Beach in February, Puerto Portals

A glorious February morning in Mallorca.  Here in Puerto Portals today the sandy beach looked clean and the sea was clear and sparkling.   Beautiful temperatures for a winter´s day.

February in Mallorca - Cala Fornells

Sunday 10th of February in Cala Fornells, to the western end of Paguera along a pretty coastline and just 20 minutes drive from Palma.

Turquoise seas even during the winter months

A private villa perched on the peninsula with stunning panoramic views

A little windy but to experience warm temperatures and sunshine on a weekend in early February is magical.  

Fish counter at Mercat Olivar, Palma de Mallorca

A recent photo taken at the wet fish counter at the Mercat Olivar. This market is Palma's main produce market, and is held Monday to Saturday 7am to 2pm in a hall in the Plaza Olivar, which is near to the Placa d'Espanya. The market is spread over two floor of the hall with fresh produce on the ground floor, plus meat and cheese upstairs.

Spanish Galleon "La Pepa" in Palma

The Galleon "La Pepa" arrived into the port of Palma last week.  Built to commemorate the bicentennial of the first Spanish Constitution,  the ship called "Pepa" for having been enacted on the day of St. Joseph, March 19th 1812.

The galleon, a replica of the Spanish ships of the modern era, sailed from Cadiz in June 2011 to begin a tour of several cities in Spain. Now in Palma where you can visit every day between 10am and 6pm.  Inside you can visit an exhibition on Pepa, its historical importance and its influence on later constitutions.

After her visit to the Balearic capital, the ship will depart for Latin America to continue her tour and, in summer, back to Palma to attend the Balearic XVIV Classics Regatta, to be held between 15 and 18 August.

Portixol & Playa de Palma beach in winter

Stunning walks along the coast in winter here in Mallorca.  Breezy out at sea, but feels warm with the sun shining til 6pm now and if you´re all wrapped up.   Parasols along Playa de Palma beach and Palm trees standing to attention at Portixol.  

Beautiful Valldemosa in the winter

Valldemossa (Catalan) or Valldemosa (Spanish) is a village and municipality on Mallorca.  The area rises between the Sierra de Tramuntana mountains and the Mediterranenan, a few kilometres away from the north coast. The city's careful layout is filled with steep streets, stone façades and important religious buildings, among a luxuriant vegetation. The mountains of this area dive into the ocean, to form beaches and coves where it is possible to anchor any vessel. The port of Valldemossa preserves the fishing-town character of of years gone by. 

Luxurious Penthouse Apartment in Olinto, Bendinat, for Rental

A luxurious penthouse apartment with roof terrace has just come onto the market for long term rental in the exclusive residential development of Olinto.  Stunning panoramic countryside, golf course and sea views.

The apartment is 200m2 and the total plot including terraces is 350m2.  A gorgeous live-out covered terrace is perfect for outdoor dining and nearly all year round living.

 The living room is stylish with designer furniture giving a contemporary feel.

 Cool interior.

 There is a fully equipped separate kitchen large enough for breakfast and casual dining.

One of the three double bedrooms.  Here the master bedroom leads out onto the terrace.

 Also benefits from an en suite bathroom.

 Here is one of the two bathrooms.

Stunning 125m2 private roof terrace offers designer furniture for lounging, chilling and sunbathing.

 Cocktail hour and entertaining.

 Back to the main terrace with ample space for enjoying the alfresco lifestyle.

Olinto´s exclusive location next to the Real Bendinat Golf Course shows views to the fairways and also Bendinat Castle.   The development has indoor and outdoor community pools, Jacuzzi, sauna and gym.

The apartment is for long term rental, available now, and can be found ref R742 on the Nash Homes Mallorca website.

Excellent 5 star hotel deal for December, Mallorca

For those of you thinking of visiting the island during the month of December then a excellent choice of hotel would be the Hospes Maricel on the outskirts of Palma.

With its privileged coastal position the 5 star hotel is offering a special package for an overnight stay in the hotel, with breakfast and dinner and access to the Bodyna Spa for the price 159,00 € (including VAT) per room.

On December 31st, they’re offering a New Year’s Eve gala, hotel accommodation, breakfast and access to the Bodyna Spa for 210 € (including VAT).

Reservations in advance:

Phone +34 971 707 744

Email maricel@hospes.com

info via  abcMallorca

Heathrow to Palma, Vueling to start flights March 2013

Great news!  It has been announced that Vueling Airlines will fly from London Heathrow to Palma de Mallorca, from March next year and tickets are already for sale online.

Palma has not been served from Heathrow since 2009.  Vueling will fly daily from Heathrow Terminal 3 which it currently operates daily flights to La Coruna and Bilbao.    Palma is an expanding base for Vueling and the airline will be offering 14 direct routes from the airport next summer, including high frequency services from its El Prat Barcelona base.

All Vueling passengers will enjoy free allocated seating and will have access to Vueling´s new concept, Business Excellence, featuring differentiated cabin seats, access to VIP lounges,  priority boarding, ergonomic head rests, snacks and refreshments on board, extra loyalty points and total flexibility to appeal to the 40 percent of travellers who will use the route for business. 

The announcement has been welcomed by the island´s luxury hotel and travel sector as well as the real estate sector. 

(Info from Majorca Daily Bulletin)

Christmas Weekend in Palma de Mallorca

La Nit del Born is a 3-day festive weekend to look forward to with a grand Christmas theme, uniting the whole of Palma. 

The Paseo del Born, Calle Unión, Jaime III and the Plaza Mercat will be converted into an exciting and festive pedestrian zone. All the shops will roll out their red carpets and the surrounding restaurants, bars and cafés will present their culinary Christmas treats joining in the 3-day festival to kick start the Christmas season. The Mayor of Palma, Mateo Isern, will be turning on the Christmas lights of the city at dusk on Thursday, November 29th, marking the opening of the celebrations.

On both Friday, November 30th, and Saturday, December 1st, Santa Clauses, bell in hand, will walk the streets and also distribute sweets and maps on bicycles. On Friday evening at 18.00 hrs there will be a Christmas charity concert in the Paseo del Born. On Saturday, December 1st, at 12.00 and 18.00 hrs the voices of carol singers will light up the streets of Palma. There will also be a moving band during the whole weekend playing both Christmas and urban music in the centre of Palma.

One of the highlights of this special event will be the Christmas forest built in style of the Northern European forests with real pine trees in the patio of Casal Solleric. This forest will also be the meeting point of the alpine-themed photocall. The centre point will be a huge Christmas tree that will be decorated by a Majorcan artist. The event also expects the attendance of famous guests whose names are still a well kept secret.

(Info courtesy of ABC magazine)

New 4 star hotel for Portals Nous: Palace Portals Hotel

A new hotel is coming to Portals Nous.   The former "Es Vida" building next to Las Terrazas has today put up its new sign at the front door:  "Portals Palace Hotel". 4 stars with 110 rooms. Some of the rooms will have glorious sea views and over to Puerto Portals marina.  A couple of minutes walk to the village centre of Portals Nous, and a 10 minute walk down to the fashionable marina.  No other news yet re the hotel, or when it will open, but I will post more details when they are announced.

Renovated Apartment with Gorgeous Sea View, for Rental

Lovely south facing sea views

Satellite TV in the living room and access to the 12m2 terrace

Living room and double bedroom lead onto the terrace

Open plan dining and living room

Fully fitted separate kitchen with oven, hob, fridge, microwave, washing machine etc.

Bedroom with sea views, and benefiting from a/c and heating unit

Double bedroom with tiled floors

Renovated bathroom

Partial views of the famous jet-set marina of Puerto Portals, all within walking distance

A one bedroom apartment, fully renovated, ready for long term rental and located next to the beach in Portals Nous/Puerto Portals.  Ideal for beach lovers during the summer and snowbirds during the winter.  See price for rental here, ref R722.   

Long Term Rental Mediterranean Villa in Exclusive Development

Stunning top quality 2-level villa located within the exclusive Voramar development high up in Costa dén Blanes, now available for long term rental through Nash Homes Mallorca.

Private swimming pool and summer kitchen with numerous terraces

 Fabulous panoramic sea views across the bay of Palma

Attractive private pool for daily dips

Comfortable interior with open plan living and dining areas leading out onto the terraces

 Attractive styling throughout

A real fire for the winter time as well as a/c and heating throughout

 One of the three bathrooms

 One of the 3 bedrooms with private terrace access

 Same bedroom showing more of the terrace, beamed ceilings throughout

 The guest "powder room"

 Bathroom featuring marble finishes

 Another bathroom with shower and bath

 Double bedroom with terrace access

Modern styling with a touch of rustic

 Ground floor sitting room/sun room

 Spiral staircase leading to upper terraces

 Entrance hallway

 Entrance hallway

Fully fitted separate kitchen 

 Pool terrace with adjacent summer kitchen, perfect for entertaining

 Covered terrace with spectacular views

 Alfresco dining

Panoramic views over the bay of Palma

This stunning 3 bedroom/3 bathroom villa on the development of Voramar is now for long term rental with a monthly rental rate of 3,750 euros.   See more information on our website ref R724, click here.