Photo:
wildly romantic west of Majorca - Finca in the Tramuntana mountains
>> westcoast of Majorca
Majorca
with Tuscany atmosphere
From Gisela Lüdtke
Wild romanticism, cleft cliff landscapes, breathtaking views, fresh lavender
and thyme smell, free space for unbridled creativity: Here our top Ten
for picturesque west of Majorca...
1) In the country
of the dreams walk
By the Tramuntana mountains the street " Sa Calobra " (the adder) writhes
in zigzags of 800-meter height up to the sea down (fork of idyllic Westküstenstrasse
C-710 which leads from Andratx to Pollenca). The sourish rock wilderness
by their bizarre and steep forms is ideal to let free run to dreamy thoughts.
Best you proceed already early in the mornings on the dream holiday not
to be woken brutally by the tourist's avalanches. If one has writhed then
to the bay down, the white-water ravine entices " Torrent de
Pareis " with their creases lime walls into new fantasies.
2) In measureless
width wander
Particularly numerously rise on the west coast the so-called "talaies"
(watch-towers). In the 16th century they formed an island-wide ingenious
smoke fire-warning system to the protection before pirate's attacks. Today
tourists populate the monuments from Majorcan natural stone to enjoy unique
panoramic looks at sea, Tramuntana rock and vegetation. In the 19th century
the Austrian archduke Ludwig Salvador restored many of the towers in his
Tramuntana empire - among other things the " Mirador in good condition
de Ses Animes ". From now you have a five
stars look at the sunset about the hanging gardens of Banyalbufar! One
enjoys fantastic views also from the former countryseat of the archduke
" Son Marroig " between Deià and Valldemossa. Tip: camera hold
ready - a motive is more beautiful than the other!
3) Undertake an
expedition in the world of the smells
The west is the purest paradise for the nose. In this oasis of endemic
plants and aromatic spices there are numerous smell sensations. From Aleppokiefern
about lavender as far as thyme: beguile yourselves by the mediterranean
smells! On every corner there is new Odeurs to erschnüffeln.
4) Refresh themselves
in cool oases
Who does not love them(her,it), the strangely romantic histories(stories)
from 1001 nights? in the " Jardins d'Alfabia
" (Ctra. Palma-Sóller, km 17 - Mo Frs of 9.30-18.30 o'clock, Sa
9.30-13 o'clock) becomes the mysterious world of the Moors alive. Sesame
opens you! If you are let in this fairytale world of Orient, the everyday
stress stays behind before the gates. The terraced invested Arab gardens
accommodate quite special plants and are a source of the refreshment -
just in hot summer. Between the cool fountain and the full Green awakes
new life energy. Who wants to see even more Moorish gardening art, can
travel on directly to the " Jardins de Raixa
" (Ctra. Palma-Sóller, with Bunyola, Mi/Fr/Sa and So 11-18 o'clock).
5) Once book past
and back
Desire on a time journey the 17th century? Then you visit the estate "
La Granja " with Esporles (Esporles-Banyalbufar, km 2, Tel.: 971-610032,
daily 10-19 watch(clock)). Here far from from the modern large city bustle
a piece Majorca from hides in in those days. Outside gardens and agriculture,
inside living-rooms of a person of high standing and numerous historic
workshops - from the Schusterei about the potter mill as far as alcoholic
drink destillery. On Wednesdays and on Fridays in the afternoons you can
spin even Mallorquinerinnen in traditional national costumes with the
wool, watch bobbins and embroidering. Besides, traditional folklore dances
are specified on these weekdays, and for children there are games and
donkey's runnings. Plan enough time for a pleasant walk by the romantic
gardens! Artistic water games, rugged old trees, classicistic statues
and excessively growing rampant Green - also the nature around " La Granja
" does not want to awake evidently from their sweet Sleeping Beauty's
sleep. Tip: Before you travel back of difficult heart in the present,
at all costs before the exit homemade Majorcan specialities like "Bunyols"
(fat pastry), jams, cheese and wine try (samples are contained in the
admission charge).
6) By the valley
of the oranges tuckern Loud tooting, every amount of steam and fresh driving wind: you experience
nostalgia on wheels in the " red flash " (train Palma-Sóller) and
in the "orange express" (tram Sóller-Port de
Sóller). In 1912 initiated, the " red flash " sluggishly on a 27.6
kilometer long small-time distance drives a whole hour of Palma to Sóller.
Today the single private train of Spain does not carry any more the former
export hit orange, but, first of all, tourist. His nickname is confusing
a little bit - the nostalgia train is brown and very slow. Thank heavens,
so one can enjoy the passing storybook landscape and the inner life of
the cars extensively - the first class presents itself with wall panels
from noble mahogany, fine leather armchairs and elegant baggage nets.
Almost as long as the " red flash " the "orange express" is on duty already.
Since 1913 single tram of Majorca every day oscillates continually between
railway station Sóller and harbour - closely past orange trees
and lemon trees. With sunshine the "Jardineros" (open wood cars) are hung
on the locomotive.
7) To the monastery
Lluc marathon make a pilgrimage
From Palma to the monastery Santa Maria de Lluc (opened 10-18 o'clock)
there are about 48 kms. 2. put back this enormous distance every year
from on 3rd August about 18.000 pilgrims in a night migration by the name
of " Marxa of the Güell a Lluc a peu
". Start point is always the C/. Aragón 74, former address of the
bar Güell. Innkeeper Tolo Güell proceeded in 1973 in appreciation
of the happy exit of an accident of his daughter on the pilgrim's journey.
Next year he repeated the wandering
with 30 friends. Every year came more. Meanwhile, one could call the march
almost Majorcan people's movement. The holy aim lies on a wooded high
valley, and the way there offers a wonderful view of the wildly romantic
landscape of the Tramuntana mountains. Incidentally each may participate
in this Event (food and Begleitbusse are provided). The monastery Lluc
is the most important place of pilgrimage of the island. After the legend
it was established just at this point because the famous statue of the
black Madonna - emerged in spite of repeated transportation in the church
of Escorca - again there. A monastery visit is worthwhile naturally the
whole year about - one also comes by the car there. The boys' choir "Blavets"
sings every morning at 11.15 o'clock (So 11 o'clock). In the monastery
museum (daily 10-17.30 o'clock opened) can be visited to archeological
find, ceramics and many monastery equipment. Positively and well one spends
the night in the former monastery cells. Tip: In time reserve, Tel.: 0034/971-871525,
E-mail: info@lluc.net.
8) To fervent sounds
listen
In winter, 1838/39 the French authoress George Sand spent their honeymoon
with the famous Polish composer Frédéric Chopin in Valldemossa.
Still today the beautiful love story pulls tourists from around the world
in their spell. In the cells of the former Carthusian monastery (opened
daily Nov.-Febr.: 9.30-16.30 o'clock, March Okt.: 9.30-18.00 o'clock,
So always 10.00-13.00 o'clock, the latter admittance 30 Min before closing)
which were inhabited at that time by the billing and cooing couple is
a charming collection of his biography - under it every amount of tender
letters, drawings and even Blumenbouquets. In the neighbouring " Palacio
del Rei Sancho " are given daily Chopin piano
concertos. Tip: every year in August is Valldemossa in the Chopin festival
fever. Then music lovers from the whole world listen to the harmoniums
of the chopinschen compositions - reported from internationally known
music virtuosoes. After the magic of the fervent love story and the musical
melodious sounds a walk is immediately twice as romantic by the small,
dreamy city with the close alleys and island-typical huts.
9) Are kissed by
the Muse
Deià is a native village of Majorca of the beautiful spirits. Many
artists could be already inspired by the magic charm of the loo - among
other things the famous writer Robert Ranke Graves. The idyllic village
lies on a hill above the rocky coast and is hemmed by rugged olive-trees,
cactuses, citruses and cypresses. The natural stone huts and the narrow
flower-decorated alleys spray toskanian atmosphere - here place is for
unbridled creativity. Should you yourselves not be kissed immediately
by the Muse, you can gaze in wonder at the brilliancy pieces of the resident
artists in the exhibition room of the hotel " La Residencia " and in the
galleries of the mountain village and result.
10) In the most
beautiful village of the island gormandize Many travel guides choose tiny Bergdorf Fornalutx with Sóller
to the most beautiful place of the island. The luxuriously restored and
lovingly cultivated natural stone huts could start almost all to the facades
contest. A fabulous background for an original Majorcan palate feast!
Tip: Protect yourselves best a comfortable place(square) on the terrace
of the restaurant " Approx. ` n Antuna " (C/. Arbona Colom 7, Tel.: 971-633068,
kitchen: 12.30-16 o'clock, 19.30-23 o'clock; respect: middle Nov. till
the end Dec. closed). Maria Bisbal fries here fresh island-typical titbits
after old family recipes. Accommodations
in west of Majorca
