SUSTAINABILITY NEWS

Menorca expands biosphere reserve

Menorca recently expanded its biosphere reserve following the approval of UNESCO at the International Coordination Council in Paris. The biosphere was extended from 71,191 hectares to 514, 485 hectares thanks to the incorporation of the marine zone that surrounds the island, from the coast up to 12 miles inland. The expansion of the biosphere highlights Menorca's efforts to develop the island into a sustainable tourism destination and to reinstall balance between human and environmental activity. www.menorca.es; www.illesbalears.travel

Formentera to limit number of vehicles on the island from July

Starting on July 1st until August 30th, the local government of Formentera will be introducing a limit on the number of vehicles allowed onto the island. A maximum of 12,450 vehicles per day will be given access to Formentera from including 2,700 hire cars, 7,000 hired motorbikes, 220 cars and 20 motorcycles for the residents of Ibiza, and 2,280 cars and 230 motorcycles for private use. Travellers wishing to rent a motorcycle for the day and visit Formentera, will have to take out a special permit, which will be given only if the daily limit has not been reached. The restrictions have been introduced as part of the local government's efforts to protect the environment and reduce Co2 emissions on the island. www.formentera.eco

Ferry company Baleària introduces the Mediterranean's first ferry powered by natural gas

The 'Hypatia de Alejandria' created by Balearic ferry company Baleària recently became the first 'smart ship' in the Mediterranean 100% powered by natural gas. The introduction of the passenger ferry, which travels from Barcelona to Palma, marks an important step being taken by organisations in the Balearic Islands to reduce their impact on the environment and preserve the ocean surrounding the islands. www.balearia.com

GASTRO NEWS  

'Chefs In' launches 'Hidden Kitchen' experiences in Palma

'Hidden Kitchen' is a new dining concept recently launched by leading gastronomic organisation 'Chefs In' in Palma. The concept invites guests to a lunch or dinner in secret locations located across the city including music venues, shops, and tourist sites. Meals are prepared by some of the best chefs on the island of Mallorca and feature traditional cuisine made with fresh locally sourced ingredients. Diners can watch the chefs prepare the food and have a go at making a few dishes themselves. The experience caters for up to 16 people and is priced from 200EUR per person including entrance to the venue, the food, the show cooking and unlimited wine. www.chefsin.com

New gourmet burger restaurant opens in Palma

Can Frasquet, a new gourmet burger place overseen by Chef Simon Petutschnig of FERA restaurant opened last month in the centre of Palma. Located on Calle Orfila, steps away from Sant Nicolau Church, the restaurant offers artisan burgers made with organic beef, fresh breads, homemade sauces, and fresh hand cut fries. Chef Petutschnig has created an innovative burger menu including gourmet vegan and veggie burgers. https://www.facebook.com/canfrasquet/

Atzaro Beach relaunches with a new look and concept

Beach club restaurant Atzaro Beach, located on the beach of Cala Nova in the north-east of Ibiza has relaunched this year with a new look and concept. The extensive interior and exterior refurbishment, spearheaded by Atzaro Design, the group's in-house interiors team, is pared-back with a super-relaxed authentic mood reminiscent of 70s boho Balearic style. The new look is designed to be in harmony with the environment and combines natural woods, rattan and straw, terracotta pots, an abundance of local plants, cacti and palms. There is also a new food menu featuring healthy dishes made from locally sourced ingredients. www.atzaro.com

Chef Santi Taura takes over new restaurant in Palma

Chef Santi Taura is set to be the new chef at soon-to-open hotel El Lorenc Park del Mar in Palma. Santi Taura is an artisan chef and one of several innovative young Mallorcan chefs who have turned the island's traditional cuisine into world-leading gastronomy. The menu created by Chef Santi Taura will offer guests an exceptional gastronomic experience inspired by the traditional cuisine of the islands and made with locally sourced ingredients. The hotel is bookable through www.mallorcantonic.com

Sant Francesc Hotel in Palma announces rooftop restaurant pop-up 'CO CA CO NE TA'

Luxury hotel Sant Francesc located in the heart of Palma has teamed up with Maria Solivellas – one of Mallorca most famous chefs – to launch a one-off rooftop pop-up restaurant called 'CO CA TO NE TA' available from May until October 2019. Guests will be able to experience the chefs delicious seasonal Mallorcan dishes on a stylish rooftop location, complete with unbeatable views of the old city. The menu will include specialties such as Almond soup with pear and mackerel, squid noodles and aioli, and Coca (Mallorcan type of Pizza). www.hotelsantfrancesc.com

HOTEL NEWS

Contemporary hotel opens in renovated historic building in the heart of Palma

The Balearic capital, Palma, has welcomed a new four-star hotel called the Ca N'Alexandre-Turismo De Interior Hotel Palma de Mallorca in Plaza Alexandre Jaume, a prime location in Palma's picturesque Old Town. Located in a beautiful 20th century historical building that was once the home of Alexandre Jaume - a famous Mallorcan politician who was shot during the Spanish civil war - the hotel is today being run by his great-granddaughters, upkeeping the family name. The property features 23 rooms, stylishly decorated with traditional influences with bespoke fabrics, lamp shades and furniture pieces. Each room boasts stunning views of the garden below or city. The hotel has a restaurant, a bar and a sun terrace with panoramic views of the city scape. A one-night stay in hotel is priced from £111 based on two adults sharing on a room-only basis. www.can-alexandre.hotels-of-mallorca.com/en.

New boutique hotel opens in Soller, Mallorca

Soller Plaza is the latest hotel to open in the coastal city of Soller in Mallorca. The new property occupies a prime position on the lively square in the old town of picturesque Soller in the Tramuntana area. Built in a historic building that dates to the end of the 19th century, the hotel was restored preserving the original character to offer comfort, style and elegance to guests. The hotel boasts three types of rooms: junior suite, superior rooms and standard rooms. The junior suite and superior rooms offer stunning views of the village square and are more spacious. Two nights staying in a standard double room are priced from £195 based on two adults sharing. www.hotelsollerplaza.com

Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa tackles single-use plastics

Jumeirah Port Soller Hotel and Spa is tackling single-use plastics, reducing its plastic consumption by completely replacing its use of plastic water bottles with 100% recyclable tetra bricks made of FSC carton and vegetable caps as well as crystal bottles, refillable with filtered water. The hotel will also implement a biomass boiler as a main source of power and will also offer two generic electric plugs to its two existing Tesla charging points to support electric vehicle hire. www.jumeirah.com / bookable through www.mallorcatonic.com

Amare Beach Hotel due to open in Ibiza

Located in San Antonio Bay in Ibiza, the soon-to-open adults-only Amare Beach Hotel is the ideal option for those looking to enjoy a tranquil holiday soaking up the rays. The hotel is situated right on the beach front of the picturesque Bou Cove with direct access to a dock. The luxurious property has 300 rooms that combine a contemporary and fresh décor with breath-taking views of the Mediterranean. Featuring a range of amenities including three swimming pools, a gym and relaxing beauty and wellness treatments, the hotel has a little something to offer all types of guests. One night at the hotel staying in a standard double room is priced from €180 based on two adults sharing on a room-only basis. www.amarehotels.com

New wave of cuisine comes to Ibiza this summer with Levantine restaurant at Mikasa

Mikasa, a 16-bedroom boutique hotel known for its stunning panoramic views overlooking the iconic UNESCO site of Dalt Vila, has opened its roof terrace for evening chill-out sessions with cocktails and tapas. From the terrace guests can overlook the glittering waters of Marina Botafoch as the sun sets while sipping on cocktails and indulging in a selection of traditional tapas before descending to the onsite Levantine restaurant. The menu promises a journey that transports guests into the very heart of the bustling medinas found on the southeast corner of the Mediterranean. Start with smoked aubergine topped with pomegranate and parsley, which is well followed with the indulgent saffron flavoured muscles. Double rooms at Mikasa start from €200 per night based on two people sharing. www.mikasaibiza.com

BLESS Hotel Ibiza opens its doors inspired by Coco Chanel

BLESS Hotel Ibiza, the new hotel from BLESS Collection Hotels opened its doors in Ibiza on 13 June. Located in Cala Nova, one of the most exclusive areas of the White Isle, the hotel opens with the seal of the prestigious collection; The Leading Hotels of the World, featuring 151 rooms with breathtaking Mediterranean sea views and a varied range of restaurants, a spa, two infinity pools and a vermouth bar. One of the property's highlights is ETXEKO Ibiza by Martín Berasategui, the only chef in Spain with 10 Michelin stars. Berasategui's first Ibiza venture, ETXEKO Ibiza brings the flavours of the Basque country to the Ibiza shores.

With a design theme inspired by the uniqueness and authenticity of Coco Chanel. The formal, casual and simple style of this international fashion figure blends with the local character of Ibiza, with inspirations from the French blue coast and the Italian Riviera, to give rise to unique spaces in which black and white combine with other tones and textures typical of the fashion world, as well as surprising contemporary decorative elements.

https://www.blesscollectionhotels.com/en/ibiza/bless-hotel-ibiza

CULTURAL

Palma Cathedral rooftop re-opens to the public

From May until October 2019, Palma's iconic La Seu Cathedral will launch guided visits along the building's rooftop. Visitors will be able to learn about the history of the stunning cathedral whilst taking in spectacular panoramic views of the city of Palma and the ocean in the distance. www.catedraldemallorca.org/es/visitas-terrazas; https://www.illesbalears.travel/experience/en/mallorca/palma-from-the-sky-the-cathedral-terraces

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For more information on what to see and do in the Balearic Islands, please visit https://www.illesbalears.travel/en/baleares/

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