Let's Go Europe 2011: The Student Travel Guide
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Plaza Mercat branches off C. Unio between Plaza Rei Joan Carles I and Plaza Weyler. Non-smoking area available. Mixed Drinks €6-7. Beer €2. Coffee €1.50. Open daily 8am-3am.
MISTRAL
Paseo Maritimo, 28
BAR, CLUB
You’ll have tons of club options along Paseo Maritimo, but Mistral isn’t one to skip. You’ll know just from walking by and scoping out the attractive locals on the outdoor patio that this is a crowd you want to be dancing against. The dark navy walls, accented by the two glistening, silver bars, may portray a night sky, but this doesn’t signal bedtime—it signals a long night of groovin’ and movin’ to blasting mash-ups of commercial hits. Prismatic cocktails and colorful strobe lights will keep your energy up until the sun comes up to help you with a tan on your walk home.
On Paseo Maritimo on the inland side. Beer €4. Mixed drinks €7. Open daily 10pm-5am.
ESSENTIALS
The official language of Majorca is Catalan, not Spanish, and so the city’s streets, plazas, and structures have Catalonian names. Luckily, almost everything is translated into Spanish, and often English as well.
Practicalities
• TOURIST OFFICES: There are 4 main tourist offices available in Palma. The Majorca Tourist Information service has two locations, the Head Office at Parc de las Estacions and the Casal Solleric Office at Passeig des Born, 27 (902 102 365 palmainfo@a-palma.es.) The Palma City Council has also established two offices, one at Placa de la Reina 2 (971 712 216) and one at the Airport (971 789 556).
• TOURS: The Town Council runs walking tours from Plaça de Cort, next to the olive tree (971 720 720 Given in English and Spanish M-Sa 9am-6pm). Other city tours are available from Palma on Bike ( 3hr. 30min.; M-Su 10am from Avenida Gabriel Roca, 15 and 10:30am from Avenida Antoni Maura, 10 €25.) There are also taxi tours. ( Look for designated signs on city cabs €30 per hr.) The tourist bus picks up from 16 stops all over the city. ( Tours last 1hr. 20min. Leave every 20min. Mar-Oct 10am-8pm, Nov-Feb 10am-6pm. €13.)
• CURRENCY EXCHANGE: There’s a currency exchange office with an admittedly inconsistent schedule. (Avenida d’Antoni Maura, 28 Usually open in summer daily 10am-5pm; in winter M-F 10am-5pm.)
• INTERNET: Free city Wi-Fi is available at Plaça Joan Carles I, the Parc de Llevant, S’Escorxador, and the Cultural Centre Flassaders. It can be accessed in 30min. incremements by activating your computer’s bluetooth. Many restaurants and cafes also offer Wi-Fi with more forgiving time limits. The public library also has Wi-Fi. (Palau Reial, 18 971 711 122 Open M 9:30am-2pm, T 4-8pm, W 9:30am-2pm, Th 4-8pm, F 9:30am-2pm.)
• POST OFFICE: The central post office is located at C. Constitucion 6 (902 197 197 www.correos.es Open M-F 8:30am-8:30pm, Sa 9:30am-2pm.)
Emergency!
• POLICE: Local police can be found at C. Sant Fernan. (971 225 500 www.palmademallorca.es). National police are at C. Ruiz de Alda, 8 (971 225 200 www.policia.es).
• HOSPITAL: The general hospital is located at Plaza Hospital, 3. (971 212 000 www.gesma.org).
• LATE-NIGHT PHARMACY: You’ll find pharmacies all over the city, and a 24-hour pharmacy Bagur at C. Aragon, 70 (971 272 501).
Getting There
By Plane
The Palma de Mallorca Airport (971 789 000) is located 11km southeast of Palma and runs flights from tons of international and domestic airlines including Air Berlin (902 320 737 www.airberlin.com), Easy Jet (08 712 882 236 www.easyjet.com), Iberia (902 400 500 www.iberia.com), Lufthansa (49 696 960 www.lufthansa.com), Spanair (971 916 047 www.spanair.com), and Vueling Airlines (807 001 717 www.vueling.com). The Aena website (www.aena.es) and Amadeus website (www.amadeus.net) are particularly helpful in consolidating information from all the major airlines. As many of the flights are short and run very consistently, prices vary immensely depending on booking, day of the week, and time of day of the flight. The Empresa Municipal de Transportes runs an airport bus line ( €2 #1, every 12-15min. M-F 6am-1:50am, Sa-Su 6am-1:10am) taking your right into Palma, stopping along C. Gabriel Alomar, Porta de Camp, and Avenida Alexandre Rosello. You can use busline #21 if you’re staying in Arenal.
By Ferry
You can also travel to Mallorca on a boat (general information Autoritat Portuària de Balears www.portsdebalears.com) from the Spanish mainland or between Islands. Acciona-Trasmediterranea (902 454 645 www.trasmediterranea.es) runs to Palma from Barcelona ( 7½hr., M-Th 1pm, 11pm, F-Su 11pm) and Valencia ( 7hr., M-Sa 11:45am, Su 11:59pm) on the mainland, as well as to Ibiza ( 4 hr., F, Su, M 7pm) and Menorca ( 5.5hr., Su 5:30pm). Baleària Eurolínies Marítimes (902 160 180 www.balearia.com) runs to Ibiza ( €52.20-65.40) 3½hr., Sa-M 2:45am, 8pm, Tu, Th, F 12:30am, 8pm, W 12:30am, 2:45am, 8pm) or Formentera ( €52.20 4hr., M-Su 1:15pm).
Getting Around
By Bus
Public buses within the city of Palma are run by the Empresa Municipal de Transportes (EMT) Urbanas de Palma de Mallorca (C. Josep Anselm Clave, 5 971 214 444). There are 35 lines ( €1.25, €8 for 10 rides) that run M-Su from as early as 6am until as late as 2am. Lines #1 and #21 run to the airport ( €2 May-Oct 6am-1:50am, every 12min; Nov-Apr 6am-1:10am, every 15min) , and line #50 runs a circular route ( May-Oct 9:30am-7pm, Nov-Apr 10am-4:40pm; stops every 20min.). Line #41 is the overnight line (€1F-Sa 11:45pm-7am; every 15min). Also useful are lines #15 ( €1.25 Daily 5:45am-1:20am, every 10min) and the faster #25 ( €1.25 M-F 6:25am-9:25pm, Sa-Su 6:30am-9:30pm; every 10-13min) to Playa de Palma, and lines #3 ( €1.25 Daily 5:45am-12:35am, every 9-10min) and #46 ( €1.25 M-Sa 6:30am-11:10pm, Su 7:18am-11:30pm, every 20-35min.) which travel along the port, stopping at major sights like Castell de Bellver and Fundacio Pilar i Joan Miro.
By Taxi
You can also take the city taxis ( M-F 9pm-7am and weekends €4 plus €1 per km), designated as available by a green light on the top of the car from Taxi Palma Radio (971 755 440) or Radio Taxi (971 755 414). There are major taxi stops at Plaza Weyler, Plaza Forti, Avenida Jaime III, Plaza Reina, and Passieg de Sagrera.
To get to other parts of Majorca beyond Palma, Transport de les Illes Balears (TIB) (900 177 777 tib.caib.es), or TIB, runs 5 series of bus lines (#100, #200, #300, #400, and #500) from Palma that go clockwise around the island. They are notorious for running late, and their timetables vary significantly, but they are technically scheduled to begin running as early at 6am and until as late as 11pm. TIB also runs a Palma to Pobles train ( M-F 5:45am-11:15pm, Sa-Su 6:05am-11:15pm) and a metro line between the Estación Intermodal and the Estación UIB. ( M-F every half hr. 6:30am-10:30pm; every 15 minutes 6:30am-7am, 8:30pm-10:30pm; Sa-Su every hour 6:30am-10pm, every 30 minutes 6:30am-7:30am, 9pm-10pm.) Tren de Sóller runs the scenic “Western Highlights” route along the coast to Soller from Plaça d’Espanya ( €10 971 752 051 www.trendesoller.com 8am-7:30pm). enjoyed by tourists and locals alike.
By Bike
Palma is also a major center for cyclotourism, and getting around on a bike is extremely popular, whether on your own or in a guided tour. Palma On Bike (Avenida Antoni Maura 10 and Avenida Gabriel Roca 15 971 918 988 www.palmaonbike.com Bike rental for 1-2 days €12 per day, 3-7 days €10 per day. Kayak rental doubles €50 per day, singles €30 per day. Rollerblades rental €10 per day),
stop worrying and love the nap
The afternoon nap is hardly an alien concept to the typical American college student, but out in the real world, dropping off for an hour or two in the middle of the day is a tough feat to pull off—if you live in the boring, nine-to-five United States, that is. Spain, on the other hand, has it all figured out: after waking up to a big bowl of cafe con leche and heading off to work for four or five hours, the Spanish come back home around 1pm for lunch, immediately followed by that most glorious of Iberian traditions, the siesta. The siesta doesn’t have to be a nap; it’s quite common instead to just tumbarse (lie down) on the sofa and slip into a dazed stupor in front of one of the popular game shows that daily grace the Spanish airwaves (or the Spani
sh-dubbed Los Simpson, whose afternoon broadcast consistently ranks among the top-rated programs). Yes, there are still another few hours of work in the afternoon, but the break helps divide and conquer the workday in a way that makes those last few hours between siesta and fiesta manageable.
ibiza
971
We won’t tell mom and dad, but we know why you’re making the trip to Ibiza. You want the whitest sands, the clearest waters, the hottest sun, and the sexiest clubs. This small, Mediterranean island has a rich history of settlement and exploration, but it’s modern status is the real draw. You’ll be wearing as little clothing at the beach as is acceptable, stuffing your face with the delicious selection of international eats, and reaping the benefits of the commercial tourist industry.
This is where the young and beautiful come to get tanner and more beautiful on their summer vactions. Take that summer designation seriously—this packed party scene turns into a quaint and empty town during the winter months, so work hard all year to save the cash for this trip. You’ll be encountering pricey accommodations, ridiculous covers, and expensive mojitos, but memories (assuming you can remember all that goes down on this debauchery-filled island) are priceless. Test your limits and see how many nights straight you can go beaching by day and clubbing by night. You’re in for a ride!
ORIENTATION
Ibiza City is not very large and can be traversed with just a short walk. The main avenues running across the city are Avenida d’Isidor Macabich, where you’ll encounter the bus station, and Avenida de España, where you’ll find a slew of different markets, restaurants, internet cafes, and small shops. The Passeig Vara de Rei and the Plaza de Parque both branch off Avenida de España and are frequented by all the city visitors. The commerical shopping area is most developed on and around Avenida Bartolome Roselo, and the most interesting restaurants line the port along Avenida Andenes and Avenida de Santa Eularia del Riu. The historical centers of Ibiza are the World Heritage sight of d’Alt Vila and the ruins of Puig des Molins.
ACCOMMODATIONS
Accommodations in Ibiza City are few and far between and generally pricey. If you’re coming to the island to party, Sant Antoni may be your best bet. The hotels and hostals are less expensive, you’re right on the beach, and you’re in prime location to see some of the hottest clubs and the Sunset Strip. Also keep in in mind that Ibiza is a highly seasonal island—summer prices will be significantly higher than anything in the winter (if the accommodation even stays open after September).
Sant Antoni
HOTEL OROSOL
Cami General, 1
HOTEL
971 340 712 www.orosolhotel.com
For these prices (especially if you’re traveling with a group), the luxury you find at Hotel Orosol is unbelievable. This larger hotel is scooting its way up to 3-star status and is stacked with all those fine facilities that your hostel may be missing from all the hostel-hopping. Your massive room’s red sheets, TV, and balcony are only some of the amenities—the full continental breakfast buffet, big pool (290m away), and bright, modern lobby add to the luxury. The welcoming receptionists will provide you with slews of information on local travel and give you tons of activity suggestions—need a bike? Want a discount club ticket? Care to visit Formentera? They’ll organize it all for no additional cost. Just take it easy and relax. You’re on vacation, remember?
From the bus station, take Ramon y Cajal to the first intersection to the right. Breakfast, sheets, and towels included. Pool. Cafeteria. A/C €3-12. Laundry €7 wash, €4 dry. Singles €26-53; doubles €40-92; triples €57-120; quads €70-172. Reception 24hr.
HOSTAL VALENCIA
C. Valencia, 23
HOSTAL
971 341 035 www.ibizahostalvalencia.com
Hostal Valencia looks more like a home than a hostal—and we’re talking about a home that you’re dying to own. From the comfy couches andwarm living room area to the full cafeteria-restaurant with orange-cushioned chairs and stocked bar to the porch-patio and lush garden, this is one little oasis that you won’t want to leave. The forest-green sheets in your bedroom and small, yellow-tiled bathroom are pristinely clean and organized. Plus, the pool out back beckons. You can also find all the information necessary about Ibiza in the lobby, equipped with a whole kiosk of pamphlets and ideas to make your vacation much more interesting.
At the intersection of Carrer de Mosen and C. Valencia. Sheets and towels included. Pool. Cafeteria. Singles €25-70; doubles €40-80; triples €54-105. Reception 24hr.
HOSTAL MONTANA
C. Roma, 8
HOSTAL
971 340 490 www.montanamarino.com
Hostal Montana knows how to help you make the most of your stay in San Antonio—the friendly staff will point out the best beaches, direct you to the pool at their sister-hostel, Hostal Marino, sell you discount tickets to the hottest clubs, or organize a ferry trip to Formentera. You’ll enjoy your complimentary breakfast in the morning, but if that night of partying has you sleeping until the afternoon, you can always fight that hangover by grabbing a snack in the cafeteria-bar or wake yourself up with a game of foosball between bocadillos. The rooms will make you feel like you’ve scored a snazzy hotel room, as they come equipped with a mini-fridge (store the mixers), full closet (unpack the stilletos), small balcony (toast to the sunset), and clean, comfy beds (maybe get some—sleep, that is).
From the bus station, take C. Ramon y Cajal and make a left on C. Roma. Breakfast, sheets, towels, mini-fridge, and safe included. Singles €17-35; doubles €28-70; triples €42-105. Reception 24hr.
HOSTAL ROSALIA
Carrer Santa Rosalia, 5
HOSTAL
971 340 709 www.hostalrosalia.com
This inexpensive accommodation is packed with partying beachgoers. The simple rooms with white walls and grey tiles get a nice splash of life from the colorful sheets and big windows. You can lounge around the pool and enjoy the TV in the cafeteria during the day, or take the short 10min. walk down to the beaches and port. And if the walk seems too long, Rosalia can get you there faster—the hostal also runs Top Moto next door.
Take Carrer del Progress to Carrer Santa Rosalia and turn left. Breakfast €3. Internet available on lobby computer. Pool. May-Oct singles €18-20; doubles €30-40; triples €45-60. Reception 24hr.
Ibiza City
HOSTAL LAS NIEVES/JUANITO
C. Juan de Austria, 17/18
HOSTAL
971 190 819 www.hostalibiza.com
Located in the middle of the city center, a short walk from the historic d’Alt Villa and the history-making Playa d’en Bossa, this hostal pair is run out of the same reception on C. Juan de Austuria and gives you a bit of freedom in deciding how much you’re going to spend. Simply put, Hostal Juanito is probably the best price you’ll find in Ibiza city, but it isn’t a point of luxury. You’ll enjoy a spacious and clean room but will have to sleep through the heat with no A/C. Las Nieves provides some ventillation and the possibility of ensuite bathrooms, which ups the ante a bit. Either way, they both have the same best feature—the couple that owns the place is one of the nicest you’ll encounter on the island, and they are ready to help you plan out your trip.
From the bus stop, take Avenida d’Isidor Macabich, turn right onto Avenida Ignac Wallis and left onto Juan de Austria. Nieves singles €30; doubles €60, with bath €75. Juanito singles €25; doubles €50. Reception open daily 9am-1pm and 4-8pm.
SIGHTS
The most historic part of Ibiza City is d’Alt Vila (“the Walled City”), a UNESCO World Heritage sight. Walking the small, winding streets (or rather climbing, as it’s pretty steep), you can enjoy the major sights or follow one of the designated routes described in pamphlets available at the information offices. The bastions around d’Alt Vila are the perfect look-out points, and the Baluarte des Porta Neu Sant Pere holds a small museum exhibit explaining the construction of the city. Also, while the Museum of Contemporary Art is currently
being renovated (as of summer 2010), the exhibits are available in the Ayuntamiento. Be sure to check of the Catedral D’Eivissa, which still rings the original bells from the 16th-century.
BEACHES
While it depends on how you divide it up, there are at least 50 distinct beaches surrounding the island of Ibiza. They all have their own character and pros and cons. You can endure the biggest crowds and enjoy the biggest parties at beaches closer to the city, or you can battle the bus schedule to reach Ibiza’s nature reserves and smaller coves. Pick your poison, pick your pleasure. No matter what you choose, you’ll be under that same Mediterranean sun, sipping the (essentially) same mojitos.