BACKROADS OF MALLORCA CYCLING

Inland from Mallorca’s popular azure coastline, this island’s peaceful rural heart beats as slowly as ever. This is especially true in the southeast, where historic jewels litter the landscape in the shape of talaiots(prehistoric dwellings), and stone windmills. Sleepy market towns like Porreres and Felanitx nestle below pine-clad hills crowned with golden stone monasteries and gentle undulating plains between them are awash with a patchwork of wildflower meadows, wheat, olives and vines, making this region perfect for cycling.

In the heart of this area, Joy and Spencer Rennie’s converted Mallorquin finca - Es Passarell - is strikingly lovely. The rambling sandstone farmhouse is set amid carob tree and orange orchards with extensive shady terraces front and back, perfect for sunny breakfasts and candlelit dinners. Each of the ten rooms is completely individual, filled with high quality fabrics and artwork. Honesty bars operate inside and out by the pool, and the intimate and welcoming atmosphere is so seductive that you almost believe this beautiful place is yours – and it is for the week! Evening meals are often outside, and in addition to the food that grows in the gardens, Joy’s fresh local ingredients are sourced the same day in local markets, while Spencer’s excellent desserts deserve a special mention.

Throughout the week you can enjoy incredibly varied cycling showcasing many different sides of Mallorca, with most days offering a choice of distance. You’ll meet farmers walking clanking herds of sheep and goats down back roads, (very difficult to overtake!), and coast along quiet lanes to noisy markets, prehistoric sites, time capsule museums and small town bodegas. Each day is packed with new discoveries, and you can choose to lunch in restaurants every day, or take picnics in the shade of giant hay bales with views of the Tramuntana Mountains, or on white sand beaches with enticingly blue water.

For more infomation about this holiday, including hotel descriptions, travel options and full holiday itinerary, please see our new 'further details' section.