A group of cyclists on holiday in Mallorca were hit by a bus driver on Thursday leaving one rider dead and three others seriously injured in an incident that has prompted an investigation into possible mechanical failure The crash happened at around 12.25pm on the Ma-2200 road linking Pollença to the port The Transports de les Illes Balears (TIB) bus struck four foreign cyclists before crashing into a tree A 48-year-old Ukrainian cyclist died at the scene, while a 42-year-old Kazakh and a 43-year-old Russian suffered multiple severe injuries and were taken to Son Espases Hospital in Palma. A fourth cyclist, a 40-year-old woman, was treated for a hip fracture at Inca Hospital, reports Majorca Daily Bulletin Several ambulances and the local police were quickly dispatched with a doctor who happened to be nearby the first to alert emergency services and confirm the fatality The crash also injured four of the 16 passengers on board the bus and a six-month-old baby treated for minor injuries Authorities said the bus eventually veered off the road and came to a stop after hitting a tree The Guardia Civil’s Traffic Division have opened an investigation into the cause exploring the possibility of a mechanical failure in the bus’s steering or braking systems that caused the driver to lose control > British cyclist dies during Mallorca 312 event One person familiar with the TIB buses commented on the incident saying: “I travel on these buses nearly every day Their suspensions are shot and clanking along when they hit the ‘sleeping policemen’ “Not to mention weak springs and further rattling noises from steering especially when overloaded with standing tourists and residents who are only allowed to travel on one bus The airport and Palma buses run almost empty Gross incompetence and totally inefficient.” Another cyclist who witnessed the aftermath of the incident said that one of the injured cyclists gave him a thumbs-up although “his bike was a mangled carbon wreck” > “We used to have a life”: Chants of “no more cyclists” at anti-tourism protest in Mallorca as residents complain of tourists driving up cost of living expressed its condolences and pledged full cooperation with investigators The crash led to significant traffic disruption along the Ma-2200 with island council teams deployed to clear debris and remove the wrecked bus The incident comes just days after British cyclist Phil Williams died during the Mallorca 312 Gran Fondo a national 25-mile champion riding for Team Bottrill and Liverpool Braveheart BC reportedly suffered a medical incident during the sportive near Valldemossa and tragically died despite medics’ attempts to resuscitate him In January, six members of the German national track team were hospitalised after being hit by an elderly driver in Palma while on a training ride ahead of the European Track Championships The riders included 2024 world championships medallists Benjamin Boos and Bruno Kessler with the team only comleting 2.7km of the ride as national coach Lucas Schädlich witnessed the collision from a support car A statement from German Cycling later confirmed their riders were involved the federation corroborating reports that some of the group had suffered “serious” injuries the group’s bikes were “completely destroyed by the impact” > Mallorca motorcyclist under influence of drugs who killed cyclist after hitting group ride head-on released with charges Mallorca, one of the most sought-after locations for international tourists for many years, has seen several high-profile collisions involving cyclists. Two years ago, a Polish cyclist on holiday in Mallorca died after a motorcyclist, who later tested positive for drugs, lost control of his Harley-Davidson and smashed into a group ride near Pollença In 2018, a motorist struck a group of nine German riders, killing one. The driver, Anais Marco, was jailed for three years after being found guilty of manslaughter in July last year with the court noting her “serious violation” of driving rules Although Marco tested positive for marijuana after the crash the court ruled there was insufficient evidence to convict her of driving under the influence at the time New Spanish traffic regulations introduced at the start of 2025 now require drivers to slow down by at least 20km/h when overtaking cyclists and to maintain a minimum distance of 1.5 metres as authorities attempt to reduce the number of cyclist fatalities on the roads please consider subscribing to the site to support us directly As a subscriber you can read road.cc ad-free The revenue from adverts helps to fund our site then please consider subscribing to road.cc from as little as £1.99 Our mission is to bring you all the news that’s relevant to you as a cyclist Adwitiya joined road.cc in 2023 as a news writer after completing his masters in journalism from Cardiff University His dissertation focused on active travel which soon threw him into the deep end of covering everything related to the two-wheeled tool and now cycling is as big a part of his life as guitars and football. He has previously covered local and national politics for Voice Cymru and also likes to write about science Living right next to the Taff trail in the Welsh capital you can find him trying to tackle the brutal climbs in the valleys has been featured twice in Horse and Hound and just over a year ago was ridng her bike to the stables where her horse was kept and coming the other way was a youth travelling at a ridiculous speed and Alice was in the rong place at the wrong time the affect on her parents has been awful to see These are the kind of road users the law needs to concentrate on road.cc's audience Report an advert on road.cc Privacy policy Subscribe All material © Farrelly Atkinson (F-At) Limited, Unit 7b Green Park Station BA11JB. 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Terms and conditions of use Mission Statement: to assist the integration of foreign residents living in Spain and this is never more accurate than when you establish yourself as a foreign resident in a new country Being able to quickly familiarise yourself with the culture and customs can help ease the transition during a challenging time This is why Euro Weekly News makes it our mission to provide you with a free news resource in English that covers both regional and national Spanish news – anything that we feel you will benefit from knowing as you integrate into your new community and live your best life in Spain you can forget about translating articles from Spanish into awkward English that probably don’t make much sense Let us be your convenient and essential guide to all things that will likely affect you as a foreign resident living in Spain The spring exhibition organised by the Pollença Museum will fill the Convent church with “The Worlds of Mateu Llobera” a showcase of the spaces immortalised by the Mallorcan painter through his brushwork this exhibition of oil paintings allows us to appreciate the most recognised side of Mateu Llobera while also revealing a previously unseen selection of small-format works marked by a distinctly expressionist character and a colour palette different from his usual one offer a fresh perspective on the artist and his pictorial identity “The Worlds of Mateu Llobera” can be visited until 15 June at the Convent church 10:30 am to 1:30 pm and 5:00 pm to 8:00 pm Mateu Llobera Bauzà (1923–2019) was a Spanish painter from Pollença whose work vividly captures the essence of Mallorcan life and landscapes His paintings are celebrated for their depictions of the island’s rural scenes reflecting a deep connection to his homeland.​ Mateu Llobera was a self-taught artist in drawing and painting inspired by the vibrant artistic atmosphere of Pollença and his first exhibition took place in 1946 at the Bestard Galleries in Pollença he exhibited regularly and his work received recognition from both critics and the public the medium that came to define him for the remainder of his career His main subjects were Pollença — its streets and squares where the human figure becomes an essential element — and Sant Vicenç with its boats and the Cavall Bernat mountain Llobera’s style is rooted in post-impressionism influenced by the Catalan post-impressionist movement that reached Mallorca He was associated with the “Escola de Pollença” (School of Pollença) a group of artists inspired by the natural beauty and light of northern Mallorca He was also influenced by German expressionism Llobera took up painting in 1949 and was one of the founding members of the Grupo de Acuarelistas de Baleares a collective that helped shape post-war Mallorcan art he soon devoted himself fully to oil painting a medium that allowed him to develop a richer his work was exhibited not only in his hometown of Pollença and in Palma Germany and the United States — reflecting both local roots and international reach The Pollença Museum is located in the former dominican convent Pollença has been associated with the world of painting since the early 20th century Their international fame attracted further artists The influence of these artists took shape in the 1960s with the creation of the Summer Painting Salon which later evolved into the International Visual Arts Contest This competition has enriched and enhanced the Museum’s Contemporary Art collection The Pollença Museum was officially founded in 1975; its galleries showcased the winning works from the Summer Salon alongside a selection of Gothic altarpieces and the museum’s holdings have expanded to include a room dedicated to prehistory Stay tuned with Euro Weekly News for the latest news about Europe and Mallorca Subscribe to our Euro Weekly News alerts to get the latest stories into your inbox Website#e49dc43f1b5404d76f528ded{display:none} Euro Weekly News is the leading English language newspaper in Spain by delivering news with a social conscience we are proud to be the voice for the expat communities who now call Spain home With around half a million print readers a week and over 1.5 million web views per month EWN has the biggest readership of any English language newspaper in Spain The paper prints over 150 news stories a week with many hundreds more on the web – no one else even comes close Our publication has won numerous awards over the last 25 years including Best Free Newspaper of the Year (Premios AEEPP) Company of the Year (Costa del Sol Business Awards) and Collaboration with Foreigners honours (Mijas Town Hall) All of this comes at ZERO cost to our readers All our print and online content always has been and always will be FREE OF CHARGE Download our media pack in either English or Spanish 'Race cancelled and suspended due to weather conditions and crashes in the first few kilometres' say participating teams on social media The penultimate Challenge Mallorca one-day race Trofeo Andratx-Pollença was stopped by the riders and then cancelled after just 25km of racing due to dangerous conditions caused by strong gusts of wind combined with heavy rain that quickly made the road surface slippery on Saturday Rain in and around the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range that plays host to the mountainous days throughout the series of five one-day races meant the roads were slippery and caused several riders to come down in the first hour of racing with the key climb of the Coll de Puig Major (14.2 km at 6%) set to be the highlight that "the conditions were no longer right to allow the peloton to progress safely." The Illes Balears-Arabay team also confirmed that the event was "cancelled and suspended due to weather conditions and crashes in the first few kilometres." Burgos Burpellet BH confirmed on their social media channels that the event was suspended "due to the numerous falls that occurred in the first kilometres."  When riders ultimately stopped racing at 125km to go there was a breakaway of three riders that included Daniel Cavia (Burgos BH) Amund Grøndahl Jansen (Uno-X Mobility) and Manuele Tarozzi (VF Group-Bardiani CSF-Faizanè) After the riders made the decision to stop racing the breakaway was moving forward but due to the conditions of the terrain The last day of the Challenge Mallorca is due to come on Sunday at the 149.9km Trofeo Palma Race organisers of the Challenge Mallorca's Trofeo Andratx-Pollença explained in an official statement after the race that they respected but did not share the riders' decision to halt the racing after the dangers that had arisen due to the bad weather "The peloton of cyclists has decided to stop the race at the 23rd kilometre of the Andratx-Mirador del Colomer Trophy (Pollensa) The riders' representatives informed the president of the technical jury of their decision to stop the race," read the official statement from the organisation "The organisation has had no room for negotiation to find a possible alternative to the cyclists' firm decision The organisers and the UCI College of Commissaires of the race respect the riders' decision and regret the damage caused The organisation does not share the riders' decision." The organisers said that they recognised that the safety of the peloton was their priority and that they had warned riders and teams to use caution in the opening kilometres of the race "The organisation is aware that safety takes precedence over any other cause before the race and during the first kilometres the team leaders were informed of the danger and caution was requested on the initial sections of the route," they wrote in the statement "The organisation regrets the injuries suffered by some of the cyclists who have been involved in a fall and wishes a speedy recovery to all of them." 🛫 #TrofeuAndratxPollença 📍 Andratx 🏁 Mirador d'es Colomer🚴‍♂️ 151 km@gardenhotels @TurismeBalears @MallorcaTourism @AjAndratx #AjuntamentPollença @unisportprensa pic.twitter.com/ujjuUiRxaOFebruary 1, 2025 Kirsten has a background in Kinesiology and Health Science. She has been involved in cycling from the community and grassroots level to professional cycling's biggest races, reporting on the WorldTour, Spring Classics, Tours de France, World Championships and Olympic Games. She began her sports journalism career with Cyclingnews as a North American Correspondent in 2006. In 2018, Kirsten became Women's Editor – overseeing the content strategy, race coverage and growth of women's professional cycling – before becoming Deputy Editor in 2023. HomeDestinationsInterestsTop Places to Travel by MonthSearchMenuBest time to go to Mallorca and have your dog blessed in Mallorca on the Sant Antoni celebrations but the celebration itself starts the day before During the night people light huge bonfires watch how costumed demons and devils dance through the streets and participate in a dancing party at the central city squares resisted the Devil's temptation while living in the desert inspiring the tradition of fire and devils on the eve of the 16th of January great bonfires light up the island as crowds gather to dance around them celebrating an ancient ritual of purification and the triumph of good over evil Demons are a well-known symbol of Mallorca tracing their origins to the Feast of Sant Antoni inspired by the saint's legendary temptation by demons in the wilderness running through the streets with pitchforks Each town has its unique design for demon costumes adding to the local flavor of the celebrations A correfoc is a dazzling display where participants spin sparklers attached to poles a traditional pastry filled with pork or eel and vegetables are a specialty in Sa Pobla during Sant Antoni made in large batches and sold on the streets also take center stage during the festivities dancing and delighting crowds as part of the vibrant festival Beneïdes (blessing of animals) are held all across Mallorca This tradition is about blessing all animals—horses One can even observe animal parades in some cities While Palma focuses on its own patron saint Sant Antoni celebrations are more prominent in other towns across Mallorca Even in places where Sant Antoni isn't the patron saint and the 17th of January isn't a public holiday locals still honor the night of the 16th with bonfires and demon festivities The largest celebrations take place in towns where Sant Antoni is the patron saint where the 17th of January is an official holiday Mallorca adds a new jewel to its sporting calendar with the birth of the Travessa Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana a trail running event that runs through the heart of the Serra de Tramuntana which will hold its first edition between 11th and 12th April 2025 offers four distances adapted to different athlete profiles with a common finish line at Plaza de Torà in Peguera a leading company in the management of sporting events in the Balearic Islands and has the support of the Balearic Government and Pollença; and other private institutions Institutional presentation with broad territorial and sectoral representation The official presentation ceremony was held this morning with the presence of Joan Toni Ramonell from the General Directorate of Sports of the Balearic Government; Toni Sancho Institutional Relations of El Corte Inglés; Joan Ramis representing the Fundació Turisme de Mallorca; as well as representatives of the Town Halls of Valldemossa and the Balearic Mountain and Climbing Federation Alejandro Garrido and Xisco Parceris also attended representing the Peguera and Cala Fornells Hotel Association demonstrating the local tourism sector's commitment to the event The TMST – Travessa Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana 120 km (D+ 4900 m) is the event's key sporting challenge this race crosses the entire Serra de Tramuntana following the GR-221 in its entirety to the finish line in Peguera It can be competed individually or in relays of 2 to 4 members the race will have two separate starts: the first at 8 p.m for slower-paced participants (with a maximum of 25 hours) on Saturday the 12th for the fastest runners (with a 20-hour limit) The MTMST - Half Travessa Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana 72 km (D+3000 m) will start at 6:30 a.m This intermediate distance connects with the GR-221 variant to Peguera with a maximum of 14 and a half hours to complete it The MTM - Travessa Mallorca Marathon 47 km (D+1500 m) will start at 10 a.m from Valldemossa and will follow the GR-221 to the finish line ideal for those who want to tackle the legendary marathon distance in trail format the MMTM – Travessa Mallorca Half Marathon 23 km (D+650 m) will start at 12 p.m this distance offers a first immersion in the world of trail running the Travessa Mallorca Serra de Tramuntana aims to highlight the sustainability The GR-221—known as the -Ruta de Pedra en Sec (Dry Stone Route)- structures the routes highlighting heritage sites and unique landscapes The organisers are committed to generating a positive impact on the local economy and encouraging volunteering and the involvement of the municipalities that host the event With more than 500 registered participants in this first edition the Travessa aims to grow steadily and become one of the benchmark mountain crossings in the Mediterranean The organisers plan to expand services in future editions such as live broadcasts and a future Expo Trail to complete a weekend of sport 971 13 91 00 calvia@calvia.com with a wall-mounted work by Mallorcan ceramic artist Jaume Roig The kitchen at breakfast time during Claudia Donaldson’s stay The pool and surrounding rooftops of Pollença A haven of relaxation in the heart of Pollença Mallorca hotel Can Auli embraces its locality hidden down a labyrinth of side streets in the Majorcan town of Pollença offers a luxurious escape steeped in its location’s history produce and artisanship and blessed with a languid charm.  set inland at the northern tip of Mallorca’s Tramuntana mountain range is a lower-key alternative to nearby Sóller or Deia (the latter a hotspot for the beau monde its significant feature a 365-step stone stairway that leads from the main square to a chapel at the top While the town dates back to the 12th century most of Pollença’s houses were built in the 17th and 18th centuries an elegant townhouse five minutes’ walk from the centre The property has been lovingly restored by Miguel Conde and Cristina Marti developer/architect duo who form part of the IT Mallorca group Their mission has been to create a series of luxury boutique hotels throughout the island that preserve its historic buildings and pay living tribute to the stories within them.  Step into Can Auli off the street and you are greeted by a double-height lobby with monastic-style arches and swathes of travertine well lit and furnished for comfort and functionality Sunset aperitivo by the glittering pool is intimate and the olives are excellent (aceitunas gordal – huge vinegary; I had the kitchen staff take me to the store cupboard and show me the packaging before I checked out) If you’re planning on going to the beach and don't have a car note that it’s a 1.5-hour walk to the nearest Rooms offer the kind of comfort and space that qualify the hotel for its luxury retreat strapline The beds are huge and the doors close with a pleasing thud while the mini bar is a treasure chest of tonic waters in pretty bottles escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox The dining ethos at Can Auli is ‘open-kitchen’ you’re free to wander inside and into the adjacent kitchen so you can chat to the chef while he prepares your razor clams and retains the odd Mallorcan stalwart (gazpacho is on tap throughout the day).  a self-service affair laid out in the same pretty domestic setting – an array of homemade pastries with big soft curds rather than the unctuous British version after an hour-long massage in the boutique spa I ask for some tea and am brought an earthenware cup of English Breakfast and told that there is homemade cheesecake It’s just come out of the oven… canauliluxuryretreat.com This website is using a security service to protect itself from online attacks The action you just performed triggered the security solution There are several actions that could trigger this block including submitting a certain word or phrase You can email the site owner to let them know you were blocked Please include what you were doing when this page came up and the Cloudflare Ray ID found at the bottom of this page Mayrhofer second with Vlasov third after a chaotic final 5km of racing in Mallorca New Movistar signing Pelayo Sánchez took a thrilling victory at the Trofeo Pollença - Port d'Andratx after outsprinting Marius Mayrhofer (Tudor Pro Cycling) in a chaotic final kilometre Mayrhofer took up the mantle of chasing a late attack from Marc Soler (UAE Team Emirates) but paid the price in the final sprint with Sánchez coming around him in the final 150 metres Sánchez's victory was the first of the 2024 season for Movistar and the first by a Spaniard at this year's Challenge Mallorca Aleksandr Vlasov (Bora-Hansgrohe) took his third podium of the week at the Challenge Mallorca after another strong performance with Tobias Halland Johannessen (Uno-X Mobility) in fourth Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Dstny) was the strongest on the final climb and looked set to make it back-to-back wins at the five days of racing before his companion at the front of the race Arrieta led the race from 40km to go before Van Eetvelt reeled him in 13km from the line in Andratx on the Coll de sa Gramola and dropped him But his race wasn’t done as he chased back onto the Belgian on the final descent The fourth day of Challenge Mallorca welcomed a six-man break to form in the opening 110km of racing including Idar Andersen (Uno-X Mobility) Dylan Vandenstorme (Team Flanders-Baloise) Hugo Scala Jr (Project Echelon Racing) and Sebastian Niehues (REMBE Pro Cycling Team Sauerland) Former teammates Gregaard and Andersen lasted the longest before being reabsorbed by the chase behind at which point Igor Arrieta (UAE Team Emirates) accelerated off the front of the peloton with 39km to go attacking the scenic hairpins on the Coll den Claret descent.  His advantage quickly grew to 30 seconds as the peloton fanned across the road trying to get the chase together Alex Aranburu (Movistar) crashed at the back of the peloton and was seen clutching his right shoulder and collarbone area in pain.  Attacks were launched in pursuit of Arrieta by Michael Valgren (EF Education-EasyPost) and Frederik Wandahl (Bora-Hansgrohe) but no concerted effort could be formed with Arrieta’s teammate Brandon McNulty also working to stifle any rhythm from the chasers Arrieta hit the final climb up to Coll de sa Gramola (3.8km at 4.2%) with around 40 seconds in hand and it was yesterday’s winner Lennert Van Eetvelt (Lotto-Dstny) Gregor Mühlberger (Movistar) and Yves Lampaert (Soudal-QuickStep) that set off to try and reel him in.  Van Eetvelt left his fellow chasers in his wake with Arrieta in his crosshairs knowing her had to catch the Spanish rider before the top if he was to make it two wins in as many days Arrieta’s gap was melting away as the road continued to the top before the catch was made with 13km remaining.  the other isn’t far behind but with Arrieta dropping it was up to the Emirati team to use their alternate options before Van Eetvelt disappeared into the distance.  He reached the top of the final climb solo with a narrow 15-second margin on Arrieta before the young Spanish rider showed his downhill skills and caught him back on the descent to the line But it wasn’t to be for the 21-year-old who slipped out on a left-hand corner just 6km from the line in Andratx This all but confirmed Van Eetvelt’s fate with the Belgian now facing a solo test to the finish and the group behind was not hanging around Mayrhofer did most of the work as the likely fastest man remaining and a powerful couple of turns meant racing was back together 2km from the line.  Soler hit out for glory as the group looked at each other and his opportunistic attack would’ve made it if not for the German sacrificing himself for any chance of winning Sánchez played it better and gambled on Mayrhofer chasing allowing the Movistar man to come around him in the final bend to the line.  Sánchez opened Movistar’s 2024 account in only his fourth race for his new team after signing from Burgos-BH last summer This was his second professional victory adding to his win on stage 3 of last season’s Vuelta Asturias - his home race Results powered by FirstCycling during which time he also wrote for Eurosport Prior to joining the team he reported on races such as Paris-Roubaix and the Giro d’Italia Donne for Eurosport and has interviewed some of the sport’s top riders in Chloé Dygert he spends the majority of his time watching other sports – rugby A record-breaking 334 sailors set to compete in second leg of 2024 EurILCA Europa Cup in Port Pollensa and 91 ILCA 4 sailors will converge on the waters of Majorca for the highly anticipated event Organized by Reial Club Nàutic Port Pollença this regatta promises thrilling competition and stunning scenery For many participants, the event will serve as valuable preparation for the upcoming 2024 ILCA Under 21 European Championships & Open European Trophy which will be held just a few days later at the same club The event will also count with the presence of well-known World and European medalists, in their preparation to Trofeo S.A.R. Princesa Sofia at the end of month, such as the recent ILCA 6 Women’s Senior European champion Maria Erdi HUN The EurILCA Europa Cup offers sailors of all ages the opportunity to compete in stunning venues across Europe making it a truly inclusive and exciting series of regattas All information about the championship you can find it here: Report by Agustín Argüelles – EurILCA | Cover photo by Thom Touw (2022 edition) Get the latest news from EurILCA in your inbox The 2024 EurILCA Europa Cup ESP concluded today in Mallorca’s island organised by Reial Club Nàutic Port de Pollença Challenging wind conditions ranging from 15 to +30 knots prevailed throughout the three-day competition The event set a historic participation record for a Europa Cup in Spain For many participants, the event served as valuable preparation for the upcoming 2024 ILCA Under 21 European Championships & Open European Trophy scheduled to take place at the same club from March 16th to 23rd The event also saw the presence of several top Olympic sailors who used the occasion to train in the island as part of their preparations for Paris 2024 the winners in the different classes and categories were as follows: Full results here. Photo galleries here. Next step of the 2024 EurILCA Europa Cup Trophy will take place at Centro Velico Punta Ala in Tuscany Don’t miss the #ilcasailingfun and register now here: Event mini-site and application form – 2024 EurILCA Europa Cup Italy The EurILCA Europa Cup Trophy stands as a traditional competition we organise every year The circuit started this year in February with the first regatta in Portimão Report by Agustín Argüelles – EurILCA | Photos by Laura G Photographs: The 365 Steps of Calvari in Pollensa consists of 365 steps, one for every day of the year, has cypress trees each side, along with fourteen three-metre-high crosses, marking the pain that Jesus Christ is said to have suffered on the way to his crucifixion on Mount Golgotha. Click on the images to get access to high rez images of Mallorca on davewalshphoto.com Canyon/SRAM and - whilst we're at it - most of the pro peloton at one time or another the Balearic Island is a popular host for amateur clubs and teams as well and in the months between February and April it's near impossible to ride on the island without coming across several miniature pelotons made up of pros amateurs or groups that are somewhere in the middle Firstly - if you need convincing as to why you should make Mallorca your destination of choice it's because you can almost always expect a trio of good weather mixed terrain and (largely) understanding drivers so though you might see a couple of wet days If you'd like to time your visit to coincide with an event, then check out the Mallorca 312 sportive.  This epic sportive is an annual affair which takes place in April each year it circumnavigated the coastline - but the route has since been changed to allow for closed roads and this event sees the island pretty much taken over by cyclists the capital Palma houses an airport - flight times from the UK are usually around two and a half hours where a lot of riders base themselves. When travelling in small groups whilst on large group excursions we'd organise a transfer with bike box trailer too - but does mean you'll be riding an unfamiliar machine although you may be able to hire that dream bike that you've always wanted to ride pack shoes and pedals in your hand luggage so you can hire if there's any delay in your bike arriving - this can happen when there are many bikes on one plane (can The longest route around the entire perimeter is 312km - North to South is 75km and East to West is 100km Most riders visiting the island will have the opportunity to explore a pretty hefty percentage of its attractions during their stay where you choose to base yourself will of course influence your riding itinerary The vast majority of cyclists set up camp in the Northern coastal towns of Port de Pollença and Alcudia The key attraction of this area is that it sits close to the edge of the Tramuntana Mountains - the highest point of which is the tip of Puig Major Whilst evidently there are plenty of adjacent climbs the area also offers flat roads along the coast and some undulating countryside routes as well Whilst Port de Pollença houses the base of the famous 'lighthouse ride' to Formentor Alcudia can provide some historical ambles around town to explore the 14th century walls The two are separated by around 10km of sea front so it's not much odds which is a little further down the coastline The busy town can provide plenty of restaurants and a more energetic evening vibe the only way out is to ascend one of three climbs - Col de Soller is 7.4km and six per cent or you could opt for Puig Major at 13.9km and six per cent Areas to avoid are dotted along the South coast - such as Magaluf These areas host quite a different holiday experience and you might struggle to get enough sleep to facilitate your next day's riding plans Since Mallorca is an island frequented by cyclists you won't encounter any struggles finding a hotel or apartment that is bike friendly and even work with local shops to provide hire options CW has enjoyed many stays at the Duva Hotel, in Port de Pollença which provides a hearty buffet breakfast and dinner locked bike cages and a spa with indoor and outdoor pools (the later is ideal for a make-do post ride ice bath) you're not going to struggle finding a bike shop There are a fair few providers offering package deals that include board some with coaching and planned intervals thrown in too if you're training with a specific purpose The key attractions in Mallorca are of course the climbs - but you might want to add in a couple of flatter days Since Port de Pollença and Alcudia are the most popular towns for cycling bases we've started most ride distances and routes from there Sa Calobra is probably the most famous ascent on the island It's a road to nowhere (except a couple of cafes at the base) - so the only real reason for descending is to go back up The 9.5km climb carries an average gradient of seven per cent with an array of sweeping hairpin bends towards the top It's a good idea to try to get to Sa Calobra early in the morning; wait until later in the day and you may find your descent hampered by coaches carrying tourists you'll begin with the 7.5km Col de Femenia (six per cent) - this is a perfect way to wake the legs up for the longer trials ahead Near the top of the Col de Femenia you'll find the Respol petrol station There's another 5km slog before the long descent to the sea - after which you'll have no choice but to retrace your tracks back up the beast at 10.6km with an average grade of six per cent you can combine it with an ascent of the Southern side of the Col de Soller (4.9km at five per cent - which is much more gentle than the Northern side at 7.3km at six per cent) Just be careful of the tram lines that can play havoc with skinny tyres with its long sections of painfully straight road extended affair during which you'll see flashes of the Gorg Blau reservoir - a sight that should bring life back to weary legs There's a great example loop here to give you some route inspiration The ride to Formentor is typically considered to be a 'recovery day' ride, being about 60km from Alcudia and less from Pollença. it's not flat at all - starting with a 3.7km climb (Coll de sa Creueta) followed by a descent and then a gradual rise all the way to the lighthouse at Formentor and it's that which makes the lighthouse ride an unmissable experience but you might be better off rolling your way back and enjoying a more moderately priced coffee by the coast There are several long tunnels on the way to the lighthouse Whilst the Formentor ride is far from a flat amble the ride to from Port de Pollença/Alcudia to Petra can be Indeed we have often used this as a mostly flat day out ideal for more social rides or even skills training days too - a town which plays host to an outdoor velodrome which is open to the public 24/7 this easy spin of a day makes for a perfect opportunity to test out your form with a flying lap If you want to add a little bit of spice en route back, you could try this 110km route - which finishes with with an ascent of Coll de sa Batalla The climb up to Lluc from Sineu is a 'tester friendly' shallow climb at about five per cent over 8km and you'll get to enjoy the descent from Lluc back into Pollença Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1 *Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1 An NCTJ qualified traditional journalist by trade Michelle began her career working for local newspapers She's worked within the cycling industry since 2012 and joined the Cycling Weekly team in 2017 having previously been Editor at Total Women's Cycling Prior to welcoming her first daughter in 2022 and still rides as much as she can - albeit a fair proportion indoors Michelle is on maternity leave from April 2025 until spring 2026 It wasn’t the romantic getaway this couple had planned but could Mallorca still work its magic on them The air con splutters as if it can’t take the tension The hollow thwack of a flimsy packet hitting a headboard The sound of revelry wafts into the hotel room We are staying in Palma’s old town for the first evening of our honeymoon. A night to acclimatise in a hotel before travelling up to Pollença on Mallorca’s northern coast for a few days in a villa The thought of sinking into a pool with a condensation-cloaked beer has kept us both going for weeks We’re getting married in two weeks’ time and have our 18-month-old toddler in tow We haven’t been on a plane for more than three years – this is a honeymoon splurge an aeroplane-shaped bunion on our otherwise well-pedicured carbon footprint It turns out a tiny person is a useful airport accompaniment It’s doubtful the drug-smuggling cartels of this world are reading the Guardian travel section on the prowl for tips but our advice to those guys would be: get a pram cooing security guards and sanctioned queue jumping one of us starting using the phrase “paed-y boarding” Dodgy boquerones Photograph: James WallaceWe drop off our bags at the hotel and head to a nearby bar ordering some boquerones (anchovies) and patatas bravas and giddily draining two carafes of wine The baby sleeps in her pram and we are made dizzy by the alcohol and the sticky evening heat flanked on either side by the butterscotch sandstone of the 14th-century gothic La Seu cathedral and the turquoise Mediterranean pushchair lightly clacking on slippery marble streets A few hours later the baby wakes and vomits up the three packets of raisins we placated her with on the plane This clearly being a “code red” situation we both spring into action That is until one of us gets a meaty electric shock from a faulty bedside plug one Googling “Baby vomit post first flight” and “how many raisins is too many raisins?” the other “side effects of electric shock” one of us wakes with a tingling arm and a slight disappointment that they aren’t suddenly fluent in Spanish Clutching stomach and bolting for the bathroom the electrocution is emphasised and exaggerated – a late checkout sweatily negotiated An additional few hours that are as grim for us as they are begrudged by the hotel staff bags and ourselves into a taxi to pick up the hire car gurgling wait for a correctly sized car seat we hit the road (“RIGHT HAND SIDE!”) The baby wakes and vomits up the three packets of raisins we placated her with on the planeThe slightly less stricken of us We drive north through the guts of the island on the MA13 – unlucky for some The iron stomach smelts as soon as the threshold is crossed A desperate voicemail is left with Wanda the villa manager whose number is written on laminated card entitled “Wanda’s Tips” that the baby is already teething on undeterred and incessant with her need to play and eat A plan is hatched: one of us drives to a local shop to pick up “essentials” while the other keeps watch over the baby and her desire to climb the precipitous stairwell An unseen concrete pillar “just appeared” in the car park The baby screams at the foot of the stairs and no essentials have been bought “You seen The Night Manager That big palace that evil Hugh Laurie lives in The fish restaurant where the little boy gets kidnapped Wanda’s estuary twang is undimmed by 20 years on the island She arrives armed not with Domestos or Andrex a bottle of fizz and a lot of enthusiastic suggestions for sightseeing And don’t even get me started on that Made in Chelsea or the Love Islands.” It takes us two days to get over the worst Breadsticks provide just enough fuel for us to communicate in grunts and slowly push the baby around the pool on a rubber flamingo On day three we venture gingerly into Pollença. The charming old town twists under the shadow of the Serra de Tramuntana foothills and although we don’t climb the 365 steps on the El Calvari – a steep walkway lined with cypress trees that mimics Jesus’s final journey – we appreciate its beauty and the energy of those that do The author’s daughter at the beach we attempt a glass of wine in the shade of the main square The town is getting ready to celebrate the Patrona festival a week-long fiesta that will culminate in a mock battle between Moors and Christians After dinner one night we drive to nearby Port de Pollença walking past the shops selling spades and fridge magnets along the pine-covered promenade to a secluded spot that looks out to sea the rocky tip of the peninsula with a view down to Cala Figuera some raisins and mosey down a steep path as the sun rises at our backs Read moreWe don’t take “Red Lightning” the rickety wooden tram to the Port de Sóller– it’s too busy we press on through orange grove-enveloped Deià and then to Valldemossa This is where Chopin and his lover George Sand lived We soundtrack the drive back with some of Frédéric’s piano concertos it makes a nice change from endless Sing and Sign The baby doesn’t mind; the numerous switchbacks rock her to sleep in record time Happy ending … James and Victoria on their wedding day two weeks later.On our last day we make the most of the villa the surprisingly relaxing bleats of Balearic goats dotted on the mountain opposite The growing confidence of the baby in the pool we sip Wanda’s fizz and make a toast to the honeymoon and the wedding to come The sun sets and the sky is as pink as the hibiscus that hugs the terrace Movistar veteran triumphs on day three of the Challenge Mallorca The 41-year-old was the strongest on the climb to the finish in Andratx utilising his famed sprint to take his first win of 2022 and the 131st of his career The victory is his first at the Trofeo Pollença-Port d'Andratx though it's his sixth career triumph at the Challenge Mallorca including two wins apiece at the Trofeo Sóller and the Trofeo Serra de Tramuntana Valverde's Movistar team had been involved all day during what was another tough and hilly race on the island of Mallorca The Spanish squad had controlled the peloton at several points during the day while Enric Mas and Marc Soler also went on the attack After a late solo effort from Lotto Soudal's Matthews Holmes was reeled in at the base of the final ramp to the line the finish was contested among the big leaders from the WorldTour teams present at the race accelerating away on the final dig to the line and outsprinting McNulty as Vlasov finished three seconds back Michael Matthews (BikeExchange-Jayco) took fourth at six seconds while Felix Gall (AG2R Citroën) took fifth "The whole team was excellent today," Valverde said after the race "We tried to keep the race always as much under control as possible We had to tackle this Andratx climb at a strong pace to try and drop those faster legs still into the group but I saw him trying to come back with 250 and that's where I launched my sprint before he bridged back – and I could manage to take it "I want to offer this victory to two really important men hoping that his recovery goes well and we can see him doing fine as soon as possible fighting spirit over the last few months has been invaluable The third day of the Challenge Mallorca took the peloton across the north of the Balearic island from the village of Pollença in the far north to Andratx in the west as they tackled the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range along the way the last of them coming with 70 kilometres to go though there would be plenty of hills left to come in the latter part of the race which measured in at 2.5 kilometres with an average gradient of 8.4 per cent The main break of the day took some time to form with a group not managing to get away from the peloton until the riders had 37 kilometres of racing under their belts Eleven men managed to get away and quickly built up a three-minute advantage though that would be the most they would enjoy during their time out front Samuele Zoccarato (Bardiani-CSF-Faizanè) Pablo Alonso (Electro Hiper Europa-Caldas) Raúl Rota (Manuela Funación Continental) Christian Danilo Pase (Work Service Vitalcare Vega) were the men in question The move would only last for 55 kilometres of the 170.1-km race at which point Soler made his move on a climb shortly after the town of Sóller The attack didn't stick with 80 kilometres still to race with Nils Politt (Bora-Hansgrohe) among those trying a move with Holmes making it away with 70km to go The Briton was joined by Jan Bakelants (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert Matériaux) and Antonio Soto (Euskaltel-Euskadi) and the trio built an advantage of 20 seconds up and over the Coll den Claret before being caught at 53km to go Movistar were in control of the peloton at that point along with Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert and it was no surprise to see them active again as the riders raced towards the finale Mas made a move on the Coll de Sa Gramola with 30km to go drawing out more attackers and helping to whittle down the already small peloton though their number would soon dwindle further as Holmes tried his luck once again but even given the low likelihood of him staying away to the line Holmes had a 10-second advantage as he passed the 10km to go mark and five kilometres later the number remained the same his time out front was soon to run out and so it proved as he was caught at the base The small lead group only got smaller on the way up then Einer Rubio and Iván Sosa doing the job on the front for team leader Valverde Simon Clarke (Israel-Premier Tech) and Kobe Goossens (Intermarché-Wanty-Gobert) near the top and proved the strongest on the final dash to line to claim victory Dani has reported from the world's top races She has interviewed many of the sport's biggest stars and her favourite races are the Giro d'Italia The Mediterranean hotspot may be a magnet for holidaymakers in summer but for the rest of the year it’s a cycling sanctuary that draws more than 150,000 riders to its smooth who has a long and deep connection with the island Sir Bradley Wiggins has a long-standing connection with Mallorca | Courtesy of Russ Ellis / Le Col Wiggins laid the foundations for his 2012 Tour de France victory in Mallorca escaping the northern European winter and logging thousands of miles in the saddle through the dramatic Serra de Tramuntana mountains and across the island’s wide plains before becoming the first British rider to win cycling’s greatest race Wiggins went on to win Olympic time trial gold in London less than two weeks later and returned to Mallorca to celebrate with his family and buy an apartment in the beach town of Port de Pollença Culture Trip sat down with Wiggins to chat about the island | Courtesy of Russ Ellis / Le Col Having joined Wiggins for a 100-kilometre (62-mile) ride on the island to celebrate the launch of his latest collaboration with cycle clothing brand Le Col Culture Trip sat down with the five-time Olympic gold medallist to get the inside track on cycling in Mallorca – and the restaurants bars and beaches that he returns to year after year I first came to Mallorca with the British Olympic team at the start of the season in 2000 It’s so beautiful and the roads are perfect – like a Scalextric track The mountains are ideal for training – not too long hard or high – and there are lots of flat sections over the plains plus the weather in winter and spring is ideal for cycling when it’s miserable in the UK “The road to Cap de Formentor is one of the most beautiful you’ll ever ride with the cliffs falling into the sea and the lighthouse perched on the end of the road I used it so many times for training; it was just out of my back door Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy The road to Cap de Formentor is one of the most beautiful you’ll ever ride | © Vipula Samarakoon / Alamy Stock Photo “My favourite climb is the Coll de sa Batalla and begins with a series of switchbacks through the forest It then cuts along the cliff edge beside a ravine then it’s pretty much downhill all the way back home That’s my favourite descent on the island – the Coll de Femenia back to Port de Pollença is to try and leave them behind on that descent I’ve come down there for years and know every inch of tarmac – you barely have to touch the brakes One of my favourite flat roads heads towards the town of Campanet The road is lined with orange trees – at certain times of the year it smells of oranges – and you’ve got the mountains on your right It really is a beautiful part of the world The road to Campanet is lined with orange trees | © Stephen Hughes / Alamy Stock Photo “Port de Pollença is one of the best places to go with the family I started coming here with them after I won my first Olympic medal in Sydney Port de Pollença is one of the best places to go with the family | © Lubos Paukeje / Alamy Stock Photo “My favourite restaurant is a place called Stay – a really nice spot on the marina It’s perfect for lunch or dinner – great food really consistent – and there’s a big sun terrace next to the water All the cafés on the island are also set up for cyclists and you never have any problems with cars on the roads “Another of my favourite places to go with the family is Deià. It’s beautiful, right in the middle of the mountains with the village on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean It’s a really hilly ride if you’re going on the bike It’s completely different to Port de Pollença – there’s no beach Forge your own path across Mallorca by booking the best hostels on the island with Culture Trip Deià is a village on a hilltop overlooking the Mediterranean | © Michele Falzone / Alamy Stock Photo If you click on a link in this story All recommendations have been independently sourced by Culture Trip Read Next See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in July Food & Drink The 5 Best Food Markets in Madrid Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in December See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Autumn See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in September Sports The Most Epic Hiking Trails in Spain's Sierra Nevada Guides & Tips The Best European Cities to Visit in November Architecture Spain’s Most Impressive Bullrings See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in Summer Guides & Tips How to Spend the Perfect 24 Hours in Santander Guides & Tips How to Attend a Bullfight in Spain See & Do The Best European Cities to Visit in October US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd Great sailing conditions enlightened the first day of races today in Port de Pollença where the first of the 2022 EurILCA Europa Cup Trophy’s event is being held A nice 1-1.5 meters swell and 15-20 knots of wind allowed the ILCA 6 and ILCA 7 to complete 3 races Adriana Castro ESP leads the ILCA 4 fleet with 3 points followed by Xavi Caldentey ESP and Xavier Garcia ESP with 5 and 7 units respectively The ILCA 6 championship is led by Elena Boroveva CRO with perfect score followed by Maxim Jonker NED and Hannah Anderssohn GER with 5 and 8 points respectively The 2X and reigning World champion Emma Plasschaert BEL finished all the 3 regattas in first on her group but received a UFD on the first one so dropped to the place 27th The ILCA 7 fleet is headed by Khairulnizam Mohd Afendy MAS with perfect score followed by Olai Hagland NOR and Gonzalo Suarez ESP with 8 and 15 units Full results here. Photo galleries here. Three new races are scheduled for tomorrow The Balearic hotspot has long been known as a cyclists’ paradise but do you have to be a Strava obsessive to fit in Lifestyle Sign up for the best picks from our travel I would like to be emailed about offers, event and updates from Evening Standard. Read our privacy notice We’re sitting in a shady square in the charming golden Mallorcan town of Pollença halfway through our second pastry of the day after a morning pedalling past palm tree-lined boulevards luscious green olive groves and mountain goats It’s Sunday, market day, and we’re among multi-generational families sitting round for a morning coffee; locals enjoying a lunchtime cerveza plodding around the markets in their Lycra and comparing notes about whether to take the flatter or the hillier route to get back to the hotels down in the port after lunch Within hours of arriving and stepping out onto the seafront in Port de Pollença — one of the island’s most popular cycling towns on its northern Mediterranean coast — we forget that this question even crossed our minds From girl groups of fair-weather cyclists like us to grandparents enjoying a couple of days on two wheels between babysitting duties like the ones we came across during a mountain-top coffee stop Mallorca: all-inclusive luxury for people who hate all-inclusives Mallorca — grown up glamour near charming Deia The best bikepacking trips near London — from the Thames Path to the South Downs And that’s the funny thing about this magic place: some of these rides are up mountains Particularly if you stay in Port de Pollenca just a five-minute ride from the start of the island’s famous Cap Formentor nicknamed the lighthouse ride for its winding roads up to a Mamma Mia-style lighthouse perched on what is regularly referred to as the Land’s End of Mallorca At the lighthouse we find ourselves talking to a group of friends from the US over a coffee as a couple of kittens from the next-door cafe settle in our laps It’s their fourth year visiting the island for a cycling trip They delight in the blissfully pothole-free roads wall-to-wall sunshine and world-class cycle infrastructure Highlights include: beachfront cycle lanes cafés with bike racks and signs at the bottom of each hill telling you both the incline and distance to the top They even have official photographers positioned in three of the island’s top cycling spots We log onto mallorcacyclingphotos.com to peep the results and see scenes worthy of a Le Col brochure Think moutains so rugged you could be in a US national park and bays so turquoise you could be in Greece It’s like a grown-up version of the Île de Ré off France’s west coast — except everything here is bigger But nothing is so steep we ever have to get off and push It just requires a slight mindset (and gear) shift as though you were hiking up a mountain on foot I tell myself: ‘Yes I am going uphill for 10km now but there’ll be breathtaking views all the way up and we can treat ourselves to a lunch in the grounds of a monastery at the top.’ Suddenly The other bonus of a cycling holiday here? It doesn’t all have to be about the cycling. You could hire bikes for just half the holiday (or every other day if you’re being savvy about saddle soreness) or simply ride in the mornings and flop by a pool in the afternoons There’s something particularly delicious about sinking your teeth into a peach-jam ensaïmada or a bowl-full of patatas bravas when Strava tells you you’ve burnt more than 1,500 calories that morning And those Sangria hangovers certainly don’t last long when you’ve can sweat the whole thing out in your first 10K They all have great facilities for cyclists and loungers repair and storage where you can lock your bike overnight Thanks to Love Velo, we were lucky enough to spend three days riding on the same £10,000 Pinarello bikes (pinarelloexperience.com) ridden by many of the pros and had the added bonus of bumping into fellow cyclists in and around the hotel Ideal if you’re looking for inside tips and nods to the best coffee stops on the petrol station ride if you’re after a good iced latte and a secret lido tucked away behind some orange trees — pack your swimmers You certainly won’t go hungry at either hotel Cabot’s all-inclusive offering includes buffet options across its main restaurant and pool bar (the breakfast doughnuts make a perfect top-of-the-mountain treat) and Zafiro’s all-inclusive package includes everything from an on-site Coffee Corner offering posh flat whites to dinner at any of five different restaurants Book a table at its Mediterranean outpost El Olivo for one night if you can and keep an eye out for the jars of pick ‘n mix at the breakfast buffet — a perfect hilltop treat after a hard climb Both hotels have outdoor pools and spas with treatment options for post-ride recovery (Zafiro’s pool area can become anti-socially loud in the middle of the day and Cabot offers tennis and padel tennis if you have any energy left Various cyclists we bumped into said they treated their Mallorcan cycling trips like summer versions of their annual ski trips: with just as much focus on coffee stops and après as the winding down mountains Just swap the mulled wine for sangria and sauna dips for beach trips All of which makes it sound as though we couldn’t move for fellow cyclists — but this wasn’t the case one of the busiest times of the year for cyclists thanks to its low to mid-twenties temperatures and reliable sunshine We barely passed a single car or cycle between Port de Pollença and Pollença old town and we never struggled to find a table in any of the top cafés there is a beauty to setting off on the odd ride with a baguette in your handlebar bag and pitching up for lunch wherever you can find the best viewpoint Our favourite was in the charming town of Selva where we stumbled across an immaculately manicured hilltop spot so perfect it felt as though we were sitting in a postcard The hotel Can Cota Suites & Spa was right next door and several passing cyclists raved about the sea views from the pool there we will be back — maybe even sooner than next autumn There’s something about Mallorca and its breathtaking scenery reliable weather and bike-friendly attitude (not a single driver hooted or revved at us all week) that’s strangely addictive We have plenty of cycling hotspots left to explore: Port de Sóller was raved about by a friend; Palma for a ride out from the notoriously beautiful capital; and the island’s most epic ride of all If you could design an island for cyclists it would probably look something like Mallorca Even those of us who love pootling between pools and guilt-free pastry stops as much as the Pelotons Love Velo is currently offering a three-night special to Mallorca including three nights at 4* half-board plus accommodation in a sea view room, upgraded bike hire and airport transfers from £395pp, lovevelo.co.uk Prince Louis steals the show at VE Day parade as he keeps dad William looking sharp and mimics brother George Prince Louis steals show with sweet antics at VE parade Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in major blow for Putin ahead of Victory Day celebrations Ukraine 'launches stunning Kursk offensive' in blow for Putin VE Day 2025 fashion: best looks from the day VE Day 2025 fashion: Princess of Wales to Lady Victoria Starmer New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications from nationalities most likely to overstay New visa crackdown as Home Office plans to restrict applications Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from her hospital bed after surgery Pregnant Jesy Nelson reveals plans for future in message from hospital Stacey Solomon 'regrets doing reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason Stacey Solomon 'regrets reality show with Joe Swash' for tough reason It’s easy to find great food with a view on the Balearic Island of Mallorca I’d never been to Mallorca – the largest of the Balearics – until a friend asked me to look after her home and cats in the small town of Binissalem surrounded by vineyards and overlooked by the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range Along with trusting me with her house and pets meaning I could explore the island’s famous beaches and eateries with a view From a super-chilled beach club-style restaurant overlooking the sea to a buzzy tasting menu in the winding streets of Port de Pollenca in the north of Mallorca I found eating out on the Spanish island a delight First up, I tried the Cotton Club Mallorca bar and all-day hangout with great views of the Costa de la Calma on the island’s southwest coast and the formula is similar here – white decking signature Champagne sangria make for the ideal recipe for a luxurious day out or long lunch Accessed via a steep road and then along pretty winding footpaths (it’s situated in the grounds of the five-star Hilton Mallorca Galatzo) guests can eat in the restaurant or poolside choosing from top-grade sashimi and sushi followed by lobster I was too lazy to move from my poolside lounger so my waiter and I loved the tuna tartare with wasabi ice-cream and then tried the slow-cooked octopus with sweet potato puree – there are plenty of salads and vegetarian options too staff offered me a non-alcoholic gin and tonic situated at the far end of the tree-lined Pine Walk so my waiter suggested a sparkling water with fresh lime juice which arrived in a small jug so I could create my own cocktail of sorts and I happily sat there for an hour as the sea turned silver Those lucky enough to be staying at the hotel can hire its restored 1950s boat for the day a traditional Mallorcan llaüt called the Isabel Maria while the athletically inclined can rent bikes play tennis or work out at the Illa d’Or’s large gym For dinner, a friend recommended Terrae a short walk from the Illa d’Or in Port de Pollenca’s winding backstreets Chef David Rivas focuses on locally sourced food and his seven-course tasting menu features regularly changing meat dishes and croquettes Don’t be surprised to find the likes of roast cactus with onion puree on the menu using seasonal produce cooked on a wood-fired grill Sitting on Terrae’s pavement terrace provided ample people-watching Palma is compact yet beautiful and is dominated by a striking cathedral that dates back to the 13th century. Getting a sense of the city is best done from above, so I headed to the rooftop bar of the five-star Sant Francesc Hotel Singular a restored neoclassical mansion in Palma’s old quarter To eat, a friend suggested Sa Placeta a restaurant situated under the trees in a sheltered square where local and natural wine are the focus and the food might include cauliflower with wild mushrooms with egg ‘a baja’ – meaning it’s cooked to 65 degrees Celsius – and an almond praline Sa Placeta’s street corner location makes it an ideal place to watch the world go by one of my favourite ways to spend time in Mallorca I have no doubt that I’ll be back to sample some more of the island’s cuisine and experiences Address: Careterra Andratx, km 20, 07160 Costa de la Calma, MallorcaPhone: +34 971 728 613Email: reservations@cottonclubmallorca.comWebsite: cottonlifestyle.com Address: Paseo Colón 265, 07470 Port de Pollenca, MallorcaPhone: +34 971 865 100Website: hoposa.es/hotels/illa-dor MallorcaPhone: +34 620 70 72 52Email: terraerrss@gmail.comInstagram: @terraerestaurant Address: Plaza Sant Francesc 5, 07001 Palma de Mallorca, MallorcaPhone: +34 971 495 000Email: info@hotelsantfrancesc.comWebsite: hotelsantfrancesc.com/en Address: Plaça de la Pescateria 3, 07001 Palma, MallorcaPhone: +34 971 230 244Website: saplaceta.com Mallorca is an island tailor-made for road cycling as we discover on a trip to its northernmost point: the Cap de Formentor With a MRW subscription you’ll get access to: To manage an existing Cyclist magazine subscription, please visit Manage your account or visit our subscription FAQ page. To subscribe, or for other enquiries, please contact us Sign up to the Cyclist newsletter to receive curated emails direct to your inbox Sign up to our newsletter Log in to access Cyclist Rides using your email pertaining to your subscription Don't forget a subscription to Cyclist includes: Log in to post comments and use Ask Cyclist our AI platform that answers your questions based on our articles Register to comment on our latest articles Occasional emails from selected third-party sponsors and advertisers Please enter your username or email address to reset your password As the hit TV show nears its finale it turns out you don’t have to be a ‘melt’ to fall for Mallorca’s good looks It was a muggy morning in Sant Llorenç des Cardassar – in the meteorological rather than the Love Island sense. Although the villa where the programme is filmed is only 6km away, the small town of caramel stone houses in the interior of Mallorca I parted a bead curtain and entered the Rotes Noves stationer I wondered aloud whether office supplies salesman Jack who has baffled the other Love Islanders with his passion for pens had been in to have a look at the selection on offer “We don’t see much of them here,” said María “The crew are staying mostly at hotels on the coast in Cala Millor and Cala Ratjada.” I said it was a shame the contestants are stuck in the villa and don’t get more of an idea of what goes on in the area “Yesterday we had the street market,” she said “so they could have tried our local produce Then tonight there’s the tremponada in the square We set up tables and serve platters of trempó – our salad of chopped tomatoes it sounded a lot more appealing than the spaghetti bolognese and romantic musical chairs at the villa Read moreI had fetched up in Sant Llorenç because I was following one of the routes on the Walking on Words app which traces literary routes all over Mallorca information posts mark key locations associated with writers and their works runs from Colònia de Sant Pere on the coast to the north down to Manacor Street cafe Photograph: AlamyI didn’t really fancy that in the sultry July heat I walked up into town along the pedestrianised main drag where dogs slumbered under cafe tables and well-heeled tourists were buying espadrilles hats and baskets – the dwarf fan palm is indigenous to Mallorca and there is a great craft tradition in the town using its leaves The delis were doing a brisk trade too, with people buying sobrassada and camaiot sausage, made from the local small black pigs, for picnics on the beach or in the hills. Artà is on the edge of the Llevant Peninsula natural park where hiking and cycling routes lead to some of the wildest beaches on the island From Santuari de Sant Salvador visitors should be able to see Menorca on a clear day Photograph: AlamyI walked down lanes of sandstone houses with turquoise Ripening figs spilled tantalisingly over the tops of high walls that shielded secret gardens I climbed up the steps – I stopped counting at 200 – to Santuari de Sant Salvador the church within a fortress that dominates the town I looked down at the russet roofs and across to the sea between the mountains they say you can see all the way to Menorca but in this muggy weather there was just a blue blur with plenty of boutique hotels to choose from But neighbouring towns on the south-west coast are also full of great restaurants Calvia and Illetas are all good choices during the summer Move up the coast for a different scene; Andratx is a seaside town with both glamorous and rustic appeal or try Pollença on the island’s northern coast If you’re looking for a truly tranquil trip the east coast is the area to book for a grown-up and less tourist-heavy experience Taxis have been notoriously difficult to get post-Covid and can only be flagged down at dedicated taxi ranks our best advice is to rent a car – you’ll be grateful for the relatively short drives to dinner that would otherwise cost a fortune is the man behind this restaurant in Palma El Camino serves Spanish tapas at a no-reservations countertop with the chefs and waiters working opposite the diners be prepared to get there early and join the queue the chefs source the very best fresh produce cured meats and cheeses from local markets and suppliers to create a menu of sharing dishes and daily specials keep an eye out for the semi-private dining room Visit ElCaminoPalma.es this excellent restaurant is great out of season guests can experience top chef Martín Berasategui’s cooking – his menu comprises a selection of tapas and more elaborate dishes Visit ElTxokoDeMartin.com Vandal offers guests the opportunity to travel the world via intense flavours this industrial spot serves some of the best small plates on the island Inventive dishes include the likes of ceviche cornet with coconut foam; smoked whisky sour oysters; Patagonian squid with beets and squid-ink sand; and burrata with courgette flower tempura and Sicilian tomato pesto Visit VandalPalma.com You’ll find Cor Barra in a less touristy part of town right next to one of the most famous markets in the Balearics or the eye-catching mille feuille-style patatas bravas. The sister restaurant at El Llorenc is also well worth a visit Visit CorBarraItaula.com This is one of the best places on the island to see the sunset Sister restaurant La Bodeguilla – also in Palma – is lower key Visit PeriploPortixol.com Forn is an elaborate maze of brightly painted rooms with a menu that keeps foodies coming back for more This is traditional tapas on steroids – think cold shaved foie gras with beef; cannelloni with parmesan truffle sauce; cornets filled with ceviche of sea bass; and langoustines with coconut foam Head to neighbouring bar Abaco for after-dinner drinks rose-petalled floors and colourful canaries in cages make the expensive cocktails worth it Visit FornDesSantJoan.com It’s taken a long time for a cool foodie scene to emerge in Palma a small collection of streets to the west of the city has solidified its status as the trendy restaurant district Cavernous Cali-style Spot is our favourite place: oversized palm trees hot pink sofas and concrete architecture define the space beef tacos and rigatoni gratin sit happily alongside Asian-influenced dishes – think tuna sashimi tortillas crunchy soft-shell crab and chilli fried edamame Visit EncompaniaDeLobos.com Fine-dining hotspot Fera is down a quaint alley in the centre of Palma Its Mediterranean-Asian menu is inspired by head chef Simon Petutschnig’s love of Japanese flavours paired with seasonal ingredients found in Spain A tasting menu focuses on texture and flavour but there’s an à la carte for those after a speedier supper before heading out for drinks Visit FeraPalma.com Fans of The Night Manager: the eerie dinner setting that sees Dickie Roper’s son kidnapped by the bad guys is no-frills furniture and turquoise water views The restaurant serves traditional Spanish fare (we love paella Make a reservation – queues spill out onto the beach from about 1pm – and don’t forget change for parking Follow @CasPatroMarch on Instagram You’ll find this chic waterside restaurant on the Moll Vell marina in the port of Palma but the relaxed atmosphere makes it a great spot for families and groups Both the sushi and truffle pasta are excellent Visit MarDeNudos.com The island’s only two-Michelin-starred restaurant is heaven for those who love good food but aren’t always enticed by OTT cooking Recently relocated to Palma’s Hotel Es Princep Zaranda and its bow-tied waiters serve up the perfect balance of professionalism and charm modern interpretations of traditional Spanish dishes with aplomb – the oysters with pickled pearls horseradish and caviar were a favourite on our last visit Visit Zaranda.es Just a ten-minute drive from the centre of Palma sits Génova finca-filled town featuring an endless stream of traditional Spanish food Ca’n Pedro is the pick of the bunch; don’t go expecting glamour – the locals show up in trainers and jeans – but do expect a bit of buzz Sit inside for an authentic experience (plan to visit on a Friday night when the mariachi band is in full swing) or head to the roof terrace for simple cooking at its best Visit CanPedro.es Bens D’Avall has views that are in a league of their own seasonal twists on classics Mallorcan dishes – imagine veal ravioli with chocolate a la pedra; tender sheep cheese duquesas with olive oil and honey; and lamb loin meatballs with barberry and yoghurt The sweeping sea vista from the terrace is spectacular but the quality of the food makes this a must-visit all year round – huge armchairs and roaring fires make indoors a seductive winter option Visit BensdAvall.com Whether it’s a relaxed pool day or a more rustic beachside setting you’re after Spanish beach club group Puro offers both on the island Head to the Can Pastilla outpost for a huge terrace and swimming pool built into the sea edge – book a day bed to be plied with ice-cold drinks and fresh fruit or look to the newer Illetas setting for a leisurely lunch spot with loungers peppered around the surrounding rocks Asian prawn salad and courgette carpaccio with burrata or book a sunset massage for an evening of indulgence Visit PuroBeach.com This restaurant and cocktail bar belongs to the Horrach Moyà Gallery and has long been a place where film directors It’s a great spot for a casual dinner – just ignore the slightly naff interiors and grab a seat on the pretty square in Palma’s old quarter Visit Sadrassana.com The Fundació has obvious appeal for art fans sculptures and other works of art created by famed Spanish artist Joan Miró Even non-aesthetes will be seduced by the mesmeric space – from sculpture gardens to libraries light-bathed water features to quirky architecture the museum itself is as captivating as its subject Ideal for a quiet morning’s culture fix or mid-afternoon coffee Visit MiroMallorca.com the Caves of Drach are the hidden underbelly of the island’s east coast Featuring one of the largest underground lakes in the world with classical music echoing off stalactites as you take a journey by boat but the striking beauty and drama of the space shouldn’t be missed Visit CuevasDelDrach.com Take a detour en route to Deià to Valldemossa – home to glass-blowing factories Once a monastery belonging to the Spanish royal family the venue became the winter respite for classical composer Chopin before transforming into a modern art gallery featuring works by Picasso It’s an unusual space that will interest history Visit CartujaDeValldemossa.com Mallorca isn’t known for its glittering blue seas and white sandy beaches but a growing number of spots on the island are changing that Miles away from busy Palma is Cala Esmerelda on the south-east coast – pitch up for the day on the Caribbean-style beach or put on your hiking boots for a scenic walk through neighbouring Mondrago National Park to Cala Mondrago The prettier beaches tend to be found on the east coast – some of our favourites include Cala des Moro and Cala LLombards Grand Hotel Son Net is a stylishly understated art-filled hideaway on a private Majorcan estate dating back to 1672 The team behind Finca Cortesin – an award-winning Spanish bolthole in Andalusia – has meticulously restored it the hotel will combine palatial architecture with romantic interiors (think original features like rustic beams carved wooden ceilings and antique fireplaces) citrus orchards and lush Mediterranean gardens Visit SonNet.es In partnership with tennis superstar Rafa Nadal this is a lifestyle-led hotel – that means the formal reception has been replaced with a patio that houses a café a collection of concept stores and a restaurant serving Basque-Mediterranean cuisine fitness is a core part of the hotel – Rafa himself has devised a selection of activities such as yoga aerobics Visit Melia.com Calatrava has just reopened after an extensive renovation to the whole property The 19th-century building that houses the hotel overlooks Palma Bay The colour of the walls throughout is now a vibrant specially mixed terracotta unique to Calatrava local fabrics and earthy tones are offset by large potted plants and contemporary art in the hotel’s lounge The hotel’s 16 bright rooms and suites have all been updated with comfortable armchairs and thick rugs to provide a home-from-home feel Vincent Van Duysen and Living Divani coexist with 87 photographs that capture the beauty of the sea One of the highlights is the rooftop terrace which is available exclusively to guests of the hotel It offers uninterrupted views of the cathedral and the Old Town’s terracotta-coloured rooftops Visit CalatravaHotel.com Ikos Resorts has opened its second luxury property in Spain Five-star Ikos Porto Petro aims to deliver the best luxury all-inclusive experience in the area offering 319 elegantly designed rooms and suites with terraces you’ll find five indoor and outdoor heated pools including separate children’s and baby pools as well as outside spaces in the form of secluded coves and the striking natural environment Visit IkosResorts.com Five-star Nobis Hotel Palma opened this summer with 37 rooms and suites and a relaxing spa – all designed by award-winning interior architects Wingårdhs The property is housed in one of Palma's oldest and most historical buildings dating back to the 12th century when it was originally constructed as a Muslim palace during the medieval Islamic stage of the Balearic Islands guests will be within walking distance of many of Palma's best restaurants and attractions Visit NobisHotel.es Sant Francesc is in the middle of historic Palma Gilded gold accents and dramatic monochrome floors lead up to a stylish rooftop pool while foodies are known to flock to the upscale courtyard restaurant which has a menu offering burrata with caramelised pistachios; pickled pear and ricotta ravioli; and wild boar ragu with cocoa beans some of which have balconies overlooking the neighbouring basilica in the Plaza Sant Francesc square After a day of sunbathing or exploring the sights head to the rooftop bar for cocktails and sangria Visit HotelSantFrancesc.com Concepció is part of the luxury Nobis group and Design Hotel collection the hotel has everything you need for a comfortable stay from plush linens and fluffy robes to beautiful en-suite bathrooms while the bar has a great selection of regional wines Visit DesignHotels.com Don’t miss the view from Cuit Bar & Restaurant on the eighth floor – it’s run by renowned Mallorcan chef Miquel Calent and guests can enjoy views of the historic centre and cathedral.  Visit NakarHotel.com guests can take in views of the sea and the Tramuntana mountains Every room comes with its own terrace or balcony while the stylish pool area has plenty of sun loungers and day beds with the design incorporating plenty of rattan and colourful textiles Neni serves up delicious food at long tables while the neighbouring bar (created by Joerg Meyer of Le Lion Bar fame) offers incredible cocktails and homemade lemonades – ideal for a mid-afternoon refreshment Visit Bikini-Hotels.com This 24-bedroom boutique hotel – located in the Capdepera district in the north-east of the island – has a modern feel despite being set on a 400-year-old estate With 24 suites and bedrooms to choose from the hotel has some simple yet stylish interiors – think neutral linens plush decorative accents and wicker furniture Guests can relax in the heated infinity pool then sample local produce at the restaurant which is headed up by former El Bulli chef Andreu Genestra Be sure to venture along the path that leads to the picturesque coast at Cala Agulla Visit HotelSonJaumell.com Whether you’re planning a weekend or a week-long retreat The farmhouse-inspired interiors are minimalist and chic neutral linens and exposed brick walls – the Deluxe Double Room has a stylish en-suite and private balcony and terrace then explore the surrounding area on bike or horseback Visit SonFoguero.com El Llorenc Parc De La Mar has the longest infinity pool in Palma the Dins Santi Taura restaurant has garnered several awards while the interiors (the work of Swedish designer Magnus Ehrland) fuse classic design with modern accents which come with two balconies overlooking the inner patios and the shaded streets of the La Calatrava district head to the rooftop to relax on the Balinese-style sun loungers and sample one of the hotel’s signature cocktails from the bar Visit ElLlorenc.com  This refurbished fortress was built in the 19th century and now houses an impressive hotel with some of the most stylish décor on this list Rooms are located within the towering walls with panoramic sea views around every corner while the rest of the property offers two pools and the nearby quaint seaside town of Portixol offers everything from tapas and seafood to ice-cream stalls book the Suite El Cabo which has a private pool canopied bed and a separate living area where you’ll feel totally secluded Visit CapRocat.com Can Bordoy sits inside a 16th-century building within Palma’s largest private garden Dishes served at Botanic all use organic produce while the pool is treated with salt rather than chemicals to keep things as clean and sustainable as possible the house maintains the atmosphere of a private residence to ensure guests always feel at home – ideal for a romantic retreat then head to the private garden to sunbathe Visit CanBordoy.com  Venture down to the south of the island to find Fontsanta Thanks to the only source of thermal water in the Balearic Islands guests can enjoy hot springs all year round or lounge on oversized day beds by the pool head to nearby Es Trenc for blue waters or join one of the hotel’s yoga classes for a spot of restorative relaxation.  Visit FontsantaHotel.com Surrounded by acres of woodland and gardens Pleta de Mar is one of the most stylish adult-only hotels on the island each with its own private terrace and outdoor shower book one of the Privilege Suites and dine at the restaurant at sunset with a glass (or two) of sangria After sunbathing on the loungers by the pool and ask the hotel to organise a private boat trip to explore the beautiful coastline and coves.  Visit FishAndPips.co.uk  Perched on a clifftop looking towards Menorca adults-only Can Simoneta is an intimate retreat Choose from many of the activities on offer there’s little need to go in search of food The dishes served at the hotel’s restaurant focus on modern Mallorcan delicacies Make sure you get a table outside overlooking the Med Visit FishAndPips.co.uk With some of the most beautiful interiors on the island This secluded retreat is surrounded by scenic Mallorcan landscape with beautiful views of the Tramuntana mountains Ideal for a large group trip or family holiday the property sleeps up to ten with three double bedrooms in the main house and one in the adjoining guest wing or retreat indoors to the spacious living room Visit WelcomeBeyond.com Son Bunyola is a collection of three stylish villas surrounded by 680 acres of land in the Banyalbufar district on the north-west coast book the Sa Punta de S’Aguila villa which has five bedrooms and sleeps up to ten with exposed beam ceilings and terracotta tiled floors the villa has been built into the landscape Kids will love the private outdoor heated pool while adults will appreciate the stylish outdoor pergola – perfect for al fresco meals and late-night drinks Visit VirginLimitedEdition.com  La Residencia is a beautiful hotel in the Tramuntana mountains on the edge of the artistic village of Deià Set in a collection of 16th-century manor houses the property is surrounded by beautiful gardens Families should book the interconnecting suites and bedrooms where a children’s bed can be added if needed – the Double Deluxe room comes with a king-size bed and a free-standing bath Adults will appreciate the delicious dishes served at El Olivo while kids will love tapas plates at the relaxed Café Miro which has a lovely outdoor terrace Visit FishAndPips.co.uk this Marrakech-inspired hotel is a five-star Each has been individually designed and features plush furnishings and beautiful bathrooms Designed for travellers looking for something a bit different the riad is located right in the centre of Palma Visit PalmaRiad.com If you’re after a week of holistic fitness and activities The Body Camp is the luxury Mallorcan bootcamp to know about Mornings follow a strict regime – think hiking weight training – while afternoons can be spent relaxing poolside and guests can enjoy healthy and nutritious dishes cooked by the resident chef book the Poolside Room which has doors leading straight out into the garden Visit FishAndPips.co.uk  Part of the Relais & Chateaux group of hotels gorgeous five-star Son Brull is in a former monastery that still offers a peaceful place to get away In the foothills of the Tramontana mountains to the north of the island it’s a great base for anyone who enjoys hiking which offers six or eight-course tasting menus or the neighbouring Bistro serves tapas in a restored olive mill Visit SonBrull.com DISCLAIMER: We endeavour to always credit the correct original source of every image we use. If you think a credit may be incorrect, please contact us at info@sheerluxe.com (You will be redirected to the right platform once logged in) Forgotten login? Request a new password The ad-free version is ready for purchase on iOS mobile app today we couldn't find that page";var n=e.querySelector("h2");return n&&n.remove(),{staticContent:e,title:t}},d=function(e){var t=document.createElement("button");return t.innerText=e,t.classList.add("error-page-button"),t},f=function(e){var t=document.createElement("div");t.id="recirculation-404",t.classList.add("brand-hint-bg");var n="\n \n \n Tick here if you would like us to send you the author’s response A Place in the Sun presenter Ben Hillman was seen pleading with a couple after they "unexpectedly" halted the viewing on a property that was "full of character" The couple wanted a large three-bedroom property with enough space for their three children but weren't keen on a pool unless it was a communal one READ MORE: A Place in the Sun host gobsmacked at guest's comment on French 'grandma house' Ben struggled to find a contender as the couple quickly dismissed the first two properties on the hunt This prompted him to look further afield as he took Ian and Emily to a four-bed townhouse with lots of character for just £358,974— but the couple halted the viewing very quickly Despite it being in a fantastic location and having plenty of space Emily was underwhelmed as soon as she walked in the front door She said: "It's not doing it for me it feels like the basement of that other place I kind of thought we might come in and there'd by a light well of a courtyard or garden "And it's the complete opposite of what I thought I might see." The remark sparked the host to plead "oh no" as the buyers agreed it was not worthwhile to continue the search Ben admitted he didn't expect the reaction as he added: "I thought they loved Pollensa and all the properties that go with it but clearly this isn't the one for them." The search improved with the final viewing on the hunt The three-bed townhouse in Cala Sant Vicenc was beautifully furnished and priced at £358,974 However, the couple eventually decided against putting in an offer as viewers took to Twitter to slam the pair for being "time wasters" One user said: "Surprised they didn't buy anything." Another added: "They had no intention of buying anything." A third wrote: "She was definitely hoping to be shown properties like the 2.5mil luxury one he visited." For the latest breaking news and stories from across the globe from the Daily Star, sign up for our newsletter by clicking here Comment MORE ONChannel 4A Place In The SunGet the biggest TV headlines recaps and insider knowledge straight to your inbox Tucked away in the Balearic jewel’s lush interior are a host of beautiful places to stay eat and drink in – and don’t miss the stunning capital or beaches either spending a lazy afternoon eating and drinking on a vine-strewn terrace ambling around sunny streets full of shops markets and galleries … If any – or all – of these sound like your kind of thing Mallorca could be the spring/summer holiday island for you The 340-mile coastline boasts more than 200 beaches tend to be swathes of soft white lapped by turquoise sea; the north has sweeps of golden sand and shallow waters a stunning cove reached through a series of cave tunnels Those who go early in the day are rewarded with a stunning swim with only a few folks who’ve leapt in off their yachts for company The island is a fantastic option for cyclists particularly in the cooler months when professionals come to train on steep hills in a mild climate and enjoy some of the best road-riding in Europe Mallorca’s rural centre remains quiet and is dotted with vineyards some converted into rustic retreats and excellent restaurants is no longer just a gateway for beach holidays historic and gastronomic delights in its compact centre to keep you busy for a day or two There’s tons of loveliness on offer in Mallorca But if you’re thinking about that fleshpot resort of ill repute It really is irrelevant to your holiday here Don’t miss …Climbing the 365 steps from Pollensa’s old town to the tiny 18th-century chapel Hidden gems…Watching the sunset at Sa Foradada, a five-minute drive from Deia then a 45-minute hike down. In Palma, in September, 40 galleries host a La Nit de l’Art, a nocturnal art festival You must try …The delicious ensaïmada pastry made from light-as-air sugar-dusted layers is particular to the island and once you’ve tasted one you’ll quite likely be trying them daily only to spend the following decades eclipsed by its naughty little sister have made it the destination du jour among those who might once have sniffed at the idea that eventually Dave and Sam would fetch up at a Mallorcan pavement cafe for their annual Boden holiday photoshoot But don't let that put you off. Not only does the coolest man on earth right now, Mr Bradley Wiggins, spend large parts of the year training there, but it's also home to lovely Rafa Nadal. And according to robust journalistic sources (Guardian Passnotes no 3,230) a whole bunch of celebs have chosen the island for romantic getaways Moss and co are always popping over on their yachts from Ibiza I can report that we didn't spot a single pop star or Prime Minister during our week in Mallorca we did watch the final stage of the Tour de France in the bar in Port de Pollença and he seemed to know an awful lot about Wiggins's weight and stuff No sooner had Mark Cavendish crossed the finish line than my boyfriend – scarily suggestible – was round the corner eyeing up a slender little carbon number in the cycle hire shop I fully expected him to return home sporting sideburns But he wasn't the only one: a long line of hommes d'un certain age sizes and suitability for balancing on a thin aluminium pole (members of Team GB were easy to identify for all the wrong reasons) trailed out of the door endless twisting roads and scorching heat make this the place to go for a holiday spin the island is suffering an infestation of Mamils (middle-aged-men-in-Lycra): everywhere you go – mountaintops For a crazy moment (the boredom of the queue) I contemplated hiring a bike too: but I remembered a cycling tour of Cornwall that left me with leggings dyed onto my legs for weeks afterwards it was so wet; not that rain would be the problem here all to myself: it's surrounded by mountains the only sounds the gentle clink-clink of goat bells and the dreamy hum of the cicadas well-tended terrace and garden – there's not much to say about the villa except that it was completely lovely The lovely villa Casellas de BaixHorse riding and kayaking are available for the more energetic I was determind that nothing was going to get me off my sun lounger that one enterprising company has set up the imaginatively titled Pampering by the Pool: there's nothing like being buffed and manicured on your own poolside to make you feel like you might just pop up in next week's Grazia It does also make you feel a little bit silly When the Wiggins wannabe finally hung up his cycling shorts we were free to explore – by which I mean visit the best beaches One day we made a pilgrimage to one of Mallorca's hidden beaches It took about an hour and a half to drive there – but half the time if the road could be ironed flat I'm sure there must be some other reason (the island's only power plant say) why a country would build a road as steep and long and winding as this but it seems that it was just to get to a very secluded a strip of white sand so long that you can be sure of finding a discreet spot The sleepy nearby village of Campanet is perfect for a morning coffee in the square – watching the locals chat and smoke and the Mamils glug fizzy drinks and catch their breath – or an early-evening beer but who wants to cook inside when there's a big barbecue outside and a view to soak up with your glass of wine The welcome book has some excellent Spanish recipes A trip to the supermarket is never a chore on holiday: not only is everyone more tanned and beautiful than in your local Tesco but there's live lobster at the fish counter "often voted Mallorca's loveliest town – if not all of Spain's" a tiny medieval village sheltering beneath Mallorca's highest mountain We managed to get an outdoor table at Ca N'Antuna (Carrer de Arbona Colom which boasted hearty mountain specialities such as rabbit and suckling pig traditional Spanish restaurants and posh pasta places Pollença Old Town is a typically picturesque jumble of tall crowned by the 365 Calvari steps (one for each day of the year: just the thing after pedalling those mountains) leading up to a small chapel with stunning views The streets and central square were decked out in strips of floaty white tissue (I don't think it was loo roll): it felt like being in a very pretty snow globe it felt altogether like being at a wedding party when a raucous live band played and little girls and old ladies danced in the square It's not hard to see why the Camerons chose Mallorca: it's the perfect family-friendly island when kids (and politicians) go back to school it will be even more perfect as there'll be no problem finding a patch on the popular beaches send your other half off on a bike and get a spot of pampering by the pool