Mallorca’s paradise, so don’t tell anyone!
EAMONN O’NEAL says this island is a perfect fit for a family-friendly holiday and his home from home
UR very first trip to Puerto Pollensa was a last-minute arrangement place which is very familyfriendly. Our children, just tots on that first visit, admittedly became a little under-impressed during their teenage years but now, as fully-fledged grown-ups, still join us on the annual family holiday.
Grandson Harry, is already leading the charge for the next generation. He’s still only two-and-ahalf years old and this was his third trip.
The coach transfer from Palma Airport to the resort takes about an hour depending on the drop-offs, but if you prefer to hire a car, you can easily nip up the motorway in 40 minutes, door to door.
Puerto Pollensa offers every conceivable type of accommodation from apart-hotels to luxury villas but we always stay in the same four-bedroom apartment right on the square.
Its two double rooms, two twins, three bathrooms , fitted kitchen and big living room make it the perfect family space.
As the apartment enjoys a prime corner plot, the balcony is huge and offers impressive views of the church and mountains. Eating and drinking on the balcony while watching life unfold below has become a traditional part of our holiday.
This particular apartment couldn’t be more convenient for all the restaurants and shops and it takes no more than three minutes to amble down to the seafront.
If you’re looking for an adrenaline-fuelled, 24-hour party destination, don’t bother with PP. While there is plenty to keep you occupied, the activities are more centred around the beach, the market, and pavement cafes. People like to wander about, have a bit of a paseo – a stroll.
Locals and tourists alike enjoy beautiful evening walks along the front and down the famous Pine Walk – perhaps pausing to enjoy a sunset gin and tonic outside the Illa D’Or hotel.
A warm, welcoming atmosphere prevails, and although the long, clean beaches can be fairly busy, there is plenty of room for everyone.
The harbour’s marina draws everyone to the water’s edge either to gawp at some of the amazing yachts or to hop on a boat round the headland to spend the day at Formentor (adults €22, children €11) or possibly a round-trip on a glassbottomed boat for a similar price.
Some more adventurous types hire their own boats for a day’s diving, snorkelling and chilling. You’ll need a fatter wallet for that.
The range of restaurants in Puerto Pollensa is mesmerising.
You can eat extremely cheaply or you can splash out in the more upmarket venues. My four top-tips for top-notch nosh are: La Llonja on the harbour (great value and you can’t beat the location), Casa Vila on the square (best food in town), Centric, just off the square (the town’s friendliest staff serve sophisticated food at good prices) and, new for this year, Tapas Tree on the Formentor Road (a classy modern twist on a classic menu).
Regular service buses mean you can easily get to any part of the island and taxis have standard, published rates so you know in advance what a trip is going to cost.
Pollensa Old Town is a short bus ride away and has all the history and charm you’d expect from a place with influences as varied as the Moors, pirates and early Dominican monks.
The narrow streets, a small shop on every corner, an imposing church and the famous 365 Calvari steps, which lead to the highest vantage point, constitute the main tourist spots.
Alcudia Old Town is worth a visit and there is a bus every 15 minutes (around €2 each way) or if you’d rather cycle round the bay, it’s a flat route, which hugs the coastline, meaning there’s a decent breeze all the way.
In terms of getting to Majorca, from the choices available, we use Jet2.com for a variety of reasons.
They have a major presence at Manchester Airport, with a dedicated part of Terminal One and also their own security area.
The flight times are designed to make the most of your holiday on the island and based on our family experience, Jet2.com’s staff, both at the airport and in the air, are definitely some of the most helpful.
You can’t beat Majorca as a holiday destination and once on the island, PP is pretty perfect.
But let’s keep it our little secret.