Fornalutx

Exploring the beautiful Fornalutx, Soller, and Calla Deia by car

We rented a 4-seater semi-automatic car from OK Cars in town centre for 42 euros (37.61 pounds) for a day. Since we are going to explore 3 places today, we figured it is more practical to drive rather than take the tram (which is priced at 6 euros per ticket), and since there were no buses available to get to Fornalutx and only limited available buses to get to other towns from Soller due to the Firo festival.

Driving to Fornatlux

It was also scorching hot that day and to hike to Fornalutx would be counter-productive. Although if that is what you prefer, among the most famous hiking trails from Soller to Fornalutx is the Figuera Path. Go early in the morning so that it is still cool enough to hike. The path takes about 45 to 60 minutes, depending on your pace really. It's also among the easiest hiking trails in Soller. I read in some forums that it's also among the busiest in the sense that in peak season, sometimes, you'd have to wait a couple of minutes to let other hikers pass by an obstacle. They advised to go on weekdays. You can also cycle towards the town.

Towards Fornalutx town centre

Who wouldn't fall in love with this view at Fornalutx?

FORNALUTX

Fornalutx view of Tramuntana

Driving to this beautiful place from Puerto only takes about 16 minutes. Since it was a Sunday, there were free parking spaces in Fornalutx, which was very convenient for us.

Traditional Spanish cobbled street

Dubbed as the prettiest village in Spain, Fornalutx is a small and quaint Spanish town nestled high up the Tramuntana mountain range overlooking the Soller valley. It offers spectacular views of the mountain range, and is surrounded by groves of orange and lemon providing that traditional rustic countryside feel. Since the opening of the Túnel de Sóller, this breathtaking town has become more accessible. The preserved cobbled streets and traditional façades of the buildings will no doubt make you fall in love with Fornalutx.

What to do:

- Enjoy and indulge on traditional Spanish architecture by just having a relaxed stroll along its narrow streets

Spanish street crossing

- Don't miss the most photographed street of Fornalutx, Carrer Metge Mayol

Carrer Metge Mayol

At the prettiest street in Fornalutx

- Have a rest break at Plaça d'España

Restaurants at Plaça d'España

- See the church overlooking the Plaça

Steps towards the church at Plaça d'España

- Try a refreshing drink from the water continuously flowing from a tap along Carrer de Església

Along Carrer de Església

- Find the bend along Carrer Olivar offering a great view of Spanish houses with the mountain range as its backdrop

Tramuntana Mountain Range

Carrer Olivar

- Buy freshly baked items from the local bakery, Panaderia de Fornalutx

Panaderia de Fornalutx

- Grab a bite at either Restaurant Café Med (rated no. 1; offering a good range of cuisine and wine but requiring reservation as they only have 6 tables) or Calzone Pizzeria (rated no. 3; offering traditional menu of tapas and superb pizzas with affordable prices)

Lunch at Calzone Pizzeria (spent only 13.2 euros pp: we ordered 2 pizzas and 2 plates of pasta good for sharing among 4 pax!)

Calzone Pizzeria

- Service: really friendly staff, prompt service

- Price: affordable/budget-friendly ($)

- Serving: generous

- Taste/food: good tasting pizzas and pastas

- Ambiance: great views either indoors or outdoors

Fornalutx is a 'must' travel destination in Mallorca, especially if you're staying in Soller.

Recommended length of stay in Fornalutx: to really savour the place, I recommend allotting half a day; or about 3-4 hours (with food break).

Getting to Port de Soller

How to Get to Port de Soller from Aeroport de Palma

Ready to backpack Mallorca!

Flight from London Gatwick airport via EasyJet to Aeroport de Palma
- travel time: around 2 and a half hours
- 0910 - 1230

Balearic Islands

Bus 1 (547 - Aéroport - Arrivals to 2 Plaça d'España/Intermodal Transit station)

- the quickest and easiest way to get to the city centre from the airport is still by taking the bus

- from the arrivals area, exit the building and follow the signs pointing towards the public transport (bus signs)

- one ticket: 5 euros pp (pay at the bus driver)

- frequency: every 15 minutes

- travel time: ~20 minutes

- drop off at Plaça de España

*Lunch at Palma de Mallorca

- loads of food places to choose from around the Plaça or go to Intermodal Transit station

Ferrocarril (Old Wooden Train)

- a must to experience even for at least once: riding the wooden train to get to or from Soller

- the ride offers magnificent views of Mallorcan countryside, especially of the Serra de Tramuntana (Mallorca's beautiful mountain range)

Serra de Tramuntana

Mallorcan Countryside

- just turn right if coming from inside the Intermodal Transit station: the station is just beside it along Career Eusebi Estada

Ferrocarril train station

- one way ticket to Soller: 16 euros pp

- they offer packages for different combinations of transfers (e.g. Train to Soller + tram from Soller to Port de Soller, etc) posted on the ticket counter; discount available for residents

- frequency: fixed timetable (check with the receptionist at the ticket counter to be sure)

- travel time: ~60 minutes

- 2 stops

Ferrocarril Timetable (to Soller)

Soller Train Station

At Soller train station

Tram from Soller to Port de Soller

Inside the tram

- faster and easier option compared to the bus

- also offers scenic views especially as it passes along the port

View of the port from inside the tram

- from the station, head down towards the centre of town to Plaça de sa Constitució along Av. des Born until you see a church, Església de Sant Bartomeu, on your right
- continue along Av. de Cristofol Colom where we rode the tram
- one ticket: 6 euros pp (pay to the conductor on board the tram); discount available for residents
- frequency: fixed timetable
- travel time: ~15 minutes
- 14 stops

Tram Timetable (to Puerto/Port de Soller)

From Port de Soller tram station, when then hiked our way up to our Air BnB accommodation. It took us about 15 minutes to get to Carrer de Belgica.

Tram's last stop

Total fare spent from Airport to Port de Soller: 27 euros pp

48 Hours in Florence - Day 2

Firenze-d

Beautiful Florence from Palazzo Vecchio

After a quick and early breakfast buffet at the hotel, we then set out to see more of Firenze.

Breakfast Buffet at Hotel Balcony

PALAZZO VECCHIO

Being the City Hall since Medieval times, the Palazzo Vecchio is known for spectacular views of the town from the tower, as well as the magnificent Hall of the Five Hundred.

What to see/do:

- The Hall of the 500 has become more famous after it has been featured in Dan Brown's Inferno. It is the largest and most important room of the building. The beautifully coffered ceilings are 18 meters high and are adorned with beautiful frescoes. The walls feature paintings of battle scenes, and the room also feature statues and tapestries - all of which exalts and glorify the Medici family. The room was the largest in Italy made for a civil power palace. However, originally, it was built for and commissioned by Savonarola in 1494 when he was able to briefly overthrow the Medici family. He established a democratic government and created the "Great Council" or the "Council of Five Hundred" modelled after the Council of Venice. The Great Council holds their meeting in the hall, hence, the name.

Hall of 500

- The famous Dante Death Mask: also made more famous by Dan Brown's Inferno, the mask can be found in a small audit (hallway) between the apartments of Eleanor and the Halls of Priors. The mask was carved directly from the face of the lifeless Dante Alighieri, the Florentine poet and father of Italian language. 

Dante Death Mask

- The palace has various secret routes which include the Studiolo of Francesco I.

Studiolo

- The Map Room which features old maps of the world painted on leather and the 6ft-tall sphere Mappa Mundi, which is the largest rotating globe of its era.

Mappa Mundi

- Climb up ~416 steps and marvel at the beauty of Florence a full 360 degrees.

Stairs to the top Tower and Embattlements

One of the views from the top

Recommended length of stay: >1 hour

UFFIZI GALLERY/PIAZZALE degli UFFIZI

Piazzale degli Uffizi

Uffizi Gallery served as judiciary offices for the magistrates, the seats of Florentine Guilds, hence the name Uffizi (Italian for offices). It is now one of the most frequented museums in the world housing a grandiose collection of art works by the Medici family. It is a must stop for serious art lovers. But expect long queues and waiting times.

Entrance to Piazzale degli Uffizi

Recommended length of stay: >1 hour

PALAZZO PITTI AND BOBOLI GARDENS

Facade of Palazzo Pitti

Originally built for the Pitti family, this palace was sold to the Medicis and became the primary residence of the grand ducal family. Behind the palace lie the famous Boboli Gardens.

The compound now houses the Palatine Gallery, the Silver Museum and the Gallery of Modern Art inside the palace, and the Porcelain Museum and Costume Gallery on separate buildings outside.

Recommended length of stay: ~2 hours

VINTAGE & THRIFT SHOPS

Explore the different dwindling and tiny streets of Florence to find hidden gems tucked inside shops, such as the Pitti Vintage and Ceri Vintage near Palazzo Pitti, Elio Ferraro, and my personal favourite, Boutique Nadine near Ponte Vecchio.

Vintage shopping can be fun and exciting, and can be jaw-dropping in terms of prices. Vintage pieces are 35 years or older, while thrift shops may feature clothing or accessories with missing bits & pieces. But each shop has their own characteristics, and more often than not, the owners hand pick the pieces to fit such personality, making this a fun and kind of a 'discovery' experience.

There are 16 'unusual' places to visit in Florence, which include Boutique Nadine.  Read more about them at Unusual Florence.

I due FRATELLINI

I due Fratellini sandwiches

On the go but hungry? Grab great tasting classic sandwiches served with a glass (or two) of good wine from the oldest sandwich stall in Florence, I due Fratellini. The fresh ingredients put in the sandwich are classic, ranging from mozzarella, ham, artichokes, grilled eggplant, truffle cream and many more. A single sandwich is sure to fill your tummy.

GROM GELATO

Grom gelato

Grom almost always has a long queue outside because of its premium quality gelato - which are 100% natural and made without any added flavouring, colouring, preservatives or chemical additives of any kind. The serving is generous and there is a wide variety of flavours that is sure to satisfy your gelato fix for an affordable price. This is a must try for gelato and or food lovers!

Typical Florentine street

We then headed to grab our stuff from the hotel, had a quick prayer stop at Basilica di Santa Maria Novella, and went to the train station to catch our train back to Rome and head back to the airport.

I think that Florence is a very walkable city, and it's a beautiful place to have a laid back itinerary, especially if you have a couple more days to spend. If we had more time, we would have went to see the real statue of David in Galleria dell'Accademia, explored the Santa Croce and Palazzi Pitti/Boboli Gardens.

 Expenses:
- Fratellini Lunch: 4 euros
- Palazzo Vecchio ticket: 12 euros
- Scarf: 10 euros
- Grom gelato: 2.60 euros

Total: 28.60 euros

Warning: If you're taking the Trenitalia airport express train from Roma Termini, be sure to validate your tickets in one of the very much concealed machines along the platform before boarding the train. Otherwise, you will be charged on board by the ticket inspector.