santa Catalina, www.esbaluard.org
LA ALMUDAINA PALACE
The official summer residence of the Spanish royal family. Carre Palau Reial S/N, tel: +34 971 214134.
TRAIN TO SÓLLER
A beautiful old wooden train that used to bring oranges to Palma from the coast. 1 Eusebio Estada, Palma de Mallorca, www.trendesoller.com
WHERE TO SHOP
PLAÇA DEL REI JOAN CARLOS I
Filled with plenty of designer clothes and shoe shops. On Mallorca, many smaller shops will close between 1.30pm–5pm.
AVINGUDA JAUME III
Good for high-street brands and designer names, as well as local shops. And when your feet get tired, there’s always a handy café to have a coffee and rest!
WHERE TO STAY
GRAN MELIÁ VICTORIA
We stayed at the exquisite five-star Gran Meliá Victoria, which is brilliantly located for the airport – just a 10-minute cab ride (about €17) away. The rooms feature minimalist décor, plenty of natural light, interactive flat-screen TVs, internet connection… and from our balcony we had the most stunning view over Palma harbour. An absolute highlight of our stay would have to be the breakfasts! Any thought of diets went out the window thanks to the most fantastic spread you’ve ever seen. And as breakfast is served both inside and out, you can make the most of the gorgeous warm weather. Heaven!
Our writers stayed at the five-star Gran Meliá Victoria in Palma. Rooms are available from £103 per night on a room-only basis (based on two people sharing). To book, visit www.bmibaby.com, where you can search for hotels and apartments in all bmibaby destinations. Powered by Europe’s leading travel & leisure website, www.lastminute.com
