Majorca hotels

Mallorca, in Spain's Balearic Islands, is Ibiza's smarter sister. Mass tourism is on the decline as the island is reborn as a glamorous sunsoaked paradise steeped in culture and history.

The elegant city of Palma sits at the heart of a sweeping bay of fine sandy beaches. Crammed to bursting during the summer, brassy Magaluf has a backdrop of themed bars and clubs. Go west to the granite peaks of Serra de Tramuntana for searing clifftop views and hidden coves. Out of season wiggle down to the bay of Sa Calobra, encircled by jagged red cliffs. Mingle with the jet set on the pristine softly curving Platja de Formentor on the north coast and hike the beachside trails through the Mondragó Parc Natural.

See Chopin's piano and the cell where he composed his music in the monastery at Valldemossa. Rummage around monolithic ruins in prehistoric Ses Païsses near sleepy Artà. Take a drive through olive and almond groves to explore the ancient ochrecoloured hilltop towns of Pollença, Santanyí, Biniaraix and pictureperfect Fornalutx.

Visit the Monestir de Lluc, set high in the Tramuntana mountains, and home to an iconic statue of the Virgin Mary. Wander the terraced gardens of Alfàbia, infused with the perfume of jasmine and wisteria. Chug through the mountains by steam train from Palma to Sóller or take a boat trip around the marine reserve on remote Cabrera.

Take advantage of the stiff northeastern wind known locally as the gregal to windsurf at Port de Pollença. Pedal your bike up the foothills of the Tramuntana Mountains and march the spectacular 13km Cornadors Circuit from Biniaraix to Sóller.

Start the day with a sugary pastry ensaïmada dunked in hot chocolate. Sample lechona (roast suckling pig) and botifarrón (sausage) made from meat reared on the inland plains, or taste the catch of the day at seafront restaurants. Top up with tapas in the evening. Choose quality local wines from Binissalem or sip cava in Palma's trendy Santa Catalina district.

Palma's nightlife centres around the Passeig Marítim and pulsates with hundreds of bars and clubs. The neon strip in Magaluf roars into life nightly, attracting hordes of boisterous holidaymakers in summer. Puerto Portals and Portixol offer smart seafront bars and you can dance barefoot in the sand as the sun sets over the Virtual Club in Illetas.

Treat yourself to straw espadrilles, topquality leather belts and shoes and decorative handpainted ceramics. Raid the bodegas of Binissalem for local wines and carry them all home in a traditional Majorcan basket.