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MY Atlantic Lady

ITINERARIES...

Sample itinerary Circumnavigation of Mallorca

This is a sample seven-day circumnavigation of Mallorca sailing from and returning to Palma. There are of course many more itinerary possibilities and Captain Tim Harris will be only too pleased to discuss your requirements. His considerable knowledge not only of the Balearic Islands but also of the Mediterranean coastline will ensure that you get the most from your time aboard ‘Atlantic Lady'.

Day 1 … Your home for the next seven days ‘Atlantic Lady' is usually berthed in Puerto Palma de Mallorca, a mere fifteen minutes from the airport. Palma has something for everyone, such as the soaring magnificence of its twelfth century gothic cathedral, the countless narrow flagged alleyways of the Old Town, lined by shops, bars and restaurants, the high quality City Centre shopping and, for the energetic, its many cosmopolitan night clubs that open late and only close as the sun rises slowly in the east to welcome another day.

Captain Harris and his crew will welcome you on board ‘Atlantic Lady' and show you to your cabins. After time to freshen up and perhaps a tour of the boat, champagne or cocktails on the aft deck signal the start of your cruise.

Following the important safety briefing (which all are required to attend), we slip lines and depart the busy port, cruising south-west along the coast taking in the elegant Puerto Portals and passing by the mass tourist playgrounds that are Palma Nova and Magaluf. However, paradise is just around the corner in the shape of Portals Vells, one of the loveliest bays on the south coast of Mallorca with its beautiful unspoilt white sand beach and the nearby Poniente Golf Course.

Here, there is time for a swim or a trip ashore to explore the tombs that date back to Phoenician times followed by lunch aboard or, if you prefer, at one of the beach-side restaurants, well known for the quality and variety of seafood – the choice is yours. In the afternoon we weigh anchor and set course for the truly beautiful and exclusive port of Andratx, which takes pride in the fact that it is never found in the package holiday brochures!

As we approach the entrance to the outer harbour, the two great headlands whose cliffs stand sentinel, 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, and as long ago as the 13th century an important centre of Mallorcan culture, Andratx 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,  many of its stunning hillside luxury villas belong to international film and television celebrities and executives, all of whom value their privacy. For this very reason some of them are 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 offer a lovely location for an alfresco dinner as the sun sets over the boats anchored in the bay.

Day 2 … Leaving Andratx and the south coast, we set a northerly course, with the island of Dragonera to port. When you see it, you will understand how it came to be named. Passing through the Dragonera Passage we explore what is an 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 in time for lunch 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 make landfall for the night at Soller which sits in a beautiful, almost circular bay set amidst spectacularly 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 the best fish restaurants are always going to be a good choice for dinner.

Day 3 … 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 can include freshly squeezed juice and steaming hot coffee. Today we set a course for Puerto Pollenca in the north-eastern corner of Mallorca, and here, without any doubt, is one of the most beautiful parts of the island. The preferred destination for painters and artists at the turn of the nineteenth 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 making landfall, 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.

Day 4 … 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 (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 for the night. 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 5 … 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 should give us 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 a small traditional Mallorcan fishing village it originally was to cover an area of more than four 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, try the famous Cala Vista Restaurant at the Yacht Club. But do remember that, to avoid disappointment, reservations well in advance are strongly recommended.

Day 6 … 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 re-enter the magnificent Bay of Palma it will seem like a lifetime ago since we departed. However, with all the sights, wonders and nightlife of Palma 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 7 … 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

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