Jump in a taxi, hire car or bus and you can get far away from the popular south coast resorts which target the profitable 18-30's market. From Palma, you can explore the varied countryside that the island has to offer. Fight your way past the tan-seeking tourists, and you can discover Gothic architecture, hilltop villages, olive groves and hidden beaches. Little more than an hour's drive from Palma and the Son Sant Joan International airport the Tramuntana mountain range plunges down to the north coast of the island and pine groves extend as far as the Mediterranean. These steep mountains surround and shelter Puerto Pollensa with its luxury yachts and colourful local fishing boats. Puerto Pollensa has been a tourist destination since the 1920's so hotels on the sea front are not the concrete blocks that can be found in most other towns on the island. The town is little more than an hour's drive from Palma and the Son Sant Joan International airport and is popular with families and middle aged couples looking for something more than the popular south coast resorts. You can find walks into the mountains where views back over the bay are stunning. Alcudia on the north coast is also an easy drive from Palma. The original old town of Alcudia is just two miles inland and well worth a visit. Parts of the town date back to around 1300 and in the 2nd century the Romans made Alcudia the capital of the island. The clean sand of Alcudia Bay and variety of water sports make the town popular with families who have young children. Should you want to escape even the quiet resorts of Mallorca then explore some of the beaches that are 'off the beaten track'; Es Trenc is one of the best unspoilt beaches in Mallorca with no hotels just pine forests, the occasional wooden beach bar, miles of white sand and gorgeous turquoise water. The best way to get around the island is by car or bike. Car hire in Mallorca is made simple with car hire companies based in Palma and at the Son Sant Joan International airport. If you'd rather use public transport, a regular bus service connects the airport with Palma, where you can get buses to the rest of the island. With unattractive resort developments spoiling much of the coast it is refreshing to see some of the island's natural beauty that hasn't yet been lost to concrete. |
