Mallorca Travel Exploring Northern Mallorca: Alaro, Bunyola, Valldemossa and Folklore in La Granja
After a delicious homemade breakfast on the balcony of my Studio in Port d'Alcudia I was ready to head for a day full of discoveries. Somehow, the mountainous northern part of Majorca, an almost magical spell on me. I had already spent most of the treatment my whole first week on this island in the northern Tramuntana mountains, and I had to go back there today.
Sun at 9 clock I passed in my little rental car and began driving west on Highway C713. I left in Binissalem, a small country town with less than 7,000 inhabitants in the shadow of the mountains Tramunanta. Binissalem be used to make a great wine-growing region until the late 1800s, when the phylloxera most of the vineyards, some of Almond trees were replaced destroyed plague. Wine has been growing here as early as 121 BC, when it was introduced by, Romans.
Today is a quiet Binissalem place with a pleasant main square, which was frequented mainly by locals this morning to do her shopping early in the morning. I strolled down one of the most important Roads and came to a large open lawn, on which the city farmer's market was that day. Dozens of traveling merchants who sell items on fruits, vegetables, flowers , Share household goods, electronics and clothing.
I stopped at a booth where a local vendor said a kitchen helper for me – in Castilian Spanish, what I understand, not in the local Catalan language. The "Princess of the Kitchen" is in a position grid, cutting and decorating. The guy was a great pitchman, and I was almost tempted to buy one. A local woman trying to negotiate down the price, but he was not willing to let it go at a discount. Overall it was a very entertaining presentation and I thought that no matter where you are, sales pitches for the kitchen gadgets are the same everywhere.
I drove by Binissalem to the mountain town of Alaro, where I parked my car and went for about an hour through the narrow streets of this picturesque historic town. The main course featured election posters for the forthcoming European elections and the city was in full swing with the locals' shopping and activities. Two oversized figures in traditional dress were on Majorcan display in the lobby of City Hall.
I went to my car in the Tramuntana mountains. I went into the mountains through a valley flanked by the two almost symmetrical Mountains and Alaró Alcadena, both a little more than 800 meters. The entire Tramuntana Mountains region is very popular with cyclists, and I ran into several groups of cyclists come down from the mountains. The curvy road was continually rising up into the mountains, and once on the first row of the mountains, it was through pastoral highlands, surrounded on all Sides by rugged limestone mountains.
The next place I stopped was called the Orient, where I called from the car and went to the hilltop church of Sant Jordi, dating back to the 18. Century. All these small villages in the countryside of Mallorca are so picturesque, and the surrounding countryside is so peaceful that makes this area a real magnet for hikers and outdoor enthusiasts.
I got behind a mountain pass on the other side in the Bunyola, also a great location in a bowl-shaped valley surrounded on all sides by mountains. Bunyola is only 9 km away from the island capital, Palma de Mallorca busy, but quiet location in the mountains makes it seem like another world. I parked my car on the outskirts and walked into the center, admire the baroque church of Sant Mateu.
From here I went back to the plains and near Egleitas took me back to the way to the Tramuntana mountain range on the city bus stop Valldemossa, a popular tourist destination that attracts dozens of coaches on a daily basis. Fortunately it was before the season, and the hordes of tourists have not come down on this scenic village.
Valldemossa is famous for being the Residence of the composer Frederic Chopin and French novelist and early feminist George Sand in the winter of 1838 until 1839. The Royal Chartreuse of Jesus of Nazareth is also an important Draw in this city. To add some celebrity Elan, the American actor Michael Douglas and Catherine Zeta-Jones on a large plot in the vicinity have this charming village.
Large trees line the main pedestrian street, where locals and tourists enjoy a relaxing break in the shade on many outdoor cafes and restaurants. I continued my way down the hill to the main road towards the town church, which was originally built in the 13h century. Valldemossa is the birthplace of Santa Catalina Tomas, a much revered saint, to many of the decorative tiles that are installed near entrance areas represented in the city is. The church itself is quite unique installed high in the balcony is on the square church tower.
I managed all of my souvenir shopping in some of the many to complete an attractive piece of jewelry shops in the city. finished with my homework, I sat on the outdoor patio of a local bar, ordered a few tapas, which included my favorite: fresh bread with a typical Majorcan tomatoes on covers, accompanied by olives. The friendly waitress chatted with me about the city and the local lifestyle.
With about 3 clock I had to move because I plan on one of the most popular tourist destinations visit Mallorca: La Granja, a folklore museum is in a large wooded estate near the village of Esporles accommodated. The property was originally in the 10th Century was founded and has remained almost unchanged survived since the 18th Century.
This expansive villa has a beautiful courtyard with arcades and walkways, surrounded by a beautiful garden with statues and fountains, a river flowing through the property as well, a rarity in Mallorca where most streams are dry in summer. The interior of the villa has a living room, nursery, Bedrooms adults from the Renaissance, a library, a medical room, and dining rooms, all with original antique furniture.
The work includes the Cooking, dyeing, equipped with a loom, shows the old city and a draper skills tissue dies. Costumed interpreters are available to different Abilities, a lady in a traditional Majorcan traditional was sitting at the loom, as the old weaving techniques. The estate was mainly dedicated to agricultural production, and at one point more than 100 workers.
When I came out of the building I was in the yard, some nice chair has to relax in the shade. Traditional skills such as forging, turning (using a lathe operated by a foot pedal), candle-making, and ceramics demonstrate the traditional ways of life. The tourists were also Streaming into the Tasting Room, the local Majorcan delicacies such as sausages, cheese and olives features. A free wine tasting is included in admission price, which is also my favorite: a local variety of freshly fried mini donuts, which is accompanied by local congestion. A local woman in traditional costume, they fished from a large pot of hot oil Fry and the visitors were just wolfing it down. They were delicious.
Twice a week, Wednesday and Friday afternoon, La Granja offers screenings of this Trades that are observed from a traditional Mallorcan dance "Ball de Bot", the three dancers and four musicians features. Mallorcan costumes are floor-length, with apron and a white lace head covering for women, while men wear below the knee length pants. The dance lasted about 45 minutes. A visit to La Granja is definitely you an authentic idea of life in the 18th Century, and for the property owners that life was pretty good as of the complex Furniture and the casino-style gaming tables in the room stalls occupied.
Around 05.00 I set my clock trip and drove back along the northern coast of the island. I drove through the picturesque village Banyalbufar I on the first day of this trip, had now visited nine days ago. I continued west past the Torre de Estellencs Verger, a lookout tower built in 1597 was that the locals warn of pirates. The view from here to east and west is breathtaking, steep pine-covered mountains plunge into the jewel-blue Mediterranean coast. The northern coastline of Majorca is one unquestionably the most beautiful places I have ever traveled.
I put my coast road at a speed of about 30 mph and let all the approaching vehicles to me, that I might be able to enjoy this wonderful trip, with all the time in the majestic landscape along the north coast of Majorca. Some time later, the coastal road turned inland, and I started back to Palma de Mallorca. I left the highway at the Las Illetes and drove to the coast road through the resort area west of Palma city center.
Clock at 7:30 when the sun is lower and moved lower on the horizon, I finally parked the car in the port of Palma de Majorca and set off on foot to explore the waterfront of Palma. It has a Trail and bicycle path, and hundreds of people were strolling, walking their dogs or biking. A flowering bush attracted by the water dozens of colorful butterflies and added to the evening calm.
People sat and chatted about many of the benches and enjoy the late day sun. Several cafes with outdoor terraces were packed full of people. Looking back over imposing Gothic cathedral of Mallorca, La Seu was amazing. Palma certainly has an incredibly attractive Promenade, which is actively used and enjoyed by locals and tourists alike. It was entertaining to watch the chaos from my park bench.
Finally, began as the sun set I started back east on the highway to Port d'Alcudia. I thought back to my absolutely busy day and let some of the most beautiful pictures I had seen today happen again in my memory, and realized I had only one of the best travel days of my life spent here in Mallorca today.
About the Author
Susanne Pacher is a Travel Journalist specializing in <a href=”http://www.travelandtransitions.com/”>Unconventional Travel</a> you can get tons of great unconventional and unique travel information and tips if you <a href=”http://www.travelandtransitions.com/”>Click Here</a>
