Category: European Journeys

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Yorkshire Christmas Markets

It’s that time of year again when towns and cities play host to the colourful Christmas markets, welcoming visitors from near and far to join in the festive celebrations and soak up the unique atmosphere. I’m a bit of a sucker when it comes to Christmas Markets, so when a trip to the Yorkshire Christmas Markets – markets I’ve not visited before – came up, I had my bag packed and my Santa hat on faster than you could say ‘mulled wine’.

In a change to our usual working location in Leger’s Design Studio, my colleague, Tammy and I were joining the tour to get some new photographs for the brochures and the website, and to check the tour out – listening to what the customers thought of the trip and experiencing the Yorkshire Christmas markets first hand… After Grassington Dickensian Festival, our final stop was York.

Yule love York!

The medieval city of York is known for its impressive cathedral – the York Minster, its historic city walls, the famous Jorvik Viking centre and its various museums, but in the run up to Christmas, the markets – as we found – provide another great reason to visit. It was a clear crisp day with bright skies as we arrived and still quite early, so we decided to take a quick look around York’s historic parts before the Christmas shoppers descended on the city. We took a walk past Clifford’s Tower – the surviving keep of York’s main medieval castle – for a panoramic view of the city; walked down the famous, ancient street known as the ‘Shambles’, full of quaint shops in half-timbered, medieval buildings dating back to 1400s; and had a very short stroll down ‘Whip-ma-Whop-ma-gate’, the shortest street in York with the longest name – once the location of York’s pillory and whipping post. Some say this was the inspiration for the street’s name.

Cliffords Mount
York Minster

The centre of York has no shortage of shops, ranging from big named, high street stores to the unique little shops that can be found on The Shambles and among the maze of the city’s charming cobbled streets. We wandered along, listening to buskers and watching street entertainers who appeared on most corners. Parliament Street, in the centre of the city, was the location of this weekend’s Christmas market – the St. Nicholas Fayre.

St. Nicholas Fayre

The market stalls were once again a mix of handicrafts and food and drink, with one half of the stalls selling wooden ornaments, handmade silver jewellery and Christmas decorations; the other half, marked by the now-familiar smells of hot roast nuts, mulled wine and roasting meat, with stalls offering fudge, cupcakes, different flavoured toffees and gifts from Yorkshire brewery. We were never very far from something to sample, whether it be a locally-produced chutney or sloe gin jam, and now and then, little stalls selling hot chocolate with rum or brandy appeared.

Chewy delights

Tammy: “York was the highlight of the tour for me. The atmosphere on the coach was different by the third day, people were chatting, laughing and joking – there was a real sense of camaraderie. Even though I’ve worked at Leger for a number of years, I’ve not been on a coach holiday before but definitely understand the appeal of holidaying by coach – everything was done for us: no driving, no navigating our way through the country roads, nothing to think about… we just had to turn up and get on the coach. Then we just sat back and enjoyed the scenery.”

Tammy soaking up ‘all the fun of the St. Nicholas Fayre’ in York

So that was it. Three days and three different markets, all full of festive cheer and an atmosphere you only get at this time of year. And here’s one final observation: Christmas markets are not the place to be if you’re on a diet! There are so many wonderful smells coming at you from every direction that it would be hard for anyone with even the highest levels of willpower to walk past without a taste. We didn’t even try – afterall, that’s all part of the attraction of the Christmas markets! The diet will have to wait for another day!
For more information about the York St.Nicholas Fayre, Leeds Christkindelmarket, and the Grassington Dickensian Festival visit our Yorkshire Christmas Markets Tour page

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10 interesting facts about Austria

Here at Leger Holidays we love an Alpine escape, in fact our very first tour was to Austria back in 1983, and it’s still one of our top holiday destinations! So what is it that makes you all so interested in Austria? Whether you’re researching for your next holiday or simply want to brush up on a few facts, we’ve compiled a list…

  • The name Austria derives from a Germanic word ‘austro’ which means ‘east’.
  • The Austrian flag is one of the oldest national flags in the world.
  • The sewing machine was invented by Austrian Josef Madersperger.
  • Approximately one quarter of the population of Austria lives in Vienna.
  • Vienna has the oldest zoo in the world which was founded in 1752.
  • Austria is known for its mountain railways and trains such as the Giselabahn.
  • Ferdinand Porsche, the founder of the German sports car company ‘Porsche’, was from Austria.
  • Former Hollywood actor Arnold Schwarzenegger grew up in Austria.
  • 62% of Austria is covered by the Austrian Alps.
  • The first postcards used were in Austria.

Do you know any more interesting facts about Austria? Or have any stories of your trips to Austria? Please share them in the comments section below.

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Ten interesting and fun facts about France

Find out what made our list of fun facts about France below:

  • There is a Street named after Victor Hugo in every town in France
  • Crayola is a French word that means “Oily Chalk”
  • French was the official language of England for over 300 years
  • It’s illegal to kiss on the French railways
  • The French have one of the highest life expectancies in the EU
  • Famous French inventions include: The hot air balloon, the submarine and the parachute
  • The Eiffel Tower is painted every 7 years
  • The Croissant was actually invented in Austria
  • French toast and French fries aren’t French inventions
  • Napoleon was 5’6

Do you have any fun facts about France? If so, let us know in the comments below.
 
 

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New starting point unveiled for the 100th Tour de France

New starting point unveiled for the 100th Tour de France

Following British success in 2012, everybody has gone Tour de France mad, including us at Leger.
The success lead to the team looking in to the history of the prestigious race and a hunt began to find the best stat for a team competition. Below are some facts and stats we have found:

  • The Tour de France started back in 1903, where the first winner was crowned as Maurice Garin.
  • The Shortest race was 2,420Kms with the longest lasting 5,745Kms.
  • There was 198 entrants in 2012
  • Usually there are 20 teams with 9 riders in each team.
  • There has been 4 deaths in the races history
  • In the battle of the nationalities France lead the way with 36 winners closely followed by Belgium with 18 and in third is Spain with 12.

The 29th of June 2013 will see the start of the 100th Tour de France, which will start for the first time in its history in Corsica. The 3,360-km route will take the participants and their teams along with the fans on an epic journey past the country’s wonders and will have many new challenges for the climbers in the pack, including the double ascent of the Alpe d’huez climb!
All this and much more is packed into three weeks of intense racing. The entire race is contained within the French borders covering a whole range of challenging terrains, presenting an opportunity for all different types of riders to shine.
The last high altitude test is just 24 hours before the thrilling finale on the Champs Élysées in Paris which will be staged in the evening, providing a beautiful twilight backdrop for the finale of the biggest cycling race in the world.
If you would like to watch the final stage of the 100th Tour de France in 2013 you can find out more here.
Alternatively if you would like to find out more about the 2013 Tour de France route you can do so online now.

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Bloomin’ Marvellous Breaks

By Margo
I got into gardening just after I got married and I’ve been addicted to it ever since. Don’t get me wrong, I’m no Charlie Dimmock but I’m certainly not afraid of grabbing a trowel and some compost if there’s a bit of landscaping to be done.
I suppose I’d politely class myself as an experimentalist. I like to indulge in my hobby and follow the likes of Monty Don and Alan Titchmarsh before interpreting their ideas in my own garden. So far, this approach has seen me right. And, apart from a minor mishap with a 7ft Verbena, I have to say I’m pretty bloomin’ proud of my home-grown sanctuary (forgive the pun)!
For my next wave of inspiration, however, I’m planning a little trip overseas with a coach-load of my fellow flower enthusiasts. Having worked at Leger for so many years, it’s hard to believe I haven’t been on a horticultural-themed tour before now but it’s certainly always been on my list. Over the years, I’ve booked hundreds of our customers on a garden-based tour and the feedback they’ve given on their return has always been great. In fact, it’s enough to leave you green-eyed as well as green-fingered! If, like me, you’ve been considering a green getaway yourself, here are Leger’s top three reasons to persuade you to turn your gardening hobby into a hob-iday:
• The sights: There aren’t many places in Europe where you can immerse yourself in a sea of springtime flowers like those found in Holland, France and Brussels. In one easy trip, you’ll see tremendous trees, flowering shrubs, a huge variety of perennials, water gardens, fountains and lakes; it really is a gardener’s paradise.
• The scale: part of the joy of gardening is seeing all the colours, structures and shapes of plants working together. However, until you’ve experienced the acres of flora at Keukenhof Park (Holland) or the grand designs of Monet’s Garden (France) you can’t truly appreciate just how inspirational a garden can be. With so many carefully landscaped scenes in one place, you’ll be buzzing with ideas to take home with you.
• The shared experience: there’s nothing as enjoyable as sharing some of the most spectacular garden scenes in Europe with people that share your appreciation and passion for gardening. Of course, it’s up to you how much you talk about your experience on the coach home!
If you have any further questions about Leger Holidays’ horticultural tours please do get in touch through our Facebook page or call us at 01709 787 463.

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Oh little town of Rudesheim

It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas up at Leger Holidays this week, as bookings for our festive markets continue to fly in. From the bustling bazaars of Bruges to the Christmas cave markets of Valkenburg, Brits are heading to Europe by the coach load to get their festive fix. But what is it about these seasonal markets that make them so magical? We asked our driver of 24 years, Phil Hayton, about his experience:
“Over the years, I must’ve visited the European Christmas markets over 120 times and, let me tell you, I never get fed up of them. From Berlin to the Tyrol, there are so many markets to choose from and each location has its own character and offers something completely different to the next.
“Cologne is great for those that want a bit of variety; it’s got six different markets spread out across the town and a cracking atmosphere to enjoy. Whereas Rüdesheim offers more of a picture-postcard setting with its wooden chalets and olde-worlde feel. One thing they do all share though is an overwhelming jovial mood that you just won’t find anywhere else.
“People often ask me which specific part of the markets I enjoy the most but, I have to say, I struggle to name one thing. The food and drink is always good. For me, there’s nothing better than wrapping your hands around a glass of hot Glühwein or enjoying a sneaky bratwurst sausage between meals! There’s just so much to try though and the smells travel for miles around, there’s certainly no chance of dieting whilst you’re there!
“The atmosphere is also second to none. The decorations look great, the locals are friendly and you’re surrounded by crowds of shoppers that are feeling just as festive as you. We even deck our coaches out with fairy lights to join in on the seasonal spirit!
“All I can say is, if you’ve never been to an original Christmas market before, get it on your list! We do have some great markets here in Britain but nothing really compares to seeing one in Europe itself. It’s hard to explain as the sights, sounds and smells are unlike anything I’d ever experienced before but even now, 120 trips later, I can’t wait to go back again!”
Fancy booking yourself a merry little Christmas this year? Be sure to head over to our website for the more details or pop over to Facebook to ask for further advice from the team.

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Tales from the road… Postcards from Croatia

Caroline Thorpe, Leger’s Design Studio Manager joined an 8-day tour of Dubrovnik and the Dalmatian Coast to learn more about the area and see why its popularity has grown in recent years.

Caroline looking over Dubrovnik’s harbour

Following the beautiful coastline of the winding bay of Kotor, known locally as Boka Kotorska, our destination was the beautiful, walled city of Dubrovnik.
This was just one part of an 8-day tour I’d joined, taking in not only Croatia, but also visiting Montenegro, Albania and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
En route to Dubrovnik we passed buildings decorated with vibrant pink bougainvillea and parks thick with palms and oleander – a common sight in this part of the world – before enjoying a short visit to the wonderful, quiet little town of Cavtat. Here, waterfront cafes line the quiet promenade, providing breathtaking views across the clear blue water, along with an excellent selection of mouth-watering cuisine.

Destination Dubrovnik

Dubrovnik is described as ‘the most perfectly preserved medieval town in the world’, so, as this was my first visit to the city, I joined the optional city tour to see the main sights of the city – I didn’t want to miss anything! The guide who would show us the sights of Dubrovnik, Tolsten (or Paul, as he told us to call him), was very flamboyant and seemed to know everyone in the town!
It was another hot day, and walking through the Pile Gate, the traditional entrance to the Old Town, we found ourselves in a lovely broad avenue known as Placa with smooth, cream-coloured flagstones stretching its 958- foot length.
We passed Onofrio’s Fountain with its huge, red brick dome sitting above sixteen fountains – ornately carved faces sitting in a stone wall spurting water from their lips – and followed Paul into the cool, Franciscan church. He gathered us round with his catchphrase (“now then my dear friends”) as he lead us up into the backstreets lined with cozy little restaurants, where waiters were busy laying tables and sweeping around in readiness for their lunchtime customers.
Back once again on Placa, Orlando’s Column was right in front of us – and here the magnificent Bell Tower stands high above the buildings and cluster of restaurant umbrellas below.

A Different View

As Paul said a final “goodbye my friends,” I decided to head to the cable car before the sun reached its full, midday strength. I’d bought my ticket before I arrived at the cable car station, which meant I got directed to the front of the queue, and onto the cable car which would take me to the top of the Srd Hill.
The ride itself took just 3 minutes, carrying us high above the terracotta roofs of the town, with excellent views of Dubrovnik and out over the crystal-clear Adriatic Sea to the green island of Lokrum. At the summit, there’s a shop, a modern amphitheatre and an open-air restaurant. It’s a great viewpoint to appreciate the structure of the lovely town unfolding below you.

Pile Gate, Dubrovnik

Exploring the Town

I headed, along Placa – the whole length of it lined with intriguing little shops – with wonderful, narrow stone alleyways on either side packed with more shops, restaurants and bars… a great place for people watching and cooling off in Dubrovnik’s summer heat.
I wandered around the streets of the Old Town – a network of charming, cobbled streets where buildings were decorated with colourful scarves, handmade jewellery, delicate lace and leather goods displayed outside the numerous shops.

A Breath of Fresh Air

As I walked round to St. John’s Fort – which I’d seen earlier from the top of Srd Hill – a different glimpse of the city greeted me. The bustling harbour promenade is a hive of activity, where cruise ships bring visitors to the city and boats take day-trippers out to neighbouring islands and resorts to see more of the wonderful sights this area has to offer.

Walking the Walls

As I headed back into the Old Town. I passed people clambering up along the stone ramparts of the town – considered to be one of the great fortifications of the middle ages – draped with pale and bold pink oleander bushes, for the one-and-a-quarter-mile stroll above the carpet of terracotta rooftops. The high wall encompasses the whole city, running an unbroken course of over 6,300 feet, with strong forts as part of its defence system. I would’ve loved longer to walk the city walls for myself, but it was time to leave.

Reflection Beneath the Stars

That evening, back at our hotel I enjoyed a quiet drink on the hotel’s terrace. It had been a great week, with lots of fabulous memories to take home with me. A wonderful, unforgettable Croatian adventure.
Have you been to Croatia recently? Would you like to share your story with our readers? If so, you can get in touch using the comments section below.

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Destination Spain

Spain traditionally conjures up images of golden sandy beaches, summer holidaymakers, paella, sangria, flamenco dancers and bull fighters strutting their stuff in the bullring. However, although you may see these on your trip to Spain, beyond the clichéd images, a spectacular and possibly unexpected panorama will unfold before you.

‘Haven’ of the Pyrenees

High in the Pyrenees Mountains, bordered by Spain and France you’ll find the small, yet stunning country of Andorra. The delightful Andorra la Vella, is the highest capital city in Europe, being at an elevation of 1023 metres. Whilst here many of you will enjoy the shopping, especially since Andorra has the status of a tax haven, the scenery is also a highlight – there are towering peaks, lush green meadows and deep gorges dotted with remote mountain villages. Our ‘Andorra ‘Haven’ of the Pyrenees’ tour would be a great way to see the area, plus it includes a visit to the Catalan capital of Barcelona.

The view of Barcelona harbour by Moyan Brenn

Cosmopolitan Barcelona

The city of Barcelona ranks as Spain’s most visited city and is well known for the various works of art-nouveau architect, Antoni Gaudí. He is perhaps best-known for the immense, but still unfinished Sagrada Família church, which has been under construction since 1882. A popular area of Barcelona is Las Ramblas, a pedestrian street in the centre of the city. It’s the ideal place to people watch and take a stroll, and there are dozens of outdoor cafes. Nearby is Plaça Real, a square in which you can buy traditional Catalan cuisine such as ‘Coques’, a kind of pizza, and ‘Pa amb tomàquet’, bread with tomato and olive oil. If you fancy a full day in Barcelona and visits to other Spanish sights, try our Barcelona and Spectacular Spain tour and if you’re travelling individually but don’t want to be on your own, we have a very similar tour especially for single travellers.

Medieval province of Catalonia

Further up the Catalonian coast and inland, is Girona. The old town stands on the steep hill of the Capuchins, while the more modern section stands on the plains. You’ll get to see the stunning cathedral, which is one of the most important monuments and is an excellent example of Spanish Gothic architecture. The city wall of the old town was an important military construction built in Roman times in the 1st century BC, and today you can walk the entire length of the wall and climb the towers to enjoy panoramic views of Girona and the surrounding countryside.

Sun, sand and sangria

Along the Catalonian coast lies the Costa Brava, a place more for relaxation than city sightseeing. Costa Brava as a holiday destination has a combination of a very good summer climate, nature and excellent beaches. One of the most popular holiday destinations is Lloret de Mar, where you can relax with a glass of sangria in hand, on the main beach which is consistently awarded the Blue Flag for cleanliness.
To chill out on the Costa Brava and Costa Moresme and enjoy some sightseeing our Highlights of the Spanish Coast and Barcelona tour might just be the holiday for you.

Historical Montserrat and Andalucia

Further down the coast we come to Montserrat, which is well-known as the site of the Benedictine monastery, Santa Maria de Montserrat, a very important religious retreat. This is certainly a sight to see as the monastery is set high in the mountains.
In the south of Spain we have the region of Andalucia, and within that, Seville, the artistic, cultural, and financial capital of southern Spain. Here you’ll see the Cathedral of Saint Mary, which is Roman Catholic and the largest Gothic cathedral and third largest church in the world. An equally imposing building for you to visit is the Alcázar of Seville, a royal palace that dates from the 12th Century. If you want to see three Andalucian gems our Seville, Cordoba & Granada by Air tour is the perfect choice.

The Puerta de l’Alcala in Madrid by Moyan Brenn

‘Live in the moment’ Madrid

Right in the centre of Spain is the capital city of Madrid. It is a cosmopolitan city very different from other well known cities around the world, as although the architecture is beautiful there’s no Eiffel Tower, no Colosseum, no Gaudi-inspired buildings to photograph. Madrid is an idea, a way of life that is about ‘living in the moment’, and once you are here it is hard to resist. Madrid has a feast of fine restaurants and tapas bars, exceptional live music and astonishing art galleries, all waiting for you to enjoy. Plus, explore the beautiful muralled buildings which line Plaza Mayor in Old Madrid, and take a leisurely stroll around magnificent Retiro Park. Our Grand Tour of Spain & Portugal is the ideal choice if you want to visit Madrid and many other great cities.
If you would like to discover more of Spain with Leger Holidays you can view our full collection of Spanish breaks here.
Images courtesy of flickr user Moyan Brenn

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Destination: France

Mont-St-Michel

France is said to be the most visited country in the world, which is hardly surprising when you think of its incredible mountain scenery, delightful sandy beaches, stunning royal châteaux, amazing historic sights, plus romantic Paris as its capital.

Mont-St-Michel
See the impressive Mont St. Michel just off the coast of Normandy

Where better to go for a weekend break and recharge your batteries. Its landmarks are incredible and include the world famous Eiffel Tower, the most visited paid monument in the world, which stands 324 metres tall – around the same height as an 81-storey building. Other popular monuments in Paris include Notre Dame, a Gothic cathedral in the centre of Paris on the River Seine, and the Arc de Triomphe, which honours those who fought for France.

Art and Architecture

On the western outskirts of the city are the truly breathtaking Chateau and Gardens of Versailles. Away from the hustle and bustle of the city you can take a stroll through the gardens and see the opulence and grandeur of the Chateau, one of the finest achievements of French art in the seventeenth century.
On the subject of art, the Impressionist painter Claude Monet had a rural retreat in the small French village of Giverny, just 80 km to the west of Paris. The house and gardens, made famous by Monet’s ‘Water Lillies’ paintings, have been restored to their original designs. Planned out meticulously so that a different colour would dominate each month, the beautiful shades and shapes ensure the gardens are a delight at any time of year.

Going Green

If flora and fauna are your pleasure then the Loire Valley is the ideal destination for you – an enchanted land of vineyards, flowers and rolling green hills dotted with more than a thousand chateaux.
Admire France’s stunning scenery and wine-growing areas from the water on a cruise along the river Rhône in the South of France. It’s the ideal way to experience the colourful history of this area.
Along the river you can visit delightful Avignon, surrounded by ramparts and perched on a rock overlooking the river. Avignon is famous for being the city to which the Popes fled when leaving the corruption of Rome in the 14th century, and the palace they built, ‘Le Palais des Papes,’ or the palace of popes, is the world’s largest Gothic edifice. The ramparts themselves were erected to keep the plague and invaders out during the turbulent middle ages.

The Eiffel Tower
The Eiffel Tower is one of the most popular tourist destinations in the world

Natural Wonders

Flowing into the river Rhône is the Ardèche river in south central France. Here you’ll see the Gorges de l’Ardeche, one of the most stunning scenic highlights of France. At the western end of the Gorges de l’Ardeche you’ll discover the Pont d’Arc, a natural stone arch over the Ardeche river which was carved out of the cliff by the river itself. There are small beaches either side of the arch which are very popular with visitors wanting to relax and cool down in an exceptionally picturesque location. The village of Pont d’Arc has developed around the arch and includes cafés for tourists to enjoy refreshments.

France’s Secret Heart

For those of you attracted to striking scenery and charming villages then the Auvergne in the heart of France is your ideal holiday destination and home to no less than eleven of the 150 villages ranked as ‘the most beautiful villages of France’ teeming with heritage, history and stunning architecture. Sparsely populated, The Auvergne boasts beautiful valleys, large expanses of coniferous forests, and spectacular hillscapes and is a region much appreciated by ramblers and nature lovers, as well as by people in search of a holiday away from the crowds.

A Land of Contrasts

An area of France which has certainly become very popular is Normandy in the west of the country, with its rolling hills, sandy beaches and quiet little harbour towns. More significantly, this is where you can visit the landing beaches, battlegrounds, military cemeteries and museums of D-Day. Only by seeing it all for yourself and having it explained by a Specialist Battlefield Guide can you ever really begin to understand the depths of the sacrifices made and the heroism involved. You can visit the British Sector at places such as Pegasus Bridge, Ranville Commonwealth Cemetery and Merville Gun Battery, plus there’s the American Sector with sights such as the cemetery overlooking Omaha Beach, Utah
Beach, plus the headland of Pointe du Hoc.
With a country offering so many diverse and wonderful sights and destinations, knowing where to start is perhaps the hardest choice! You can view Leger’s full selection of holidays in France on our website now.

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Majorca Uncovered – An Island of Contrasts

Below we take a closer look at our Grand Explorer tour of Majorca, the largest of the Balearic Islands and, along with its sister islands of Menorca, Ibiza and Formentera, lies in the Mediterranean Sea off the east coast of mainland Spain.

The charming town of Valldemossa lies in the north-west of Majorca

Since the 1950’s Majorca has been an extremely popular spot for tourists, especially from the UK and Germany, owing to the climate, the mix of old architecture and new entertainment facilities, and beautiful sandy beaches lapped by clear blue waters. Furthermore, many celebrities holiday in Majorca and some even own private holiday homes, so do not be surprised if you see some famous faces!
During your first day of sightseeing you’ll visit Pollenca. The sheltered horseshoe shaped bay is set against the stunning backdrop of the Tramuntana mountain range. You’ll wander around the picturesque medieval streets lined with ochre coloured stone houses, which lead to the main square Placa Major. The square is dominated by a large 13th century church Esglèsia de Nostra Senyora dels Àngels (translated to Our Lady of the Angels) and there are numerous outdoor cafes.
One of Pollenca’s most distinctive features is the 365 step stairway north of the square, which leads up to a chapel on top of the hill known as Calvary. On Good Friday this is the setting for the most dramatic parade of the year, which includes a mock crucifixion on top of the hill after which the figure of Christ is ceremonially removed from the cross and then paraded through the town, led by hundreds of people in cloaks, masks and pointed hats and done in total silence save for the slow beating of a drum.
From Pollenca we drive along the stunning Cabo de Formentor Road, regarded as Majorca’s most beautiful peninsula. 260 metres up on the hill there is the Cabo Formentor lighthouse, which enjoys an unforgettable panorama of the Mediterranean. The day is rounded off with a visit to Alcudia. The old town has a 14th century wall and there are remains of a Roman town just outside the town walls, in front of the Church of St. Jaume. North of the wall is a bull ring, although now most fights are mock fights.

The magnificent Palma Cathedral

Halfway through your holiday you have the option to visit Palma, the capital of Majorca, for the day. Almost half of the total population of Majorca lives in Palma. The huge Gothic cathedral overlooks the waterfront and the city’s ancient buildings reflect its rich and varied history.
Palma boasts wide palm-lined promenades dotted with pavement cafes, with the main hub being the Passeig des Born. This avenue has some great cafes for lunch, many with a view of the cathedral, and you’ll also find some good shops along here. If our sightseeing tour is not for you then a morning shopping, coffee at one of the cafes and then a stroll down Passeig des Born to the harbour for lunch overlooking the water is a delightful way to spend a sunny day.
Another of our optional excursions is La Costa Rocosa (the Rocky Coast). In the north west we head to Camp de Mar and then to the small town of Andratx, which enjoys a privileged location amid a valley of almond groves in the shadow of the Puig de Galatzo, which rises to 1026 metres.
Continuing through the mountains, we reach Estellenchs, a true taste of the real Majorca, facing the sea and backed by the peaks of the Tramuntana Mountains.
We continue to nearby Banyalbufar, where the slopes have been terraced into stepped Marjades and where olives, vines and almonds are grown. Later, we visit the old mountain towns of Deia and Valldemossa. It is highly likely you’ll see a famous face in Daia, with its idyllic landscape and orange and olive groves on steep cliffs overlooking the Mediterranean.

The impressive Sagrada Familia in Barcelona

Virgin Records mogul Richard Branson, has a luxury residence in the town, and his label’s stars have often visited the village and sometimes jammed at the local bar, ‘Sa Fonda’. Other famous inhabitants include Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta Jones.
If you’re wondering where to buy those holiday souvenirs and gifts then maybe you’ll find something nice to buy on your included visit to the market in Arta. This hilltop town is very picturesque and its main attraction is the Sanctuary of Sant Salvador with its walled grounds, which over look the town. The weekly market is a lovely place to browse and have a coffee and ensaimada (a Majorcan speciality of a spiral of pastry dusted with icing sugar).
We then continue to the legendary Coves del Drac (Dragon Caves). The stalagmites and stalactites are spectacular and cover the roof and base of the cave. There is a massive natural amphitheatre and one of the world’s largest underground lakes, Lago de Martel, plus you are treated to classical music by the musicians on the boat. The day is rounded off nicely with a visit to Manacor, famous for furniture manufacture and excellent artificial pearls.
Also on our Majorca Uncovered tour, on your journey to Majorca, you’ll enjoy a full day in the diverse city of Barcelona. If you join the optional guided tour you’ll see stunning sights such as Gaudi’s Sagrada Familia, the awe-inspiring cathedral, and Las Ramblas, a treelined pedestrian boulevard packed with living statues, mime artists and people selling everything from lottery tickets to jewellery.