Who doesn’t like having a browse on holiday, to find the perfect memento to sum up your trip? When you’re on a Foodie Cycling holiday, you’ll have Mar’s recommendations for where to go, so you will never come home with a regrettable purchase! Read on for four of Mar’s favourite finds where authenticity and craftsmanship give you a premium shopping experience in Mallorca amongst the artisan workshops, fashion boutiques and little-known emporiums.
Teixits Vicenc, Pollença
Whether you’re looking for a chic and stylish beach bag, eye-catching cushions or a tablecloth to brighten your tablescaping, you’ll find all this and more at Teixits Vicenc in Pollença. A traditional shop and factory that works with striking ikat designs, Teixits Vicenc is not only a beautiful place to browse, but you’re also purchasing a piece of Mallorcan history – this family business has been in existence since 1854, weaving typical Balearic fabrics.
Today you can also visit the factory to enhance your experience and learn more about the ‘roba de llengües’ or ‘cloth of tongues’ practice, a tradition which sees patterns emerge by dyeing certain areas of the fabric. Unique to Mallorca, the brightly hued prints sum up the sunny, colourful Mediterranean lifestyle and I think they make the perfect souvenir to take home.
Cortana, Palma
Slow fashion defines this shop, located in the heart of Palma. Helmed by Mallorcan-born fashion designer Rosa Esteva, you’ll find a range of beautifully made clothes in this fashion boutique which encapsulates a feeling of chic simplicity, with sustainability in mind. Conscious clothing with heart and soul, Cortana’s dresses, trousers, skirts and tops are characterised by muted hues and a wearable aesthetic.
Bride-to-be? Imagine the unique and simply beautiful dress you could find here in their bridal range. And if you’re the kind of person who likes to pick out clothes on holiday that will become part of your capsule holiday wardrobe then Cortana’s collections of long floaty dresses, chic beach-to-bar coverups and exotic occasion wear means that whatever you choose will be a staple in your suitcase for years to come. Now that’s eco-fashion!
Terra Cuita
It’s hard not to notice the colourful ceramics that you’ll see decorating tables in restaurants and hanging on the walls as ornaments throughout Mallorca. If you’re interested in investing in a few pieces to take home or simply to find out more about how handcrafted ceramics came to play a part in Mallorcan craft heritage, then a visit to Terra Cuita is a lovely way to spend a few hours.
Based in three locations over Mallorca in Palma, Santanyi and Puerto Pollença, Terra Cuita has an illustrious history gleaned from five generations of the same family creating ceramics. The company has evolved over time to incorporate modern designs without losing sight of the inherited artistry. Whether you want to bring the sunniness of Mallorca back from your holiday with a lemon-motif bowl, a traditional glazed terracotta pot or prefer timeless stoneware crockery that would enhance the most tasteful dinner party, Terra Cuita will have what you need.
Arquinesia Perfumes, Palma
One of my favourite places to take visitors to, Arquinesia Perfumes is an unassuming, hidden away emporium in Palma which many tourists simply walk straight past. However, if you’re in the know, you will find Arquinesia down a cobbled street in the old town. Sneak through the blink-and-you’ll-miss-it entranceway into a private home which leads you to the perfume shop, overlooking the fragrant garden.
It’s a gem of a boutique, with a traditional wood beamed ceiling and shelves lined with intriguing objects and tiny drawers. It’s here that you’ll discover an olfactory journey of Mallorca where the scents of the island have been bottled. Personally, I can’t think of a better souvenir! You will just need to decide whether you want reminders of orange, fig or the warm sea breeze, found in eau de parfum as well as candles, soaps and shower gels. Using local, natural ingredients of the highest quality, your experience at Arquinesia will be just as evocative as the scent you bring home with you.
I look forward to taking you shopping soon!
Mar
