The island of Mallorca (also known as Majorca), is the largest of the Balearic Islands grouped in the Mediterranean Sea. Visitors can wander through Palma’s gothic quarter and wonder at its cathedral. Laze on golden sandy beaches or delight in the Tramuntana Mountains. Luxuriate in charming manor houses or relax in a sophisticated boutique hotel. For romance or fun, action-packed or lazy days, there’s something to suit everyone on luxury Majorca holidays.
The Balearic Islands of Mallorca, Menorca and Ibiza and Formentera comprise an archipelago to the east of the Spanish mainland with Mallorca the largest, the most popular, and the best known of these delightful islands. Mallorca is often likened to a continent rather than simply an island due to its variety in culture, history and natural landscapes and it isn’t surprising that the sheer beauty of the island captivates everyone who visits it. No other European island boasts more contrasting terrain from the fertile plains of the centre to the almost alpine peaks of the Tramuntana Mountains in the northwest and across to the gentle hills of the Levante to the east.
The island’s 500km of coastline offers a succession of lovely coves, beautiful sandy beaches and secluded bays with some extraordinary caves to explore: notably the Coves del Drac near Porto Cristo. And together with a mild climate and a rich cultural history, it really does provide a delightful holiday destination.
Mallorca’s idyllic appeal lies also in its charm as a living, working island: the cereal and fruit crops of the central plains and the vineyards around Binissalem are vital to the island’s economy. Due to their geographic location at a crossroads in the Mediterranean, the islands were constantly plundered and colonised by Phoenicians, Greeks, Carthaginians, Romans, Moors and Turks. And in the 13th century, Catalan settlers brought their language, a dialect (Mallorqi) which today is spoken throughout Mallorca. Spanish (Castilian) is spoken universally, especially in business, and English and German are widely understood.
Luxury holidays to Mallorca, as with the neighbouring Balearic Islands justifiably claim to cater for all tastes from fun and sun-seeking holidaymakers, walkers, cyclists, painters and photographers to jetsetters and film stars wishing for anonymity in discreet, yet exceptionally luxurious, mountain hideaways.
Classic Collections Holidays offers a fantastic choice of luxury hotels in Mallorca, from apartments to boutique hotels.
The best of Mallorca
There’s a sharp contrast to the lively and sparkling bay of Palma with its multitude of hotels and dazzling nightlife, to the alternative Mallorca that Classic Collection Holidays also feature. Alternative Mallorca is the Mallorca hiding from the main tourist spots and is composed of captivating little villages mainly untouched by the passage of time. These villages are sometimes found weaving their way up mountain sides, or perched right on the top in the case of the most famous and beautiful of them all, Deya. Quaint village beauty is added to by multitudes of trees including ancient olive groves, fragrant almond orchards, refreshing pine forests and ancient oak groves.
When to go
With numerous direct daily flights from all over the UK and a flying time of just over two hours, Mallorca is perfect for short breaks and weekend trips as well as longer holidays. Mallorca enjoys a temperate Mediterranean climate in high summer with high maximum temperatures lowered slightly and made very pleasant by the cooling influences of the sea. It is warm and sunny from March to November, and only a bit cooler from December to February.
With a large offering of 4 and 5 star Majorca hotels the island is a great place to visit all year round.