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Mallorca set in the Mediterranean off the eastern coast of Spain is the largest of the Balearic Islands and the most varied. For many years Mallorca was synonymous with mass tourism but in recent years it has become a quality destination offering a wide range of holidays. This is an island of variety with all the ingredients for an unforgetable holiday - dramatic mountain scenery, golden sandy beaches, hidden coves, timeless villages and ancient monasteries.
Whilst some areas of the coast have been over developed with exuberant resorts, the capital, Palma, however, still retains some of its historical flavour sporting grand mansions and a magnificent Gothic cathedral in its bustling centre. The north coast still offers some secluded coves below the peaks of the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range, and several quaint old towns and villages, whilst the interior is largely the preserve of a thriving agricultural community, dotted with windmills, olive and almond trees.
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CALA SAN VICENTE - the resort is 6 km northeast of Pollensa and boasts an attractive setting along a wooded ravine set amongst rocky outcrops that plunge into the sparkling seas in the shadow of the Formentor Peninsula, one of the most dramatic of which is the Cavall Bernat.
The resort is grouped around four sandy coves - the Calas Molins, Carbo, Clara and Barques - two of which have blue flag status. The resort is renowned for a number of good restaurants, and has an excellent selection of bars and a range of shops. The resort is perfect for family holidays.
If you can drag yourself away from the many activities on the beach and in the sea, there are some interesting walks in the immediate area and many places to visit in the neighbouring area:
PUERTO POLLENSA - is an attractive resort that stretches along a sheltered horseshoe-shaped bay lined with sandy beaches, set against the backdrop of the Boquer mountain range on the north coast of Mallorca. The popular resort has grown up around a scenic fishing port that served the picturesque old Roman town of Pollensa, situated a few miles inland. Far quieter and more laid back than the exuberant resorts of the Bay of Palma, Puerto Pollensa and its near neighbour, the tranquil resort of Cala San Vicente, attracts families and couples.
Cafes, restaurants and tourist shops line the famous Pine Walk promenade along with some elegant hotels, which overlook the wide sandy beach and the bay, dotted with the colourful sails of yachts. Puerto Pollensa is renowned for some of the best fish restaurants on Mallorca and there is also a wide selection of restaurants serving cuisines that cater for all tastes. Like everything else in Puerto Pollensa, the scene after dark remains laid-back and quiet, visitors and locals alike taking time for the traditional ‘paseo’ or stroll from the marina along the Pine Walk, as far as the elegant Illa D’Or hotel.
Puerto Pollensa offers a wide range of water sports enjoyed by young and old, with facilities and equipment available from various operators at the marina and along the beach. Glass bottom boat trips are available from the port. There are also opportunities for hiking along walking trails in the surrounding hills and scenic mountains.
The resort has a good range of shops to cater for all your holiday needs and the market is held of a Wednesday in the Church Square.
Historic POLLENSA is situated in the hills, in the north of Mallorca, in the lee of the Tramuntana Mountains. It is a peaceful old town that has been largely unaffected by tourism. The town was established a few miles inland to protect against any sudden pirate attacks; its harbour, Puerto Pollensa, was left as an unprotected outpost but today the 'puerto' has grown into a popular family holiday resort.
Some of Pollensa's historic medieval centre remains around the Plaça Major, the main square, including the church of Nostra Senyora dels Àngels. From the outside the church is fairly austere, the sheer stone façade is pierced only by a large rose window, but the interior is highly decorative particularly during the packed Sunday morning services when it is ablaze with candles. Other than the church, the main square houses a cluster of bars and cafés, and on Sunday morning, a busy market. Just north of the square is the Via Crucis (Way of the Cross), a long stone stairway up the slope of El Calvario, bordered by ancient cypress trees. At the top of El Calvario, in a small chapel, is a much-revered statue of Mare de Déu del Peu de la Creu (Mother of God at the Foot of the Cross). On Good Friday, a figure of Jesus is slowly carried down the steps by torchlight in the Davallament (Lowering).
Pollensa is one of Mallorca’s most celebrated cultural towns and there are a number of interesting places to visit:.
The FORMENTOR PENINSULAR, the bony northern most spur of the Serra de Tramuntana, stretches some 20 km north from the Bay of Pollensa and is an area of great natural beauty with wooded valleys, plunging cliffs, magnificent seascapes and a wonderful beach, the Platja de Formentor. Along the road to the lighthouse at the top of the Cap there are some wonderful viewing points with wonderful sea views and many opportunities to view many species of birds that nest in the area.
ALCUDIA (Old Town) - the ancient town of Alcudia, not to be confused with the modern resort 3km to its south, has a fascinating and turbulent history. The Phoenicians and Greeks settled here and the Romans made it their capital in the 2nd century BC. Destroyed by the Vandals in the 6th century it was rebuilt again by the Moors before being liberated by King Jaime I of Spain in the early 1200s. The Spanish sensibly fortified the city; its massive city walls date from this era. Today visitors still enter the narrow streets of the old town through one of the two gates, which are guarded by large towers. Near the town, at Polentia, is a well preserved Roman amphitheatre and the Orator de Santa Anna, one of Mallorca's oldest churches.
LLUC - To the west of Pollensa after a wonderful drive through the Serra de Tramuntana you come to the remote mountain village of Lluc. Set in a valley Lluc has been an important place of pilgrimage since the 13th century. Lluc became Mallorca’s most sacred site when a shepherd boy discovered a dark wooden statue of the Virgin in a cleft in the rock. The miraculous statue returned to its cave three times after being placed in the local church. Now the statue, known as La Moreneta, has been encrusted with precious stones and presides in its own chapel, receiving pilgrims and tourists who come to pay homage each day. On Sundays a traditional boys' choir gives a concert at 11am in the monastery where the statue resides.
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| Luxuries: | DVD Player |
| General: | TV, Video player, CD player |
| Standard: | Hair dryer |
| Utilities: | Dish washer, Cooker, Microwave, Fridge, Freezer |
| Rooms: | Bedrooms (3), Bathrooms (1), Ensuite (1), Shower rooms (2), WCs (3), Solarium/Roof Terrace |
| Furniture: | Single beds (4), Double beds (1), Dining seating for 6, Lounge seating for 6, Sleeps maximum of 6 |
| Other: | Linen provided, Towels provided |
| Outdoors: | Balcony / Terrace, Barbeque, Parking space, Private garden, Private outdoor swimming pool |
| Access: |
Secure parking
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Further details indoors:
The entrance to L'Esca is via a security gate and there is a car parking area as well as a garage. The villa entrance leads into an attractive living room with picture windows and large French doors that open on to a covered furnished porch, the garden and the swimming pool. The living room is split level and has a sunken sitting area with comfortable white sofas and built-in seating as well as Satellite television (with limited English channels), and a DVD. The separate dining area has a table seating six.
There is a modern kitchen that is well equipped with an electric hob and oven, microwave, fridge/freezer and dishwasher. A washing machine and drier are located in the garage.
Also on the ground floor is the master bedroom with access to the rear terrace which offers flexible accommodation in that can be made up as a double or twin bedroom and has a large en-suite shower room. .
An open staircase leads up from the living room to the first floor landing where there is another sitting area and two bedrooms. The first is a double bedroom which has an en-suite bathroom and a door opening onto a furnished roof terrace. The second bedroom can be made up as a double or a twin, depending on requirements and has an en-suite shower room and doors that open onto two roof balconies from which there are views along the wooded ravine and towards the sea.
Each of the berooms has ceiling fans. |
Further details outdoors:
The swimming pool measures 8 x 3 metres, with the deep end 2.1m and shallow end 1.4m and has a furnished terrace to the side of the villa and adjacent to the main terrace. At the back of the villa, beside the rear sun terrace, there is a small garden laid mainly to lawn and flower beds. There is also a portable barbecue.
For further information on the location of L'Esca please refer to the Google interactive map above which also includes a satellite image. |
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