Category: Life in Mallorca

How do we prepare for the world’s biggest football event, the World Cup in Mallorca? Will large screen monitors be set up at Plaças and where are the best spots to see the games? we hope to shed some light and answer some questions with this introductory article about the World Cup in football. The most amazing thing about living on such an international island is that you can wear any national football jersey without been looked at strangely and you can experience and feel the joy as if you were in the country playing the match.

The Spaniards are a football loving nation so it’s not a strange thing that football is the biggest sport here and therefore, it’s quite obvious that a number of bars and restaurants will be showing all the matches. This means that you will certainly be able to see Sweden’s journey without Zlatan Ibrahimovic, or maybe you choose to take Ibras words literally “a world cup without me will not be worth watching” and just spend your time at one of the many beach clubs on the island. In that case have a look at our article regarding that.  

Are you a big fan of Germany and hope they defend their win and keep the World Cup pokal for another four years? Arenal is the place to be! Sit down with a cold Paulaner or a Löwenbräu in one of the many sports bars and inhale the atmosphere. If it’s England you want to see wining, then head to Palmanova or Calvia are. Put your three-lion’s jersey on, try to find a table early, preferably 2 hours before the game starts, warm up you voice and join in to one of the many chants. But let’s not forget that we are actually in Spain and the best place to get sucked into the Spanish atmosphere is to find a local bar / restaurant, load up with tapas and cerveza. Most importantly, don’t hold your feelings back, when that goal has been scored, remember not to think just act and tune into the goooooooooooool, gool goole gooool scream.

Mallorca has also a large population of Argentineans, Uruguayans, Colombians, Russians, Moroccans, Senegalese. So why stick to a place when you have the whole world on an island! Look, taste, breathe and live the World Cup. Where do these nationalities go? Go there, order the typical traditional dish and go with the flow. Isn’t that what the World Cup is all about, how the sport and its joy brings us together and make us learn more about each other. Have a great World Cup!

Massar Midgley Mahdi, Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia

In June 2018 Cat Friend and Valerie Bisbal will be paddle boarding around Mallorca to raise money and awareness for ocean conservation. They have been started in Soller on June 1st and will expect to be back after 14 days.

The adventure has two objectives:

First to create a new world record in being the first two people on a Stand Up Paddleboard (SUP) to circumnavigate the island. Mallorca measures 70km east to west and 100km north to south, providing 555km of coastline. Steep cliffs dominate the north coast of the island and whilst being beautiful in rugged scenery there are few places to land and shelter.

Second to raise funds and awareness for Asociación Ondine who help fund projects to remove plastic and other material in our seas that harm fish, dolphins and other sea creatures and contaminate our beaches. Last year Asociación Ondine removed 2.2 tones of rubbish from Mallorca’s beaches and 600m of ghost nets (lost or left fishing net) from the surrounding seas.  

Read more about Ondine and Cat and Valerie: SOLLER TO SOLLER

It is a sunny morning when I meet Inna Gurkova, founder and partner of the property management company DOMA that she runs together with her husband Ismael Moreno since 2015. With roots in Latvia and Russia, Inna came to Mallorca in 2006, driven by love. She started to work with Mallorcaresidencia in 2012 as a team assistant, and got a very good overview of the property market in Mallorca. Vivian (founder of Mallorcaresidencia) introduced her to the field of property management and Inna really enjoyed it and took over this task for the company. Some years later she started her own business and has since then been a great cooperation partner. Many of Mallorcaresidencia’s clients have hired DOMA’s services and are more than happy with them.

This morning I meet Inna in Santa Catalina where she has several apartments to take care of while the owners are away.

Inna, what brought you to Mallorca?

I met my future husband on holidays, and we decided to move here, where he has got roots. Now we have our family here, our business, and I am in love. She laughs.

Is there anything you don’t like about Mallorca?

The strong wind and lightnings.

Tell me about DOMA property management.

Ismael, my husband, and I run this business together. He used to work in hospitality, and I studied law and got introduced to the real estate on Mallorca. We both like maintenance and interior design, so it was a natural step for both of us to start up this company together.

Inna is smiling while she is talking, her expression is lively, and she continues:

95% of our clients are Swedish. Many people nowadays have an apartment here, but are away for many months, so they need someone to take care of their property.

What do you take care of?

Everything. Inna laughs again. For our membership clients we offer weekly check-ups, and we prepare the property for the client’s arrival. The weekly inspections might be the most important part of our work, as it is a service that intends to – and many times does – prevent any damage on your house. Mallorca has a humid climate, and the houses do have some characteristics that the client from Northern Europe might not be used to. That someone looks after your house on a weekly basis means that it will be opened and aired, plants watered, exterior drains cleaned, etc. We look at the weather forecast, and adjust our weekly check-ups according to the weather. Other services included if you are a member are: mail delivery, 30 minutes of free concierge service/month, preparing the apartment before arrival and closing up after departure, free estimates from our suppliers if anything needs to be fixed. Additional services are cleaning, laundry, gardening, plumbing, electrical services; everything that a property and its owner need to be happy. We can also help with communication with neighbours and community and attend community meetings. As an extra, if you recently bought a property we take care of all administrative work with change of contracts for the companies of water and electricity supply, as well as Internet installation etc. We can also step in for single services, but I highly recommend to become a member, as you will be given a high-quality service all year around.

What is your first recommendation to someone who is planning to buy a property on Mallorca?

No matter where the property is located, coast, inland or city, it is always worth to have a terrace. You will enjoy it a lot. And of course, I recommend to have someone that looks after your apartment or house when you are away. Strong rain, wind, or a bathroom flood from your neighbours’ could easily create bigger damages if it isn’t discovered and taken care of on time. We also deal with the insurance companies and communication with the neighbours.

No doubt, DOMA is offering a complete service to their clients, and you can be sure that everything will be taken care of, which allows you to relax and just enjoy your property on Mallorca even when you are away.

DOMA PROPERTY MANAGEMENT:

info@domapropertymanagement.com

www.domapropertymanagement.com

Tel: 0034 673028078 / 0034 620378367

Maria Larsson, Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia

Last weekend I visited a very special spot on the north of the island. Almost hidden away, a 15 minutes’ drive from Alcudia, a large green natural area opens up and welcomes you to enjoy its beauty. It is Museo Sa Bassa Blanca, a museum of modern art with surrounding beautiful gardens, founded by Yannick and Ben Jakober, collectionists and artists.

This place is a lot more than a museum. Each corner of the house and the garden seems to have a special reason of being and a story to be told.

The art exhibitions can only be visited at certain hours and together with a guide, while the observatory can only be visited through prior reservation. The gardens are open Monday- Saturday and can be visited with or without guided tour. In the gardens, you can find different areas, such as a rose garden and a park of sculptures. Spring time is a good time for visiting, as everything is green and lush. In one beautiful corner of the garden you find the Wish Tree, inaugurated by Yoko Ono when she last visited the island. You may ask for a special sign in the reception where you can write your wish and tie it to a branch of the tree. I imagine the wishes are being nourished every day by the visitors’ breath and energy. The building itself, where the exhibitions halls are found, was built by the architect Hassan Fathy, on request by the Jakober couple, and according to the collections of artwork, doors, accessories, that they already had in the property. The house was built to fit in the different pieces from all over the world and it has become a unique building with a lot of history and anecdotes.

Close to the sea in Alcudia this is a very special gem, that inspires peace and creativity; well worth a visit.

Maria Larsson, Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia

Every Sunday in May from 10 to 16 o´clock

Fill your “senalla” (the typical Majorcan basket) with fresh and locally produced products in the Farmers’ Market in Puerto Portals, every Sunday in May! This is a market with a 0 km concept, 100% Majorcan. Find locally produced food, traditional handicrafts, and enjoy a natural brunch and different workshops, along with great music and a nice atmosphere.

One for One

There will be some fruit and vegetables marked with “One for One”. For each product bought within One for One, the same product will be added to the large charity basket that Puerto Portals will give weekly to the local NGO Mallorca Sense Fam, that supports children and families on Mallorca with limited resources. After the last crisis in Spain, and locally in Mallorca, the proposal was brought up to bring awareness and open up solidarity among all residents; bringing food from where there is an excess, to those who are in need.

Every Sunday there will be different activities both for children and for grown-ups:

Sunday May 6th:
11-12 o´clock Kanga Training Mallorca (open class)
12-15 o´clock Childrens’ corner: “Farmers’ Fun” with workshop “Plant a Wish”
13-15 o´clock Concert Tubatap
15-16 o´clock Storytelling

 

 

Mallorca invites you to slow down and enjoy its natural beauty. The island has become more and more attractive for people who want a change in their life. Many people move here from the bigger cities on the mainland of Spain, or from Northern Europe. What is it that we are looking for, beyond the sun and the warmer days? Northern people many times complain about the Spanish ”mañana mañana”, but isn’t it exactly that attitude that we all need more of? What is really that important that it can’t be postponed to tomorrow?

Close your eyes, breathe, and ask yourself.

My answer is that what can’t wait until tomorrow is Your Life, your breath, your health, your loved ones. However, that call, that meeting, that negotiation, I believe, CAN wait until the next day. And that is one of the reasons why I live here.

Mallorca has also become a hub for holistic retreats all year around. Maybe you are not planning to change your home base, but a break in your daily routine can be ever so essential and contribute to a deeper change in your life. The island invites you to make that pause, breathe and ask yourself if your life is the one that you want to live, and if not, how far away are you from your dreamlife? People have always retreated a few days from their daily routine, to reflect, to detox, to make rituals, all to be able to continue their lives in a more harmonious way. Now the island welcomes you with multiple options of yoga holidays, meditation camps, holistic retreats and walking tours through the quiet and beautiful Sierra de Tramuntana.

Apart from working at Mallorcaresidencia, I am also a yoga teacher, and the last four years I have had the pleasure to collaborate with Soller SUP, offering SUP Yoga in the calm bay of Port de Soller. It is a unique way to connect with nature and experience your body on the water, in balance and harmony with the surroundings.

In spring and summer, I normally organize a few workshops and retreats together with Bijan Anand, who is a coach and peace bringer, living in a beautiful finca far from any busy town. Through yoga, meditation, conversations and group work, these retreats offer a crucial point for personal growth. Of course, there is always also time to enjoy the garden or go to the beautiful beaches in the northern part of the island. Next time we meet will be on May 19th 2018 for a one day workshop in nature.

Every November I organize a walking and yoga long weekend with Mallorcahiking where we enjoy daily yoga and meditation, two nice guided walks, and lovely food and relax at Espléndido Hotel in Port de Sòller. Year around I give community yoga classes in front of the sea in Cala Nova, the meeting point is next to the Club Nautico every Sunday at 9 am.

For more information about my classes and retreats, please see www.miaeyoga.com or contact me.

Maria Larsson, Team Assistant @ Mallorcaresidencia

On the 30 March 2018, we had the pleasure to host our first Vernissage at our office in Santa Catalina. The Norwegian artist Susanne Grenness Tronhus exposed several pieces of her suggestive and vivid art and the office was filled with color and mingling people. It was a great night, with a happy international atmosphere, many dear re-encounters, as well as meetings with new people. Our neighbouring restaurant Duke had prepared delicious finger-food, and everyone could enjoy a bite of the delicious Mediterranean taste, vegetarian, vegan or meat, all with the special experimental touch of one of our favourite chefs in town.

Susanne’s art has become very popular in Norway, and this was her second art exhibit here on Mallorca. She is experimenting with acrylics and collage in colorful compositions, getting inspired now by the special light on the island, which is totally different from the Nordic light.

As a team we had a lot of fun preparing and hosting this event, and we were happy to see everyone enjoy the Majorcan light evening. Thanks to everyone who came by!

Palma is a multicultural city and has always been. The Jewish and the Arabic quarters are two areas in Palma’s old town where you still can feel the historic winds. Nowadays the mix of nationalities is different, in Palma you find a lot of influences from Northern Europe as well as from North Africa. The beautiful thing about Palma, is that among these international vibes, you still also find the authenticity of Mallorquin original buildings, shops and traditions. A visit to Mallorca would have to include a taste of the original sweets, traditional dishes or local produced wine. This past summer you could find an outdoor-exhibition on Paseo de Borne, that later moved to Plaza Progreso, with a tribute to the historic shops of Palma. Some of them unfortunately have had to close during the last years. Hoping that that will not be the destiny for the remaining ones, we want to inspire you to visit these picturesque places during your next stay in Palma

On a walk in La Lonja in the old town, it’s almost obligatory to visit the bakery Forn de la Gloria, one of the very oldest bakeries on Mallorca, a family business dating back to the 18th century. This is one of the few remaining places where you still can find the traditional sweet bread ensaimada with the original ingredients and with stamp of authenticity from the local government.

 

 

If you are fond of sweets and especially chocolate, you can’t miss to visit Forn Fondo from 1911 or La Pajarita Chocolate and Charcuterie in the very centre of Palma, the latter dating back from 1872 and run by the same family during 5 generations. A part from sweets la Pajarita also offers gourmet delicatessen and exclusive products from Mallorca. If you are a coffee drinker, please visit Cafés Llofriu, Mallorcan coffee founded in 1866. And if you would like to enjoy artisan ice-cream, hot chocolate and gatò (a Mallorcan sweet dessert), Ca’n Joan de s’Aigo serves all this in a traditional way and in a house dating from the 18^th century.

The trend in most European countries is that all shopping is moving from the centre out to the periphery of the city and to big shopping malls. In Palma you used to find many smaller traders for all kinds of specialities; textiles, paint, watches, jewels, food, bakery, etc. The haberdasheries e.g. were before found in each and every corner, though nowadays they are a rarity. One of the resisting ones is Ca Donya Àngela run by the same family, los Aguiló since 1685. Another specialized shop is the millinery Casa Julia from 1898 and still active selling hats and accessories.

Of great tradition in Palma are the jewelleries trading Mallorcan pearls as well as gold-and silver jewels. In the area around the church Santa Eulalia you find the small street Argenteria, “the silver street”. During the 20^th century you could still find here more than 30 silver traders, now very few of them are left. Joyería Forteza is one of the resisting shops, on the street Colom in the same area. Forteza was founded in 1885 and offers a selection of modern and traditional jewellery from Mallorca as well as gold and silver jewellery with cultured Australian and freshwater pearls, and all kinds of precious stones.

Hopefully these shops together with Can Sion, Colmado Colom, Forn de Concepción, Ferreteria La Central and Mimbreria Vidal will stay open and offer all of us traditional artisanal and specialized good products, and at the same time keep giving life to Palma centre and the multicultural heart of Mallorca.

The place to enjoy beautiful art all night long

Nit de l’Art, will take place in Palma the 23th of September, meaning full of people on the streets and squares all night long. With ten thousands of visitors, this is one of the top social gatherings in town with a selection of art galleries opening up their doors to the public for free.

This night you can walk around the picturesque streets of Palma, enjoying exhibitions by famous artists all around the world. Despite the open-house galleries, the streets will come alive with street theatre and art performances. The event starts from 7 pm and and the galleries will remain open until midnight. If you are in Palma this day, you cannot miss this spectacular event!

For more information please visit their website www.nitdelartpalma.com.

Last Thursday, 6^th of July, the property we held an opening cocktail at Monterrey 59 on the sunny terrace. Even though this was one of the warmest days of the summer so far with a temperature of around 36 degrees, it was a success!

Of the four apartments, only the beautiful penthouse (MF1001D) is still for sale. The spacious apartment of 121 m2 has 3 bedrooms, 3 bathrooms, 2 of which are on suite and a large, bright living room with dining room and open kitchen with direct access to the 15 m2 large terrace. Upstairs is the wonderful private roof terrace of 40 m2 where we offered cool drinks and with a great view of Santa Catalina and the port.

We would like to thank everyone who came and the restaurant Duke who did the fantastic catering.