Palma Spain-Alluring Spanish Isle For
Travelers
by: Loreal Oliver
Summer time brings a Philippe Starck-designed hotel bringing
Palma’s Old Town back into the limelight. The capital of the
Spanish island of Majorca it now overshadows the beach
resorts. Palma ranks among most sought-after European
weekend destinations partly due to the affordable renaissance
flights from Europe.
Palma’s resurgence is credited to the revival of the historic
center with cobbled streets, stone palaces, quaint plazas and
Gothic cathedral. From a no man’s land of dive bars the Old
Town’s evolution features swanky rooms, restaurants and
shops.
PALMA SPAIN HOTELS
Bargains-seekers in the historic center have the Hotel Born,
originally a mansion. A gigantic wooden door leads to a lobby
with a majestic arched ceiling, marble floors and a lush
courtyard. Clean and basic, the best rooms face the courtyard.
Inclusive of breakfast, double rooms start at $106.
The Portixol Hotel with its ship décor goes back six years and
is a 20-minute stroll from the city center of the Portixol village.
Its poolside terrace attracts tourists and locals alike for
cocktails, dinner and seaside views of Palma. Doubles
inclusive of breakfast cost upwards of $237.50.
Centrally located, Bar Bosch scores over similar tapas set-ups
as the toast of the local intellectuals for its exceptional grilled
sandwiches. Also recommended is tortilla with “lomo y queso”
or pork loin and cheese sandwich. Lunch on the terrace
averages $19 for two.
Santa Catalina lies west of the old city walls. Recently
mushrooming cafes and restaurants have created a foodie’s
paradise. High on chic is the restaurant Living, Calle Cotoner
with innovative organic embellishments. Menu specials
include roasted duck with barley, radicchio, wild mushrooms
and basil foam and dorada with crispy squid-ink rice, bok choy
and preserved lemon froth. A six-course meal for one costs
$50.
Day-time delights begin with the city’s art scene, revitalized
with Es Baluard, Placa Porta de Santa Catalina, a modern and
contemporary art museum. Miro, Picasso and other Spanish
artists justify the $7.50 admission, along with the terrace
restaurant, spectacular sights and Majorcan cuisine.
Impressive architecture of modern glass and concrete is
dramatically offset by Renaissance fortress walls.
Unmissable is the ancient cathedral La Seu towering over the
Placa de l’Almoina and the harbor. Restoration of interiors
initiated by Antonio Gaudi in the early 20th century continues,
as does a mural of the creation saga being crafted by Miquel
Barcelo since 2001 for completion next year. However public
viewing is restricted to the cathedral and its museum.
European tourists and party-loving locals favor cocktails in the
all-white bar and lounge of the Puro Hotel in the Old Town, a
subsidiary of PuroBeach. If serene sunsets and wines are
preferred, head to the just-opened modern Minimar tapas bar,
Calle Vicario Joaquin Fuster on the waterside near the Portixol
hotel.
Post-dinner pleasures include the Garito Café, Darsena de
Can Barbara, in the shadow of the Passeiq Maritim in the little
Can Barbara port. Open all nights, its superb combination of
music ranges from jazz to electronica.
PALMA SPAIN ATTRACTIONS
Palma’s attractions lie an hour and 15 minutes of flying time
from Madrid or Barcelona’s 45 minute flight by Iberia or
Spanair. The city center is 20 minutes by taxi from Son Sant
Juan, Majorca’s airport for under $20.
The key to Palma’s unhurried island experience is to take it
slow and easy whatever you choose to do.
About The Author
Loreal Oliver is an adventurous traveler and the editor of
several travel websites such as http://www.adventuretraveltips.
com. He travels extensively around the world since the age of
17 and never gets tired. There are few places unexplored by
him and he is always ready for another adventure.
Travelers
by: Loreal Oliver
Summer time brings a Philippe Starck-designed hotel bringing
Palma’s Old Town back into the limelight. The capital of the
Spanish island of Majorca it now overshadows the beach
resorts. Palma ranks among most sought-after European
weekend destinations partly due to the affordable renaissance
flights from Europe.
Palma’s resurgence is credited to the revival of the historic
center with cobbled streets, stone palaces, quaint plazas and
Gothic cathedral. From a no man’s land of dive bars the Old
Town’s evolution features swanky rooms, restaurants and
shops.
PALMA SPAIN HOTELS
Bargains-seekers in the historic center have the Hotel Born,
originally a mansion. A gigantic wooden door leads to a lobby
with a majestic arched ceiling, marble floors and a lush
courtyard. Clean and basic, the best rooms face the courtyard.
Inclusive of breakfast, double rooms start at $106.
The Portixol Hotel with its ship décor goes back six years and
is a 20-minute stroll from the city center of the Portixol village.
Its poolside terrace attracts tourists and locals alike for
cocktails, dinner and seaside views of Palma. Doubles
inclusive of breakfast cost upwards of $237.50.
Centrally located, Bar Bosch scores over similar tapas set-ups
as the toast of the local intellectuals for its exceptional grilled
sandwiches. Also recommended is tortilla with “lomo y queso”
or pork loin and cheese sandwich. Lunch on the terrace
averages $19 for two.
Santa Catalina lies west of the old city walls. Recently
mushrooming cafes and restaurants have created a foodie’s
paradise. High on chic is the restaurant Living, Calle Cotoner
with innovative organic embellishments. Menu specials
include roasted duck with barley, radicchio, wild mushrooms
and basil foam and dorada with crispy squid-ink rice, bok choy
and preserved lemon froth. A six-course meal for one costs
$50.
Day-time delights begin with the city’s art scene, revitalized
with Es Baluard, Placa Porta de Santa Catalina, a modern and
contemporary art museum. Miro, Picasso and other Spanish
artists justify the $7.50 admission, along with the terrace
restaurant, spectacular sights and Majorcan cuisine.
Impressive architecture of modern glass and concrete is
dramatically offset by Renaissance fortress walls.
Unmissable is the ancient cathedral La Seu towering over the
Placa de l’Almoina and the harbor. Restoration of interiors
initiated by Antonio Gaudi in the early 20th century continues,
as does a mural of the creation saga being crafted by Miquel
Barcelo since 2001 for completion next year. However public
viewing is restricted to the cathedral and its museum.
European tourists and party-loving locals favor cocktails in the
all-white bar and lounge of the Puro Hotel in the Old Town, a
subsidiary of PuroBeach. If serene sunsets and wines are
preferred, head to the just-opened modern Minimar tapas bar,
Calle Vicario Joaquin Fuster on the waterside near the Portixol
hotel.
Post-dinner pleasures include the Garito Café, Darsena de
Can Barbara, in the shadow of the Passeiq Maritim in the little
Can Barbara port. Open all nights, its superb combination of
music ranges from jazz to electronica.
PALMA SPAIN ATTRACTIONS
Palma’s attractions lie an hour and 15 minutes of flying time
from Madrid or Barcelona’s 45 minute flight by Iberia or
Spanair. The city center is 20 minutes by taxi from Son Sant
Juan, Majorca’s airport for under $20.
The key to Palma’s unhurried island experience is to take it
slow and easy whatever you choose to do.
About The Author
Loreal Oliver is an adventurous traveler and the editor of
several travel websites such as http://www.adventuretraveltips.
com. He travels extensively around the world since the age of
17 and never gets tired. There are few places unexplored by
him and he is always ready for another adventure.
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