Palma de Mallorca, 26th Nov 10

CHRISTMAS IN MALLORCA 2010 - ACTIVITIES & FESTIVE HOTEL OFFERS

Christmas in Mallorca has first and foremost been a religious festival steeped in the island’s culture and traditions which still thrives today and much of which is completely free to watch or participate in...

Christmas in Mallorca starts with a song…

The “Sibila” Traditional Christmas Song has been included in this year’s UNESCO list of Cultural Heritage. The “Sibila” is a medieval song style originating from Mallorca and dating back to the 14th century. It is traditionally sung in the island's churches over Christmas and especially during the Christmas Eve mass when a female or male chorister takes on role of Sibila of Eritrea, a priest whom, according to legend, predicted the fall of Troy.

Christmas Guided Walks

The “Winter in Mallorca” programme offers visitors the opportunity to discover Palma’s emblematic monuments and some of the most traditional nativity scenes on a morning guided walk around the city at a price of 10€ per person. Information is available in all tourist offices or via the website: ww.illesbaleares.es.

Christmas Flavours Walk Around Palma

The ideal way to see Palma’s historic city at Christmas and have opportunity to taste and purchase traditional Mallorcan Christmas fayre
Walks in English will take place on December 2nd (10.30), 15th and 17th at 16.00. The walk takes approximately two hours and costs 10€ per person. Reservations: Tel: +34 971 720720.

Christmas Shopping - from designer names to traditional artisan

Palma is ideal for shopping with its mix of small specialist boutiques combined with big designer names such Luis Vuitton (just opened), Carolina Herrera, Farrutx, Lotusse, Armani, Cartier, Hugo Boss, Camper and Loewe, plus the best of all the big high street names including Zara, Mango and Massimo Dutti.

Palma still has many historic shops which offer original gifts from the island such as hand woven fabrics from “Quesada” in Paseo del Born. There are several shops dating back to the 17th century such as the candle shop “Picornell” just off Plaza Santa Eulalia; the basket maker in Ca la Seu; for home made confectionary, chocolate and glazed fruits; “Frasquet” in Calle Orfila or the delicatessen, “La Pajarita” in Calle St Nicolas which dates back to 1872.

This year the shops will remain open on Sunday, December 19th and January 2nd. In addition, the local chamber of commerce will organise special children’s activities and entertainment from January 3-5th when the Three Kings visit the city.

A complete shopping guide with useful maps entitled “Shopping Mallorca” is available from all tourist offices and via the internet: www.shoppingmallorca.com

Christmas Markets

Palma

A large selection of Christmas goods, including everything you need to make your own nativity scene, will go on sale from early December in Palma’s main plazas: Plaza Major and Plaza España extending into Via Roma. In addition, live street entertainment will be taking place around the city each weekend leading up to Christmas.

Around the island many Christmas markets will be taking place here are some examples:

The Baleart Arts and Crafts Fair will be held from 3th-8th of December from 10.00-21.00 in the city’s Paseo del Born in the heart of the city’s main shopping area. Information: www.firesicongressos.com

The Santa Ponsa Country Club will host a Christmas Fair on December 11th and 12th www.spcountryclub.com. In addition, the annual Santa Ponsa Christmas Fair will be held on the Santa Ponsa Industrial Estate from November 28th – December 19th.

La Residencia Hotel in Deia is organising a festive fair on December 19th featuring a range of gifts, with mulled wine and hot chocolate. Information: www.hotel-laresidencia.com.

Hotel Festive Offers

Hotel Bonsol, Illetes. Is offering a full Christmas and New Year programme from December 21st through to January 5th with live music, festive meals, wine tastings, cookery demonstrations and a health and fitness programme in the hotel’s Nirvana spa. On Christmas Eve a special church service will be held in the hotel’s own chapel. www.hotelbonsol.es

Luxury hotels in the mountains…

Hotel La Residencia, Deia. Christmas starts as soon as you land with chauffeur driven transfer to and from the hotel and various accommodation options available with accommodation and Christmas meals to enjoy the romantic scenery of one of the most beautiful villages in Mallorca. Information:
www.hotel-laresidencia.com

Gran Hotel Son Net, Puigpunyent. On the other side of the island surrounded by the Tramuntana mountains, this luxury rural hotel offers a Christmas and New Year Programme with traditional Christmas fayre – including traditional English tea served every afternoon in the hotel’s chimney room. www.sonnet.es

S’Olivaret, Orient. This rural hotel also enjoys a stunning mountain setting and is located offering an exclusive New Year’s gala dinner, accommodation and brunch the following day. www.solivaret.com

Son Sant Jordi, Pollensa. This hotel is offering a family programme over the festive break with a special New Year’s Eve party. www.sonsanjordi.com

Mar I Vent, Banyalbufar. Is organising a range of special winter activity holidays from walking to mountain bike tours. www.hotelmarivent.com

Various members of the Agroturismo Association will be open over the festive period for more information: www.topfincas.com. In addition, many of the character, family owned, hotels in the Reis de Mallorca hotel association will remain open: www.reisdemallorca.com.

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:

FIVE NEW HOTEL OPENINGS IN MALLORCA SPRING – SUMMER 2013 (31st May 13)

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

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