Katie Thompson is a student at Ohio State University and an ISA Featured Photo Blogger. She is studying abroad with ISA in Valencia, Spain.
Valencia is in an ideal departure location for weekend travel because of its proximity to bigger cities and the availability of transportation. Within Spain, cities such as Córdoba, Sevilla, Granada, Madrid, Toledo, and Barcelona are easily reachable by bus, Eurorail, or plane. During free weekends, many students in Valencia also seek the island of Mallorca as a travel option. Just a one-hour flight from Valencia, Mallorca provides a fun and adventurous weekend destination with plenty of options for activities. Once on the island, all transportation was made very simple by the scheduled bus system!
Each of our three days in Mallorca consisted of different activities. Our first day was spent on the beach in Palmanova, a safe, tourist neighborhood with plenty of restaurants and gift vendors.
Our Airbnb reservation was only a five-minute walk from the Palmanova beach, which offered scenic views up the coastline toward Palma.
The next day, after waking up for the sunrise, we took a bus to Pollença, on the northeast side of the island, where we joined a guided kayaking tour and had the chance to swim, snorkel, and jump off of cliffs into the impressively clear water. Near Pollença, another bus took us through amazing mountainous scenery to Formentor where we walked along another beautiful, secluded beach.
Through the use of a waterproof container, I was able to bring my camera out on the kayak in Pollença – a very risky but rewarding opportunity!
Our final day was spent in Palma, the capital city, navigating narrow streets to discover the enormous Palma Cathedral and Bellver Castle. The city of Palma offers a unique historical experience with an eclectic mix of antique buildings, local shops, and many guided tours.
Touring Palma was a great addition to our weekend. After relaxing on the beach and trying some outdoor adventure, we enjoyed exploring the city and learning about Palma’s history.
Mallorca offers the perfect mix of tourist attractions, outdoor activities, and historical sites – packed into only three days. Whether you prefer to relax on the beach, explore the history of cities, or seek adventure outdoors, there are plenty of options for every taste. Each individual in our group was able to find activities that they enjoyed; we are so glad we chose to travel to Mallorca!
The world awaits…discover it.