Photo by Tomas Lipps
Walk the Walls Tour
March 25-April 02 2012
The Balearic Islands-Mallorca and Menorca-Spain
Our trip to Mallorca and Menorca will catch the majestic Tramuntana mountains in full spring bloom and we will stay away from the overdeveloped coastal resorts to discover the other world of Mallorca seldom seen by tourists. We will follow the Ruta de Pedra en Sec, the dry stone way (approx. 300k.), the old cobbled paths and ancient bridle ways of the northwestern massif of limestone, that tumbles down to the turquoise waters of the Mediterranean Sea. We will walk this magnificent landscape of valleys and cascading streams through citrus groves, olive terraces and forests of Holm oak. Along these paths that once linked Mallorca's isolated villages, we pass dry stone huts, threshing circles, walls, lime kilns, byres, stiles and bread ovens.
Tentatively we will stay at an "agrotourism" finca, an old farm home/hotel, and at a 17th Century monastery at Lluc, that boasts a choral group singing each evening, and the song of a nightingale to lull us to sleep.
We will hike the " Pilgrims Way", the "Archduke's Walk" -- all traditional wall walks and visit a "marger school" for stone wall construction.
The second half of the tour we will spend in Menorca, a UNESCO designated Biosphere Reserve known for its collection of megalithic stone monuments dating from the second millennium, B.C. Menorca is a less developed and a more pastoral landscape than Mallorca. In every field on the island, thousands of metres of dry stone walls protect the topsoil from eroding, shelter the olive tree roots and keep livestock from the strong Tramuntana winds.
Absorb yourself in the Mediterranean landscape, home to vultures, ferrets and 100 species of plants...enjoy the music, the food and the traditions of the region. John Shaw-Rimmington and Patrick McAfee are familiar with the islands and will share their knowledge and experiences with us.The Walk the Walls portion of the tour and the flight portion are priced separately so those wishing to make their own travel plans to and from our destination may do so. Debbie at the Travel Broker can help you with your plans. We are designing this tour for the hikers, walkers or wanderers. Our itinerary will be as casual as possible.Our goal is to introduce the culture, the history, the ecology and for many, to connect with the stones of our past!Costs and Dates:
Mallorca and Menorca, Spain-March 25-April 02 . Cost $ 2589.00 taxes included. (based on double occupancy) Flight from Toronto to Palma return approx.
$1,300.00 dependent on booking time. (Please note: if you choose to travel with our group from Toronto we will depart the evening of March 24 arriving in Spain on March 25, depart Spain April 03, arrive Canada April 03)
Space is limited, please book a.s.a.p.
For travel information please contact Debbie Lloyd CTC, The Travel Broker, atdeblloyd@the travelbroker.ca or 613 389 7914 or 888 830 5324. For general tour information contact:
Margot Miller, <margotm@1000island.net>or 613 659 3415 or <http://www.dswac.ca>
For travel information please contact Debbie Lloyd CTC, The Travel Broker, atdeblloyd@the travelbroker.ca or 613 389 7914 or 888 830 5324. For general tour information contact:
Margot Miller, <margotm@1000island.net>or 613 659 3415 or
