Marcia Abramson
Majorca's capital Palma has become a weekend getaway destination of choice for British, German and Swedish travelers in addition to the ever popular beach resorts. After my scenic tour of the region and a compulsory stop at a Majorcan pearl and jewelry shop (no different from guided visits to rug factories in China, Morocco and Turkey), I was on my way to Palma's Historic Old Town. On the bus trip, my knowledgeable English speaking guide pointed out the American award winning actor Michael Douglasí beautiful villa and the yacht of Spainís King Juan Carlos at anchor in the Bay. The King and his entourage are frequent visitors to Palma to board his yacht and to also get his ìensaimadasî fix (Majorca's favorite tasty spiral shaped pastry) at the Forn des Teatre patisserie. I did not find the king at the shop, but I did have an interesting experience on my way to Palma. It seems that I accidentally boarded the wrong bus. When I left the pearl shop and proud that I did not succumb to buying overpriced jewelry, I saw the driver and his sign "Silversea Cruise" talking to some other drivers and I proceeded to my seat on the empty bus. I became absorbed in the itinerary and didnít look up until the bus took off. Then I noticed the different guide and the other passengers. There was no harm done and I did get a better deal, since this guide spoke a more understandable English and I was on the right course to Palma Old Town. The Old Town has gone through a major gentrification with the resurrection of Palma's historic center with emphasis on the magnificent 13th century Gothic cathedral as the centerpiece for the medieval cobbled streets, limestone palaces with glassed-in balconies and charming plazas flanked by that gorgeous cathedral.There are no traces of the low down bars and bowery bums who overtook Palma before the reformation a decade ago. The boutique hotels, upscale restaurants and shops are attracting a more cosmopolitan visitor, according to my guide. She also equated PuroBeach which just opened this summer as a less costly takeoff on Floridaís South Beach and Spainís Ibizia. She told me that the rental of a sun bed is just $19 for the day and a open-air massage is a mere $56.25 for an hour. Early risers can participate in poolside yoga sessions before breakfast and enjoy the glorious white sand mostly topless beach. Unfortunately I did not have enough time to spend at the new Es Baluard Museum of modern and contemporary art that overlooks the port of Palma. The collection is devoted primarily to Spanish painters. Miro and Picasso are the most prominent artists in the collection and certainly worth the $7.50 admission charge.But I did appreciate the classical beauty of the OldTown enhanced by the 800-year old La Seu Cathedral that overlooks the harbor and the Placa de líAlmoina.I also learned that the stone interior walls were reconditioned in the early 20th century with additional upgrades currently in the works that will include a mural on the story of creation. It was great to be back aboard the luxurious Silversea Whisper ship in time for my 5 PM canapÈ and Barcelona my next port of call.
For information on Majorca and or the Silversea Cruise Line contact your travel agent.Copyright by Marcia AbramsonE-mail:mascribe@aol.com
