Holiday guides to Majorca - written by Jez Rourke

Majorca, also known as Mallorca is lies off the eastern coast of Spain in the Mediterranean Sea and is the largest of the Balearic Islands. It only takes about to two hours to fly their from the UK and what makes it better still, is that there are various airlines offering budget flights to the capital Palma. The airport is large with all mod cons.

Majorca offers a range of attractions to suit all ages, but young singles interested in the nightlife will probably find the beach resorts on the south coast suitable. Palma is the capital of Majorca and is full of history with its origins in Roman times. It as a large bay, but doesn't have a beach, not that this is a problem as C'an Pastilla and Cala Mayor beaches are only four miles from its centre. There is a full program of festivals, exhibitions, ballet, concerts and theatre productions throughout the year. Palma has a selection of daily markets, the early morning fish market - Llotja del Peix, the lively craft market - Mercat Artesanal, a flea market - Rastro, fruit and vegetable market - Santa Catalina, flower market - Rambla and the main produce market - Mercat Olivar.

The old town of Alcudia is situated two miles from the coastal development and the tourist office offers excellent two hour walking tours. Cycle hire abounds and there is a cycle lane running the full length of the resort. Alcudia Bay has fine clean sand and warm shallow waters, which make it popular with families and also boasts good facilities a good variety of water sports.

Majorca has a coastline over three hundred miles long and the interior is an explorers paradise with mountains to the north and a landscape of almond and olive groves in the fertile south flatlands.

Lluc makes the ideal base for exploring the mountainous region of the North Serra and five hundred feet above sea level lays the monastery of Saint Moreneta where you can spend the night. Keen birdwatchers take the five mile hike from Pollenca to Castell del Rei along the Ternelles valley. The ruin dates back to the 11th century and has some fantastic views.

East Majorca is well served with golf courses. With Son Servera, Capdepera having two or more golfing resorts. All have an assortment of leisure facilities and are close to resorts suitable for families.

As well as holidays aimed and clubbers and families, the number of spa hotels and wellness resorts are increasingly rising. They combine luxury, beauty, alternative treatments and relaxation with numerous indoor and outdoor sports facilities including swimming pools, yoga, mountain biking, Tai chi, tennis and golf.

Majorca has something for everyone with restaurants galore, nightclubs, bar, discos and idyllic countryside, historic sites, caves, waterfalls, mountains. The beaches are safe and clean and there are loads of apartments, houses and hotels to rent. You just have to choose whether you prefer to stay in a quiet village or a busy resort and how much you want to spend.

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