Son Torrella
Santa Maria, Mallorca
TENNIS
Mallorca Tennis Club in Palma Reservations are necessary Tel: 971 675887. Club Sporting, Costa del Blanes, west of Palma Tel: 971 675887
Sporting Tennis Padel. 7 clay tennis courts, 4 paddle courts, swimming pool, slide and gym.
Carretera d´Andratx, km. 11,8 - 07181 Costa d'en Blanes. Tel.971675887. Fax: 971 675913.
E-mail: sportingtenis@terra.es.
Web: www.sportingtenispadel.com
SQUASH
Squash Mallorca in Palma Tel: 971 454144
GOLF
There are many golf courses on the island which are first class with pro's available.
HORSE RIDING
Several stables exist. The one closest to Son Torrella is near Santa Maria and is called The Club Escuela de Equitacion at Bunyola. Tel: 971 613404
GENERAL SPORTS FACILITIES
There are many sports available all over the island and most of the main beaches provide water-skiing and windsurfing hire. Yacht charter is available but notice is required.
EXCUSIONS
The old fashioned train to Soller which is a great way to see a very spectacular part of Mallorca and children adore it. Join the train at Bunyola.
Valldemossa, a beautiful village, is famous for its monastery where Chopin and George Sand lived during the winter of 1838. There are many touristy shops and restaurants and it does get very busy in the summer – possibly most enjoyable for our spring and autumn visitors.
A drive to the mountain village of Orient where there are nice places for lunch and then return to the house via Bunyola or Alaro.
Drive to the monastery at Lluc or to another at the Torrente de Pareis along a road that twists with hairpin bends.
Marineland for children.
BEACHES
Mallorca has a great deal of lovely beaches-often very busy but there are more peaceful ones. Es Trenc on the south coast is the most unspoilt long beach on the island particularly at La Rapita. Colonia San Pere on the NW coast is a smaller bay with beautiful water and an unspoilt town. Formentor beach on the northern point is a good beach with one of the top hotels on the island and a nice drive. Cala Santanyi on the SW coast is a lovely bay, best off-season.
Also recommended are :
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Colonia Son Serra. Southeast of Alcudia bay, sandy and uncrowded. Avoid in an east wind as the sea can become choppy and not safe swimming for small children.
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Colonia San Pedro. To the east of the above, uncrowded small beaches and rocky covers.
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Arenal de la Rapita. Southwest of Campos, relatively uncrowded if you get there early. Ideal safe bathing.
NIGHTLIFE
The island is loaded with discos, bars,- shows and night-clubs. Puerto Portals has a smart yacht marina with a great number of restaurants. Abaco in the old city is a gothic style bar with vast tumbling cornucopias of fruit, enormous cocktails and loads of atmosphere. It doesn't open until 9pm and for the first couple of hours may have groups taking photos!
BIRDWATCHING
Mallorca is a bird watchers paradise and there is much literature on the subject. Spring (April and May) anD Autumn are the prime times, but for those who are interested there is always something to see.
A few highlights:
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Albufuerra National Park: wetland of international importance. Well laid out hides, attractions too numerous to mention.
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Salinas de Levante (south of Campos)
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Boquer Valley (north of Pto Pollensa) good for migrants.
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Whole length of Northern mountain range: Vultures, Eagles, Blue Rock Thrush, Cabo Formentor, Shearwaters.
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Basic bird book in the kitchen on the side table. For the less energetic a selection of what you are likely to see in the garden, on the farm or up the valley: Goldfinch, Nightingale (in the garden,) Sardinian Warbler (very common,) Hoopoe, Stone Curlew (hear them at night.) Scops Owl (in the cypress tree outside the front of the house,) Kestrel (nest in the house,) Booted Eagle soaring above the valley, Red Kite, Red Footed Falcon, breed up the valley (sheer cliff face on right,) Crag Martin (as above.) Black Redstart (winters on the roof.)
WALKS
Books of walks for all levels are kept in the house, on the side table in the kitchen.
TRAIN
Frequent services into Palma.Takes 20 minutes.
Timetable in house folder.
GUIDE BOOKS
Currently we have found The Rough Guide to Mallorca by Phil Lee most useful and has an up to date restaurant guide.