Mallorca Island Disney Travel Agents Near Me

Overview

Introduction

Situated 345 mi/555 km east of Madrid, Mallorca (pronounced my-YOR-ka) is the largest and most popular of Spain's Balearic Islands, drawing visitors from the colder climes of Europe. It's the only member of the archipelago that enjoys, and caters to, year-round tourism.

Its beaches, sunny weather and dazzling seaside scenery are the main attractions, though it retains a bit more of its traditional flavor than the Costa del Sol, another package-tour haven on the Spanish mainland. Most of the built-up, hotel-filled areas are around Palma Bay in the south, Alcudia Bay in the north, and along the island's cove-dotted east coast. In the center is a windmill-dotted plain called Es Pla that's home to several small towns and villages. In February, a virtual sea of pink and white blossoms from the 10 million almond trees fills this peaceful area of countryside.

The protected northwest area is, for many, the most beautiful of all. It has a long continuous mountain range that rises to 4,600 ft/1,400 m at its highest point. The mountain range towers above tiny hidden inlets, boasts silver-green groves of ancient gnarled olive trees, and shelters beautiful stone-walled towns and villages such as Valldemossa, Deia and Soller.

Palma de Mallorca is the largest and most cosmopolitan city in the Balearics. In spite of the massive popularity of the island, the capital has managed to retain much of its original charm and character.

Location

Visitors to Palma de Mallorca will usually disembark at the Estacio Maritima cruise terminal, which is 4 mi/6 km from the city center. If the main port is busy, it is possible for cruise ships to dock at the industrial pier near the Porto Pi fort, which is about a mile/kilometer farther outside the city.

Most cruise lines offer a shuttle bus to transport visitors from the terminal to downtown Palma. If that is not an option, it is easy to take the public bus or hire a taxi if you're in a hurry.

Shore Excursions

Generally, three main types of shore trips are offered in Mallorca. Keep in mind that these trips vary from cruise line to cruise line.

Manacor and the Caves of Drach. This trip usually includes a stop at Manacor to visit the artificial Pearls Outlet en route to east-coast Porto Cristo and the Caves of Drach, the largest subterranean cavern on the island.

Inca, Pollensa and Cape Formentor. This excursion heads north, taking in the traditional market town of Inca, where visitors sample the goods at a leather goods outlet and then proceed on to Pollensa Town and its neighboring port. The highlight is the journey out to Cape Formentor and its clifftop lighthouse, from which on clear days, you can see Menorca. Stop at the legendary 1920s Barcelo Formentor hotel en route.

Valledemossa, Deia and Soller. This itinerary ventures up into the mountains with a stop at Valldemosa to see the monastery where Chopin once wintered with his bohemian companion, the Parisienne Georges Sand (alias Baroness Dudevant). A trip can then continue on to the chic village of Deia and town of Soller, whose nearby port lies at the end of a valley filled with orange groves.