Majorca Mallorca

This episode of the Majorca Mallorca podcast is your friendly guide to Christmas and New Year on the island. Vicki is joined in the studio by returning guest Nina Moons, founder of The Calendar Mallorca, to talk about how to navigate the busiest, sparkliest time of the year without missing the good stuff.Nina shares how The Calendar Mallorca has become a curated hub for events across the island, and why she created a special “Festive Moments 2025” category to keep Christmas programmes manageable. Together they talk through family friendly highlights in Palma and beyond, artisan markets and gifting ideas, and the local traditions that make a Mallorcan Christmas feel different from anywhere else.You will hear about belen routes and restored nativity scenes, Santa Lucia in the cathedral, the Festa de l’Estendard on New Year’s Eve, fancy dress runs in Calvià, cold water swims, hotel afternoon teas and the magic of the Three Kings parades. Along the way, Vicki and Nina also touch on women’s health events, the importance of shopping local and why experiences often make the best presents.In the final part of the episode, Vicki and Ollie catch up on island life, from a new smoking ban proposal and invasive horseshoe snakes to house prices and the challenges of finding somewhere to live in Mallorca.Guest bioNina Moons is the founder of The Calendar Mallorca, an online platform that curates events, markets, workshops and cultural happenings across the island. Passionate about community and supporting local businesses, she sifts through hundreds of listings so that locals and visitors can find the best of what is on, without the overwhelm.LinksCHECK The Calendar Mallorca website https://thecalendarmallorca.com/ and Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thecalendar.mallorca/ for weekly event listings.Sign up for our free newsletter here. https://majorca-mallorca.esPlease follow Majorca Mallorca on Social Media:FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/MajorcaMallorca.esFACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/MajorcaMallorcaINSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/majorcamallorcapodcast/You can email MM on [email protected]

This episode dives into the story behind Food Tours Balearics, the self guided food tour company reshaping how people experience Palma. Vicki speaks to Michelle about her journey from St Maarten to Mallorca, how the business began almost by accident, and why the island’s food scene is the perfect backdrop for curated culinary experiences. The conversation covers entrepreneurship, Palma’s evolving gastronomy, the importance of local partnerships and the joy of discovering the island through food.Michelle is the co founder of Food Tours Balearics, a Mallorca based company offering self guided and group food tours across Palma, Santa Catalina and, most recently, Ibiza. With a background in large scale events and a passion for connecting people through food, she has built a concept that blends local insight with modern technology, giving both residents and visitors a fresh way to explore the Balearics.Mallorca Food Tours https://foodtoursmallorca.com/ discount code at checkout MM10Sign up for our free newsletter here. https://majorca-mallorca.esPlease follow Majorca Mallorca on Social Media:FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/MajorcaMallorca.esFACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/MajorcaMallorcaINSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/majorcamallorcapodcast/You can email MM on [email protected]

Writer and creative coach Arizona Bell joins Vicki in the studio to talk about how an American from Arizona, with a German mum and a life scattered across Ireland, Italy and Mexico, eventually found home on the island of Mallorca. Arizona shares the story behind her upcoming book, The Griever’s Dictionary, a creative non-fiction work that explores grief, spirituality and culture through a series of lyrical vignettes.We talk about what it really feels like to lose a parent, how grief can also accompany joyful changes like moving country or children leaving home, and why our culture often does such a poor job of acknowledging loss. Arizona explains how writing became her way of alchemising pain into meaning, why she chose a dictionary structure for her book and what she has learned from years of ghostwriting for other people.There is also plenty of island life: her finca in Santa Maria with two well travelled rescue dogs, plans for “Books Uncorked” literary and wine evenings at Babel in Palma, and a new writing and yoga retreat in the Tramuntana. If you have ever felt stuck in your grief, or unsure how to start writing your own story, this episode will give you comfort and a gentle nudge.Arizona on Instagram: @_arizonabellMallorca Food Tours https://foodtoursmallorca.com/ discount code at checkout MM10Sign up for our free newsletter here. https://majorca-mallorca.esPlease follow Majorca Mallorca on Social Media:FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/MajorcaMallorca.esFACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/MajorcaMallorcaINSTAGRAM https://www.instagram.com/majorcamallorcapodcast/You can email MM on [email protected]

In this episode we sit down with Rafa Winckelmann , the driving force behind Fundació Handisport in Mallorca. He talks about the growth of adaptive sport on the island, how the foundation creates real access for people with physical, sensory and cognitive disabilities, and what it means to build a community where everyone can take part. Rafa shares stories from the athletes, the impact of outdoor activity on confidence and independence, and the challenges of running a project that relies on skilled instructors, specialist equipment and steady funding. It is a clear look at the work being done to make Mallorca a place where sport belongs to everybody. This episode focuses on the mission and work of Fundació Handisport. Rafa Winckelmann talks through the origins of the foundation, the sports they offer, and the real world impact on participants and families. He discusses accessibility on the island, the importance of trained staff, and the emotional and social benefits of sport for people with disabilities. The conversation offers insight into how Mallorca can continue to grow as an inclusive and accessible destination.

This week Vicki is joined by her “events bestie” Nina Moons, the founder of The Calendar Mallorca, to talk about winter on the island, Christmas build up in Palma and how to make the most of the quieter season.Nina shares what she has been up to lately, from local concerts and village fairs to family hikes, lazy lunches and discovering new boutique fitness and wellness spots. She and Vicki chat about the famous Palma Christmas lights switch on, the charm and chaos of the city centre that night, and how to navigate the Christmas markets, from Plaça Major to Passeig del Born and village fairs in places like Alaró.They also dive into community, language and lifestyle. Nina explains how The Calendar Mallorca helps people plug into island life, why experiences make the best gifts, and how her own family is growing up multilingual and very outdoorsy. Expect lots of practical ideas for winter days, from cultural events and kids activities to cosy brunches, jazz nights and spa sessions.Winter rhythm on Mallorca after the summer seasonPalma Christmas lights switch on and how the city celebratesChristmas markets in Palma and in villages such as AlaróWhy experiences make great Christmas gifts on the islandHow The Calendar Mallorca connects different communities and interestsRaising multilingual children and family life in MallorcaBoutique gyms, wellness spots and ways to stay active in winterComedy, theatre and live music as part of the off season sceneEvent and lifestyle resourcesCHECK The Calendar Mallorca website https://thecalendarmallorca.com/ and Instagram, https://www.instagram.com/thecalendar.mallorca/ for weekly event listings.Palma Christmas lights switch on in November, an evening in the centre with street performers, music and the first big taste of the festive season.Palma and village Christmas markets, especially:City centre markets around Plaça Major, La Rambla and Parc de la MarHotel and boutique markets, including Es Baluard and similar spacesVillage markets, for example Alaró, with a strong community feel.Wellness, fitness and languageRdy Studios in Palma, an indoor cycling and music focused spin studio with themed classes and community runs.Balu in Santa Catalina, a boutique Pilates and yoga studio that hosts creative community events.Haslap, a locally founded running app that lists runs, clubs and events across Mallorca.Spanish by Living (Tia’s Spanish speaking club), weekly conversation meet ups in Palma plus special activities such as hikes with lunch or boat trips, all aimed at helping people improve Spanish in real life settings.Food, drink and going outGrun restaurants in Fornalutx and Deià, open all year with charcoal grilled dishes, fish of the day and family friendly options, ideal after a hike.Palma jazz lounge at Plaça de la Reina area, a small, intimate venue with live jazz and themed evenings, perfect after dinner.Family and kidsPalma Aquarium “Yo También” charity days, with reduced entry for residents, extra workshops and activities for children, and a donation from each ticket to a local children’s charity.Year round family hikes and nature time, especially around Deià, Fornalutx and Sóller, combined with lunch at local restaurants.Wellness and spaWild Spa sauna truck in the Sóller mountains,