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| ITINERARY 1 | Ibiza to Mallorca including Formentera |
| ITINERARY 2 | From Mallorca including Menorca and Cabrera |
| ITINERARY 3 | Circumnavigation of Mallorca |
Sample itinerary from Ibiza to Mallorca including Formentera
This is a sample nine day itinerary sailing from Ibiza to Palma de Mallorca and including a visit to the Isla de Formentera. Depending on your requirements, there are of course several variations on this theme and many other itinerary possibilities, all of which Captain Tim Harris will be pleased to outline and discuss in the light of your requirements. His considerable knowledge of the Balearic Islands and of the Mediterranean in general will ensure that you derive the most from your time aboard ‘Atlantic Lady'.
A number of our charterers have enquired about the feasibility of starting their holiday aboard ‘Atlantic Lady' in Puerto de Ibiza , usually following a few days visiting friends and enjoying much of what this internationally renowned island and its historic capital have to offer.
Given sufficient notice (and subject to berth availability in what is one of the most popular ports in the Mediterranean) we hope that all things are possible and will do our best to ensure that ‘Atlantic Lady', berthed alongside in the inner harbour, is awaiting your arrival and that Captain Harris and his crew are ready to welcome you on board.
If you have been holidaying on Ibiza, hopefully by the time you arrive at ‘Atlantic Lady' , you will already have explored a little at least of Ibiza Town. In any event, visitors are spoilt for choice. The d'Alt Vila (Old Town) contains, amongst many other fascinating buildings, the Cathedral and the Archaeological Museum. Also well worth a visit is the Museum of the ‘Puig des Molins', a subterranean burial place which served the city from the Phoenician era (7th century BC) until Roman times. Stroll by the 16th century citadel walls, through the maze of alleys, some of which date back to the 6th century and the time of the Carthaginians or, if you prefer, select a waterfront bar or one of the many excellent restaurants and just watch the world that is Ibiza go by.
In the evening, following a traditional afternoon siesta perhaps, there will have been a chance to don your glad rags for dinner before a night on the town, and what a town! You really can't visit Ibiza without dancing the night away in one of its famous clubs which, like a magnet, attract the young and not so young from all around the globe.
Day 1 … But back to your arrival at ‘Atlantic Lady' and once Captain Harris and his crew have welcomed you aboard and shown you to your cabins there will be time to settle in, freshen up and perhaps take a tour of the boat. Champagne or cocktails on the aft deck then signal the start of your cruise.
Following the all important safety briefing, we slip lines and depart the busy port setting a south-westerly course for Ensenada de la Canal. Here a lovely long white sandy beach dotted with beach restaurants awaits us. On arrival we must pick up a mooring buoy as the sea bed is protected from damage which might be caused by anchors. Then it's all aboard the tender for the short run ashore for lunch in one of the chic and trendy beach bars, where the beautiful people hang out!
Depending on your wishes we can spend the day here, perhaps staying on our mooring buoy overnight or, as the sun begins to fall a little, make the short journey south to our anchorage off the Isla de Formentera (there are four islands in all) a mere hour's gentle cruising away. Truly one of the wonders of the Balearics and comparable to a Caribbean paradise, Formentera remains virtually unspoilt by the pressures of tourism. Here there is plenty of time to wonder at and enjoy the miles of stunning white sandy beaches lined on one side with lush palm trees and on the other by the clearest blue Mediterranean Sea .
Day 2 … Following breakfast, you may decide to call for the tender to take you to the shore - the more energetic often prefer to swim - but once there, don't be shocked if you encounter naked people on the Playa de Mitjorn as nudism has long been accepted on the beaches here. After lunch, if you wish, we can weigh anchor and head the short distance north to Isla Espalmador and the picturesque Playa Espalmador, perfectly described in the Balearic pilot book as “delightful, tranquil and sheltered” .
But beware, for another surprise could lie in store as you may well encounter eerie-looking figures wandering along the beach covered from head to toe in grey mud! But fret not, because a short hike through the dunes will bring you to the famous warm mud baths! These are great fun and the treatment is said to be anti-ageing. You will have to judge that for yourselves however but many mudees report feeling slightly euphoric, perhaps from the sulphur which bubbles up from deep below the surface.
Dinner by candlelight can be served aboard ‘Atlantic Lady' , either on the aft or the flybridge deck as you wish. Good food, good wine and good company. The perfect end to a perfect day.
Day 3 … Our third day is spent cruising gently across the channel between Formentera and Mallorca where our destination is the truly beautiful and exclusive port of Andratx, which takes pride in the fact that it is never found in the package holiday brochures!
Relaxation and sunbathing is the order of the day. And take a look around, for there are many separate resting and sunbathing places on board ‘Atlantic Lady' from which to choose. Stretch out on the traditional teak steamer chairs on the fo'csle or foredeck or chose the spacious sunbathing deck fwd of the flybridge deck. Perhaps you would prefer to settle down with a good book or magazine beneath the shade of the bimini or to position a sun lounger nearby. Alternatively, enjoy the shade of the aft deck or, for those for whom the sun is not always welcome, retreat to the air-conditioned comfort of the saloon. And a cold drink is never far away as the crew regularly make their rounds to ensure that your glasses are topped up.
As we make landfall off Mallorca, the two great headlands whose cliffs stand sentinel over the harbour entrance of Puerto Andratx come into view. The original town of Andratx was built slightly inland from the port to act as a defence against pirate attacks and evidence of this can still be seen today in the upper town with its narrow cobbled streets and the almost fortress-like church of Santa Maria. The stunning views back over the old town towards Puerto Andratx make the short journey well worthwhile.
Always a haven for the rich and famous, as long ago as the 13th century Andratx, an important centre of Mallorcan culture, was home to King Jaime I. The Bishop of Barcelona, who knew a thing or two about wealth and luxury, also had his summer palace here. Now, eight centuries later, its stunning hillside luxury villas are home to international film and television celebrities and executives, all of whom value their privacy; a number of them being regular guests aboard ‘Atlantic Lady' .
The newly rebuilt and stylish Club de Vela Puerto de Andratx will be home for the night. From here is it a short journey to the quayside where you will find many boutiques, fine cafes and excellent restaurants which make a lovely spot for an alfresco dinner as the sun sets over the boats anchored in the bay.
Day 4 … The daily papers together with fresh bread and croissants will be awaiting you when you emerge from your cabin for breakfast. Your wide menu choice always includes freshly squeezed juice and steaming hot coffee. This morning, having left Andratx behind us, we set a northerly course, with the island of Dragonera to port. (When you see it, you will understand immediately how it came to be named Dragon Island). Passing through the Dragonera Passage we explore this totally unspoilt stretch of coast. Here is a wilderness of towering mountains and wind swept heather, more reminiscent of Tolkien's fantasy lands than the Mallorca of the holiday programmes. We will spend a few hours enjoying the scenery and relaxing before arriving at our anchorage in Cala de la Calobra. This is a large and spectacular cala (meaning a cove or creek) with several arms and a slit in the high rocky cliffs where the spectacular gorge, the Torrente de Pareis (the Twin Streams), considered to be one of the sights of Mallorca , enters the sea.
Retracing our course for a few miles we come to Soller where we will spend the night. The port sits in a beautiful, almost circular bay set amidst spectacular mountainous scenery. And surrounding Soller (from the Arabic word sulliar meaning golden valley) the hills are still covered in the once famous golden orange groves. The town is still a commercial fishing harbour so although the restaurants offer a wide menu, the locally caught fresh fish will always be a good choice for dinner.
Day 5 … Puerto Pollenca in the north-eastern corner of Mallorca is today's eventual destination and here, without any doubt, is one of the most beautiful parts of the island. The preferred destination for painters and artists at the beginning of the twentieth century, the landscape is truly diverse; steep mountains meet lonely shores with deep, blue waters and the dark green of the pine trees contrasts with the grey of the limestone rocks. But before reaching our harbour for the night, there is plenty of time to enjoy more of the wonderful and unspoiled north coast scenery.
En route for Pollenca, our first stop will be Cala Vall de Boca just past the small but popular resort of Cala de San Vicente. This is an uninhabited and isolated spot. Hidden at the bottom of the cliffs just above the surface of the sea is a wonderful deep sea cave. Swim through the low entrance and you will be amazed to find room enough inside for two double-decker buses! The phosphorescence as you look back through the entrance is a sight that should not be missed.
Our lunchtime anchorage today will be Cala Figuera. There are no fewer than three cala Figueras around the Mallorcan coastline but with the craggy Puig Fumat (334m) rising to the south of the bay, this is said to be the most beautiful. Here there is much to explore or you may prefer to snorkel or just admire the spectacular scenery – the choice as always is yours. As evening comes, ‘Atlantic Lady' will round Cabo Formentor, the North Eastern tip of the island, before heading into Pollenca Bay and its pretty resort nestling below the mountains.
Day 6 … As ‘Atlantic Lady' bids farewell to Puerto Pollenca, Captain Tim will be pleased to point out all the landmarks, including the famous Hotel Formentor, the choice of kings and queens. Having set a southerly course we cross Alcudia Bay to anchor in the delightful Cala es Calo (the Bay of Bays), a truly tranquil spot made for rest and relaxation. Although it will not be easy to leave this behind, yet another lovely bay awaits us just around the headland where Cala Molto offers some of the best snorkelling the island has to offer.
The pretty harbour of Cala Ratjada (the Bay of Rays) will be our home tonight. A still active Mallorcan fishing port, it has expanded somewhat over the years but still retains much of its original flavour. Hopefully before dinner you will have time to visit the historic and once fortified town of Capdepera, a mere one and a half miles inland, and stroll among its many ancient buildings taking in some great views. And as the sun goes down Cala Ratjada comes to life with myriad bars, clubs and restaurants.
Day 7 … Today ‘Atlantic Lady' follows a southerly course for Cala d'Or which lies on the south-east coast a few hours gentle cruising away. This gives us plenty of time en route to drop anchor and to enjoy yet more stunning bays and perhaps, for those who wish, to launch the jet-ski and canoes in order to explore the many caves that typify the coves in this area.
In common with Cala Ratjada, Cal d'Or has grown from the small traditional Mallorcan fishing village it originally was to cover an area of more than four square kilometres of small sandy coves and creeks. In general however, the development has been carefully controlled and the town still retains the character of a small port with few, if any, high rise buildings. The restaurants in and around the port are some of the finest on the island. Enjoy the views over the marina from the terrace at the excellent Port Petit or, for the ultimate in fine dining, there is the famous Cala Vista Restaurant at the Yacht Club which gained its worldwide reputation under the direction of Michelin starred chef Pierre. But do remember that, to avoid disappointment, reservations well in advance are strongly recommended.
Day 8 … As usual, start the day with an unhurried breakfast on the flybridge deck perhaps before we slip lines and set a southerly course rounding the Punta de las Salinas (the south-eastern tip of the island) slowing to marvel at the crystal clear azure water that marks the headland.
Although there is ample time to relax during a short cruise along the south coast, it won't be long before ‘Atlantic Lady' drops anchor at Playa del Trench, a wide open bay easily identified by its miles and miles of white sandy beach. It's time to enjoy a buffet lunch, some excellent Spanish Tempranillo perhaps and work on topping up your tan.
As we round Cabo Blanco and enter the magnificent Bay of Palma the City in all its glory lies set out before us. Palma de Mallorca, a remarkable mix of ancient and modern, has something for everyone; from the soaring magnificence of its twelfth century gothic cathedral, countless narrow flagged alleyways lined by shops, bars and restaurants, highest quality shopping in the City Centre and, for the really energetic, its many cosmopolitan night clubs that open late and never seem to close.
So, with all the sights, wonders and nightlife of Palma yet to explore, don't think it is all over yet. Some of you may prefer to spend your final evening on board relaxing amongst the twinkling lights of the Palma marinas and reminiscing over what we hope will have been a truly wonderful cruise.
Day 9 … A leisurely breakfast, a little final packing and a sad au revoir from ‘Atlantic Lady' and her crew. Please come back and see us again soon.
“How lovely it is to do nothing all day, and then relax afterwards”
'Atlantic Lady' guest