MEDITERRANEAN ISLANDS - Clean Breaks: 500 New Ways to See the World - page 76

101 disCoVer The quieTer side
of mallorCa

that pass olive groves and vineyards, wind through
valleys of oak or meander across sand dunes
along the island's jagged coastline. For those that
like to get some height, there are several steep
mountainous routes, particularly in the north,
where you can enjoy breathtaking scenery in
Gallura's Limbara Mountains and the Supramonte
before long descents towards the coast and a
deserved swim in warm turquoise waters.

The resorts of the Bay of Palma may define
mass tourism, but away from these concrete
jungles, Mallorca is surprisingly wild and
beautiful - a place where hilltop villages and
monasteries look out over sweeping agricultural
plains. The Tramuntana Mountains - which
stretch from the western town of Andraitx to
the island's northernmost cape - encapsulate
this remoteness, and make for a great region to
explore at a leisurely pace.
Based in the coastal town of Sóller in the heart
of the Tramuntana Mountains, Tramuntanatours
organizes day-trips into the mountains. Choose
between walking tours, mountain biking,
canyoning and sea kayaking around the coast.
Groups are typically of four to eight people
and tours include a guide, who will inform you
about the native flora and fauna as well as
the region's surprisingly rich cultural history.
You're encouraged to find accommodation in and
around Sóller; one of its recommended places
to stay is Casa Bougainvillea, a small B&B
in a traditional townhouse. The rooms are in
simple Mediterranean style, there are potted
plants everywhere and even an honesty bar for
essentials. Magaluf it is not.

Need to know Sardinia-based cycling specialists
Dolcevita ( W www.dolcevitabiketours.com;
T [phone]) , IchnusaBike ( W www.
ichnusabike.it; T [phone]) and
Saddle Skedaddle ( W www.skedaddle.co.uk;
T [phone]) organize guided and
self-guided cycling throughout the island.

Cycling along the coast of
Sardinia

Need to know For details and prices of tours
see W www.tramuntanatours.com; T +34 (0)
971 632 423. Casa Bougainvillea: W www.
casa-bouganvillea.com; T [phone]
104. There's a fast catamaran from Barcelona to
Palma on most days of the week (3hr 45min) and
an overnight ferry from Barcelona and Valencia:
W www.trasmediterranea.es. For ferry services from
the other Balearic Islands see W www.balearia.com.

102 CyCle aCross sardinia

Sardinia's flat coastal roads, gently undulating
interior and forested mountains make it ideal for
cycling. Choose your route carefully and you will
enjoy long stretches of traffic-free asphalt roads