Palma de Mallorca, 21st Apr 04

MALLORCA GEARS UP FOR SUMMER

British visitor figures up for the first quarter of 2004 and there's plenty of things for them to do...

Mallorca has enjoyed an encouraging start from the British market and Palma Airport reports yet another increase of almost 3% in British visitor figures over this time last year. This represents approximately a further 3,500 more visitors in the months of January- March.

As spring gets underway, a wide and varied calendar of activities awaits the visitor throughout the island and herewith some highlights for May and June:

May 20 – 23rd – Mallorca Grand Champions Tennis Tournament. Santa Ponsa Country Club will host some of the great names of tennis in one of the most entertaining tournaments on the island. This year these include: Boris Becker, Michael Stich, Henri Leconte, Mansour Bahrami, Ilie Nastase and Alberto Tous.
Further information: Tel: + 34 971 22 93 06 or www.eventconsulting.es

May 13 – The Festival of “Brave Women” – Soller.
This festival dates back to 1561 when a battle was fought with the Turkish corsair. In that battle two outstanding figures were women. Today, the “fiesta” attempts to reinact the spirit of that battle where local villages stage a mock battle between the Moors and the Christians. A grand procession of floats depicting scenes from daily life rounds off the day.
Further information, Tel: + 34 971 63 0200 www.a-soller.es

May – June - International Deia Music Festival.
Various classical music artists will gather this year in one of Mallorca’s most famous villages. Including Ligorio Piano Trio, Suzanne Bradbury, Wolfgang Leibnitz & Peter Wöpke and the Scherzo String Quartet. For further information: Tel/Fax: + 34 971 63 91 78 or www.soundpost.org

May – June (various dates) Traditional Village Fiestas.
On sundays during these two months almost every village on the island celebrates its own festival which provides an opportunity for each area to display its own local produce and prizewinning livestock. Each “fiesta” is very different in character depending on the village and well worth a visit. Further information can be obtained from any of the local tourist offices.

June - Corpus Christi.
The religious festival of Corpus Christi is celebrated in Palma throughout the month whereby many of the historic houses within Palma’s old town open up their beautiful patios to the public. Visitors can join guided walks, which are given in various languages, around the old town. In addition, music concerts are given in the churches and the largest patios around Palma. Further information local tourist offices.

Sunday, June 13, Dance of the Eagles.
Corpus Christi is actually celebrated on Sunday, June 13, and in Pollensa (north of the island) this traditional festival will take place, which is said to date back to medieval times, and features two girls decked from head to foot in gold jewellery lent by the people of the town.