Majorca you don't expect

Last trip of the season, decided after finding a mega Ryanair offer, €48.00 for a return trip for 2 from Bologna to Majorca. We leave the car at the BolognaLowCost car park and unfortunately we run into a very rare Ryanair delay; we land in Majorca when it is almost lunchtime. We pick up the rental car with Goldcar (€65 x 4 days); unfortunately it seems to be the most sought-after car rental (certainly because of the low price) and there is quite a queue. The first stop of the day is Palma, the capital; we park in the underground car park in front of the cathedral. A historic centre that can be visited admirably in a couple of hours; the Cathedral is beautiful and imposing. For the first night we have booked the Hostal Catalina Vera (€59.00), in Port d'Andratx, a small village in a lovely bay; welcoming accommodation in a typical Majorcan building. Excellent paella on the seafront.

The next day we head north, with various photo stops along the road that winds through climbs and hairpin bends. We stop at Punta de Encletxa, at Estellincs and at Punta de Verger. A "serious" stop at Valldemossa, a village perched around the ancient residence of the Cartuja. Towards the sea, Port Soler is worth seeing. We climb back up the mountain, skirting little lakes, and then down a road with a thousand hairpin bends, towards Sa Calobra, a marvel of nature (perhaps it would be better to go in the morning, for a better play of light). The kilometres are not that many but you still proceed slowly; it is getting dark and we decide to head straight to Cala Rajada, our base for the following 2 nights at the Hostal Cas Bombu (€41.00 per night), very close to the port and the beautiful seafront promenade full of restaurants (I highly recommend Euforia).

On the third day we return northwards, heading for Port d'Alcudia; the beach is beautiful and still crowded, even though it is October. From here, to escape the heat, we turn inland; Wednesday is market day in Sineu. New destination Cap de Formentor; to get there it is impossible to count the hairpin bends...but it is worth it... On the other side of the bay, Cap Gros. On the fourth day we visit Porto Cristo and the Mondragò natural park; the beach that opens up among the trees is very pretty, and from here paths set off along the cliffs to reach other coves. On the way back towards Palma, Colonia Sant Jordi is also worth noting. The last night at the Platya de Palma Cactus (€39.50) in Playa de Palma, as it happens. In the evening we go as far as Santa Ponsa, for the last paella by the sea.

A truly beautiful island...to be enjoyed in summer too (though in August it will probably be too crowded) Doing it ourselves paid off...excellent cost containment