Travel: Mallorca
Travel days are for soft landings, and Mallorca delivered. We left from Dulles after hanging out with friends for Madrid–Barajas Airport. We started in the VIP Dali Iberia Lounge, nibbling chocolate pastries before touching down. After picking up our car, we drove straight to Colònia de Sant Jordi for cava and snacks—fresh bread with tomato, caramelized onion, jamón, and the kind of sunshine that instantly resets your nervous system.
A grocery stop followed, then wine by the pool at our AirBnB as the day melted into evening.
We fueled up in Sant Jordi with breakfast at La Mallorquina—eggs Benedict and frappes—then grabbed pastries from Pons Panaderia.
The main event was a climbing day at Puig Sant Martí, where wind, views, and limestone all showed off.
Pa los Abuelos (4a) sat right on the crag’s edge, breezy and photogenic with lovely footholds, while 100 Duros (4c) brought slabby challenges, wandering hands and feet, big moves, and an epic view above the anchors.
We recovered at Paraiso along Alcúdia Beach with cava sangria and patatas bravas, paused for another cava break in Petra, and finished strong at Cassai Beach House: Mai Tais, padrón peppers, and anglerfish croquetas as the sky softened into night.
Breakfast again at La Mallorquina before heading to Sa Mola de Felanitx for top-roping. Premier Plato (4b) was a friendly angled slab, while Sa Rampa (4b) became a personal win—led clean.
From rock to salt, we toured the Salinas d’Es Trenc. Needless to say, I was the most excited of the group about this tour. But my wonderful friends got on board and started teaching me an array of “salt facts.” One of my favorites being: “Salt is not affected by force majeur.”
Then spent the afternoon at Es Trenc Beach. It was absolutely beautiful. As soon as the sun went down we found it to be a bit mosquito-heavy, but still worth it.
We cleaned up and got dinner at S’Oratge. So fabulous. The standouts were our asparagus appetizer, my Mallorca-style sea bass entre, and lava cake with limoncello to close.
A solo breakfast moment at Pons: cortado and a napolitana, simple and perfect. Then it was time for a deep water solo day—sun, sea, and pure joy. Well, mostly. I learned I love climbing, but I really hate jumping into the ocean from tall heights.
We hung out in Port de Sóller, stopping at a bar restaurante for gin and tonics before driving to Palma to return the car and check into our next AirBnB.
The night unfolded beautifully at Vinoteca Wine & Vinyl (surprisingly generous sparkling pours), dinner at Sa Bodegueta with chicken saltimbocca, exceptional olive oil, and carpaccio, then gelato at Cremola—dulce de leche and chocolate, no notes.
The next morning I took a solo photo walk through Palma Old Town, winding past historic buildings, tiny shops, and hidden courtyards. Coffee came from Can Cera Café, right next to Palma Cathedral (La Seu) and the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, where Moorish and Gothic architecture sit side by side.
We wandered Passeig del Born, stopped at Cappuccino Grand Café, grabbed lunch at We’re Farmers (ham & cheese sandwich), and did a little shopping—new espadrilles, a new ring.
A red bus took us to Playa de Palma and up to Castell de Bellver, the city’s iconic circular castle with panoramic views.
We cooled off with gazpacho at Kontiki, visited an art museum on Passeig del Born.
Travel plans unraveled when our flight rerouted to NYC—but even that couldn’t undo a week that felt full in exactly the right ways.
