Bit of an obscure one this, but here goes. After an abysmal 12 months of grey skies I'm considering a trip to Mallorca, staying at a monastery in Lluc. Trail did an article on this Dec 03, but they gave advice for car hire from Palma which is a) expensive and unnecessary and b) I've only driven on the right once, hated it, and never want to repeat it.
Anyone know about the cost of a Palma to Lluc taxi, or even buses? And anyone walked in that area?
Weather should be quite good I reckon- not blistering, but phew! what a relief from these freaking grey skies....
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Hmm....
Done a little more research and maybe I should consider not staying at the Llluc monastery, if there are better alternatives. Is it a really great mountainous spot, or would you be better off somewhere like Soller?
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 Lluc monastery is actually great, I did a cycle tour around Mallorca in Feb and stayed there two nights. Managing a walk up Massanella (?) on my day off.
I'd guess the cost of a taxi would be pretty expensive it's a fair distance that's for sure. Have you considered the local buses, there was certainly a stop nearby.
Walk up Massnella was great and there are other options, but probably difficult to stay at Lluc for a full week. Besides the monastry (which has a couple of restuarants and a cash point!) there's not too much else there.
You could base yourself at the two, I remember Soller being good too, and also consider Valldemossa where again there's walking possibilities.
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 There is also the train that runs from the centre of Palma to Soller 4 or five times a day - I am sure it runs in the winter as the locals use it for commuting - 11 euros return trip - about an hour each way as I recall
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Hmm OK...
Train or bus would be the best option if they exist - quite fun too. I think Trail were discussing a weekend break when a car would make sense, but for a week or so it doesn't.
Is Soller/Valldermosa/Mallorca the kind of place you can turn up at, and be confident of finding a room in September? Like Greek islands? And is it, say, a little more expensive than Greece but not as bad as France or mainland Spain - in other words,reasonably OK value.
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Soller certainly should be ok, though I stayed at Port Soller.
Valdermossa there's really only one place to stay at a reasonable price, a small b&b not from the centre. A strange little place it was with the bathroom being in a little conservatory in the room.
The Rough Guide to Mallorca is a decent guide book, even has a couple of walks in it, including said Massanella walk and Puig Teix from Valdermossa.
Bus wise, I meant a couple at the Lluc Monastry that had good a the bus from Soller part way (don't worry it's goes the full distance) and walked off road the remainder.
& yes it's good value, can't compare it mainland Spain or France as I've never been.
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So where would be the best base for the mountains? Probably maybe 2 nights at Luc would be OK, maybe using the Trail walk ideas....haven't looked at any books yet.
And anyone got any photos/notes online to see what its like?
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'Bus wise, I meant a couple at the Lluc Monastry that had good a the bus from Soller part way (don't worry it's goes the full distance) and walked off road the remainder.'
christ I must check my postings', that should have of course read:-
'Bus wise, I met a couple at the Lluc Monastry that had took the bus from Soller part way (don't worry it's goes the full distance) and walked off road the remainder.
Best base? I'd say have a few days at the Lluc Monastry, Soller and Valdemossa. Another area to consider is Formentor Pensiular at the NW tip, though probably abit out of the way to get to.
Map wise I found the AA 1:75000 Map of Island perfectly adequate as it includes some paths, I did buy a walking map for part of island but it's detail was little better.
I do have some digital photos, but they are not on line.
In addition to said Rough Guide, Ciecorne(?) do a walking guidebook for the island, I'd looked at out of date copy at the local library before I went, and it seemed very good.
By the way, the highest point on the island is out of bounds despite having a road to it, as there's a miltary station at the summit.
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Yes I managed to decipher that.
Plenty of photos using google image search, but they're not tied to walking itineraries. Might have to use the, ahem, library facilities at Waterstones.
Lluc is reasonably priced and contactable...anyone suggest an inexpensive B & B in Soller Port? Or Soller?
Cheap flights to Palma from all over the UK...dont know why I've never considered this before.
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 The Sunflower books are very good, with transport notes, walks and maps. We've used the Tenerife one and another I forget just now. Mallorca is here . The update page has notes of paths being closed.
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OK thanks.
Looked in Waterstones and the Sunflower one is much easier to read and 'navigate', but the Cicerone one is more comprehensive....
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 James, there's a hostel type place in Valdemossa down the street from the main area towards the square where the old monastery is. I Also have a freind who has a cheapish flatlet in Deia. If you email, I'll let you have his number and you can see if his place is free. Quite basic but very beautiful and has everything you need.
Buses to Deia and Valdemosser and Soller run from Palma fairly regulary. You should be OK in Sept for rooms, especially as it's towards the end of Sept. There is a good and cheap hotel in Llucalcari and some villa's for rent there too.
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