Palma

This is a land with an extensive history, and culture, and a rich art heritage. This, together with unbeatable weather, unmatchable landscape and a wide gastronomic, commercial and leisure offer, make Palma Mallorca the favourite holiday destination for Europeans.

Until very recently, the sea was the island's main means of communication. For this reason, Mallorca's early inhabitants were people who lived from the sea (more specifically, from the "Marenostrum"). The first places used as settlements, dating back to 4,000 BC, were the large number of natural caves which can be found around the Mallorcan coastline. Later, other groups of settlers arrived and went to live inland in dwellings made of massive stones known as "Talaiots", of which more than a thousand have been recorded.

Some of these caves are open to the general public and are among some of the most glamorous sightseeing visions in the world.

Palma is also shop till you drop capital, it host some of the most glam shopping malls and arcades as well as fantastic bargain markets.

Alas like everywhere these days you do get the odd pickpocket at large especially in the busy market areas.

Palma also is host to many pubs and clubs mainly English run and owned and has excellent nightlife open till late every day which suits all ages from 16 to how ever young at heart you feel.

Palma Airport is very big.

All the surrounding resorts are approx a 1-2 hour drive.

I was reasonably impressed with the modern image it presented, though comments about 'long walks' are well justified - leave plenty of time, to make it to the departure gates on time!

One drawback was the 'security' arrangements. We all appreciate the need for heightened vigilance in these troubled times, but the demeanour of the security staff appeared a tad arrogant ...and inconsistent to boot. By comparison, I felt the security 'scrutiny' at Manchester was more subtle, courteous and far more effective.