Magical Mallorca: from coast to countryside

Just a scenic 15 minute drive from Santanyí is the tiny beach of Cala s’Almunia, which is nestled in a rocky bay surrounded by pine trees. You might stumble across this pretty jetty on your way to the more popular Es Calo des Moro beach, while the dinky pebble inlet of Es Maquer lies opposite. Wear your sturdiest sandals for the long, steep stairway which leads down to the beach, and pack a picnic as the closest restaurant is in Cala Llombards a few kilometers away. The lack of facilities adds to the charm of this quaint cala, which is a relatively under-the-radar spot for a quiet swim.

Living up to its Latin name meaning ‘mountain town’, Montuïri is surrounded by patchwork fields and spartan farmland scattered with bleating goats, old stone windmills, and olive groves. A world away from the usual tourist spots on the island, wandering around the green shuttered buildings of Montuïri feels like stepping back in time to simpler days. Perched high on a hilltop on the road between Palma and Manacor, this traditional rural town still wears its agricultural heritage proudly on its sleeve – expect high-quality locally made produce from sea-salt and honey to golden olive oil.

As its name suggests, Finca Serena is the epitome of farmhouse cool. Bucolic bursts of citrus trees give way to rippling hills and dramatic peaks as far as the eye can see. The whitewashed aesthetic of the interiors only adds to this sense of calm, framing the sublime scenery just outside the window. Wellbeing is at the heart of the Finca Serena experience, from yoga, meditation, and outdoor tai chi classes in lavender fields, to running sessions, horseback riding, cycling, and a specialised golf clinic. You will also be able to take part in cooking demonstrations with the hotel’s chefs and visit the kitchen garden and local wineries. To see the island from a different perspective, the staff will happily arrange a day on a private boat for you to sail your way to serenity. Suggested stay 2 nights minimum.

Should you manage to tear yourself away from the back-to-nature bliss of Finca Serena, the hillside town of Deià on the northwest coast of the island – the final resting place of English poet Robert Graves – is within an hour’s scenic drive, where a pretty pebbled cove sits at the bottom of a winding, single-track road from the honey-hued village. Originally a tiny fishing port, this idyllic cala is now home to a couple of laid-back chiringuitos where freshly caught seafood is grilled and served alongside simple rice dishes to a soundtrack of waves lapping the stony shore.