Travel Guides: All Countries / Europe / Spain / Balearic Islands / Mallorca / Cala D'Or
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| | | | Review by Heather Hall from Nottingham
Cala D'Or offers a really good value for money holiday destination, which suits every age group from young couples, families and older couples. There is plenty to see around the resort. Lovely beaches, great restaurants, friendly people and best of all, a truly beautiful Marina. The small resort of Porto Petro , just out of Cala D'Or , is also worth a visit. The Cala D'Or train, is worth hopping on to see everything Cala D'Or has to offer.
Review by Frances Blyther from Walton on Thames
Cala D'or beach is very crowded - best to go to Cala Marcal in Porto Colom. Restaurants are quite expensive - look around for prices. Lots of good shopping for teenagers - good if you don't want to get a car as there are restaurants, bars, one nightclub and bus stops and taxis if you want to go anywhere else on the island. Good supermarkets too - fresh fish is reasonable from them.
Something for everyone
Eight of us travelled to Cala d'Or in June 2005. We ranged in age from 45-60 plus and there was one infant aged 11months in our group too. We found that there was something for everyone.
In fact, my husband and I took our baby again four months later, along with our older daughter. Plus, we are hoping to go again next June and plan to stay in a villa.
The people are so friendly everywhere we went. Nothing was too much trouble for them.The hotel we stayed in both times was the Ses Puntetes Hotel on the main street...about a five minute walk from the main area.
There is a vast array of shops and nightlife, boutiques, the usual souvenir shops, coffee houses, cafes and restaurants so you will never get bored. If you like quizzes/bingo, then head for the Tartan Arms on the sea front where you will get a fantastic welcome from Bill & Annette.
The beaches are very clean and are not too big that you could lose a child but big enough to have your own space without feeling too crowded.
There was no trouble during the nights we wandered around and not any sign of drunks or fighting.
All in all, it was a pleasant holiday and very relaxing. We can't wait to go back next year.
Cala d'Or
Friendly and clean
It is the first time I have been to Majorca and it won't be the last. It is the perfect place.
Everyone is friendly and welcoming, it is very clean and there is shopping, sightseeing, entertainment and peace and quiet if you want it.
I stayed in the Sol Cala D'Or Appartments and they were first class.
Cala d'Or
Restaurants around the marina
We have been to Cala Egos now for the last 12 years staying at Club Marthas.
Twelve years ago we had never been abroad and wanted somewhere where we could relax, not commercialised, and we were very lucky to have picked this location.
Although obviously the area has grown with more hotels and population increased it is still a very relaxing area to visit.
A 30-minute stroll takes you to the yacht marina where the restaurants are situated all around with the large yachts moored up.
Follow on round the marina and you reach Cala d'Or centre where you will not be disappointed for restaurants and cafes and there are shops but mostly selling the same goods.
Why not visit Mark's Bar for excellent food and drink washed down with a cocktail at the Kalypso Cocktail Bar run by Oscar Giao.
Cala d'Or
Go and explore
Myself and two others went to Cala d'Or last year in September. The weather was good for the most but we had a few days of rain.
Cala d'Or is definitely what you make it. It is a very English-orientated resort, lots of English food, families and people.
We basically used it as a base to see the island. We hired a car for five days which was so cheap and we really explored.
Cala d'Or beach is small but perfect, no rocks or seaweed, just slowly sloping sands into warm, calm beautiful water. It was a pleasure to swim there.
There are many, many restaurants with every kind of food you could wish for. Either stay safe and eat English or be more adventurous and live a little by eating local food.
Cala d'Or is very family-orientated and is a lovely town. There is plenty of nightlife, although out of season there are not many young people just a lot of families and couples.
I would recommend it definitely especially as a good base to see the island, its a beautiful place especially Palma and the mountains.
Go and explore!!
Cala d'Or
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| | Destination Guide : Cala D'Or |
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| | | Great Moorish architecture |  | Why go on holiday to Cala d'Or?
For a relaxing holiday in this smart resort on Majorca's south-east coast, in what started out as an artists' colony in the 1930s.
The 40 original houses have influenced the rest of the town's architecture with their Moorish style. The scenic, rocky coastline offers safe bathing in small, sheltered coves.
How much does it cost?
There are bargains so shop around, but as a rough guide, a week's half-board in a three-star hotel costs from £300. Self-catering from £220 for seven nights. Flights start from about £130. Mid-range accommodation (double) starts from £35 per night.
When should I go?
May-June and September-October are best, to avoid the crowds and higher prices of July and August. In summer, temperatures average 70F-88F (23C-30C) and in winter they drop to 43F-58F (6C-15C).
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| | | Safe for swimming | | What should I do when I'm there?
Hit the beach - Cala d'Or has small, sandy coves with clear water for safe swimming. Watch cormorants diving for fish. Or get away from the main resort by taking the tourist train to other coves such as Cala Egos and Cala Mondrago.
Cala d'Or's smart marina is a good place to enjoy a drink in one of the waterfront bars and spot luxury yachts cruising in and out.
What if I want a day away from the beach?
Take an excursion to the famous Caves of Drach (Dragon), 15km away. These spectacular caves house Europe's largest underground lake and the dramatically-lit caverns host classical concerts.
Visit the medieval monastery at Sant Salvador with its lovely hilltop views.
What activities are there?
Enjoy a game of tennis, a spot of windsurfing or a horse or bike ride along the scenic coast.
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| | | Upmarket clubs | | Where's good for nightlife?
Cala d'Or is a lively resort but nightlife is more relaxed and lower-key than in many of the island's bigger resorts. You'll find discos and music clubs here, but slightly more upmarket ones.
What's the food like?
Seafood lovers will be well catered for in this former fishing village - try grilled sardines.
Majorcan specialities include lechona (roast suckling pig), roast lamb, arroz brut (a meat, fish and vegetable stew with rice), and snails with ali-oli (a garlic mayonnaise).
What should I buy?
There are numerous galleries, craft shops, boutiques and leather shops to spend your pesetas in and there are Wednesday and Saturday markets at Santanyi, a few kilometres inland.
Local handicrafts include pottery, olive wood carvings, raffia, glassware, and handmade lace.
What is there for children to do?
Plenty of fun on the beach and in the water although not a lot else. But Cala d'Or is ideal for a quiet family holiday if your children don't demand theme parks and fast food.
Tourist office
Spanish National Tourist Office, 22-23 Manchester Square, London W1M 5AP. Tel. 020 7486 8077. Brochure line: 09063 640630 (60p per minute).
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| | Fact File : Cala D'Or |
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| | | Cala d'Or | | Did you know?
Cala in Spanish is a cove, so Cala d'Or means "golden cove".
Language
Spanish
Visas
UK citizens do not require a visa but should take their passports for identification.
Getting there
There are direct flights from 14 UK airports to Majorca's Palma de Majorca airport.
Flying time from London
2 1/4 hours
Getting around
There are local buses to Palma, but not many. Buses also run to other coastal resorts but again are not that frequent. Getting around the resort itself is a lot easier, with hourly local buses and a tourist train. Most people come to Cala d'Or to crash out and relax and most don't move further than the beach, the shops or the marina.
Currency
Euro
Costs
Bottle of beer 73p, a camera film £2.55, meal for two with wine £9, a litre of petrol 44p, short taxi ride £5.50.
Weather
In summer temperatures average 70F(23C)-88F(30C) and in winter drop to 43F(6C)-58F(15C). May-June and September are best to avoid the crowds and the higher prices of July and August.
Time difference
One hour ahead of GMT, two hours ahead during summer
International dialling code from the UK
00 34
Voltage
220V AC
Opening hours
Large supermarkets and department stores, Monday-Saturday 9am-9pm; other shops and businesses, 9am-2pm and then 4.30/5pm-8pm; banks Monday-Friday 8.30am-2pm, Saturdays 9am-1pm (some banks do not open on Saturday during the summer).
Health - Before you go
Spain has a reciprocal health agreement with the UK. Make sure you have an EHIC health form (available from your post office or GP).
Health - When you are there
There is rabies in Spain so beware of animals, particularly wild ones. If you are worried, get a rabies vaccination.
Warnings
Don't be a victim of pickpockets - in crowded areas protect your personal possessions.
Emergency
Police Nacional 091; Policia Local 092. British Embassy Calle de Fernando el Santo 16, Madrid. Tel. 319 02 00. British Vice-Consulate in Majorca: Plaza Mayor 3D, 07002 Palma de Mallorca, Balearic Islands. Tel. 0034 971 71 24 45
Customs
Early rising and late lunching, followed by late dining and late sleeping, are the local customs - in keeping with the rest of Spain.
Pets
You may bring your pet to and from Spain provided you have the correct documentation. This can take some months to set up - check with your vet for details of the Pet Travel Scheme.
Tipping
A flat VAT of 7% on all meals means you are not required to tip, but most people leave some small change.
Tourist office
22-23 Manchester Square, London W1M 5AP, Tel. 020 7486 8077. Brochure line: 09063 640630 (60p per minute)
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| | Available rental properties in Cala D'Or |
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| |  | | Casa Neptuno
Cala d'Or Marina apartment. Modern 2 bedroom airconditioned property in the heart of fabulous Cala D'Or.
|  | | Penthouse, Tjåttan
Cala d'Or Two bedroom penthouse. Beaches, marina, shops, restaurants all witin walking distance. Large private pool and bar, tennis courts.
|  | | Cala d'Or Marina - Marvista -
Luxury Premiere position 3 bedrooms apartment front line and overlooking the Marina of Cala d'or. Sleeps 6. Fully air conditioned, Sky TV
|  | | Casa Rosa
Detached, 4 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, sleeps 8, private pool, 2 minutes from all facilities, 50 yards from waters edge, prime location
|  | | Villa Esperansa
Front line, exclusive 3 bedroom 3 bathrooms luxury villa with private pool in the Marina of Cala d'0r. sleeps 6.
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Holiday Rentals in Cala D'Or |
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