Showing posts with label Mallorca. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Mallorca. Show all posts

Sunday, June 4, 2017

Getting to Port d'Alcudia

Port d'Alcudia is a town and tourist resort in the North East of Mallorca. The original town of Alcudia is about 2 miles inland from the coastal development. The port is where most of the holiday resorts and hotels are located. The beach along this coast is known for its shallow waters - making it famous for families with young children, and for different water activities/sports like jet skiing, paddle boarding, inflatable floating islands, parasailing, banana boat, etc.

Evening entertainment in Alcudia is mainly hotel-based. But there are some late night bars and night clubs scattered along the coast and a bit inland.

How to get to Alcudia from Sollér

BUS
Bus straight to Alcudia from Sollér
a) Bus L354 (Port de Sollér - Pollensa - Alcudia - Can Picafort)
- stops: Port de Soller - Soller - Mirador de Ses Barques - Military base Puig Mayor - Cúber - Gorg Blau Water Reservoir - Escort - Lluc - Pollensa - Cala de Sant Vicenc
- ticket: depending on where you will be dropped off; pay at the driver
- travel time: ~2.5 hours
- timetable: 830 AM and 3PM only
- no service on Sundays

b)
Buses to Palma de Mallorca
Bus 211 (Port de Sollér to Palma de Mallorca via tunnel)
- travel time: ~40 minutes
- fare: 3.20 euros
- check timetable

Bus 211 Seats

On board Bus 211
Bus 210 (Port de Sollér to Palma de Mallorca via Deià/Valldemossa)
- offers a scenic route back to Palma; sit at the right side for best views
- travel time: ~90 minutes
- fare: ~4.25 euros
- check timetable

Toll gate when going to Palma
Bus to Alcudia from Palma de Mallorca
Bus L351 (Estació Intermodal to Can Picafort)
- travel time: ~90 minutes
- fare: 6 euros
- frequency: every 30 minutes starting at 8AM

Estació Intermodal
For me, the bus is still the cheapest and easiest way to get around. More so, the bus rides are comfortable especially with the new buses. Get your ticket from the driver before sitting down. Big pieces of luggage can be stored at the side of the bus before boarding.

Bus ride to Alcudia
Expenses:
- bus to Palma: 3.20 euros
- bus to Alcudia: 6 euros

Total: 9.20 euros

The train from Estació Intermodal

Sollér and Deia

The weekend during our stay in Sollér coincided with the celebration of the Fira and Firo festival. It celebrates the defeat of Algerian invaders by the Mallorcans. "Fira" is held on a Sunday and is mainly an agricultural show, while "Firo" is held on the following day, and depicts the battle of the Moors and Christians through loud and colourful reenactments and parades. The weekend is filled with exhibitions, live music performances, late night parties, and stalls selling different merchandise. The locals are even dressed up with their traditional wear. The festival is held annually on the 2nd week of May.

Bums out at Cala Deià

When we rented the car, we were warned by the company that since it's the festival season, it will be difficult to find parking in the town centre. We first headed towards Fornalutx and stayed there until lunch. Then, we drove back to Sollér and true enough, we had to park the car at one of the parking spaces near the highway and then walk our way towards the city centre. The parking was free because of the festival.

It was a Sunday and we decided to check out the town and Can Prunera.

The town was boasting with locals and tourists. There were stalls lining some of the streets leading to the centre selling different food cuisine, pastries, fruits, and other goods. We had ice cream and bought cherries from one of the fruit stands while walking along the rustic streets of the town.

Towards the church
First stop: Església de Sant Bartmeu - a Catholic church located in front of Plaça de sa Institució.
Recommended length of stay: about 20 minutes

Esglesia de Sant Bartmeu
Surrounding the church and plaça are restaurants and commercial shops.

Can Prunera first floor
We then headed to Can Prunera - an old mansion turned into a modernist museum. It was showcasing works by Joan Miro during our visit. The entrance was free because of the festival. But the regular ticket is normally priced at 5 euros each.

Joan Miro Overload Look
The ground floor has a souvenir shop, while the first floor contains original furniture of the mansion. On the 2nd floor was the exhibit of Joan Miro's works. It was an interesting collection of art and you can really see how Miro's style very much had its roots from that of Pablo Picasso.

Joan Miro's works

Can Prunera
Recommended length of stay: about an hour

Driving to Deià
It was getting late, and was about time for dinner. We decided to check out the famous Ca's Patro March. It is a waterside restaurant perched at the side of rocky Cala Deià in Mallorca's Tramuntana mountain range. It was about a good and scenic 15 minute-drive from Sollér town centre. From the main road, upon entry to the private road leading towards the restaurant, the road becomes very narrow. But I personally still think it is much better to drive to the place rather than hike because of the slope. It is easy to walk down, but I imagine it would be quite a task to go back up. Hiking towards the place takes a minimum of 30 minutes. Parking fees apply though.

Ca's Patro March

Dining with the view

Seaside Dining Area
The restaurant serves seafood in an alfresco dining setting. They also offer meat dishes. Locals and tourists alike tend to eat at the restaurant and swim and or sun bathe by the cove. It is a bit pricey mainly because it's seafood and the place offers quite a view. The food served were delicious but not  extraordinary. It is usually packed, thus, pre-booking during peak season is advised. I read that service can also be quite slow during such times. During our visit, it was relatively low season, thus, service was prompt and we didn't have to pre-book as there were available tables at walk in. See photos below for the serving (maybe good for 2 not-so-hungry pax).

Grilled Squid

Buttered Red Sollér Shrimp
We had a quick dip into the crystal clear blue waters of the Mediterranean by the restaurant and enjoyed the sun along the cove after stuffing ourselves with seafood.

Swimming at the cove

Sun bathing at the cove
Cave at the cove

We then headed back to Port de Soller with a quick stop-over at a convenience store to buy groceries.


Expenses:
- ice cream: 3 euros
- cherries: 2 euros
- Ca's Patro March: 23.50 euros pp
- groceries: 3 euros

Total: 31.50 euros

Monday, May 29, 2017

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
 

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