Sa Mina De San Cayetano

Description

For those of you who prefer Mallorca's rugged mountain landscape and villages that are steeped in tradition, this villa is perfectly positioned for you: The hiking area around the Lluc sanctuary can be easily reached, there are good views of the striking Gothic church that overlooks Selva, and the cars waiting in the car park that sits slightly below ground level are always ready to spring into action. Luggage in hand, a wide staircase leads you directly up to the well-maintained saltwater pool. This forms the "golden mean" – the perfect position between the two buildings that make up the property. Here you'll find folding chairs and sun loungers for when you fancy a little breather in the shade. Under the sleeping area's expansive flat roof, it is so easy for you (and yours) to make yourself comfortable on the well-padded rattan sofa, with shelter from the wind behind you and views over the lush greenery in front of you. Over in the outdoor kitchen, the BBQ can be safely fired up. With its knotty olive tree, plant tubs, bougainvilleas and chamaerops, the garden truly is a feast for the eyes. It also has plenty of room to accommodate pleasant evenings in the open air, a quiet retreat with a good book, and lots and lots of matches of table tennis. An important note for those with children: The decorative metal tower on the grounds is a remnant from the mining industry, not a climbing frame.

A game of pool, meanwhile, can get underway inside, offering a playful alternative to an evening spent watching TV in front of the fireplace. The location of the pool table means things can get competitive long into the night without having to worry about disturbing anyone's sleep. The particularly unique feature of this villa is the fact that it consists of two entirely separate areas: The living room with passageway to the modern fitted kitchen turns outdoor grilling into an under-cover adventure. Opposite here, you will find the section of the property housing the three puristically designed bedrooms. Behind the lounge, a glass door leads through to a set of stairs which in turn will take you up to an anteroom with seating. Behind this, two double beds and two single beds sit waiting to be occupied. Every one of the beds is guaranteed to leave you dreaming all in white. Three cosy bathrooms with washing machine and showers or shower trays can be divided amongst you – one on the right and one on the left wing of the house, and an outdoor bathroom as well, which ensures you won't have to wait long should you hear the mountains calling your name one morning.

Selva is (still) a place with plenty of character! If a shopping trip there takes your fancy, you will be living close enough to the centre to either walk to the town or take the small connecting road that leads to it. The streets wind uphill and the streets wind downhill – a great way to warm your muscles up in preparation for lengthier tours. With cordial, bread, and olive oil in your rucksack, it's almost like a workout in itself. This is true whether you just want to start off by taking a pilgrimage up to the Church of Saint Lawrence, where you can enjoy spectacular views over Artà and the Bay of Alcúdia, or whether you're taking the 12-km-long trip from Caimari to the Lluc sanctuary. When it comes to liquid provisions for your travels, your first port of call should be to sample the wares on offer in Binissalem, the centre of Mallorcan wine production. There is also a quaint cellar house in Inca, the island's shopping paradise – as well as enough restaurants to provide the city with a solid bedrock. Should you find yourself melting away in the heat, however, simply start things off with a trip to the Playa de Muro, which is situated 30 km away.