May 2021. The Belgian government lifted the ban on leisure travel in April, but strict travel rules limited options. As the Balearic Islands – lles Balears or Islas Baleares – were a yellow zone, we booked flights and a hotel in Palma de Mallorca. 

So. Palma de Mallorca. My expectations were low. Yes, we flew business class as we are luxury queens. We booked a five-star hotel because we like it that way. But for the city itself, my expectations were low. 

Mallorca is sometimes referred to as the 17th Federal State (Land) of Germany due its many German tourists. So I expected mostly concrete ‘blocks’ and party bars with cheap alcohol pitches and shot deals. 

There must be bars like that, but because of a COVID-19 strikken world, those were ‘invisible’. 

Mediterranean

Instead I discovered a fortified Mediterranean port town. Yes, I shouldn’t be surprised. The combination of colours – predominantly beige from the sand stone – small medieval alleyways and larger French style boulevards, reminded me of the Antibes on the French Riviera (Côte d’Azur) and Valletta in Malta. 

I let photos speak for themselves.

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Corona

In May 2021, the government of the Balearic expected people to wear face masks on the streets and when moving about and around. Restaurants and bars could only serve outside. Hotels could serve inside, to hotel guests. There was a curfew. 

We didn’t find these coronavirus countermeasures to be a restriction. We don’t party hard. And having fewer crowds suits us. 

Contrary to what we saw in Belgium in March and April, we saw some youth hangin on the streets, but not raving in parks or on squares. There was quite a lot of discipline. The hotel was adjacent to the Parc de la Mar (Sea Park) but there was no noise. 

I must indicate we were in the historic centre and it could very much be the situation was different outside this touristy part of town. 

We enjoyed our time in Palma. I do see us returning to Mallorca.

Resources

• Palma de Mallorca (Wikipedia).
• Mallorca (Wikipedia).
• Palma de Mallorca (Wikitravel).
• Mallorca (Wikitravel).
• Coronavirus countermeasures for Mallorca (InfoMallorca.net). 

Previously

• With Iberia from Brussels to Madrid in Business Class.
• Iberia Dalí Lounge in Madrid Barajas Terminal 4.
• With Iberia Express from Madrid to Palma de Mallorca in Business Class.
• Castell Bellver overlooking Palma de Mallorca.
• Royal Palace of La Almudaina.
• Trains in Mallorca.
• Manacor.
• Cathedral-Basilica of Santa Maria of Palma.
• Museum of Mallorca.