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MALLORCA - STAY FOR LESS "EURO"

MALLORCA is the largest of the Spanish Balearic Islands in the West Mediterranean Sea, with Palma it's Capital. It's a very popular UK tourist destination for "Sun, Sea & Sangria" in the many beach resorts around the coastline but the mountainous West region is a rugged alternative & largely left alone. Palma is a good place to start your stay as you either arrive at the nearby airport or by ferry from mainland Spain. In the City you can seek out the history & use the beaches at El Arenal to get a tan before going inland to Soller (Sol yer) & the mountains for a complete contrast. To guide you on the right paths GB gives you the local knowledge.

ACCOMMODATION in hostels with self - catering on Mallorca is limited as there are so many major hotels but there are also some good smaller budget hostels & here is GB's choice

Palma No 1 - Hosel Apuntadores at Carrer Apuntadores 8 (in the Old Town near the Cathedral)
Tele (971) 71 34 91 - E11 in dorm room or E16 single room pn. No self - catering but a friendly café/ bar on ground floor where meals are served & Internet suite in basement. Good central location, friendly atmosphere on interesting busy street.

Reserve - Hostel Pons at Carrer Vi 8 (again in Old Town, turn right at end of No1 hostel street)
Tele (971) 72 26 58 - E13 single, E24 double room in unusual " lived in house" (so you can join them to watch TV or chat - shower/ wc downstairs. No S/C or meals but a good character hostel on quiet narrow street, shuttered rooms look onto central courtyard.

Soller No1 - Hostal Nadal at Calle Romaguera 29, (in village centre along street from covered market) Tele (971) 63 11 80 - E13 singles E 25 double rooms with first class facilities, sep. shower/ wcs. No S/C or meals but bar & separate lounge/TV room downstairs. This is a newly refurbished pension , fresh, modern & well run with great mountain views to the rear

FOOD for snacks & lunchtimes are well provided in both Palma & Soller in SYP E' CONSOM supermarkets especially fresh fruit & veg, tined tuna in olive oil. bottled water & carton wine. For main meals cafes & restaurants are everywhere.

TRAVELLING AROUND the Island is also well provided with a good network of bus routes which set out from Palma's Estacio Central Bus Station. To get to the mountains, however, is a special Soller "tren" (train) built by the citrus fruit farmers at the beginning of thr century. First it trundles across the plains to Bunyola & then winds up & into the mountains before descending into the valley village. A second Inca Line service takes you to the central island, stopping at villages en route.

"FREE" SIGHTS TO SEE

1. Palma, La Rambla - is the main shopping street & place to "paseo" in the evening & eat out
2. Palma, Old Town - explore the narrow streets around the Placa Santa Eulalia & seek the Windmill
3. Palma, Moorish Walls - walk the zig zag path where the Arabs built their defences in the 12C
4. Palma, Placa Santa Catalina Tomas - location of bank & clothing store designed by Antoni Gaudi
5. Palma, Almudaina Palace - Royal House of Mallorca m/ages, now Military HQ (free to EU Wed)
6. Palma, Placa Cort - for 17C Town Hall/ Lib, 500 year old Olive Tree & Art Nouveau building
7. Palma, Sant Francesc - 13C Monastery where Fray Serra, who founded San Francisco, educated
8. Soller Village Walk - idealic streets, rushing path streams orange/ lemon tree & flower gardens
9. Soller San Olivar - out of village this little Church is a treasure, found next to the Monastery
10. Puerto Soller - take the small tram from the village down to the prefect beach & harbour nearby

CHARGE SIGHTS NOT TO MISS

1. Palma, Banys Arabs - 10C Arab house & baths, a small tranquil garden in a world of its own
2. Palma, La Seu Cathedral - built 1230 to 1601, magnificent 40ft Rose Window & Gaudi Canopy
3. Palma, Castell de Beliver - 14C Castle & interesting Museum, superb views over Palma & beyond
4. Soller, Botanical Gardens - with its Balearic wild plants collection & Museum