Places to go
Palma
Palma de Mallorca, capital of Mallorca island and of the Balearics as a whole, is a large, sophisticated and cosmopolitan city.
The city has three distinct areas. There is an old quarter which was walled in until the beginning of this century and which centres on the cathedral. Then, there is the new modern city stretching out westwards along the bay. The third area is the harbour and promenade area, directly below the cathedral and on the bay itself.
Palma Cathedral
The cathedral is known as "La Seo" and is well worth a visit. The cathedral combines an original Romanesque layout with later Gothic architecture, for although the foundation stone was laid in 1230, the building was not completed until 1601. The immediately striking feature of the cathedral is its sheer size and the manner in which the whole mass is supported by slender and soaring pillars. Other exhibits include early 15th century religious paintings, vestments and liturgical ornaments and a particularly fine pair of 18th century candelabra.
Soller
The town of Soller is set in a valley of orange groves that is framed by the Sierra de Tramomtana range of hills. Peurto de Soller, the town's port can be reached by a 20 minute rail trip by an open San Fransisco style train or, if desired, by a 3 mile car journey. Well worth a visit, with its lovely quiet bay and the train ride is not to be missed!
Caves of Drach
Situated in the resort of Porto Cristo and founded by the Frenchman Edward Alfred Martel, the Caves of Drach (The Dragon's Caves) are really immense. The complex of caverns stretches for about a mile and it includes a series of underground pools. A sound and light concert across the lake provides a memorable finale. There are enough stalactites and stalagmites and endless strange formations here to last you a lifetime!
Inca
Inca is the island's third largest town and has the distinction of having the most popular weekly market as well as the oldest one. There are 13th century records of merchants bringing their produce to fairs held at Inca. Nowadays Inca is one of the most important centres of Mallorca's leather and footwear industry.
