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Majorca
Thomson Destinations
It's one of those boomerang destinations that's kept people coming back time and time again. But scratch Majorca's surface and beneath all that sun, sea and sand lies a conjurer's bag of surprises.
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The biggest of the Balearics, Majorca has long been a favourite with the world's travel pack. But never has it enjoyed such a popularity boom as it has done recently. You only have to look at the celebs' holiday habits to see it's well and truly in vogue. Catherine Zeta Jones and Michael Douglas have got a place here. Sir Andrew Lloyd Webber's just down the road. And Claudia Schiffer has a sprawling estate. But that's not to say that Majorca is reserved for VIPs. Far from it. Families flock to Alcudia, Puerto Pollensa and Cala Bona. The party crowd head to Magaluf and Palma Nova. And those with their sights set on R&R find room in Camp de Mar and Cala d'Or. And then there's the star of the show - Palma - a tapas-loving, boutique-brimming capital city. So whether you're a family, a hen party or a couple, Majorca is one of those rare places that fits firmly under the something for everyone' bracket. Whichever slice you plump for, the island will send you home with a first-class suntan and the desire to book your return visit before you've set down your suitcase. What more could you ask for? Things to see and do Palma Cathedral Hear the word Palma and the first thing that leaps to mind is the city's great Gothic cathedral. All pinnacles and flying buttresses, it's the jewel of the old town, standing guard over the yacht-crammed harbour. Work began on the masterpiece as far back as the 13th-century and carried on for 400 years - and the results are impressive to say the least. See, among other things, the exquisite rose window - made from 1,236 pieces of stained glass - and the additions made last century by Catalan genius, Antoni Gaudi. When you've exhausted the cathedral, take a wander next door to the old royal palace of Almudaina, before finishing off with a lazy tapas lunch in the winding streets that wrap around it. Soller Railway This is no ordinary train journey. Every year, over a million people hop aboard the famous 1920's electric trains bound for Soller, a gorgeous little village on the northwestern coast. The old-fashioned train ride, which lasts 90 minutes, has become Majorca's most popular attraction and the island really makes the most of its chance to shine. Pine-clad peaks, twisted olive groves, sweet-smelling citrus trees - it's all there, waiting to dazzle you. So pack your camera and prepare to be seriously impressed. Marineland Majorca Whisk the kids off to Marineland, one of Majorca's best-loved attractions. See dolphins perform astonishing acrobatics. Spot camouflaged crocs lurking in the shallows. And look out for sharks prowling their underwater home. You'll find everything from flamingos and fish to penguins and parrots, and the shows staged here are some of the best in Europe. Caves of Drach Mother Nature really did herself proud with this place. Inside, three chambers compete for your attention, not to mention Lake Martel, one of the biggest underground lakes in the world. For the best views, you can actually take a boat ride on the lake. Sit back and drift through the water, enclosed in a magical cocoon of stalactites and stalagmites. Pirates' Adventure Amazing acrobatics, funky dancing and laugh-'til-you-cry comedy - that's on the agenda when you sign up for Pirates' Adventure. Throw in a buccaneer's feast and free-flowing punch and you've got all the ingredients for an unforgettable night out. Based on the outskirts of Magaluf, the popular themed dinner and show runs from April to October. Lluc Island sites don't come any more sacred than this one. An old monastery, it's set in the Sierra de Tramuntana and has been a major pilgrimage centre since the 13th-century. It was then that a shepherd boy chanced upon a wooden statue of the Virgin. The statue was placed in the local church but three times it mysteriously returned to the cave where it was found. Now La Moreneta, or the Little Dark One, sits in its own chapel with thousands of people queuing up to pay homage. Get there for 11am to see a soul-stirring performance by Es Blauets choir.
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Beaches Make no mistake about it, beaches are what Majorca does best. From jaw-dropping sweeps of velvet sand to dinky coves carved by a crystal sea, you name it, this island's got it. Take a look at the north coast and you've got places like Alcudia, where a super-calm sea whispers sweet nothings to eight kilometres of sun-drenched sand. It's an ideal choice for families, with plenty of room and just the right material for the kids' construction work. Nearby Puerto Pollensa is another good spot if you've got the tots in tow. Again, the sea's nice and calm so your little ones can paddle in safety - when they're not shooting down flumes at the nearby waterpark that is. Over in the east, Sa Coma sits pretty with its kilometre-long stretch of white sand. The sea offers up plenty in the way of watersports, too, ideal when you're ready to escape the midday sizzle. And nearby Cala Bona has a Kodak-worthy coastline scalloped with pretty, honey-coloured coves. Trace your finger southeast on the map, meanwhile, and
you'll come to Cala d'Or. Translated, it means Golden Cove and it's a title that certainly fits the bill. This chi-chi island slice is draped in warm gold-dust sands that'll have you smoothing on the suncream in nanoseconds. If that's not your scene however, consider spending time over on the west coast. That's where you'll find the loud and lively duo, Magaluf and Palma Nova. Think busy beaches and waters teeming with jet-skis and banana boats. Too much for you? Then try Camp de Mar, where glittering sands are backed by some of the best scenery in the Balearics.
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