Majorca
5th – 9th March 2026
Majorca has long been seen as a holiday destination known for its beautiful beaches and delicious food, yet this small Mediterranean island has much more to offer. Artemisia is planning a trip to discover the fascinating history of Majorca – one of Moorish conquest and Christian kings, monasteries in the mountains and modernist masterpieces in its towns. On the trip we will visit gardens shaped by Moorish water systems, admire Gothic cathedrals and Art Nouveau houses, browse lively markets and old town squares, hear a piano recital in a mountain monastery, see Miró’s studio and contemporary galleries, and wander through the villages of Valldemossa and Deià. Going in the off-season of March means we will benefit from fewer crowds, lush greenery and, with luck, a sunnier climate than the UK.
We will stay in two lovely hotels in the best locations in Soller and Palma, they are the perfect base for an exploration of Majorcan history, art and food.
Itinerary
Thursday 5th March
We will land late morning and have lunch on our way to Soller. Once we have checked in and had a little siesta (or a swim) to recover from our early morning start, we will meet for an introductory walk around the old town. We will soak up the atmosphere in the Plaza de la Constitucion and the fantastic Baroque church of St Bartholomew, before getting the historic tram into the Port for a good dinner.
Friday 6th March
We will start the day at the beautiful Gardens of Alfabia – a place made up of a fascinating blend of Moorish water engineering and later Renaissance, Baroque, and 19th-century influences. After coffee amongst the trees in the Queen’s Garden (so named and designed according to the romantic tastes of Queen Isabel II of Spain), we will head into Valldemossa for lunch.
We will start the afternoon with a visit the Carthusian Monastery. Here, we will get a special piano recital and a tour of the complex which dates back to 1309 and includes a frescoed church, an old pharmacy and an art collection of some of the best local artists. We will then drive to Deia, one of the most charming towns on the island, to visit its 15th century church. A former defence tower, it has a beautiful cemetery with views of the surrounding mountains. Dinner will be up in the hills behind our hotel.
Saturday 7th March
Our morning will be spent browsing the local produce at Soller Market before heading to the fantastic Ca’n Prunera, a Catalan Art Nouveau house filled with modernist artworks. We will visit the Picasso and Miro museum housed in Soller’s historic train station before lunch in the lively square.
An hour train journey through the countryside of Majorca will take us into Palma, this is an amazing way to see the surrounding mountains and agriculture while sitting comfortably in a century old wooden train. We will arrive into Palma in time for a walk around the old town, visiting the iconic Plaza Mayor as well as the nearby Basilica of Sant Francesco and the Llotja de Palma – the original meeting place for merchants in the 15th century and where all decisions about the island’s trade activities were made. Dinner at a fish restaurant on the water.
Sunday 8th March
We will wind our way slightly out of Palma’s old town to the Miro Foundation – a very special place where Joan Miró spent the last 30 years of his life and where a huge collection of his painting and sculpture are on show. We will then head to Es Baluard, a cutting-edge contemporary art museum showing some of the best works of today.
After lunch nearby we will walk to La Sue – the magnificent Cathedral of Palma. This Gothic structure is one of Europe’s tallest, built on the site of a mosque and involving over 60 stained glass windows which flood it with beautiful light. There will be some free time for shopping and exploring before dinner at our favourite spot in Palma.
Monday 9th March
For our last morning, we will make short visits to The Fundación Juan March and The Bartolomé March Servera Foundation. The latter has a superb collection of sculpture and extraordinary walls painted by muralist Josep Sert. There will be some more time for last minute shopping or visits to other artistic sites like the Caixa Foundation at the Gran Hotel. We shall end with a light lunch before heading to the airport.
Further Details
Tuition – The trip will be led by Nicholas Ross and Celia Higson. Both are very experienced AHA tutors and Celia has been going to Majorca for the last 20 years, so knows the island very well indeed.
Hotels – In Soller we will stay at the Finca Hotel Ca’s Sant, nestled below the beautiful Sierra de Tramuntana with a lovely garden of lemon, orange and olive trees as well as a pool. The estate has been owned by the same family for 750 years. It is in the peaceful countryside with a ten-minute walk into the town centre. In Palma we will stay at Sant Francesc Hotel Singular, a luxurious 19th-century mansion in the heart of Palma’s atmospheric historic quarter. It’s a peaceful refuge with a spectacular rooftop pool and bar.
Room upgrades are available: A ‘Junior Suite’ at Finca Hotel is £60 total extra per room and a ‘Privilege Room’ in Sant Francesc is £80 total extra per room. Please let Charlie know as soon possible as there is a limited number.
Ability – There is quite a bit of walking on this trip, as well as a few hills and uneven cobbles. As is the case for all our courses, there is a lot of standing while we discuss the works we are looking at. Please note that the hotel in Soller is a ten minute walk from the centre.
Flights – We do not book the flights thus allowing you to travel to suit your budget, use airmiles, travel between different airports or on different dates. We recommend the following flights from EasyJet. If you would like to avoid the early start, you can meet us at Palma airport arrivals.
Thursday 5th March London Gatwick 07:30 – 10:55 Palma, Majorca EZY8083
Monday 9th March Palma, Majorca 16:40 – 18:15 London Gatwick EZY8084
Transport – We will travel in comfort in a private coach with air-conditioning. There will be airport transfers to meet the recommended flights. We will also take the train and local trams.
Meals – Lunches are a set menu of two courses to include drinks. Dinners are by no means compulsory, but we book a table for the group each night at different restaurants and divide the bill equally between everyone. Sometimes these may also need to be a set menu but we try our best to avoid this. We will adjust the bill for those not drinking alcohol.
Cost – The fees are £2250 which includes accommodation and breakfast, all lunches, transfers for the recommended flight, transport when connected with teaching, entrance fees, tuition, reading lists and local advice. The single occupancy supplement is £220 (double room for single use). See above for room upgrades. Not included are the flights, all suppers and travel insurance. The group will not exceed 16 people.
NB you must buy your own flights.
