Flying Solo

Arriving in Mallorca, you’ll be welcomed with a private transfer directly to your hotel in Palma, the elegant Hotel Sant Francesc located in the city’s atmospheric old town. Depending on time, you might like a guided tour of Palma, exploring its Arab Baths, cathedral, castle and palaces. We will also fit your bike today, a customised Pinarello, either standard or e-bike. Mar will meet you in the evening to finesse your itinerary over a cocktail, before you head out to a recommended restaurant for dinner.

The following day will be your first big ride – 64km and 200m elevation, all the way to the southwest of the island, cycling along Palma Bay and then slowly going inland towards the most authentic and rural parts of Mallorca, a landscape dotted with windmills and wheat fields until you reach Fontsanta Hotel. This is a superb and relaxing retreat with thermal waters, located next to the most beautiful beach in Mallorca, Es Trenc. Relax by the pool and enjoy the wonderful thermal waters in their spa. Enjoy a well-deserved dinner in the hotel, al fresco.

Day three sees you meeting Laura at the Salinas, where natural salt is collected and shipped worldwide from this corner of the island. You will see the whole process of collection from beginning to end, you will be tasting the different flavoured salts they produce. The rest of the day enjoy the beach of Es Trenc and its blue waters. The hotel has a private area on the beach for their guests. Tonight you may like freshly caught fish for dinner.

Back on two wheels, today is the longest ride with 85km and 800m elevation. You’ll have some interesting stops too, though, like meeting olive oil maker Tiffany, an American who settled on the island many years ago and who speaks perfect Mallorquin (Catalan) and will give you a tour of the farm followed by olive oil tasting accompanied by nibbles. You will also cycle through Santanyí, full of local shops and the home of a weekly market – which all villages in Mallorca have, where farmers can sell their seasonal fruits and vegetables.

Tonight, you will be staying in the town of Arta, at Es Racó d’Arta – a brand new holistic retreat, set in the countryside, which the ideal place to disconnect and totally relax with its yoga program, pool, healthy organic food and wholesome walks. For the following day, you can be relaxed or filled with activity – hop on your bike and ride into town to climb Sant Salvador church and enjoy the views.

Today you will cross the island to the north, where Pollença awaits. It’s a fairly long ride: 70km and 400m elevation. For the first part you’ll cycle along the coast enjoy the sea views before halfway through, winding into the mountains to arrive at magnificent Son Brull, an ancient monastery converted into one of the top hotels on the island, a real rural sanctuary. We can arrange a tour of the vineyards with Juan, the sommelier and maître d’ followed by a wine tasting of their own wines. Mar, owner of Son Brull and founder of Foodie Cycling will be your host and invite you to dinner in the hotel’s Bistro for a casual meal overlooking the vineyards.

The following day you’ll start early to cycle the most popular and iconic route of the island. Formentor Lighthouse sits on a hilltop promontory and is the most northerly point of Mallorca and has simply the most magnificent views out to sea. It is the most amazing ride on the island but be ready for some challenging climbs and thrilling descents. On your way back, continue to Cala Sant Vicenç, with four lovely little coves. Stop by in Cala Barques and have a fishy lunch in a simple restaurant, before a dip in the turquoise waters. Returning to Son Brull, you can indulge in a seasonal, holistic spa treatment. In the evening, consider taking a taxi into Pollença, with a good hour before dinner to wander around the town’s shops with local crafts, walk up the Calvario steps to the top for an incredible view of the town. You are booked for a tapas dinner.

Before you cycle into the mountains today, stop by Teixits Vicenç, a local handcraft textile manufacturer selling vibrant-hued cushions, bags and napkins. Browse the shop and visit the factory, if you see something you like, we will bring it together with your luggage. Next, you’ll be cycling uphill with a ride of 75km and a thigh-burning elevation of 1900m, but so worth it. Stop by Vinyes Mortitx for a tour of the wonderful vineyard set in a valley followed by a wine tasting by charming Mateo. Continue through tunnels and winding roads, you may stop at Lluc Monestry for a coffee or light lunch, and you’ll also ride past the natural water reservoirs of the island and the lovely village of Fornalutx and its cobbled streets. Look out for traditional painted Arabic tiles tucked between the eaves of tidy houses.

Cycle to the pretty town of Soller, stop at the main square and admire the church, see the old train passing taking locals and tourists to the Port. From here, you are just a stone’s throw to your hotel. Esplendido Hotel is on the sea front in Puerto de Soller, it’s a buzzing place, as the port is, lively with local life, yet it is also retains a peacefulness. Your hotel is just in front of a small beach overlooking a natural port, tomorrow you’ll be waking up to sea views.

You don’t want to skip breakfast today – you have a demanding route ahead of you. Climb up to the bohemian hamlet of Deià, a stunning Mediterranean jewel. Discover its stone terraces brimming with wild lavender and citrus groves before riding along the coast to Valldemossa, where you can stop to have a coffee and a delicious Coca de Patata which can only be found in this town. You might want to visit the Charterhouse, the monastery where Chopin stayed with George Sand during the winter of 1838. Continue towards Estallencs, which dates back to the Middle Ages and is known for its attractive stone streets, tiered plots of farmland, picturesque port and remnants of towers built to fend off pirates.

Back on your bike, continue along the coast towards Banyalbufar, and through the rugged Serra de Tramuntana to Andratx. Tonight, you are staying in an old Castle, Castell Son Claret, now a five-star hotel. Be proud of yourself – you have made a whole tour of the island! Reward yourself with a rest day in the countryside, relaxing by the pool surrounded by the scent of pine trees, rejuvenating in the spa or taking a yoga class. Sadly, the following day brings you to your final day, where you will be transported to the airport, full to the brim with fragrant memories from your whole-island cycle tour of Mallorca.