a dad and daughter in Mallorca Making wonderful memories
Holidays when you’re a single parent can seem like a challenge, but they’re also a source of wonderful memories, says David Dowding
Becoming a single parent when Maisie was young was hard for the both of us and being the sole responsible adult on holiday was something that I always found quite stressful. I’m sure that many of us in a similar situation have experienced feeling like the social outcast when you arrive on the first day of the holiday. After a few false starts (like the time Maisie got a nasty bug on a holiday in Turkey on the first day), we have managed to find our holiday groove. Now we often plan next year’s trip as soon as we get back.
As Maisie has grown up I have come to really appreciate what a great travel companion she is. We once managed two weeks driving round the Outer
Hebrides in a camper van with only one argument! Our first night camping next to the sea on the remote island of Barra during a storm would have tested anyone’s resolve – even in the height of summer the Outer Hebrides is not warm!
During our adventure her only proviso was that she was able to get access to the internet at least once a day, something that proved a challenge. As every parent of teenagers knows, Snapchatting your friends is important – even if it means driving 20 miles to find the faintest 3G signal.
We managed to pack in some of the most stunning scenery we’ve ever seen on our travels and Maisie still talks about it to this day with her friends
– I guess that sometimes our efforts as parents don’t go unappreciated!
Balearic bliss
This year we decided to take a late break to the beautiful Balearic island of Mallorca off the coast of Spain, lured by the promise of clear blue seas and perfect temperatures. This would be the best antidote to stressful exams and my daughter’s first summer job working in a shoe shop.
As this was our first trip to the island and we aren’t ones for lounging around, we decided to split our visit so we could see as much as possible. Our first stop was just along the coast from Palma and a 20-minute drive from the airport at the Iberostar Grand Hotel Portals Nous. It was perfectly located, perched on a hillside just metres away from the pretty bay of Cala Bendinat, and in reach of the restaurants and boutiques of chic Puerto Portals marina.
The hotel will inspire lovers of modern design. We gazed out through floor-toceiling glass windows at the horizon,
“The outdoor infinity pool was the perfect spot to cool down”
dotted with super-yachts, and fantasised about which one we’d like to own.
Accommodation was the work of super-cool Dutch interior designer Marcel Wanders and combined quirky touches with five-star luxury. All rooms have a balcony with stunning views across the bay. Staying here you’re truly spoilt – run a bath and relax in the amazing all-white bathroom, perfectly positioned facing towards the stunning sea views, use the outdoor pool or pay a visit to the beach just a few metres away.
Food for thought
The hotel’s Astir restaurant serves delicious locally inspired meals on the terrace. In the morning we were treated to one of the best breakfasts we’ve ever had, complete with Mallorcan pastries. In the evening, the Astir’s chefs create an amazing fusion of traditional flavours. My daughter’s food allergies were also well catered for – the helpful staff even taught us the Spanish for “gluten free” (sin gluten), which came in handy for the trip.
The location is perfect for a trip to the capital city of Palma, where we drifted around the labyrinth of lanes in the former Arab and Jewish quarter and marvelled at the stunning architecture.
Our next destination was the Carrossa Hotel-Spa-Villas in the rural north-east of the island, around an hour’s drive away (all the main roads on the island are good, making driving a stress-free experience).
Carrossa Hotel-Spa-Villas is just a few miles from the romantic little town of Arta. From the hotel’s position in the Levante Hills there are wonderful views of the surrounding coast. The hotel is based around a beautifully restored Mallorcan manor house – rooms are arranged among the olive trees in a series of villas that combine a stylish blend of rustic charm with a modern twist. The real beauty of the hotel’s location is that it’s a chance to get away from it all and truly relax, breathing in the lavender-scented mountain breezes. Carrossa boasts two excellent restaurants and we sampled both the more relaxed Oro Bar and the fine-dining experience in the Carrossa Restaurant – where innovative Mediterranean dishes are served alongside delicious local wines. We loved the outdoor infinity pool with its views across the countryside towards Alcudia, the perfect spot to cool down.
Arta is a lovely place for a leisurely lunch or for a chance to browse the shops.
Every Tuesday along Placa del Conqueridor and the main square, the town hosts the local market. There, we sampled delicious regional produce and bought local crafts. Our advice would be to get there early before the coach trips arrive, as it can get busy.
One of the nicest things to do on the island is to explore the many secluded beaches that are dotted along the Mallorcan coastline. Just a short drive from Arta will bring you to one of the prettiest – Cala Gat, where the crystal-clear waters make this an ideal location for a swim. For us, it was the perfect place to unwind, relax and create lasting memories. w&h