Mallorca

I have spent a lot of time during July and August in Mallorca – a place very close to my heart where I often retreat to. Lots of memories, I first came to live on this island when I was 17! I married there; Joanne is my daughter from this union. Of course Mallorca has changed over the years but I still have my “secret places”!

We always disappear up to Lluc, (http://www.lluc.net/eng/), the monastery in the mountains, and always spend time at what is one of my favourite restaurants in the whole world, Es Guix (http://www.esguix.com/restaurant/Restaurant_Mallorca.html). I simply adore this place and the food is to die for. The food at the monastery is also very good with very typical Mallorcan cuisine.

Always a pleasure when visiting the island is to catch up with my old friend Gabriel Escarrer, CEO and owner of the Melia Hotel Corporation. We work a lot with Melia throughout Mexico – their lastest “stunner” is the Paradisus in Playa Del Carmen. This houses two separate concepts; adults only La Perla and families Esmeralda.  

Back to Mallorca. Gabriel has great plans to develop Magaluf – currently one of my pet hates, but I guess there has to be a market for everyone and every destination! However the plans are to return these beaches and properties to an up market destination – how wonderful this will be!

I actually almost remember this area when it was just huge stretches of beach with only one very select hotel called The Atlantic.

On the subject of “beaches”, for me nothing ever compares with the always immaculate manicured beaches of Mexico – as dawn breaks, the cleaning tractors are out and the driver never happy until the beach is spotless and perfect.

We had a horrendous day at El Arenal! We went to rekindle some memories but came away almost sick. The beach was filthy and the sea full of pollution. I will continue to stick to the little rocky coves such as Cala Conills (yet another “show stopper” restaurant and my “secret little beach” that I never tell anyone where it is!!) I love the sea but it has to be clean as it is in Mexico and in Mexico there are 6000 miles of beaches!

We introduced Charlie the “Wales” (my grandson) to his first experience of the sea and needless to say he loved it! Can’t wait to take him to Mexico!!

I took two wine tours. These are handled by my sister’s company “Five Continents”. They are an absolutely exquisite experience, you can go to Bianisalem or up towards Lluc. Luncheon at a typical Mallorcan restaurant is included. I stocked up on the very best of local wines. Please see link to the website of Es Guix.

July bought visits to London from the “St Regis Punta Mita”, currently my personal number 1 favourite star property, along with Viceroy of course and Paradisus.

Mexican tours has been busy, we have designed some very special Tailor-made itineraries for a variety of pretty “super” clients! We even put together a tour of the Copper Canyon all by road!!

Anna returned to us from maternity leave. Matt went on holiday to Mexico, which I personally put together for him! We have a new work experience person Helen. Lucy and Yurena plod on with their mountains of work! And Peter continues to drive me mad – Bless him! Joanne remains on maternity leave.

Mike Gooley’s, owner and founder of Trailfinders, summer party is coming up – cant wait!

We have been asked to design a new tour, “The Wild Nature Adventure”, to the existing tours covering the Yucatan – if you take one it will blow your mind!

Look out for my new brochure “My Private Mallorca” and take a look at our new website for Mexico!