Targeta Verda
The Targeta Verda was launched in 2004 www.targetaverda.com and entitles carholders to discounts at many tourist sights, restaurants and shops across the Balearic islands.

The card can be bought by anyone for (10 euros) at most hotels, newsagents, post offices and the airport across the Balearics.

Proceeds from the card go towards environmental projects – the most important of which being the Parc Natural de S’Albufera.

Time In Majorca
Mallorca like mainland Spain runs to the same time as most of western Europe GMT/UTC plus one hour during winter and GMT/UTC plus 2 hours during daylight saving time (last Sunday in March to last Sunday in October).

In comparison the UK, Ireland, Portugal and Canary Islands are one hour behind mainland Spain. This means there is no jetlag coming from the UK to Alcudia making it a great destination to visit on holiday.

Calling home
To call Majorca the international dialling code is 00 followed by the code for Spain 34

Within Spain you must always dial the full area code, all numbers have 9 digits and most begin with 9 (some in Palma begin with 8)

Mobile numbers begin with 8 and numbers starting with 900 are national toll free. Numbers 901 to 905 come with different conditions. 902 is a common number which is a national standard rate number.

Posting home
The postal service in Spain is Correos www.correos.es and is generally reliable the cost for sending a postcard or package up to 20g back to the UK will cost less than 1euro (0.58euros) to post to the rest of the world costs (0.78euros). Post office hours across the island are generally 8am to 2pm Monday to Friday and you can buy postage stamps at most tobacconists (look out for Tabacos signs).

Child Friendly
Discounts are available to children generally under 12 years of age on public transport and childrens under 4 go free.

Whilst Majorca is very child friendly don’t rely on restaurants in Alcudia to have high chairs to hand or baby changing facilities, this should be considered the exception rather then the norm.

Also if you are planning on hiring a car in advance it is advisable to book car seats for children if you need them. Again don’t expect to automatically be given them.

Business hours
Most of Majorca works Monday to Friday from 9am to 1.30pm and again from 4.30pm for another 3 hours. Shops are usually open similar hours but whereas larger department stores will be open from 9 – 9 Monday to Saturday.

Museums have different opening hours so it is worth checking in advance to save any disappointment,

Insurance
UK residents as well as anyone that is part of the EU can obtain a European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) prior to visiting Majorca. This card is available from UK post offices and health centres. It will cover you for most medical care, however it will not cover you for non emergencies.

However it is highly advisable to take out additional health insurance if you are visiting Majorca which will cover you for ever possible scenario.

Heat stroke
Heat exhaustion can be a real possibility in the summer when temperatures are very high so make sure that you drink plenty of fluids and make sure that your urine is pale in colour and not dark as this is an indication that you are dehydrated.

If you are suffering from heat exhaustion drink plenty of fluids and aim to replace lost salts with additional salt intake in food.

Water
Tap water is safe to drink but doesn’t taste particularly nice and can give you an upset stomach. There are lots of shops that sell cheap bottled water – most of coming from the Serra de Tramuntana.