Mallorca has always had a mixed reputation. On one hand, it’s known for a ‘Germany away from Germany’ with German eateries, bars and shops everywhere, not to forget Magaluf, known for tourism of the wrong kind and of course drunken behaviour.

But when you look beyond that, Mallorca has so much more to offer. I have just come back from a weekend on the island and was pleasantly surprised. You can choose from a series of beautiful beaches (platjas) or smaller bays (callas), take a hike in the beautiful mountains that run through the island and visit quaint villages made of old stone houses. It also seems to be a paradise for roadbikes, there are cyclists everywhere.

 Car hire is a must and is cheap. I would definitely recommend driving up to the north-eastern part and there, situated between two bays and behind medieval walls, you’ll find one of the most beautiful towns: Alcudia.  It’s an hour’s drive from Palma and well worth the trip. In Alcudia, you’ll find many narrow, irregular and cobblestone streets, which offer a selection of souvenir shops, boutiques, restaurants and cafes.

On day 1 we spent the morning in Alcudia and headed to nearby Platja del Moro for the afternoon: a picture perfect long white sandy beach with turquoise waters. This was the perfect combination of sightseeing and afternoon relaxation. In the evening, we headed into Palma and ate our way through the various tapas bars in the old town.

On the second, we ventured out to Valldemossa in the morning, which is a really pretty rural town in the Tramuntana mountains of west Mallorca. It’s another place of ancient stone houses which are surrounded by green forests of olive trees. No wonder Chopin spent some time here and composed some of his beautiful pieces, inspired by these beautiful surroundings. A visit to his room, which is part of an old monastery, is a must.

In the afternoon, we drove a few minutes up north to Calla Deia which is a challenge to get to – through narrow roads on a steep hill but definitely worth it. Clear blue waters, perfect for swimming, although no beach but naturally beautiful.

I would recommend travelling to Mallorca for a weekend, especially in September when there are less tourists, the sea water is warm, the weather a perfect 28 degrees and the colours of the trees are already turning.