july-2011

PALMA ON THE GROUND
FLY TO PALMA MALLORCA FROM 26 DESTINATIONS, INCLUDING DUBLIN | EAST MIDLANDS | EDINBURGH | VALENCIA | VISIT WWW.RYANAIR.COM FOR MORE INFORMATION
hit the shops
FLIP-FLOP INTO TOWN
HISTORICALLY, LARGE SHOPS IN PALMA
have remained shuttered on Sundays. But this
looks set to change this summer, as Mallorca
goes as mad for shopping as anywhere else.
The city council is proposing relaxed Sunday
trading laws – so watch this space.
For some of the city’s best shopping, just
head to the plush Av Jaume III. Squint and
you could be in Madrid or Barcelona. Browse
the hipster boutiques that proffer vintagetinged
shoes and fashion to Palma’s chic
chicas, then pay a visit to that mainstay of
any Spanish shopping trip – the solid and
always welcoming El Corte Inglés ( 29 www.
elcorteingles.es).
With outlets all over Spain, the historic
department store feels much like John Lewis
or House of Fraser in the UK – and the name
itself means “The English Cut”. The Jaume III
branch is a huge edifice (what Corte Inglés
isn’t?), and upstairs you could lose yourself
for days in the clothes or electronics sections.
A great foodhall in the basement and
gourmet food shop on the second floor are
ideal places to shop for picnic staples, or souvenirs for the foodie in
your life. How about some traditional butifarra – blood sausage?
If it’s that famous island delicacy ensaïmada you’re after, look no
further than Pasteleria Angel ( 30 www.pasteleriaangel.com). These
forward-looking fellows have even set up an online store so you can
order the circular, sweet flaky pastry treat anywhere in the world.
Vidrios Gordiola ( 31 www.gordiola.com) is the place to come and
buy authentic glass objects blown on the island at Gordiola’s factory
on the road east to Mallorca’s second city, Manacor. If you can’t face
the schlep out there, the city centre shop on C/ Victoria is a no-brainer
if you want to pick up presents for mum. (See overleaf for what we
bought there.)
Another Mallorcan favourite is the good old espadrille. Originally
peasant shoes from the Pyrenees, the trend for these slip-ons slid
down from Catalonia to the Balearics, and now they’re big favourites
here as well. Check some out at Alpargateria La Concepcion ( 32
www.alpargaterialaconcepcion.com), a brand that make espadrilles
with rope soles, canvas uppers and exposed stitching, boasting
pretty retro patterns.
Last but not least, if you’re going head to head with Mallorca’s
stylish beach bums you’ll need a swimsuit that shapes up. Kooky
independent Miss Zelánea ( 33 www.misszelanea.com) sells exclusive
bikinis by Agua Bendita, which will have you looking like hot stuff on
the sand. There’s a yoga studio hidden upstairs here too.
happy campers
Gordiola’s glass will
blow you away
Develop a footwear fetish
at Spanish store Camper
A shoe in
Whatever the word is for
an obsession with shoes
– that’s what Mallorca
suffers from. The island
churns out everything
from sandals to
brogues, and islanders
love to snap them up –
though, in recent years,
production has shifted
east (to China; we’re
talking a lot further east
than Menorca). One
company that still fl ies
the fl ag for Mallorcan
shoe-making is
Camper. The company’s
products pull off that
Balearic trick of looking
both smart and casual
at the same time.
Curves and durability
are trademarks, and
their thick-soled shoes
are just made to be
walked in.
Camper has a
factory north of Palma
in the industrial town
of Inca, with a factory
store 34 next door.
Bargain hunters can
make the easy trip up
here by train. But if
you’re not in the mood
for a special visit then
there are Camper
stores all over town,
like the stylish one
at 17 San Miguel 35 .
And should you need
to grab a pair at the
last minute before you
leave Palma, there’s
even a mini-boutique
at the airport.
RYANAIRMAGAZINE
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