We frequently travel to Europe, but have never visited Mallorca.
Mallorca, is a Balaeric Island in the Mediterranean (off the Spanish coast). View image Most tourists are Europeans, who pack the island during the Summer to work on their tans and party. My skin is already destroyed from sun-bathing (all those years of iodine mixed with baby oil), and we fall asleep too early for the party scene. However, we read that Mallorca also has rugged mountains and historic, cobblestone-street towns loaded with charm. A reputation for good food, and wine, helped convince us to plan a trip there (during the "un-party" season)...the end of April.
It was research time. My first stop was Hotels in Mallorca
to see what was going on around the Island.
After that, I went to Adventure Center. Adventure Center is the American representative for several U.K. tour companies, and we've booked through them many times. One company they use is Explore Worldwide. You can book directly on the website with Adventure Center or Explore - costs are the same either way. We started working with Adventure Center about 10 years ago, B.I. (Before Internet) and have continued booking through them.
You won't believe the Explore catalog - approximately 163-pages thick, filled with trips everywhere in the world! Cultural, hiking, biking, rafting, cruises to Antartica....8 day-trips....camel treks...you name it...it's there. And, the catalog makes for many nights of reading, trying to decide where you want to go!
Our first trip with Explore was a "Winter Turkey" - two weeks along the Lycian Coast. The cost included: tour guide, day hikes, breakfast, transportation in Turkey and stays in little pensions/2**/3*** hotels. What was the cost you ask? At that time, $650 per person. That was the beginning....
For years, ex-Marine and I have been the "token Yanks" among the Brits, but it's changing. There's been an increase in Yanks during the last few years as the word gets out. There are usually around 15-20 persons in a group and it's fun sharing the experience. The Brits are not at all "stodgy" or "stiff upper lip" - they are keen walkers (or "trampers") and lots of fun. They tease us about our mannerisms and accents - we tease them about their names of puddings and food, for example - "spotted dick", "slumps", "grunts", "Betties"- all PUDDINGS! And of course, "Bangers and Mash" among other foods. Then they get "pissed" instead of "drunk." Hilarity all around...
Palma
This is the trip for us...and we're looking forward a good time, and learning some more Brit slang! More tomorrow.....
Published by Sheila Simkin on May 16, 2006 05:00 AM
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