16th and 17th century houses in Alcudia Majorca

Although the competition for holidays abroad is keener than ever, Majorca still holds special appeal for tourists from the European mainland and the UK. The largest of the Spanish islands has lots to offer visitors. Inhabited by various groups over the ages, the island’s historic significance continues to draw visitors as well as those looking for a great holiday.

Some of the peoples who have left their mark on this beautiful island are the Romans, the Vandals and the British (the latter two not to be confused as one and the same in areas like Magaluf).

The capital city of Palma has retained her historical splendour while acquiring modern facilities. This blend of old and modern helps to make Majorca what it is today.

Of course Majorca can’t be beaten when it comes to beaches. As to be expected, water sports of all types abound. This means that anyone, regardless of age, can find something to do. Activities include windsurfing, jet skiing and scuba diving.

The island also offers a bustling nightlife for the young and young at heart. Some areas, such as Palma, are known for the vibrant variety of clubs where one can dance the night away. Families with children will also find things to keep everyone occupied and happy while vacationing in Majorca.

Although a fairly small island, the mix of ethnicities makes for amazing cuisine that is unique to Majorca. No matter the taste of the holidaymaker, they will find interesting dishes that satisfy. Olive oil plays a very important role in meals.

Attractions of Note

Like many places with such a rich history, Majorca attractions will keep any visitor enthralled. Some of the most popular attractions on the island are the Caves of Drach,  Palma Cathedral and Bellver Castle.

There are many caves to be explored in Majorca, but the Caves of Drach are very popular. Three chambers make up the Caves of Drach. These are Cueva Negra (the Black Cave), Cueva Blanca (the White Cave) and Cueva Luis Salvator (Luis Salvator Cave).

Palma Cathedral is a majestic structure located in the capital. Bellver Castle is a circular building constructed in the 14th century. The name means “beautiful view.”

Those with a taste for it can even go to bullfighting events, normally held at the Placa de Toro Monument. The monument was built in 1915 as a museum dedicated to the sport of bullfighting.

Thanks to animal rights groups like PETA the number of tourists who attend bullfighting is a fraction of what it was, as people have been made aware of what is involved.

Horseback riding, cycling and hiking are popular activities for those tourists who want more physical activity.

British Tourists Flock to Majorca

Majorca is a favoured holiday destination for British holidaymakers. There are many reasons why this is happening.

Majorca, like other Spanish territories in the region, is generally safe. The island offers a range of attractions and events that make enjoyment and relaxation easy to achieve. In fact, tourists from the UK have been making Majorca a travel destination since the early 1950’s. The island’s almost year round perfect climate is a big draw, especially in the cold and dreary winter months of the UK whem the Majorca weather is a big attraction.

 Another big reason for the popularity of Majorca as a holiday spot for British tourists is the distance. Getting to the island requires a short plane flight, especially when compared to other locations, and there are plenty of airlines in the UK who offer Majorca flights at good prices.

Despite the present economic problems, UK tourists who can afford it are opting for Majorca holidays again this year, with frequently returning visitors. Many of the visitors to the island are under 30, although there is a good mix of all age groups.

Part of the allure is that even with the financial meltdown, Majorca is still relatively reasonable. 

And it’s not just hotel holidays that are popular, thanks to specialist villa companies like James Villas who operate in the UK and Ireland Majorca villa holidays are popular too.

When all the factors, the weather, attractions, history and affordability are combined, Majorca looks set to remain a top holidays destination.

More details about Majorca are available by visiting http://www.yourmajorca.net and includes both package and Majorca villa holidays – and holidaymakers often post videos on youtube

Majorca

Neighbouring island Ibiza is the party capital of Europe - but now Majorca is to offer clubbers and music lovers everywhere the opportunity to dance the night away.

The well known Ibiza Rocks Hotel in Ibiza is opening a Mallorca Rocks hotel, and it is due to open in May ready for the summer holiday season.

The Mallorca Rocks will have an impressive 330 rooms and be in Magaluf - a good location as Magaluf is where those looking to party in Majorca tend to head for, and the town has the infrastructure to support the venture - and it doesn’t change the character of any of the island’s more peaceful areas and those good for family holidays.

With the first bands due to kick off the summer music early June and the curtain coming down mid September, the Rocks will be a lively venue throughout the peak summer Majorca holidays season.

The line up of artists and bands scheduled to play isn’t known yet, but in the past acts like the Arctic Monkeys have played Ibiza, and the quality is expected to be as high on Majorca as it is in Ibiza.

For the mainly young guests likely to stay at the Mallorca Rocks, the island is less than a two hour flight, flights to Majorca are cheap, and regional airports throughout the UK have cheap Majorca flights throughout the summer.

With her great beaches, cultural offerings and sporting opportunities, Majorca is an ideal holiday location for all age groups. The island is nearly 80 kilometres long and has over 500 kilometres of coastline. Much of that coastline features beaches ranging from pristine white sand stretches to tiny out of the way coves and inlets.

Holidaymakers have traditionally visited the outskirts of the island of Majorca where they can take advantage of the beautiful scenery, the beaches and water sports - holiday companies such as Thomson Holidays have been promoting beach holidays for years - and as a result it has been known for its beach areas and relaxing environment. But now tourists are discovering Majorca as a rural destination too.

By visiting the interior of the island, tourists will see the island’s true history and can for example sample farm life. Many older farmhouses have been transformed into bed and breakfast type rooms where families and couples can stay while on holiday.

Agro tourism is a growing concept. Holidaymakers enjoy the countryside and self catering accommodation like villas - in the UK companies like James Villas have a wide choice available - cottages, apartments and fincas. Located in charming villages, these living quarters offer character in a picturesque environment.

More details about Majorca are available by visiting http://www.yourmajorca.net where they have more news and articles available.

Palma Majorca

There’s plenty of international film festivals in the world, but if done properly it can help generate huge publicity for the host.

A good example is the Venice Film Festival, which has been running for over sixty years, and helps boost visitor numbers for the Italian city at the end of August and early September.

Hotels are at full occupancy just as the European summer tourist season starts to wind down, and spending in the cafes and restaurants is up, giving Venice and her businesses a great boost compared to other European cities.

And apart from the obvious two weeks of full capacity, the publicity generated around the world ensures Venice is considered for a visit at other times of the year when it’s less busy by tourists looking for a few days away or including the city as part of a European tour.

The film festival is a week long advertisement, promoting Venice as a tourist destination, and there can be little doubt that Venice has an air of romance and culture as an image around the world. Daily reports from the world’s media including the US TV networks, the BBC, Sky and other news outlets help to promote the city in tourists minds when they come to book a trip.

The media coverage crosses the generations as the film festival is carried in celebrity and gossip magazines, plus increasingly on-line too.

So it’s no surprise given the publicity that’s gnerated around film festivals like Venice - and Cannes too - that Majorca is to try to do one too.

If all goes well the first Majorca Film Festival will take place in April 2011 - a good month to stage it according to local travel guide yourmajorca.net who say:

‘The film festival will be at the beginning of the tourist season and allow Majorca to get off to a flying start for 2011 - and with the extra publicity generated could mean 2011 will be a great year for the Majorca holidays industry.’

They also point out that the organisers haven’t just given Majorca holidays a flying start but that the timing keeps it away from both the Cannes Film Festival - mid May - and the Venice Film Festival for the end of August, ensuring that the film world will be able to include the island in their diaries.

The film festival organisers obviously know what they’re doing, and it bodes well for Majorca in 2011 and beyond.

For more details about Majorca including both the Majorca weather and a map of Majorca visit yourmajorca.net

Other holidays information can be found on Yahoo! travel and independent holiday reviews are often made on twitter

Playa de Muro Majorca

There aren’t many holiday destinations in the Mediterranean that haven’t been hit by the recession - and the drop in the number of British tourists has been keenly felt by hoteliers and other parts of the tourist industry in popular locations like Majorca.

But holidays are popular, even when there’s not much money around for some, and people who might ordinarily stay in a hotel or take a villa holiday in Majorca have either had to bite the bullet and ditch their regular trips abroad – or look at ways of still being able to take a holiday on the island.

Changing Holiday Habits

Majorca has been a popular island destination among holidaymakers from the UK for many years, and this has been helped by the number of airlines flying to Palma Airport, bringing down the cost of Majorca flights. During the summer months, many Brits have headed to Majorca to soak up some sun and enjoy her great beaches. The economic recession, however, has forced many people in the UK to seek cheaper options that will still provide lasting memories.

One of the most popular options for cash strapped Brits not wanting to miss out on their annual trip has been holiday camps. What may not have been the first choice for most pleasure seekers is gradually gaining favour and for good reason. Holiday camps offer a cheaper option for holidaymakers looking to save money. Many park owners are taking this new trend in stride and diversifying and improving their offerings. According to one recent study, one out of every 10 adult holidaymakers is likely to spend their vacation at one of these camps.

The camping experience in the UK has changed a great deal over the years, and perhaps this is why British people have considered a holiday park abroad. Operators are now going the extra mile to provide more diverse offerings and to be more family friendly. Visitors can choose from lodges or chalets or stay at a campsite. Many camps offer tours, hiking, sporting activities and even entertainment. In the same way many Majorca hotels do. Some boast water parks and spas, ensuring that there is something for just about any taste and age. Even people who are looking to save money still expect quality. Camps today cater to even the most discerning visitor.

A surprise to many, the shift to camping is more popular in the over 30 age group than those holidaymakers who are under 30. This may be driven by older tourists having to pay not only for themselves, but their families as well. Also, the financial demands of older tourists are generally greater with mortgages, car loans and credit cards to pay.

An Emerging Trend

As surprising as this new holiday trend is, the other end of the spectrum may be just as unexpected. As increased numbers of older Brits head off to holiday camps, the under 30’s seem determined to keep the Majorca trend going. While there is an undeniable decline in overall visits to Majorca from the UK, visits by tourists in the younger group are on the rise. Good news for the future as many will return in later years.

Part of the appeal of a Majorca holiday for younger tourists has to do with many late night parties and numerous bars prevalent in some parts of the island such as Magaluf – easily avaoidable for those who want Majorca for the quiter towns and villages on the coast and inland.

The under 30 holidaymaker is often single, maybe living at home, and on a decent enough salary to be able to take a week or two’s package holiday which icludes the flights, hotel and breakfast (though many don’t surface until mid to late afternoon after the night before).

Battling the Recession

Marketing efforts have been made by the Majorca tourist authorities to promote holidays during traditionally slower months, and for those who consider a campsite or holiday park too ‘hi-de-hi’ but still need to cut down their annual expenses for Majorca holidays, a trip in June instead of August can save a fair bit of money.

More details about Majorca including 2010 holiday deals can be found at yourmajorca.net

Cap Formentor Majorca

A UK regional newspaper recently ran a series of articles about Majorca. Here’s an extract:

Mallorca (normally called Majorca in the UK) is the biggest of the Spanish Balearic Islands, the other main islands are Ibiza, Menorca, Formentera and Cabrera. Mallorca itself is often likened to a continent rather than a small island, due to is rich and diverse landscape, which varies from the alpine like mountains of the Serra Tramuntana and the Serra de Levant to the flat fertile plains of central Mallorca. The island is also rich in flora and fauna and its natural parks such as the wetlands of S’Albufera in northern Mallorca, provide important protection for hundreds of bird and animal species.

To read the full article at The Leader click here

For more details about Majorca holidays with various tour operators including Thomas Cook Holidays visit yourmajorca.net

Palma Majorca

Spain is well known for her first class championship golf courses, and the Balearic Islands of Majorca and Menorca offers 14 golf courses for golfers. They are very well designed courses that can be as enticing to novice golfers as they are challenging to veterans.

Thirteen of the courses are located on Majorca, and plans are in place to let holiday golfers know what they are missing if they overlook golf on the island, with the tourist board launching a marketing campaign soon.

With fabulous beaches, cultural offerings and sporting opportunities, Majorca is an ideal holidays destination. The island is nearly 80 kilometres long with over 500 kilometres of coastline. Much of that coastline features beaches ranging from blue flag pristine white sand stretches to tiny out of the way coves and inlets, attracting swimmers, wind surfers, scuba divers, fishermen, sailors and surfers.

Palma de Majorca, the capital, is the centre of Majorcan culture. The cathedral is a gothic structure overlooking the bay. It is noted for its enormous rose window and wrought iron works by Catalan master Antonio Gaudi. At night, the cathedral radiates green lighting that can be seen for miles around and is quite a landmark.

Throughout the year, Palma offers festivals, concerts, literary events and exhibitions that attract artists and tourists from around the world. Tourists can find works by Picasso, Gauguin and Kiefer in museums like L’Almudaina and Es Baluard.

Inland, the Sierra de Tramuntana mountain range reaches heights of 14,000 feet. Tourists on their Majorca holidays will delight in discovering numerous small towns within the peaks and valleys of the mountains. Eventually, the mountains sweep down to the sea in dramatic fashion.  Equally delightful, holidaymakers will also find a wide variety of Balearic cuisine, much of which is Mediterranean inspired.

Menorca is much smaller than its sister to the south, and has remained much more rural than Majorca. Despite its much smaller size, Menorca has almost as many inviting beaches along its coastline as Majorca and Ibiza combined. The white sand beaches and crystal clear waters are hard to resist. Swimming, diving, fishing, scuba diving, sailing and surfing are as popular on Menorca as they are on Majorca. Sailing, in particular, draws many enthusiasts because of the stunning harbours and inlets that dot the coastline.

Golf is also extremely popular on the island, but Menorca has just one course at the present time, Son Parc.

As in the rest of the Balearic islands, Mediterranean cuisine abounds. Known for its sumptuous seafood varieties, a staple of Menorcan cuisine is caldereta de llgosta, a delicious lobster stew that all visitors are encouraged to try at least once before they leave the island. But if lobster is not your choice, there are sardines, mullet, squid, prawns, grouper, tuna and sole to choose from as well. Menorca produces a variety of olives, cheeses and abundant fresh vegetables.