This attraction is on the unusual and wacky side and will appeal to all ages. It is a good way to get out of the heat of the day, as a lot of it is undercover, or to visit at night, when it is lit up. The highlight is the upside down house, which is a fictional history and full of quirky facts. It is surprising and fun and makes a change from a day at the beach.  The 4D rollercoaster and the 4D/5D theatre are unique and very popular with teenagers, as is the laser shooting game. The onsite grill is reasonably priced and the fajitas are highly recommended! The park is a good place to spend 4 or 5 hours and admittance fees are 24 euros adult.

The house of katmandu in Magaluf, Mallorca, Spain by Rafael Ortega Díaz

Caves of Drach

These caves are situated near Porto Cristo and are composed of beautiful rock and limestone formations, set against semiprecious agates. The stalactites and stalamites glisten in the wide expanse of underground caverns, four in total and the visitor to the caves can travel for more than a mile underground. At the end of the caves there is one of the largest underground lakes in the world. All this is set to music and illuminated with an artistic multicolored light show. The acoustic qualities of the caves lend an ethereal atmosphere to the experience.

Caves of Drach, Majorca, Spain by no

Cap de Formentor

This stunning bluff of cliffs, shaped over time by wind and waves, is named the “meeting point of the winds” and is a good example of the more natural side of Majorca. Standing on the cliffs, the wind will surround you and the waves below will be crashing onto the rocks. A nearby lighthouse will give stunning views of the sea and relaxation can be found on Formentor Beach. The area is a dramatic 20 min drive  from Port de Pollenca and is Majorca’s most northerly point. The Formentor Hotel is a good place to stay, with a mix of remoteness and classic luxury.

Cap de Formentor, Majorca, Spain by Sethaphopes

Serra de Tramuntana

This provides a chance to see the unspoilt Majorca, away from the tourists. The limestone mountains stretch along the entire northwest coast and are suitable for hiking, walking and day trips. The drive along them is twisty and turny, with lovely scenery, small villages and towns such as Valldemossa and Soller. Lush green gives way to bare rocks and The Canyon of Torrent leads down to the wild sea.

Serra de Tramuntana, Majorca, Spain by Pete Gonçalves

S’Albufera Wetlands

This area is free to visit and bikes can be hired locally to explore the open spaces and tracks. Many species of birds can be seen in spring and autumn, but it is also a good place to get out in the fresh air and have a walk around. Nature comes first here and the area is very eco-friendly. Food should be taken along and the bus from Porto Pollensa is a good way to get there.  Butterflies and Mediterranean birds are the main attractions here, alongside the chance to visit the largest wetlands of The Balaerics. These days you can get great rate holidays to the island of Majorca so now is perfect time to pack your bags and get to see these wonderful sights.

S’Albufera Wetlands, Majorca, Spain by Kiko Piris

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To experience some genuine typically British experiences then try this list of five – there’s something for everyone.

1. Eat fish and chips. Ideally in the north of England or Scotland where the best ‘chippies’ are to be found, and – very important this – you must eat it sitting outside from the paper it comes wrapped in rather than from a plate. Go heavy on the salt and malt vinegar, absolutely delicious.

2. Try crown green bowling. A version of this genteel game has been played in the UK since the 13th century and it is as much a sport of kings as horse racing. Perhaps one for the older set think English country villages and a cream tea and you are along the right lines.

crown green bowling by Jenny Poole

3. Hop across to a European party island. If you visit Britain in the summer months and are struggling to cope with the unfortunate reality of almost continuous rain then grab a cheap flight and holiday in Ibiza, Majorca or Tenerife for a long weekend. Get ready to party hard this is not for the faint hearted – or your Mum!

4. Take a donkey ride on the beach. Get back to basics with some family fun at the seaside. Indulge yourself with ice creams a plenty and give the kids a treat with a donkey trek on the sands, they’ll love it. Also look out for traditional Punch & Judy puppet shows, crazy golf and amusement arcades: all essential tourist attractions at British coastal towns.

5. Go and see a football match. Soak up the atmosphere on the terraces and get engrossed with the action on the pitch. Some of the world’s greatest players play soccer in the UK so take the chance to see them close up and discover this exciting sport for yourself.

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Photo by admin

Then a couple of great things happened at almost the same time; I started working from home and my wife got pregnant. Both pieces of news were warmly welcomed but there was an unexpected side effect. Now that I was working from home I theoretically had all the time in the world to travel as much as I wanted to. In fact, I could even have moved lock, stock and barrel to the Philippines, Mongolia or Patagonia if I had wanted to and (I was quite tempted).

However, with a small baby now part of the family we found our travelling was instead cut down to zero. Now that she is a little over a year old we are itching to get on the move again, and we just aren’t sure whether it is the right time or where to go to. To try and help, we devised a list of the most important issues.

Food and Hygiene

Clearly we won’t be going to somewhere like India, which is famed for being a wonderfully enticing destination but where tourists need a strong stomach to minimise their time spent in the bathroom. Avoiding countries where the food is really different from what we eat here is important, so that rules out pretty much the rest of Asia, Latin America and Africa I would imagine.  A friend took his 2 year old to Palma Nova in Majorca, while I also know someone who went with a young family to Portugal. I think these are safe sounding destinations for a little girl who loves to eat.

Things to Do

Actually, my daughter finds things to do no matter where she is. After all, there is always dirt to pick up, bugs to chase and weird objects to try and stuff in her mouth. However, I still think a resort with kid’s games and a safe playing environment is the best bet. A city break somewhere like Barcelona or Rome sounds really tempting but I am just not sure that she would find much to interest her and might end up overwhelmed by it all.

The Cost

We used to dedicate the best part of my wages to travelling but now nappies and milk take up that position. The truth of the matter is that looking after a child is an expensive business and now any big purchase we make for ourselves needs to be thought about carefully. To make things more complicated we can’t even go on one the shoestring trips we made in the past. Staying in a cheap as chips hotel and eating a supermarket sandwich for dinner is fun for adults but not so much for a 1 year old. She needs to be somewhere safe and clean and where there is decent food on offer. Actually, I think I am beginning to see why holiday resorts in places like Spain and Portugal are so popular with families. I used to wonder why people would go there instead of somewhere which sounds a bit more exciting. However, when there is a baby in the family your priorities change and a welcoming and good value resort can be just what you all need. It seems as though she is at a good age to enjoy this kind of holiday after all and before long she will be old enough to make the important decisions on behalf of all of us anyway.

For a terrific family holiday somewhere like Monte da Quinta will give you everything you need to enjoy the break.

The post What Is the Right Age to Start Travelling? appeared first on Europe Explored.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Pedro Gonçalves

Tramuntana Mountains

One of the most scenic parts of the island is the mountains of Tramuntana. These mountains are best explored on foot or on a bike. There is so much to see while you climb the trails of the mountains and you may be gob smacked with the views.

There is the Castell d’Alaro that is perched on the top of a rocky mountain overlooking the village of Alaro. This is a ruined castle and hilltop chapel that offers amazing views out towards the Tramuntana Mountains, Palma and further away the Mediterranean.

Coastline

The coastline of Majorca is varied dependant on the area of the island that you are visiting. The north is wild and rocky with steep cliffs while the south has coves, caves and ports. If you are looking for long walks along the beaches then the east and west coasts of the island are your best bet.

If you are looking for some privacy then you could hire a boat and sail to one of the quieter beaches that are only accessible by sea. There are many of these types of beaches so you can have some alone time.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Misty

Palma

Palma has a massive reputation for partying as does Magalluf but if you stray from the norm then you will find that Palma has an old town that is worth a walk around. Discovering the architecture and culture that Majorca has to offer. Palma has a cathedral, ‘La Seu’, that took nearly four hundred years to build but the gothic architecture is amazing.

You could also relax in the ‘Banys Arabs’ (Arab baths). These are remnants of Palma’s Moorish past. Or if you would rather do some shopping then the streets of Palma are the best on the island to grab some retail therapy. There is everything from up-market boutiques to some more familiar high street stores.

Most of the towns in Majorca have their own weekly markets that typically start early in the morning and last until noon, the most traditional of these markets is the medieval town of Sineu.

Photo licensed under the Creative Commons, created by Vix_B

Above All

Be sure to enjoy yourself whatever you decide to do while you are on your get away in Majorca. Whether it is relaxing on the beach or exploring the hills and mountains of the countryside Majorca has everything all on one fantastic island.

Majorca is a lively but mysterious place to travel to and there are many resorts to stay at.

Why not find the perfect location to stay at using Majorcanholidays.co.uk

View A Few Things to do in Majorca Balearic islands, Spain in a larger map

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Serra de Tramuntana, Majorca, Spain by Antoni Sureda

The tallest point in the Serra de Tramuntana can be found at the Puig Major which is situated more than 1445 meters above sea level. Not only is it the tallest point in the mountain range, but is also the tallest point in the entire Balearic Islands archipelago. The second tallest point which stands at 1364 meters above sea level is that of Puig de Massanella.

It is interesting to point out that the climate upon the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range is significantly different than that of the rest of the island of Majorca. On an average, the vast majority of the island receives less than 400 millimeters of rain per year. However, as much as 1500 millimetres of rain are received a year within the Serra de Tramuntana Mountains. As a result, the mounds also play an important role in ensuring that the island has sufficient drinking water. It is also the only point on the island which receives snow during wintertime.

Coastline of Serra de Tramuntana, Majorca, Spain by waterborough / Public domain license

Due to the fact that the entire mountain range is a UNESCO designated site, it is also protected and is utilized as a nature reserve in order to prevent the further deforestation of the island and ensure that many of the rare and endangered species that call the island home, continue to do so for many more centuries to come.

The picturesque beauty of the Serra de Tramuntana is one of the main reasons why countless people make their way up into the mountains. From many of the viewing positions along the sides of mountain, anyone is afforded some of the finest views of the entire Balearic Islands archipelago. Needless to say, the awe-inspiring views have inspired countless people over the centuries.

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