Sometimes I forget to post about the coolness of Mallorca. There are always so many fun events, amazing restaurants and of course the beaches ….. I could go on and on about Mallorca and I will try to add more MALLORCA to my blog. Cuz it’s one helluva island.
So let’s talk about something going on this weekend – Nit de l’Art in Palma. It’s the island’s most important art event (even though I’m a bit partial to Art Night in Campos) and this year it takes place on the 19th, 20th and 21st of September.
This year marks the 23rd anniversary of this special event in Palma where museums, art galleries and art studios open their doors until midnight for people (thousands attend every year) to wander in and out and see the newest art – paintings, sculptures, installations and more. This year includes a special guest, director Christian Tran will present his film Terres Barceló and after there will be Q & A. So very exciting!
Oh, and did I mention drinks? Bars are open, drinks are flowing and peeps are gathering.
I’m a bit of an artist myself and like to dabble in a bit of creativeness here and there. The art shown on this page is mine and for sale. I will be posting more soon with a link at the top of my home page so keep an eye out. You can send me an email at kim@nuehlen.com if you want to make an offer on a painting. And go to Nit de l’Art !
So many people ask me about things I would recommend doing/seeing in Palma de Mallorca when they are visiting the island. So, why not give a blog post to that topic. Just for y’all, my favorite peeps.
It was a difficult list. Palma has so much to offer – art galleries, museums, shopping, great bars, hidden back alleys where you stumble upon something new every single time. I could spend a whole week just exploring those narrow side streets.
In no particular order because they all rock.
1.Pilar y Joan Miró Foundation
First up, the Pilar y Joan Miró Foundation. If you are an art lover, you can’t miss this. You actually walk through the studios Joan Miró worked in through 1956 until his death in 1983. The collection of works by Joan Miró includes paintings, drawings, sculptures, and prints. You can see how and where he worked at the two studios (Son Boter and Sert Studio), both of these have been included in the Bienes de Interés Cultural architectural heritage list.
One of my favorite Miro sculptures in Palma ~ FEMME
Joan Miró – Femme
2. La Seu
Next, the Cathedral – La Seu. This majestic, architectural masterpiece took from 1230 – 1601 to build. It has a gorgeous, gothic, rose glass window which is one of the largest in the world. And if you are into Gaudí, he later designed the columns and the controversial Crown of Thorns that hangs over the altar. It is situated next to the Parc de la Mar which is also a lovely place to hang out, look at the sea and have a glass of wine.
A visit begins through the museum entrance and there is a small entrance fee.
La Seu in Palma, the Cathedral that took almost 400 years to build. Gorgeous!
3. Passeig Des Born
Enough architecture and art for you? Alright, how about some shopping. Did some of your ears pop up? Palma has great stores – from Louis Vuitton to Caroline Herrera to Hugo Boss. And they are all in one of my favorite spots in Palma, Passeig des Born. Come here to this tree-lined promenade with boutiques, cafes, shops and beautiful fountains at each end. You can always find a street performer or two to keep you entertained, if you are needing that.
Walk up to Jaime III and if you turn left you will find Es Corte Ingles (Palma’s big department store), Mango and other shops. Turn right and you can head to Placa Major, where pretty much in every direction are more and more shops. If you have been dying for a Starbucks, one has been recently established at the Placa Cort.
4. Ca’n Joan De S’aigo
Time for a break after all that sight seeing and shopping. Stop at one of the oldest chocolatiers in Europe, founded in 1700. So much deliciousness under one roof. It’s almost a sin. Pastries, cakes, ice-cream, cava and the popular Mallorcan ensaimada. My favorite is the one with apricots. They have two locations but the Calle Can Sanc has the mosaic from the original building. Bon Profit!
5. Palma Old Town Bike Tour and Tapas
Did someone say bike riding and tapas? I’m in. This is a super fun bike tour to see the top sights of Palma ~ La Seu Cathedral, the Royal Palace of La Almudaina, ride down the Rambla of Palma and discover the nightlife center of La Lonja. Finish your excursion with tapas at the Illenc restaurant.
I hope you enjoyed the list. I would love to hear about your favorite must-sees in Palma. Thanks for stopping by this beautiful city!
Wowzers! Do we have some stuff to catch up on or what? Last week I was in Marrakech, a month ago I was in Amsterdam, late last year I was in Paris (which I did do a blog or two about but there is still more to tell!) and even before that I was in my darling hometown of Stillwater, OK. SO, needless to say, I’ve got some shit to catch up on.
I think I have gotten a bit better at managing my time!?! I HOPE! I even had a mammogram that I’ve been putting off for decades. Thank you very much. AND I cleaned out and organized my closet which had been crying out for attention for a loooong time now. So, I feel confident that I can deliver lots of exciting post about travels and Mallorca and just the general news of my life. I know you guys are just sitting at the edge of your seat. Mwuah, back at ya.
So, Marrakech, Amsterdam, Paris, you say? Well, let’s just start off with my new favorite bar in Palma de Mallorca – Lórien. It is AWESOME, y’all. They have a huge selection of beers – and that is saying a lot considering all I can usually get around here is the same – Heineken, Estrella, Mahou, Alhambra. Hell, sometimes the bar will go crazy and have a Corona available. But not Lórien, no no no. What do you want? They have it. You want ale? They got it. You want a stout beer? They got it. You want a weissbier. THEY. GOT. IT! Ale, IPA, Lager Bock, Pilsner, Micro-Beers, Sparkling Ale, Stout, etc etc etc. They got it, yo. And you want it from a particular country. Guess what. They got it.
So after touting all the fab beers, they have even more than that. Even more than all those beers you ask incredulously!?!? Yup. They’ve got games. And sandwiches. Stop the madness. We played chess, while drinking fabulous beer, at a cool place. You could say it was magical. And in fact, it was.
So, bring your dinero, bring your happiness and bring your swank because it is all welcome here. Come visit the best cerveceria in Mallorca.
I went to my first Bikram Yoga class in Palma and I loved it! Combine a sauna with yoga and there is nothing wrong with that. It had been a bit of time since I last did yoga and some of the postures were really difficult for me. But I reminded myself that this is my first class and it is okay to be a bit shaky. And I had my brand new bag so things were looking up. It’s so awesome, I bought it from this fun online shop.
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The instructor was experienced and super friendly. She would check on me a few times throughout the hour and a half class to make sure I hadn’t passed out yet. The room was also very nice, super spacious with plenty of mirrors.
What is Bikram Yoga you might ask? Bikram Yoga is a system of yoga that Bikram Choudhury synthesized from traditional hatha yoga techniques. All Bikram Yoga classes run for 90 minutes and consist of the same series of 26 postures, including two breathing exercises. Bikram Yoga is ideally practiced in a room heated to 105°F (≈ 40.6°C) with a humidity of 40%. Or again, 26 yoga postions in a sauna. And for someone who cannot get warm enough it was amazeballs. I sweat my ass off, even my SHINS were sweating! Seriously, get over there.
And like them on Facebook! Bikram Yoga Mallorca They always post inspiring quotes, motivated pics and information about yoga and just keeping healthy. Here is their post from the other day. I can will be able to do that!
Fiesta de San Sebastian was last night in Palma. And dude, was it cold. It did warm up in the vicinity of throngs of people and fire but still, freaking cold for Mallorca. My first time to celebrate San Sebastian and it won’t be my last. Policia blocked off Paseo Maritimo and the parade took place there. Not really sure if the Mallorquins would actually call it a parade but it was quite a show.
The second I arrived to Paseo Maritimo this guy walked out from the shadows in full attire of the devil WITH a chainsaw. He started it up right beside me and I almost screamed. I tried to casually step to the side hoping this was part of the fiesta and not some mad psycho killer. But I did hear some screams when he stepped into the “parade”. Scary yo.
Check out the pics, unfortunately I couldn’t capture the hundreds of people running up the stairs to the cathedral, each with a lit torch in their hands. So cool. Then came the part where the bishop (San Sebastian?) fought with the dragon and somehow they projected the entire side of the cathedral with what looked like flying bat people. Seriously hope some of you can see San Sebastian 2012. Til then ….
My first Spanish wedding this weekend. Marga y Miguel Ángel were married Oct. 23, 2010 at the Cathedral of Palma de Mallorca.
I have never mentioned how amazingly beautiful this cathedral is, and I guess you must take my word, but, it is. GORGEOUS. I never seem to get the time right (or know when the right time is) for when the cathedral is open. So I usually don’t get to go inside. I did enjoy a lovely Easter service there in 2009, with the King Juan Carlos. Yes, he invited me.
And if you believe that I have some ocean front property in Arizona. Ahh, I love Mr. George Strait.
Back to the wedding, and the Cathedral! The Cathedral is more commonly referred to here as La Seu, and it took almost 400 years to complete. That’s a long damn time. May I present to you, La Seu:
And a picture I took of it last year that I love. I think when I open my art gallery in Palma, this will be a main print. What do you think?
Cool huh? As I have already mentioned, the wedding took place at the Cathedral, not too shabby, eh? I was told to be there at 17:00 (that’s 5 p.m. to you americans) and as the norm, I was the first one there. Let’s just say, Spanish people are not the most prompt. And I know my friend Bess is rolling her eyes right now! Cos, let’s just say I used to be not the most prompt either. Fashionably late was my favorite theme. So, I have changed my ways, I guess chalk it up to getting older. Or maybe Bess just whipped me into shape.
The crowd began to gather, the invitees and the touristees. When finally, the bride arrived in a black car with her father and her in the back. The groom was excited but anxious, and he opened her door. A kiss on both cheeks for each and then she pinned his boutonniere. A Spanish wedding in La Seu then ensued.
Wishing Marga y Miguel Ángel all the happiness in the future. Congrats!
GOING NINETY MILES 