Cases de Son Barbassa
Mallorca, Balearic Islands, Spain[view map]
Local restaurants
Part of a hotel, the garden dining area at Ses Rotges on Cala Ratjada (+34 971 563 108) is is a romantic setting for a Michelin-starred restaurant. Renaisansce in Capdepera (+34 971 563 713) serves great French cuisine. C'an Maya in Cala Ratjada (+34 971 564 035) has a terrace looking over the small harbour and is great for fish. L'Orient on Placa de l'Orient (+34 971 563 098) is a lively tapas bar and great for watching life in the square of Capdepera. The best beach restaurant, or chiringuito, for lunch is at Cala Torta but the one in Canyamel is also great.
Worth getting out of bed for
Golf (there are four courses in the area); Smith members get 10 per cent off at three of them. Water sports include waterskiing, fishing, kite boarding, wake boarding and wind surfing. Hiking or mountain biking are popular, especially outside of the high season. There is a tennis club nearby and also a stables.Canyamel beach is a short walk across the finca’s land and across the rocks. Not too far is the legendary Cala Torta beach, which is unspoilt, though the chiringuito there is expensive simply because it’s so well known. Cala Agulla beach is not far away by car and is relatively untouched.
Diary
January The festival of San Sebastián, the patron saint of Palma. Revellers also doff their party caps to San Antonio Abad during this month. Since he's the patron saint of animals, you can expect all manner of pet processions and animal-blessing ceremonies. If you're in the mood for carnival, this part of the world gets busy with fancy dress and brightly coloured floats during the weekend before Lent for Sa Rua. Semana Santa, aka Holy Week, is an even bigger do: Palma holds processions every day, and the smaller towns have festivities, too. July Those after a knees-up should find their way to Valldemossa when it's time to honour Santa Catalina Tomàs, the patron saint of Mallorca.