Combine beach, mild climate, and Christmas in the Balearic Islands
Just a few days ago I gave some tips for people visiting Madrid and Barcelona in Christmas. Those cities are a cool destination for somebody who wants to travel this time of the year, but what would you say about an island? what about enjoying the holidays in the Balearic Islands’ mild climate? That’s really cool !!
And for those who are visiting Majorca, Minorca, Ibiza or Formentera here are some tips and info about what to do.
The Balearic Islands combine tradition and modernity in singular ways. From early December, churches, town halls and shopping centres exhibit monumental nativity scenes, a tradition that can be traced back to thirteenth-century Italy and took root in the second half of the eighteenth century. December 3 is the feast day of Sant Francesc Xavier, Formentera’s patron saint, which coincides with hog slaughtering and the preparation of products to be consumed during the holidays and throughout the winter.
If you want to enjoy a guided itinerary of Palma’s Nativity Scenes, get in contact with the Centro de Itinerarios Turísticos and book your place (Days: 14th and 28th december- 17.00 h). The itinerary includes a Christmas Carols concert at the chapel of San Lorenzo.
Centro de Itinerarios Turísticos, C/ de Sant Domingo 11, Palma
Monday to Friday from 10 am to 6 pm. Saturdays from 10 am to 2 pm.
Tel:+34 971 720 720, +34 636 430 000
Fax: +34 971 720 721
E-mail: itinerariosculturales@caib.es
Christmas Markets also grow everywhere around this time of the year in the Balearic Islands. Almost each town has one, such as the Christmas Art Fair at the beginning of the month in Sant Lluís and the Christmas Fairs in Mahon, Ciutadella and Ferreries.
On December 24, churches around Mallorca celebrate the midnight mass that features the apocalyptic Cant de la Sibil·la, which dates back to the tenth century in Catalonia and was brought over to the islands when they were conquered by James I in 1229.
The following day is Christmas Day, a day when all the families get together and enjoy a big lunch with dishes such as sopa rellena (large pasta shells stuffed with minced meat in a chicken broth); turkey, chicken or roast suckling pork star as the main dishes. Christmas sweets, such as homemade tablets of turron wafers and blocks of turron, are not lacking either. Other culinary traditions such as salsa de Nadal (a stock-based dish with sweet and savoury ingredients) in Ibiza and llet d’ametla (almond milk) on Mallorca’s central plain can also be found. Menorca stages a performance of its traditional Christmas pageant, Els pastorells, every year. The day after Christmas, Boxing Day, is traditionally a secular holiday, yet one that is just as popular and family reunions continue with visits to members who were not seen the day before.
The last day of the year, San Silvestre, coincides with the Festa de l’Estendart, which commemorates King James I’s entry into the city of Palma in 1229 and a number of related acts and events take place in the morning.
On January 5, the eve of Epiphany, The Three Wise Men (Reyes Magos) visit all the islands bringing presents for children.
