Destinations for sport lovers

By Loren in Majorca

Sports have turned in one of the main trip motivations in the whole world. It is not really new, since many have visited coastal areas in order to find the best waves and to surf, or have gone to the Perynees or the Alps to enjoy the snow sports.  Nevertheless, now it is not just about this type of sport disciplines related to specific geographical conditions, but also about a growing number of people taking advantage of their holiday to enjoy their favourite sport (which they also practice in their places of residence) in a different scene and without the pressure of the routine and the everyday life.

Majorca stands out as cradle of the bicycle touring. This type of cycling is one of the main motivations of hundreds of tourists who every year, especially in spring and autumn, book hotels in Alcudia, Majorca, which is considered one of the most related municipalities to this discipline, where we can find hotels with specific services for cyclists that cannot be provided, for example, by a hotel in the centre of Palma. Actually, some hotels for children in Playa de Muro have started to reinforce this aspect by offering a complete plan of active holidays for families.

For running, undoubtedly one of the fashionable sports, destinations such as the Catalonian coast, specifically Barcelona coast, are some of the most visited ones due to its nearness to the city of Barcelona and to the excellent weather conditions for doing this sport.  Hotels in Santa Susanna or rooms in Calella and other near towns are usually very popular, especially in weekend getaways.

If we talk about windsurfing, we cannot forget to mention the Fuerteventura beaches.  The island is one of the most important surfing centres of the international circuits.  Actually, one of the most important worldwide competitions is celebrated here. Many resorts in Playa de Jandia and hotels in Corralejo offer from discounts in schools for those wanting to make the most of the holidays to start this sport, to spaces for putting the equipment away.

For practising motorcycling or just for enjoying one of the most important events of this sport in Spain, the destination par excellence is Jerez. Booking an accommodation near to the MotoGP circuit could be a real odyssey if you do not do it long in advance since, year after year, this Andalusian city receives hundreds of bikers wanting to enjoy this important event. The region’s streets, besides, are perfect for organising and enjoying a group trip.

Golf is another of the trip motivations in any time of the year. Majorca and its hotels in Santa Ponsa or the golf resorts near to Palma are leading again, after Malaga and the big golf valley, in whose surroundings the best spa hotels in Marbella are located, flawlessly combining sport and relax at affordable price.

Destination, Playa de Muro

By Luke Durden in Majorca

Playa de Muro, in Majorca, is one of those places that, despite being a mass destination, offers the intact charm of the Mediterranean island, white sand paradise beaches as well as an impeccable natural environment. Although it is true there are overcrowded areas, compared to other places in Majorca, Muro is still a destination where we can enjoy the essence that makes of this island something unique.

With an area of 2 miles, Playa de Muro is one of the largest areas in Majorca. It has an exceptional white fine sand beach that forms a small chain of dunes mountains surrounding the sea in the shape of a half moon throughout the Alcudia bay.  Encircling the beach, there is a typically Mediterranean vegetation, low, with some pine groves hiding some of the best luxury hotels in Majorca.

In general, hotels in Playa de Muro have the advantage of being low buildings, with few floors, which extend up to the beach without affecting the natural aesthetics of the area. Besides, a large part of the beach is protected, because it houses the most important natural park of the island.  S’Albufera in Majorca is a beautiful wetland, ideal for watching birds, hiking, cycling and all kinds of active tourism sports.

Iberostar Playa de Muro hotel

Iberostar Playa de Muro hotel

May and June are the best months to visit Muro and its beach.  Although water temperature is still lower than in the middle of the summer, the advantage of having less visitors can be seen in everything: waters are crystal-clear turquoise blue, sand is perfectly clean and beach bars scattered all over the beach have the perfect atmosphere for relaxing and enjoying the sea.

 

PLAYA DE MURO FACTS:

Municipality: Muro (Majorca)

Length: 2 mi

Width: 229 ft

Swell: Gentle

Blue flag: Yes

Atmosphere: Friendly and sporting

The best time of year to enjoy Majorca

By Luke Durden in Majorca

Although many believe that the best time to visit Majorca is during the summer, those of us who live on the island know that’s not quite true: while the arrival of the sunnier months is a blessing and the waters of the Mediterranean resemble a warm swimming pool, the large number of people and the suffocating heat of August,  are not the best company for a relaxing and peaceful trip to the sea.

Playa de Muro, Mallorca

Playa de Muro, Mallorca

Autumn, however, is indeed a perfect time to visit the island. It is likely that there will be some stormy days (which are much welcomed after the summer) while mass tourism has left the beaches with a peaceful and restful solitude that are ideal for rest. The water in the coast of Majorca still has a perfect temperature for swimming all day long and, although most of the beach bars and hotels are already closed, those remaining are a peaceful haven in which to enjoy good food and a more personalised service than one might expect during the summer.

Between October and November, Majorca is, really, the island of calm. Besides being able to enjoy the beaches, this is also the best time of year to practice all kinds of sports: the winds that come from time to time, turning the bays of Palma and Alcudia the ideal scenario to sail or practise Kite Surf. The Serra de Tramuntana is the perfect place to relax while hiking to end up discovering beautiful secret coves.. Cycling is very popular at this time, and golf courses become the centre for international personalities from all over the world.

Iberostar Suites Hotel Jardin del Sol

Iberostar Suites Hotel Jardin del Sol

At this time of year, it is also when the towns of Majorca enjoy their most authentic spirit including agricultural and livestock fairs, called Fira de Tardor, crafts and traditional markets, wine cellars are full after the September harvest, fish mongers dealing with tasteful fish and seafood…. Autumn definitely transforms Majorca into a gastronomic and cultural surprise.

For those who finally decide to explore this hidden side of Majorca, the best is to choose an accommodation that suits the type of trip you have in mind. Although there are all kinds of luxury hotels in Majorca and, in general, the whole island has many charms to offer, the location of your accommodation during this time of year is important.

Fergus Style Cala Blanca Suites

Fergus Style Cala Blanca Suites

If one dreams of an active holiday, the best alternative is to book a hotel in Playa de Muro. There are many interesting proposals, ranging from a spa hotel in the bay of Alcudia, surrounded by gardens and natural dunes, a special hotel for athletes, with bicycle storage and repair shop designed for those who come to the island to practice cycle tourism.

For those looking to relax and catch the last rays of sunshine of the year, one of the best places on the island is an area called Costa de la Calma, the Calm coast, a perfect place to enjoy a delicious and traditional pamb oli, while facing the Mediterranean and with one of the most amazing sunsets on the island.

Right on this coast , there are a couple of interesting hotels: Iberostar’s Jardin del Sol, which is a hotel for romantic escapades to Majorca, and Fergus Style Cala Blanca Suites, which is next to the beach of Cala Blanca, a small sea inlet with rocks and clean waters. Both are in the hidden part of the bay of Santa Ponsa, and is one of the most popular bathing areas by those who live in Palma.

Fegus Boutique Bon Repos

Fegus Boutique Bon Repos

Another good alternative is to stay in the town of Santa Ponsa. The summer’s racket has faded away and this town becomes the ideal destination to rest. In fact, many foreigners have chosen this location to buy a second home while the atmosphere is of a fisherman’s town that mixes local culture and the international influence.

In the centre of Santa Ponsa there are many hotels, but there are a couple that stand out from the rest. One of them, is one of the few boutique hotels in Calvia available, called Bon Repos, (good rest). The other is a hotel on the beach of Santa Ponsa, the Plaza Santa Ponsa, that belongs to the hotel chain Fergus Hotels, more traditional but with a fantastic location, next to the park and the town’s main square.