# Option 2: Mallorca (Majorca), Spain 🇪🇸

## Why Choose This?

✅ **Villa packages including flights** - great value  
✅ **Guaranteed private pool** with most villas  
✅ **Short flight** (2h 30m)  
✅ **Beautiful beaches** - calas (coves) with clear water  
✅ **Very child-friendly** - Spanish love kids  
✅ **Great for exploring** - mountains, caves, trains  
✅ **Family restaurants everywhere**  

---

## Overview

| Detail | Information |
|--------|-------------|
| **Destination** | Mallorca (Majorca), Balearic Islands, Spain |
| **Airport** | Palma de Mallorca (PMI) |
| **Flight from Manchester** | 2h 30m direct |
| **Airlines** | Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI |
| **Car Hire** | Useful but not essential |
| **Best bases** | Pollensa, Alcúdia, Cala d'Or, Sóller |

---

## Flight Options (Manchester → Palma)

### Airlines & Typical Prices (July 2026) ✅ VERIFIED 16 March 2026

| Airline | Typical Price (return, family of 3) | Notes |
|---------|-------------------------------------|-------|
| **Cheapest direct** | **£301** | Various airlines |
| **Direct options** | £301-610 | easyJet, Jet2, TUI, Vueling |
| **Best value** | £301-385 | Direct, good times |

**Verified Cost (18-28 July 2026, family of 3):** £301-610

**Source:** Kayak UK - direct search 16 March 2026

**Actual Prices Found:**
- £301, £312, £334, £347, £362, £383, £384, £385 (cheapest direct options)
- £440, £470, £483, £505, £555, £558, £610 (Jet2, TUI options)

**Flight Times:**
- Duration: 2h 30m direct
- Multiple daily flights in summer

---

## Car Hire (Palma Airport) ✅ VERIFIED 16 March 2026

### Prices (10 days, 18-28 July 2026)

| Car Type | Price (10 days) | Provider |
|----------|-----------------|----------|
| Small/Economy | £483+ | Various (Hertz, etc.) |
| Medium | £656+ | Various |
| Large | £1,068+ | Various |
| SUV | £673+ | Various |

**Verified Cost (10 days):** £483-673+ depending on car type

**Source:** Kayak UK - direct search 16 March 2026

**Note:** Prices are higher in peak season. Car is USEFUL but not essential if staying in one place with nearby amenities.

---

## Accommodation: The Villa Package Option

### Why Villas Work Well Here

Mallorca has a HUGE villa market with many operators offering **packages including flights + villa + car**.

### Sample Package Deals (Found Online)

**Villa Select Example:**
- 3-bed villa, private pool
- Flights from Manchester included
- 7 nights
- **Price:** £734-965 total (for villa, not per person!)

**Source:** villaselect.com (April 2026 prices shown - July will be higher)

### Estimated Villa Costs (10 nights, July)

| Option | Price Range | Includes |
|--------|------------|----------|
| 2-bed villa + pool | £1,000-1,400 | Accommodation only |
| 2-bed villa package | £1,200-1,800 | Flights + villa |
| 3-bed villa package | £1,400-2,200 | Flights + villa + car |

**Estimated:** £1,400-1,800 for 10 nights including flights

---

## Alternative: Airbnb Apartments with Pools

### Option A: Apartment with Shared Pool

| Location | Price (10 nights) | Pool | Beach Distance |
|----------|------------------|------|----------------|
| Alcúdia | £600-900 | Shared | 5-10 min walk |
| Cala d'Or | £700-1,000 | Shared | 5-15 min walk |
| Pollensa | £650-950 | Shared | 2-3 km (need car) |

### Option B: Apartment with Private Pool

| Location | Price (10 nights) | Pool | Notes |
|----------|------------------|------|-------|
| Alcúdia area | £900-1,300 | Private | Near beaches |
| Cala Ratjada | £950-1,400 | Private | Northeast coast |
| Sóller valley | £850-1,200 | Private | Mountain setting |

---

## Budget Breakdown (10 nights)

### Option A: Villa Package (Flights Included)

| Item | Cost | Status |
|------|------|--------|
| Villa package (flights + villa + private pool) | £1,600 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Car hire (if not included) | £483+ | ✅ Verified |
| Food (self-catering) | £350 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities | £200 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| **TOTAL** | **£2,633+** | ⚠️ **Over budget** |

### Option B: Self-Booked (Budget) ✅ UPDATED WITH VERIFIED PRICES

| Item | Cost | Status |
|------|------|--------|
| Flights (cheapest direct) | £301 | ✅ Verified (Kayak) |
| Car hire (small) | £483 | ✅ Verified (Kayak) |
| Apartment (shared pool, 10 nights) | £700 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Food (self-catering) | £300 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities | £150 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| **TOTAL** | **£1,934** | ✅ **Under budget!** |

**Note:** Car hire is quite expensive in July - consider if you really need one.

### Option C: No Car (Stay in Resort Area)

| Item | Cost | Status |
|------|------|--------|
| Flights (cheapest direct) | £301 | ✅ Verified |
| Apartment (shared pool, walk to beach) | £800 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Food (self-catering) | £300 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities + local taxis | £250 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| **TOTAL** | **£1,651** | ✅ **Well under budget!** |

### Option D: 7 Nights Villa Package

| Item | Cost | Status |
|------|------|--------|
| Villa package (7 nights, flights + villa) | £1,200 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Car hire (7 days) | £350 | ⚠️ Estimate (prorated) |
| Food | £250 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| Activities | £150 | ⚠️ Estimate |
| **TOTAL** | **£1,950** | ✅ **Under budget with private pool!** |

---

## Child-Friendly Activities (Age 6)

### Beaches (Calas)

| Beach | Why It's Special | Notes |
|-------|-----------------|-------|
| **Cala Figuera** | Crystal clear water, small | Near Santanyí |
| **Cala Llombards** | Safe, sandy, family-friendly | South coast |
| **Cala Agulla** | Beautiful, good for snorkelling | Near Cala Ratjada |
| **Playa de Muro** | Long sandy beach, shallow | Alcúdia area |
| **Cala Millor** | Resort beach, all facilities | East coast |

### Attractions

| Attraction | What It Is | Cost (family) |
|------------|-----------|---------------|
| **Western Water Park** | Water park, shows | €90-110 (£75-95) |
| **Aqualand El Arenal** | Large water park | €85-100 (£70-85) |
| **Palma Aquarium** | Huge aquarium | €70-90 (£60-75) |
| **Caves of Drach** | Underground caves + boat | €50-65 (£42-55) |
| **Vintage Train (Sóller)** | Beautiful train journey | €60-80 (£50-65) |
| **Marineland** | Dolphins, sea lions | €75-95 (£65-80) |

### Free Activities

- Beach days
- Pool time at villa
- Exploring villages
- Mountain walks (easy ones)
- Markets (Santanyí, Pollensa)

---

## Vegetarian Food

### Self-Catering

**Supermarkets:**
- Mercadona, Lidl, Aldi, Eroski
- Fresh produce excellent
- Many towns have daily markets

### Vegetarian Spanish Dishes

- **Tortilla española** (Spanish omelette - no meat)
- **Gazpacho** (cold tomato soup)
- **Pimientos de Padrón** (fried peppers)
- **Ensalada mixta** (mixed salad)
- **Paella vegetariana** (vegetarian paella - ask!)
- **Queso Mahón** (local cheese)

### Restaurants

- Most restaurants have vegetarian options
- Look for "plato vegetariano"
- Pizza/pasta everywhere
- Tapas - many vegetarian options

---

## Sample 7-Day Itinerary (Villa Package)

### Day 1: Arrival

- Morning: Fly Manchester → Palma (2h 30m)
- Afternoon: Pick up hire car, drive to villa (30-60 min)
- Evening: Explore local area, supermarket, pool time

### Day 2: Beach Day

- Morning: Nearest cala (cove beach)
- Afternoon: Beach play, swimming, sandcastles
- Evening: Local village, dinner out

### Day 3: Water Park

- Morning: Western Water Park or Aqualand
- Afternoon: More slides, shows
- Evening: Relax at villa, BBQ

### Day 4: Explore

- Morning: Vintage train Palma → Sóller (beautiful)
- Afternoon: Sóller town, tram to port
- Evening: Return, dinner at villa

### Day 5: Caves & Coast

- Morning: Caves of Drach (Porto Cristo)
- Afternoon: Nearby beach
- Evening: Local restaurant

### Day 6: Beach Day

- Morning: Another cala (different area)
- Afternoon: Beach, snorkelling
- Evening: Farewell meal out

### Day 7: Departure

- Morning: Final pool dip, pack
- Afternoon: Drive to Palma airport, fly home

---

## When to Book

| Item | When to Book |
|------|-------------|
| **Villa packages** | 4-6 months ahead (best selection) |
| **Flights** | 3-4 months ahead |
| **Car hire** | 2-3 months ahead |

---

## Pros & Cons

### Pros
- ✅ Guaranteed private pool with villas
- ✅ Short flight
- ✅ Beautiful beaches (calas)
- ✅ Great for families
- ✅ Lots to explore
- ✅ Good package deals

### Cons
- July is VERY busy - book early
- Some areas very touristy
- Car needed for best beaches
- Over £2,000 for 10 nights with private pool

---

## My Verdict

**Best for a guaranteed private pool experience - but car hire is expensive.**

If you want your own pool, Mallorca villas are the way to go. You'll need to do 7 nights instead of 10 to stay under £2,000, but you'll have a beautiful base with your own pool.

**Budget-friendly option:** 10 nights with shared pool apartment + NO car = **£1,651** ✅

**Note:** Car hire in July is surprisingly expensive (£483+ for 10 days). Consider staying in a walkable area instead.

---

## Pricing Status (Browser Verified - 16 March 2026)

| Item | Estimated | Actual | Source |
|------|-----------|--------|--------|
| Flights MAN→PMI | £250-400 | **£301-610** | ✅ kayak.co.uk direct search (18-28 Jul 2026) |
| Car Hire (10 days, small) | £180-280 | **£483+** | ✅ kayak.co.uk (Hertz, etc.) |
| Apartment (10 nights, shared pool) | £600-1,000 | £700-1,000 | ⚠️ Estimate - needs verification |
| Villa package (7 nights) | £1,200 | £1,200 | ⚠️ Estimate - needs verification |

### Key Findings:
1. **Flights cheaper than expected** - £301 cheapest direct option
2. **Car hire MUCH more expensive** - £483+ for 10 days (vs £180-280 estimated)
3. **Without car is the budget winner** - saves ~£500

---

*Created: 15 March 2026*  
*Prices verified where marked, otherwise estimates*  
*All estimates clearly marked with ⚠️*
