I stand corrected. I have always avoided going to places like Majorca, Ibiza and Tenerife as I am not really a resort person and associate those places with package holidays, crowded beaches, concrete block hotels and stag parties.
However, I have had my perceptions altered as friends of my parents go to Majorca most years on holiday, and they are hiking enthusiasts, and they talk of days walking in mountains, beautiful coastal scenery, they say there are some pretty villages still, and spend the eveing relaxing in a bar with tapas or a nice restaurant meal. I have been shown lots of photos and not a concrete high rise hotel in sight! I am challenged to go for myself and I will sometime.
Anyone else been suprised by a place and found it totally different to expected, or persuaded to go somewhere they normally wouldn't?
hallo femaletraveller, majorca is the best example how the media can ruin a place. honestly speaking, there are places on the southern coast that are built up, surrounded by highways, gasstations et cetera. palma itself is in spring and autumn very quiet and nice to be at, including dozens and dozens of art nouveau buildings. the mountains only a few miles north of palma are unspoiled if you take some vacation-villages as an exception. the north coast only has one example of hotel "concrete brutalism", a hotel that has never been finished and stands now as an example of bad taste and (unlawful) regional planing. majorca is definitely to recommend! forget about the bad pictures on tv from time to time. if you will be going there, a tip, do not miss to travel on the "orange" or "citrus express" from downtown palma to soller. there is a separate station next to the main station. the train runs on narrow gauge rails.
benidorm, eastcoast of spain, south of valencia, take a look at those highrises, the place on earth with most highrises in comparison to inhabitants. i only drove through once but want to see it definitely a second time. maybe for two or three days. the social background ranges from millionaire to blackpool, from 1-euro-disco to 2 star restaurants. it is amazing, like a real life disneyland. also, ut is one of the few places where highrises have been built until the end of town. if you are standing -in front of- the town, the town starts with highrises, highrises, highrises. amazing. i can recommend it to anyone that is interested in architecture. also, because it is one of the few places where the high-rise-style in town planning lead into success...they have built nothing else than highrises. so they could not make any mistake.
try the benidorm experience, but bring some sunglasses!
'super
I totally confirm what you say about Majorca. I stayed in Port de Soller and visited the most amazing beaches I've ever seen, one of them so hidden that in mid August there were only 20/30 people on the whole beach...fantastic! It was quite unexpected and it turned out to be one of my best holidays ever!
As #1 points out Majorca is the perfect example. I avoided the place for years, then only relented when a friend's parents bought a small place there (north-east). Absolutely stunning. Not a highrise in sight.
Still don't think I could face Benidorm though.
Cool. Thanks everyone. Well, I have been challenged to go , so I will take up the challenge, but not just not now (I have recently purchased a flight to the USA for October and I am arranging a budget trip to Italy in either September or November, so I haven't got the time or money at the minute). Possibly in the Spring if I am not working abroad then.
I stand corrected on Majorca. My parents friends, who convinced me that it's not all package tours, are keen hikers and I have known them for years - they like quiet, mountainous places, villages, coastal walks etc. and are really not the type to party all night in a club - they like bars with atmopsphere but where you can sit and chat. I have promised to go and see for myself anyway!
Surely many people have known N Mallorca is lovely for decades, at least! Robert Graves certainly did. I suppose it's because it's a relatively small island that people think it must all be like the tourist nightmare of the south coast.
Agree with all others here. Mallorca has still many hidden gems, and fortunately the fun&sand&booze crowd do not leave their resorts so don't bother the tourists really interested in local culture, rural life, some hiking, and quiet and beutiful beaches.
The same happens with Tenerife (having been there a few times, and never set a foot on one of these ugly concrete resorts), or even in Ibiza out of season. My personal favourites of Spanish islands: La Palma in Canaries and Menorca in Balearics.
Good to know, Isa. I've been thinking about a short trip to the Canaries in winter ,I'm after the famously good Canarian food mainly :) and wondering if I could find somewhere not completely covered by highrise resorts.
Eve, fortunately, MOST of the canaries is NOT completely covered by highrise resorts. There are some parts you will not see ANY building around, or just a few traditional white houses with the traditional balconies full of flowers. And small fishermen villages were to taste the day's catch with some papas con mojo...
You might like to have a look at my Canary Islands pages on VT: Belsaita Canary Islands page. I had not time to add more tips, just some general descriptions and some pictures... but feel free to ask me :)
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