Love Travelling Blog

We woke to clear blue skies and warm sunshine so we were able to linger over our breakfast on the hotel’s restaurant terrace.  Afterwards, we spent a leisurely couple of hours relaxing on our balcony enjoying the views of Santa Ponca bay for one last time.

We checked out of our hotel at noon and caught a bus into Palma, getting off on the seafront near the impressive sandstone cathedral.  It had been our plan to walk around the harbour but part of the pathway had been cordoned off.

This was in preparation for the Palma Boat Show due to take place in a few days time.  We were still able to admire the yachts from a slightly further distance so it wasn’t a real problem.  Our route took us inland to the gracious Passeig del Born, home to Palma’s designer shops which included Louis Vuitton and Mulberry.

We then explored the narrow lanes of the old town lined with an assortment of shops, bars and cafes.  It was then up the hill to the Castell de Belver which is a sandstone edifice adjacent to the cathedral.  It affords superb views of Palma Bay below.

For lunch we headed to the main square,  and sat out on one of the restaurant’s terraces overlooking the craft market and local artists exhibition.  The weather was the best of the weekend, so we soaked up the sunshine whilst enjoying a leisurely lunch.  Then it was time to return to Palma Airport for our flight back to the UK.

In my post  from Day 1,  I questioned whether I would enjoy my weekend in Mallorca after a gap of so many years, and still harbouring negative views from that holiday.    Well, I did enjoy my visit,  of the places we had an opportunity to visit, Palma is a sophisticated town with a lovely harbour,  picture perfect cathedral and castle, smart shops and restaurants set in traditional squares.  Port dAndratx was also a smart resort popular with the yachting fraternity with inviting cafes and bars.   However,  Santa Ponca, the nearest resort to our hotel was just as I had remembered Mallorca., parades of cheaply built bars, shops and cafes, English named pubs, food menus in Englush serving the likes of fish and chips and full English cooked breakfast.  To summarise, there was nothing Spanish about the resort at all,  the bar and shop owners all seemed to be English or Irish.  I realise that this appeals to many tourists but not me, I,  like most of my readers, travel to sample local cuisine, meet local people and explore traditional towns and villages.

Finishing on a positive note, our hotel,  the 4 star, Iberostar adult only suite hotel in Costa de la Calme, met with my approval and I would certainly have no hesitation about returning in the future as it is far enough away from Santa Ponca to have no effect on its quiet , stylish ambience.

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Castell de Bellver, Palma, Mallorca

Riding the vintage train to Soller, Mallorca