Compare Mallorca: A Hiker's Paradise by Road Scholar vs Sunsets & Southern Charms by Tours of Distinction

Day 1
In Transit to Program
In Flight

Day 2
Arrivals in Mallorca, Spain
Illetas, Mallorca D Hotel Bonsol
Activity note: Hotel check in is at 3:00 PM.

Afternoon: Meet your group at 6:00 PM in the hotel lobby. Before dinner, the Group Leader will greet everyone and lead introductions. We will review the program theme, the up-to-date Daily Schedule and any changes, discuss safety guidelines, emergency procedures, roles and responsibilities, and answer any questions you may have. Indicated times are approximate. Program activities, schedules, and personnel may need to change due to local circumstances. In the event of changes, we will alert you as quickly as possible. Thank you for your understanding.

Dinner: Welcome dinner at the hotel. Water is included in the program cost at all meals. Unless otherwise noted, dinners on this program are typically a three course set menu. A glass of wine is included at the welcome dinner.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 3
Hiking to the Lighthouse Cap de Ses Salines
Illetas, Mallorca B,D Hotel Bonsol
Activity note: Up to 6 miles of moderate hiking for approximately 3 hours.

Breakfast: At the hotel. On this program, breakfasts will offer a typical European style breakfast buffet with breads, cheeses, cold-cuts, yogurt, fruit, cereals, juice, milk, coffee, tea and water.

Morning: Travel by private coach to the Cap de Ses Salines (approx. 1.5 hours). Hike from the Cap de Ses Salines to the Port of Sant Jordi along the marvelous coast. Take in a field lecture about flora and fauna of the island, while keeping an eye out for the many native bird species and migratory birds.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own at one of the many restaurants in Sant Jordi.

Afternoon: Travel by private coach to the Castell Bellver high above Palma de Mallorca. Explore the fortress with its breathtaking views over the Balearic capital, Palma de Mallorca. Take in a lecture about the Castell Bellver.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 4
Port de Sóller and Valldemossa
Illetas, Mallorca B,L,D Hotel Bonsol
Activity note: Up to 6 miles of moderate hiking for approximately 3 hours. Ascending 1050 feet and descending 660 feet over the course of the hike.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Travel by public transportation to Plaça d'Espanya in Palma de Mallorca (approx. 40 minutes) and take the historical train to Sóller (1 hour). Stroll through the picturesque town of Sóller. Once in Sóller, begin the hike to Valldemossa. Take in field lecture about UNESCO World Heritage Site Serra de Tramuntana, learn about the Carthusian monastery "Sa Cartuja", and the work and life of Chopin and George Sands in Mallorca.

Lunch: Picnic lunch during the hike.

Afternoon: Continue the hike, which weaves through ancient and gnarly olive trees and cultivated landscapes. Again and again, you will catch glimpses of the deep blue sea. Shortly before the picturesque village of Deiá, meet the private coach which takes us through the beautiful countryside to Valldemossa. Visit the former Carthusian monastery "Sa Cartuja" where the Polish composer Frederick Chopin and the French writer George Sands lived in 1838. Afterwards, there is time for a stroll through the village with the flower-decorated alleyways. Return by private coach to the hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 5
Panoramic Mountain Hiking Trail on the North Coast
Illetas, Mallorca B,L,D Hotel Bonsol
Activity note: Up to 7 miles of moderate hiking for approximately 4 hours. Ascending 760 feet and descending 1640 feet over the course of the hike.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Drive by private coach through a blossoming fruit and garden landscape to the small westerly town of Andratx. Embark on a varied hiking route, enjoying fantastic views of the rocky northern coast and the uninhabited island of Sa Dragonera, which is a natural reserve. Take in a field lecture about the geology of Mallorca and the local flora and fauna.

Lunch: Picnic lunch.

Afternoon: Continue the hike. Descend on a natural road to the picturesque bay of Sant Telmo, where we can recover and rest from the hike. Maybe you want to have a refreshing swim in the sea. Return by private coach from Sant Telmo to the hotel.

Dinner: At a local restaurant.

Day 6
Fascinating Palma de Mallorca
Illetas, Mallorca B,L Hotel Bonsol
Activity note: Approximately 2 hours of city walking.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Travel by public transportation to Palma de Mallorca. Enjoy a walk through the city with a local guide and learn about the history and culture of the city. Explore the magnificent Catalonian Gothic cathedral that is the landmark of the city. Visit the interesting and historical old town and the Arab Bath. These 10th-century baths are virtually all that remain of the Arab city of Medina Mayurqa (known as Palma). We stroll through the narrow streets and catch glances into hidden courtyards.

Lunch: At a local restaurant in Palma de Mallorca.

Afternoon: Enjoy this afternoon for personal independent exploration to see and do what interests you most. Please refer to the list of Free Time Opportunities, which can be found in the first Information Packet. The Group Leader will be happy to offer suggestions and give directions. Or you may wish to take public transportation or a taxi back to the hotel to relax.

Dinner: Explore local fare on your own either in Palma de Mallorca or Illetas.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 7
Hiking to the Castle Ruins of Castillo de Alaro
Illetas, Mallorca B,L,D Hotel Bonsol
Activity note: Up to 6 miles of moderate hiking for approximately 3.5 hours. Ascending 1050 feet and descending 1150 feet over the course of the hike.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: Travel by private coach via Carretera de s'esgleieta to Alaró (approx. 1 hour). Enjoy a wonderful hike through beautiful olive groves, fragrant pines, and dense rocky forests to the top of the 2690-foot Puig Alaró. The ruins of the Castell d'Alaró are situated on a gigantic rock. On a clear day, enjoy the breathtaking views over the south-eastern plain of Mallorca to the Bay of Palma.

Lunch: Picnic lunch.

Afternoon: Continue the hike to Orion. Take in a field lecture about agriculture in Mallorca. Return by private coach to the hotel.

Dinner: At the hotel.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 8
Hiking in Alcúdia
Illetas, Mallorca B,D Hotel Bonsol
Activity note: Up to 4.5 miles of moderate hiking for approximately 3.5 hours. Ascending 1500 feet and descending 1000 feet over the course of the hike.

Breakfast: At the hotel.

Morning: After breakfast, transfer by private coach to Alcúdia, a small town in the northeastern part of the island (approx. 1 hour). On the peninsula of Alcúdia, enjoy an impressive hike with an unforgettable view of the turquoise-blue sea and wide bays. At times, the hike will take us on narrow and rocky paths and sometimes on cozy nature trails.

Lunch: Explore local fare on your own.

Afternoon: Continue the hike to Port Pollenca. Take in a lecture about the history of Pollenca and Alcúdia which was the capital of the island during the Roman occupation. Afterwards, travel by private coach back to the hotel.

Dinner: Farewell dinner at a local restaurant. A glass of wine is included.

Evening: At leisure.

Day 9
Departures
In Flight B
Breakfast: At the hotel. This concludes our program.

Morning: Transfer by private coach to the Palma de Mallorca airport for departures. Please join our Facebook page and share photos of your program. Visit us at www.facebook.com/rsadventures.