Alca Paradiso

Alcanada has a rugged stretch of coastline with dazzling, turquoise waters and its own island lighthouse. The famous Alcanada Golf Club boasts spectacular views of the sea and lighthouse from almost all of its 18 holes. The course was designed by Robert Trent Jones, who has designed more than 250 courses around the world. There are a further 17 golf courses on Mallorca, including San Gual just outside of Palma and the amazing T-Golf and Country Club.  Alcanada is on the Bay of Alcudia. The silver sanded beaches of Alcudia stretch way into the distance and behind is the fabulous Natural Park S’Albufera. It is the Balearic’s largest and most important marshland with a huge variety of flora and fauna, lagoons and wild streams as well as signposted cycling and hiking paths.  There is an audiovisual display room where you can listen to the birdsong. Birdwatchers visit from all over Europe to see rare migrants including Montagu’s harriers and Eleanora’s falcons. Stonechats, moustached warblers and the long-eared owl all breed in the park. Ospreys leave their breeding sites on the cliffs to come to the reserve to fish.   The seriously impressive Sa Bassa Blanca Museum in Alcanada was created by Yannick and Ben Jakober. It is situated in a stunning old palace overlooking the beautiful bay and harbour of Alcudia and Port Alcudia. The building’s arches, tiled floors and gardens are very special. There is a collection of animal sculptures in the garden and a fabulous contemporary art collection inside the building.  If you can drag yourselves away from the beaches and the golf course, the majestic mountain range and picturesque hilltop villages make for a great day out. The winding roads lead to dramatic scenery and a wonderful sense of seclusion. There are amazing hiking and cycling opportunities. Soller, Valldemossa and Deia are all beautiful and atmospheric. Fornalutx is an idyllic stone-built village in the foothills of Puig Major.  The Serra de Tramuntana mountain range covers about 30% of the island’s territory. It is a UNESCO World Heritage site and is covered with terraces, water mills and dry-stone buildings and planted with olive trees, almond trees, oranges, tomatoes and vines. Deia is beautiful and hosts an annual International Festival of Deia, dedicated to chamber music. It is very popular with the rich and famous.