I love summer holidays in the Northern hemisphere which signifies the end of the school year and the start of extensive travelling trips. Whilst the summer holidays in the South are great too since it coincides with the Festive Season, I think summer holidays hold extra significance in the North when nature awakens from a long winter’s slumber, summer days are pristine and Europe shines on long summer evenings.
This year we travelled to the Netherlands (Amsterdam, Maastricht, Rotterdam, Groningen and Breda) and Spain (Mallorca and Barcelona). It was a fantastic holiday and I will be sharing more with you in the coming weeks. First about the relatively small island of Mallorca with beaches that dreams are made of. We lived in the historic quarter of Palma, rented a car and explored the island.
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| Playa de Formentor |
We swam in the crystal clear azure sea of Cala Deia, Cala Mondrago and Playa de Formentor. I loved the intimate coves below dramatic cliffs, wild natural beaches which are accessible only on foot and huge swaths of soft golden sand backed by palm trees.
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| Cala Mondrago |
Unusually for a Mediterranean island, Mallorca is fertile
and green, with an amazing array of natural landscapes from soaring mountains
in the west (the Tramuntana mountains), to beautiful vineyards in the fertile
central plain.
We indulged in the cuisine and spirit of the Mediterranean,
the food something out of the ordinary. Where else can you find wild boar, osso
buco, traditional seafood dishes or the best paella this side of the
Atlantic? With new-wave chefs championing local cuisine and converted
castles and convents in the countryside harbouring Michelin-starred
restaurants, Mallorca is fast flourishing into one of Europe’s most exciting
and authentic foodie destinations.
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| Walking to Cala Deia |
The above below photos were taken in and near Deia. This small town is well-known by many, but we followed the winding road down from in front of the gorgeous La Residencia hotel and we hit Cala Deia, a small and pebbled but very pretty beach. Two restaurants blend into the surrounding rocks and, though they look rather shack-like, serve gorgeous fresh local fish and cold San Miguel beer. We tucked into seafood platters at
Ca’s Patro March, the restaurant perched on the cliff overlooking the sea.
Dining at
Ca Na Toneta,
a small and charming family restaurant in Caimari, a quiet village located at
the foot of the Tramuntana mountain range was a highlight. The six course
tasting menu changes weekly, or more often, based on seasonal products
organically grown in the home garden.
