Mr & Mrs Smith

With Simply Fosh at the Convent de la Missió hotel (+34 971 720 114), Mark Fosh has brought his exciting modern cuisine to Palma – reserve a table in the courtyard and settle down for the five-course tasting menu. Dine overlooking Palma bay with its boats and salt-soaks at Nautic, on the first floor of the Real Club Nautico on Muelle de San Pedro: expect Mediterranean specialities such as paella dishes, along with fresh fish from the nearby market. La Boveda on Calle Boteria (+34 971 712 163) is heaven for tapas lovers, located just a few steps from the cathedral in the heart of the Old Town. Opt for fava beans with strips of ham, spinach tortillas, grilled or deep-fried calamari, and shrimp with garlic sauce, teamed with a full-bodied and spicy Rioja or delicately perfumed white. For fine dining and romance, head to Aramis on Calle Montenegro (+34 971 725 232). In the lovingly restored old building, dine on Italian ingredients and fresh, flavoursome Mediterranean fare such as roasted duck liver with polenta and raspberry sauce, or noodles with gorgonzola sauce and cherry tomatoes.

The beach is a 15-minute walk away and so you may be tempted to dedicate an entire day to sun-worship. Fitness fanatics should make use of the jogging track a five-minute walk from the hotel, while culture vultures will be satisfied with a stroll around the historic Old Town, a gawk around the Esbaluard modern art museum and a gawp at the glorious Gothic cathedral. 

16 January The festival of San Sebastián brings Palma onto the streets with barbecues and live bands. March/April During Santa Semana, aka Easter Week, ghostly, hooded penitents, representing the island’s 50 brotherhoods, parade through the streets of Palma. Late July–early August The Copa del Rey is arguably the most important and glamorous yachting regatta in the Med. 2 August Good-natured street battles in Pollença recreate historic wars between Moors and Christians. Late September Festa d’es Vermar is Binissalem’s foremost wine festival – go with the flow.