Puerta Palma Badajoz, Mallorca, Spain by Charly Morlock

Island Paradise

Situated in the Balearic Sea, 200 kilometres East of Valencia, Mallorca has a culture not normally seen by the droves of visitors form Britain.

It is accessibility from mainland Spain and Europe, almost equidistant from Valencia and Barcelona, is one of the main reasons why it has become so popular for the likes of tennis stars Raphael Nadal and Boris Becker, super model Claudia Schiffer, as well as kings and queens (the King of Spain often takes breaks here), politician and famous musicians.

It’s not surprising that with 200 beaches the island’s coasts are the primary attraction for holidaymakers, but it’s the more secluded spots of the island’s interior, where former farm houses have been converted, and villas built for the seclusion that many of the rich and famous crave away from the lime light.

A bay in Mallorca, Spain by Jon Rawlinson

Popular Pursuits

One of the most popular pursuits on the island is sailing, and if you head down to any marina, you’ll see enthusiasts setting off on the beautiful turquoise water. Or if sailing is not your sport one of the 20 golf courses might be closer to your tastes, or the amazing hikes and cycle track into the stunning wilderness.

There is an undeserved reputation that the island has developed, with resorts lining the coasts, but that shouldn’t distract from the Mallorca hotels that epitomise luxury, and massive yachts that are worth millions of dollars berthed at the private marinas.

Culture

Mallorca’s capital, Palma, has an incredible mix of the medieval and the modern, it is in fact named after the Roman city of Palmaria. Being so close to North Africa, Spain was spent many centuries ruled by the Moors, the general term used to describe the many tribes.

Their presence was certainly felt more in the south of Spain in the cities of Cadiz and Seville; but Mallorca was also under the rule of the Moors until the 13th century when it was taken back by the Spanish and became a vital port in the Mediterranean.

There is a strong multicultural presence in Palma (just like Cadiz and Seville) where you can see a distinctive mix of Gothic, Roman, and Arab architecture.

It is not surprising that once you look past the crowds of sunburnt Brits, the throngs, of taxis and endless beach umbrellas that Mallorca is truly a calm and beautiful paradise, and will surely continue to draw the rich and famous for decades to come.

Catherine Halsey writes for a digital marketing agency on a range of subjects. This article links back to https://www.jumeirah.com/en/Hotels-and-Resorts/Destinations/Mallorca/Jumeirah-Port-Soller-Hotel–Spa/

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Photo by Mike Sowden

Walking. There are quite a few long distance paths which cross the country up here. The main one being the Pennine way.  It runs for some 400 kms from North Derbyshire, into Northumberland and along the Border Line of the Cheviot Hills to end in Kirk Yetholm just into Scotland.

In addition to this you have Hadrian’s Wall footpath which is very popular with charity raising events. At just over kms long the walk is traditionally done east to west. Starting at Newcastle the Wall follows the valley of the River Tyne but generally keeping to the higher ground of the Whin Sill. The Wall has recently found itself being used in popular films such as King Arthur and the Eagle of the Ninth. St Cuthberts Way which has a strongly religious basis runs from Melrose across the Cheviot Hills to end at the Tidal Island of Lindisfarne.

The Cheviot Hills. Based around the core of a long extinct volcano the gently rounded slopes of the Cheviot offer days of walking and wonderful views. Arguably the best parts are within the College Valley. Here you have over 12,000 acres of private wilderness. With vehicle restrictions in place you know that you won’t have some of the traffic problems which plague places like the English Lake District.

Redesdale. The Valley of the North Tyne runs down from Scotland into the heart of Northumberland. Down this valley came the Scottish raiders during the days of the Border Reivers. Here walked William Wallace and his army followed behind. Here you will find fortified farm houses now called Bastle houses. The northern part of the Valley was requisitioned by Sir William Churchill as a military testing range some eighty years ago. This has naturally restricted development and the whole area looks unchanged for at least one hundred years.

Hadrian’s Wall. Some 80 kms the Wall ran from coast to coast and was built in 122 AD by the Roman Emperor Hadrian. It is now a Unesco world heritage site and very popular with walkers. Some of the exposed sections are very dramatic and the archaeological sites and museums can offer a great day out. The main attractions are found at Vindolanda and Housesteads.

Travelling around the National Park

Most of the National Park is only really accessible by car. However there are sections, particularly around Hadrian’s Wall where a combination of train (Newcastle to Carlisle line) and the Hadrian’s Wall 122 bus can get you around quite well. For the more adventurous there is also good cycling up here. Whether you chose to take a mountain bike across the many miles of paths on the Cheviot Hills or maybe a touring bike along the quiet green lanes you can be sure of a lovely holiday.

Article written by Colin Corlett for Northumbria-byways who have been welcoming visitors to Northumberland for over 15 years.

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