Majorca Holidays - Not Just About Making Merry
By Adam Singleton

To most people, the mere mention of Majorca elicits those all too familiar images of Club 18-30 hotspots - Palma Nova and Magaluf - which have historically been popular with young holidaymakers looking to have a good time. However, Majorca has many resorts which cater towards a more tranquil, easy-going holiday.

Majorca is the largest of the Spanish islands and is part of the greater Balearic Islands archipelago. Situated in the Mediterranean Sea, Majorca has been synonymous with the package holiday industry since tourism on the island began in 1952 and is still popular with young holidaymakers and families alike today. But while the younger holidaymaker will undoubtedly seek the fast-paced hustle and bustle of Palma Nova, Alcudia or Magaluf, those holidaymakers looking for a more tranquil time are also well catered for on the island.

The resort of C'an Pastilla is situated nearby the island capital of Palma. In fact, C'an Pastilla was one of the first resorts to be discovered by British holidaymakers during the early tourist boom of the 1960s and despite its proximity to Palma airport it is little troubled by aircraft noise. The town was originally a small fishing village which has grown since the early days of tourism and many of the buildings and facilities still date back to this period. The resort plays host to a selection of small shops, restaurants and bars, as well as the picturesque harbour, marina and Playa de Palma beach and is an ideal location for those who desire a more sedate beach holiday.

In the opposite direction lies the resort of Paguera, which similarly to C'an Pastilla began life as a small fishing village. However recent years have seen it grow into a popular tourist destination with plenty of restaurants and facilities. Paguera is a much livelier resort than C'an Pastilla, but pales in comparison to Palma Nova or Magaluf. With three picturesque beaches - Playa Palmira, Playa Tora and Playa La Romana - and a large selection of shops, bars and restaurants, Paguera is an ideal spot for those looking for the best of both worlds in their holiday with accommodation to match, whether it be a 5 star hotel or a self-catering, family friendly hotel in Majorca.

The resort of Camp de Mar is situated nearby to Paguera, and although a little off the beaten track compared to many package holidays, the resort is in easy reach of the city of Palma, while the town Santa Ponsa lies just around the bay for those seeking some excitement. The resort has so far managed to avoid major tourist development and manages to convey the impression of being somewhat isolated from most of the other tourist spots on the island, with many of the bars and restaurants being hotel-based. However, this has not stopped the area being popular with the rich and famous, with Claudia Schiffer, Tom Cruise and Michael Schumacher all owning property in and around the area.

From spending lazy days basking in the sun, to enjoying a vibrant, exuberating nightlife, Majorca has a place to cater for most people. With many of the smaller, quieter resorts situated nearby to the more cosmopolitan tourist centres, visitors are well placed to combine both elements. What's more, flight time from the UK is just over two hours away so holidaymakers needn't spend a large chunk of their well-earned holiday time travelling. So, why not forget the Club 18-30 stigma of Majorca and discover that island has more than just bars full of boozy Brits to offer?

Adam Singleton is an online freelance journalist from Scotland. His hobbies include travelling and hiking.