I spent a few days in Majorca one August, and I’ve always heard that it’s lovely in the fall. So when this guest post arrived about the Autumn Olive Festival in the village of Caimari, I was very intrigued to learn more about what the cultural happenings in this beautiful island.
As the days get shorter, the idea of a holiday in the sun becomes more tempting and what could be nicer than a foodie break in the beautiful island of Majorca? Running from November 10th-14th, the Autumn Olive Festival is held in the resort village of Caimari, situated in the foothills of the Serra de Tramuntana mountains. Olives are a huge part of the economy of many Mediterranean countries and the Balearics are no exception. This festival celebrates the autumn harvest of olives and those attending have an unrivalled opportunity to taste olives, olive oil and other local products such as the lovely figs that grow locally. Caimari is a lovely little place and easy to reach, being just off the main road that runs the length of the island.
How to get there
Although the season proper has ended by the middle of November, flights to Majorca are still frequent from several UK airports. Be sure to check out online what deals are available from all the usual sites such as Thomas Cook, First Choice, Thomson or possible even any others that you might use frequently. Flying from any London airport gives you a choice of over fifteen different lines so there will be something to suit everyone as far as schedule and price go. If you are planning a short trip to the Autumn Olive Festival and intend to stay in Caimari itself this is simple to arrange because there are numerous apartments and villas there and the airport is only seventeen miles away so the taxi ride will be short and not expensive. An important thing to remember is that the village is not near a beach, being a mountain resort and so hiring a car might be wise – many of the rentals have a pool though so if the weather is warm enough – 17 degrees Celsius is a typical November temperature but it is often hotter than this – a swim is still possible.
Things to do
Caimari is very quiet and there are spectacular walks in the foothills of the Tramuntana Mountains if you are a keen walker. Otherwise, the island, although the largest of the Balearics, is small enough to make anywhere accessible without too long a drive. Because flights are usually inexpensive (less than £100 return is very much the norm) and rentals are also cheap, hiring a car is within even a low holiday budget and it would be a shame to visit this beautiful island and not look around as much as time permits. The architecture is well worth paying attention to, being very Moorish in its influence and there are also many archaeological features to explore.
Great food
There is no shortage of snacks to indulge in while travelling around. The ‘signature’ food of the island is the olive of course, but the rice dish arros brut (a kind of paella) is very popular as is the sweet yeasty pastry ensaïmada, which doesn’t really have a British equivalent but is totally delicious and which is enjoyed all over the island. Majorca is a great place for anyone interested in local food, but never more so than during the Autumn Olive Festival.
