Experiences in Mallorca Withinintroduction Our Walls
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EXPERIENCES IN MALLORCA WITHININTRODUCTION OUR WALLS WELCOME — AND DIVE IN! CONTENTS Make the most of Mallorca with our WITHIN OUR WALLS 5 inspiring range of activities. Sign up TAKE TO THE WATER 21 for an expert art or cooking class at EXPLORE THE ISLAND 25 the hotel. Explore the island aboard an DISCOVER PALMA 33 elegant yacht. Set off on a Vespa to ESCAPE TO THE discover hidden corners or take a guided GREAT OUTDOORS 37 tour of Palma’s cultural highlights. Wine SAMPLE LOCAL WINES 45 tastings, heli-hikes and romantic cave CALENDAR OF EVENTS 53 dinners are all among our exclusive CATEGORIES experiences. Just ask at reception for more details and to book any activity. ACTIVE What will you choose first? CELEBRATION CHILD FRIENDLY CULTURE FOOD AND WINE NATURE BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA MALLORCA 3 Within our walls 5 WITHIN OUR WALLS PAINTING Arrange a class with our acclaimed artist-in-residence, Alan Hydes, whose works appear in public and private collections worldwide. The British painter’s extensive portfolio embraces landscapes, botanical studies, nudes and underwater figures. He is also highly regarded as a portraitist, with sitters ranging from former Prime Minister Edward Heath to celebrated actors and rock musicians. Visit his studio near El Olivo Restaurant to admire his works and even commission your own likeness from him. Painting classes are available on request. SCULPTING, LINO-CUTTING AND SILVER CLAY CLASSES Juan Waelder, sculptor-in-residence and director of the hotel’s sculpture garden, has played a key role in the Mallorcan art scene since the 1970s. Take part in a class at his studio near the Sa Tafona art gallery, choosing between sculpture, lino-cutting and silver-clay art. Little ones can join in with fun clay and plasticine sculpting classes. Classes are available on request. POTTERY AND CERAMICS The beautiful plates on display in El Olivo are the work of local ceramicist, Joanna Kuhne, a Deià resident for over 30 years. Let Joanna ignite your passion for pottery - learn more about the world of ceramics and arrange a hands-on ceramic painting demonstration. Demonstrations available on request. BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA MALLORCA 7 WITHIN OUR WALLS PORTRAITS David Templeton, our closest neighbour, is a highly skilled portraitist. Visit him at home to commission a portrait of your partner, children or other loved ones as a precious memento of your time in Deià. He can draw from life or from a photograph and the work will be completed within 48 hours. David’s studio is just outside the hotel side entrance, opposite the kids’ club. WALK AND TALK TOUR Join Cecilie Sheridan, curator of the hotel’s art collection, on a walking tour of the village to meet local artists and see their studios. Along the way, she offers a fascinating insight into Deià’s cultural history and talented inhabitants. The complimentary tour takes place once a week. Private tours can be organised on request (for a supplement). BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA MALLORCA 9 WITHIN OUR WALLS POETIC PATHWAY Our new mountain pathway pays homage to former Deià inhabitant, the great poet Robert Graves, alongside other distinguished literary figures. Stroll along the scenic route, absorbing the vistas of mountains and honey-coloured houses, and you will discover, at intervals, eye-catching granite columns positioned next to elegant benches. Each duo, the creation of our artist-in-residence Juan Waelder, bears the name and sculpted metal profile of a poet. In addition to Robert Graves, who settled in Deià with his great love Laura Riding, featured writers include Chilean poet Pablo Neruda, who won the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1971, and Federico García Lorca, one of the most important Spanish poets and dramatists of the 20th century. Books by the venerated bards can be borrowed from the hotel, so find your favourite bench and lose yourself in their words. BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA MALLORCA 11 WITHIN OUR WALLS DONKEY TRAIL Take a stroll through the hotel’s centuries-old olive groves with our loveable resident donkeys. They will carry water and any bags you may have in their panniers as they accompany you through the Poets’ Walk and up the hillside, reaching the pine-scented forests above Belmond La Residencia. One of our most popular activities, the donkey trail pays tribute to the days when Deià was a remote outpost and transport on the dirt tracks of the Sierra was mostly by hoof. Even today, the sure-footed beasts are employed on the steepest mountain trails. Our donkeys enjoy a leisurely life in the hotel grounds, cared for by our head gardener. During your climb you will be able to pause several times to take in the views and admire local flora and fauna. The trail stops at our ancient stone shepherd’s hut, where a delicious spread of local specialities is unpacked from the donkeys’ panniers and displayed on a linen-covered table. Indulge in cheeses, ham, olives, pa amb oli (bread with tomato, olive oil and garlic), the famous Balearic cured sausage, sobrassada, and perhaps a shot or two of the island’s herb liqueur, hierbas. The views of the Mediterranean Sea from this lofty site are spectacular, so make sure to take your camera. The donkey trail can be arranged on request. BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA MALLORCA 13 WITHIN OUR WALLS ROMANTIC DINNER ON THE MIRADOR Treat yourselves to the incomparable romance of a sunset dinner for two. Our intimate terrace offers tranquil seclusion and mesmerising views of the sea. The sensual experience is enhanced by flickering lanterns and a pianist or Spanish guitarist serenading you. A private waiter is on hand to serve sumptuous local specialities — and pop corks as the whim takes you. Watch the sun slowly sink into the sea, exploding in a kaleidoscope of colours, and pinch yourselves: yes, it is real. The Mirador is reached by the beautiful Poets’ Walk, so the evening from start to finish is pure magic. For newlyweds, anyone looking to propose, or couples celebrating a momentous anniversary, there could not be a more perfect setting. Let us know your intentions and we will put the champagne on ice. BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA MALLORCA 15 WITHIN OUR WALLS OLIVE OIL MASTERCLASS Learn the art of olive oil flavouring with our Executive Chef, Guillermo Méndez. Balearic cheese gives a creamy taste to the oil while the local sobrassada cured sausage adds a spicy touch. The DOP (Designation of Origin) oil is crafted from olives harvested in our own groves and cold-pressed in the neighbouring village of Sóller. Classes are available each Thursday at 4pm upon reservation. COOKING SHOW Would you like to know how our chefs prepare popular Spanish dishes such as gazpacho or paella? Join Executive Chef Guillermo at El Olivo as he divulges his best-kept secrets and then make your own versions, sitting down to enjoy them for lunch afterwards. Cooking shows are available on Wednesdays, Thursdays and Fridays at 11:30am. Book your place at least 24 hours in advance at reception. At least 2 adults are required. CHILDREN’S COOKING LESSONS Budding little chefs can learn to make delicious cookies in this fun class. Chef will help his youthful apprentices prepare the dough and teach them how to make different types of cookies. It’s a great way to introduce children to the wonderful world of cookery. Lessons are available on request for children from 7-13 years old. BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA MALLORCA 17 WITHIN OUR WALLS TENNIS AND PING PONG Whether you want to hone your skills or just enjoy a knockabout, take advantage of our sports facilities and resident experts. Two GreenSet Cushion tennis courts are available on site, together with a tennis coach who can help improve your game. Alongside the courts, beneath a shady canopy, are two ping pong tables. Tennis courts are also available for Ping pong tables can be hired on a complimentary private hire. Contact complimentary basis. Bats and balls can reception to book a court, a private lesson be obtained from reception. or a child’s lesson. YOGA AND TAI CHI Beneficial to people of all ages and levels of fitness, yoga is a safe, simple and natural way to enhance your health. Poses and breathing exercises improve physical strength, flexibility and spiritual wellness, with benefits often being felt from the very first session. Similarly tai chi, which originated as a martial art, uses slow, controlled movements to strengthen the body and boost mental clarity. Both can be enjoyed in the enchanting environs of our garden with guru Alfredo, who can offer private classes, personalised to your needs. Please enquire at reception about our weekly complimentary group classes or to arrange a private session. BELMOND LA RESIDENCIA MALLORCA 19 Take to the Water 21 TAKE TO THE WATER BOAT EXCURSIONS Admire Mallorca’s magnificent coastline on one of our complimentary cruises, available every day during the summer, or hire a private vessel to enjoy a relaxing day on the water in privacy. A range of boats is available for rent, from yachts to motor launches and traditional fishermen’s boats, with trips departing from either Palma or Sóller. KAYAKING, SNORKELLING AND DIVING The island’s northwest coast is ideal to explore by sea kayak or plunge underwater to witness the abundant sea life. The area is rich in rocks and caves teeming with life: you may spot octopus, barracuda, seahorses, scorpionfish and even stingrays, dolphins and turtles. All equipment is provided to enjoy these activities. PADDLE SURFING Mallorca’s serene, clear waters make it an ideal place to try stand-up paddle surfing, an activity that suits both individuals and groups.