MALLORCA is the largest island in the Balearic archipelago splashed in the Mediterranean Sea. The Balearic archipelago is of course part of Spain. It has a total land area of 3,640 square kilometers long. It has a population of more than 700,000 people. Mallorca is known for catering British tourists since the 1960s many thanks to its sunny climate. During summer, temperatures here soar to as high as 18 to 22 degrees Celsius, relatively just right for a Briton. Because of this tourism influx, British tourists themselves have made it a business to buy vacant lots here thanks to Spain’s relaxed real estate policy, erect holiday homes and make them available for lease to their British compatriots. The result is a very booming economy for Mallorca government that collects annual income tax laws from the owners of these holiday homes. The Mallorca government likewise collects monthly garbage collection fee from the owners of these holiday homes.

Mallorca itself is composed of several cities. Its capital is Palma del Mallorca. The other cities are Alcudia, Cala Ratjada, Cala d’Or, Calvia, Deia, Fornalutx, Inca, Manacor, Pollenca, Sineu, Soller and Valldemossa. Aside from the beaches, other hot tourism features in the area are the Monastery of Lluc in the Tramuntana Mountains, Serra de Tramuntana, Bellver Castle, Santueri Castle, Cuber Lake and the Dragon Caves. In Serra de Tramuntana, the main tourism activity is hiking. Oftentimes, you will find ranches of cattle and it is recommended to leave open and closed gates as they are. Ranch caretakers usually leave the gates open for the cattle to get to their drinking places. There are a few budget lodges in Serra de Tramuntana. Other tourism activities here are cycling, golfing and rock climbing. In Palma de Mallorca, you may want to go inside its Catholic cathedral to have some reflection. The catch here is that resort staffs in tourist-induced areas are able to speak English, German and French.

Delicacies that you will love craving in Mallorca repeatedly are paella, tapas, baby prawns, camarones, chorizo, calamari, Spanish coffee, leche flan, tortilla, garlic prawns, fish cake, cured salmon, Bermuda fish soup, gazpacho soup, vegetable soup, spicy sausage as bun sandwiches, ice cream cake and anything that is dipped in marinara sauce. Other staples in Mallorca are olives and almonds. There are 2,400 restaurants in Mallorca. The most famous ones are Es Galdent in Lluc, Centro in Porreres, Es Verger in Alaro, Moli C’an Pere in Arenal, Es Clos in S’alqueria Blanca and Sa Presma in the capital Palma del Mallorca.

Among the famous Mallorcans are former Spanish Prime Minister Antonio Montaner and tennis player Rafael Nadal. King Juan Carlos I maintains a summer residence there. Other famous celebrities who have lived there for a certain period are Hollywood couples Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones, Formula One legend Michael Schumacher, supermodel Claudia Schiffer, singer Annie Lennox, Beatle John Lennon’s son Julian and ex-wife Cynthia Charles and former tennis star Boris Becker.

So if you are a travel enthusiast, why not bookmark Mallorca in your diary? Your visit is surely worth it.