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Binissalem – Es Vermar grape harvest festival – 260909

September 27, 2009 // Posted in Events in Mallorca, Mallorca photo galleries (Tags: , , , , ) |  No Comments

IMG_3197_Es Vermar, Binissalem

Binissalem is the centre of wine production in Mallorca. It seems fitting then that one of the main festivals of the year here is the Es Vermar festival held every year in the final week of September, the end of the grape harvest. The fiesta is associated with the celebrations of the town’s patron Saint Gal, who represents fertility.

The festival runs for over a week with a traditional float parade, a correfoc (fire devils and fireworks), exhibitions, performances, “glosses” (rhymes) and demonstrations of various sorts. And there are of course many events related to the wine harvest itself, such as a wine tasting course, grape competition and the Concurs de Trepitjar Raïm (grape treading competition). The traditional dish of the festival is “Fideus de vermar” (harvest pasta), a lamb dish with noodles.

Wine growing in Mallorca in fact goes back to Roman times. Since then its been through ups and downs, becoming well established in the 18th century, declining in the late 19th / early 20th century, and then re-establishing in more recent years to once again become one of the main agricultural industries on the island.

The wines of Binissalem and neighbouring towns such as Santa Maria are now well established and Binissalem wines in particular are now highly regarded throughout the world having obtained the mark of origin (“Denominación de Origin”) on its labels. Few Spanish wine areas have this national quality award.

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Focus on Puigpunyent, a pretty mountain town with easy access to Palma

September 17, 2009 // Posted in Mallorca photo galleries, Places in Mallorca (Tags: , , , ) |  1 Comment

1077-Puigpunyent townhouses

Puigpunyent is located in a valley of the same name. It is a small town surrounded by the Puig de Galatzó, Mola de la Planícia, and Fita des Ram mountains which range from 833 metres to 1035 in height. The area is heavily forested, mostly with pine but also some old oak trees. It is without doubt an area of exceptional beauty.

Aside from the scenery the key attractions of Puigpunyent to property buyers are its proximity to Palma and the unspoiled traditional nature of the town. Puigpunyent is a friendly and tight-nit community with a mixture of local farm workers and people who commute daily to Palma and other larger towns on the southwest coast.

The church of la Assumpció de la Mare de Déu is the main architectural attraction and there are many pretty stone cottages in the town and dotted around the surrounding mountains. Overlooking the town is the luxurious 5 star Gran Hotel Son Net, one of the most well-known and highly reputed hotels in Mallorca.

Puigpunyent is not a major tourist destination and for those that visit or buy homes here this is undoubtedly a major part of the attraction. Other beautiful mountain towns such as Esporles and Bunyola are within easy reach making this a great location for walkers and cyclists.

For days out by the sea, golfing or participating in other leisure pursuits, the resorts of the southwest coast of Mallorca are also within easy reach. Furthermore the capital Palma de Mallorca is just 15 to 20 minutes away by car making this an unusually convenient place to reach for such a mountain location.

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Focus on Soller, Northwest Mallorca

September 14, 2009 // Posted in Mallorca photo galleries, Places in Mallorca (Tags: , , , , , , ) |  No Comments

IMG_1564-historic railway, the Ferrocarril de Soller

Soller is one of the better-known old towns in Mallorca. Set in “El valle de los naranjas” (The Valley of the Oranges) on the north west coast, the town is 3 kilometres from the Port de Soller and the villages of Fornalutx, Biniaraix and Binibassi are close-by. The population in this area is around 13,000.

Soller has a distinct character. In the past the town was cut off by the mountains from the rest of the island and journeys to Palma or other towns meant long walks or donkey rides over the winding mountain paths. There was much trade with the South of France with oranges and olives making up the main exports. The French influence on the local culture is still apparent to this day.

Today however Soller is linked by an historic railway, the Ferrocarril de Soller, as well as by the highway which runs through a toll tunnel through the mountains. So Palma is an easy 20 minute drive away. There is also a highway that runs along the Traumuntana from Andratx to Pollensa – this is a mountain road with stunning views and well worth driving along, albeit not the best option if you are in a hurry to get somewhere!

The centre of Soller, the Plaça Constitució, is a colorful location with many cafés. The tram passes through the Plaça on its way to the main station which also incorporates a museum of Picasso and Joan Miro. Other prominent buildings in the Plaça include the church of Sant Bartomeu, the town hall and the Banco de Soller. There are some grand mansions in Soller too demonstrating the wealth the town has enjoyed through its history.

Soller has an air of culture and sophistication to it. The town plays host to a week-long international folklore festival every July (see Aires Sollerics), and there are classical music and other cultural events throughout the year.

There is plenty on offer to holiday makers and people looking to move permanently to Mallorca. The Port of Soller is close-by with its beaches, excellent seafood restaurants, and its harbour offering a range of leisure boating opportunities. The surrounding mountains provide some of the most beautiful scenery on the island with wonderful walks and country drives.

In terms of property Soller itself offers a classic and characterful old town setting. There are traditional townhouses, renovated apartments and also new build apartments built in a traditional style. Outside of the town there are some very beautiful country houses. There are also “olivars” – old farm worker cottages, many of which have been restored and turned into comfortable and charming mountainside homes.

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Horus Superyacht Cup – Palma de Mallorca, 27.06.09

June 28, 2009 // Posted in Events in Mallorca, Mallorca photo galleries (Tags: , , , , , ) |  No Comments

superyacht-cup-palma-de-mallorca-280609-2138

This was the 14th Horus Super-yacht Cup with 18 of the worlds most impressive sailing super-yachts gathered for a 4 day regatta in the Bay of Palma. Palma is one of the few venues in the world where yachts of this caliber gather. Sojana, a 35 meter ketch came to Palma from Antigua and Mari Cha III travelled some 13,0000 kilometres from Tahiti to take part.

superyacht-cup-palma-de-mallorca-280609-2351

The boats span a wide range of styles, sizes and ages too, The largest this year was Meteor at just over 51 meters. The boats are not designed for racing but there is plenty of competition with races over the four days of the event creating a great spectacle in the bay.

This year the event was given a new site along the old quay – the same venue as the Palma Boat Show earlier in the year.

Admittedly a few of the photos are not actually of the super-yachts … the fishing boat certainly isn’t, but they were decked out nicely for the event and made some nice photos …

Photo gallery – Superyacht Cup, Palma de Mallorca – 27.06.09 (23 photos)

Eve of San Juan (Saint John) Celebrations – Parc de Mar, Palma de Mallorca – 24.06.09.

June 24, 2009 // Posted in Events in Mallorca, Mallorca photo galleries (Tags: , , , , , , , ) |  1 Comment

Sant Joan-Palma de Mallorca-230609-1768

San Juan is celebrated throughout Mallorca and indeed many other parts of Spain. It is a celebration of the shortest night of the year, the summer solstice. The event takes different forms in different locations – all however based around the central features of the sun, fire and water.

There are beach parties with bonfires, and celebrations in many towns with fireworks, fire runners (“Correfoc”) and music ranging from local folk bands to more popular and modern music.

Sant Joan-Palma de Mallorca-230609-1924

In Palma de Mallorca the San Juan celebrations this year were in their usual location of Parc de Mar in front of Palma Cathedral.

Starting with folk music and dancing at 9pm, at 10.30 the entertainment moved on to the Correfoc and fireworks which were the centrepiece of the evening. Following this there was more music continuing through to the early hours.

Correfoc – the fire runners

The word Correfoc comes from “Correr” – to run, and “foc”, which is fire in Catalan. Correfocs are spectacular events whereby “fire devils” run through the streets and interact with the crowds whilst playing with fire staffs and various fireworks.

The devils are playful sprites rather than evil spirits – they taunt the crowd in a playful fashion, usually to the hypnotic sound of drums and demonic chanting. Whilst the Correfoc looks decidedly dangerous and it is best to be reasonably cautious while watching or taking part – there are generally few accidents and injuries are slight!

Photo gallery – San Juan, Palma de Mallorca, 23.06.09 (18 photos)