Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
the coast, it is the feat of Italian engineer Antonio Paretti, who built it in 1932; its twists
and turns were inspired by tying a tie, some say (whatever else?).
If you come in summer you won't be alone. Legions of buses and fleets of pleasure
boats disgorge battalions of tourists. It's a different world to Sa Calobra on a quiet, bright
midwinter morning. From the northern end of the road a short trail leads around the coast
to a rocky river gorge, the
Torrent de Pareis
, and a small white- pebble cove with fab-
ulous (but usually crowded) swimming spots.
If you want to skip the crowds, follow a turn-off west, some 2km before reaching Sa
Calobra, to head to Cala Tuent, a tranquil emerald green inlet in the shadow of Puig Ma-
jor. The broad pebble beach is backed by a couple of houses and a great green bowl of
vegetation that climbs up the mountain flanks. About 200m back from the beach, a turn-
off leads 1.5km to Es Vergeret.
Eating
Es Vergeret
MALLORCAN €€€
( 971 51 71 05;
www.esvergeret.com
;
Camí de Sa Figuera Vial 21; mains €10-19; 10am-4.30pm
Mar-Oct)
A narrow country lane from Cala Tuent passes sheep farms and olive groves to
reach this glorious old
finca
, where the view (ah, the view!) takes in the full sweep of the
bay and mountains. The terrace is a cracking spot for a lazy lunch of paella, grilled fish
or lamb chops. Ring ahead for a table, especially in summer.
Getting There & Away
One bus a day (bus 355, Monday to Saturday, May to October) comes from Ca'n Picafort
(9am) via Alcúdia, Cala Sant Vicenç, Pollença and the Monestir de Lluc. It returns at
3pm. The whole trip takes three hours and 50 minutes to Sa Calobra (with a one-hour
stop at the Monestir de Lluc) and 2½ hours on the return leg. From Ca'n Picafort you pay
€9.05 one way. Boats make excursions to Sa Calobra and Cala Tuent from Port de Sóller.
TOP OF CHAPTER
Monestir de Lluc & Around
Back in the 13th century, a local shepherd claimed to have seen an image of the Virgin
Mary in the sky. Later, a similar image appeared on a rock. Another story says that a
statuette of the Virgin was found here and taken to the nearest hamlet, Escorca. The next
