Scotland

If you want a reasonably-priced holiday, offering as much or as little activity as you feel like, the Spanish island of Mallorca is the place for you. There is an endless amount to see and do, and there’s also peace and tranquillity if you prefer that. Personally, I like a mixture – a day in the mountains, a day in Palma, a day exploring the local culture and history punctuated by lots of cafs, some nice lunches out, a bit of shopping and hours of dozing on the beach.

If you think Mallorca is purely for hedonistic young Brits seeking cheap booze and familiar food in better weather than can be found at home, think again. While there is an element of this in many resorts, it’s mainly the south-eastern areas such as Magaluf that tend to offer neon lights, slot machines and happening nightlife. If this is what you want, Mallorca is a fabulous place to find it. But if you really don’t want this, Mallorca has a whole lot more to it as well.

If you like lounging on the beach, you’ll find a nice one at Puerto Pollensa. It’s sandy and very long, and the sea there is calm and lovely for swimming in. There are shops and restaurants just across the road from the beach and everything’s very convenient. From here, you can also easily explore the mountains, if you feel so inclined.

If you like nature, there’s a lot to see in Mallorca. The landscape itself is pretty amazing and there are some amazing caves and underground lakes, which are now tourist attractions. The flora and fauna are also quite special, and the island has several nature reserves and natural parks. Worth seeing also are the underground caves and lakes on the east coast.

If you’re active and sporty, there are countless pursuits you can enjoy in Mallorca. The golf is famously excellent; there’s horse-riding, bike-riding and fantastic walks to do. And that’s before you go near the water. As well as swimming in the sea, you can water-ski, paraglide, sail, snorkel, scuba-dive

Mallorca has a colourful history, which shows in the architecture, the food and the language. The Romans, the Goths, the Vandals and the Moors – as well as the English and indeed the Spanish – have all left their mark on Mallorcan culture. Do take in a couple of the excellent, informative museums while you’re there.

There are some interesting art galleries around the island, where you can see the works of both up-and-coming and well established artists. Joan Mir and his wife set up a foundation in Palma and his public art is to be found all over the city. In terms of music, too, Mallorca has a lot to offer, with classical, folk and other musical concerts being frequently put on.

Eating and drinking in Mallorca are enjoyable experiences. Traditional Mallorcan cuisine is a colourful mixture of pork, seafood and vegetables, with plenty of top-quality olive oil. Although the tourist resorts cater for those wanting familiar British-style food, if you venture slightly inland and/or off the beaten track, you’ll find restaurants serving Mallorcan food – and you’re in for a treat! Make sure you try some locally produced wine with it too.

From pretty well wherever you are in the UK, you can find a cheap flight to Mallorca. Accommodation is generally good value and so is car hire, so a Balearic holiday is not going to break the bank. And, with so many diverse things to see and do there, one trip may not be enough.