Mallorca for 9 nights-best home base?

Old Jul 25th, 2017, 02:57 PM
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Mallorca for 9 nights-best home base?

My husband, adult daughter and I will be traveling to Spain in late September and early October. We fly into Palma and out of Barcelona. We will be spending most of our time on Mallorca since we have been fortunate enough to visit Barcelona several times in the past. We would like to spend some time (maybe 4-5 nights plus one night in Barcelona before our flight out of Barcelona) on the Costa Brava. That would leave us with 9 or 10 nights on Mallorca. We enjoy seeing natural wonders (I had no idea there were so many caves in Mallorca), coastal and mountain walks/hikes, cultural activities, small villages, interesting architecture, music and art. We enjoy eating the local food and learning about local customs and the way of life. We enjoy beaches even if it is too cool to swim. For us it's an easy trade off so we can travel during the less crowded shoulder or off season. We usually stay in apartments or b and b's rather than hotels and do not require a resort setting. We prefer to stay away from the party places although we do enjoy areas that offer festivals and music events. We plan to rent a car. At this point we are trying to choose preferably two or possibly 3 areas (if necessary) as bases. Three places that keep coming up in my research are: Puerto Pollenca,Cala d' Oro and Port de Soller. We are also trying to make a list of places not to be missed. I appreciate all of your suggestions and your gift of time answering my queries. You are an invaluable resource! Thank you!
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Old Jul 26th, 2017, 01:04 AM
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Mallorca isn't that big an island that you would need 2/3 bases to see. Andratx to Alcudia via the fast roads won't take more than an hour, so save some time and just day trip to wherever you want to go.

I'm not a big fan of Cala d'Or and much prefer the western and northern areas of Mallorca as I feel that there's much more to see and do in those areas. Apart from the Caves of Drach and a couple more caves, the east coast doesn't hold much interest for me.

Soller is nice enough, although I prefer Pollenca and Puerto Pollenca. Pollenca has a more Spanish feel to it especial;ly in the evening, while Puerto Pollenca is more of a resort.

You can visit Alcudia with it's Roman site, the monastery at Lluc, Deia, Valdemossa etc.
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Old Jul 28th, 2017, 02:59 PM
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Thank you for your suggestions. We are now thinking that we will stay 4 nights in Palma, 5 nights in Pollenca, and 6 nights on the Costa Brava. We may not see much of the southern part of Mallorca but we prefer to see an area more thoroughly than jump around too much. On the mainland we will definitely visit the Dali museum. I welcome suggestions about the Costa Brava, as well.

We will be renting a car for the last day (and night) we are in Palma (to visit Valdemossa, Deia, etc.) and then keep it until we leave the island. Should we still take the train to Soller or can we drive the same scenic route? Would you recommend going to Soller on the way to Pollenca? If so, would we also be able to stop at Port de Sa Colabra?

Thank you again for your help!
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Old Jul 29th, 2017, 03:13 AM
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You can't follow the rail line in a car, so just catch the train from the station in Palma. It's a nice day trip from Palma and once you reach Soller, catch the tram into the port.

Sa Calobra can be done better from Pollenca, as if my memory serves, there's only one road in and out. 4 nights in Palma will give you time to also see the Caves of Drach, maybe stopping at Manacor to see the pearl factories. Porto Cristo is a nice little place for lunch near the caves.

While in Pollenca, drive across to see the Roman remains at Alcudia and onto the Formentor peninsula.

In Pollenca, eat at the Calvi, or either of the restaurants at the bottom of the steps in the main square, (Plaza Mayor) the Giardino or the Ca N'olesa. Also try the lane that goes up the right hand side of the church and when you reach the fountain with the "male chicken" (I hesitate to say the word) there are several good restaurants with 30 yards of you.
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Old Jul 29th, 2017, 06:47 AM
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Thank you for your very helpful suggestions!
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