A day out on the train to Soller
The opening of a railway line from Palma to Soller in 1912, and a tram linking Soller to its port the 
following year, brought the northwest coast within easy reach of the capital. The vintage carriages are still in use, providing a joyride for tourists and a relief for locals from the terrors of the Palma-Soller road.
Five trains a day leave from Placa d'Espanya in Palma - the 10:40 is labelled the 'turistico' but all you get for the extra cost is a more crowded train and a short photo stop.
The train, all mahogany panels and brass fittings, leaves Palma amid a bustle of hisses, hoots and whistles before rattling down the city streets and into the suburbs. Soon you are out on the plain, passing small country stations and pigs rooting beneath the trees.
You can get off at Bunyola and visit the Tunel factory where Mallorca's herb-based liqueurs are made - the label shows a train emerging from a tunnel.Stay on the train and soon you start to climb, entering a 3-km tunnel before returning to daylight for the drop, through a dizzying series of bends, to Soller.
The 'Orange Express' tram to Port de Soller runs hourly, connecting with the arrival of the train. Stand on the platform as it clatters through orchards and back gardens and you can imagine you are living 50 years earlier.
It takes 20 minutes to complete the 5-km journey to the port. If you do not want to return the same way, buses leave from the jetty for Palma via Deia and Valldemossa.
Click here for full details at their website.
http://www.sollernet.com/trendesoller/en1.html
and http://www.bestofmallorca.net/information/transport/soller-train-mallorca-majorca
Mallorca is a golfer's paradise. Within 30 miles of Palma are 19 top-class golf courses, many of international championship standard and a couple that have hosted the Spanish Open national championship.
Just up the road from the apartments is
Golf de Andratx, an 18-hole course recognised for its originality,withseveral extremely raisedtees,which offer unbeatableviews of the Mallorcan coastline. In terms of difficulty it is a very challenging course for more experienced players. With Five blind shots and running over very uneven terrain with large holes protected by lakes and with the typical flora and fauna of the region.
Built between steep valleys and protected by mountains with the classic pinewoods and stark scenery of a Mediterranean archipelago. The designer and architect of the course, David Kidd, has managed to optimise the playing terrain.
The seven ponds and lakes divided between six holes ensure that the player and the ball do not always make it back to the Clubhouse together. The sixty bunkers – filled with white quartz sand- will remind more than one player of their childhood.
The typical Mallorcan walls - some ancient and some restored – add a special beauty. The three different tones of green on the course mean that nobody will be able to use the excuse about not having been able to make out the fairway, or rather, the rough. The course is irrigated with recycled water and rainwater collected in tanks. The Andratx Club de Golf has its own distillation plant, which shows just how serious they are about protecting the environment.
Click here for full details at their website http://www.golfdeandratx.com/english/index.asp
Just a short distance closer to Palma is the Real Golf de Bendinat is beautifully situated in a sweeping, wooded valley. It is an attractive course with spectacular Mediterranean views. Martin Hawtree designed the course and the round has 18 holes.
It is a rather narrow course over broken ground so accuracy is very important; the greens are very long and you have to place the ball well as they were designed with a lot of slopes which, though gentle and hardly visible, certainly throw the ball off course. It is a difficult course and that is why a handicap of 36 is required.
Click here for full details at their website http://www.realgolfbendinat.com/
Well worth a drive to the north of the island is one of the best courses in Mallorca. Capdepera Golf 
is situated between the villages of Artá and Capdepera, about 3.5 km's from Capdepera.It is a beautiful course with six lakes and lies hidden in a spectacular valley surrounded by mountains. It has a very balanced design, with some long and wide fairways and some which resemble narrow corridors and require more accuracy on the shots.
It is suitable both for beginners and for more expert players. It has a clubhouse and a prestigious school where classes are given all year round. It is a Dan Maples designed course, also known as Roca Viva. It was opened in 1991 and has 18 holes, Par 72.
It is very nicely located in typical Mallorcan countryside and even being surrounded by mountains it offers spectacular views of the Mediterranean Sea. The view as you stand on the 15th tee and look out over the valley to the Mediterranean is something very special and typifies the attraction of Mallorcan golf courses.
The golf course is divided into two halves: The first nine holes are flat with long fairways, while the second nine holes start off with three flat holes before rising into the Artá mountains. There are six artificial lakes and with three of these you will get in contact with on the 5th, 11th and 18th holes.
It is a course, which many regard as the finest and fairest in Mallorca, it is suitable both for beginners and for more expert players. It has a very comfortable clubhouse and a prestigious school where classes are given all year round. Furthermore there is a very nice Restaurant called „Roca Viva”, it is overlooking the golf course and it offers a very high quality in international and Mallorcan cuisine.
Click here for full details at their website http://www.golfcapdepera.com/english/index.php
Finally is well worth a visit is Poniente Golf. This course is a great challenge for people keen on golf and has wonderful panoramic views. The course has 18 
holes, combining flat holes and others higher up among the pine trees, and has seven lakes and numerous bunkers. The fairways are in wonderful condition and the greens are very varied, giving the course shape and character. The 10th hole is considered the most technical of the course, with a lake on the right and two big bunkers on the left. The second shot is pretty complicated
Situated on the Calvia Coast, 12 Km from the city of Palma, close by the motorway and just a short distance from the sea, the Golf de Poniente links are also within easy reach of Santa Ponsa, Bendinat and Son Vida golf courses. Opened in 1978 and designed by John Harris, this long challengingly difficult course has 18 holes, Par 72 and a series of big, fast greens.
Surrounded by a combination of woodland and lakes, the magnificently kept fairways, pleasant variety of terrain and ideal conditions of the course (set amongst pines, olive and palm trees) make it a tantalising opponent for demanding players. Also available is a superb, extensive driving-range and hire of electric buggies, trolleys, clubs and bags. The recently renovated clubhouse, designed by Ignacio de Gregorio in a rustic Majorcan Style, includes a bar and restaurant. It goes without saying that the Club’s installations also feature a golf shop.
Click here for full details at their website http://www.ponientegolf.com/en/indice.htm
The Island of Mallorca has plenty to offer but if you'd really like to check out the scenery there's no better way to do it than by helicopter. No if its a swan around the bays and the mountains or a special photo trip Sloane Helicopters can cater for your needs.
They operate helicopters from one to five passenger seats. Let us give you an experience of a lifetime. Arrive in style for your Wedding or let them collect you from the aprtment and take you on a tour around the island. There is no better way to experience the stunning landscape of Mallorca.
Pleasure Flights - take a scenic tour around Mallorca.
Unlike many Helicopter Pleasure Flight we let you, the customer, decide where you want to go and what you would like to see.
Whether you would like to fly through the Traumuntana Mountain Range, track along the picturesque coastline, see the homes of the many celebrities living on Mallorca or visit somewhere you particularly would like to see (like your villa or hotel).
They will cater for all your needs individually. You can lease directly with your pilot so that you can plan the best trip you would like.
Click here for full details at their website http://www.sloanemallorca.com/
In the last ten years Mallorca has become equal in facilities and status to Porto Banus and Monte Carlo for those in the sailing world.
Strongly patronised every year by the Spanish royal family, the Reina Sofia Cup ranks with Cowes week in the yachting world.
But if the serious smart set is not for you then Mallorca happily caters for everybody from the dinghy sailor to the fisherman. The owner of the properties has his own small boat which is often available for local trips. Speak to him to see if you can arrange a day for an outing.
Set right in the port of Andratx is one of the best venues on the island - Sirena Sailing offers you some of the best Yacht Chartering and services around the Balearics, from a well established and high standard of service, Sirena Sailing C.B.
As they are based in the Port of Andratx, they have a wealth of knowledge and information on the area.
They do full charters, trips and sailing courses.
Click here for full details at their website
http://www.sirenasailing.com/
