Thursday 10th Around the island trip

We had booked on the whole day around the island trip in spite of the fact that commentary was in German, we were delighted we did as it was excellent. Not quite true to say around the island since the trip focused upon the very picturesque north western part. We departed by coach at 09:00 and headed north firstly along a motorway but soon taking minor roads through some small towns in a very flat plain before heading for the hills ( the Serra de Tramuntana) and some very scary roads. The narrow, very steep and very wind roads were difficult enough to negotiate in a large coach but it was made doubly difficult by having to wait behind the hundreds of cyclist braving the climbs. Our coach driver Rafa was excellent but he certainly could not go anywhere quickly!

First stop was the monastery of Lluc which was beautifully situated on a small hill surrounded by high mountains. We wandered around, climbed the small hill overlooking the monastery, were distinctly underwhelmed by the black Madonna (we seemed to be in a minority here), enjoyed a coffee and after an hour were on our way over the mountains to Port de Sa Calobra.

The roads down to the port were extraordinarily steep, precipitous and windy and the port was delightful. None of this deterred the cyclists who were everywhere!

Time for a short lunch overlooking the bay and then off on a boat ride to the port of Soller. Lovely views and very interesting cliff geology all along the coast.

At the port of Soller we boarded a tram (or Strassenbahn as our guide described it) for a few miles up to the old town of Soller where we had an hour before boarding the train to Palma. Very lively and attractive town which at this time of year is certainly not crowded.

The train back to Palma is famous on the island and has been running daily on the 27Km route from Soller to Palma since 1912.

The trip back was much quicker that via a coach since the railway uses several tunnels to avoid the scary hairpins of the road.

Our driver met us at a station just outside Palma and we were driven back to Hapimag, Paguera. An excellent day and a great way of seeing the most beautiful part of the island without having to drive.