DK Travel : Mallorca

Known variously as the “Golden Isle”, the “Wooded Isle” and the “Tranquil Isle”, Mallorca is all of these, despite its decades-long dependence on mass tourism. The island is laden with history and sights, from its castles and enchanted gardens to caves and spectacular mountains. The eastern and southern coasts still sport some of the cleanest, most beautiful beaches in the Mediterranean, and the city of Palma is more attractive, culturally alive and fun than ever.

Mallorca (or Majorca) gets its name from the ancient Roman name for the island, Balearis Major, meaning the “biggest Balearic”

Jardins Casa March

Joan March was a native-born magnate who allegedly made his fortune from illegal tobacco and arms trafficking. His old mansion near Cala Rajada, built in 1916, has lavish grounds incorporating water gardens, pine woods and fruit groves. Over 40 works of modern sculpture in the gardens include a bronze by Rodin and a piece by Henry Moore.
Jardins d’Alfàbia

Although later Renaissance and Baroque touches are evident in the gardens and house, the underlying Arabic styling predominates. The many watercourses are a distinctly Moorish touch, as well as the little oasis-like groves of trees encircling pools, where you can sit and enjoy the fresh air and the music of gurgling rivulets.
Jardins d’Alfàbia

This oasis of heavenly peace high in the mountains was designed by Arab landscape architects 1,000 years ago as an image of Paradise. The gardens have been reworked over the centuries, mostly with Gothic and Italian Renaissance touches, but the medley of fountains, terraces and groves is still essentially Arabic.
Jardins d’Alfàbia

Created by an Arab wali (viceroy) 1,000 years ago, these gardens include parterres, arbours and dells surrounding an all but derelict house. A great place for exploring and relaxing.
Jardins d’Alfàbia

The island’s finest example of a profoundly Arabic garden dates back 1,000 years. Naturally, in all those centuries the lucky owners (Mallorca’s most illustrious families among them) have added their own touches, resulting in Renaissance and Baroque elements in the landscape design and building features.
Jaume I

Christian king who took the islands back from the Moors in the 13th century and established remarkably liberal laws.
Jaume II

The rightful heir to Jaume I. He and his descendants carried on Jaume I’s legacy until Mallorca was rejoined to the kingdom of Aragón.
José L. Ferrer, Binissalem

The famous winery is worth a stop for both the tour and the wine-tasting. You’ll find the reds, made from Mantonegro and Callet grapes, and the white, made from Moll.
Jumaica

The Ca’n Pep Noguera is a banana plantation, established in 1973, when the owners started to transform the arid land into a tropical garden. It’s a mini-paradise of farm animals, birds and exotic plants.
Junípero Serra

Important 18th-century missionary, born in the town of Petra.