Only we parents really understand what a challenge it is to plan a family holiday. But living in a year-round holiday destination makes you an excellent advisor on kids' activities in the area. Let us share our first-hand experience of 11 outings successfully tested on kids by a parent from Mallorca.
There is a huge amount to enjoy in this nature park: you can trek among hundreds of indigenous species the image and smells of which will live forever in your memory; you can traverse Tibetan and Amazonian bridges and climb a vertical wall. There are areas for barbeques, swimming pools, animals... If you are particularly daring, ask about the death-slide circuit: have you experienced the sensation of dangling in the air from a cable up a mountain? We can guarantee it is something you will mention whenever you talk about holidays in future.
Why not visit Palma's recently opened Toy Museum (Calle Campana, 7), with over 7,000 items dating back as far as the 19th century set out over three floors? The Museum also offers workshops for kids and crafts. You can even have a coffee whilst admiring some of the treasures of childhood at Toys&Tapas. And if it is a long time since you enjoyed such things, in addition to visiting the museum, you can also eat authentic Mallorcan cuisine and there are live shows at weekends. The star cocktail is "agua de Valencia". For adults only!
If you like being underwater, you can rub shoulders with sharks at Palma Aquarium. And your children can meet various marine species, such as rays. Palma Aquarium is one of the largest in Europe, with over 8,000 specimens of 700 species of Mediterranean and Indian, Atlantic and Pacific ocean fauna and flora. And if the heat is unbearable, what could be better than taking part in the water battle organised by the Palma Aquarium pirates. And how about having a shark babysit the kids? Bring a sleeping bag and let them spend the night at Palma Aquarium (Carrer Manuela de los Herreros i Sorà, 21): they will have an unforgettable experience, whilst you are spending a romantic evening with your partner.
A stunning display of skills from these intelligent marine creatures in a show that leaves everyone speechless. A secret tip: find a place in the front row and you might be one of those chosen to feed the dolphins. And you must also check out the sea lion and exotic bird shows, among the many activities and surprises awaiting you. (Garcilaso de la Vega, 9 Costa d’en Blanes).
If your young ones (4 to 11 years old) are getting bored of buckets and spades, they will love the Pirate route. Designed in 2012, this will give them one of the experiences of their lives, 4-6 metres in the air. Discover an adventure circuit in the Santa Ponsa woods (Avinguda Rei Jaume I) with 100 platforms, moving from tree to tree using bridges, creepers, nets and zip wires. There are different routes for the sportier and more daring.
The Sóller train. It doesn't matter how much you have heard about it, it is worth visiting. You have the word of a local dad on that. This train runs between Palma and Sóller using an engine and carriages similar to those used on its first journeys way back in 1912. Part of the route passes through the Serra de Tramuntana, among mountains and trees sitting on wooden seats. You have to cling on during the journey, as the train overcomes a 200 metre altitude difference over its seven kilometres, going through 13 tunnels. The journey ends in Sóller. But here is an important tip: your trip would be incomplete if you didn't take the tram two-kilometres to Puerto de Sóller, a slice of paradise on the edge of Puig Major. Don't miss out.
The ground floor of the 1 Michelin star Jardin restaurant in Puerto de Alcudia (Tritones, sn) is home to Danny’s Gastrobar, a fine-dining experience in miniature that is also perfect for kids. Danny's approach is based on high-quality tapas, an excellent wine list and gourmet cookery, including treats such as Danny's Superstar hamburger and salt-cod cakes. And if you prefer salads, the Vorma is recommended, based on marinated salmon. This restaurant stands out for its extremely high quality on an avenue lined with hotels.