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A light-struck citadel of a cathedral, Santa Maria of Palma - also known as Le Seu - is one of Mallorca’s architectural icons. A hilltop palace of devotion reflected in the azure Mediterranean shoreline, it simply demands your attention, believer or not.
Built by the Crown of Aragon in 1229, its tombs hold Majorcan Catholic kings, yet its foundations, which are steeped on the ruins of a former mosque, dictate that its high, decorative façade points towards Mecca and not, as was common at the time, Jerusalem. Perched upon a clifftop where the Roman city of Palma was founded, Cathedral Santa Maria of Palma stands protective above the city walls and dominates the old city’s skyline. A sandstone beacon of Mallorca’s rich past.
Spreading a staggering 7000sqm along the coastline, Cathedral Santa Maria of Palma’s nave reaches a heavenly 44m tall, the tallest of all Gothic cathedrals in Europe. With a façade that looks like it could have been plucked from a powerful empire in Game of Thrones, this is a true heavyweight of cathedrals.
But Cathedral Santa Maria of Palma also has a delicate side, as it is also known as the ‘Cathedral of Light’. With 59 windows that harbour a soft inner glow its main rose window – one of the largest in the world – gently steals the limelight as ‘the Gothic eye’. Then for twenty or so days around the winter solstice, its two rose windows beckon in the sunrise and create a magical kaleidoscope effect that is so completely Insta-worthy, no filter needed.
Of course, you can’t mention Mallorca’s Cathedral Santa Maria of Palma without footnoting a bit of Gaudí. As part of a restoration project Gaudí forged the enormous wrought-iron chandelier that now hangs in the main alter. However, the angels did not sing upon the project’s partnership and following an argument, Gaudi walked out. His chandelier that was designed to look like a crown of thorns, however, remains.
French designer Philippe Starck, himself an avid fan of sail and designer of super yachts, turned his hand to creating a new Port Adriano Marina in Mallorca – an architectural masterstroke and ‘Starck’ beautiful with not a parking lot in sight.
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Palma de Mallorca's Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art, Es Baluard hosts a collection taken from the Serra Art Foundation, the museum’s permanent collection boasts works from Joan Miró, Picasso, Magritte and local contemporary artists like Miquel Barceló.
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Summer in Mallorca is seeing the Balearic isle at its best. A blazing sun hangs in a deep blue, cloudless sky, people throng the cobbled streets of Palma’s old town and restaurants spill over into the streets.
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A sneak-peek into Spain's legendary surrealist artist, Joan Miró, and his hidden Mallorcan studio, watercolours, paintbrushes, et al.
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My Greek Island Home by Claire Lloyd is always out of the bookcase, an ever-present friend that tells the tale of falling in love with a Greek island and finding that a simpler life is not so bad after all.
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From the cliff-carved tombs of Tlos to the ghost village of Kayaköy, trace the soul of ancient Lycia along the Turkish Riviera’s sunlit coastline and mountain-framed archaeological wonders.
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A former monastery reimagined. Son Brull is Mallorca’s cult boutique escape – heritage, design, slow food, and holistic luxury wrapped in Tramuntana’s wild beauty. A soulful retreat where past and present collide.
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For the aficionados of easy, slow wear, Muchache is an ethical brand of soul and purpose, designed for those unfussed with gender rules, 'wear what pleases you'.
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Dive into Europe's most thrilling luxury adventures! From vineyard cycling through Spanish serene trails - where adventure and indulgence meet.
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Escape to Tinos – the Greek island of over 60 Cycladic villages, art, culture, great natural food, pristine beaches and enough churches (1500+) to feel totally blessed – and slip into a new way of living, the Tinos way.
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Giorgos and Alexandra Alexiou are simply two of the nicest people you can meet, a creative couple that fuse you with their beautiful Greekness. Meet the creative owners behind the fabulous Aenaon Villas on the Cycladic island of Santorini - they found a perch right on the edge of the Caldera.
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Founded in 1754 by Empress Maria Theresa, the oldest area, the medicinal garden, is replete with poisonous plants and the sultry tropical house is home to orchids, cacti and carnivorous plants.
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Get the insider news and lowdown on what we've been up to, where we've been, and who we've met along the way. Be the first to discover new places and get the scoop on our favourites.