Last Updated on September 8, 2025 by Lauren Belzer Sanford
At the end of September, leading into October of 2023, I had the privilege of taking my second European vacation to Spain and Portugal. Traveling internationally alone for the first time can be a daunting thought – filled with equal parts panic and excitement. But as I boarded my flight from LAX to Palma de Mallorca (PMI), the anticipation of meeting my family on this picturesque Spanish island outweighed any jitters I had. Little did I know that the next three days would be filled with unforgettable experiences, bonding moments, and exploration of the stunning landscapes of Mallorca.
I was a bit of a tag-along on this trip – as it was a graduation trip for my younger sister, Perri. The three of them started their travels in Barcelona, of which I was sad to miss! I was unable to take that much time off work, so I met them for the remainder of their Spain and Portugal travels, starting in Palma. Upon arrival at Palma Airport after a 4-hour layover at London Heathrow, I jumped in a taxi – another scary thing to do alone for the first time in a foreign country – and made my way to our home base, Hotel Costa Azul. The room that Perri and I shared was high enough in the hotel that we had a lovely view of the port and could see cruise ships coming and going outside of our window!
After arriving at the hotel, the jet lag began to set in a little bit, but the excitement of being reunited with my family in Spain overpowered it. We decided to keep things low-key on my first night, opting for a leisurely dinner at a local restaurant in walking distance, savoring the flavors of sangria and Spanish cuisine, and catching up on their experience in Barcelona.
Day 1: Valldemossa, Deià & Sóller
The first full day marked the beginning of our exploration of Mallorca. My dad and Perri had arranged for us to rent a car to venture to the other side of the island. The sun was shining, the weather was warmer than we anticipated for the end of September and early October, and it was just a beautiful day to set off and explore!
Our first destination was the idyllic village of Valldemossa, nestled amidst the lush greenery of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. As we strolled through the cobblestone streets lined with traditional stone houses adorned with colorful flower pots, it felt as though we had stepped back in time. We took our time exploring the quaint alleys, stopping into small boutiques and shops, and pausing to admire the stunning views of the surrounding countryside.
One of the highlights of our visit to Valldemossa was indulging in some gelato from a local shop, sitting in the small village, and observing the simple joys of life in this Spanish heaven.
After bidding farewell to Valldemossa, we set off for our next adventure: a visit to one of Mallorca’s beaches, Cala Deià. With its crystal-clear turquoise waters and rocky shores, the “beach” allowed us some stunning views of swimmers, boats, and the liveliness of those enjoying food and drink at the restaurants on the cliffs. We spent the afternoon lounging on the rocks, taking refreshing dips in the sea, and simply reveling in the beauty. It was a bit of a trek to get down the hill, and my dad had to drive up and down multiple times to even find a parking spot (yes, in early October), but there’s a reason it was so packed — it was stunning!
We ended our trip in Deià with some drinks and lunch at Ca’s Patró March. The views were great and the drinks were refreshing!
As the day drew to a close, we made our way over to the city center of Sóller. The church in the square, Parroquia de Sant Bartomeu de Sóller, was stunning from the outside. We didn’t get to go in because there was a wedding, unfortunately. We spent a little bit of time walking around, grabbed a café solo at Horno Santo Cristo and some more delicious gelato at Mister McCoy’s Island Ices, and then made our way to a restaurant that Perri made a reservation for us at called Nautilus.
The restaurant is situated on the cliffside, and we were able to enjoy some delicious food, biodynamic wines, and an unreal sunset view!
Day 2: Palma
On our final day in Mallorca, we decided to take it easy and explore the vibrant streets of Palma, the capital city of the island. We wandered through the charming alleyways of the historic Old Town, filled with stunning architecture and rich cultural heritage.
We walked around the outside perimeter of the Catedral-Basílica de Santa María de Mallorca, commonly known as the iconic La Seu Cathedral, a magnificent Gothic Roman Catholic cathedral that dominates the city.
After exploring for a little while, we meandered through the bustling streets of Palma, stopping at a little spot in the plaza for a quick lunch and an Aperol spritz.
We ended the night walking along the water and looking at the boats in the port and had pizza for dinner before retiring for the night to prepare for an early morning flight to our next stop: Seville!
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Unfortunately, my travel itinerary only allowed me two full days in Mallorca since I joined my family a little late, so I hope to visit again in the future and spend more time exploring this beautiful Spanish island.
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