Winter Holidays In Mallorca

No-one wants to visit a empty town or place with nothing going on when on holiday. The island of Mallorca is not one of those places that closes down during the winter. In fact it has plenty to offer in addition to its fine weather.

If you thought Majorca was just a summer destination then you may be interested to find how much it offers the visitor in the winter. With temperatures still in the 20s in October and only a little less in the following months it provides ideal conditions for exploring this diverse Island.

Many of the hotels remain open throughout the year so choosing somewhere to stay is easy. For those who do not want to drive then basing yourself in the capital Palma would be a safe choice as not only could you spend a few days exploring this historic city but there are efficient public transport links to other parts of the Island. Palma is dominated by its Cathedral but, as befits a city as big as Palma, there are many other sites including Bellver Castle high above the town and, of course, a great shopping experience. One of the most favoured trips is to take the old train from the centre of Palma to the northern town of Soller. This train dates back from the beginning of the 20th Century and still retains the charm and atmosphere of that era. Leaving the outskirts of Palma you pass through the Orange and Olive groves that dominate the countryside, sometimes so close you feel that you could reach out and pick the fruit from the trees. After stopping at various small villages on the way the line begins to route upwards and you pass through the tunnels under the Tramuntana mountains emerging high above Soller town with great views from the train of Soller itself and the coast. The train then descends slowly through a series of other tunnels and viaducts, giving the passenger exciting glimpses of mountains, sea and town until it reaches Soller.

From Soller station you have a choice; firstly spend some time is this town which hasn't changed much over the years, its narrow streets and old shops enticing the visitor to explore further and its magnificent town square dominated by the huge church and the old Bank of Soller building, full of small outdoor cafes and restaurants. Then from Soller town you can take one of the old trams that run a frequent service from the station through the streets of the town down to the Port of Soller where there is more to do and see.

Soller is on the route of GR221 an ancient track that is now a popular route for walkers. It stretches right across the Tramuntana range from Andratx in the south to Pollenca in the north east, passing through magical places like Estellencs, Valldemossa, Deia, Soller, Lluc and Pollenca. It can be walked in stages and offers opportunities to stay in a diversity of accommodation from Five star hotels and converted Olive mills to Bed and Breakfast guest houses and villas, and give walkers the chance to visit many of the small coves and towns along the way.

It is also possible to visit other parts of the island on the new modernised train from Palma which now goes to the ancient town of Inca and then on to Sa Pobla and then Manacor. Manacor is the second largest town on the island and home of the Mallorcan pearl industry. Here you can visit pearl shops and factories where you can watch the manufacturing process and purchase the finished item.

If you do have any time left at the end of your trip then the weather should be nice enough for you to just sit and relax and soak up some of that winter warmth.