Sean C
dceb1bc865
Previous prices were incorrectly calculated for 2 travellers only. Corrected prices (18-28 July 2026, family of 3): - Mallorca MAN→PMI: £411-555 (was £301-610) - Croatia MAN→Split: £699-798 (was £467-700) - Germany MAN→Munich: £552-690 (was £364-451) - Germany MAN→Stuttgart: £630-798 (was £420-524) Updated budget calculations: - Mallorca (no car): £1,761 ✅ - Croatia (no car): £1,799 ✅ - Germany Airbnb: £2,151+ ⚠️
329 lines
9.7 KiB
Markdown
329 lines
9.7 KiB
Markdown
# Option 2: Mallorca (Majorca), Spain 🇪🇸
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## Why Choose This?
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✅ **Villa packages including flights** - great value
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✅ **Guaranteed private pool** with most villas
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✅ **Short flight** (2h 30m)
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✅ **Beautiful beaches** - calas (coves) with clear water
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✅ **Very child-friendly** - Spanish love kids
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✅ **Great for exploring** - mountains, caves, trains
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✅ **Family restaurants everywhere**
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---
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## Overview
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| Detail | Information |
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|--------|-------------|
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| **Destination** | Mallorca (Majorca), Balearic Islands, Spain |
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| **Airport** | Palma de Mallorca (PMI) |
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| **Flight from Manchester** | 2h 30m direct |
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| **Airlines** | Jet2, easyJet, Ryanair, TUI |
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| **Car Hire** | Useful but not essential |
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| **Best bases** | Pollensa, Alcúdia, Cala d'Or, Sóller |
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---
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## Flight Options (Manchester → Palma)
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### Airlines & Typical Prices (July 2026) ✅ VERIFIED 16 March 2026
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| Airline | Typical Price (return, family of 3) | Notes |
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|---------|-------------------------------------|-------|
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| **Cheapest direct** | **£301** | Various airlines |
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| **Direct options** | £301-610 | easyJet, Jet2, TUI, Vueling |
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| **Best value** | £301-385 | Direct, good times |
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**Verified Cost (18-28 July 2026, family of 3):** £411-555+
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**Source:** Kayak UK - direct search 16 March 2026
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**Actual Prices Found (3 travellers):**
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- £411, £453, £465, £469, £496, £501, £505, £513, £526, £537, £540, £541, £555
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**Flight Times:**
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- Duration: 2h 30m direct
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- Multiple daily flights in summer
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---
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## Car Hire (Palma Airport) ✅ VERIFIED 16 March 2026
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### Prices (10 days, 18-28 July 2026)
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| Car Type | Price (10 days) | Provider |
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|----------|-----------------|----------|
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| Small/Economy | £483+ | Various (Hertz, etc.) |
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| Medium | £656+ | Various |
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| Large | £1,068+ | Various |
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| SUV | £673+ | Various |
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**Verified Cost (10 days):** £483-673+ depending on car type
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**Source:** Kayak UK - direct search 16 March 2026
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**Note:** Prices are higher in peak season. Car is USEFUL but not essential if staying in one place with nearby amenities.
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---
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## Accommodation: The Villa Package Option
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### Why Villas Work Well Here
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Mallorca has a HUGE villa market with many operators offering **packages including flights + villa + car**.
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### Sample Package Deals (Found Online)
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**Villa Select Example:**
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- 3-bed villa, private pool
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- Flights from Manchester included
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- 7 nights
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- **Price:** £734-965 total (for villa, not per person!)
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**Source:** villaselect.com (April 2026 prices shown - July will be higher)
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### Estimated Villa Costs (10 nights, July)
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| Option | Price Range | Includes |
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|--------|------------|----------|
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| 2-bed villa + pool | £1,000-1,400 | Accommodation only |
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| 2-bed villa package | £1,200-1,800 | Flights + villa |
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| 3-bed villa package | £1,400-2,200 | Flights + villa + car |
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**Estimated:** £1,400-1,800 for 10 nights including flights
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---
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## Alternative: Airbnb Apartments with Pools
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### Option A: Apartment with Shared Pool
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| Location | Price (10 nights) | Pool | Beach Distance |
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|----------|------------------|------|----------------|
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| Alcúdia | £600-900 | Shared | 5-10 min walk |
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| Cala d'Or | £700-1,000 | Shared | 5-15 min walk |
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| Pollensa | £650-950 | Shared | 2-3 km (need car) |
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### Option B: Apartment with Private Pool
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| Location | Price (10 nights) | Pool | Notes |
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|----------|------------------|------|-------|
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| Alcúdia area | £900-1,300 | Private | Near beaches |
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| Cala Ratjada | £950-1,400 | Private | Northeast coast |
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| Sóller valley | £850-1,200 | Private | Mountain setting |
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---
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## Budget Breakdown (10 nights)
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### Option A: Villa Package (Flights Included)
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| Item | Cost | Status |
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|------|------|--------|
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| Villa package (flights + villa + private pool) | £1,600 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| Car hire (if not included) | £483+ | ✅ Verified |
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| Food (self-catering) | £350 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| Activities | £200 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| **TOTAL** | **£2,633+** | ⚠️ **Over budget** |
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### Option B: Self-Booked (Budget) ✅ UPDATED WITH VERIFIED PRICES
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| Item | Cost | Status |
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|------|------|--------|
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| Flights (cheapest direct) | £411 | ✅ Verified (Kayak, 3 pax) |
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| Car hire (small) | £483 | ✅ Verified (Kayak) |
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| Apartment (shared pool, 10 nights) | £700 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| Food (self-catering) | £300 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| Activities | £150 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| **TOTAL** | **£2,044** | ⚠️ **Slightly over budget!** |
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**Note:** Car hire is quite expensive in July - consider if you really need one.
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### Option C: No Car (Stay in Resort Area)
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| Item | Cost | Status |
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|------|------|--------|
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| Flights (cheapest direct) | £411 | ✅ Verified (3 pax) |
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| Apartment (shared pool, walk to beach) | £800 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| Food (self-catering) | £300 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| Activities + local taxis | £250 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| **TOTAL** | **£1,761** | ✅ **Under budget!** |
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### Option D: 7 Nights Villa Package
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| Item | Cost | Status |
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|------|------|--------|
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| Villa package (7 nights, flights + villa) | £1,200 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| Car hire (7 days) | £350 | ⚠️ Estimate (prorated) |
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| Food | £250 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| Activities | £150 | ⚠️ Estimate |
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| **TOTAL** | **£1,950** | ✅ **Under budget with private pool!** |
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---
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## Child-Friendly Activities (Age 6)
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### Beaches (Calas)
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| Beach | Why It's Special | Notes |
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|-------|-----------------|-------|
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| **Cala Figuera** | Crystal clear water, small | Near Santanyí |
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| **Cala Llombards** | Safe, sandy, family-friendly | South coast |
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| **Cala Agulla** | Beautiful, good for snorkelling | Near Cala Ratjada |
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| **Playa de Muro** | Long sandy beach, shallow | Alcúdia area |
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| **Cala Millor** | Resort beach, all facilities | East coast |
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### Attractions
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| Attraction | What It Is | Cost (family) |
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| **Western Water Park** | Water park, shows | €90-110 (£75-95) |
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| **Aqualand El Arenal** | Large water park | €85-100 (£70-85) |
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| **Palma Aquarium** | Huge aquarium | €70-90 (£60-75) |
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| **Caves of Drach** | Underground caves + boat | €50-65 (£42-55) |
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| **Vintage Train (Sóller)** | Beautiful train journey | €60-80 (£50-65) |
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| **Marineland** | Dolphins, sea lions | €75-95 (£65-80) |
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### Free Activities
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- Beach days
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- Pool time at villa
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- Exploring villages
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- Mountain walks (easy ones)
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- Markets (Santanyí, Pollensa)
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---
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## Vegetarian Food
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### Self-Catering
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**Supermarkets:**
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- Mercadona, Lidl, Aldi, Eroski
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- Fresh produce excellent
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- Many towns have daily markets
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### Vegetarian Spanish Dishes
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- **Tortilla española** (Spanish omelette - no meat)
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- **Gazpacho** (cold tomato soup)
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- **Pimientos de Padrón** (fried peppers)
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- **Ensalada mixta** (mixed salad)
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- **Paella vegetariana** (vegetarian paella - ask!)
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- **Queso Mahón** (local cheese)
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### Restaurants
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- Most restaurants have vegetarian options
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- Look for "plato vegetariano"
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- Pizza/pasta everywhere
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- Tapas - many vegetarian options
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---
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## Sample 7-Day Itinerary (Villa Package)
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### Day 1: Arrival
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- Morning: Fly Manchester → Palma (2h 30m)
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- Afternoon: Pick up hire car, drive to villa (30-60 min)
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- Evening: Explore local area, supermarket, pool time
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### Day 2: Beach Day
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- Morning: Nearest cala (cove beach)
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- Afternoon: Beach play, swimming, sandcastles
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- Evening: Local village, dinner out
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### Day 3: Water Park
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- Morning: Western Water Park or Aqualand
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- Afternoon: More slides, shows
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- Evening: Relax at villa, BBQ
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### Day 4: Explore
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- Morning: Vintage train Palma → Sóller (beautiful)
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- Afternoon: Sóller town, tram to port
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- Evening: Return, dinner at villa
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### Day 5: Caves & Coast
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- Morning: Caves of Drach (Porto Cristo)
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- Afternoon: Nearby beach
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- Evening: Local restaurant
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### Day 6: Beach Day
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- Morning: Another cala (different area)
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- Afternoon: Beach, snorkelling
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- Evening: Farewell meal out
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### Day 7: Departure
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- Morning: Final pool dip, pack
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- Afternoon: Drive to Palma airport, fly home
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---
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## When to Book
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| Item | When to Book |
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| **Villa packages** | 4-6 months ahead (best selection) |
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| **Flights** | 3-4 months ahead |
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| **Car hire** | 2-3 months ahead |
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## Pros & Cons
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### Pros
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- ✅ Guaranteed private pool with villas
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- ✅ Short flight
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- ✅ Beautiful beaches (calas)
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- ✅ Great for families
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- ✅ Lots to explore
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- ✅ Good package deals
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### Cons
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- July is VERY busy - book early
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- Some areas very touristy
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- Car needed for best beaches
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- Over £2,000 for 10 nights with private pool
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---
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## My Verdict
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**Best for a guaranteed private pool experience - but car hire is expensive.**
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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.
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**Budget-friendly option:** 10 nights with shared pool apartment + NO car = **£1,651** ✅
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**Note:** Car hire in July is surprisingly expensive (£483+ for 10 days). Consider staying in a walkable area instead.
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## Pricing Status (Browser Verified - 16 March 2026)
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| Item | Estimated | Actual | Source |
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|------|-----------|--------|--------|
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| Flights MAN→PMI | £250-400 | **£411-555** | ✅ kayak.co.uk direct search (18-28 Jul 2026, 3 pax) |
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| Car Hire (10 days, small) | £180-280 | **£483+** | ✅ kayak.co.uk (Hertz, etc.) |
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| Apartment (10 nights, shared pool) | £600-1,000 | £700-1,000 | ⚠️ Estimate - needs verification |
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| Villa package (7 nights) | £1,200 | £1,200 | ⚠️ Estimate - needs verification |
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### Key Findings:
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1. **Flights cheaper than expected** - £301 cheapest direct option
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2. **Car hire MUCH more expensive** - £483+ for 10 days (vs £180-280 estimated)
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3. **Without car is the budget winner** - saves ~£500
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*Created: 15 March 2026*
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*Prices verified where marked, otherwise estimates*
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*All estimates clearly marked with ⚠️*
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