What do you know about the Carnival in Mallorca?

By Luke Durden in Balearic Islands

There are lots of reasons for us to like February. The days get longer and little by little the winter becomes just a memory and, of course, you don’t have to wait so long to see us! This year we have added lots of improvements and services to ensure that from next March, you will have an unforgettable stay in Mallorca. At Sol Hotels we want you to fully enjoy your longed for holiday on ‘the Island of Calm’ so this coming season we promise to take care of you just as you deserve.

And if there is one thing that we love about February, it is definitely Mallorca’s lively Carnival. Are you ready to discover a party tradition that you experience full on? This celebration dazzles you with all its splendour during the month of February; starting in the famous “Dijous Gras“, on ‘Lardero’ Thursday, when the children are told a funny story: King Carnestoltes, king of the revellers, arrives in the city to give its citizens permission to have fun in organizing a few days of great celebration before Lent arrives.

From that moment, town and city streets are filled with colour, music and amazing, exquisitely decorated carriages, for a celebration that brings together people from all over the world. In the city of Palma, the Carnival processions are known as “Sa Rua” and “Sa Rueta“, a small children’s parade that emulates the original, and there are a lot of tributes to football players, rock stars and political satires.

And this is just the beginning! The Carnival is the perfect celebration for getting to know traditional Mallorcan cuisine. You can try the delicious typical sweets such as ‘crespells’ (biscuits), Mallorcan pastries, and ‘robiols’, made with sweet dough and shaped like a pastie with angel hair and filled with chocolate, jam or cream. In addition, you can also taste typical dishes such as ‘frito mallorquin’ (fried meat and vegetables),  ‘tumbet’ (fried vegetables), sobrasada sausage and coca de trampó pastries. You will love them!

The Carnival magic comes to an end with the traditional burial of the sardine, a procession that parodies a funeral. The burning of a symbolic figure, in this case a sardine, symbolizes the end of celebrations and the beginning of leaving pleasures behind as you enter the Lenten season.

We at Sol Hotels would like to invite you to get to know the one of the island of Mallorca’s most typical parties. And don’t forget that we open our doors in March! You can enjoy the Sol Kathmandu Park with your family and give yourself a Mediterranean treat this Easter. We will be waiting for you!

Christmas activities in Majorca

By Naia in Majorca

Christmas has arrived and Majorca has been completely transformed. There’s an air of pure joy in the air, spreading far and wide amongst people. There are colourful lights, trees decorated with exquisite adornments, markets and nativity scenes…

Christmas cheer is all around; the little ones are happy and there are festivities taking place all over the capital and in all the villages. Are you ready to discover the magic of Christmas? We propose a few plans you cannot afford to miss out on whilst on your trip to this incredible Mediterranean island.

A browse through the Christmas markets

Do you have a gift in mind? Discover the Christmas markets in the capital or in Palma’s Old Town. Stroll around the stalls where you will find locally handmade products, food sampling and typical Christmas adornments from Majorca. Do not miss out on the traditional markets in Calvia, Santa Maria and the symbolic villages surrounding the Tramuntana Mountain Range.

Palma’s Nativity scenes

Visit the capital’s town hall and discover the beautiful Nativity scene hidden inside. You will find a number of Nativity scenes in Palma’s Old Town and its surroundings over the course of your holiday.

The Song of the Sibyl

On Christmas Eve, churches in Majorca are buzzing with excitement as they sing the song of the Sibyl at Midnight Mass. This is a moving Gregorian chant originating from the Middle Ages. The most popular places to witness this tradition is at the Lluc Sanctuary, in Escorca and at Palma Cathedral.

The chimes of Cort

Welcome 2018 at Plaza de Cort, in front of the clock of the Town Hall and celebrate the new year with your loved ones. Enjoy an authentic Majorcan celebration and the magical Christmas shows on the eve of the last day of the year.

The procession of the Three Wise Kings

The 6th January is the date that all the little ones wait impatiently for as it is then when Their Majesties arrive. There is an exciting procession of the Three Wise King through all the capital’s main streets.

 

Traditional chocolate

Enjoy a delicious hot chocolate with either an “ensaimada” or “coca de patata” pastry at the famous Can Joan de S’Aigo, one of the oldest cafés in Palma.

Where to stay?

If you have chosen to spend a magical Christmas in Majorca, then choose Sol Hotels. Enjoy one of the most unmissable Christmas parties ever with all the best services and attention Sol Resorts offers in its incredible hotels: Sol Katmandú Park, Sol House and Sol Beach House. Enjoy the Christmas of your dreams in Majorca with your loved ones and fall in love with this Mediterranean island.

 

Sol hotels, the best option for a holiday with friends on Mallorca

By Luke Durden in Majorca

May is considered the best time to start organising your holiday plans for the summer; it’s a month that offers plenty of excellent promotions as well as brilliant weather, yes indeed: weather that might even allow you to take one or a couple of dips in the sea. Out of all the destinations you can choose from, Mallorca is one of the most outstanding places on offer for these spring dates.

A place that is ideal for couples or families to visit, but also the perfect destination to enjoy a holiday with friends with two clear-cut missions: rest in a nice hotel and have fun in a unique environment. That latter goal is practically guaranteed for every trip you take to the largest of the Balearic Islands, so let’s focus on the question of accommodation.

Sol Beach House Mallorca

A winning hotel chain, no surprises

Mallorca does have its fair share of really good hotels, available in the north as well as the south, but this month here at Hotels & Destination we will highlight the chain Sol Hotels. This hotel chain is a benchmark brand on Mallorca with hotels located on the beachfront, offering those who love travelling with friends a multitude of extras and amenities.

Located only metres from the beautiful beach in Magaluf, Sol House Hotel is one of the hotels that the chain Sol Hotel has on offer. It’s a hotel surrounded by the popular Sol Katmandu Park Resort where you can enjoy the beach, a varied gastronomic offer and more than 20 different activities.

There is a 4D cinema and various scary activities, and Sol Katmandu Park Resort will also tempt you with the popular K3 Climb. This construction is nearly 20 metres high and involves a total of 57 different problems, sure to take your adrenaline levels through the roof. Not for the faint-hearted.

If you prefer more traditional hotels but in a privileged location, there is no better choice than the Sol Beach House Hotel. This four-star hotel is not only one of the best located ones in the area, it also has a pool area with pool and bar where you can enjoy a day of sun, bath and eternal mojitos.

It’s a hotel located in the heart of Palmanova beach where you can enjoy walks along the sea shore and sporty activities with a fun edge such as parasailing, jet-ski tours and the popular paddle surf. Do you prefer playing volleyball on the beach? If the answer is “yes” then we have great news, since this area is a meeting point for those who love this sport. Just wait for 6 pm to arrive (more or less) to see how the first nets are installed and games start between groups of friends.

The concept of “leisure and shopping” is prominent in Magaluf on Mallorca

By Luke Durden in Majorca

One of the things about our country’s main holiday destinations that catches the attention, is their ability to reinvent themselves again and again so that they can offer tourists (and locals) interesting, new things which can make a normal vacation into an authentic experience in every way.

By improving year after year (like good wine) the small town of Magaluf (in the southeast of Mallorca) is a benchmark. While in the past its only strong points were its bars, white sandy beach and crystal clear waters, today Magaluf is a place to enjoy a range of leisure activities unique on the island (and yes, we said unique).

Which are the principal tourist spots in the area?

Magaluf beach, Majorca

Magaluf beach, Majorca

Centro Comercial La Vila (Commercial Center)

Although not yet completed, the Centro Comercial La Vila is a sensation for tourists visiting the area and for locals who live there all year. And we have to keep in mind that years’ ago the area was dead as major hotels closed. Thanks to ideas like this, the season has lengthened.

The Katmandu Park

Far from being a theme park just for kids, the Katmandu Park (with its traditional crazy house) is a venue in which to enjoy terrifying passages, 4D cinema, places to kill zombies or cafes full of colorful cupcakes.

The little ones can enjoy this wonderful zone of playgrounds, water parks and shops full of unique toys.

Where to stay in Magaluf

Since Kathmandu Park is one of the attractions for families who choose this area of ​​Mallorca to spend a few days of relaxation and leisure, the Sol Hotels chain decided to give life to the Sol Katmandu Park Resort. A charming hotel closely watched by the resort characters themselves and giving direct access to each and every available attraction.

For those who prefer to enjoy the Mallorcan tranquility as a couple or with friends there is nothing better than the Sol Beach House hotel, an ‘Adults Only’ hotel located on the beach and in which there is no shortage of beautiful views and exclusive services.

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Sol Hotels, three hotel types for three different holiday types

By Luke Durden in Sun and beach Hotels

When we are planning our holidays, we should take into account all those things we expect and what we would like to do during our break. We should clearly know why we prefer the beach rather than the countryside or if we really want to travel with the family (or with our couple or friends) in order to enjoy a memorable holiday.

There is a wide range of hotels, but not all of them are designed for the same purpose. As a boutique hotel offers a perfect location in the historical centre of the destination, a big resort is the perfect choice for those who want to enjoy the sun, the hammocks or a pool with amazing views.

Which is the most significant commitment of the big hotel chains? They want to increase their accommodation offer creating hotels for a given audience. In this sense, Sol is one of the hotel chains that put this into action -for many years- more effectively. Its hotels meet the preferences of each customer thanks to its three exclusive subbrands.

beachfront terrace with swimming pool of the Sol House Costa del Sol hotel

Sol House Costa del Sol

The first of them is Sol Hotels, a hotel chain designed for family travels. It has hotels in Andalusia, the Balearic Islands, the Canary Islands, Tarragona and Benidorm (not to mention other international destinations like Bulgaria, Croatia or Cuba). Sol Hotels offers great locations within a few metres from the beach.

Which outstanding attribute has also this hotel chain? Its leisure activities programme for families and restaurants offering the best destination’s gastronomy.

For those who prefer to enjoy their holidays with music and endless sunsets, there’s nothing better than Sol House Hotel, a brand with original hotels in Ibiza, Majorca and Malaga. Apart from its perfect location, Sol House also made great developments like Sol Wave House, a hotel on Magaluf beachfront offering the two biggest “artificial” waves in Europe (it’s perfect for surfing lovers).

As romantic getaways are also a great option, we should also check the hotels and services offered by Sol Beach House brand. Its perfect destinations, charming hotels (as Sol Beach House Ibiza) and its Adults Only offer, allow us to enjoy great relaxing holidays, unique experiences and unforgettable romantic moments.

Sol Katmandu Park Resort is the second theme-park of Spain, according to TripAdvisor

By Loren in Family holidays

Sol Katmandu Park Resort is the second theme-park of Spain, and first in the Balearic Islands, according to the popular TripAdvisor website, which gives awards and certifications to hotels and restaurants based on the reviews and rates given by the customers.

It is the first “fun included” resort in Majorca that has amusement rides inside the building, which belongs to the Sol hotel chain. In fact, the accommodation was built in the middle of the Katmandú theme park.

Katmandu Park Resort

Katmandu Park Resort

This family holiday complex located in Magaluf in the municipality of Calviá. Near the Magaluf beach, turning it into the perfect option for families who want to spend holiday in Majorca, surrounded by all kind of entertainment and the beautiful beaches of this area of the island. It will be something your children will never forget (neither the parents)

Those who stay in this #four star hotel in Magaluf will have free access to the theme park, where they will be able to enjoy the most exciting attractions such as the 4 experience, a 4D cinema where you can watch different movies in mechanical seats that make you feel inside the movie.

It also includes an Aqua park with amusements for all ages, a place where fun is guaranteed to everybody. So if you like golf you can drop by the Expedition Golf, a mini-golf that includes two routes with different difficulty in every level.

But if there is something that really stands out from the rest of the amusements it is the Upside down house. Where people has to walk across different rooms of this particular place where everything looks pretty strange, maybe because ¡everything is upside down! Scary halls, games, puzzles… a place where ¡anything can happen!

In addition, if you’re with your baby you can enjoy until October 15 the baby month advantages, since the Sol Katmandu Park & Resort has a series of special services these days that will make your stay far more comfortable, like pushchairs, cots, special tubs, bottle warmers, high chairs and hammocks near the pool.

You can also sign in the yoga and massage courses for parents and babies or access to the Kamp Katakidu, a miniclub for babies from 8 months to 12 years with lots of amusements, and the first children with 6 years or less will stay for free sharing an accommodation with two adults. Now there is any excuse left to stay home, don’t miss this opportunity and come enjoy a lovely trip to Katmandu Park & Resort.

Chiclana, a surf lovers paradise

By Loren in Andalusia

Chiclana de la Frontera is one of the best surf spots that gather surfers from all over the country and the world too, just to ride those perfect waves. This town, located in Costa de la Luz, between Cádiz and Tarifa, is the right place to start a trip through southern Spain and enjoy the surf spots as well as the touristic destinations.

Chiclana de la Frontera beach

Chiclana de la Frontera beach

The best seasons to surf in Chiclana are in October and May since the waves increase significantly thanks to the winter storms in the Pacific Ocean. It’s also ideal to go on a trip to Chiclana with your couple, family or with friends since you can enjoy the warm weather and go to the beaches without worrying about the heat.

The perfect weather and wave conditions makes it one of the preferred surf destinations in Cádiz, but surf isn’t the only sport practiced there, the kitesurf and windsurf are popular too. The reason might be that wind blows assiduously, perfect for those who love sailing.

Chiclana isn’t just for experts, is a good option for those who want to learn to surf too, you can find several schools across the coastal area that will give you surfing lessons practically during the whole year. Amateurs begin where the waves are gentle, moving to better places as you improve your surf skills.

On the other hand, the accommodation shouldn’t be a problem since there are many seaside hotels in Chiclana with services that will complement your holiday.

So if you want to learn how to surf but you’re travelling with children, Chiclana is your destination, since you will find many family hotels in Cádiz near the best spots to surf.