Hannes reports on our centre-based tour of the sunny island

Along the beautiful east coast of Majorca

For my wife Maria and me, this island is well known. We have been here a few times, but exploring the island by bike is new to us. So we are happy that after the delay in May due to corona, our cycling holiday on Majorca is finally starting. The climate is already cooler in Austria and the weather forecast for Majorca in mid-October is perfect: 23 degrees and sunshine - what could be better? So with a lot of anticipation, off we go to the warm south on Majorca's east coast, where we escape the impending winter.

When we arrive at the airport, we are met by a taxi driver holding a sign with our name on it. We have never experienced such a nice welcome before. Unfortunately, there was a slight mishap and I left my backpack in the taxi. How I get it back? A moment of panic, but then I find a business card in my Eurobike travel documents. Ricardo is the name of our local representative - one phone call is enough and within an hour my backpack is ready to be picked up at the reception. A perfect service! So we can start the first cycling stage the next day with no problems.

Hannes Leichter

+43 6219 60866 152

A cycle tour to the romantic town of Artá

So far, I only know the asphalted main road from Palma to the east of the island. With the first cycling stage, I also get to know the narrower but very well asphalted paths next to the main roads. They led us into the interior of the island and past many palm trees and fincas in the direction of Artá. There are about 40 kilometres to go. With the map material provided by Eurobike, the route can be mastered effortlessly. We stop in Artá to admire the beautiful old town. Many steep narrow streets characterise the cityscape. However, the stage is mostly flat and runs inland past small villages with beautiful churches and chapels. A short rest here and there, and the beautiful tour through the island's countryside comes to an end. The bikes are parked in the well-secured bike storage room and the batteries are charged, because tomorrow the next day's tour is already waiting.

Trip to Cap des Pinar

We have chosen the stages in such a way that we do a longer cycle tour one day and a shorter one the next. That's flexibility - you don't necessarily have to stick to the planned centre-based tour.

So we travel through the east of the island, cycle through the quiet corners of the dreamy little towns and also pass small but wonderful sandy bays. At Cap des Pinar, we walk along the cliffs on a wooden construction and enjoy the magnificent view over the sea. The path there and back runs parallel to the Mediterranean and we take advantage of this to stop at one of the many cafés along the route. We drink Mallorcan wine and enjoy the sun's rays under a blue sky.

The caves of Artá

The cycling stage to the caves of Arta, the largest stalactite caves in Mallorca, and to Cap Vermell with its beautiful bays, takes us past almond and olive trees. Near the fortified tower Torre del Canyamel, we also see many flocks of sheep. So we often stop and watch the many young sheep in search of lush green grass, which is unfortunately very scarce now in late summer, or we make room when riders cross the path. In the warm late summer evening we return to our Hipotel Mediterraneo where a buffet dinner awaits us. We have another glass of wine to end the day.

A word about the hotel: it is really TOP - here, every wish is granted. If you don't want to go to the sea, you can swim in the spacious pool. You can also use the indoor pool, the sauna or the Turkish bath. From the balcony of our room we have a great view of the Mediterranean..

Porto Cristo and the famous ‘Dragon Caves’

The excursion through the interior of the island and further along the steep coast into the harbour bay to Porto Cristo with its worth seeing old town and the famous Dragon Caves is another day trip of our tour. Unfortunately, the Dragon Caves are very crowded and we decide against a visit. We discover a restaurant directly at the harbour and I, as a passionate fisherman, of course can't help it: it can only be fish! Today we have "sardinas" - grilled sardines and a good Spanish beer to go with it. We have a great view of imposing yachts and small fishing boats and just enjoy the moment before heading back to Sa Coma.

The home of Rafael Nadal: Manacor

On the last day of the tour, we cycle over the gentle hills - no problem with the e-bikes - via Son Carrio to Manacor. On the way there, we see two workers shaking olive trees - it's olive harvest time. We park the bikes there and watch the work. We continue straight into Manacor. As a tennis fan, I know that one of the best tennis players in the world, Rafael Nadal, comes from here. So we quickly check Google Maps to find out where Nadal's tennis academy is. We leave our cycling route and cycle there. The disappointment is great when we learn from the doorman that Rafa is not there today. Well, back on the bike and back to the hotel along the beautiful cycle paths.

Conclusion

After more than 200 kilometres cycled:
What is the summary of my first individual Eurobike cycle tour?

It was simply perfect from day one - the fantastically beautiful and warm weather in October, the Mediterranean Sea that still invites you to swim, the great 4-star hotel, the fantastic food and the landscape made this cycle tour unforgettable for me. When it is already very autumnal at home, Mallorca and Spain are generally considered the ideal destination for a cycle tour.