LLUCMAJOR HAS BECOME THE MEDITERRANEAN CENTRE FOR CYCLISTS

Llucmajor is one of Mallorca’s largest regions located on the south coast and over the past few years has become a focal point for activity holidays, particularly for cycling which has grown so dramatically that Llucmajor is widely regarded as the cycling “capital” of the Mediterranean. The region offers everything from the historic town of Llucmajor itself to tourism resorts along its 43 kms of coastline and beautiful countryside inland.

SPORTS

Cycling – this area is one that naturally lends itself to the sport because it is generally quite flat with large areas of fields and open countryside free of buildings or industrial developments mainly because of the existence of many large agricultural farms and fincas in the area.

The region now has almost 200 kms of special signposted cycling routes comprising six designated cycletourism routes and two routes on non asphalt lanes specifically aimed at mountainbike enthusiasts. All the routes are clearly signposted and marked out on a special map available for cycling visitors with details of what they will find on the route and other useful information.

Walking – the region is also popular with walkers because it offers a wide variety of walks through the mountain areas of Sierra de Galdent or the hilltop at Randa with its historic sanctury “Our Lady of Grace” dating back to the15th century, or coastal walks along the beach of Cala Pi and the lighthouse at Cabo Blanco.

Golf – the area has two 18 golf courses: The Mallorca Marriott Golf Son Antem, which has two courses, the East Course which was opened in 1994 and the West Course opened in 2001 around an old hunting lodge. In addition, the complex features a golf academy and a large circular driving range. More information: www.marriott.comp/pmigs. The 18 hole Golf Maioris course is currently under construction and scheduled to open in August this year. It will be a private course with an elegant club house and full facilities including a childrens’ golf acadamy. More information: www.golfmaioris.es

Water Sports - sailors will find excellent facilities available to them at S’Arenal and S’Estanyol Sailing Clubs. The club at Arenal has 637 moorings with full modern facilities and is known as centre for many international sailing competitions. www.cnarenal.com. The S’Estanyol Sailing Club has 285 moorings. www.cnestanyol.com.

The Arenal Sailing Club also features the Top Dive diving centre which has extensive facilities for up to 50 divers. The centre features two main diving areas, one which is suitable for levels, and the other which has an old wreck to explore.

For non divers there are a range of courses from introduction lessons to full Acuc and Padi diving courses. Underwater photographic equipment is also available. For more information: www.dive1.net or email topdive@telefonica.net.

Llucmajor features some beautiful beaches including the famous S’Arenal, Cala Pi, S’Estanyol, Maioris and Badies. A great environmental area for nature lovers is the Sa Marina de Llucmajor which features many native plants. It is also a special protected area for birds, particularly sea birds. Nearby the Palma Bay and Migjorn Marine Reserves complete this wildlife area.

WHERE TO STAY

The region has 12,400 hotel beds, the majority being in the coastal resort of Arenal. However, there is a great variety of different hotel accommodation in Llucmajor with beach and rural hotels, “agroturismos”, family and luxury hotels, hotels dedicated to golfers and to cyclists. For more information: www.booking.playadepalma.net.

A good example of a hotel which is completely geared to the cyclist is the Hotel Delta which has 288 rooms, six tennis course, access to the Golf Maioris course, and a complete cycling programme worthy of the most demanding visitors.

In conjunction with the Swiss company, Max Hürzeler, the hotel organises cycling excursions throughout Mallorca and supplies full facilities for cyclists to rent or maintain and repair their own bikes throughout their stay. The hotel also has an especially reserved space beside the sea with swimming pool, sun beds and a restaurant. www.hoteleraalfa.com or www.huerzeler.com.

The Marriott Son Antem Golf Resort & Spa is ideal for people who wish to play golf or relax in the resort’s Holistic Spa which offers a wide range of treatments from water meditation to aromatherapy. In addition, a qualified physiotherapist is available.

The resort features 150 rooms and suites and almost 200 time share villas. All guests and time share visitors can use the resorts facilities which include: the spa, tennis courts, volleyball & basketball pitch, jogging circuit, fitness room, and the two golf courses.

Luxury hotels include the recently opened Gran Hotel Son Julia, part of the Stein Group of Hotels. www.thesteingroup.com/sonjulia. Hilton has announced its first hotel on the island, the Hotel Hilton Sa Torre will open summer 2007 on a historic site of a 14th century finca estate.

Llucmajor has its own association of rural tourism which features 12 fincas, the majority of which are dedicated to cultivating fruit an . More details can be found on the association’s own website: www.fincasllucmajor.com. The Puig de Rós de D’Alt Finca is worthy of a special mention. This exquisite finca dates back to the 18th century. It features 12 spectacular rooms and offers guests a swimming pool, a small fitness area with sauna and Turkish bath in a worry free relaxed environment. www.puigderosdalt.com. Two agroturismos, which are not included in this association, the Son Samá and Son Perola can be found on: www.sonsama.com.

CULTURE

Llucmajor has a rich cultural history. Visitors can still find the ancient capital of Migjorn and its surrounding areas. The churches of Saint Michael and the Saint Bonaventura Convent together with the Sanctuaries of Our Lady of Grace and Our Lady of Cura, the ancient defence towers, the Saint Honorat Hermitage and the Monastery of Mont-ision are all worth a visit. You can even find traces of the prehistoric age at Capocorb Vell where you will find five prehistoric stone towers and 28 rooms dating back to the Bronze Age.

For more information on Llucmajor: www.llucmajor.org.

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

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