Every week a reader gets a chance to put a travel question to the Been there community and travel experts. How does this work?

This week Jane Stanbury from Balearic specialists Balearic Discovery shares her knowledge.


Photo: Anthony Quayle

The question:

I am celebrating a significant birthday in the company of friends in Palma and desperately need advice on nice places for nice ladies to go.

Furthermore, where would you recommend that I hide out for the preceding week, working up a tan, reading books and inventing Interesting Things I Have Accomplished in the preceding 40 years? Am contemplating hiring villa and introducing my (very Irish, very pale-skinned, very farmer-stock) parents to the late Balearic summer sun.
Anne Marie



What the expert says:

Jane Stanbury from travel company Balearic Discovery:

For an evening out in Palma there is no better place than dinner at the new restaurant from Michelin star chef Marc Fosh. Simply Fosh can be found in a quiet street inside the Convent de la Misio. Serving market fresh dishes, with a modern Mediterranean style this has rapidly become one of the best, and reasonably priced, restaurants averaging around 45 Euros a head for 3 courses. After dinner head to Abaco, a cunningly disguised bar this is a Palma institution, I won’t spoil the surprise, but this is one of the most lavish bars in town with quite phenomenal cocktails, has to be done for a celebration. If you feel like dancing then head down to the Passeig Maritimo where the legendary Titos is based along with a bunch of other dance venues.

There is a fantastic selection of villas on the island. For something very special there is the Villa Cases Velles which is part of the Hotel Formentor estate. Secluded, private and with a private path to a cove you’ll have plenty of space for inventing! Available from 500 euros per person. You also have the benefit of breakfast being served to you each morning, and its possible to enjoy the hotel facilities too. If rural appeals then there are some beautiful properties in the Pollensa countryside, particularly in the valley that leads up to Lluc monastery beginning from around 400 Euros per person. To completely lock yourself away enjoy the services of a chef, pampering by the pool and why not have a mixologist come in for an evening to create your own celebratory cocktail. (all prices based on 10 sharing)

What the readers say:


For a quiet, get-away-from-it-all spot, head for Pollensa or Soller in the north-west of the island – beautiful villages with amazing villas on the outskirts, which feel like you’re in the middle of the countryside while being a 10-minute walk to shops, cafes and restaurants.

Another must is the Soller-Palma railway ride, which transects some of the island’s most amazing landscapes and connects these two thriving but contrasting places.
Ben Walmsley


Whatever you do don't hide away and waste your time sunbathing and reading light books on the beach in Palma. There are so many amazing places to see and things to do. Visit Valldemosa where Chopin stayed during one winter or the caves around the island. Take in the cathedral in the city and sample carracoles (snails). Take your pick of places to walk because the landscape is amazing. You've got to make the holiday memorable! Grab a Time Out guidebook too - they are the best in my opinion).
Peter from Dublin