Travel Blog » Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands

Balearic Islands Travel Blogs

Background: Spain's powerful world empire of the 16th and 17th centuries ultimately yielded command of the seas to England. Subsequent failure to embrace the mercantile and industrial revolutions caused the country to fall behind Britain, France, and Germany in economic and political power. Spain remained neutral in World Wars I and II, but suffered through a devastating civil war (1936-39). In the second half of the 20th century, Spain has played a catch-up role in the western international community; it joined the EU in 1986. Continuing challenges include Basque Fatherland and Liberty (ETA) terrorism and further reductions in unemployment.

Spain

Map of Spain

Spain's Flag

Hostels in Spain
Latest Balearic Islands Blog Entries
Balearic Islands Photos

By Tom n Harriet
September 22nd 2009

Arrival Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands » Majorca

And behind door number 1???

Our First Day Dear all. We are finally here, in our hotel room and in serious need of rest. It has been a very long day of travelling, plagued by small children crying for literally hours on the plane and the bus. The hotel is great, really big and grand and we are on the fifth floor, which would be great if the lifts worked... but you cant have it all i suppose. As you will see in the pictures I have added so far, the room is very comfortable adn upon drawing back some sliding doors along the side of [View Full Entry]

By Tom n Harriet
September 22nd 2009

First steps outside hotel Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands » Majorca

Me with my new haircut... and harriet.

Shopping in the rain Well off to a good start. went to find a supermarket for the essentials; bread, beer, milk, beer, ham, beer and so on. We entered the shop when it waas very nice and dry outside... upon leaving the shop, we got totally soaked. All in all, a good first outing. More to come Love Tom and Harriet [View Full Entry]

By sjgasser
September 9th 2009

Ibiza Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands » Ibiza

Ibiza was the single craziest place I have ever been. I think it makes Vegas look tame I got to say. I got there and walked about for a few hours before Nick was to show up and saw the city of San Antonio and the beach at sunset. It was real nice expecialy the sun set. I had a few drinks waiting for Nick who wad to get in at eleven. He ended up showing up at about 1:30am I had just laid down to sleep. I had to wait for him in the hostel because we do not have [View Full Entry]

By WhereIsSteve
September 7th 2009

Magaluf - Going Home Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands

Monday - Going Home Yet another quiet day!! We’re meant to be out of our rooms by 11a.m. At 10:30 the only person awake is one of the Old Farts. It doesn’t take us long to get ready, though - we don’t have a lot to pack - and the hotel, Aparthotel Martinique, are fine with us being a bit late checking out. They must be used to the large groups staying there being unable to wake up in the morning. We don’t fly until 7p.m. so the hotel gives us somewhere to keep our bags and, once again, it’s down [View Full Entry]

By WhereIsSteve
September 6th 2009

Magaluf - "You're nicked, Son" Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands

Sunday - “You’re Nicked, Son!” Surprisingly, everyone wakes quite late again. Richard is beginning to drop his guard and seems relieved to be waking up still with both eyebrows and all his pubes. It is a tradition of British stag parties, and this probably happens in every other country as well, that the groom has to be humiliated. I’m not sure why, it just has to happen. This humiliation often takes the form of shaving his head, eyebrows or pubic hair, leaving him naked on a non-stop train to a distant destination, arranging for a very large lad [View Full Entry]

By WhereIsSteve
September 5th 2009

Magaluf - Pullin' Triggers Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands

Saturday - Pullin’ Triggers I’ve had a reasonable night’s sleep! I woke up a couple of times in the night and everywhere was quiet!! No noise outside the hotel and nobody running up and down the corridors. Weird!! Perhaps it’s really early and the partying hasn’t started yet? I begin to worry that the world has ended because there is no noise. Apparently, though, we were disturbed a few times and Henry had to get up to answer the door but I slept through it. Here’s a handy tip for anyone going to Magaluf and wanting an early night - [ [View Full Entry]

By WhereIsSteve
September 4th 2009

Magaluf - “Everything Will be Fine” Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands

Friday - “Everything will be fine” I’m woken up at 2:30 a.m. and remind myself that this is a holiday. Henry picks myself and Richard up and we make the short drive to where the minibus is picking us up from. There are 11 of us on the minibus; Mark couldn’t get time off work and is flying out later tonight. The group is a combination Richard’s (the groom) family, the bride’s family and Richard’s friends. I think I’ve probably met about half of the group before and I vaguely recognise some of Richard’s friends as his [View Full Entry]

By WhereIsSteve
September 3rd 2009

Magaluf Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands

Thursday - Stag Weekend. So when I left work making the vague statement that I was going to “go travelling” I’m sure I will have conjured up the stereotype of a Baby Boomer backpacker, disappearing off into the Third World in search of different and unusual cultures. Well, if it’s strange cultures you’re looking for, they don’t come much stranger than Magaluf! Brits will know all about Magaluf. They affectionately refer to it as “Shagaluf”. It is a holiday resort in Mallorca, one of the Balearic Islands. It is often descr [View Full Entry]

By withysmart
August 28th 2009

Relaxing in Menorca Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands » Minorca

View from apartment balcony

Kindly invited to join Gill, best friend from school, and sister and their mum for a week in Menorca. Lovely apartment in resort of Son Bou which has best beach in Menorca. Flew from Blackpool - very laid back compared to Manchester airport! Managed to hire a car for a day, which was no mean feat due to cut backs in car availability this summer. Discovered it is an easy island to get about. Beautiful coves and plenty nice wee esorts. A relaxing week including some hilarious games of knockout whist, fuelled by wine! The karate suit appreciated the beach (and [View Full Entry]

By KimEngland
July 28th 2009

Girls' Holiday in Mallorca, Spain Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands » Majorca

055

After I finally was on the train I managed to calm down a bit. In the back of my mind I kept thinking about the fact that I had left everything I own here in suitcases in a strange place. However, I did get over that once I made it to Luton Airport. We had little problems getting to Mallorca. Our first evening in Palma consisted of sangria and tapas at a local plaza. Mallorca has been around for centuries. It was invaded by the Romans, and later the Arabs - it actually has Arab baths. What I found the most [View Full Entry]

Travel Blog » Europe » Spain » Balearic Islands