Senaste MallorcaNews

15 - Mallorca News November - 2018

On Thursday the 22nd, at the Paseo del Borne, the inauguration of the Christmas lights will take place at 19:00, followed by a concert to celebrate the start of the festive season. The small lights that cover all the trees, will be illuminating Palma for the first time offering a magic feeling. The Palma Christmas and Three Kings market also come sooner this year, opening from the day before (Wednesday 21st) at Ramblas and Plaza España, until January.

At the Auditorium in Palma this month

The Baleares Symphonic Orchestra;

15th: Mendelssohn, Brahms, Holst. Director: Pablo Mielgo, Ray Chen, Violin.

22nd: Blancher, Rachmaninow, Brahms. Director: Leopold Hager, Juan Perez Florista, Piano.

“Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland” on 21st to 25th. The ensemble of the Morgana Teatre Company presents this classical movie of Lewis Caroll as a theater play.

13th to 16th of December: “A Christmas Carol”, the Christmas story as a stage play. 

Tickets at www.auditorium.com

Trui Teatre presents:

23rd: Jazz Voyeur Festival: Salvador Sobral.

2 December: Magic show with the Mallorquin Xavi Magic presenting his newest stage program “The Illusions”. www.truiteatre.es.

The first edition of “Can we run” ('Can' is the word for dog in the Catalan language). On the 18th you can run with your dog in the Parque de Sa Riera in Palma. Meeting point is in the middle of the park, the distance is 1,8 km. If you want, you can run the distance twice. Start time is 10.00 for double distance, 10.45 for single. At 11.15 they announce the winners. Register in the animal department of Corte Ingles on 16th (from 17h - 21h) and 17th (from 10h - 20h) or online www.canwerun.com. If you pre book, you pay for 1 adult with dog 6,95€, for kids – with authorization of their parents – 3,95€. Family with 2 adults and 2 kids or youngsters pay 17,96€.

30% of the money goes to the animal shelter Son Reus. All dogs need microchip and have to be on the lead, dog’s minimum age 7 months. After the race you get information about dog psychology and a dog Frisbee game and stage action entertain you and your dog.

Juaneda Hospital in Palma offers Swedish staff, helping you (tourist or resident) with insurance questions related to your hospital visit and translates your dialog with the doctors. Tel.: 971 731647, Ext. 5010 or 618 809190.

Park & Fly is close to Palma's airport and takes care of your car while absent.

Indoors parking (building with windows) 799 Euro/year.

Indoors parking (building without windows) 699 Euro/year.

Outdoors parking 499 Euro/year.

They drive you to the check-in and pick you up upon arrival. 

Tel: 629 957753, www.parkfly.info

50 years ago the Cova des Pas de Vallgornera, close to Lluchmajor was discovered. So far, 80 km of this cave are explored. It is the biggest and most impressive cave on the island and can – in the moment - not be visited. The cave is in 3 floors; if the aisles would be straight, the cave would reach from Lluchmajor until Pollensa. The middle floor is on sea level, 10 m higher is the 3rd floor. Between cave ceiling and earths surface are always at least 20 m. From the middle floor is goes down 8 m, these regions are only reachable by diving. Approx. 20 km of the cartographic cave is under water. The cave explorers estimate that the cave is in total 100 km long. The biggest hall has the size of 2 football grounds and is extremely beautiful and spectacular. www.covavallgornera.org

Until end of this year you can look at art in public in Soller and Port de Soller. The respected Mallorcan artist Joan Bennassar exhibits in the Parc de Sa Calatrava, on the railway station and on the Miranda de Santa Caterina, showing human figures, often with a touch of erotic.

Fairs in November:

15th - Dijous Bo in Inca - The biggest fair of the island

17th and 18th - Olive fair in Selva

18th - Honey fair in Llubi

Bicyclers find in Mallorca all they expect: good road surface, patient car drivers, beautiful landscape, a good infra structure. Mallorca’s street net is approx. 1250 km, among them 700 side roads. On the web site of the Consell de Mallorca are detailed tours.

On Mallorca’s weekly markets the farmers offer every day, in different villages, fruits and vegetables from their own fields. Traditionally cheese, ham, olives and sweets are sold. What you find in the supermarket nearly all wrapped in plastic and equal size, you get here loose and absolutely fresh.

Mallorca is known today as gastro island: 10 Michelin stars, one dynamic slow-food-movement, over 400 biological farmers and wine producers, a wine boom with more than 100 bodegas.

In the Tramuntana region, with lots of water, grow apples, cherries, olives on terraces and the valley of Soller is packed with orange and lemon trees.

In the flat middle of the island grow old cereal varieties, St. John’s wood, almonds, apricots and melons.

On the sunny south coast they harvest salt, in the area behind grow fig trees which don’t mind big heat and lack of water. The island is comparable with the Garden of Eden where over 200 different sorts of figs grow, 70 different almonds, 40 St. John’s bread (used in the health orientated kitchen as well tolerated thickener, gluten free replacement for flour and base for cremes), 15 apple, pears and citrus fruits. Mallorca has 30 endemic grape wines, over 200 different vegetables and 70 sorts of grain. 

The businessman behind the popular bar Garito is Nacho Velasco. Situated in the little harbour Can Barbara in Palma, Nacho runs now as well the restaurant “Rosa del Mar” and the gastro concert bar “Malauva”. Chef is Paco Urbano from Cordoba, used to cook as a private chef for rich yacht owners and even the Spanish Royal Family. You can start with home made bread with olive oil, walnuts and raisins, incomparable good tasting croquettes: tender, nearly liquid with intense chicken taste and a bit of ham. Mussels marinated in vermouth and in apple foam. Excellent refreshing garlic soup with white asparagus, pine nuts, macadamia nuts, apple sorbet and thin slices of apples. The boned chicken wings in hot sauce with coriander on a salad leaf are the finger food. The shoulder part of the Iberian pork – all meat is prepared in modern Josper grill - is served with a roasted potatoes-egg-mixture. Try the cod with sauce béarnaise, crème of mushrooms and Idiazabal cheese. Favourite of the guests is the lobster with fried eggs and potato crumbs. Amazing rice dishes and wonderful desserts, all – if you wish – accompanied by the house wine Vinacho, produced by Bodega Ferrer especially for Rosa del Mar. rosadelmarrestaurante.com, FB: Malauva, Tel: 690 837947

In “Kathi’s Cakes” in Palma baking tradition meets finest art of patisserie. Enjoy her apple strudel according to best Vienna tradition, a juicy carrot cake with fresh cheese topping, chocolate cake, tasty cookies like ginger-lime or chocolate, several cup cakes and lots more. She serves as well a filling breakfast with self made bread and marmalade, cheese, ham etc., sandwiches. The place is a mixture of café and shop. You can also order fantastic tarts for weddings, birthdays and special events. The female owner comes from a little village in Kärnten close to the Grossglockner Mountain. She worked in Austria, Switzerland, London, Singapore and Portugal in 5-star-hotels and gourmet restaurants. Kathi will be on the Christmas market in Portals Nous and sell her Kaiserschmarrn. C/Font i Monteros 9a, Palma (near Carrer Olms), Tel: 871 049216, www.kathiscakes.com

In the quarter Es Rafal in the North of Palma, close to Carrer d'Aragon opened a bright shining, turquoise coloured oasis with terrace, the new restaurant "Mare by Marzio". The owner Cambuli is from Sardinia and learned cooking in different restaurants, among them Fosh Food and Hotel Reads with Marc Fosh. Cambuli focuses on Mediterranean dishes and integrates as well dishes from his home country. Guests love his gnocchi with truffles and mushrooms, beetroot ravioli with sage, shrimps risotto with tomatoes or Pappardelle with Boscaioloa sauce (mushrooms, olives, bacon, tomato sauce with sausage pieces). Cambuli loves unusual combinations, like fish Cap Roig filet with green asparagus, cherries, accompanied by asparagus soup and topped with saffron foam. Or shellfish with Botifarron, garlic and anise on a sauce based on fish stock and flambé with brandy. As well the meat dishes are excellent. His Tiramisu is not only softened with Amaretto but as well with Whisky, Rum and Brandy. Carrer l'Heura 29A, Palma, Tel: 672 333075, FB: Mare by Marzio

 

14 - Mallorca News October - 2018

Libraries in Palma are an oasis of calmness and recovery during a exhausting shopping tour through the town. Stop at the Biblioteca Cort in the ground floor of the town hall. The room has wooden ceiling, huge windows and bookshelves to the ceiling, creating a magic atmosphere. They offer cost free Internet. Books and magazines can be lent. It opened in 1935 and is free to be visited.

The Biblioteca de Cultura Artesana in the house of the Misericordia on the Via Roma (La Rambla) offers, besides books, magazines, newspapers, travel guides. Open for everybody.

Biblioteca Ramon Llull in a historical building of the university. Long, light flooded hall with stucco decorated window arches, wooden ceiling and tile floor.

Less spectacular but with an endless choice of books is the Biblioteca Can Cales at the Portal Santa Catalina. Open for everybody, the first floor reserved for children.

Until 15th enjoy the Munich Oktoberfest in the Pueblo Español in Palma. Open from 19:30 to 23:00, with free entrance. Find original Paulaner Oktoberfest beer, Schweinshaxen (pork leg), Bavarian Brezeln and â la carte dishes. Live music with “Eva & The Hurricans”

A rare chance to see legendary singer-songwriter Donovan pay tribute to Robert Graves in Deià on 27th. The famous Scottish singer and songwriter will be giving an intimate performance for just 50 people in the auditorium of La Casa de Robert Graves in Deià. Before Donovan performs, he will be chatting with guests, drinks will be served, and the house will be open. Starts at 18:00. Entrance 100 Euro, limited tickets ordered at support@donovan.ie. donovan.ie 

As part of 11th Jazz Voyeur Festival, the mythical “BluesBrothersBand” will perform on the 12th at 22:00 in Trui Teatre. Cami de Son Rapinya, 29, Palma. Get tickets at mallorcatickets.com

Some of the program at the Auditorium in Palma, Paseo Maritimo, nº 18. Tickets: auditoriumpalma.com: 

25th Balearic Symphonic Orchestra play music from Brahms, Willams, Saint-Saens; Direction: Pablo Mielgo, Jose Antonio Lopez, Bariton.

28th works from Belle Epoque Chamber Music.

Until 28th is the FestivalMallorcaCultura in Hotel Can Bonico in Ses Salines. Responsible is the German born violin player Nina Heidenreich, wife of the director of the Balearic Symphonic. Before she was a solo violin player in Quatar's Philharmonic Orchestra. Heidenreich will play on all performances in October. On 14th together with the Swedish soprano singer Lisa Larsson who had been performing on the big stages of the world, starts 12:00. Tickets 25€, for reservations telephone and whatsapp; +34 695266179, info@mallorca-cultura.com. www.livemallorca.org

Concerts at the Basilica de Sant Francesc church in the centre of Palma;

27th Sacred Music with OperaBrass, the highlights of church music.

3 Nov Rossini’s most important spiritual religious compositions.

Tickets: musicamallorca.com

On 20 Oct Trui Teatre in Palma, offers “Music has no limits” where artists from 14 different countries are played in Classical, Pop, Rock and Jazz, Gospel, Opera and House. Last year the show was performed in USA, Italy and Spain and all tickets were sold in a short time. The audience will expect the biggest sucesses of completely differet artists like Beyonce, Guns N Roses, Maria Callas, Lady Gaga, Avicii, Gloria Estefan, Michael Jackson, Swedish House Mafia, Bach, Lenny Kravitz, Queen, U2, Nina Simone and many more. The concert is combined in the style of Las Vegas, Broadway and London West End. Tickets: truiteatre.es and on the theater counter.

Bodega Vinyes d’Alaro produces with “Oloron” an outstanding white wine. The position of the vineyard is – for Mallorca - very special: high positioned and partly in slopes therefore slightly windy even in the hottest summer, ideal for the grapes. The soil is limestone rich and light colored, a contrary to the iron-bearing clay soil of Mallorca. In winter they bring sheep fertilizing the vineyards. Before the press they cool down the grapes to 6 degrees. In stainless steel tanks they ferment with the shells at 12 degrees approx. 60 days, moving the mixture regularly. This brings more intensity, structure, fruitiness, color and alcohol (14 %). Oloron is the historical name of Alaro and to be bought directly at the bodega for 12 Euro in Taulera Nova, Tel: 638 092785, FB: Vinyes d’Alaro . Or at Isla Catavinos, Mercavinos, Sa Roteta or Delicataste. 

Rent a Vespa in Palma or Port de Soller. They also offer delivery service for the whole island and luxyry guided tours. www.bullimoto.com

 

13 - Mallorca News September - 2018

Bio apples directly from the island plantation in Sa Teulera Petra, Ctr. Manacor-Petra km 4, or in Palma Mercat de Santa Catalina and at Girasol, C/ Menorca 20. Saturdays on the Placa de los Patines, ecoteulera.com. They grow different sorts like Royal Gala, Gaia, Renette, Opal, Story. 

Garden of art, between Campos and Sa Rapita brings you in a new sculpture garden. Every Thursday, visitors are welcome to walk through the garden, to touch the sculptures when having coffee and cake. The Swiss artist works with the soft soapstone, imported from Brazil, India and China. Road Campos to Sa Rapita, km 7, direction Agroturismo Can Canals. One-day workshops are offered; stay over with half pension on the finca is possible. Tel.: 694 408767 www.silviafelix.com

Music events on the island:

14 Sept.: Veladas Musicales in Deia. Choir, piano, violin, playing works of Whitacre, Pons and Hawes. In the Iglesia (church) Parriquial de Deia. Reservatioon: veladasmusicalesdeia@gmai.com, entrance 15 Euro.

Festival Musica Mallorca, the International Classical Concerts season for 2018/2019 starts on

5 Oct.: Zarzuela and Spanish music GPRO in Hotel Valparaiso Palace & Spa, Palma. 

Auditorium, Palma, Paseo Maritimo 18. Tickets: www.auditorium.com:

26 Sept.: Haochen Zhang, one of the greatest pianist players of our time. Entrance start price 30 Euro.

27 Sept: Bernstein, Mctee, Haydn, Brahms.

29 Sept.: Extremalism & Bolero with the National Ballet of Marseille. 21 o’clock. Entrance start price 35 Euro.

5 Oct.: The Bourbon Street Stompers & Joshua Steward/ Jazz and Swing from New Orleans, entrance start price 30 Euro.

11 Oct.: Haydn, Montero, Strauss with piano and the Academia Simfonica.

19-21 Oct.: Forever, King of Pop - stage show about Michael Jackson. Entrance start price 38 Euro.

On 23 September in Santany the symphony orchestra of the Baleares will be playing in the church. Every Wednesday and Saturday (until October) will be organ concerts. To be mentioned that the church organ of Santany is the most remarkable in Spain or even Europe. Recommended are also the weekly markets on Wednesday and Saturday. 

Big event in Santa Ponsa, the Fiestas del Rei, remembering when 789 years ago on 9 September 1229 the Christian troops led by King Jaume I from Catalonia and Aragon landed in Santa Ponsa to conquer Mallorca back from the Muslims, who reigned on the island for 7 centuries. Around this date are many activities, the highlight is on 9 Sept.

Bodegas Vi Rei invite you to wine tasting, visit of the wine cellars, romantic walks and tasty pick nicks. Crta. Cap Blanc (MA6014), km 25 Llucmajor. Tel.: 971 007460, 682 080342.

Cocktail Bar Abaco in the old city palace Can Marcel will close end of this year. A hotel will be built instead. Abaco opened 1981 and was a tourist magnet from day no. 1, due to the unusual ambience: antique furniture, rich decorated with candelabra, many flowers and fruits as decoration accompanied by classical music. Once awarded as the most beautiful bar in the world.

The turquoise natural lake of Es Guix invites for a swim - if you order a table in the

restaurant. The water comes from a spring in the mountains, surrounded by terraces and stone house. If you make a reservation for lunch you are allowed to put your feet into the water. 80 tables between rails of wood, stone benches and real flowers on the tables. The owners avoid colorful parasols and plastic sun beds. The card is small but fine, Mallorquan specialties, many products from ecologic production.  Wine card with over 100 wines from the island, among them some biological ones.

After the big heat is over, you can combine the lunch there with a hike from Caimari over the old pilgrim walk to Lluc. At the end of the hike, on the petrol station Coll de Sa Bataia you follow the sign to the restaurant and the lake. The old possession of Es Guix does not exist any more. Restaurant Es Guix, C/Baix, Escorca, Tel.: 971 517092, www.esguix.com

If you like to spend a day in the mountains with a swim, you can go to the open-air swimming pool at the cloister Lluc. 

If you like Austrian kitchen, newly opened “The Oesterreicher”  in Nova Santa Ponsa is run by the Austrian owner and his team, completely from Austria. Classical dishes like Wiener Schnitzel, Tafelsitz or Kärtner Käsnudeln, cooked with a lot of phantasy and creativity, served with a range of excellent wines. The chef, born in Tirol, convinces with outstanding performances with many years experience in top gastronomy. He cocked in the restaurant Taubenkogel (2 Michelin stars) or in the Chalet Toit du Monde 5 in Val-d ‘Isere. Carrer de Chopin 5, Tel.: 871 774151, Restaurant deroesterreicher.es

“Ice Eis Daddy” in Paguera sells real delicious ice cream. Enjoy it, sitting in comfortable chairs in the cafe with its cosy ambience. Delicious creations like fresh cakes, home made wafers, smoothies, juices, milk shakes and several cold and warm drinks. 31 different ice creams and sorbets, 5 to 6 sort vegan and lactose free. The owner Juan won the 1st price at the worldwide most important ice cream competition in Rimini. Open until end October and again beginning of April. C/Palmira, 1, Loc. 3, Tel.: 871 115297. FB: iceeisdaddy

 

12 - Mallorca News August - 2018

If you are in the UK and would like to meet us, visit at the "A Place in the Sun" property Exhibition in NEC Birmingham 21 – 23 September Stand B43. Check the link for your free ticket; Free ticket. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us at info@mallorcahouses.com

"In and Out" is the new strategy of the Museum Es Baluard. Since the museum has been redecorated, there were added 103 new works, partly of international artists and of the most famous alive Spanish artist, Miquel Barcelo from Felanitx/Mallorca. The new director of the museum wants to loosen the differences between past and presence and brings works from the 19th century next to todays art. The 3 themes of the exhibition are sexes (from bodies and performance scenes to trans sexuality), landscapes (natural and urbane, interior and outside rooms) and new expression forms in art like installations, performances, sound and video art. Placa de la Porta de Santa Catalina, Palma.

Jet surfing in Santa Ponsa for guests over 16 years. Courses only by appointment at tel: 657 498593, www.jetsurfexperience-mallorca.com

Mallorca with a birds eye view - come to parasailing in the bay of Arenal next to Palma. wsarenal.com. Tel.: 619-388786, C. Balneario 0, S'Arenal, Llucmajor. 

A visit in the Miro Museum is always worth it. Recently renovated, with the new name Miro Mallorca Fundacio and a new exhibition "Miro esperit salvatge" Miro, the wild intellect. Miro was born 1893 in Barcelona, moved 1956 to Mallorca where in 1983 he died. He lived in different villages in Spain and France but he felt home in Tarragona (where his family comes from) and Mallorca (his wife’s origin). On a big screen you can listen to Miros voice, telling anecdotes from his life, how he met Picasso, his love to architecture and how poor he started. He created over 100 works, paintings, graphics, ceramics and wall carpets in Mallorca. Cala Major, Palma, Carrer Joan de Saridakis, 2 

Port Adriano with Summer Flamenco Experience. Famous international flamenco artists perform with shows on Thursdays until Sundays in the Restaurants of Port Adriano. www.portadriano.com.

Son Amar the show Vampirika for guests from 18+. Elegant, sensual, dangerous. Tel: 971 617533, www.sonamar.com. Crta Palma-Soller, km 10,8.

Summer time local fiestas all over the island: 

5 August starts Cala d'Or with processions o land and sea honouring the patron of the village "Santa Maria del Mar". Many leisure activities and the very special is the ship procession when hundreds of boats drive out to the sea to accompany the picture of the virgin. A beautiful scene.

6 August fiesta "Sant Roc" in Alqueria Blanca with lots of cultural programs.

8 August the fiesta "Santo Domingo" in LLombards with the high light of the summer night "Verbena Popular".  Very pretty weekly market on Thursdays.

10 August in Sant Llorenc de Cardassar many attractive events, something for every taste and on 11 August is a night market in the old train station s'Estacio. 

15 August in Campos the fiesta of Maria "Madre de Deu". 

16 August in Capdepera "Sant Roc" und 24 August "Sant Bartomeu" are the most important dates around the summer fiestas this year.

16 August in Colonia de Sant Pere the fiesta de Sant Roc, always well visited.

A week before the 16 August starts in Cala Ratjada the fiesta with concerts, open-air-movies, dance programs, swim competitions, kids program, triathlon and as a high light on 16 the fire works at the harbor.

17 August in Felanitx the streets and galleries will fill with artwork, exhibitions and culture events. Same evening is the first "verbena" (summer party) in Parc Municipal de Sa Torre. 25 and 26 August follow more concerts. 28 August the cavallets (dancers with horse dummies), "cabezudos" (swollen heads) and "dimonis" (devils) through town and the fiesta of Sant Agusti is like carnival.

Each Tuesday the traditional weekly market in Arta is worth a visit, offering fashion up to island farmers products.

Summer Sunday Market - fashion, food, art, concert, handicraft - from 8.00 to midnight in San Carlos Castle (opposite Porto Pi).

A new beach house "La Calita de Portals" – is a hut on the beach of Portals to spend the whole day. Their concept is relaxed atmosphere, respecting the environment, open and available for everybody. The decoration is of recycled natural materials, fine timber, inviting up to the last detail, creating an atmosphere full of charm, country style and still elegant. They don’t look at themselves as a club but more as a "hut on the beach". The card offers Mediterranean specialties like Greek style Mezze and Moussaka, local dishes like Coca Mallorquina and pa amb oli, light salads, meat and fish dishes grilled or done in the oven. Recommended is the tomato salad with different sorts of island tomatoes, marinated in olive oil, Mallorcan almonds, fresh peril and spring onions. Or grilled octopus with pistachio pesto and hummus and as a dessert home made apple cake. Feel comfortable on big beach chairs (2x2m) and families or groups on a beach bed (3x3m). UM Beach House, Tel: 971 188591 www.umthebeachhouse.com

With the hippies in Port de Soller - the first house of the chain Bikini Island & Mountain Island opened. A few meters underneath the luxury hotel Jumeirah you find the new 4-star hotel, where each room is different decorated, all have the symbol of peace, even in the pool is a over dimensional mosaic of the peace symbol. Lovely view from the terrace of the restaurant "Neni" over the harbour of Port de Soller with its small fishermen’s boats, the beach on the other side and to the mountains of the Tramuntana. Neni has an open kitchen and dozens of flower islands hang from the ceiling. The facade of the house is covered with wood, all 114 rooms (including 9 suites) have balcony, wood and bamboo are the materials and a lovely green garden is around the pool. Carrer de Migjorn 2, Tel: 971 631700, Port de Soller. www.bikini-hotels.com 

It took nearly 6 years until the owner of the Bar Bosch could open his hotel, just above the bar. 1975 Nofre Flexas bought the Bar Bosch for 100.000 Pesetas from the previous owner Jaume Bosch, who opened the bar 1936. During the years, Flexas bought the rooms above the bar, used them first as storage and opened later a restaurant. In the 3rd floor house the architect created 6 double rooms and 5 apartments for 2 to 4 persons.  The entrance to the hotel is simple but the rooms surprise with space and light. Their names are Olivera, Cabrera, Borne and the furniture is unadorned, elegant, high ceilings, wooden beams, individual lamps and freestanding bathtub. The apartments have kitchen bedroom with bathroom, living room and balcony. The suite in the ground floor has a small patio. Roof terrace for all guests is there, sauna and chill-out-area. C/Bronco 7, Square Rey Juan Carlos I, Tel: 871 904728

The former restaurant known as Nassau Beach on the Palma bay on Pere Antoni has opened under the new name "Assaona". The restaurant is on one of the most beautiful locations of Palma. Luxurious,  casual and a top address for best food. Try the sea bass, well seasoned with herbs and baked in salt crust, served with cauliflower mash and ginger lemon butter. The fish comes out of the salt coat juicy and extremely good tasty; it is an old recipe from the former Tristan at Portals Nous. Delicious fish soup with fish, shrimps, squid, scallops, clams, lobster pieces, spices and fennel and a shot of brandy. The owner company runs as well the beach bars at Cala Sa Nou, Llombards, Marcal, Major and the restaurant Na Petra in Portopetro. The director is Cesar Soto who worked in Tristan, Mardavall, Son Net, Nautic, focuses on friendly service, good location and best food. High valued meat is offered. Enjoy just a cocktail or drink. If you prefer to be on the beach on one of the beach beds (2 beds, parasol and towel for 30 Euro/day) you can order from the special card. From curry sausage to champagne, they serve everything. Passeig Portitxol, Tel: 971 359633, www.assaona.com

 

11 - Mallorca News July - 2018

Twice a week from Sant Elm, you can drive kneeling down or standing up for 3 hours, with the surf board to the neighbour island Na Dragonera. Starting at 09:30 on the beach. Chose a tour to the left along the coast to the Cala d'en Tio or the right to Cala en Basset or to Dragonera. Sant Elm Stand Up Paddle Center Keida, Tel.: 678 678059, booking@keida.es 

On 20 July the nephew of Mick Jagger, John Jager, will play in Trui Teatre. He will be the special guest of the Spanish "Vargas Blues Band". John is the son of Mick Jagger's brother Chris. Tikets at www.truiteatre.es or Tel: 971 783279

Fans of the 70's and 80's will love "The Hole Zero". A mixture of club, circus, cabaret and comedy unil 22nd of July in a tent on Palma's festival area Son Fusteret (exit Inca motorway). It is the 3rd edition with an overdose of humor, top acrobatic and music. Tickets: theholezero.com/gira-mallorca.html. 

Damian Rice comes to Palma on 2nd of August. The Irish song writer arrives in Palma on his sailing boat. Auditorium Palma, Paseo Maritimo 18. auditoriumpalma.com Entrance 45 Euro, starts at 21:00.

Music, food and many products from the Baleares every Sunday starting 18:00 on the "Colors Market" in Palma. You find the market at the Dique del Oeste, the harbor area reached over the street opposite Porto Pi. 30 stands offer goods from clothes to handicraft and food products like oil and marmelade.

Music festival in Castell de Bellver, Palma on 26th of July with works from Brahms and Rachmaninow. Tickets Musical, Via Roma - La Rambla 7, Palma.

Formentor Sunset Classics on 27th of July with works from Dvorak, Schubert, Brahms and Ginastera. Info: www.formentorsunsetclassics.com
On 1st September open gala with Anna Netrebko and Ysif Eyvazov. Start price 200 Euro. 

End July is the Copa del Rey when thousands of sailors come to the bay of Palma. The sailing boats are a favourite motive for photographers and fans of the Spanish Royalties can watch King Felipe VI sailing. 

Fly boarding - you fly over the sea. 200 m from the bay of Cala Nova, Palma is the Mallorca Water Sport Center offering 15 to 20 minutes long flights alone or in a small group. You can book a course to learn on www.flyboard-mallorca.com or Tel: 687 798473.

Boat trip with a llaut - a Mallorca typical fisher boat made from wood and equipped with a latin sail. The shape goes back to early Egyptian boats. Formerly they were used for fishing and transportation of goods between the islands and the main land. Today they are very popular as leisure boats. In the harbor of Portocolom you find a gentleman who offers excursions for tourists and locals. The boat "Audac" was originally used to smuggle tabac. www.llautmallorca.com.

Ice art in the La Lonja quarter - in "Iceberg" the hand made sorts are partly vegan, all bio and extremely tasty. If you love ice cream you have to pass by this ice shop to enjoy a tempting refreshing orange sorbet from Soller with fresh mint and cardamom. The international expert jury awarded this creation as the best ice cream in the world. 70 different tasty sorts are offered every day, like caramel with pine nuts, Ensaimada ice cream, goat cheese with honey, lemon basilica, chocolate wasabi and many more. Their clients love real authentic hand made ice cream and not balls with unknown and partly artificial adding and artificial aromas or even powder ice cream. Palau Real 3 and C/ Apuntadores 12, Palma. www.iceberg-mallorca.com

Mozz'Art is a cheese bistro with shop, run by a young Italian team, producing fresh Italian cheese like Mozzarella, Scamorza, Burrata, Spalmabile, Ricotta and Stracciatella (not the ice cream). Daily they produce with 300 l milk approx. 50 kg cheese of different kind, no conservation or other adding. Among their gastro clients are star chef like Marc Fosh and Adrian Quetglas and the restaurants Nimo's, Canela, Niki Beach, Spoon and Toque de Queda. Try the cheese rolls with salmon and salad and the Mozzarella filled with basil pesto. In the bistro they serve the cheese in a bocadillo (bread roll), mixed cheese plates, Italian sausage variations and a kind of mini pizza. Open until 20:00, Tel: 971 158684, C/ Obispo Campins, 8, Palma, FB: Mozz'Art, www.mozzartmallorca.com.

Popular bar "Can Biel Felip" in the middle of Palma. Already at 10 in the morning, the bar is packed with people, having their 1st or 2nd breakfast. That could be pa amb oli, a mixed tapas plate with frit, croquetas, ensaladilla, pica-pica. The owner only uses local vegetables and fruits according to the season, potatoes are peeled fresh every day. Guests love the "pastenagues ofegades" (drowned carrots), a mixture of tender meat, coli flour, pine nuts, raisins, onion, herbs, lilac carrots and botifarrons (Mallorquan boiled blood sausages). The recipes have been published in a book, already a bestseller. So far only in Catalan language, translation into English is planned. This bar is worth a visit if you want to have the taste of a typical village bar in Palma. Carrer de Miquel Capllonch 45, Tel: 971 906831. FB: Can Biel Felip

The 38-year-old Caroline Fabian works as a private chef, offering shopping, breakfast service and serving. Of course after her job, the kitchen is perfectly clean. Caroline learned in a famous hotel in Munich, in Toronto and in Mallorca with the star chef Josef Sauerschell in Deia. Her cooking style is classical, Mediterranean kitchen with best products, healthy, light food, fish, salads and low sugar. She buys the biological meat and vegetables from farmers who guarantee best quality. privatecooking-mallorca.com 

New Boutique Hotels around the island;

In the little village of Muro opened the Hotel Can Ribera, run by the hotel chain Zafiro. The hotel is located in a renovated mansion from 1870 and has 21 rooms. www.zafirohotels.com

In Calonge opened the Petit Hotel Sant Miquel with cozy rooms, and a swimming pool. Some rooms have sea view. www.petit-hotel-sant-miquel.com

In Maria de la Salut is the new 9 room Hotel Som Central, less luxury but very cozy. www.somcentral.com

In front of the Puro Beach in Palma's quarter Can Pastilla is the small rocky island Sa Galera. Even it is very tiny, there are archaeological excavations. In 2012 the team found shards of ceramic plates and jars, fishing hooks and coins from the Phoenician time. They discovered a 25 m2 big building made of Mares stone and the rest of a destroyed wooden hut. Further founding exposes a terrible crime, which must have happened around the birth of Jesus Christ. 10 skeletons show a violent death, rest of men, small children and a pregnant woman. To find out more about these people and their history, the researchers need a lot of money, because what they find is very exciting but as well very expensive to examine. Thanks to Puro Beach they have 11.000 Euro per year available and they plan, like last year, boat trips to the island for 6 to 8 persons once a week between June and September. After many years work, the archaeologists are sure that the rests come from different epochs, the oldest probably from 2500 B.C. Further information: https://nagalerapunica.files.wordpress.com

 

10 - wineBANK opens in Palma with a new concept

In association with Emilio Innobar, one of the foremost restaurants in Palma, the international wineBANK concept is being extended to Majorca. Located beside the restaurant in the centre of Palma, the premises are now set to open. 

The concept offers exclusive membership of the club; a community with a passion for wine. Apart from a chef’s table, there is a lounge, as well as restrooms, storage facilities for private wines, and the opportunity to taste a range of wines by the glass. The membership card provides access to the premises day and night, seven days a week. The concept has been established throughout Europe and membership covers all wineBANK establishments in a choice of cities and towns, including Mainz, Basel, Hamburg, Cologne, Pfalz, Rheingau, Saas-Fee and Vienna.

Mallorcahouses has entered into this unique collaboration with wineBANK, which offers our newsletter subscribers priority to take out membership. 

Read more at www.winebank.de/palma

Contact us for a private viewing of the truly exceptional premises on the corner of Calle de Concepción and Metge Matas.

As Mallorcahouses subscriber please quote reference code JULIUS when you take up membership.

 

09 - Mallorca News June - 2018

Chairs which should be newly covered are in best hands of one of the last handicraft men on the island. You can choose among more than 30 different patterns if you bring him an old chair with damaged seat to be fixed or you buy a new one. He offers different chest board patterns, fish bone-, zigzag-, grain-, spiral and cylinder patterns. The materials are sisal (pita) made from the leaves of the agave; the most elastic material is the natural or synthetic phloem (rafia), which last the longest, up to 80 years. More expensive are the threads from the leaves of the dwarf palm tree (palmito), found around Arta and the reed (enea) from the nature resort around Muro and La Pobla. Both plants are under nature protection, strongly controlled, therefore only available in small quantities and steadily rising prices. Order under www.cordatsguillem.es or directly at his working place in Carrer Major, 212, Llucmajor, Tel.: 616 860688

La Filadora, one of the last traditional shops in Palma selling all kinds of fabric. Cotton, Neopre, linnen, silk, Polyester, jeans, jute, terry, felt, tulle, cloths with leopard pattern, mallorcan upholstery fabrics with tongue pattern, colourful children’s plaids, classical curtain fabrics, flowing fabrics with sparkly spangle, embroidery, shiny fibers - you can spend hours in this shop. The only thing they don’t have is cheap mass production from Asia. The owners point with quality and personal advice. Carrer dels Foners, close to Carrer Manacor. FB: Lafiladorapalma 

Ready to jump into the water-fun: Hidropark in Port d'Alcudia. Smaller water park, ideal for families with small children. Avda. Tucan, Te.: 971 891672, www.hidroparkalcudia.com. Buy on-line and get best discounts.

CitySightSeeing Palma with bus: 18 stops, 9 languages. By boat: 2 stops, 3 languages. By train: 40 stops, 4 languages. Tel.: 902 101081, 971 220428, www.city-ss.es.

Live Shows in BH Mallorca, Magaluf; Steve Aoki on 14.6., 26.7. and 7.8.; Tinie Tempah on 19.6. and 28.6., Craig David on 26.6., Creamfields Festival on 19.7., Tiesto on 31.7., Armin Van Buueren on 2.8., Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike on 16.8., David Guetta on 19.8. BH Mallorca, Av. Palmeres 12, Magaluf. Tickets: www.bhmallorca.com/live-concerts

18 to 24 June Tennis WTA tournament Mallorca Open. This ladies tournaments on the grass courts in Santa Ponsa has been established in the WTA calendar. Again 2018 the Mallorca Open are considered as the preparation for the Grand Slam in Wimbledon, starting a week later. Tickets at www.mallorcaopen.org

Summer Pie Festival 25 and 16 June with local groups like Los Valendas, Sombra, Jane Yo y l'Espinale and international bands like The Magic Numbers, Frankie Lee, Flats and Sharps and Loud Mountains. Museum Es Baluard, Placa de la Porta de Santa Catalina, 10, Palma, www.esbaluard.org.

Live music - sons de nit (night sounds) 21 June - 30 august. Music bands like the Jazz combo from the Netherlands Bruut! (Pollenca); the guitar player Damia Timoner (Port de Pollenca); flamenco and jazz with guitar, cello and drums with the Trio Jerez Texas (Pollenca); the mallorquan band Hi Hats with swing (Pollenca); the English jazz singer Ala.Ni (Pollenca); the band Stephanie Cadel et la Caravance with French, English and Columbian musicians (Llucmajor), a mixture of swing, chanson and cumbia. Jazz and soul unites the trio of the French female singer NES (Llucmajor). Further perform the female jazz trumpet player Andrea Motis (Palma), the mallorquan band Sterlin covering Leonard Cohan (Llucmajor) and the rockband Luna (Pollenca). The concerts take place in Pollenca in the Claustre Sant Domingo, in Port de Pollenca in the church, in Palma in the Castell de Bellver and in Llucmajorin the Claustre Sant Bonaventura. More information on www.fonart.com. 

Long fermented sour dough Bread without additional and conservation ingredients made by the happy Austrian baker. To be bought in the "Thomas Bakeshop Boutique" in the Santa Catalina quarter (outside the market). His breads ferments partly up to 2 days, makes it more eatable and easier to digest. Thomas had learned as a baker and pastry cook in the famous bakery Demel in Vienna and lived in several countries before he came to Mallorca. Open from Monday to Saturday from 7 a.m. to 15 selling 12 to 13 different breads. Full corn bread with 70% rye, red cabbage bread, pumpkin bread, olive Ciabatte, bread rolls, Brezeln, cakes (apple, cherry, poppy, forest fruits), croissants, almond croissants, raison-almond-pastries, muffins. Every product is done fresh and home made. C/Annibal 24, Palma, Tel.: 678 646699, www.thomasbakeshop.com  

You sit wonderful on the harbor balcony in the restaurant Soma in the Aparthotel Drach in Porto Cristo enjoying a glass soma (red wine) of the Bodega Ribas, made 100% from Viognier grapes giving the wine a whiff of exotic. Accompany the wine with cod in light, green spinach cream with peas, pine nuts, raisons and small bits of red cabbage mash. The Soma is optical and culinary modern. The chef from Galicia buys the seafood only from his country Galicia; the meat comes from areas known for high quality. Favorite of the guests is a part of the pork, marinated in a mix of bourbon vanilla and Sherry, fried on a hot stone. Accompanied by potato and sweet potato mash and a basket filled with veg and pimientos de padron. Very tasty is the octopus salad with egg plant on a crunchy taco, the squid from Galicia with potato, the wild sea bass in salt coat or the ox filet with foie and port wine sauce. As a dessert they serve choco coulant with pistachio ice cream and sparkling peta zeta. Finish the meal with a cocktail like "Spritz Soma" with Vanilla-Vodka, Cointreau, lime, ginger and ginger beer or the alcohol free "Chili Splash Soma" with Yuzu purée, apple juice, ginger ale and ginger. Cap des Troll 25, Tel.: 971 820450, FB: Soma Restaurant & Wine Bar.

La Taperia in Palmas Lonja quarter offers approx. 40 different tapas, as well vegetarian tapas. The main dishes are Angus meat burgers, Iberian pork filet medallions in coat of bacon with Gorgonzola sauce or dorado with rosemary potatoes. Of course, you get all the classical tapas like gambas al ajillo, dates in bacon coat, pimientos de padron but the owners want to belong to the best. They are very creative and serve caramelized fennel in ham coat with orange, sherry sauce, tuna fish on red cabbage with celery mash and horse reddish sauce; fried blood sausage (morcilla) with goat cheese or chicken in pepper-honey-mustard-sauce. Cozy restaurant in souterrain with a big window to the street, high Mares-stone walls, paintings with typical Spanish motives and live-music from mallorquan musician friends.  C. Montenegro 10, Tel.: 971 213916, www.la-taperia.es

Sushi goes Soller, opposite the market hall, directly on the tracks of the historical tram. "Aires de Japon" is the little restaurant of 2 Mallorquan gentelmen. They offer different sushi variations like a roll with prawns in tempura dough or with crunchy chicken and curry sauce. Miso fish soup, salads, gyosas and main dishes like short fried ox filet slices (Tataki), covered in flour, egg, pistachos and panko dough. As desserts they offer rice pastries (Mochis) or sushi roll with chocolate and papaya. Daily changing specialties, like noodle soup with veg and meat (Ramen), Japanese inspired cocktails like Mojito with Japanese cherry liquor or the Sake Sprinkle. Until 2017 the owner had the sushi stand "Mon de Sushi" in the Santa-Catalina-market, which he sold to open the restaurant in Soller. 24 indoor tables and 20 in the garden. Tel.: 655 663002, FB: Aires de Japon

 

08 - Recently added properties

We offer a new possibility for our clients to stay updated with our latest properties. Fill in your email adress and you will recieve an alert every time a new home is added to 

MallorcaNews from Mallorcahouses CB Mallorca

 

07 - Mallorcahouses Data Protection Ordinance

You may have heard of the Data Protection Ordinance (GDPR), which will begin in all EU member states on May 25th, 2018. The regulation will intensify the tightening of personal data and strengthen your rights regarding your personal data.

Of course, we protect your integrity. You get this newsletter because you have sometime started subscribing to what was published in it’s first version 2002. We only have your email in a listing. Of course, we do not share your information with anyone else. The content of our newsletters is only of knowledge and value about news, email marketing and event management. If you want to unsubscribe, you can do this below. 

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06 - Mallorca News May - 2018

Now the orange trees smell sweet and fresh. Explore them by a stroll through the 18.000-m2 big areas with approx. 1000 trees and try the normal finca oranges and the typical Soller Canoneta orange. The finca offers products made of oranges like a calming tea made from the flowers "flor de taronges" (in Catalan) or "flor de azahar" (in Spanish). Nerolioil is distilled from the flowers and they are used as well in the cake shops. Visit Ecovinyassa, Soller, open Mo, Wed, Fri (reservation necessary), entrance 12€, children (4 to 12 years) 6€, Pa amb Oli and orange juice included. www.ecovinyassa.com

The Port Adriano Music Festival will perform the following artists for July and August:

21.7 - World famous Spanish tenor Josep Carreras

26.7 - Spanish pop star Raphael

01.8 -  Devil fiddler from Libanon Ara Malikian playing rock and classic

04.8. - 100 minutes program by Las Minas Puerto Flamenco, a speedy dance and music show

09.8 -  Probably the most famous guests The Jacksons, the 4 still alive brothers of Michael Jackson, Jermaine, Tito, Jackie and Marlon

14.8 - British Reggae Pop group UB40

Best to buy tickets as soon as possible, starting at 25€:  www.portadrianomusic.com

Toulon-Alcudia in 9 hours on the Corsica Ferry. Twice a week the "Mega Express Two", will drive from the harbour town near Marseille, arriving in Port d'Alcudia at 06:30, and leaving back to France an hour later. Thursdays arriving at 18:30, departure from Port d'Alcudia at 19:30. The ferry was built in 2001, is 176 m long, with 1756 passengers capacity, 550 cars, max speed 29 knots. Restaurants, Pool, shops. www.corsica-ferries.es

Martin Muth, Portbook Mallorca. All harbors, bays and moorings on Mallorca, Ibiza, Formentera and Menorca are shown in this book - a must for all skippers in the Balearic Seas. The port book delivers all service information and should be in your island library. Price; 24,90€ 

Sport Events this month;

12 May Triathlon Ironman 70.3 in Port d'Alcudia. Since 2017 there is only half Ironman in Mallorca. At the 70.3. Triathlon have to be done 1,9 km in water, 90 km on the bicycle and a half marathon. Already sold out.

13 May Football, last play day of the 3rd liga. Atletico Baleares and Real Mallorca hope that they reach the prolonging of the football season. 

Mallorca Live Festival 2018 on 11 and 12 May with bands and DJs in Rock, Indie, House and World Music. Besides locals perform as well international bands like Primal Scream, The Prodigy, Bad Gyal, Solomun, !!! (Chk, Chk, Chk), Sexy Sadie, L.A., Vilalic Live, El Columpio Asesino, La Raiz, Chancha Via Circuito, Los Espiritus, Kanaku y el TigreProdigy. Aquapark Calvia, Entrance 55€ for 2 days, 40€ 1 day. Shuffle busses start in Palma to the festival area (4€ one way, 6€ return). To be bought until 10 May under mallorcalivefestival.com.

Auditorium Palma presents the Balearic Symphony Orchestra on 17 May at 20:00 with works from Mozart, Bizet, Borne and Berlioz. Paseo Maritimo 18, entrance 22- 32€, www.auditoriumpalma.com

"Bullfish" - the new top wine from Mallorca - a cuvée of the top class. "Can Feliu" Bodega in Porreres offers degustation with tapas. Open 16:00 to 19:00.  Upon appointment they offer tours into the wine cellar. Weekly events with wine - Wednesday evening paella, Friday evening BBQ. Cami de Sa Serra, km 1,2, Porreres, Tel: 971 168078 and 609 613213, bodega@canfeliu.es.

"Smack Mallorca" is a private roof terrace restaurant with a wonderful view over the bay of Palma, the cathedral, the mountain range, the sea, best at sun set. Be guest in the private home of a French couple having a house with 2 roof terraces in the 4th floor in Ciudad Jardi. They offer 2 different dishes. One is the Sunset Aperitif with olives, roasted almonds, tomato-bruschetta, salads, hummus, guacamole, filled wraps and coliflor, baked in the oven with olive oil and salt and served like a cake. Served with dips like Tahini-Dip (sesamo-garlic-dip) with lemon and hazel nuts or a kind of Chimichurri with tomatoes, garlic, onions, olives and basil. Together with 2 glasses of wine you pay 25 Euro pp. Or you come for dinner, then you get 2 more glasses of wine and fish and meat dishes and more salad creations like clam-artichoke-salad, black rice with broccoli, peas and spring onions, and much more plus delicious desserts. The price 55€ pp. Book your appointment or come Wednesday at 8 p.m. Appointment via e-mail to smackmallorca@gmail.com. Only in summer.

Restaurant Vida Meva in Palma offers sophisticated kitchen for little money, breakfast and lunch. The owner Toni Martorell was the chef for 6 years in Marc Fosh’s restaurants. Before Fosh he worked in star restaurants in the Basque country and Catalonia and in the Hotel Arabella Sheraton, Mallorca. Weekly changing 3-course-menu costs only 13,90€ incl water and bread. A 2-course-version for 10,90€. A small highlight is his Misa-chicken, juicy marinated with the North African spice mixture Ras el-Hanout (up to 25 different spices) and the oriental nut-spice-mixture Dukkah. For 2 persons incl wedges, salad and water only 23€. A super bargain!

For breakfast, Toni bakes the bread himself and serves it as sandwiches, Focaccia and full corn, llonguets and cocas. Ice-cream, sorbets, croissants, potato coca and cinnamon rolls are from his own production. The restaurant is decorated with colourful paintings of the painter Albert Pinya and is run by Toni, his wife, his father and the mother. Reservation is recommended. Open Mo to Fri from 07:00 - 17:00. C./Soccors 23, Tel: 971 576299, FB: Vida Meva Restaurante

First class cosmetic and top gastronomy in the newly opened Iberostar Grand Portals Nous. The new concept of PHYSICA is completely focused on health and beauty of the clients and concentrates on the offer of special medical treatments. Besides relaxing and the pleasure of different water basins and treatments in a modern designed ambience, clients can ask for an individual treatment by experts and the newest technologies from the cosmetic world. Mallorca residents have the possibility to use the Spa and fitness center by being member for one or three months, together with several reductions for the hotel, the restaurant, the Champagne Bar and the treatments and products of the Spa. The gourmet restaurant ASTIR surprises with a new card and excellent wine and will satisfy the most demanding guests. Carrer Falconer 19, Portals Nous, Tel: 971 100215, www.grandhotelportalsnous.com, ASTIR restaurant Tel: 871 774642.

PROPERTIES OF THE MONTH 

Fantastic newly built townhouses in a prime location, overlooking the mountains and the landscape. Situated in western Mallorca. A few minutes walking to Deia village, to local nature, hiking areas, sports activities, restaurants, shops, banks, the bakery, only 15 minutes walk to Cala Deia and the sea. Idyllic area perfect if you like the genuine Mallorca. Only 21 townhouses - ready in December 2019. Some examples with pictures from showflat;

#08929 - Two floor townhouse - Living area: 117 m² - Price: 760,000 € + tax

#08928 - Two floor townhouse - Living area: 121 m² - Price: 875,000 € + tax

#08927 - Three floor townhouse - Living area: 183 m² - Price: 1,060,000 € + tax

#08926 - Four floor townhouse - Living area: 261 m² - Price: 1,635,000 € + tax

 

05 - Mallorca News April - 2018

New boutique hotels in Palma

The "Summum Prime" in a palace from the 15th century, it has opened in December 2017. 18 rooms, restaurant, roof terrace with pool, Calle Concepsion 26. hotelsummum.com

On Easter opened the 5-star "Es Princep" on the East end of the old town wall, Carrer Bala Roja. Situated in an old city palace it will have 68 rooms, many with sea view to the bay of Palma. From the 800m2 big roof terrace with pool you have an amazing view over the sea or the roofs of Palma to the cathedral. The restaurant "Bala Roja" will have the kitchen of the star chef Andreu Genetra. www.esprincep.com

Directly on the town hall, Plaza Cort is the newly opened "Hotel Mamá" by the Cappuccino group. The new Cappuccino Grand Café bar & restaurant is located in the lobby of the hotel, an amazing Mallorcan patio and central terrace on Plaza Cort. The Tahini Japanese restaurant, a unique Japanese gastronomic offer that will delight the most exquisite gourmets. The hotel offers rooms & suites with direct view to the plaza, rooftop pool with views towards the old town and the Cathedral, Moroccan hammam spa, gym and private cinema. www.hotelmama.es

The hotel "Gloria de Sant Jaume" is also new, Carrer de Sant Jaume 18, with the feeling of an authentic Mallorcan manor house with roof terrace, jacuzzi, indoor pool with spa, sauna, restaurant. www.gloriasantjaume.com

The new "Icon Roseto Petit Palace" in Carrer de Can Campaner 6 (between La Rambla and Borne). It has a lovely gardened interior court yard, restaurant, roof terrace and pool. www.petitpalace.com

As one of the ambitious recycling projects in whole Spain are new laws from the Balearic government. From 2020 on will be forbidden: capsules for coffee (unless able to be recycled), cigarette lighters, razor blades, printer patrons or toners, the plastic sticks on ear cleaning sticks and lollies, humid cloths, plastic plates, plastic cutlery, plastic cups and plastic straws. The use of plastic bottles will be drastically reduced; Restaurants and bars should serve tab water for free. Plastic bags will be forbidden, so clients learn to bring own bags. The government's goal is that food, that still can be eaten, will not end up in the garbage. Shops and food stores are not allowed to throw away eatable food. Left overs from schools and clinics should be given to the poor. 

Snaps, Gin, Brandy & Co made in Mallorca

The company "Cabraboc" in Soller has the 40% aromatic gin and a Palo with 30%, classical produced with china bark- and gentian root extract, preferred as aperitif, on ice or with soda and a slice of fresh lemon.

The wine bodega "Ca'n Vidalet" close to Pollensa created a 40% Dry Gin with the name "Once" (11) - symbolising the number of Mediterranean herbs used for the distillation. Their snaps "Marc de Cecili" (43,5%) is a product of Cabernet-Sauvignon-Merlot-Syrah pomace, with the aroma of vanilla, herbs and pepper. Their Mojito "U37" (37%) has the basic of pomace snaps of dark grapes with fresh and dried herbs and citrus fruits, fresh mint and lemon grass. To be served well chilled as digestive.

"Ca Na Mora" a Swiss company in Porto Cristo offers a cognac-like brandy (43%), ripened 6 years in an oak barrel, produced of rest red wine. They also produce an orange liqueur (37%) from biological oranges, the awarded orange- and prickly pear snaps, distillates of St. John's wood, sweet potatoes, figs and the grapes Giro and Callet from the bodega Toni Gelabert.

"Eva's Destillery", half German, half Mallorcan company in Llucmajor sell their Gin "Eva" (45%) with wild Mallorcan juniper from the dunes of Es Trenc, coriander, angelica,  cardamon, romasery, wild fennel, local citrus fruits and many more herbs. Their "Felipe FLP" is a very mild Vodka.

Bodega "Suau" has - besides their famous Brandy - Gin (43%) and an orange Brandy. They use their Brandy Suau, ripened for 8 years in barrels and add oranges, a combination of the peel, the white skin and the juice of ripe, sweet Valencia oranges and dried peel of the tart, nearly bitter Curacao or Lahara orange.

The bodega "Antonio Nadal" - belonging to the company Tunel - has 2 variations of the actual trendy drink Vermouth, the white (basic Premsal grapes) and red (basic Manto-Negro grapes) Vermouth Muntaner, treated over 40 days with 12 different herbs like mugwort, juniper, cardamon, star anis, elder and vermouth herb.

All spirits can be bought in the wine and beverages shop "Isla Catavinos" in the industrial area Can Valero in Palma, Carrer Poima 6, www.islacatavinos.com.

Sports Events in April

14 April - "Six Day Final Mallorca". Bicycle race in the Palma Arena during 6 days with competition, party and entertainment. sixday.com Tickets www.ticketmaster.es

28 April - "Bicycle Race Mallorca 312", this 312 km long round course race leads from Playa de Muro through the Tramuntana to Andratx, Inca, Manacor and Arta. Offered are as well 225 and 167 km. Hurry up if you want to participate, the 4000 places are quickly sold out: www.mallorca312.com

Go Kart Mallorca 2018

04/03/2018 - 1ª Karting Magalluf

29/04/2018 - 2ª Karting Can Picafort

20/05/2018 - 3ª Karting la Ribera

09/09/2018 - 4ª Karting Chiva

11/11/2018 - 5ª Karting Can Picafort

www.mallorcarallye.com

Hillclimbing Cars

08/04/2018 - Pujada Aigües Blanques (cancelled due to road works)

21/04/2018 - Puig Major Revival (08:00 from Soller - Fornalutx - Ma-10)

06/05/2018 - Pujada Dual Sa Creu (09:00 from Military base Genova - MA-1043)

07/07/2018 - Pujada Son Mas (in front of ayuntamiento Andratx)

25/08/2018 - Pujada Sant Salvador ( road to Sant Salvador - Felanitx MA - 4011 )

06/10/2018 - Pujada al Puig Major

www.mallorcarallye.com

The new boutique of LINDT chocolate opened in Palma in C. Sant Miquel 17. Since many years LINDT chocolate has a shop in MallorcaFashion Outlet on the motorway Palma-Inca, km 7,1, Marratxi. www.lindt.es/shop 

Here the bar keepers are mixologists, very skilled at mixing cocktails and other drinks.

There are bars where you go when you are thirsty and bars that welcome you with a special ambience and bar culture, like the "El Barito", the "Art Bar" in Hotel Convent de la Missio and the Chapeau 1987, sister bar of the popular "Ginbo". The bar "Chapeau 1987" in Palma offers living room cosiness with style. You enter another world, well looked after, lots of wood, classical. Nearly English look, elegant and still cosy. You find a huge selection of whiskies, several traditional cocktails like the oldest cocktail of the world "Old Fashioned", the modern classical like "Penicillin" and a selection of creative mixtures like "Salma Hayek" with Tequila, "Green and Dandy" with Brandy or "Monkey Meal" with Whisky. Like in a good restaurant, they use in this bar high quality products. On different competitions the 3 bar keepers have gained high awards. Chapeau 1987, daily 18:00 - 03:00, Paseo Mallorca 24, Tel: 871 90438 . Ginbo, Mon to Fri 10:00 - 03:00, Sat, Sun 18:00 - 03:00, Paseo Mallorca 14a, Tel: 971 722175. El Barito, Mon to Fri 17:00 - 02:30, Plaza Obispo Berenguer de Palou, 4. Art Bar, Carrer de la Missió, 7A, Tel: 971 227 347

Bar-Restaurant "Sa Jugueteria", Palma is fancy decorated with toys from many decades and very popular. The bar is illuminated with colorful light, like a children's room and their speciality are hamburgers. Starting at 10€ you can choose the beef with blue cheese, Guacamole, champignons or even Sobrasada. "Slow food, good food" it says on the entrance door to the kitchen, expecting you to be prepared for an eventual waiting time for your food. Meanwhile you are entertained by an old black and white Mickey Mouse cartoon. Open Tue to Sat 19:30 - 02:30. Carrer Pes del Formatge 4. Tel: 971 21 41 43. FB Sa Jugueteria

Close the Rambla in Llucmajor, directly opposite the memorial, remembering the lost battle of King Jaume III, opened the restaurant "Contrabando" (the smuggler), run by a Dutch lady and her Mallorquan partner. They cook so good that they already are number 1 in Llucmajor of the 55 listed restaurants on Tripadvisor, and nr. 3 of the total 5120 restaurants (from July 2017) on the island. The kitchen is Spanish-Mallorquan and the Dutch chef offers as well specialities of her home country, like delicious warm apple cake with raisins, walnuts and cinnamon or mussels in white wine sauce with vegetables. They offer cold and warm tapas, pinchos (skewers), llonguets (long bread rolls), some "pa amb oli", salads like the farmer's salad with the seldom offered, intensive tasting peix sec, dried fish from the neighbor island Formentera. 5 to 6 home made desserts and daily offers. Absolutly fair prices (pinchos 1,50€ to 2,50€, llonguets with big layers 5,25€ to 7,50€, tapas 4,50€ to 12€, desserts 4€. They use Spanish, preferred Mallorquan products even from Llucmajor, like the bread from the bakery Can Pau, liquors from Vidal Catany and fruits and veg from the market or the shop S'Hort Llucmajor. The interior presents typical smugglers accessories like coffee sacks, an old rusty bicycle (the people took the bike in the night to pick up the smuggled articles directly at the shore), tabacco cans, old whisky bottles, a frame with some stamps, a historical photo of the S'Estanyol harbor. Wooden tables and lamps they manufactured themselves, chairs bought old and restored. "Contrabando" offers the pleasant combination of good afortable fresh food, friendly service and owners, nice ambience and a lot of cosiness. Open Mon to Sun (except Tue) 17:00 - 23:30. Passeig Jaume III, Tel: 971 101673, FB: Contrabando

Restaurant "Astir" in the 5-star-Hotel Iberostar Grand Portals is also an eye catcher. Starting with a lavish breakfast (7:30 - 10:30), a mix of buffet and card for 25€ they offer best food with local and Spanish mainland products. Try the parted crab meat with pieces of sepia, strawberries and lobster caviar, accompanied by strawberry Salmorejo. Fascinating is the luke warm foie in combination with acidy apple, toasted Brioche, ginger, fennel and citrus aromas or the salad of scallops and asparagus with pine nuts creme and pieces of ham. The pork comes from the farm Joselito, one of the best brands in Spain, the beef from the Finca El Capricho, known for highest quality (cow-rib-steak 70€/kilo, ox-rib-steak 180€/kilo). Delicious desserts like the chocolate textures with crème fraiche ice cream, cherries and cherry liquor. To eat here is not cheap but a happening: starters 12€ - 25€, main course 20€ - 32€, desserts 10€ - 14,50€. Pretty restaurant with arches does not only impress with the food but as well with the aesthetics. The Dutch designer Marcel Wanders, who gained many awards has designed the cutlery, napkins, table cloths, lamps and the pool mosaic. His works are exhibited in the Museum of Modern Art in New York or in the Centre Pompidou in Paris. The decoration is a mixture of romantic, phantasy and beauty reminds on past times. Open daily 12:20 - 15:30, 19:30 - 22:30. C/ Falconer 19, Portals Nous. Tel: 971 100215, www.grandhotelportalsnous.com

 

04 - Mallorca News March - 2018

Mallorcahouses waits for you this month at the Buying Properties Abroad MalmöMassan in Malmö, on the 17th and 18th of March 2018 - STAND 41. We will be introducing several new constructions that have not been presented before and ready to help with any questions about buying a house on Mallorca. Open 10:30 - 17:00. Free entrance.

Fira del Ram 2018. From 24th of February until 15th of April. Once a year and only for a few weeks, in Palma we can enjoy the traditional Fira del Ram, the prelude to Easter holidays. Currently located in the Polígono Son Fusteret, a series of fair ground attractions are gathered, some of which are for all ages. It has more than 170 attractions for the whole family. Polígono Son Fusteret, at the end of Calle Eusebio Estada, going down the bridge immediately we will see the fair and the accesses to the Parking. There are two, one accessing from Palma and another from the highway. Public transport: Bus Line No. 10 (Sa Indioteria) leaves you practically at the door. You can also get there by metro from Plaza España, the stop is Son Fuster Vell (the third). Open Monday to Friday: 17:00 to 23:00. Saturdays, Sundays and holidays: 10:00 to 00:00. FB: FeriaBaleares

Sant Llorenc, in the east of Mallorca, has a new created a weekly gastro market on Thursdays. Here you get self produced olive oil, ecological marmelade, salt, home made Alioli, fair trade products, untreated vegetables and fruits from the area accompanied by music performances in the street and the nearby cultural center. You will not find any products from Asia or other low priced products. Video

A new transport service, called "Glovo" founded by the English Sacha Michaud, offers their service. Whatever you need in a short time, they bring it to you, like medicine from the pharmacy, a birthday present for the daughter, a lunch or a new book. Between 9:00 and 23:00 they deliver within max. 35 to 40 minutes or to a later agreed time, should not exceed 9 kilos and no alive animals. Approx. 50 self-employed drivers are part of the company, founded 2015 in Barcelona. You order online: the registration with password, the delivery address, a phone number, a credit card number and an e-mail-address. Then you order online at selected companies on the web page of Glovo and a few minutes later, the goods are at your door. Using the app on your smart phone you can follow the delivery in real time. Within 2 hours they take off your account the amount of the delivery plus a service fee of Euro 1,90. If it has to be at night or far away they could charge extra fees. The company works in Spain, Italy, France like Milano, Rome, Paris and occupies 140 employees. Especially the service of Glovo is a big help when shopping in a supermarket. They cooperate with Mercadona, Supercor, Dia and Corte Ingles. Glovoapp  

Taxiprices in Mallorca. On the roof of the taxis sometimes you see a number.

Nr. 1: night (21-7) and festivity tariff: 1 km in Palma costs 1,10 Euro. Minimum 4 Euro, one hour waiting Euro 20,15.

Nr. 2: the daily local tariff (7 to 21): 1 km Euro 0,88, minimum 3 Euro, one hour waiting Euro 17,70.

Nr. 3: the taxi is cruising with the cross country tariff, daytime (6-21) 1 km Euro 1,08, minimum Euro 3,12.

Nr. 4: cross country tariff in the night (21-6) and festivities, 1 km Euro 1,24, minimum Euro 4.

Bargains with stories you find on the flea market in the industrial area of Consell, offering things which you don't find anymore on other flea markets. Old silver things, ceramic from Sheffield, brooches from Wegwood, hand made lamps, old stools, wooden collecting baskets for grapes, tiny watches from grandmothers, antique furniture and many more. Each article has its little story. Every Sunday. Come early, the market opens at 8:30 until 14:00. 

AutocrossMallorca 2018 will take place at the Circuit Parc Motor in Felanitx, races start at 9:00 on:

1ª Autocross Felanitx 18/03/2018

2ª Autocross Felanitx 20/05/2018

3ª Autocross Felanitx 09/09/2018

4ª Autocross Felanitx 04/11/2018

4 Hours Resistencia Autocross 16/12/2018

www.mallorcarallye.com FB: Autocross 

Car Rallys on Mallorca this year 2018

24/03/2018 - Rallysprint Mitja Illa  - 9:30 at Plaza del Ayuntament de Villafranca

02/06/2018 - Rally de Llevant 

16/06/2018 - Rallysprint s'Afició 

22/09/2018 - Rally Vall de Sant Pere 

26/10/2018 - Rally Villa de Lloseta

10/11/2018 - Rally Dijous Bo 

24/11/2018 - Rally TR Conservas Rossello

08/12/2018 - Rallysprint Santanyi 

www.mallorcarallye.com

The new address in Genova is the restaurant "Lume & Co", the former "Sa Berga", a beautiful finca outside Genova with a history of nearly 700 years. 4 families (2 Swedish, 1 Swedish-Mallorquanh, 1 Galician-Danish) opened a restaurant where they want to carry out what they missed in other restuarants, including best service, family friendly, children dishes (with bio chicken, bio beef, wild fish and vegetables) and a big parking. The old former stables with high ceilings are changed to an elegant rustic interior. Summer 2017 in London was the World Steak Challenge where the Company Vacum was awarded with the gold medel for their meat from the Asturian cattle race Casina. Here in Lume they use this meat as well as from the known company "La Finca" that adverstised with the slogan "La Carne de la Felicidad". La Lume presents as well excellent fish and their products have been selected for health (no use of Antibiotika and hormons), animal welfare livestock farming and taste. Open Wed - Sun 13:00 to 15:30, Wed to Sat 19:30 - 22:30, Cami del Reis 64, Genova, Tel: 971 104295, lumerestaurante.es

Close to the sky in the restaurant "Katagi Blau" in the Hotel Llaut Palace, Palma. Completely glassed in the 7th and highest floor of the 5-star-hotel, offering a fantastic view over Playa de Palma and the sea. The kitchen is Asian fusion on a very high level, you sit between "gardens", hanging from the ceiling and on the walls, in elegant, casual furniture and enjoy a delicious Bao with caramelised duck, plum sauce, peanut and lamb's lettuce. Or a Salmon Sashimi with clear butter, Ponzu sauce, Wakame sea weed, pistachios, Tobiko and chives or a spicy Tuna Sashimi with egg plant cream, or the Hot Rod Roll with Tuna Sashimi and tartar, baked shrimps, egg plant, cucumber and sweet soja sauce. Delicious tender lamb cubes in mandarin juice with Enoki and Shitaki mushrooms, asparagus and Ponzu foam. A 3-course-lunch menu for 22 Euro. The chefs idea is to cook exotic with local, possibly biological products. Open 10:00 - 24:00, Avda. D'America 2, Tel: 971 596018, www.katagiblau.com. Parking possibility in the garage of the hotel.

Sta. Catalina even has a Thai Restaurant. The "Isaan Thai" offers authentic dishes from Thailand, partly spicy like in the origin country, partly softened for the European tongues. Try the delicious duck breast, tender the meat, crunchy the skin, surrounded by red curry with pineapple, chilli, lychee, coco. The food is modern, light, healthy, served in a decent Asiatic ambience. Interesting starters like fried pastries, filled with veg and chicken or as classical spring roll. Tiger prawns with peanuts and sweet corn in Panko dough or the triangle formed pastries with small cut duck meat and various herbs, named Samosa Ped. Try the delicious cold tiger prawn salad with veg, mint, chili and a lot of coriander, one of the main spices in Thailand. Decent prices, 70% as well as take away. Open everyday from 13:00 - 15:30 and 19:00 - 24:00. C. Pursiana 14, Tel: 971 158679.  www.isaanthaicuisine.com

Interesting shops all over the island;

"Paper, paper" in Bunyola, selling clothes, notebooks, bags, art work, newspapers, magazines, gifts made in Mallorca, unusual post cards from Bunyola, C. Major 7.

In Llucmajor is "Espart Sport" , selling carpet beater, sport bags, shoe creams and socks, reed baskets, fishing bags, espardenyes (linnen shoes with hemp sole). 90% of all products come from Spain and even Mallorca. C. Born, 17.

Loseta with "Forn de Baix" bakes the delicious sweet cream-meringue-pastry called bocata di cardenale. Here these temptations were invented. A popular dessert of the Mallorquins and best fresh filled. Pass by this 150 year old bakery in C. De l'Eglesia 8.

In Campos you have "Forn Ca'n Nadal", baking bread in a wooden oven, bread rolls and pastries according to old family recipes and without any artificial addings. All is homemade. C. Estrelles 22.

In Costitx you find "Botiga Ca'n Roca", a small grocery where the time seems to stand still. While you buy fresh eggs you can discuss with the owner how to conserve fruits and vegetables. Placa del Jardin, 5.

Binissalem with its wine shop "Vins Ca'n Novell" sells their wine in environment friendly returnable bottles. Behind the garage door are 7 huge wooden barrels, labeled with white chalk. These 200 year old "botes congrenyades" from stone oak and olive wood only excist in Mallorca. Red, white, rosé and sherry wine from the barrel is offered and olive oil from a farmer in Biniagual. C. Bonaire, 17.

Soller has the 100 year old shop "Ca's Sarrier" selling traditional mallorquan handicraft products, like baskets, hats and brooms and the popular summer shoes of Esparto grass, sulphurized in the oven, to get the typical white color. Carrer De Sa Lluna.

"Tot Pell" in Felanitx sells hats and animal skin-carpets, no products from China. The animal furs come from France, the classical men's hats from felt are produced in Alicante. C. 31 de Marc, 13.

"Ca'n Garanya 40" in Manacor is a beautiful shop selling household articles, carpets, toys, many useful things needed on a finca, like baskets to collect the eggs from the hen's run or wooden storage cupboards closed with rabbit wire, handmade by a carpenter in the village and vintage furniture from Europe and Asia. C. Joan Lliteras 40.

"Ca'n Bou" in Alaro is a hard ware store (ferreteria) that sells anything you might need: cleaning material, pans, bulbs, brushes, paints, screws, as well coffee (if wished freshly grained), herbs, dried peas, almonds, liquorice, noodles, dried fruits and pets food. C. D'Alexandre Rossello 9.

"Ca'n Perillo" in S'Alqueria Blanca is a gift shop with interior decorative articles, showing complete table decoration or stylish pieces for your home. You can find furniture like cupboards and mirros of drift wood with partly still the old rusty nails. In summer the little, pretty decorated garden in the back invites for a rest. Place Verge de Consolacio.

The coffee roastery "Cafés Llofriu" in Palma is the only and last coffee roastery on the island. Opposite the Mercat de l'Olivar they sell 30 different kinds of coffee with competent advice. Either mild or strong flavor, with a strong body, more or less acid - the friendly sales ladies help you. The house mixture Superior contains 4 different beans and can be tried in the shop. C. Josep Tous i Ferrer, 10.

"Embolics" in Palma sells intelligent and environment friendly children toys, functioning without manual but with the phantasy of the children. For parents there are practical, ergonomic carrier bags. In old times they ordered these elastic foulards and bag packs in USA, nowadays they come from Europe. As well practical and pretty is their offer on children's furniture. C. Missio, 38.

 

03 - BUYING PROPERTIES ABROAD February 2018 ALVSJÖ MÄSSAN STOCKHOLM 17th AND 18th

Jaime Fullana from the finca Es Verger will be explaining how to have success starting your own vineyard or olive oil production in Mallorca. Jaime produces his own ecological wine and ecological olive oil.

He is also helping clients to buy lands or farms, to convert these into successful business or just producing your own wine or olive oil. Jaime offers his services, from planting the wine stock or olive trees to producing the ready product in a bottle.

The production can be small for your own use or big fabrication to be sold is shops. For a modest produce, Jaime uses his own equipment from his vineyard.

In the "Speakers Corner” at the “Buying Properties Abroad” show, Jaime will be giving a speech at 11:30 Saturday 17th and 10:30 Sunday 18th.

If you would like to talk more to Jaime, he will be at the Mallorcahouses stand; 108, during the exhibition in Stockholm. Mallorcahouses and Jaime are collaborating partners regarding this project. 

www.esverger.es    www.fairmedia.se    www.mallorcahouses.com

 

02 - Mallorca News February - 2018

How to start your own vineyard or olive oil production in Mallorca, Jaime Fullana from finca Es Verger will be explaining how to have success doing this. In the "Speakers Corner” at the “Buying Properties Abroad” show, Älvsjö Mässan, at 11:30 on Saturday 17th and 10:30 on Sunday 18th February. Jaime produces his own wine and olive oil and is also helping clients to buy lands or farms and converting these into successful business or just producing your own wine or olive oil.  Jaime offers his services, from planting the wine stock or olive trees to producing the ready product in a bottle, the production can be small for your own use or big production to be sold is shops. For smaller productions Jaime uses his own equipment from his vineyard. If you would like to talk more to Jaime, he will be at the Mallorcahouses stand; 108, during the exhibition in Stockholm. Mallorcahouses and Jaime are collaborating partners regarding this project. www.esverger.es and www.fairmedia.se

Palma Arena opens the hotel-, restaurant- and catering fair Horeca. If you are interested in good food, want to watch star chefs cooking, want to know which stove and which pots to use and which hoods are the best. You can watch bar keepers mixing drinks and coffee experts. It is an exhibition for restaurant and hotel owners but non professionals are also able to visit. No children because of many stands offering alcohol. Hobby cooks and gastro fans are welcome. Entrance 10 Euro. Open Mo to Wed (5th to 7th Feb) from 11:00 to 19:00, Palma Arena, C/ de Uruguai, Tel: 971 750170, www.horecabaleares.com

Auditorium presents;

• 10th and 11th ”The Snow Queen", a show for the whole family. Tickets 18-32 Euro. Starts at 19:00.
• 17th "The very best of Dire Straits", a tribute to the Dire Straits. Tickets 35-40 Euro. Starts at 20:00.
• 24th “Carmen”, the famous ballet dancer Victor Ullate dances with his team. Tickets 32-45 Euro. Opens 20:00.
• 28 th starts the big espectacle "Merlin La Leyenda". A musical with over 60 different costumes and over 40 artists. Tickets 28 Euro. Opens 19:00
• Classical music with the Balearic Symphony Orchestra: on the 9th with the Choir of the Balearic Islands and works of J.S.Bach. On the 15th works of Haydn, Martinsson, Ravel. On the 22nd works of Parera, Betthoven, Brahms and Schoenbeg. 

The centre of Palma will be dressed in colours to celebrate carnival, on Sunday 11th, first the celebration of sa Rueta, a party of the little ones, starting at 10:30, after the traditional and more spectacular parade of sa Rua, in which floats and troupes will animate the afternoon hours from 5:00. Sa Rua 2018 will once again go through the streets of Palma and at the end prizes will be awarded to the best disguised group and floats at the Plaça Rei Joan Carles I. This year's itinerary will be from Rambla, Carrer de la Riera, carrer Unió, Plaça de Joan Carles I and Avinguda Jaume III. These traditional festivities, in Mallorca, begin with the dijous gras and continue throughout the weekend with concerts, dances and parades of disguised groups and end with the traditional burial of the sardine.

The Galery Kewenig shows works of the artists Christian Boltanski (French), Bertrand Lavier (French) and Markul (Polish-French). 73 year old Boltanski is one of the most important alive artists of his generation. 68 year old Lavier and 40 year old Markul accompany Boltanski and show their own creations. The show is called "Après" because of Mr. Kewenig's death last year. To be visited until 17th of March. Palma, Carrer Sant Feliu. kewenig.com

Galatzó Trail 2018 (Mallorca mountain marathon) an amazing trail running competition which will take place the next 18th March at the Finca Es Galatzó (municipality of Calvià). The start and finish line will be located at the square of Sa Vinya in Es Capdellà. The event includes two distances; Galatzó legend (about 43 km): Starts at 09:00. It’s a demanding trail where participants face a 45 km course. In this spectacular tour the participants will have to crown two of the most emblematic mountains of the Serra de Tramuntana: s'Esclop (927 meters) and the legendary mountain of Es Galatzó (1027 meters). Galatzó half: (about 22 km). Starts at 10:00. It’s a trail designed for the enjoyment of mountain lovers who practice half-distances. It's also ideal for those trail-running rookies looking for their first experience in a long distance. The course runs 100% on mountain trails, some of them connecting to the Finca Es Galatzó. Participants can be from 18 years onwards, early subscriptions will receive a discount, volunteers are also invited to participate. For more information visit www.galatzotrail.com

Palma is opening a "wine bank". It is already the 7th of a chain named wineBank, besides Germany, Austria and Switzerland. For exclusive membership of the club you have the possibility to store your wine under ideal conditions. Apart from chef's table, there is a lounge and opportunity to taste a range of wines with your guests in a friendly, relaxed atmosphere. Directly next to the famous restaurant "Emilio Innobar", C/ Concepcio, 9, Palma. www.winebank.de

Discover and enjoy the biggest Bio Finca in Mallorca. Take part of a finca tour and get unforgettable impressions of their vineyards, beautiful horses , flora and fauna and you can try the excellent wine and the exquisite olive oils. Spend your holiday or make your own exclusive event in one of their villas surrounded by beautiful nature. Open Mon to Fri from 9:00 - 13:00 and 15:00 - 18:00. Camino Son Prohens, Son Prohens, Felanitx. es-fangar.com

Some of Mallorca's bestbakeries;

"Rosevelvet Bakery" is a small pretty Café in Palma offering lunch dishes and every day 10 different cakes (cheese, lemon-merengue-carrots, chocolate-salt, pear-banana-crumble and many more), cookies, muffins and the star, the Red-Velvet-Tart, the favourite of the guests. Open 08:30 - 18:30, Sat 10:00 - 14:00, C/ De la Missio 15 (close to Rambla), FB: Rosevelvet Bakery 

Since 12 years, on the main road Secar de la Real, the "Forn i Pastisseria Trias", offers traditional and innovative balearic baking. You find mantecadas, turrones, pasta de té, coca de patata, ensaimada and their delicious variation of the Sacher tart, without marmelade but rich with Cointreau and 3 different chocolate variations. Biscuit rolls filled with truffel-chocolate cream. Open 7:00 - 22:00, Avda. Cister, Secar de la Real, FB: Forn i Pastisseria Trias

"Mise en Place" run by a Finish lady with her Argentinian husband started with self baked bread, cakes and goodies. Today you also get well substantial lunch dishes. Sacher tart, filled almond croissants, almond-, carrot-, apple and Match tea cakes, fruit tartlets and "Montblanc" with almond cream, pear and chestnut. Four different hot chocolate drinks to give you warmth. Open 9:00 - 21:00, Placa Major, 10, FB: Mise en Place 

The classical "Ca'n Joan de S'Aigo" is an old, cosy café, with marble tables and lamps from Gordiola (Mallorca) and waiters who work here since many many years. It is the great and traditional products that attract guests into the 2 cafés; the mini ensaimadas are known as the best of the island. Per month they bake and sell 1300 to 1600 pieces. Home made ice cream is also special. Open from 8:00 - 20:00, C/ Can Sanc 10 and Baro de Santa Maria de Sepulcre 5, both in Palma. A third will be opened in March on the Avenidas "Can Maneu". canjoandesaigo.com

Patisseria "Pomar" in Campos exists since 1902 and is known as one of the most traditional and appreciated bakeries on the island. There is nothing they don't offer: cakes, tartlets, pastries, ensaimadas, almond cakes. 2 bakeries in Campos and 2 in Palma: C/ Baro Sta. M. De Sepulcre 12 and C/ Manacor 3, www.patisseriespomar.es

 

01 -Mallorca News January  - 2018

As it is traditional in the Christmas season, many spaces of the city mount their nativity scenes so that the citizens can visit them. There are some classic style and others with figures and more modern scenography.  Last chance to see Christmas nativity scenes exhibited; 

Bethlehem of Artisan Crafts of the City Council of Palma
Until 7th January .

Plaça de Cort, 1.

Working days from 9:00 to 21:00 h. Sunday and holidays from 10:00 to 20:00 h.

Church of Sant Antoni Abat (Son Ferriol)

Carrer de la Blatera, 49

Until 17th January

Saturdays at 19:30 h. Sunday and holidays from 10:00 to 19:30 h. 

Church of Sant Roc ( Son Roca)

Until 22nd January

Carrer del Reverendo Gabriel Bestard, 12

Thursdays and Saturday from 18:00 to 19:30 h.

Sunday and holidays from 10:00 to 11:00 h. 

Bethlehem of Santa Catalina market

Until 17th January

Plaça de la Navegació s/n

Monday to Saturday from 8:00 to 15:00h.

Church of Santa Catalina Tomàs

Until 20th January

Plaça de Santa Pagesa, 5

Working days from 10:30 to 12.00  and 19:00 to 20:45 h.

Sunday and holidays from 8:00 to 13:00 and 17:00 to 20:00 h.

Bonfires, singing and dancing, devil-chasing and parades take place, followed by a street party that runs late into the night on the 17th January. The main celebration is the dance of the devils ('dimonis'), which represent the devils that tempted Sant Antoni, the patron saint of animals. Typically celebrated in Manacor, they live with a lot of intensity the activities. In addition, there will be traditional foguerons (bon fires), the struggle between good and evil represented by the confrontation of the saint with the dimonis (demons), many other acts that make up the playful offer of the celebration par excellence of the Mallorcan winter. Among the most outstanding acts of the program is the conference of Dimonis, the parade of floats and the lighting of foguerons (bon fires).

Palma’s annual festivities "San Sebastian" start from 13th to 19th of January. On eight stages 34 bands will perform on the night of the 19th. One of them is the British pink legend “Peter and the Test Tube Babies”, “Posidonia”, “The Parrots”, “Jansky”, “the Electro R’nB”, artist “John Grvy”, the Mallorca Jazz Group “Highlands Project” and the Catalan world music group “Txarango”. All concerts are free.

Rejoice, is the new show by Palma Gospel Singers, a young group created in 2016 and directed by Joan Laínez, who is also the director of other choral groups such as Cort Ciutat de Palma or Mallorca Gay Men's Chorus. In Rejoice there are more than forty singers, three musicians and two popular Mallorca based gospel music soloists: Bilonda and Emma Diva. The repertoire consists of a selection of famous songs such as Oh, Happy Day or Amen, among others. A charity concert that collaborates with the Campaner Foundation, in favour of Niger children suffering from infectious malaria, known as Noma. Friday 12th of January, at 20:30.  Auditori de Peguera (Calvià), C / Pins, 17. Peguera. Prices from € 10. Tel: 971 13 91 81

The voice and the poet, tribute to Federico García Lorca will open the 23rd Classic’s Winter Music Festival at the New Congress Palace of Palma. Basque soprano Ainhoa ​​Arteta, one of the most celebrated sopranos of the national and international lyric scene, dancer Pilar Astola and pianist Rubén Fernández-Aguirre come together in this music, dance and literature show. A program based on the texts and music of the poet's songbook, in which music, dance and literature are combined in a repertoire that also includes works by other composers such as Xavier Montsalvatge, Jesús García Leoz and Antón García Abril. 13th January, from 19: 00h. Palau de Congressos. Carrer Joan Maragall, 10. Tel; 971 62 69 00. tickets.janto.es

Soller citizens and visitors have recieved a great Chrsitmas present this year, as the toll for the Soller tunel has been declared open and from 28th of December driving through the tunel is free of charge.

The best cafés in Palma: "Can Miquel" close to the Avenidas offer all kind of tasty "bollerias" like Ensaimadas, Croissants, Coca de patata, Mantecados or a simple bisquit to dip in hot chocolate. They have as well tarts to be brought home or to be eaten in a big group. Mallorquens do not eat piece of tart in the café, but "bollerias". C. Del General Riera, 36, FB: Can Miquel Afd Porreres.

"Cachivache Café" is a funny decorated café with a playroom for kids run by 2 young ladies from Argentina, opposite the former slaughter house S'Escorxador. Here you get carrot cake, apple-, raspberry-cheesecake, pastries from Argentina with dulce de leche like the "alfajores" (bisquit with coco und dulce de leche)together with a hot chocolate in different aromas. C./ de la Emperadriu Eugenia, 7, FB: Cachivache Café. 

The Spanish culture radio station awarded the new album of the Mallorquan band "The Wheels" as the gourmet record of the year 2017. The album is called "The year of the monkey", their singers voice reminds us of the voice of John Lennon. Really worth to listen.

The Symphonic Film Orchestra, a leading symphonic orchestra in Film Music, returns on tour with its FSO TOUR 2017 and The Best Film Music in Concert. Performing in the 6th and 7th of January at True Theatre, interpreting like no other, new themes from your favourite movies. A new lighting design will accompany the orchestra and its charismatic director Constantino Martínez-Orts, turning your traditional annual appointment with the FSO into an exciting, surprising and moving show. You can listen to the music of La La Land (winner of the Oscar in 2017) as well as magnificent titles of films like The Man of Steel, The Mission, Pearl Harbor, Dancing with Wolves, Shark, Tombstone, Exodus and Casablanca among many others…at Trui Teatre, Palma de Mallorca. www.truiteatre.es

An extraordinary concert with the SimphonicOrquestra of the Balearic Islands, interpreting; Number 2 symphony of Brahms and Réquiem (premiere) of Guinovart, on the 25th of January. Prices; 15€ or 18€. Starts at 20:00. Tickets auditoriumpalma.com

Also at the Auditorium, Hallelujah! On 5th January, Alabama Gospel Choir at the Auditorium of Palma, it consists of 20 artists who manage to capture the history of the Gospel in a unique journey through the roots of this music, from the spiritual songs of the 19th century, with deep religious roots, to a tribute to the songs of protest and marches for freedom, where there is no shortage of well-known songs such as Oh Happy Day! They transmit a message of peace and solidarity beyond all borders, creating authentic hymns that spread enthusiasm to the public. Starts 22:00. Tickets € 36. auditoriumpalma.com

 

Mallorca News December 12 - 2017

Christmasmarkets have started all over the island:

In Pueblo Español from 1 to 10 December with 70 stands, with artificial snow and father Christmas. Open daily from 12:00 to 23:00, entrance 5 Euro includes a cup of warm wine.

In the industrial area of Calvia in Son Bugadelles until 17th of December with over 35 stands. Open workdays 17:00 to 22:00, weekends and festiv days 10:00 - 22:00.

Bodega Castell Miquel at Alaro, on km 8,7 on the road from Alaro to Lloseta, Open 1st -3rd December from 12:00 - 20:00. Center plaza of Alaro on 16th and 17th of December.

Puerto Portals starts on 15th December until 7th of January open 12:00 - 21:00. 40 stands and a small ice skating ring.

Cloister Lluc on 2nd and 3rd December with 40 stands, open 10:00 - 17:00.

Plaza Mayor and along the Ramblas in Palma. More than 150 stands from all over the island. From 29th of November until 5th of January, open 10:00 to 21:00 every day. 

The Swedish community of Mallorca, together with the Swedish school, celebrate as every year the Santa Lucia procession on the 13th of December with children of the Swedish choir singing Christmas songs, this year it will take place at Palma's Cathedral, La Seu, starting from 19:30.

50 art works lent from the Prado Museum in Madrid can be seen in the CaixaForum, Grand Hotel, Palma. Paitings and sculptures from Rubens, Brueghel, van Eyck, Ribera, Cossiers. Dive in the world of gods, half gods and heroes, of love stories and jealousy, of war and peace, of temptation and punishment. The exhibition is accompanied by movies, shown from 22 Jan every Monday for 5 weeks. Open until 18th Feb, entrance 4€. caixaforum.es/palma

"Sala Mediterraneo" is the new VIP Lounge at the airport with 350 m2 in the departure area at terminal C. Open daily from 6:00 - 23:00. Euro 28,70 entrance.

Balearic Symphonic Orchestra plays on 7th December at 20:00 works from Debussy, Castelnuevo-Tedesco and Prokofjew. Auditorium Palma, Paseo Maritimo 18, www.auditoriumpalma.com. Tickets 22-32 Euro.

On 3rd December, the Jazz Voyeur Festival presents Maceo Parker, saxophone player from North Carolina. On 13th songs with the South Carolina Gospel Choral. Trui Teatre, Cami de Son Rapinya 29, www.truiteatre.es, Entrance at 20:00, starts at 21:00, 25-40 Euro.

Rullan Navarro in Palma is the shop where you find the perfect present for Christmas. Wines, Champagne, cava, coffee and many more. Cami de Jesus 54, Can Valero, Tel. 971 209011, info@rullan-navarro.com

This years New Year's Eve celebration will be held in Palma on two stages: at the Plaza de Cort, the traditional place, and in the Passeig del Born. The shows are still being finalized, but two stages will be working at once, so that the chimes would occur in the Plaza de Cort and the big party would be held in El Born. In Cort there will be a show before midnight, the chimes from the clock in Figuera, celebrated with the traditional grapes and a party until 1:00 or 1:30 in the morning in a much more familiar scenario. In the Born, for its part, there will be a projection of the clock of Figuera so that the chimes will be heard and then the show would start, with concert and a DJ. The road traffic will be cut that night around the promenade.

Enjoy the arrival of the new year in a completely different way. Son Amar invites you to their 5 hour gala in which you will enjoy a wonderful show, excellent food and a great experience. You can even choose between different categories. They also offer Christmas concert on the 22nd December, with chorus and gospel. www.sonamar.com

This years awards of the Michelin stars brought us 10 stars in 9 restaurants:

"Zaranda" in Es Capdella with 2 stars, 1 star each for "Adrian Quetglas", Palma, "Andreu Genestra" in Es Capdella, "Argos" in Port de Pollensa, "Bou" in Sa Coma, "Est Fum" in Costa d'en Blanes, "Es Raco d'es Teix" in Deia, "Jardin" in Port d'Alcudia and "Marc Fosh" in Palma. If you want to try them, only Adrian Quetglas and Marc Fosh are open. The others have winter vacations. Besides the Michelin stars, 30 restaurants got awarded with suns: "Andreu Genestra", "Bens d'Avall", "Bou", "Dins", "El Olivo", Jardin" and "Zaranda"  got 2 suns each. One sun went to "Aromata", "La Fortaleza" (Hotel Cap Rocat), "Baiben", "Ca'na Toneta and "Es Raco d'es Teix”.

Elegant Sunday brunch open all December, from 11:00 to 16:00 in Bahia Mediterraneo with great view directly above the bay of Palma. 29 Euro, Paseo Maritimo 33, Palma, Tel: 971 457653, 618 288039, www.bahiamediterraneo.com

A smart Swiss business man Ivn Levy, his stylish wife Sheela Levy - who has a worldwide high reputation as an interior designer - and an excellent chef, that is the perfect trio who started one of the best newly opened restaurants in Palma, "Fera". The Austrian chef Simon Petutschnig is the boss of the kitchen team. The interior is shining and beautiful with a lot of impressive art works and smashing lamps, furniture and fabrics. Enjoy your excellent in a relaxed atmosphere; right now they offer 3 different degustastion menus, one of them vegetarian. 5 courses for 49 €, 7 for 69 € and 7 vegetarian courses for 49 €. The lunch menu (3 courses with 3 selection possibility) is high quality and costs only 22,90 €. The ingredients come from local farmers, fish from a fish dealer in Barcelona and the meat from a German friend. This combination of top engagement and posh ambiente could be a candidate in 2018 for a Michelin star. C/ Concepcio, 4. Open Mo to Sat from 13:00 -15:30, 19:00 to 22:30. Tel: 971 595301, www.ferapalma.com

The immense offer of meat happens in the new shop "Mos, Espai Gastronomic" where you find Wagyu-, Hereford-, Angus- and Gallega beef, suckling pig from Segovia, Iberian pork from Extramadura, exotic meat as crocodile, zebra, bison, kangaroo, camel and ostrich, the best sausages and many variations of ham and bacon. Open Mo to Fri from 9:30 - 20:00, Sat from 9:30 - 13:10. Gran Via Asima 15 (Poligono Son Castello), Tel: 971-200813, www.espaimos.com.

Lupe Café Bistro in Palma is today a restaurant in a former lawyer office run by a lady from Venezuela, living many year in Canada and Switzerland. The base of the food is Mediterranean, Spanish. In the morning she serves tasty bocadillos and for lunch you can see many lawyers having her 3-course-menu for Euro 12,50, variation of vegetarian, meat or fish. The croquettes are home made and tasty-fluffy, the pulpo-shrimps mix with red beet root sprouts and the bacalao with Aioli gratinated and served on potato puree, the lamb caree with Couscous or the ox filet in Port Wine sauce are examples. Enjoy the carrot cake with white chocolate in the renovated and pretty decorated interior or outside on the tables directly on the Rambla. In the evening she invites musicians to play live, twice a week, beginning at 21:30. On her Facebook page you find out when music is played. Open Mo to Sat from 10:00 - 17:00, Tue to Sat from 19:00 - 23:00, La Rambla 10, Tel: 971 252895, FB: Lupe Café Bistro

 

Mallorca News November 11 - 2017

Jazz Voyeur Festival in Trui Teatre starts on 10th with a young Spanish talent, the 22-year young singer and trumpet player Andrea Motis from Barcelona. 5 years ago she performed with Quincy Jones on stage. She will perform together with the Joan Chamorro Quartet. The next concert, on 13th November, will be one of the big names in Jazz, Al Di Meola, who played together with Paco de Lucia and John McLaughlin. On 3rd December another legend, Maceo Parker, who was for years the saxophone player of James Brown and until today is one of the most influential funk musicians of the world. He is 74 years old and still plays over 200 concerts per year. On 13th December is the Christmas concert with the South Carolina Gospel Chorale. Tickets start from 29 Euro, jazzvoyeur.koobin.com

Sun-ripened island fruits in a glass are sold by the cooperative Agromallorca. Natural pure bread spreads and juices, tomato-oil-garlic mixture, bio ketchup, marmalades of apricots, figs, plums, nectarines, tomato juice, gazpacho, dried tomatoes in sun flower oil and oregano and much more. To be bought in Mercadona or you can order online www.agromallorca.com 

Diving totally relaxed in a "Bond" diving boat. It is a one-man-submarine, called "Bond" (Breathing, Observation, Nautical, Device). Your head is in a diving bell, supplied with oxygen over compressed air bottles. The rest of the body sits, covered in a wet suit, in a kind of scooter in the water. With a stirring wheel and powered by an electric engine, you navigate in the water and come close to fish and the under water world. Accompanied by a diver, your Bond is tightened on a buoy - the boat above always knows where you are. Absolutely no diving experience is necessary. Office in Port d'Andratx, Avda. Almirante Riera Almany 13, Tel: 630 68 25 10. www.cooldivers-office.com, info@cooldivers.net

Mallorquin-Bikes offer trips on a motorbike over perfect calm roads through the landscape of Mallorca, in curves in the Tramuntana or along good roads for speedy drivers across the island. Its pure fun on over 50 best bikes on the island like BMW, Honda, Ducati. C/ Progres, 15, Felanitx, www.mallorquin-bikes.de, Tel: 609 23 76 37

Eduardo Bianco is a shoemaker from Argentina in a side street of the Carrer Blanquerna with his atelier and working room. He only manufactures shoes made to measure (160 - 180 Euro). The client decides the design and chooses the leather. Eduardo fixes the perfect fit. He has a catalog with different ladies and gents models - for the street, the dance floor or the office. Eduardo’s shoes have a soft and flexible form. Pumps with high heels are nearly as comfortable as a flat ballerina. He does not have special orthopedic shoes in his program but special cutting is welcome. Especially people with problem feet should have beautiful and comfortable shoes. The leather he uses comes from Mallorca and the Spanish Main land. Carrer de Pere Martell 43, Palma, Tel: 645 18 41 82, www.eduardobianco.com

If you don’t like the trash and cheap clothes which they offer at the weekly market in Sineu, then visit the project Nova Placa d’Artesania, selling hand made products each Wednesday from 9:00 to 14:00 next the church on the Placa Es Mercadal. Ear rings, chains, broochs, leather products like bikinis, skirts and tops. Purses, mobiles, sculptures and accessories of bronze and brass, lamps with flotsam and jetsam, clothes, house shoes. FB: Plazaartesaniasineu

The Christmas lights in Palma will be switched on 23 November, the day before Black Friday.

The Swiss wine producers surprise with an excellent wine, the Bullfish Selection Privada with only 1000 bottles. Discreet condiment of this velvety soft red wine with 14,5 % alcohol, reminds on dark berries. Outstanding quality, 60% Cabernet-Sauvignon grapes and others, 100% bio. The grapes are produced in Can Feliu, the only vineyard of the island with the official Demeter bio certificate. On the 20 ha big vineyard is the country hotel with the same name and a bodega where the Bullfish is stored. The Swiss owner used to be chef in Hotel Hilton, product developer at Moevenpick and had an own gourmet restaurant. To be bought at the finca Can Feliu, bodegacanfeliu.com

TaPalma, from 15th to 19th a true celebration of contemporary tapas, the festival returns in its 13th edition. The restaurants and bars of Palma will offer tapas specially created for the event, at reasonable prices. Tapas are offered for about 2€ each and the idea is to go from bar to bar, enjoying a glass of wine or beer accompanied by a tapa. This year the routes will include: Santa Catalina, Paseo Marítimo, Centro-Lonja, Blanquerna, Genova, Playa de Palma, Mercado de San Juan and Marratxí. A group of experts will select the best tapas and the best chef of the festival. www.tapalma.es

Asador Robata is a restaurant in Llucmajor, before called Moli d'en Gaspar. The interior is not posh or the first choice for a romantic dinner but its clean and fresh and typical Mallorcan with wooden tables and 2 big stone ovens to fry meat, like suckling pig, lamb and beef, Argentinian style.  Enjoy the perfect fried eagle fish (corvina) Mallorcan way with cherry tomatoes, pine nuts, raisins, mangold, garlic, red pepper and potatoes. Or the octopus (pulpo) from the oven on potato pieces with delicate red pepper sauce. Or frito de matanza with liver, veg and potatoes or you simply order tapas. Open Thu to Tue 12:20 - 16:00, and Mon, Tue, Thu to Sat, 19:30 - 23:00. Avda. Carles V 1, Tel: 871 03 73 88, FB: Asador Robata

The restaurant Somnis Espai Gastronomic, in Manacor impresses with variations and quality food. The owner and chef learned in Cordoba, worked in Marbella, Lanzarote, Pontevedra and was Executive Chef in the 5-star-Hotel Blau Porto Pedro. There he learned the Japanese kitchen from Toshio Tsutsui, the chef of the Hotel Restaurant Midori who today runs one of the most popular Japanese restaurants in Spain, the Ta-Kumi in Marbella. Besides the a-la-carte dishes they offer for lunch and dinner a 4-course or 8-course-menu. Reservation should be done. The food is Mediterranean with Asian accents, full of surprises on a very high level. The meat is bio quality, the herbs are grown in their garden, veg and fruits come from the market in Manacor, fish is wild catch. The card is small but fine and changes every 2 to 3 weeks. Open Mo, Wed to Sat 13:00 -15:30, and Wed to Sun 19:30 - 22:30. C. del Princep 16, Tel: 871 70 69 95, somnis.rest 

Esporles is a presentation village - pretty, young, creative and charming. Driving along the main street you pass plenty of nice cafés, the plaza, the town hall and the church. Park and walk after the town hall to the right, there you find the back village with its pedestrian area Calle Nou de Sant Pere, pretty houses, bars, butcher, bakery, hair dresser, fish shop, restaurant (El Meson La Villa) and several old style shops. Stroll along the little streets to the left and right, look over walls into beautiful gardens, pass a well or a specially artful wooden gate. Back on the main road 2 young creatives have their working place. Sebastia restores in his shop (fusteria) old furniture (Tel:971 61 14 72) and sells antiques and trash. A few houses further on is the shop of Maria Luisa "2nd chance" (C. Joan Riutort 60) an Italian artist, selling recycled material like lamps, made out of comics and furniture, like a chair made of wine corks. The olive oil Es Verger in bio quality is sold in some shops in the village but its worth to visit the finca Es Verger. Follow the signs from the main street. The oil is cheaper here and the charming son of the family might show you the company, www.esverger.es

Some exercise expects you on the way back to Palma. Park your car on an iron gate on the right side with the sign "Eremita" and walk 1,5 hrs up to the hermitage Maristella with the white cross "Es cor de Jesus". Inhabitants from Esporles call it their little Rio de Janeiro.

 

Mallorca News October 10 - 2017

Snack Market in polígono Son Castello sells everything for your next party. Packages of all kind of sweets, cookies, candies Haribo and Spanish brands, plates of cardboard, balloons, beverages, salty snacks like nuts, chips and flips. All sorts of beers, sparkling water, lemonades, chocolate, coffee, salami snacks. If you like to bake and decorate your bakings, there are various cake forms, dozen of cupcake forms and fondants in all colours. Ornaments like deco pearls or pencils with eatable food colourings of sugar. If you prefer a colourful birthday cake or a several layers wedding cake, they prepare it for you. You find disposable tableware in all colours and patterns and reusable plates and cups, funny glasses in shape of a bulb and plastic glasses looking real, for a pool party. Decoration for all events with paper chains, name tags and other paraphernalia for the table. In a showroom Aina with her company Aina Events is the lady who helps you to decorate for wedding, Christmas, Halloween, etc. C/ Gremi de Sabaters 38. Poligono Son Castello, Tel: 971 497212. snackmarket.es 

The Mallorcan lady Catalina Guardiola creates lovely souvenirs with Mallorca’s motives. She is a photographer and sells postcards with her own island motive. One of the motives is a washing line with a straw hat, a shawl and white baggy pants, the Mallorcan male costume. Or a pile of wicker baskets, typical bulbous glass bottles, or Mallorcan shoes (espandrillos) and colourful shutters (persianas). She puts the motives on T-shirts, aprons, cups, handy covers, bags, magnets, socks and flip-flops. All her products "Cata de la Placeta” are 100 percent Mallorca - to be bought in the Papillan Centre d'Art (C/ Mercadal 12, Manacor) and in Bonaire 15 (C/ Bonaire 15, Binissalem). You can contact the lady and order products. An online shop to will be active soon. www.catadeplaceta.com 

The MojitoBar serves the best Mojito. Rum, ice cubes, lime juice, sugar and mint. With fruits it is a Caipirinha, and it has to be 2 years old Havana Club rum. In this open-air bar you get rum from all over the world. The founder of the bar Evelia de Castro comes from Cuba, fell in love with Mallorca and opened this bar. Drinks are served out to the street, the guests dance, laugh and enjoy the groove on the street. Opens at 18.00. Carrer de Torrent, 1, Palma. Tel: 971 288135, FB: Mojito Bar

GelatSoller is the Mallorcan ice cream made of fresh milk and cream, without artificial additives, only sun riped fruits. To be bought in the shop "Fet a Soller" in Palma in Carrer de la Unio, or in Soller village. www.fetasoller.com

Various shows at the Auditorium this month; check the website for more information on events auditoriumpalma.com

Shakespeare in Original language from the 18th to 22nd, "A midsummer Nights Dream” will be performed in english. The show starts at 19:30. Online tickets €20.

I Want You Back, is the definite tribute to Michael Jackson from 6th to 8th. The show is accompanied by a impressive live band that reproduces with incredible loyalty the artist’s repertoire. Tickets 20€ / 25€

TruItalia in Palma offers fine Italian food with Antipasti, Bruschetta and noodle dishes with Pasta from the Abruzzo, pasta al bronzo and classical dishes like Saltimbocca, Vitello Tonnato or mussels in white wine sauce, Parma and San Daniele ham and cheese plates and of course Pizza frita. The dough is rolled out, not baked in the wooden oven but deep-fried, covered according to the recipe and grilled. The result is crunchy with tradition; the recipe is centuries old. Best products, high quality, authentic Italian feeling, decent prices, top staff. The beef comes from Spain, from the company Txogitxu in the Basque country, one of the best meat of the world. Pork, lamb and calf are delivered from a German company in Hamburg. Open Tuesday to Sunday from 12:00 - 23:30 (kitchen always open), C/ Blanquerna 17, Tel: 971 943540. www.truitalia.com 

FactoriaGastroBar in the center of Manacor is a cosy restaurant with bar and a big terrace, situated in an old big town palace. The cooking style of the chef is a mixture of tradition and innovation; good local food on a high level with some Asian influence. Try the tender and juicy prepared beef cheeks on mashed sweet potato with al dente steamed veg, or well spiced tender lamb on white cabbage veg. Cod is served and many dishes can be ordered as half portion. Opposite is the church Nostra Senyora dels Dolors, built in the 20th century on top of the origin walls of elder churches. In old times, church, house and other buildings around were connected by under earth tunnel system (partly still existing). The story tells that in this system secret meetings were held and dead babies dropped - affairs of priests with ladies of the village, etc. Open Monday to Saturday 11:00 - 15:30 and 19:30 - 23:00. Pl. del General Weyler 1, Manacor, Tel: 971 847398, FB: Factoria Gastro Bar 

Restaurant-Bar s'Indic in Sineu, run by a young team, situated at the market place, in an old house with natural stone walls. Fresh kitchen, preferred Mediterranean like Foie with fig marmalade or goat cheese with strawberries and honey. Big offer of fish, like turbot (rodaballo) with mushrooms, salmon in dill sauce, St. Peter fish (Gallo de San Pedro) with potatoes, seasonal eagle fish (Corvina) with vegetables, monkfish (Rape) with cava sauce or cod (Bacalao) with sobrassada-honey-sauce. Meat dishes like grilled pork feet, quail, chicken, ox filet with foie and Pedro-Ximenez-Sauce. Delicious desserts done by the chef and the mother of one of the owners. In the morning they like to take care of the hikers and cyclers and offer them pa amb oli and bocadillos. Open Monday, Thursday and Friday from 9:00 - 15:00 and 17:00 - 23:00, Wednesday 8:00 - 15:00, Saturday 17:00 - 23:00, Sunday 12:00 - 23:00, Plaza es Fossar 12, Tel: 633-273478 www.restaurantsindic.com

 

Mallorca News September 09 - 2017

Santa Ponsa will celebrate their annual fiestas; "Festes del Rei en Jaume" on 9th September in remembrance of King Jaume I landing on Mallorca on 9th of September 1229 (788 years ago) together with the catholic groups of the kingdom of Aragon to conquer Mallorca back from the Muslims who had the island for 3 centuries under Islamic reign. Around this date there will be several events, n 1st September is "crazy run", a 3 km fun run in the night along the main roads of Santa Ponsa. On 5th September is the "nit de foc". Starting at 22 o'clock men disguised as devils will walk along the beach boulevard, spreading sparks. On the 9th simulating the arrival of the Christians and their fight against the Muslims on the beach of Santa Ponsa. The streets of Santa Ponsa will be filled with lights and colors. Theatre performances about the life of King Jaume, local dances, the spectacular human pyramids (castellers) and an Indian Holi fiesta. A firework will finish the spectacle. www.calvia.com

Miquel Barcelo, the most famous alive Spanish artist created a side altar in the cathedral of Palma. Because of its 10 years anniversary, there is a photo exhibition depicting the formation process of the altar. At the chapel of the Misericordia in the end of the Ramblas of Palma, open until 30th September. There are 60 photos shown, taken by 3 different photographers.

The Discotheque Decapolis in the industrial area Can Valero is the night paradise for Spaniards over 35. The house DJ Juan Carlos plays songs from the 70th and 80th and the crazy Latino sounds from the Reggaeton corner. The building is close to the sport shop Decathlon. Opens at 23:00 on Fridays and Saturdays; entrance is free. Cami de Jesus 8, Palma. Next-door is the 24hour open restaurant Coyunda, perfect for breakfast before going home.

Mallorca Kite Boarding & SUP in the bay of Pollensa until end of October outside the Hotel Club de Sol. 3 hours beginners course on 2 days each for 270 euro, 3 days 360 euro. Courses daily at 11:00 and 15:00. Booking at mike@mallorcakiteboarding.com and 676 668954. 

On 2nd of September in Puerto Pollensa at 09:00 is the "traversal nedant" where well trained swimmers swim 7 km through the bay of Pollensa. www.alcudia.net

Try under water motorbiking in Cala Ratjada on a sea bob. Until October and twice a day a guided tour starts in the harbor of Cala Ratjada and dive to 3 m under water with max 25km/h speed. The sea bob moves your body like a dolphin; you need to come up to breath. 100€ per person, 75€ if two people share a bob, no age limit. 400€ for a fist day rental, discount for more days. Long term rental also available. Contact on 722 26 47 11 or info@seabobbase.com and www.seabob-mallorca.com

Western Water Park outside Magaluf has - among other highlights - the highest slide of the island with 30 m. "The Beast", "The Boomerang", an Indian area, "Crazy Horses", "Devils tail", "Tam Tam Splash” and "Gran Canyon” guarantee lots of fun. Opens at 10:00, entrance 27€, children 3-4 years 10€, children 5-10 years and seniors 18€, adults 27 €. Online-tickets are 3€ cheaper. www.westernpark.com 

Mallorca Wave House in Magaluf opens daily from 10:00 to 20:00 until end October. Learn how to ride on the artificial wave with an one-hour course, 35 Euro, 25 Euro for residents. You have to bring your ID; children under 135 cm are not allowed. wavehousemallorca.com

Now is best time to buy the sweet melons of the island. Between Petra and Manacor is the bio finca Sa Teulera. To find out if a water melon (sandia) is ripe, take 2 next to each other and tap lightly with the flat hand on both. The one that sounds darker is the ripe one. The ripe Piel de Sapo melon is perfect when it shows an oval yellow part on which it laid on the soil. The Marina melon has to be intensive yellow and smell intensive. To eat the melon, cut both ends off, part it in the middle, cut off a slice, take out the seeds, and cut off the peel with a good centimeter of fruit - this part is not sweet enough. The watermelon should be cut in half, then in handy slices with the peel, its the ideal fruit for the summer thirst. Finca Sa Teulera in  Petra, Botiga Sa Teulera in Manacor and Mercat de Santa Catalina. www.ecosateulera.com  

Makaria is the shop of 2 Italians, who produce fresh pasta, to be eaten directly there on one of the 10 seats or as take away. Spaghetti alla chitarra with mushrooms, shrimps, black olives and poppy or black ravioli colored with the ink of the sepia and filled with a mixture of shrimps and potatoes and covered with fried pieces of shrimps and dried tomatoes. Massimo and Paolo create new fillings for their pasta like mascarpone with lemon, suckling pig with truffles and mushrooms, pork with apricots, figs with ricotta cheese, lamb with plums, Gorgonzola with pear and walnuts and raisins or sobrasada with Mahon cheese. C/ Juan de Cremona, 2, Palma (around the corner of Jaime III), open Mon to Fri 11:30 - 17:30 (in winter also Saturdays) Tel: 615 402461, makaria.es 

The cosy Olas Bistro in Palma serves dishes from Cambodia like the typical dish Amok. Lightly fried salmon and shrimps go together with eggs, coconut milk, curcuma, shallots, red pepper, coriander, kaffir leaves and fish sauce, finished off in a steam cooker. Try the golden triangle, a pastry, filled with turkey and shrimps or a Vietnamese salad with beef stripes and peanuts or eggplant skewers Nom Noung of turkey with tamarind sauce. Exceptional event on 3rd of September (Sunday where it’s normally closed) the owner will serve for lunch and dinner a 3-course Sephardic menu, as a tribute to the Jewish cultural weeks celebrated in Palma. Open Mon to Sat 12:30 - 16:00, Wed to Sat 20:00 - 23:00. C/ Can Fortune 5 (around the corner of Placa Santa Eulalia) Tel: 971 214905 www.lasolasbistro.com

Awarded institutions on the island:

- Best chef Andreu Genestra (1 Michelin star) with his restaurants Andreu Genestra (C/ de Palma a Manacor, Tel: 971-565910) andreugenestra.com and Aromata (Palma, C/ de la Conceptio 12, Tel: 971-495833) www.aromatarestaurant.com

- Best bakery Fornet de la Soca (C/ de Sant Jaume 23) www.fornetdelasoca.com

- Best Restaurant discovery "Ombu", a world of innovative and fine tapas (Borne 5-7, Tel: 971-214387) ombupalma.com

Sa Llum is the right address if you like meat in Palma. Big portions with juicy, tender beef diaphragm (entraña), beef tail part (picaña), Entrecôte or chuleton or a Angus bio-beef burger, served with grilled veg, long thin Pommes frites, sea salt and good Chimichurri Sauce. Starters are home made chicken croquettes, grilled Provolone cheese or cheese plate. This small cosy restaurant in the Calatrava quarter (close to the petrol station on the Avenidas) was opened by a sympathetic couple from Argentina. Cristian's grand mother is from Mallorca, great grand parents from Germany, and Yamila's roots are Polish. Yamila worked at Koldo Royo, Miramar, Hotel Residencia, Hotel Jumeirah and Tristan. Besides the meat dishes they offer for the non meat lovers noodles with a lot of veg or a veg burger. Open Mon to Sat 12:00 - 16:00, 20:00 - 23:00, Sun 12:00 - 16:00, C/ Santa Fe 2, Palma. Tel: 871-702189, FB: Sa Llum

Sa Cuina d'en Marc at the end of Fornalutx is a restaurant with new-Mallorcan kitchen, traditional dishes but modern variated and eye catching served. The young owner Marc changes the card according to the seasons and uses products from the surrounding farmers or the family finca, like their own olive oil. He serves cod (bacalao) bunyols with a fine marinated combination of strawberries and dried tomatoes, Ravioli on sauce of Thyme, filled with a mix of blood sausage (botifarro) and apple and a tender baby goat dish baked many hours on low temperature filled with green asparagus and Sobrassada, topped on mashed apples with nuts and veg. Risotto variations, Soller shrimps (gambas), seawolf and delicious desserts wait for you. Open Tue to Sun 12:00 - 16:00 and19:00 - 22:30, C/ Arbona Colom 6, Tel: 971 639864, lacuinadenmarc.com

 

Mallorca News August 08 - 2017

Airport busses are now available:

A 11 over Santa Ponsa and Palmanova to Paguera,

A 32 over Inca and Alcudia to Can Picafort,

A 42 over Cala Millor to Cala Bona and (from 15 June)

A 51 over S'Arenal to Cala d'Or. Price.

According to length of the tour, between 5 and 12 Euro.

If you are arriving by car, there is 15 minutes free parking at the airport arrival and 84 places to pick up guests for free. At the entrance you pick up a ticket, under 15 minutes no need to go to the automat. From 16 minutes on min. 1,65 € are due.

Mallorca Wakepark in Port d'Alcudia offers rides on a lake on wake board, a kind of snowboard for the water. The board is fixed on the feet, in the hands you hold a wooden stick, connected with a rope on a cable, fixed over the lake on 2 masts. When the engine starts the rope pulls you over the lake. They give you instructions; a 20 min beginner course costs 40 Euro, from September on 5 euro less. Open all year round from 10 until sunset. It's useful to be able to swim, max weight 100 kg. Professionals spin 10 minutes for 21 euro. Reservation 633 664439, mallorcawakepark.com

Summer classics, open air night opera gala in the Castell Son Claret in Es Capdella. On 19th August with the Young Singers of the Salzburger Festspiele. Starts 19:30, Price 195 euro. events@castellsonclaret.com, Tel 971 138 620, www.castellsonclaret.com

Hippodrom Son Pardo invites you every Friday night to a spectacular horse race with dinner or grill service. Reservations 971 201017 or 629 712431. hipodromsonpardo.com 

Cinema a la fresca it’s the “cinema in the fresh" at Parc del Mar of Palma from July to mid September. A big screen is set on the water, in front of the Cathedral. Bring along some friends, drinks and snacks, to enjoy a movie under the stars in Palma’s bay. Parking is easily found in the sub terrain parking beneath. In August all movies start at 21:30. Here a list of original version (VO) or subtitled in English;

06/08 : Escuadrón Suicida (Suicide Squad)

2016 USA (Spanish with english subtitles)

09/08 : An Enemy of the People (El enemigo del pueblo)

1978, USA (VO)

12/08 : Zootropolis

2016, USA. (Catalan with english subtitles)

13/08 : El puente de los espías (Bridge of Spies)

2015, USA. (Spanish with english subtitles)

16/08 : En memòria de Jonathan Demme  (Ricki and the Flash)

2015, USA. (VO)

19/08 : Hotel Transilvania 2

2015, USA. (Catalan with english subtitles)

20/08 : Ahora me ves 2 (Now you see me 2)

2016, USA. (Spanish with english subtitles)

22/08 : The Big Clock (El reloj asesino)

1948, USA. (VO)

23/08 El olivo 

2016, Spain. (Spanish with english subtitles)

26/08 : Ice Age 5, el gran cataclisme 

2016, USA. (Catalan with english subtitles)

27/08 : El renacido (The Revenant)

2015, USA. (Spanish with english subtitles)

To download program in catalán palmacultura.cat 

The 44th march from Güell to Lluc on foot is one of the events of the year in Mallorca, a popular nocturnal march that was born spontaneously more than four decades ago and with the time has become a tradition for many. Its route of 48 km, from the Güell square in Palma to the Monastery of LLuc in Escorca, where walkers arrive at dawn (it takes 8 to 13 hrs, depending on the pace). About 50,000 people participate every year and the organisation enables different points along the way supplying water and fruit. Ambulances, field hospitals and health personnel, as well as a surveillance and civil protection service are also present. The exit is at 23:00 on the 5th at night in Palma, although the concentration will begin (next day) at 9:00 in Lluc with celebrations, music and dancing and food. You can inscribe on the same day, for more info and inscriptions ask in Decathlon shops; Son Moix, Marratxi and Fan Mallorca.

Still available to buy tickets for American composer and artist Michael Bolton (New Haven, 1953). He is one of the most popular soft-rock in his generation. In 1990 he received the Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Performance, which adds to a score of awards and prizes. In Son Fusteret he will sing songs like How Am I Supposed To Live Without You, How Can We Be Lovers, Time, Love And Tenderness or Can I Touch You There, as well as performances of classics like Fly Me To The Moon, Summertime and That's Life. British pop singer Angel Flukes, will perform an opening act for the concert of Michael Bolton. Tickets in General €35 - Stand €55 - VIP €80 or Golden €90. www.legendsvip.com

A well done mix between tradition and modern times: the Restaurant Ca'n Ribes in Port de Soller. Panoramic view over the whole harbor and the bay of Port de Soller, situated above the central hall where all fishermen bring their catch of the day. The interior is created by the local interior designer Gabriel Santos who already worked for the Barcelo-group, Zara, Lacoste and Springfield. The optic of the restaurant and the quality of their food is outstanding. Famous for their excellent paellas and creative dishes with meat and fish. Lunch menu with 3 choices for 16,90 Euro. Special evening events with menus and cocktails. Open 12:30 to 22:30 (kitchen closed 17:30 to 19:30), C/ Santa Caterina de Alexandria, 22, Tel: 971-638493, www.canribes.es

Infineat in Palma, Santa Catalina makes you enjoy your meal like at home. The owners financed the new little restaurant with the winner money of a TV show; decorated with many historical photos of Mallorca and seats on the terrace of a pedestrian area. In the middle of Carrer Fabrica, known for its many pasta, pizza, paella restaurants, the Infineat has different ideas of good food: self baked Focacchia with smoked salmon, marinated in honey-mustard-creme, mixed with capers and dill or a Wok dish with Iberian pork, noodles and veg or a fine chili lobster. Incredible dessert called Boom!: mousse, airy brownie and creme of 99% chocolate. Open Tue to Thu 18:00 to 23:00, Fr and Sat 13:00 to 16:00, 20:00 to 23:00. C/ Fabrica 15, Palma, Tel: 871-941604, FB: Infineat

Bimil, a restaurant with modern Korean kitchen in Palma. The chef Hwang comes from an awarded cook family, cooking for the Korean emperors in past times. He offers surprising dishes, full of ideas and a big variation in taste. He combines Korean and Mallorcan products very smartly; one of the highlights is his own creation of sauces. The service is stylish, Korean porcelain, elegant decoration and phantasmic food. Open Wed to Sun 19:30 to 22:00, Placa Mercat 2, Palma, Tel: 971-781767, bimil-mallorca.com 

Xino´s Atico Lounge, Palma - an upper glass floor of a modern building with big terraces and beautiful view to the Iberostar stadium and the Tramuntana mountain range. The special Mallorca-Asia-Mix makes the dishes in this restaurant exciting and delicious, like the albondigas (meat balls) on red curry, warm octopus salad with capers, fried tomatoes and Miso Vinaigrette, Tataki of butter fish with curry and almond milk or a coca (kind of pizza) with veg, St. Jacob mussels and Kimchee-Aioli. Oysters, prepared different way, spring rolls filled with fried duck meat, ceviche with shrimps, mango and a bit of Soller oranges, sticks with Tandoori chicken, covered with yoghurt or monkfish sticks with tomatoes, covered in fine Joselito ham and small chopped olives. Delicate Mexican suckling pig, served with Guacamole and red stripes of onions in a crunchy Taco. Open Mo, Wed to Fri 13:30 to 23:00, Sat and Sun 19:00 to 23:00, Tel.: 971-666819, Camino de la Vileta 39, www.schwaiger.es

Muro, the village in the north of Mallorca on a 100m high hill has a lot to offer: beautiful mansions, a pretty cloister and communicative inhabitants. Start at Plaza San Marti and enjoy a coffee or drink in the corner bar Ca'n Palau. Next door is the bakery of Gregorio producing handmade tasty cookies made of flower, water, salt and olive oil, ideal as replacement for bread or as a snack. You have a wide view over fields, olive gardens, the sea and all the way to Port de Pollensa from the promenade Sa Riba at the old town wall. The wall protected the inhabitants from attacks from the north. The big house at the end of the wall belonged once the large landownrer Don Juan Massanet owning so much land that he could ride on his horse to Palma without leaving his property. To follow his track, you drive over the "Cami viejo de Muro" to Palma. Visit the Roman bridge and the 14th century building So'n Font next to it, converted into a home for retired people. The museum is a typical mallorcan house from 1670 with living- and bedroom, a wine cellar, pharmacy room and and old mill and shows old furniture and tools for stable and field, C. Major 15, open Tue to Sat 10:00 to 15:00, Thur 17:00 to 20:00, free entrance. Opposite the town hall is the church from the 16th century. During the mass (work days 18:30 and Sunday morning) you can explore the interior with its 14 side chapels and the gothic main altar. Always open is the Capelleta de la Sang (C. Gonzales), a Roman style temple, in former times distribution place for food to the poor. A bit outside of Muro is the Minoriten cloister. In the 16 century it was only a chapel, later rebuilt by the St. Paul monks into a cloister church, used as a school, today a colegio. Through the entrance you reach the square cloister in Renaissance style.

 

 

Mallorca News July 07 - 2017

Balneario Illetas or Las Terrazas - the mother of all beach clubs - beach, lobster and good drinks. Opened 1964, selling drinks in tins, hot dogs and hamburgers it changed from a simple hut into an attractive beach restaurant on several levels and 2000 m2 serving area. During the season, per day, at least 300 people eat there, on weekends up to 600. You can have everything from breakfast to night cup, kitchen is always open, international and Spanish dishes. Try the lightly hot Thai salad with shrimps, cucumber, mango, raspberries and peanuts or the home made croquettes with small pieces of Iberian ham or the chicken curry with coco rice and date or the big stick, filled with shrimps, monkfish and veg. Paella, gourmet hamburger and many more delicious food. Open daily 9:30 - 24:00. Paseo Illetas 52A, Illetas. Tel: 971 401031 www.balnearioilletas.com.

Restaurant Luna 36 in Soller, situated in an antique chocolate factory and run by the Danish lady Helle Alexandersen. The restaurant is attractive and cosy decorated, on 3 levels and in the romantic patio. Paintings of the Danish painter Peder Ravn from Skagen hang on the walls. Helle serves very good food, learned and taught cooking in the most famous Danish cook school, worked in many restaurants and the Danish Embassy in New York. She offers international kitchen with Asian touch, like Avocado salad with small calamari pieces, lubina with coco sauce, Venere rice, spiced with red curry. Iberian pork with veg on apple-butter-sauce with a bit of strawberry. Open Tue - Sat 12:30 - 15:00, Mon - Sat 18:30 - 22:00. C/ la Luna 36, Tel: 628 670002, luna36.es

Sa Sal, a restaurant in the middle of Porto Cristo, run by the German owner Mario Hekke from Baden Baden. He learned cooking in Switzerland and Argentina. He worked in several restaurants on the island (Es Clos, El Olivo, country hotel Rotana) until he decided to open his own restaurant. The interior is decorated with wooden beams and stone walls and many paintings, photos and treasures from the flea market. It has a beautiful garden, partly roofed, during the years it's changed into a enchanted plant paradise. Mario is a perfectionist, having a new idea nearly every day for a 6-course-menu, self made bread and dips. A small card with some starters and main dishes, classical French kitchen. The menu could be lobster foam soup with mango puree, seawolf, shrimps and mussels. A rather rare but very harmonic creation is the fried scallop on carrot puree meeting a tender ox tail ragout. Then merluza filet on Risotto with Safran-Sherry-Foam, a cava sorbet as in between course, tender fried Short-Rib-beef and a delicious dessert of dark chocolate mousse, green apple sorbet and red berries ragout. Everything delicious! Open Tue - Sun 18:30 - 23:30. C/ Tramuntana 11, Tel: 971 822049, www.restaurantesasal.com

Two luxury hotels present modern Mallorquan kitchen in a spectacular position: the "Arrels" (971 402511) in the garden of the 5-star-Hotel Gran Melia del Mar in Illetas/Palma and the "Cuit" (871 510046) obove the roofs of Palma, in the 8th floor of the design Hotel Nakar in Jaime III, 21. Both serve excellent food and their chefs are famous for their own restaurants on the island. Marga Coll in the Restaurant Miceli in Selva und Miquel Calent in the Restaurant Ca'n Calent in Campos. 

Juan Reyes, Mallorca’s best guitarist was born in Barcelona, 1959.  He played the guitar since very early years and quickly learned the classic and flamenco style. He took the stage with 15 years and went further onto studying at, what is now known as, “Universidad del Flamenco”, where he shared the stage with the greatest artists of his time. After complying with his military obligations, he moved to Mallorca and created a show with his dancing sister, Carmen Reyes. This went on for 20 years around Mallorca, until in 1993 he crossed the Atlantic, to Cancun (Mexico). It was there where he created a great friendship with the legendary Paco de Lucia. Their friendship was so great, they created business together selling guitars signed by the master, score books and other musical activities. With the time Juan returned to Mallorca, and after the unfortunate death of his great friend Paco de Lucia, he has taken back the guitar and touring the island again. He newest release, “Aires de Llevant”, a CD dedicated totally to Mallorca, especially Santanyi, Cala d’or and Porto Colom, his favourite area where he resides until today. Now in the summer months you can find Juan Reyes live every Sunday with his guitar at ECO Beach in Cala d’Or’s Cala Petita (by Hotel Cala d’or). Great place for dinner right next to the beach. Concert starts at 21:00. Best to make a reservation to avoid surprises. 971 657805. FB: ecobeachbar

Montuiri offers a round trip through the original and prehistoric Mallorca. Within 3 hours you explore the 2500 year old Talayot excavations Son Fornes, the archeologic museum, a 160 year old restored mill and a Mallorcan private house from the same time. The latest excavations were done in 2011, at that time they discovered a chapel and a big well. The chamber in the 5m thick inner wall was obviously used as a fridge; the Talayot is the biggest discovered in Mallorca. It has a diameter of 17m and is 3 1/2 meters high. Reservation Tel: 971 644169, www.sonfornes.mallorca.museum

Pto Colom has a best equipped praxis for cardiology with a doctor of international reputation. Prof. Dr. med. Roman Leischik is international and national one of the leading scientist and cardiologist, specially in sport cardiology. He specialized on examination the pre heart function of patients with hypertension and early detection of diseased changes and issued several international scientific publications to this theme. He treated in his 30 years career over 50.000 patients, 10 years university clinic and ambulance, 20 years praxis. He takes care of elite athletes and sporting people for cycling, running and swimming. Roman finished 6 times the Ironman and 2 times the Abu Dhabi Triathlon. 3 years ago he was Nr. 12 in his age class at the American Ironman Championship in New York.

The German owned Horse Ranch Hotel in Lluchmajor opens this summer and will be the most luxurious riding facility of the Baleares, for horse lovers who, alone, with a partner or the family (kids from 12 on) wish to have a riding holiday in a lovely surrounding. In planning are riding lessons on educated jumping and dressage horses up to the performance class M. Or you bring your own horse and enjoy wast trips on the 40 ha big area viewing the Tramuntana mountain range. Guests will stay in 22 luxurious apartments (40 to 110 m2, start price Euro 300/night), with big bath room, kingsize beds, big TV, espresso machine, own terrace and garden. Restaurant with 3 chefs, several sun terraces, big pool with whirlpool area. Around the fields grow over 4000 plants, 300 fruit trees with 22 different fruits, garden with herbs and local vegetables. 35 persons staff are planned to run the ranch, all familiar with horses. Staff is still needed for horses, kitchen, hotel and service. Tel.: 971 830563, FB: Horse Ranch Hotel

Toni Reines from Sa Pobla is one of the last traditional shoe makers on Mallorca. He still manufactures by hand the typical espadrilles (alpargatas) brought once to Spain by the Romans as a further development of the Egyptian sandals. Toni sells as well his shoes from March to November on the Sunday weekly market in Pollensa. There he met a Swedish architect who ordered 120 pair alpargatas. An Italian lady for her shop in Bergamo ordered 300 pairs. Besides the pretty fabric summer shoes, Toni manufactures as well the famous Menorquin "avarca" with the sole made off tires and shoes with leather or handwoven materials. You can order your individual handmade shoe and decide the design and material. Visit his shop in Sa Pobla by calling before 871 707099.

The Swiss owned vineyard Son Mayol claims to produce the best wine of the island, for sure it is the most expensive. They created the 2014 wine in cooperation with the bodega Anima Negra and sell it since March for 45 Euro (Premier Vin, light, fine, fruity, balanced) and 75 Euro (Grand Vin, very intensive, wooden aroma, body, structure, deep red color). Production only 6000 bottles. Both wines are extended in Barrique (Premier Vin 12 months, Grand Vin 14 months), both have 14,5% alcohol. Premier Vin is half Cabernet Sauvignon and Merlot grapes. Grand Vin are 60% Cabernet Sauvignon, nearly 40% Merlot and a little bit Petit Verdot. Bodega Son Mayol, Establiments, C/ Lloc de Can Mallol, Tel.: 871 600026, www.bodegasonmayol.es. Wine to be bought at La Vinoteca, www.lavinoteca.info