Mallorca Highway
Newsletter

FEBRUARY 1998

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++ Excursion tip ++ Michael Douglas' mansion ++
++ Headlines ++ Agrotourism holiday ++ New building laws ++
++ Restaurant tip "tapas" ++ New highways ++
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EXCURSION -TIP: LA RESERVA - A NATURAL PARADISE
The park "La Reserva" at the Puig de Galatzó offers you a fascinating view into the mallorquin nature. This perfectly preserved natural park is to be found close to the village of Puigpunyent. Upon a 3 km long well maintained walkway, you pass along waterfalls, cascades, bizarre stone formations and signs of ancient cultures. The tremendous varieties of the fauna are explained through signs and because it is not allowed to hunt in this area, the park is a paradise for the local animals. At the entrance of the nature park, 3 bears from North Spain have recently found their new home. The approx. 2 hour hike will give you a complete impression of Mallorca's beautiful nature and is also a great pleasure for children.

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MICHAEL DOUGLAS AVAILABLE FOR SIGHTSEEING...
A few years ago the probably most well known resident of Mallorca, Michael Douglas, bought the mansion "S'Estaca" in the mountains close to Valledemossa. He already had problems to extend the existing finca (which is situated in a natural preserved park) and now he's got more problems ahead. In the last century the mansion used to belong to the Austrian Duke Ludwig Salvator and the government of the island now plans to open this historic and cultural palace to the public. Four times a year visitors will be allowed to view the house. We can already imagine the buses full of tourists who are hoping for a glimpse at Michael Douglas' breakfast table...or maybe more....... ;)

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HEADLINES
++ Mallorcas economy is booming endlessly. Last year the general economical increase was 4,8 percent and the income through tourism even grew by 9,8 percent. This year similar rates are expected.
++ There are already more than 48.000 internet connections registered in the Balearic Islands . For 1998 this figure is expected to double.
++ To celebrate the 5th aniversary of the Miró foundation, this famous artist's finca and atelier will be open to the public.

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AGROTOURISMUS (FARMHOUSE) HOLIDAY
During the last few years, the finca holiday trend has been booming and 1998 will see even more increases in this direction . More and more tourists wish to avoid the same busy hotels in the mass tourism spots. A modern refurbished villa with pool, a renovated antique finca, a chalet close to the sea or a nice room/suite in a farmhouse.......that's probably the most individual way to discover the true beauty of the island including the Mallorquin landscape and mentality. A very wide selection of fincas, villas and chalets - most of them with a pool - from 2 to 10 persons can be seen at:- http://toptravel.com/sat TARGET="_parent"

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NEW BUILDING LAWS
To avoid even more uncontrolled building in the countryside, the government of Mallorca, together with all political and environmentalist parties, have decided to raise the minimum size of a building plot from 7.000 to 14.000 m2. in all areas of the island. Below this size there will be no more building permissions granted, which means that the real estate prices will increase even more, as such estates are becoming rare.

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OUR RESTAURANT-TIP
This time we would like to indroduce you to the daily snack of the Spaniards: the "tapas". These are a wide variety of delicious hot or cold dishes served on small plates. There is a nice anecdote about the origin of the word "tapa" (=lit).......when the priest in the past entered the local bar, men covered their drinks with a small plate with a snack on it.......not that the priest didn't recognized the brandy or hierbas ;) Nowadays you won't find any cafeteria or bar in Mallorca where you can't order tapas. Some of the best one's on the island with a selection of more than 50 dishes are: "El Bodegon" at the Avda. Con de de Sallent no.6 in Palma. "La Taberna del Caracol" in the old part of Palma, close to the Cathedral. "El Barrigon" in the artist village of Deia. "Sa Font" on the main road of Santa Maria del Cami. Tip: Take a trip on Sunday morning to the car boot sale of Consell (lots of antiques) or the Sunday market of Santa Maria and combine your day with tapas at Sa Font.

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NEW HIGHWAYS IN MALLORCA
Green light from the government of Madrid to extend the existing highways. The Balearics will receive about 400. Million US$ to build the following projects within the next few years: Extension of the airport highway up to Manacor, extension from Inca to Alcudia and from Palma Nova to Peguera, as well as a second ring road around Palma and the extension of the main roads coming and leaving the city of Palma to 4 lanes (we are looking forward to the expected traffic jams ;)

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