MALLORCA - THE TASTE OF THE SEA
Our Mallorcan friend Tolo Cruelles urged us to consider a tour of the island of Mallorca. Tolo is well-travelled, lives in Catalonia, and his family has been of tremendous help to us with previous tours, so we took him seriously! Mallorca is visited by many tourists, and rightly so, for its beautiful seas and dramatic mountains, but Tolo assured us that there is much more to Mallorca, and the smaller nearby island of Menorca, than most tourists see.
Tolo told us the story of how the Mallorcan economy was opened by the railroad from Sóller to the major port city of Palma, with help from his maternal grandfather. This allowed the already highly prized Mallorcan oranges and wheat to be shipped to the continental markets of Europe. That story was the germ of this tour, which reveals the hidden side of this island community that so many visit and few really get to know.
The Bank of Sóller, housed in a building built by a disciple of the famed architect Antoni Gaudì, built the railroad that runs from Sóller to Palma and the tram which connects the port of Sóller to the city.
Tolo’s father, Agustí Cruelles, had a dream of using the train that his father helped build to export oranges from Mallorca to Germany in the 1930s. Together with his friend from Catalonia, Sebastián Castellá, they organized the production that allowed the island’s oranges to be easily transported to the coast and exported abroad.
We will enjoy the Balearic island cuisine of fresh, daily-caught fish, fresh vegetables, Mahon cheese, soups and stews, local cured pork, such as sobrasada and longaniza, and a variety of savory and sweet baked goods made from the prized Mallorcan wheat. Horchata made from the island’s almonds and an unparalleled orange juice round out our culinary experience ensconced in one of Europe’s most desirable destinations.
MALLORCA
DATES - May 6 - 14, 2023
1 Seat left
9500 Per PErson
Who?
The trip is designed for experienced travelers with a passion for great food made the traditional way – food that is deeply connected to the people and culture of the place. We encourage open minds, adventurous spirits, and a deep passion for traditional foods. Our guests are adults of all ages, who enjoy walking and exploring places on their own, as well as with the group. We keep the group small: no more than 15 guests will travel with our experienced host from Zingerman’s, plus our longtime Spanish friends John and Ana.
What’s Included?
Behind the scenes visits to artisanal producers, local farmers markets, hands-on cooking experiences, and visiting the beautiful terrain of the island.
Amazing food – all breakfasts, all lunches, and most dinners. We will enjoy traditional regional specialties made from local, fresh ingredients. There will be plenty of seafood and a healthy dose of pork in the local cuisine. This tour not recommended for vegetarians.
A Zingerman’s tour host and our guides will be at your disposal at all times.
Transportation by air-conditioned private bus during the tour.
What’s Not Included?
Airfare
Alcoholic beverages (other than beverages with dinner or when they are specifically included in the itinerary)
Personal spending money
Two meals, where you will have time to explore on your own (suggestions provided!).
What about accommodations?
You will be staying in clean, comfortable, conveniently located, unique accommodations with private baths.
Sample Itinerary*
Day 1
Palma
Our first day begins on the island of Mallorca. We will meet in our boutique hotel in the center of Palma at noon for introductions, then head to tour the market with Chef Mauricio. We will buy ingredients and then go to Mauricio’s gastroteca inside the market for a cooking class with him and a fellow chef. Together we will prepare a traditional Mallorcan dish, Tumbet, for lunch during a hands-on, full-flavor, culinary experience. Afterwards we will have free time to explore Palma.
We will gather in the evening for a delightful dinner. This is your chance to get to know your fellow travelers and ease into island life.
After a refreshing sleep we will have breakfast on Spanish time—between 9 and 10. This will be our routine for most of the days of our tour as we adapt to the local customs.
This afternoon we will join two local chefs for a cooking class of traditional Spanish fare—with omelet canapés, seafood paella, sobrasada, and crema catalana. Followed by a delicious lunch of our handiwork!
In the early evening we will board our bus and head to Soller, taking in the views along the way. We’ll enjoy dinner together in Ses Barques.
Day 2
Palma
Day 3
soller
Waking up in Spain is easy to do! Breakfast at 10. In the morning we will visit the historic olive grove and mill at Can Det. We’ll have lunch together at Can Mora Des Vi.
The late afternoon is free time to give the old city part of Soller a stroll and take the historic tram back up to our hotel.
We will gather for dinner at El Sabor Temprano. We won’t stay out too late because we have an uncharacteristically early departure tomorrow to visit the island of Menorca where we stay one night. Pack a light bag.
Day 4
Menorca
Up early at 6:30 for breakfast and then we are off to the ferry. We’ll be on Menorca by midmorning. We start with a visit to the farm Quart in Ciutadella, getting the whole picture of the cheese at Quesos Quintana. The cheeses matured by Quintana are made from the milk of local pasture-grazed cows and are rubbed with olive oil and paprika during maturation. Ari has written about it and we carry it at Mail Order!
We will have a splendid cheese tasting and lunch on the coast at Chiringuito Es Bruc Sant Tomàs. In the early evening, we will board our bus and make it to our cute hotel. We’ll wrap up the day with a walking tour of Ciutadella and some light dinner tapas.
We will have breakfast at our hotel before saying goodbye to Menorca and taking the ferry back to Mallorca. After a lunch at Can Antuna, we will visit a traditional Mallorcan glassmaker. Glass-making on Mallorca has been practiced for thousands of years—it’s believed the Phoenicians first introduced it to the island in the 2nd century B.C.! So many folks were delighted by the olive oil cruets on our last visit, we set aside some time to see them made. The lovely blues and greens of the Mallorcan glass are truly mesmerizing.
Dinner tonight is at a sustainable restaurant that specializes in local, organic products with a twist on tradition.
Day 5
MENORCA-SOLLER
After breakfast at our hotel, and some free time in Soller, we will visit a winery in the foothills of the mountains that grows indigenous grape varieties such as Prensal and Callet. We will learn, taste, lunch, and relax there.
You’ll have some time to explore on your own back in Soller before we meet up for dinner at Can Gata.
Day 6
SolleR
Today we get to enjoy John’s technical knowledge of olive oil (and wine!) as we compare and contrast old ways with new. We’ll head to Porreres to visit the olive mill and Can Feliu—an organic and biodynamic winery. We’ll spend some time here enjoying a tasting and food grilled outdoors.
We’ll take a stroll in the evening and have dinner in Port Soller.
Day 7
SolleR
After breakfast at the hotel, we will go to Port Soller where two sailboats, the Seaclusion 1 and Seaclusion 2, will take us on a tour of Mallorca’s wild, north coast. We will stop at the restaurant Es Vergeret for a seafood-inspired lunch. As all things end, we will bus back to Palma tonight, back to where we started 8 days ago.
Dinner tonight will be in the Port of Palma at the historic Ca n’Eduardo.
Day 8
SolleR-PALMA
We will say our goodbyes as we can over breakfast. Some folks will leave early while others are able to linger on. But we will all take the island with us when we go.
Day 9
Palma
Your adventure is waiting.
*One thing to note: this itinerary is the current plan, and, things may change. We will make every effort to provide the tours and experiences that are described above. However, the nature of the places we’ll be visiting — not typical tourist destinations — means that plans may change at the last minute. Also, you always have the option of skipping a particular excursion, but please note that we will be unable to make refunds for any missed meals or other events.
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