Spain Vacation|From Madrid to Mallorca's Jelly Sea
If someone asks how to truly "vacation" in Spain, my answer is always: first feel the pulse of the empire in Madrid, then fly to Mallorca to waste time at sea.
This is a transition from city to island. In one week, take in the royal palace, ancient city, cliffside towns, and the jelly sea all at once.
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🏰 First stop: Madrid, the prologue of the empire
- Royal Palace of Madrid: The third largest royal palace in Europe, with the Bourbon dynasty’s gilded dome and velvet drapes, extremely luxurious.
- Mercado de San Miguel: Freshly fried churros dipped in hot chocolate, tapas platters, open Madrid with your taste buds.
- Sunset at Temple of Debod: The golden moment in front of the ancient Egyptian temple, the whole city laid out in silhouette beneath your feet.
- Prado Museum: Masterpieces of the Renaissance trio, a face-to-face with 17th-century court art.
- Retiro Park: Rent a swan boat to row on the lake, passing by the Alfonso XII monument.
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🏝️ Second stop: Mallorca, the paradise of the Mediterranean
Mallorca is the largest island in the Balearic Islands, known as the "Paradise of the Mediterranean." It boasts 262 beaches and century-old villages hidden in valleys.
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💒 Palma: Stay in the old town, open your window to the cathedral
Cobblestone alleys hide boutiques, galleries, and small taverns...
- Palma Cathedral: Gothic architecture overlooking the Mediterranean. The 13.8-meter diameter rose window blooms brilliantly in the morning light.
- Almudaina Palace: A blend of Moorish, Gothic, and Renaissance styles, still the Spanish royal family’s summer palace. From the terrace garden, the blue panorama of Palma Bay unfolds beneath your feet.
- Bellver Castle: A rare Gothic circular castle in European architectural history. Climb the terrace for a panoramic view of the city and harbor.
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🚂 Sóller: The orange fairy tale hidden in the valley
Take the small train from Palma, running since 1912, gently passing through orange and lemon groves, arriving at the town of Sóller embraced by the Tramuntana Mountains.
- Must experience: Watch the vintage tram, church, fountain, and orange trees together in the town square. Then transfer to the tram to Sóller Port, where the sea breeze carries a leisurely vibe.
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🌊 Alcúdia: Give the whole day back to the sea
Drive from Palma to Alcúdia, a treasure bay in northern Mallorca. The sea is as blue as jelly, and the beach stretches 14 kilometers.
Spend the day like this:
- Charter a small boat to sea, chasing dolphins leaping at dawn.
- Kayak through sea caves, with water so clear you can see the bottom.
- Find a rock several meters high to try cliff diving.
- Put on a mask and snorkel to search for the legendary "sunken treasure."
- Picnic on the beach with white wine and seafood.
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🏖️ Jelly Sea Tour: Beaches you must see
- Cala s'Almunia: The ceiling of the jelly sea, water so transparent it feels unreal, blue like a painted canvas.
- Es Trenc Beach: Known as "Mallorca’s Caribbean," turquoise water and natural sand beach, beach bars perfect for enjoying a sunny afternoon.
- Playa de Muro: Shallow water, fine sand, fully equipped facilities.
- Cala Varques: A hidden bay reached by a 20-minute walk, rarely visited, excellent water quality.
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🗺️ Town Strolls: Chopin’s piano and a century of time
From Alcúdia, explore inland towns on the island:
- Valldemossa: A village hidden in the Tramuntana Mountains
- Deià: An artist’s gathering place, the town built along the mountain, with paths leading to the Deià Bay by the sea.
- Formentor Cape: The northernmost tip of Mallorca, the lighthouse on the cliff marks the end of the Mediterranean.
🕳️ Cave Adventure: Wonders of the underground world
Cuevas del Drach, located in Porto Cristo, is a world-famous underground cave. Take a boat across one of Europe’s largest underground lakes—Lake Martel—and enjoy a live classical music performance inside the cave. The atmosphere is unforgettable.
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