Dominating the landscape, this castle atop the hill is a failed temptation – Fernanda accuses me of being a castle maniac, and, to prove that I’m not “castle dependent” I missed this one.

I really am sorry – it was built in the 14th century, with a round shape, not so common, in my “collected” castles, and the sights must be… gorgeous. Next time I will try to find a “El Corte Ingles” in the area, and… you know!

Directions: Some three km from the centre of the city of Palma at some 112.60 metres above sea level.

Website: Palma de Mallorca

Originally a Muslim palace, converted to gothic by king Jaime II, this alcazar still keeps signs of both styles. The views are beautiful and the adjacent gardens are well conceived and maintained, featuring a statue from Juan Miro.

It is used by the royal family in summer, but it allows visits in the free days from March to October.

Website: Palacios

Started in 1230 and finished in 1601 it’s a Gothic church, with the large size usual in that style, dominating most views in downtown Palma.

Damaged by an earthquake in the 19th century, the reconstruction of the facade introduced mixed styles in some of its elements.

One advice: always read before you go.

​I’ve been in Parc de la Mar, found it pleasant, but only later I learned why and how it was made. Maybe I would have a different approach if knowing that:

​“Until the 1960s the sea reached up to the city walls, providing the perfect reflection for the cathedral. When the building of a new road changed all that, an artificial lake was constructed to reproduce the effect. 

You had a good lunch, it’s “forbidden” to go to water, and you need a cool place to spend digestion time. Well, you may use the shades of the narrow streets in the old town, and visit the Arab Baths.

​They aren’t a stunning monument nor very well recovered, but they are preserved to look as original, and they really do. It’s cheap, open all day, and they have a nice and fresh garden to rest a while.

Close to Palau Vivot, the church of Santa Eulalia, in the square with the same name, is one of the oldest and more important of Palma.

Coming from the 12th century it suffered drastic changes, showing today a Neo Gothic facade built in the 19th century.

​It’s a good solution for a short break in the shade.

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One of the most accessible beaches from Palma, this is a very wide and lively beach. If, for you, the night is so important as the day in the beach, then this may be your option – the other is Magalluf.

​However, if you prefer a quiet place, then… maybe you should skip it, and look a little bit further, in the Calas area.

Which beach shall I choose? Peaceful and secure? Why not one of the many calas?

We went to Cala d’Or – Very good week, but the young folks wanted animation!

​We moved to Palma Nova – another very good week (for them!), taking advantage of our hotel’s situation half way from Palma Nova and Magalluf

Magalluf is the most agitated and noisy beach of Mallorca, thus appealing to the youngster. We took solomonic decision, staying in the western end of the quieter Palma Nova, in the “border” of both beaches.

That allowed us a relatively calm staying in Palma, and some short visits to the other side, where the young guys of our team went each night. But in daylight, the beach is also quiet and beautiful.

I lived all my professional life in glass industry, so, seeing from the car a glass studio, I had to stop.

Close to Palma,  It was a nice visit, showing the difference between a glass factory and a stage performance prepared for tourists.

The furnace was almost pre-historic, with the glass blowers charging it with a few pieces of wood from time to time. 

A rope defined a square around the working area, and while the  workers were doing their job, the tourist in a tighten line walked around, to end in the principal area – the shop. I mean… the shops!