Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
ing makes the connection between Estellencs and Valldemossa and all but the
Palma-Valldemossa run are infrequent.
Distances are usually short, with very few services taking longer than two hours to
reach their destinations. For fares, consult the Getting There & Away information in the
On the Road chapters.
Car & Motorcycle
Mallorca's roads are generally excellent, though there are a few coastal hair-raisers in the
north and west of the island that are not for faint-hearted drivers (Sa Calobra and For-
mentor to name two). The narrow roads on these cliff-flanked coasts and the country
roads that thread through the interior are ideal for motorbike touring.
The island's main artery is the Ma13 motorway, which slices through the island diagon-
ally, linking Palma in the west with Alcúdia in the north. The Ma1 loops southwest of
Palma to Andratx.
While you can get about much of the island by bus and train, especially in high season,
having a car will give you far greater freedom. With your own wheels you can seek out the
nature parks, secluded coves and mountain retreats away from the crowds.
If your car is not equipped with satnav, it's worth investing in a decent road map to ne-
gotiate the island's more offbeat corners. Marco Polo produce a decent one at a
1:125,000 scale.
Automobile Associations
The
Real Automóvil Club de España
(RACE; 900 100992;
www.race.es
;
Calle de
Eloy Gonzalo 32, Madrid) is the national automobile club. It may well come to assist you
in case of breakdown, but in any event you should obtain an emergency telephone num-
ber for Spain from your own insurer.
Bring Your Own Vehicle
Always carry proof of ownership of a private vehicle.
Every vehicle should display a nationality plate of its country of registration. It is com-
pulsory in Spain to carry a warning triangle (to be used in case of breakdown) and a re-
flective jacket. Recommended accessories include a first-aid kit, spare-bulb kit and fire
extinguisher.
Driving Licences
EU driving licences are recognised throughout Europe. Those with a non-EU licence are
supposed to obtain a 12-month International Driver's Permit (IDP) from their home auto-
