It’s all about the Kings

This has been our third Christmas in Mallorca and another one packed full of great times, special moments and of course some very lovely food and wine from the island. A huge thank you to all those who came and shared Christmas with us that helped create those special memories!

It is very different here, where the intensity of Christmas retail being thrust on you gives way to a gentle stroll towards the big day. Palma is lit up so elegantly this time of the year with the Paseo del Borne the star attraction and there is nothing more Christmassy than a walk around this beautiful city enjoying a glass of Vermut along the way with the occasional dip into some present shopping. Now for me that’s not the usual scramble to find the most festive socks for secret Santa, but a foodie fix at the Mercat de l’Olivar for delicious fish, cheese and jammon for our Christmas Eve feast.

After the many joys of Christmas week we are now relaxing in the calm that leads up to the Three Kings on the 6th January, a huge event in the festive holiday calendar. The streets of Palma and towns around the island will be filled with families eagerly awaiting their arrival. It is one of the many great events on our sunshine island in January, where the backdrop is beautiful blue skies, a perfect temperature and this year even a pair of shorts has made a guest appearance!

There’s been no shortage of walking this holiday with several trips up the Puig de Maria, including our traditional Christmas morning climb with a bottle of fizzy as a small reward for our efforts. A special mention to Sams parents who were determined this year to make it up. We also discovered a really lovely New Years Eve walk from the beautiful village of Orient. You can park up near the bus stop and follow the road down towards Es Freu and pick up the footpath sign on the left after about 15 minutes. This will take you up further into the mountains before coming back down into the village. Perfect for tiring out our forever energetic Cockerpoo, Nero.

Our little bit of this planet is somewhere that over the years has been a place for people to channel their energy to create, think, reflect and to find an inner peace. There is never a better time to come and explore the best of this island without the saturation of the summer months. There will be many bars and restaurants closed but that doesn’t matter, as what is open is still offering fabulous food and a welcome that brings a smile…our favourite restaurant Miceli is testament to that. 

We are looking forward to a year ahead full of sharing more experiences but for now Nero is demanding that I stop typing and throw his ball, just for a change. So as the sun is starting to slide  behind these stunning Tramuntana mountains it is definitely time for a cheeky rosado and to wish everyone a happy, peaceful 2024.