Situated to the North of Majorca, Alcudia is built on the site of an ancient Roman settlement, although the area has been occupied since the Bronze Age. Dig a little deeper and you will discover a town rich in history with plenty of sites to explore.

Alcudia old town is surrounded by a 14th century wall (visitors are able to climb it and stroll round the settlement) and is now a protected and pedestrianised area. The ancient town gate of Porta de Moll with its square towers and two giant palm trees is the symbol of Alcudia. Enjoy a romantic meal at one of the many small restaurants or simply wander the ancient streets. Markets take place on Tuesday and Sunday mornings so expect the town to be busier at these times.

The largest building just outside old town Alcudia is the beautiful San Juame church. San Juame gives its name to the town’s annual festival, which takes place in early July each year. Follow the nearby footpaths and signs to stumble across the remains of the Roman settlement dotted around, including an impressive amphitheatre. Visitors can learn more about Alcudia’s history in the ‘Museo Monagrafico de Pollentia’ museum.

Holidays to Alcudia are not complete without taking a relaxing boat trip along the stunning coastline for something a bit different. Boat trips are the perfect way to spend an afternoon in Alcuda. Head down the coast to Formentor beach and enjoy stunning views of the Alcudia area along the way.

Feel even further removed from the hustle and bustle of beach resorts by heading East of Alcudia along the peninsula. You will arrive in a scenic mountainous area with many walking and sightseeing opportunities. Discover the ‘Hermita la Victoria’ or hire bikes and explore this beautiful region. Book a trip to Alcudia with Directline-holidays and experience the true ‘hidden Majorca’

Of course, though escaping the daily rat-race is not as complex as (for instance) filling out a tax return, (after all, you just book a package with Alcudia Holidays, right?) it is not without its challenges. For instance, where do you change currencies? How do you get the best exchange rate?

To address these questions (and more!) I have taken the liberty of compiling some answers below. Take heed, oh pursuer of blue oceans and sand, and enjoy Mallorca!

1. When should you change currencies?

The answer to this question can be summed up in two brief phrases, together adding up to a simple nine words: “Not at the airport” and “As soon as possible.” Perhaps I should elaborate.

Changing currencies at the airport is a bad move because, like those people that sell cans of coke at music festivals for £4, bureaus de change at airports know they’ve got you right where they want you, and they’re prepared to make you pay a premium. Get your euros there, and you could pay significantly over the odds, and end up with a much less impressive sum in your pocket. Consider yourself fair-warned!

Second of all, get your mitts on those lovely lovely euros as soon as possible (or at least thinking about it), and you’re less at the mercy of whatever rate is available at the last minute. Hurrah! For instance, if you change currencies just a week before catching your plane, you really have little choice but to accept the euro total offered there and then.

On the other hand, find out where the rate is three or even six months in advance, and you can ask: “Is this a low rate? Could I do better?” After all, even a one cent difference can make a big difference in the euro total you receive.

2. Where should you change currencies?

This question is a bit more tough to answer, given that exchange rates can change a lot from service to service and day to day. Your best bet is to click on Google, and type in “bureau de change” into the search engine. If the programmers at Silicon Valley are worth their salaries, you should then get a list of foreign exchange services in your local area.

Give them a call, telling them what currency you’re changing and what amount, and ask who will provide the highest euro total when all is said and done. Of course, you need to call a few places in quick succession to do this, because the exchange rates are changing all the time, but it really is the best way to find out who can provide you the best euro rate.

3. What pitfalls should you look out for?

Commission is the big one. You don’t want to be paying it. Bureau de changes make their money by taking the interbank exchange rate and offering you a rate below that, so that they themselves take the difference. For instance, if the euro is at 1.20 and you get 1.18, that means the bureau de change is taking 2 cents from you. This is normal practice. Commission though is when you charged on top of this, which is absolutely outrageous and should be avoided like George Osborne avoids pasties.

4. Are there alternatives?

You could of course use your debit card to pay for things in Mallorca. Oftentimes though, banks including NatWest and Santander charge a £1.50 fee every time you buy something in another country. Furthermore, they also charge you to withdraw cash from a machine. That can quickly add up!

There is also a similar predicament regarding credit cards. Most credit cards charge 3.0% when you use them abroad, which is equivalent to the rates you might get at a bank. Hence, although they are convenient, they can be costly too.

If you need to transfer more than £5,000 to Mallorca, contact us at foreign exchange specialist Pure FX for the best exchange rates and industry-beating personal guidance. We’d be delighted to help.

Many UK citizens have decided to simply avoid winter at home altogether, instead opting for warmer shores or at least just a change of scenery. The Canary Islands and the Algarve are a popular setting for elderly and retired people, while the younger generation are looking for more thrilling experiences.

The hot temperatures sure are attractive, but many people have opted for places just as cold as Britain over the winter period. Some people choose New York in anticipation of the New Years Eve celebrations, others take their families to Lapland to visit the home of Santa Clause and couple enjoy romantic city breaks in historic cities like Paris and Vienna.

If you are thinking of a winter break then it might be worth thinking about alternatives to typical accommodation as they tend to charge a high price at that time of the year. Consider the likes of Wimdu, there you will find a host of genuine homeowners and quaint hotel owners who are offering their homes up for rent for short periods. This method means that you cutting out the middleman whose cuts often adds a couple hundred onto the price of room rental.
Imagine where you could be to enjoy the festive period this year. No more will you have to put up with the cold in the same scenery or even put up with the cold at all if you choose not to.

There are plenty of quaint holiday resorts along the Costa Blanca but Alicante is by far the biggest attraction as it provides landmarks such as the Santa Barbara Castle which looks down on the city upon Mount Benacantil. The city has plenty of modern attributes but they blend exquisitely with the historic features which together create a terrific ambience.

As you make your way through the modern promenade, Explanada de Espana, you can enjoy the stunning marble walkway which has a perimeter of palm trees to guide you. After why not visit the Barrio de la Santa Cruz which is the old quarter of the city where you can explore the narrow streets and walls which lead from the Santa Barbara Castle itself.

Sightseeing on any holiday can be draining and few more so than on the south coast of Spain with its relentless hot temperatures. Choose from one of the many top class restaurants in the city that allow you to enjoy the fresh cuisine served around the coast.

If you are interested in seeing what the rest of the Costa Blanca has to offer it may be worthwhile considering car hire in Alicante. This way you can travel north along the coast to visit Benidorm or travel south and experience Torrevieja. There are plenty more nearby towns to explore if you are looking for a more typically Spanish holiday resort for the day.
Once you land in Alicante you will find it tough to leave if only for a day. The scenery alone is something that will never tire of when looking out from your balcony in the morning, whether that is facing out onto the Mediterranean Sea or natural sculpted landscape of Spain.

Spend A Day At The Beach

This should go without saying, but spending an entire day at Alcudia Bay will be one of your best yet. Alcudia Bay is the best known beach in Alcudia and as long as you remember to stay safe in the sun, you can enjoy a fun-filled family day, from experiencing a beautiful sun-rise in the morning to an even more gorgeous sun-set. The bay is surrounded by hotels and pubs which are child friendly and offer delicious treats and areas for families to take a break from the warm Mediterranean waters and sun.

Go Wild At Amusement Parks

If you fancy yourself to be a bit of a water-baby, then the Hidropark is for you. The park is filled to the brim with slides and chutes for different ages, six swimming pools and wave pools, and even an infant pool for the youngest members of the family. For some family competition, there’s a super-golf course of 54 holes next door and if your travel insurance allows it, you can try out some Racing Passion Karting within the Bellevue hotel complex nearby. For those who are daring enough, you can try your hand at racing your kart under flood-lights at night, as they are open at night.

Go Back in Time

Explore the medieval villages to the north of the island. In these villages, you’ll find plenty to keep you occupied including souvenir shopping and wine tasting (these wines have been made from grapes harvested in the same vineyards since Romans times). Save some money by buying directly from the artisan, or watch glass-blowers as they expertly craft amazing pieces of glass art in front of your eyes.

However what may come as a surprise is quite how many cruise liners visit the island each year and the range of cruise brands that stop in the port of Palma on Med cruises.

If you have never thought of family cruises before the following information is just a snippet of some of the benefits that a cruise offers over other more traditional family holidays.

No flights – the minute you leave Southampton or another dock your holiday begins, so forget worrying about lost luggage, and keep the kids amusing on a long flight, the holiday starts the moment you step on-board.

Most larger cruise liners have a wide range of facilities on-board, some brands; like NCL provide a creche for babies, a kids club for those ages 3 – 11 and a teen club for the older kids. Others have a range of activity programmes for children ages 2- 17 as well as laying on early evening dining for kids and a baby sitting service for mums and dads. This is all in addition to swimming pools, bowling, cinema and other activities to keep everyone occupied.

There are a range of cruise lines that sail around the coast of Spain and stop at Majorca, these generally last for between 1 and 2 weeks making them ideal for a short break or summer holiday. If you are looking to explore this area of the Mediterranean and take in a few places on your holiday then this is the best way to see Spain. What better way to see places like Barcelona, Palma, Ibiza all in one stress free go.

If the idea of 2 weeks sounds two much you can even get taster cruises now meaning you can explore whether cruising is the right holiday choice for your family. Mini cruises last for 24 hours only and sail from Spain back to the UK.

With each cultural change, the economy of Majorca grew and flourished, becoming known around the world for its fine wine, olives and olive oil products. In 1891 the vineyards and olive groves were decimated by disease, forcing a major emigration of the residents to Spain and to the Americas. Because of this agricultural tragedy, and because of its mild winters and sunny summers, the island reinvented itself into the major tourist destination that it is today.

Most visitors arrive in Majorca via the Aeropuerto de Son Sant Joan, in the capital city of Palma. Located on the south coast of the island, this major seaport on the Bay of Palma plays host to luxury cruise ships from all over the world. Palma is famous for its huge cathedral called La Seu or the Cathedral of Santa Maria de Palma which was built in the Catalan Gothic style, taking almost 400 years to complete. A stroll behind the Cathedral reveals the narrow streets and walkways of the Old City, including some private homes that are open as galleries for the public to enjoy. Palma is also known as a starting point for road cycling events which run from the southern beaches to the mountains in the north of the island.

A short drive along the coast, to the northwest, is the port town of Soller. Built on the profits from its orange and lemon trade, the town is especially famous for the Orange Express tramway which links the town of Soller to the Port de Soller. Dramatically flanked by a lighthouse on each side of the Bay, Soller is a welcome retreat for visitors longing for luxurious, sandy beaches combined with an interesting assortment of bars, restaurants and shops.

An especially peaceful retreat is located just beyond Soller at the Monastir de Lluc or Luke’s Monastery. Lluc was a 13th century shepherd boy who found a statue of the Virgin Mary in his pasture. He dutifully took the statue to the local priest, but the next day the statue was found in its original pastoral spot. This happened several times, until construction of a chapel was started at the site. The Monastir of Lluc still functions as a monastery today where visitors can dine in the cafe or rent a monk’s cell for the night.

A little further north is the picturesque town of Deia, perched on a hill overlooking the crystal blue waters of Deia Cove. Long known as a haven for international expatriates, Deia is the perfect place for people looking for literary, musical and artistic inspiration. It has been said that Deia embodies the essence of all that is exquisite, enjoyable and enticing in the Mediterranean paradise of Majorca.

If you are coming to Majorca on a holiday then villa holidays are extremely popular and can be cost effective with a wide range of different types across the island, from quite villas in majorca in the peaceful north of the island near Alcudia to villas on the coast in the more lively south of the island.

Personal health insurance that covers you for things here in the UK doesn’t often cover you when you’re abroad even for emergency treatment, and unfortunately many people have been caught out this way. If you think yours might cover you then do make certain of it.

Of course there’s more to travel insurance than just covering you for health incidents too. It can also cover things like personal liability if you’re sued for injuring someone else or damaging property, lost or stolen possessions, cancellation of your holiday, or having to cut your trip short. In short, it’s important to have even if you already have good health insurance that does cover you abroad.

There are a few things to make certain of when you take out your insurance however. If you’re planning on partaking in activities such as jet skiing, or climbing these aren’t always covered as standard so you’ll need to make sure that you’re covered for them. The same applies if you have any underlying health conditions – make sure you declare them to the insurer or when you need it, you could find your claim invalidated if you haven’t done so.

Single holiday insurance is what most of us go for – it covers just one trip abroad to a single location. However, if you travel more than once a year, it’s worth also looking at annual insurance to see if this could offer you the same security when you travel, but at a lower cost. Generally speaking if you travel three or more times then annual travel insurance usually works out cheaper, but if you’ve got two holidays planned, it can be worth looking to see which option will be cheapest for you.

Lots of companies offer insurance for people travelling to Majorca, and if you get quotes from lots of different companies then you can see what each policy offers and how much it will cost you. Some companies you could look at include:

• American Express
  Columbus Insurance
  Worldwide Insurance

These are just three of the many available, and sites like kelkoo can help you to find a wide variety of different insurers.

There are many things to keep you interested while staying in Alcudia; on a Tuesday and Sunday the market will be open which brings a certain atmosphere with it. If you are looking for more historical tourist areas you could go and visit the Roman ruins of the Ciudad Romana. Also you could visit the church of Saint Jaume. There is plenty to see and do here if you are interested in tourist spots.

If you are looking for some high quality restaurants Alcudia is the place to be; the mix of Mallorcan/Spanish/Mediterranean food will ensure you have an authentic experience while on the island. These restaurants can be a little on the pricey side whoever it is worth trying one of them during your stay.

The transport links to other towns are good; however watch out for the traffic come market days as it can get rather busy.

However you decide to spend your holiday in Alucdia you are sure to trip and will want to visit again.

Alcudia is one of the most popular destinations in Europe, largely down to the number of cheap holiday deals that are readily available, so if you’re looking for reasons to visit this town in the Balearic Islands, read on and find out more:

Sunshine

Alcudia gets over 300 days of sunshine due to its location in the Med, which makes it a haven for those who want to get a tan whilst on holiday. Temperatures can hit 30°C in the summer months, so you’re guaranteed to get some colour – it just depends how much sun cream you use to determine if you’ll come back looking like a lobster or with a golden brown tan.

Hidropark

The water park in Alcudia will be one of the best days out of your holiday; as there is so much on offer in the one place. There are 15 slides including kamikaze slides, multi racing slides, parallel twisting slides and a huge spiral chute. Add in 3 pools: the children’s pool, a beachside pool and the wave pool, and there’s a day out to cater for everyone, regardless of how daring you are feeling.

Also, they now offer ‘snuba’ courses; similar to scuba diving only your breathing apparatus is kept outside the water, with air fed through a long pipe whilst you dive. If you don’t fancy getting wet, then there’s paintball, mini golf, giant floating spheres and bungee jumps.

Water sports at the beach

Puerto Alcúdia beach is the main stretch of sand in Alcudia, where you can take part in all different water sports, available for a negotiable fee with the beach vendors. There are banana boats, doughnuts, pedalos, jet skis and parasailing; where you can take in stunning views of the island from up in the air, with none of the noise from the beach around you.

Alcudia old town

Not everything has to be about getting soaked while you’re on holiday, so check out Alcudia old town for something different. Once the capital of Mallorca in Roman times, with many of the structures built by the Romans still in place today, the narrow streets of the old town are now home to cafes, restaurants and bars, along with shops and stalls selling souvenirs and clothing. There are guided tours of the town every Wednesday, starting from the tourist office.

Segway tours of Alcudia

What better way to explore the island than on a motorised scooter? There are guided tours on a Segway available in the old town, where you will first be shown how to ride one, then taken round to see the sights on a standing scooter capable of zooming round at 12mph. You’ll have fun trying to get used to using them, with prices being around 35€ per hour, although this may be negotiable.

Marineland Majorca

Marineland is near Magaluf, and will take about 50 minutes by car to get there, but will definitely be worth the trip. There are daily shows with dolphins and sea lions, an aquarium with sharks and tropical fish, and a special area for penguins. There is also an exotic bird show, with talking parrots, along with a tropical area containing lizards, snakes and crocodiles.

Marineland is also home to a children’s water park with a pirate ship and a few small slides, so there’s plenty to keep everyone entertained for the day.

Roman town of Pollentia

Situated on the boundaries of Alcudia, Pollentia is an old city built by the Romans which today is open to the public for tours to explore remains of the Roman Empire. The tour takes you around the forum, the amphitheatre and a museum showing artefacts that have been discovered during excavations of the area including jewellery, glassware and ceramics.

The tour costs just 3€, so is a cheap day out if you want to get some great photos.

Bullfighting ring

The bullfighting ring in Alcudia stages mock bull fights, where people can enjoy the shows without the brutality of a real battle. The arena is also used a concert venue, so check event listings to see if there’s anything worth seeing while you’re on holiday.

There are plenty of other things to do, such as boat trips arranged from the beach, or simply head out into the town and have a wander around the shops, take in the sights and just enjoy being off work!

Written by travelsupermarket.com, who offer great deals on all inclusive holidays