Preferred Travel Services has developed a wide ranging portfolio of European walking tours in partnership with Press and Journal Travel. We are delighted to be able to offer our readers a fantastic walking holiday in Mallorca flying direct from Aberdeen.
Majorca – Mallorca, which is it? You may recall the argument being hilariously played out in a 1980’s lager advert. In English it has a j and conjures images of tourist hordes in kiss-me-quick hats sizzling in the hot sun – the Majorca where the ‘water don’t taste like wot it oughta’. Whereas the Spanish spelling and much more refined pronunciation of Mallorca reflects the beautiful island much loved by the likes of Chopin, Robert Graves, Grace Kelly, Princess Diana, and the Spanish Royal Family.
The area around the resort of Cala Ratjada in the north-east of the island falls very much into the latter category. You won’t find a landscape blighted by high-rise hotel blocks, sports bars and nightclubs here, but rather the golden beaches, azure seas, quiet coves and the tranquil forest typical of the area around the Levante Natural Park.
The best way to explore the attractive countryside area is on foot with an expert local guide. There is a multitude of paths including one to the lighthouse from where, on a clear day, you can see the neighbouring island of Menorca.
Another walk takes you to Capdepera where there has been a castle since the 14th century. Capdepera too is visible from Menorca – a matter of regret for the Menorcan Saracens who were tricked into surrendering to James I of Aragon believing that the lights they could see on Capdepera were the camp fires of a large army instead of bonfires lit by the locals.
A third walk, showcasing the real beauty of the area, is through the pine forest and sand dunes to the Punta des Boc near the small resort of Cala Mesquida, and then back to Cala Ratjada via the secluded bay of Cala Molto.
All three walks are with an English-speaking guide and start at the front door of the four-star Bella Playa Hotel. The Bella Playa, on the edge of the resort and just a few metres from the stunning beach of Cala Agulla, has been very popular with Press and Journal readers over the last ten years.
The hotel has tennis courts, swimming pool, and gymnasium as well as comfortably furnished bedrooms. The hotel spa, with modern thermal hydro-massage pool, bubble loungers, Jacuzzi, counter current exerciser, sauna, two Turkish baths, aromatic cyclone showers, and ice fountain is free of charge to hotel guests.
As well as great walking and excellent hotel facilities, there’s much to enjoy in the locality.
Cala Ratjada has a pleasant promenade and a working fishing port. The hotel offers discounts at a nearby golf course or maybe you fancy hiring a push-bike and cycle inland to the traditional market town of Arta.
A few miles down the coast near Canyamel are the extraordinary rock formations of the Arta caves – a network of huge underground caverns once used as a refuge by two thousand Arabs and their cattle during the re-conquest of Mallorca. Among the many prodigious stalactites and stalagmites is the 80ft high Queen of the Columns.
ALTERNATIVE WALKING HOLIDAYS
As well as Mallorca, we are able to offer two other walking holidays with direct flights from Aberdeen.
The first is in Western Andalucia in southern Spain. Your holiday base is the four-star Hotel Playamarina Spa in Isla Canela near the Portuguese border. From here you have guided walks in the Donana Natural Park and the Flecha del Rompido Nature Reserve. A third walk takes you around the pretty village of Alcoutim in Portugal followed by a lazy boat trip down the Guadiana River. Departures from Aberdeen are September 8 and 15 (£889).
The second holiday is on Portugal’s Algarve where the coastline is spectacular and the countryside unspoilt. Walks include cliff tops and beaches, rivers and orchards, and even historic towns like Silves and Lagos. Your resort, Armação de Pêra, boasts one of the most beautiful beaches in the Algarve, with pretty coves and a panorama of brightly coloured fishing boats. Departures from Aberdeen are September 22 (£989) and 29 (£939).
THE HOLIDAY
The holiday Walking in Mallorca departs September 23, 2016 with a direct flight from Aberdeen. The price is £819 per person sharing a double room and includes flights, transfers, seven nights half board accommodation and three guided walks.
SPECIAL OFFER: For a limited time only we are offering an exclusive £40 per person discount for the first 10 customers who book this holiday. Call 0116 279 3929 and quote P&J walking discount to secure your place.
If you would like to request a walking holiday brochure please call 01224 338004 quoting AB613 or e-mail brochures@pressand
journaltravel.co.uk
Visit our website to browse our full collection of European escorted and walking holidays at www.pressandjournaltravel.co.uk
