Sean C
3e84541048
New fly-drive section with 3 destinations: - Portugal Algarve: £1,600-2,150 (10-12 nights) - Mallorca Spain: £1,710-2,350 (7-10 nights) - Croatia Split: £1,800-2,000 (10 nights) All include: - Flights from Manchester - Car hire - Pool access - Self-catering - Child-friendly activities - Sample itineraries - Budget breakdowns
297 lines
7.6 KiB
Markdown
297 lines
7.6 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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## 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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## Flight Options (Manchester → Palma)
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### Airlines & Typical Prices (July 2026)
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| Airline | Typical Price (return, family of 3) | Notes |
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|---------|-------------------------------------|-------|
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| **Ryanair** | £180-280 | Cheapest |
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| **easyJet** | £220-350 | Good value |
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| **Jet2** | £280-420 | Includes 22kg bag |
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| **TUI** | £300-500 | Package holidays |
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**Estimated Cost:** £250-400 for family of 3
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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)
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### Prices (10-12 days, July)
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| Car Type | Daily Rate | 12 Days | With Insurance |
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|----------|-----------|---------|----------------|
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| Economy | £8-12 | £96-144 | £180-220 |
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| Compact | £12-18 | £144-216 | £240-300 |
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| Family | £18-25 | £216-300 | £320-400 |
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**Estimated Cost:** £180-280 with full insurance
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**Note:** 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 |
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|------|------|
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| Villa package (flights + villa + private pool) | £1,600 |
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| Car hire (if not included) | £200 |
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| Food (self-catering) | £350 |
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| Activities | £200 |
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| **TOTAL** | **£2,350** |
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⚠️ **Over budget** - consider 7 nights instead
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### Option B: Self-Booked (Budget)
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| Item | Cost |
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|------|------|
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| Flights (Ryanair) | £280 |
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| Car hire (economy) | £180 |
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| Apartment (shared pool, 10 nights) | £800 |
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| Food (self-catering) | £300 |
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| Activities | £150 |
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| **TOTAL** | **£1,710** |
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✅ **Under budget!**
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### Option C: 7 Nights Villa Package
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| Item | Cost |
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|------|------|
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| Villa package (7 nights, flights + villa) | £1,200 |
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| Car hire | £150 |
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| Food | £250 |
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| Activities | £150 |
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| **TOTAL** | **£1,750** |
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✅ **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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|------------|-----------|---------------|
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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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---
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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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## My Verdict
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**Best for a guaranteed private pool experience.**
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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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**Alternative:** 10 nights with shared pool apartment = under £2,000.
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*Created: 15 March 2026*
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*All prices estimates - verify before booking*
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