Thinking of a beach vacation with cultural activities, international cuisine and superb shopping?  Consider Majorca, Spain. Just 127  miles off the coast of Spain, an hour and a half plane ride from Madrid, this island jewel offers the active traveler many options.   

Beaches.   

Each side of the island offers its own special Shangri-La.   

The Playa de Palma beach is also known as El Arenal (“the sands”). It has a seafront promenade with a special bike lane and numerous shops, restaurants and discos. The beach has fine white sand and crystal-clear waters. 

Cala Ratjada is located in northeastern Majorca. The sand is fine and the water is clear and shallow. It is very beautiful and certainly popular in the summer. 

Es Trenc is a beautiful 3000 meter sandy beach. It is considered one of the best stretches of sand in Majorca. Nude bathing is allowed in one part of the beach.   

Horseback Riding. 

There are a number of riding stables on the island where you can go for a trail ride, hack on the beach or for lessons.  You might try Son Menut, a nice westerly drive in the country from Palma. 

Vitesse Sport Performance Training Camp in Majorca, Spain

Cycling.   

Bring your bike in the spring and join the international riders who are doing their pre-season tune-up. Imagine a ski mountain resort and replace the snow with warm weather and the skiers with cyclists…hundreds of them of all shapes and sizes, all languages and abilities. These peddlers are attracted by the varied terrain, beautiful landscapes and excellent roads often with little traffic. Choose the beach route, head to Puerto de Sollar for lunch by the seas, climb mountain peaks with switchback descents or leisurely ride on the flat through the farmlands.  Vitesse Sport Performance leads a group annually to the island for pre-season training.  Visit www.vitessesportperformance.com for details.

Restaurants.   

There are so many wonderful restaurants in Palma de Majorca that you could spend every night of your trip trying a new one.  You might want to venture out also for some very special spots.  Here are a few of our favorites from a recent trip: 

• Palma. 

Simply Fosh.   One of several restaurants in Majorca overseen by renown chef, Marc Fosh. Mediterranean cuisine in a renovated convent refectory. 

Misa Braseria. Dishes range from Catalan Style Fish Soup with monkfish & Mussels to Slow cooked Fillet of beef baked in hay & Mountain herbs to Classic Chocolate Marquise  

•  Puerto de Soller 
  

  Ses Oliveres restaurant. A wonderful spot for lunch or dinner with a to die for view

Ses Oliveres.  Wonderful place for long lunch overlooking the protected bay (above).   Seafood is a specialty.    Service is very special.  Do go back for dinner for the view of twinkling lights and the paella.

• Port d’Andratx   

Restaurante MarBlau, Restaurante Porto Bello or any one of the other great restaurants located along the water.  Many of these restaurants have both seating in the restaurant and outside along the water.  On the night we were there, it was chilly and we were all offered afghan blankets for warmth.   

Shopping.  

Palma de Majorca is certainly the center for shopping from high fashion clothes, leather boots, chocolates and beauty products. 

Hotels.  

One of our favorites is Hotel MAC Garonda which is opposite the beach of Playa de Palma – Mallorca. It is adults only, has rooms with sea views, and boasts a very professional and extremely helpful staff with many ideas for what to do during your stay. For those that bring their bicycles, there is a locked bike room on the ground floor. You can just roll out of the bike room onto the beach bike path.