by John Earls
- 02/04/2005
Majorca is no longer just a destination for Brits on the booze.
For decades, the resort has been tainted with images of gangs of lads and ladettes having their first holiday away from their parents.
But, in recent years, Majorca's hidden culture and class has become one of the worst-kept secrets for clued-up holidaymakers willing to overlook the clichés.
While the Balearic island remains a staple destination for lads' holidays, it also has plenty of cultural highlights to offer anyone interested in something a little more highbrow.
Evidence of this is that it has also become a favoured retreat for stars such as Michael Douglas, Jack Nicholson, Patrick Stewart and Claudia Schiffer.
In fact, Douglas was one of the first to unearth Majorca's delights, and has had a home there for the past 20 years.
One of Majorca's many destinations with hidden depths includes the absurdly pretty town of Sóller, which has just got its first four-star hotel, the family-run Aimia.
The hotel's cuisine is exceptional and specialises in seafood - and there's a sizeable gym, complete with sauna and swimming pool, to help work off the calories.
Take the chance to check out the steam room with its light show as you sweat away the pounds. After that, try the bucket shower - an old-fashioned bucket on a pulley system that douses you with ice-cold water to compensate for the steam.
The hotel also has its own masseuse, who has been described as "among the very best" by seasoned spa connoisseurs. She offers facials at a reasonable rate, too.
A haven for foodies, Sóller's unspoilt market square is filled with gourmet food stores and wine shops.
The local brew, An, is a world-class red. The reputation of the cheaper but delicious Sio is also spreading fast.
Everything from chorizo sausages to jam is made locally, and tastes all the better for it. And for those wanting to find out more about Majorca's best produce, Vicky Bennison's book The Taste of a Place: Mallorca is a good place to start.
One of the most spectacular restaurants a gourmet could wish for is hidden deep in the hills of Majorca. A five-kilometre walk from Sóller, the Sa Balitx is set amid fine scenery, with steps down to the restaurant formed out of the rock face.
The sizeable portions of home-made stew and casseroles are worth the trek - and it's easy to walk it off afterwards on the way back to town.
The hike to the Sa Balitx offers breathtaking views of the Majorcan mountains and hidden lakes - indeed, the only sign of human habitation once you leave the Sóller market place are the handful of farmhouses you glimpse.
Known as a real find for hikers, the Sóller and Fornalutx region is also popular with cyclists. The Great Britain cycling team has trained there, and there are dozens of routes for the keen amateur too among the hills and mountains.
Along with its fine cuisine, Majorca is fast gaining a reputation for its art galleries.
The Fundación Yannick & Ben Jakober in Alcúdia houses 16th- to 19th-century portraits, as well as sculptures by gallery owners Ben Jakober and Yannick Vu. There's also a rose garden, which is home to more than 100 varieties of rose.
As well as art, Majorca is known for its jazz and blues scene, with several respected clubs in the capital, Palma.
Although tiny, the Majorcan village of Fornalutx is home to several celebs, including PR guru Lynne Franks.
Like its neighbour Sóller, Fornalutx is at the tipping point between being gloriously unspoilt at the same time as more and more tourists are being alerted to its mountainous scenery, charming shops and tranquil pace of life.
For a great tapas experience, try its Canantuna restaurant.
Sóller also has one of the quietest beaches on the Majorcan coast, accessible by tram, which is pretty enough in itself.
And it's a very long way from the beery experience of Magaluf.
