Palma de Mallorca, 10th Feb 05

SPRING ROUND UP

This year the Mallorca Tourist Board celebrates its centenary, and is keen to encourage visitors to explore the island and see the tremendous variety Mallorca has to offer. As the spectacular almond blossom slowly comes out throughout the island, herewith a round up of what there is to do on the island this Spring:

CYCLING - NEW CYCLE ROUTES

Cycling is a very popular sport on the island year round, the island’s mild winter climate and attractive scenery is extremely popular with this group. The island has a network of 675 kilometres of roads which are made up of minor and secondary roads. Over the past few years, these roads have been renovated and adapted specifically for bicycle touring.

There is something for everyone whether amateur or professional, as the main cycle routes pass throughout the length of the island and feature long flat plains, gentle and steep slopes and spectacular mountain routes (approximately 20% of these roads pass in between the mountains). In addition, new signposting and special cycle lanes have been introduced.

Now a range of hotels are featured which are dedicated to the needs of cyclists. These hotels will stock a good range of maps and general information as well as weather forecasts etc… Dedicated areas have been put aside where cyclists can repair (special tools are available), clean and leave their bicycles. Special menus are available to cyclists featuring carbohydrate-rich breakfasts, and glucose rich food. Lunch packs which include energy bars and isotonic drinks are also available.

Prepared for every eventuality, these hotels also can offer medical services, masseurs and physiotherapists.

A new multi-lingual cycling leaflet with a detailed map of the routes is now available from all tourist offices. For more information: www.illesbalears.es.

WALKING – GUIDED OR SOLO

Walking is now very popular with winter visitors and many hotels now provided their own guided walks, or can certainly organise for a guide. In Soller, the local hotel association has organised a comprehensive new programme of guided walks around some of the most stunning areas of the island. The programme operates 6 days a week from September onwards and features 9 different walks. Each varies in difficulty and length and costs between 15 euros and 35 euros (approx £10 – £23.50) per person. For more details check out their website: www.mallorcamuntanya.com.

For those visitors who wish to explore solo, a good selection of books and leaflets are available, the most famous British walker on the island, who has been researching walks on Mallorca for the past 20 years, is Val Green, her book; ”Landscapes of Mallorca” is widely available in the UK and on the island.

WORLD DANCE FESTIVAL

The spectacular World Folkloric Dance Festival is held on Mallorca every two years and features colourful and lively dances from all over the world. The tour starts on March 29th through to 2nd April.
For more information: www.a-palma.es

EATING & DRINKING – FOOD FESTIVAL & FOOD ROUTES

The main Balearic Food Festival; “Mostra de la Cuina” runs from 9th – 18th March in the Palma exhibition hall. This fair, now in its 21st year, represents one of the most popular events in the island’s calendar and provides a wonderful opportunity for visitors to sample a wide range of products, dishes and wines produced locally. Over 50 participants will be exhibiting including 20 restaurants from around
the island. Special features including cookery demonstrations of traditional
Mallorcan dishes by various organisations and celebrity island chefs.

Good Food Routes - a new leaflet on food and wine routes is now available in English. Called “Rutas de Bon Gust” they focus on family firms producing wine, cheese, olive oil, local sausage (sobrasada), organic products including almonds, fruit & vegetables, jams etc

Five routes are featured in the leaflet and visitors wishing to sample any of the products on these routes can either visit the factory within business hours or call any of the numbers listed on the leaflet (available in tourist offices on the island) to organise a visit. Full information is given in English on their website: www.illesbalearsqualitat.com

SHOPPING

Palma features a concentration of top international designer names, quality artisan handmade goods and products, and boutiques. The fact that Palma still has many individual, privately, owned boutiques and shops providing a good range of unusual items, not normally found in the large stores.

Prada, Loewe, Burberry, Ralph Lauren, Versace, Cartier, Mont Blanc, Mandarin Duck, Farrutx, Lacoste, Carolina Herrera and Camper and many more are just a few of the names you will find in the excellent range of small boutiques in Palma. Plus, the less expensive favourites such as Zara, Mango and Massimo Dutti.

The majority of shops are open throughout the day (although some traditionally close at lunchtime). The City remains good value for the British. On average goods are about a third less expensive than in the UK.

EASTER

Holy Week starts with Palm Sunday and the traditional blessing of palms
and olive branches at churches all over the island followed by magnificent
processions taking place during Easter week. These include the solemn "La Sang"
procession held on Maundy Thursday in Palma as the crucified Christ is
carried through the street of Palma, and the dramatic "Devallament" (Descent
from the Cross) a torchlight silent procession in Pollensa on
Good Friday.

SAILING

Many key regattas are held in the Bay of Palma annually including the
prestigious Queen of Spain's "Regatta Princesa Sofia" regatta held during
Easter week (20th to 30th March).

EXPLORE –PALMA’S HISTORIC PATIOS - May 15th – 29th

Coinciding with the religious festival of Corpus Christi, a special guided walk will be organised, in English, taking visitors around the best examples of Palma’s patios in the city’s old town. This walk provides a wonderful opportunity to see the grand patios behind the imposing wooden doors of these historic “palacios”. The walk costs 3 euros per person and will last about 2 hours. Reservations: (+ 34 ) 971 49 59 47.

WHERE TO STAY

Over the past 12 months many new smaller properties have opened up on the island. For further suggestions on all types of accommodation go to:

www.mallorcahotelguide.com
www.reisdemallorca.com
www.topfincas.com
www.som7hotels.com

HOW TO GET THERE – TWO NEW LOW COST AIRLINES

Two new scheduled low cost airlines will serve the Palma route from March of this year. Thomsonfly will start with direct flights from Doncaster/Sheffield, Coventry and Bournemouth. Reservations: www.thomsonfly.com. Flybe will start flying the route at the end of March from Birmingham and Exeter. Reservations: www.flybe.com

Other low cost airlines offering direct services from various UK airports in Palma include:

From London Gatwick, Luton and Stansted, Newcastle, Belfast, Liverpool and Bristol:
Easyjet. www.easyjet.com
From London-Gatwick - Excel www.excelairways.com,
From Glasgow - Air Scotland www.air-scotland.com
From Edinburgh and Glasgow- Flyglobespan www.flyglobespan.com
From Leeds/Bradford - Jet2 www.jet2.com
From London/Stansted - Air Berlin www.airberlin.com

In addition to these services, British Midland - BMI (daily from Heathrow), GB Airways and Air Europa out of Gatwick, all feature Mallorca year round.

For further information, please contact:
Mallorca Tourist Board, Dominique Carroll / Anna Skidmore,
Tel:(+34) 971 725 396 Fax: (+34) 971 713 540
E-Mail: info@fomentmallorca.org

Further Press Releases:

GOOD NEWS FOR MALLORCA IN 2012 (09th Feb 12)

THREE KINGS - THE FESTIVITIES CONTINUE! (05th Jan 12)

FESTIVE SWEETS CAN BE HEAVENLY (05th Jan 12)