A MEDITERRANEAN WINTER IN MALLORCA

Mallorca, one of Britain’s favourite tourist destinations in the summer, is also promoting itself as a winter destination with a varied programme of events and activities for the visitor. Its’ mild winter climate with average temperature of 16 degrees centigrade and low rainfall means that many activities can be enjoyed outside without the strong summer sun.

Over the past few years Mallorca’s tourism industry has been looking to diversify its product in order to attract the winter visitor. The island has a great deal to offer throughout the winter with a full programme of cultural, musical and sports activities, fiestas, food and wine tours and shopping.

Food & Wine

Although not traditionally known for its food, Mallorca now has as many Michelin star restaurants on the island as in the Spanish capital of Madrid. In the last 10 years the quality of restaurants has improved enormously to provide a really excellent choice of local /Mediterranean and international cuisine.

In addition, “foodie” routes have been developed around the island by the Ministry of Agriculture. A wine and cheese route, and a wine and olive oil route, take the visitor through the villages where the producers are based. These include 20 wine cellars and four cheese and two oil producers.

Mallorca has a long tradition of wine making. However, in the last century the majority of the vines were wiped out by disease. Recently, key families around the island have been working to restore this industry and in the last decade local wine producers have been developing the vineyards and planting more vines with encouraging results.

Better Value Breaks for Over 55’s

This winter Mallorca will represent better value than ever for the over 55’s market on long stay holidays as the local government “eco tax” is now being scrapped.

The tax, which was introduced in 2002, meant that tourists staying in hotels had to pay 1 euro per day. On long stays of 28 days this will now mean a saving of approximately £20 and for longer stays of up to 98 days, visitors will save approximately £68.

Calvia Council, in the South West corner of Mallorca, launches its 11th winter programme in the five resorts of Magaluf, Peguera, Illetes, Santa Ponsa and Palma Nova.

The programme of free activities include keep fit and Tai Chi sessions on the beach, yoga, tea-dances, ballroom dancing classes, bowling, guided walks, classical and contemporary music concerts, “fiestas” in typical Mallorcan style, photography, drawing/painting competitions and open air shows.

The popular “Winter in Mallorca” programme is being re-launched in November of this year and will feature a variety of concerts and activities are offered free of charge, throughout the island’s top resorts during this winter.


CHRISTMAS 2003

Christmas Shopping

The concentration of top international designer names, quality artisan handmade goods and products, and boutiques in Mallorca, and in particular in the capital of Palma, makes the island an ideal location for shopping breaks.

The majority of shops throughout Palma are open throughout the day (although some traditionally close at lunchtime). Mallorca remains good value for the British - savings of up to 50% can be found on a wide selection of goods over prices in the UK.

“Belenes”

Cribs and nativity scenes in Mallorca are traditionally extremely elaborate. In Palma the visitor can see some of the oldest cribs in Spain. One, at the “Iglesia de la Sang”, dates back to 1480. The best examples will be on display in Palma’s Town Hall, and the main churches within the city from December 13th through to January 6th (Three Kings), 2003.

Christmas Market

A large selection of Christmas goods will go on sale from the beginning of December in Palma’s two main plazas: Placa Major and Placa España.

Carol Singing

Christmas concerts will be featured all over Palma from December 14th culminating in the traditional Christmas Eve service in Palma Cathedral starting at 23.00.

New Year’s Eve

In Mallorca, the locals take to the streets to greet the New Year. In Palma, a band plays in front of the town hall and the bells ring out the Old Year whilst revellers open bottles of “cava” and eat grapes in time with the chimes up to midnight. A spectacular fireworks display can be seen from Palma’s Paseo Maritimo running between the sea and the city walls.

Winter Fiestas

Local festivals at this time, which are celebrated throughout the island, are extremely popular with local visitors. The main ones include: The Three Kings (January 6th) elaborate parades of the Kings are held throughout the island, sweets and presents are thrown to the children in the crowds; Saint Anthony – the patron saint of animals – people bring their animals to be blessed to the local church (17th January); Saint Sebastian (January 20th) is the patron saint of Palma and all the plazas feature different types of live music. Bonfires and barbecue grills are lit around the city so that revellers can grill their own supper as they enjoy the music.

HOW TO GET THERE

Mallorca is easily accessible throughout the winter from the UK with daily scheduled flights operated by Easyjet and British Midland. GB Airways and Air Europa operate flights throughout the week. In addition, a range of flight only reservations are available from leading tour operators.

A selection of UK tour operators feature short breaks to Mallorca these include: Alternative Mallorca, Bonaventure Holidays, Breakaway, Bridge Travel, British Airways Holidays, Cadogan Holidays, Castaways, Classic Collection, Cresta Holidays, Crystal Holidays, CV Travel, Eurobreak, Freelance Holidays, Lotus Supertravel, Magic of Spain, Mundi Color, Portland Direct, Premier Cities, The Real Spain, Seasons in Style, Simply Spain, Sovereign, Thomson, Time Off & Travelscene and Weekenders.