Wednesday 23 April, 31st wedding anniversary

At Palau March on our last day in Palma

It's also St. George's Day and Shakespeare's birthday today. We celebrated last night but Laura also gave us a card and Joan sent a card via Laura. We packed and checked out, then left Hotel Saratoga to visit another palace, the Palau March, near the cathedral.

Outside there were sculptures by Moore, Hepworth, Rodin and others. In the house were some late works by Dali and some very nice models of figures at the nativity and other scenes of life. We also saw some medieval maps of Europe.

In Jardi del Bisbe

We strolled in the direction of the hotel, calling in at the Jardi del Bisbe, and then stopped for lunch at an outdoor bar. We all had chicken and mango kebabs. There was a wandering band playing nice jazz tunes but I didn't give them money - maybe should have. We don't get that in Switzerland.

Back to the hotel to collect bags and get a taxi to the airport. We were very early. Laura said goodbye and we read until we could check in our bags. Then we waited ages in departures. The flight was fine, and we had a sandwich and drink. We got home safely and it wasn't too cold on our return to Thalwil.

Tuesday 22 April

At Macia Batle winery at Santa Maria, Majorca

We got up rather late and had breakfast together. Then we walked across town to the station where we bought tickets to Santa Maria on the Inca line.


We took a modern train through picturesque countryside. At the small town we soon found the Macia Batle winery.



First we toured the wine-making cellars and bottling rooms, and saw the display of colourful labels designed by their own artists. Then we were offered a wine tasting experience of ten white, rose and red wines. We liked the Blanc de Blancs and the Crianza wines best and bought 4 bottles.

Colourful wine labels are a feature of Macia Batle

We took the train back to Palma and had lunch at the Bar Central. There was lots of blossom blowing about causing everyone to sneeze.


We returned to the hotel for a rest. In the evening we went to visit the nearby modern art museum Es Baluard, where we saw works by Mallorcan artists, and then tried to get a drink in the lounge bar outside. The service was terrible.

Rather breezy on the roof overlooking the sea front

We then walked to Simply Fosh for a pre-anniversary dinner. We had a 4 course seasonal meal with a complimentary glass of cava and some white wine. It was all delicious. It was a long walk back to the hotel again.

Monday 21 April, Easter Monday

The train to Soller went through the Tramuntana mountains

Today we decided to take the train to Soller on the northwest coast. After breakfast we walked in the sun to the station for the special train. There was a long queue for tickets and then another wait for the next train. But we did get good seats and enjoyed the view on the ride through olive groves, citrus trees and mountains.

Delicious orange salad at Can Gato

In Soller we found Can Gato, a nice place for lunch down a narrow street. We sat in a fragrant courtyard and had orange salad and a cheese and ham platter, plus a glass of sangria.

Then we walked further to an art museum, Can Prunero, with varied works of modern art. We went back to the main square for coffee and looked round the elaborate church. The station also had an art exhibition of works by Picasso and Miro.

At Abaco, a lovely bar

We took the crowded train back to Palma. Later we found Abaco, a bar said to be one of the 'nicest places in the world' and had a glass of wine.

Then we found a nearby La Taperia and had a delicious dinner of several shared dishes. We walked back to the hotel feeling rather tired.

Sunday 20 April, Easter Sunday

Different architectural styles in Palma

We exchanged Easter eggs at breakfast. The dining room was very full. I had my usual cereal, fruit, orange juice, boiled egg and bread rolls.

The sun came out as we walked along the path in front of the cathedral and into another part of the old city.

We found the Banyas Arabs or Arab Baths. The bath house was small but had a nice garden with citrus trees.

Laura at Banya Arabs

Overlooking the port and cathedral

We wandered through the maze of streets to a cafe for Easter cakes (enseimada) and coffee. Then we explored further to Plaza Mayor and Plaza Weyler. There were shops open and some interesting architecture in Modernista styles.

Back at the hotel Laura and I sat in the courtyard in the sun for a while. In the evening we had booked dinner at Can Eduardo, a nearby seafood restaurant.


Dinner by the harbour was very pleasant. We had different starters and I had sea bass and the others had a lobster and rice soup. For dessert we shared crema catalana. At the hotel we played Town and Country.

Saturday 19 April

The west door was very ornate

Tall Gothic pillars inside the cathedral

A late buffet breakfast at the Hotel Saratoga. I had cereal, fruit, boiled egg, bread rolls and coffee. Then we set off to walk to the cathedral via the shops where Laura bought a few things quite cheaply.

On the wall overlooking the sea

The cathedral or Le Seu is set on a hill above the port and is one of the tallest in Europe. Inside we admired the tall Gothic columns, the mural by Barcelo of the Feeding of the Five Thousand and the Gaudi modifications to lighten the chancel and focus on  the altar. The stained glass was also beautiful.

Then we entered the Palau or former Royal Palace, now a museum. We went for lunch to Olas. We had strawberry gazpacho and tapas. A very friendly place.

Back to the hotel to rest. Laura changed rooms. The sun went in so we didn't try the pool. We strolled through the old streets to the port, which was enclosed by a fence, and we found another nice bar, Ambigu, for wine and small tapas choices.

Friday 18 April, Good Friday

Passeig de Born, a wide tree-lined street

We left Switzerland in rain and arrived in Palma in sun. The taxi ride to Hotel Saratoga took about 10 minutes. Nice room but furnishings rather flimsy. We explored the town on foot. Close to sea and squares. Some shops open even on a bank holiday. We saw some people still in costume after the parade for Setmana Santa.

We had a glass of white wine in the square and dinner in a tapas bar. We shared five tapas dishes and each had different fish. Tomato and garlic were prominent.

Later Laura arrived and has a room near ours.

Thursday 17 April 2014

Getting ready for our Easter holiday in Palma, Majorca. We have checked in our Swiss flight, ordered currency, bought some last-minute essentials and studied the guide book. Hoping for warm sunny weather when we arrive there.