SHORE EXCURSIONS

Visit three acclaimed artists in their studios in Valldemossa, where you will see their works and discuss their creative processes. The village is an inspiring setting that is just as beautiful as it was when Polish composer Frédéric Chopin and French novelist George Sand wintered there in the 19th century. Valldemossa still attracts musicians, writers and most prominently painters, who come to capture the natural beauty. At the studio of Slovenia-born Bruno Zupan, you can expect to see his glowing landscape paintings and limited-edition serigraphs and lithographs. You will also spend time with Natasha Zupan, Bruno’s immensely talented daughter. She typically works in mixed media and describes her style as “the search for the heart of the matter.” The third artist is Guillermo Rodríguez, known simply as Guillermín. Many of his works are in white or black or a combination of the two colors. The white, he explains, represents the light of the soul, while black expresses fear.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Visit three artists in their studios in naturally beautiful Valldemossa.
• Discuss the creative process with the artists and what inspires them.
• View the artists’ works, which include landscape paintings and mixed media.

Discover some of the most scenic parts of Mallorca, the lovely village of Soller and enjoy a picturesque ride on the Soller Railway. Board your coach for a scenic drive through the beautiful Majorcan countryside. Enjoy a walk through the narrow streets of Soller. Immerse yourself in the enchanting atmosphere of this quaint mountain village. Board the historic Soller train for your scenic 45 minute journey, which is highlighted by beautiful panoramic views of the Mallorcan Mountains, orange groves and small, fairy-tale like villages. Pass through tunnels, over bridges and stop at a lookout point for a great view on your way back to Palma. You will enjoy a Panoramic drive through Palma before returning to the pier.

Discover the beautiful village of Valldemossa and take in the spectacular views of Palma. Leaving the port, you'll drive along the Paseo Maritimo, with hotels on one side and luxurious yachts on the other. You'll pass the cathedral and the Almudaina Palace, along the way to the centre of Palma through Avenida Argentina and Avenida Jaime III with its exclusive shops. You'll also see landscapes of pine forests and groves of almond and olive trees en route to Valldemossa.

Valldemossa is one of the most scenic villages of the island, with a magnificent view over the valley and the capital of Palma on the horizon. Stroll its quaint streets, stop for a soft drink and enjoy free time to take some photos or visit the pearl shop where you can shop for manufactured Majorca pearl jewellery. Back in Palma, you'll drive up to Bellver Castle for a beautiful view overlooking the Paseo Maritimo and the town.

View landmarks of Palma de Mallorca and thrill to an authentic flamenco performance while being treated to delicious traditional tapas. Make your way to the city center aboard your coach, passing alluring sights during a comfortable, panoramic ride, and get acquainted with this lively city. Stop for some pictures in front of La Seu, the city’s utterly magnificent cathedral, located by the sea and impressed by its spectacular gothic architecture. Relish some free time. Prior To experience the true spirit of Spain: you’ll savor a typical tapas lunch served with sangria, all while enjoying a rousing flamenco performance. Applaud this exhilarating dance, a stirring blend of clicking heels and castanets, Spanish guitar and emotive bravado, a perfect encapsulation of the impassioned and irrepressible soul of this magical land.

Explore the 14th-century royal palace Almudaina and then meander through the enchanting streets of Palma, pausing in the some of the more atmospheric patio courtyards. Moors built the palace, and although it has been renovated extensively over the centuries, it still reflects the best qualities of Moorish architecture. The seemingly impenetrable design of the palace lives up to the name Almudaina, which means “fortress.” Palma is also known for the dozens of leafy patio courtyards that adjoin the stately homes in Old Town. Their styles may vary from Gothic to Baroque, but most all of them feature beautiful archways, columns and staircases with wrought-iron accents. As a contrast to these rather intimate venues, you will enjoy free time in Palma’s expansive open-air Plaza Mayor, which is lined with one-of-a-kind shops. For a spectacular view of Palma, you will pause for photos at hilltop Bellver Castle, the only circular gothic castle in Europe.

HIGHLIGHTS
• Visit the royal palace Almudaina, which still reflects its 14th-century Moorish design.
• Enjoy a leisurely walk through some of the Palma’s most atmospheric patio courtyards.
• Browse the shops around Plaza Mayor, the city’s most prominent gathering spot.
• Pause for photos at Bellver Castle, which perches atop a hill overlooking the harbor.

HELPFUL HINTS
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Recognize the achievements of tennis champion Rafa Nadal at his namesake museum in his hometown of Manacor. On the way there, you will stop to see how famed Mallorca pearls are cultured and shop for exquisite hand-crafted pearl jewelry. Arriving in Blanca Terra a traditional brunch follows, which will showcase the local cuisine much like the museum will showcase the extraordinary talents of favorite son Rafael Nadal, who is affectionately known as Rafa. The Spaniard’s tennis career is legendary, especially on clay courts, and he has generously given back to the community of Manacor by building tennis academies and the Rafa Nadal Xperience. Besides seeing Nadal’s trophies and Olympic medals, you may view sports memorabilia that other star athletes have donated. For instance, you may see Tiger Woods’ golf clubs, Usain Bolt’s running shoes and Michael Phelps’ swim trunks. The museum is devoted to the benefit of all sports and features interactive screens and simulators that enhance the experience.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• See the unusual, interactive museum that tennis champ Rafa Nadal built in his hometown. • Discover how Mallorca pearls are cultured and shop for pearl jewelry if you wish. • Enjoy a leisurely brunch of dishes that reflect the unique local cuisine.

HELPFUL HINTS:
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Spend hours relaxing on Santa Ponsa Beach, perhaps the loveliest stretch of sand in town. The name is a reference to the Roman villa Sancta Pontia that once stood where King James I of Aragon landed in 1229 to conquer the occupying Moors. A cross at the marina marks the occasion. Today, the golden beach of Santa Ponsa is revered for its typically calm sheltered waters, which earned a prestigious Blue Flag designation for clarity and purity. While there, you might take a refreshing swim, bask in the sun and lounge about on a towel with nothing more on your mind than total relaxation. If you want a break from the beach, feel free to explore the shops on the promenade along the sand. Although Santa Ponsa is usually somewhat crowded, the less-visited beach Caló d’en Palliser is just a few blocks away. Later, you will dine on tapas at the beachside restaurant El Mercador de Mar.

HIGHLIGHTS:
• Spend about four hours at popular Santa Ponsa Beach doing whatever you please. • Take a refreshing swim in the sea, which earned a Blue Flag designation for water quality. • Shop along the promenade that follows the beach, if you wish. • Dine on tapas at a restaurant at the southern end of the beach.

HELPFUL HINTS:
• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing. • Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Discover the magical gardens that surround the manor, including the pergola with its water fountains and adorned with twenty-four stone hydras. The numerous water jets cross one another, making a very special experience. After, arrive to the area influenced of English gardens, very fresh and shady. In the lower garden, you'll see the small pond with water lilies. All these styles are very well integrated and make a whole harmony when you pass from one to the following. Next, enjoy a nice brunch in "El Vasco Restaurant”, where the Basque culinary tradition merges with the Mediterranean charm of the island and tradition blends with the warmth of Mallorca. Get a feel of a unique gastronomic experience that will make you feel at home. You will enjoy a delicious variety of croquettes, very typical of Spanish gastronomy, a variety of sausages accompanied by a good wine and liquors. Depart to Bellver Castle, where you will be able to admire Palma de Mallorca town and take some pictures and selfies. Finally, enjoy a panoramic drive back to your ship.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

Visit the most beautiful lookout at sea in Mallorca, SA FORADADA, with strange big, pierced Rock. Beautiful scenery for small boats to anchor in Summer. On top, we find a nice restaurant, El Mirador de NA FORADA, close to the Palace that belonged to the ARCHDUKE LUIS SALVADOR. Drive to the Bellver Castle for a some pictures and receive the corresponding explanation from Palma de Mallorca. Next, departure to the restaurant while admiring Valldemosa, where the famous Pianist Chopin lived many years of his life. The guide will explain the History for the influence of ARCHDUKE LUIS SALVADOR in the Island. Once at the restaurant, enjoy a simple but delicious cuisine, a paella, iconic dish of Spanish cuisine, accompanied by good wine. All this while enjoying incredible views of the north coast of Mallorca, where the Serra de Tramuntana Mountain range ends abruptly in incredible cliffs. Take pictures from the lookout and enjoy an aperitif outside before lunch. Lunch will be served inside the restaurant or in a terrace. Finally, depart to town with a panoramic view of the city before going back to your ship.

Spend hours relaxing, however you please at an exclusive beach club where you will have full access to the amenities including a complimentary towel and one drink for your comfort and enjoyment. It won’t take long to reach the Breeza Beach Club, which will give you even more time to enjoy its carefree ambiance. The club overlooks a wide and lengthy stretch of golden sand rimmed by turquoise waters. The sea there is generally calm and inviting as it is sheltered by two headlands and Isla de sa Porrassa, the large humpbacked island that you will see just offshore. Feel free to take a refreshing dip in the Bay of Palma or, if you prefer freshwater, the club’s swimming pool is just steps away from your sunbed. You could also stretch out on a padded sunbed, stroll along the shore and take full advantage of the waterfront restaurant on your own. With so many options, it will be easy to find a slice of paradise.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Enjoy full access to the amenities of the exclusive Breeza Beach Club in nearby Magaluf.
• Relax on a sunbed situated next to the swimming pool, just few steps away from the beach.
• Take a refreshing dip in the sea and in the club’s freshwater swimming pool.
• Dine on your own whenever you wish at the club’s restaurant and bar.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Stop for photos of two of Palma’s most emblematic settings and in between learn to prepare an herbal liqueur in an unusual cave setting. Bellver means “lovely view” in Catalan and as you will discover the panoramas from the 14th-century Bellver Castle live up to its name. Similarly, the views from the Catholic church Ermita de Portals Nous are breathtaking as the sanctuary overlooks the sea. The hermitage has been a landmark since the 13th century. Genova Caves is another especially memorable destination because its stalactites and stalagmites are eerily illuminated for dramatic effect. Discovered in 1906, the caves were originally prepared for visitors by occultist and costume designer Natacha Rambova, the widow of silent film star Rudolph Valentino. After descending into the chambers, you will join a liqueur making workshop using local herbs to enhance the flavor. A taste of Majorcan products with Sangria or local wine (depending on season) will be served as accompaniments.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Learn to prepare a herbal liqueur concoction within the Genova Caves.

• Take in the extraordinary views from Bellver Castle, a landmark since the 14th century.
• Admire the sweeping seaside panoramas from a historical Catholic hermitage.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.

OVERVIEW

Kayak over meadows of seagrass that are so vital to the health of the Mediterranean that they have been called "the lungs of the sea." Inspired by the National Geographic Explorer project Pristine Seas - whose mission is to protect the world's wildest marine ecosystems - this adventure will introduce you to a natural world like no other. As you kayak through the environmentally protected waters off the village of Sant Elm, you will see vast beds of the seagrass Posidonia oceanica below. Also known as Neptune grass, this endemic plant has the rare ability to stabilize the sea floor, prevent coastal erosion and provide habitat for countless marine creatures. The guide will describe its many benefits and critical role in the preservation of the seas. If you wish, you may snorkel through these crystal-clear waters, as well. Besides seeing all sorts of colorful fish, you may spot various species of dolphins.

HIGHLIGHTS

• Kayak through protected waters where an environmentally critical seagrass grows.
• Learn about the many benefits of the seagrass from the naturalist guide.
• See how this adventure relates to the National Geographic Explorer project Pristine Seas.
• Enjoy the option of snorkeling over the beds of endemic seagrass for a closer look.

HELPFUL HINTS

• Dress in weather-appropriate clothing with a swimsuit underneath.
• Bring a towel and sunscreen.
• Wear flat comfortable walking shoes.