My Love Affair with Mallorca

Holidays.  We spend hours fantasising about them, researching and planning them.  We can't wait for them to arrive.  They relax and renew us.  They're fun and stimulating.  They're where our special memories are made.

I've visited Australia, America, Africa, Hong Kong, Thailand and Singapore to mention a few but one of my all-time favourite holiday destinations, especially with the family, is Biniorella in Mallorca.

The good news is you can leave home in the morning and be relaxing in the sunny climes of the Mediterranean by the afternoon.

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This year we headed off on holiday with my brother and his lovely wife Tina and Caroline and family.  Unfortunately, no Emmie because she is now at school.  The grandchildren love it here, as do their grandparents.  The pool is fenced off for extra piece of mind and the beach at Camp de Mar is only ten minutes walk away.

The coastline here is in a sheltered spot, protected against the wind.  The beach is overlooked by several large hotels but the view out to sea really is wonderful.  It is a great spot for young children and Chloe and Jamie even went for a swim in it's shallow waters.

They also love feeding the fish off the wooden bridge that leads to La Illeta restaurant (otherwise known as ice cream island).

The pool sits at the bottom of the terrace and it was here that all of us, Nanna included, lay aside i pads and mobile phones to play and relax together.  Without any of us realising it the Villa was working it's indisputable magic again.

Such was the lazy pace that we didn't make it out of the villa most days unless it was to eat! Like cats
with buttered paws, we didn't stray too far.

Although very expensive we love to visit Na Caragola restaurant at St. Elm.  It is a place we return to again and again for the exquisite views.  To sit overlooking the bay of St. Elm whilst enjoying good food and wine is something really special.  The terrace is just above the anchorage of St. Elm and overlooks an unspoilt bay of turquoise waters with Dragonera in the background.  The bill racks up rapidly but you'll leave with a belly full and a huge smile on your face.

Then after lunch - the beach at St. Elm.

The following day a drive to the Bodegas, Santa Caterina undoubtedly provided the most stunning views of mountains and sea - even if the acute hairpin bends that threatened to plunge us down the mountain side at every turn meant I had to see them through fingers over my eyes.  Well done for driving Stuart and Mike (although they both said it was easy after negotiating the drive at Roca Marina.  I quite agree - don't think I could do it).

The winery is located in the beautiful hills at the foot of the Tramuntana mountains, approximately 4 kms outside the village of Andratx.

The experience was wonderful, beautiful surroundings and a delicious authentic picnic lunch, which we had booked, consisting of Spanish specialties - Chorizo, Serrano ham, Manchego cheese, olives, bread, olive oil with bottles of wine of our choice following the tasting session.

And for the drivers - chosen wine to drink at the Villa later.

I just love the label drop by drop...

Phil celebrated his birthday with an early morning dip.

Glamour is left to nearby Port d'Andratx, a ten minute car drive away, so for Phil's birthday we all dressed up and headed to Villa Italia.

As a family we have been coming to this restaurant for years to celebrate Phil's birthday, as we know we will never be disappointed.  The set menu at 29 euros is very good value.  The presentation of food, flavour and friendly, helpful service is excellent.

And, after the mountaineering start up the many steps to the restaurant, the vista across the bay enhances the experience.  This restaurant is a birthday treat and it is perfect.

Lazy days doing little more than swimming and eating in a beautiful place really can change the soul - and body.  Now just very large and content......

Thank you Biniorella for another great holiday and the bottle of wine to celebrate Phil's birthday.  We will definitely be back in 2017 - in fact we may visit twice.

 

A Fairytale Birthday

Emmie awoke to a grand birthday show of six royal trumpeters lined up in a row.

She rolled out of the covers and up she bounced, as Star Lily the Unicorn nobly announced.

"We have come from a magical far-away land where birthday parties are majestic and grand.

Happy Birthday Emmie, today is your day.  Let us be on our way.

Our Enchanted Kingdom is across the sky, so climb aboard, hold tight, and wave goodbye!"

They soared through the air, above all the trees, over medieval cities and across rolling seas.

Through clouds that were dreamy, so soft and so white, over peaks of tall mountains, oh what a sight!

Their wild ride had many a twist and twirl.  It was a fairy-tale flight for a birthday girl.

Then a castle with turrets came into view, with flags streaming high in hues pink and blue.

Emmie's name was spelled out for the kingdom to see.

A castle for Emmie!  Could this land really be?

Emmie caught sight of an emerald green moat, with a dragon, a drawbridge and a royal golden boat.

She glided in to land at the castle's great gate, and she hurried inside.

She could hardly wait!

Then a royal maiden curtsied in to declare that she had come to help Princess Emmie prepare.

Emmeline dressed up for her majestic affair, twirled in the mirror, and descended the stair.

The sight of Emmie took the guests' breath away!  They all applauded and had this to say.

"Dear Emmeline,

You are our birthday princess today because you are special in every way.  You are a beautiful girl, but that's only one part.

It's the inside that counts.

It's what's found in your heart.

You're generous, caring, creative and kind, curious, humourous with an intelligent mind."

Wheeled out was a fantastical birthday cake that had taken all of Queen Gemma's bakers to bake.

It was a glorious sight! (Shame about Queen Nanna in mirror!)

The guests all cheered and they sang in delight.

Happy Birthday to you.

Emmie knew exactly the next thing to do.

She whispered her wish as she blew out the flames and then came the music, performers and games!

The guests were all dancing.

They twirled all around.

What a royal adventure you have had today.

We celebrated your birthday in a magical way.

The time has come to fly home through the air.

The wings of the unicorn will carry you there.

Goodnight little Emmeline.

Sleep tight and in the morning you will awake in your home far away.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DARLING EMMELINE.