DESTINATION NEWS  

Formentor in Mallorca to go car-free in July and August

In July and August 2018, the road that connects Formentor Beach and the Formentor lighthouse in northern Mallorca will be closed to cars between 9.30 and 19.00. The restriction has been implemented in a bid to reduce car use in line with the Balearic Islands sustainability objectives. A regular shuttle bus will be running from Port de Pollença to the lighthouse and the road will still be accessible to cyclists. www.infomallorca.net

Santa Eulària des Riu town centre to become car-free

To make the town centre of Santa Eulària more comfortable and enjoyable for visitors and residents, and giving a nod to the islands sustainability objectives, the town council of Santa Eulària has developed a two-phase project to make it a car-free area. The first phase started in spring 2017 and the second phase is planned to be completed by spring 2019. The new network of streets and squares makes it easy for pedestrians to walk to shops, restaurants, the beach and the promenade within a mostly car-free neighbourhood. www.visitsantaeulalia.com

The beach of Cala Llonga becomes accessible to visitors with mobility issues

Cala Llonga beach in Santa Eulària has been certified with the Universal Accessibility ISO 170001. This means that the beach is fully accessible for people with mobility issues, from the parking area to the sea. There is also a service of assisted bathing with amphibious wheelchairs and crutches. www.visitsantaeulalia.com

Free Wi-Fi for beach users in Santa Eulària  

From May 2018 those visiting the beach of Santa Eulària will be eligible for free Wi-Fi. To log on, all visitors will have to do is to register their details. The plan is to roll out this service across further beaches across the municipality in due course. www.visitsantaeulalia.com

Emoto launches in Mallorca

A company called Emoto has launched in Mallorca – the first company to rent electric scooters called 'unu' on the island. The 'unu' scooters from Germany, can travel up to 100 kilometres based on a dualbattery capacity and offer a cleaner and more sustainable way of getting around the island. Emoto has a network of battery exchange stations in restaurants, cafes and attractions across the island where clients can swap their battery for a fully charged one. The scooters can be hired from one of 25 hotels across Mallorca at a daily rate of €39.50. The scooters can also be booked through www.mallorcantonic / www.unumotors.com

New shopping centre opens in Magaluf, Mallorca

A new shopping centre called the Momentum Plaza Mall by Melia Hotels International has opened in Magaluf. The plaza complements the new Calvia Beach The Plaza Hotel and has been opened as part of the Balearic Islands tourism strategy to boost the out-of-season offering to visitors. The centre will include superior-quality shops such as Mango, Springfield and Women's Secret, as well bars and restaurants such as Starbucks, Urban Food and the Good Burger. www.meliahotelsinternational.com

HOTEL NEWS

Hotel Can Mostatxins opens new extension in Alcudia, Mallorca

Luxury property Hotel Can Mostatxins located in northern Mallorca in Alcudia is set to welcome a new extension called Hotel Can Mostatxins: Frare Boutique Hotel. The new hotel will feature eight superior rooms, two executive rooms and one two-room suite. The hotel was built in 1882 and boasts high ceilings, a grand central staircase and is decorated with early Spanish Modernist features. Guests will also be able to enjoy an on-site pool, a Champagne bar and a restaurant serving traditional Mallorcan food. The hotel can be booked through: www.mallorcantonic.com / www.hotelcanmostatxins.com

Puro launches new wellness concept at Puro Hotel Palma, Mallorca   

New for summer 2018, Puro Group has launched a series of wellness experiences at the Purohotel located in the heart of Palma. The experience will offer guests an exclusive wellness circuit including a hydrotherapy shower, a caldarium steam bath (a type of steam room), an ice fountain, laconium sauna and chromotherapy lodge (light therapy) designed for relaxation and revitalisation. A one-night stay at Purohotel starts from €120 per room on a B&B basis. Spa treatments starts from €45 per person. www.purohotel.com

Pikes welcomes new cocktail bar and first ever literary festival  

The famous Pikes hotel in Ibiza has recently launched a new Mescal-based cocktail bar. The bar, called Room 39 Curiosity Shoppe, will stay open until 4am, offers panoramic views over the swimming pool, and is filled with artefacts collected from around the world, which are available for sale. The bespoke cocktail menu includes delights such as 'Old Man's poison', and the mescal and tobacco syrup infused 'Captain of the Night'.

From 11 – 12 September 2018, Pikes will also be hosting its first ever literary festival with iconic names from the literary world including Irvine Walsh, John Niven and Tracy Thorn. The festival will include a stimulating panel discussion with readings from the authors, a creative writing advice panel and a 'Spoken Word' event with all three authors. www.pikesibiza.com 

Cugo Gran Menorca welcomes new head chef 

Luxury five-star agroturismo – Cugo Gran Menorca – has welcomed Roberto Sarrio as the hotel's new head chef. Prior to joining the team, Sarrio worked at Café Mares (Mahon), Es Moli de Foc (Sant Climent) and Lima Floral in London. His experience is reflected in his menu, which features several Menorcan dishes with a contemporary twist such as Caldereta 'menorquina' of red mullet and rabbit paella all made with ingredients sourced from the hotel's own kitchen. www.cugranmenorca.com

GASTRO NEWS

Social dining club at Ibiza Food Studio, Ibiza 

Pioneering world-renowned chef of Noma in Denmark Boris Buono is now offering a social dining club experience at the Ibiza Food Studio. The experience features starlit gastronomic interactive dinners at La Finca near San Joan in Ibiza. Guests will have the chance to learn from Buono himself as he will also be launching new one day cookery courses and residential retreats later this year (dates TBC). www.ibzfoodstudio.weebly.com

New vegan restaurant opens in Santa Gertrudis, Ibiza

A new vegan restaurant offering raw and plant-based cuisine has opened in Santa Gertrudis in Ibiza. Wild Beets is run by American Cliff Rubin who started the original Sejuiced in Benirras Beach ten years ago. The restaurant is open year-round and is set to be 'the' healthy island dinner destination in 2018. www.wildbeets.com

Wine tasting at Formentera vineyard Terramoll re-opens for the summer

Bodega Terramoll in Formentera has re-opened for the summer season offering visitors the chance to learn all about the island-produced wine – Terramoll. Guided visits at the winery include a tour of the vineyards and factory to learn about the wine-making process, as well as a wine and local produce tasting. The experience is priced from €15 per adult and €5 per child. www.terramoll.es

Crepes and healthy food eatery opens in Sant Francesc, Formentera

Can Pepito is one of the latest restaurants to open in the capital of Formentera, San Francesc. Serving a mixture of healthy dishes such as 'crepes' and fresh salads made from locally-sourced ingredients, the restaurant offers clients the option of eating in an intimate space in-doors or enjoying their dinner al-fresco on a terrace illuminated by candle-light. The restaurant is open from 6.30pm until 1.30am. www.capepitoformentera.com

New pizzeria opens in Sant Francesc, Formentera

A pizzeria called Margarita has recently opened on the Carrer Santa Maria in Sant Francesc offering a selection of heathy food, coffee and delicious pizza. The menu features a variety of pizzas with a selection of healthy toppings, perfect for travellers who want a light dinner option. All the produce is fresh, locally-sourced and chosen for its top Mediterranean quality. www.grupomargarita.com 

OTHER NEWS

Yoga Bed and Brunch with Ibiza Retreats

New for 2018, leading wellness and holistic retreats company Ibiza Retreats is launching a Yoga Bed and Brunch experience at Casa Lakshmi located three kilometres north of Cala Llonga on the east coast of Ibiza. The seven-night retreat is ideal for independent travellers wanting to practice yoga daily in beautiful surroundings in Ibiza, whilst being able to discover Ibiza without the pressures of joining a group retreat. Guests will meet in the morning for yoga and meditation, followed by a healthy brunch provided on the sunny deck of the casa. Guests will be able to enjoy treatments available at the retreat including massages, or relax by the outdoor pool located in an oasis of tranquillity. Prices available upon request www.ibizaretreats.com

British Airways to increase frequency to Balearic Islands this August  

British Airways has increased the number of flights to Palma and Ibiza with additional services scheduled to operate in August from London City Airport. The airline will also operate routes between the Balearic Islands and a range of regional airports including Manchester, Bristol, Edinburgh, Birmingham and London Stansted. www.ba.com

Club Golf Alcanada in Mallorca set to commence renovations

 Popular Mallorcan Club Golf Alcanada is set to undertake a renovation project to all its greens this winter and part of plans to further improve the course. The next step of the innovative project, which will see the course closing from 1 December 2018 to 28 February 2019, is to renovate and improve every green, repair cart paths, upgrade approximately 3,000-metre irrigation system, replace sand in all the bunkers and redesign the pro shop. www.golf-alcanada.com

For more information on what to see and do in the Balearic Islands, please visit http://www.illesbalears.travel/en/baleares/?utm_campaign=lotus&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=letterapril2018

-Ends-

Twitter @BalearicTour
Instagram @Turismoislasbaleares
http://www.illesbalears.travel/en/baleares/?utm_campaign=lotus&utm_medium=email&utm_source=newsletter&utm_content=letterapril2018