If you are looking to spend your vacation in a place that offers great water activity, good food, historic culture, resorts and above all, great beaches, then Mallorca is the place for you!

It offers natural beauty and long coastlines, which attract the rich and famous to its major city and small villages. The island is accessible to many wealthy Europeans, Russians and of course, people from the GCC. There are plenty of options for luxury accommodations in Mallorca and it gets better every year. Many high profile visitors have purchased their own villas and apartments. Others prefer to rest in their huge yachts while the rest choose to stay in historic hotels and internationally-celebrated hotel chains.

You will feel welcomed by the people of Mallorca the moment you set foot in it. You will always see smiling faces as the locals are used to seeing many tourists in their city. The island has a lot to offer when it comes to having fun.

Mallorca beaches are all public. There are more than 200 beaches for you to choose from. All beaches have perfect sand and clear water. Choose the nearest one to you and enjoy a lazy day under the Mallorcan sun. If you are more of a beach activity kind of person, then you must join the volleyball action happening by the beach or enjoy their number one water activity, which is sailing. It is a big deal in the island so take this opportunity and learn how to sail with a professional.

Palma is the capital city of Mallorca where you have tons of things to do. Before the Christians conquered Mallorca, the Arabs ruled the island, and the city that we know as Palma was called Medina Mayurqa.

Le Seu Cathedral is an all-time favorite on the “Things to see” list of visitors to Mallorca. “Le Seu”, also referred to as the Cathedral of Palma, is a Roman Catholic Cathedral in Palma de Mallorca, Spain and was built in the place of an existing mosque back in the Arab occupation. It was constructed in the French-Gothic style and was finished in 1601. When visiting the cathedral, make sure to walk around and visit the small local boutiques, cafes and enjoy the breezy walk in the area.

Walking around the narrow streets in the old town, you will see the Arab baths or Banys Arabs in Spanish. This well-preserved monument is open all day. You can see the fresh gardens in the last remaining Moorish building. Moors occupied the area for 300 years and left a legacy of architecture, the Arabs created a hydraulic system to move water around the city, and the bath was an essential part of their everyday life. It is worth seeing how it was back in the days and you can later rest in the seating area surrounded by the beautiful scenery of the gardens.

Another Moorish must see is the Palacio de la Almudaina, Spanish for Almudaina Palace of the Mallorcan kings after the conquest by the Catalan in the 13th century. You can clearly see the Moorish style arches and square towers surrounded by the “Jardin d’Hort del Rei”, Spanish for “Gardens of the King”. There you will find sparkly pools, sculpture and calmness.

Shopping is a big deal in Palma; many visitors like to buy local brands and handicrafts. You will find local boutiques and vintage shops around every sight-seeing place. By the beach, you will find all you need beach essentials with a local touch. As for international brands, Avinguda Jaume III and the Passeig des Born are famous for up-market boutiques, and the pedestrian streets around Placa Major are known for small specialist shops. There are a few must buy things from Mallorca, such as, pearls and Mallorcan sandals — perfect as souvenirs and gifts for family and friends.

One of the most exciting things to do in Mallorca is to walk around the cities and villages. Rent a car and go to any of the small Mallorcan villages and discover the culture. Valdemossa is a small and beautiful village. It is only a 20 minutes drive from Palma. Valdemossa is very scenic, with cobblestone streets, flowers on the paths and antique lanterns hanging above local houses with colorful doors. Here is a place where you never worry about getting lost because every corner is just as beautiful. Stop by any café and have lunch, then walk to Miranda Des Lladoners, which is the highest point in the area and you can see the whole village in a panoramic view. I also recommend you visit one of the cafes here, have coffee and enjoy the quietness.

From Valdemossa, drive to Deia, which is a smaller village, but just as beautiful and closer to the coast so you have picture perfect views. People come to relax in Deia for it is the home of one of the four best spas in Europe, Asia and Russia. Belmond La Residencia Spa offers an indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna, steam room, gym and six relaxing treatment rooms and three outdoor massage areas, this place is a must visit for ultimate relaxation.

From Deia, take a drive to Soller and port de Soller situated in one of Mallorca’s most beautiful horseshoe harbors. It is surrounded by the Tramuntana Mountains, this town has the best of both views, a splendid mountain scenery and a serene sea view. The best thing to do is to walk around the beach and visit the promenade behind the beach. Shopping in all small villages is limited to touristy gifts and local handicrafts but it is still worth the time to visit their vintage shops and buy something that will remind you of this great experience.

The food in Mallorca is always an adventure by itself. Don’t miss out on seafood, fresh from the Mediterranean Sea and into your plate. Paella is an amazing local dish made with rice, vegetable and seafood.

How to go there:

There are no trains that take you to Mallorca; your only choice is to fly from any European country for a couple of hours and you will be in the capital city of Mallorca, Palma. From Saudi Arabia, you can fly to Barcelona and then take a local flight to Mallorca.

Where to stay:

If you are looking for a great experience, you must try Melia ME Mallorca hotel. Located in the Calvià area of the island, ME Mallorca is set among the rich Mediterranean pine trees and palm trees that front the long, soft sandy beaches. The hotel is trendy and hip, perfect for those who are looking for a personalized experience. The hotel only opened in May 2014, it was renovated and revamped to keep the Melia group standards and image.

As soon as you step out of your car, you can hear hip music as you walk passed the white lounges and sofas at the entrance. You cannot miss the hotel staff, all dressed in white. They call themselves ‘Auras’ because they bring a calming image to the hotel guests in a beautiful aura.

The hotel offers 252 rooms, including 84 ME+ suites, four garden suites with direct pool access and a spacious sea-facing Suite ME with a beautiful view of the pool and the beach. Each suite is personalized with exclusive services that cater to the guests.

One of the best things to do is to pamper yourself at the hotel spa. ME Mallorca offers the SKINC spa to help you escape the noise of the beach and takes you on a journey of calmness and serenity. The Beverly Hills style massage is highly recommended, especially after a long flight where you want to bounce back to body comfort. The spa offers different kinds of massages, facials, beauty rituals and cosmetic treatments that can all be personalized to fit your needs.

ME Mallorca is armed with two swimming pools, one for adults and the other for families and children. It is right next door to the famous beach club Nikki Beach where international celebrity DJs come to perform and celebrities fly in from various countries to visit the beach club. While you lay by the adult swimming pool, you can enjoy the luxury service of ME Mallorca while listening to the music from Nikki Beach.

After a long day at the beach, one is usually exhausted and hungry. ME Mallorca has a beach side restaurant run by En Compañia de Lobos, the company behind many of Spain’s most trendy restaurants. It offers a selection of modern tapas and dishes, from tuna tartare to succulent paellas.

You can also enjoy your lunch by the pool at the La Piscine restaurant that offers a selection of healthy and mouthwatering dishes made especially for you after a long day by the pool. As for breakfast, the hotel offers an extensive buffet with a variety of fresh baked goods and cheeses. My personal favorite is the live cooking omelet station.

ME Mallorca is only open in the Spring/Summer season and closed during Autumn/Winter. So make sure you only visit during their high season to experience the lavish, stylish hotel and beach. You will fall in love with everything in the hotel, from its location to its exteriors, interiors, pools, food and especially, the high quality service provided by the hotel Auras. I had the best experience at the hotel, thanks to Sylvia and Oxana who were with me, catering to my needs, I must say the hotel is a destination within a destination and it’s highly recommended.

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