WINTER IN MALLORCA
© 2001 by Maria Hubert. All rights reserved.

INTER is probably my favourite time In Mallorca! The weather is certainly cooler, but temperate by British standards, and there is so much going on in the towns and villages with parades and festivals which have continued for hundreds of years, a tremendous Christmas atmosphere from the beginning of December, and for anyone who wants the atmosphere of Christmas without the usual Christmas weather, Mallorca is the place to go! The festivities begin in December and go on into mid January, with a full programme of events. So enjoy the festival with us, and may your year be bountiful!

Into February the beautiful sight of fields of almond trees in full blossom in shades of white, pinks and pale green is something which the Germans have already discovered, and they arrange special Almond Blossom sightseeing tours.

There is occasionally a snow-capped peak to be seen, and a walk into the mountains will be rewarded with air as intoxicating as sparkling wine, and stunning views. Never too far away, you can drive to the mountains in about half an hour from Palma, or if you are bold enough, and prepared for a walk at the end, the local bus services are excellent.

DECEMBER & JANUARY

In the towns the Christmas lights go on for miles not only in the main thoroughfares, but in many of the side streets and suburbs as well. They are turned on at the beginning of December in a ceremony in the Plaza Cort in the centre of old Palma town The shops enter into the spirit with decorated windows, and attractive displays. Later in the month the Christmas market goes up in Plaza Mayor just off Sindicato.

Here you can buy figures and accessories for your Christmas Crib scene, toys gifts and foods just like you can in the Christmas Markets all around Europe. There is the silversmith making pretty jewellery at very reasonable prices , the music stall where you can find the traditional Mallocan Ximbomba, and very quickly become an expert player of this ancient instrument which came to Mallorca with the Arab invasion in the 9th century.

You will find excellent artists who will do a portrait while you wait which is up to very high studio standard, and the cartoonist who will do a less than flattering caracature! Indulge in a bag of freshly made churros and if you want to be really indulgent have therm covered in chocolate sauce! For the children there are candy floss, toffee apples and many other nibbles. This year there was a violinist who played as if he were in a grand concert hall with a glittering audience.

Local people throng the way between Plaza Mayor and Calle San Miguel, which is a fashionable street full of fine shops, artisan shops, cafes and street entertainers and stalls. It is a place for a Paseo on festival evenings, and whole families walk out. A visit to Grand Café Cappuchino is a must.

The walls are covered with paintings, which are all for sale, upstairs are more. .A special gift for a special person perhaps. . Whilst there look at the shops selling embroidered linens, and the delightful little shop almost opposite the Grand Café which has artisan made goods from all over Mallorca - but do check the origin, as some come from mainland Spain too There is a delightful moving crib scene in the Cloister of St Antoniet, just walk in.

Warm yourself with a bag of hot chesnuts while you watch the street entertainments,. I saw a fire juggler, a tin man, and Peruvian players as well as a group selling handmade peruvian woollen goods - very inexpensively!

A little later, this street is particularly good for bargain hunting in the January Sales. The festival atmosphere still pervades, as the Mallorcans keep up their lights until after the feast of St Sebastian on 21st January.

CHRISTMAS EVE TO THREE KINGS

If you are there between December 25th-January6th you should try to attend the church services, either the grand affairs in the main town churches, or the local parish churches. Many of the local parishes put on a representation, similar to the Chancel Dramas of medieval times. The Three Kings come to find the Christchild. Herod gets alarmed on hearing about this new king, and calls upon his Sybil to tell him what is happening.

MOUNTAINS & ALMOND BLOSSOM

For us February is still winter, so this section begins here - but continues in the page dedicated to SPRING & EASTER . The Almonds begin to blossom in late January, and are at their best in mid February. You may be lucky enough during a mild winter to see them in bloom before you leave after the festival of St Antony.

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(last revised January 2003)