palma

eyewash

going to Palma for easter with 2 aged parents and 11 year old son. Have you any ideas on how to keep both occupied within a reasonable budget. Any good touristy places that might amuse both especially if weather is not too good?

fairenoughclough

The cathedral is very impressive and dry, even for non-believers like me.

Right next to the cathedral is the harbour which always seems full of fabulous yachts.

There's also a castle which overlooks the city and is superbly lit at night time.

eyewash

thanks I'm sure mother will be spending most of the hols in the cathedral. Any ideas for the anti religion 11 year old?

fairenoughclough

Apart from the ubiquitous video games, mine enjoyed a spot of fishing in the harbour, the waters very clear and you can see the fish take the bait.

researcher

I lived on the island for 6 years, and the favorite trip by far, for all my visitors of various ages was to take the train from Palma to Soller. It's an old tram like train, from the 1920's, which winds it way through the mountains and orange groves, giving you ample opportunity to see the beautiful Mallorcan countryside without driving. The station is alongside to the 'proper' train station in Plaza Espana. At the town of Soller, you can either have a gentle amble around the town, or jump on a tram which takes you the couple of miles to the village of Puerto Soller.

Even young boys get off on this trip, and it has the advantage that you can stay as long or as short a time as you like - adding in the beach if the weather permits.

Whatever you do - don't go on an organised excursion, it's a waste of money as you can do everything easily yourself.

Becles

I recommend the train. I did the trip with my 2 sons who were aged 4 and 6 then and they loved it. We did a mini cruise from the harbour at Soller and had a picnic on the beach. It was a good day out.

It's a nice city just to wander around and 'window shop' too.

fairenoughclough

researcher wrote:

I lived on the island for 6 years, and the favorite trip by far, for all my visitors of various ages was to take the train from Palma to Soller. It's an old tram like train, from the 1920's, which winds it way through the mountains and orange groves, giving you ample opportunity to see the beautiful Mallorcan countryside without driving. The station is alongside to the 'proper' train station in Plaza Espana. At the town of Soller, you can either have a gentle amble around the town, or jump on a tram which takes you the couple of miles to the village of Puerto Soller.

Even young boys get off on this trip, and it has the advantage that you can stay as long or as short a time as you like - adding in the beach if the weather permits.

Whatever you do - don't go on an organised excursion, it's a waste of money as you can do everything easily yourself.

Thankyou, I'd almost forgotten the wooden train.

Soller was a lovely place last time we went there, an isolated inlet with some delightful cafes overlooking the georgeous bay.
Now they've built a road tunnel through the mountain which makes it very easy to get there by car, so it may be a lot busier.
You used to have to drive up and down this snakelike winding road with lots of 180 degree bends, that the locals treated as some sort of kamikaze racecourse.
The nearest thing to it I've ever been on is "The Crazy Mouse" on Blackpool pleasure beach, it really is scary not overengineered like "The Big One", there is still that chance of disaster.

Yes, stick to the train.

Elliott_Woods

A short taxi ride and go to Marineland. Very good for young and old. Not an expense day out neither.

bojo99

There is also a city tour bus in Palma like you get in most of the citys, you buy a day ticket or a think you can get one that lasts a few days, either way you can hop on and off the buses as many times as you like whilst the ticket is valid.

You get a map that details all the places of interest and where the bus stops are located, in my opinion is is a good way of making sure you see everything and hopefully you should find something that interests everyone.

Do make sure you see the Cathedral though as it is defintley worth look!