MUCH has been said about Palma de Mallorca. It is the fastest growing tourist destination in Spanish offshore territories today. Well actually, it has been that way since the past five years or so. Of course, Ibiza which is also located in the Balearic archipelago, is still the number one choice for British as well as Scandinavian tourists and expats and is still the headquarters of house music with so many DJs based there such as Paul Van Dyk, DJ Tiesto and Godskitchen, among others but Palma de Mallorca is certainly fresh and interesting.

Most of the visitors in Palma de Mallorca are during summer for the obvious reasons. Even though the climate here is temperate all year round, there are naturally lots of people during summer because it’s vacation for the college students and people troop here because they want to tan themselves at the peak of the warmth of the season. And most of the college students on vacation who troop here come from Paris. It’s not just the Parisians who are usually here; it’s also the non-French who are studying in Paris as exchange students from their respective countries. And they are not just Europeans but people who come from different continents as well. With all these exposures, Palma de Mallorca’s beauty will really spread just from word of mouth and even in Internet fora.

Mind you, Palma de Mallorca’s beauty is not just beach deep so to speak. Beyond the beaches, there are lots of glamour, parties and casinos (think of playing Spain’s “juegos de casino” amongst the top celebs!). Just don’t take any drugs so you don’t end up dead like Heath Ledger. Beyond the beaches, Palma de Mallorca’s resorts double as golf courses and diving spots. And these are not just ordinary golf courses and diving spots for the golf courses are staffed with the most trained golf instructors for amateur resort guests and caddies who are all PGA-certified. On the other hand, diving spots are also staffed with the most capable diving instructors. Resorts here in Palma de Mallorca likewise double as casinos so you can play baccarat and poker in these resorts. And there are also nudist beaches here. It’s nice to splash yourself naked during nighttime because aside from the non-existence of voyeurs at this duration of the day, you can also play with planktons which will illuminate your body.

And the food here is yummy. Because it is located in the Mediterranean, Mediterranean diet is promoted here. It consists of very fresh seafood such as redfish and grouper sautéed or grilled with olive oil, which is actually the healthiest cooking oil in the world because of its low fat content. So if you want to help to save the economy of the world when you have the chance because you are granted vacation by your employers or because you have just received your pension, then go to Palma de Mallorca and splurge there. Save only at the appropriate time.

WITHOUT doubt, Palma de Mallorca is the hottest destination off the coast of Spain as far as Europeans and even non-Europeans are concerned. Every summer or so, foreign college students in Paris from as far as the Philippines to Zimbabwe go to Palma de Mallorca. It really is a paradise there and you can tan all you want minus the stinging tropical heat of course. The place really has a very temperate climate with temperatures rising not above 18 degrees Celsius, just enough for you to enjoy a very grateful vacation. Palma de Mallorca has its own share of nudist beaches and most of its patrons come from the colder regions of Northern Europe that’s why it’s really a breather for them to go to such warm place as Palma de Mallorca. All the seaside resorts in Palma de Mallorca function not just as beaches but also as golf courses and dive resorts because a lot of the tourists here love golfing and diving. And there are highly qualified golf and diving instructors here for your perusal. Also, each beach resort is stamped the blue flag accreditation of the European Union so you can really ensure the quality of service it provides.

But it’s not just the beaches that are an attraction in Palma de Mallorca. There are numerous activities lined up for this year that you will be numbed going to all of them so just choose one. One of them is the Rally Classico Isla Mallorca. It’s a convocation of all vintage car racing enthusiasts not just in the island or the whole Balearic Archipelago but this entire part of Europe. For visitors from the mainland Iberian Peninsula who will haul in their cars, there are daily ferry trips going to Palma de Mallorca from Valencia and Denia.

For treasure hunting games enthusiasts, the International Geocaching Event will be held in Palma de Mallorca on March 29. You may notice that most of the events take place at the start of summer. This is because Palma de Mallorca is really a summer destination. That is not however to underemphasize the fact that there are many foreigners who have embraced Mallorca as their second home and have come to stay here as expatriates bringing more euros to the economy of the island.

And one thing to look forward to this summer is the Mallorca Training Camp 2008. It’s like an Amazing Race competition of sorts although participants are limited running or goofing around the island of Palma de Mallorca. But if you really want to stay here for good, then Palma de Mallorca has its share of real estate agents. To be sure that the real estate agent that you’ve hired won’t dupe you, go to the tourism ministry office in Palma de Mallorca where they provide you a directory of the most reputable and at the same time most successful real estate agents in the island.

There really is so much to do and to see in the beautiful Mallorca - you may well find yourself exhausted! If you do, remember that you are on holiday! Don’t push yourself too much - what’s the point in walking round that 100th tourist attraction if all you are thinking about are your aching feet and the excesses of the night before? Just one quiet night is normally enough refresh and re-energise and so why not plan a selfish and indulgent night in your hotel room? Mallorca’s hotels are well-known to be amongst the best in the Med and so you are more than likely to find your room has such luxuries as internet connection, mini bar, stereo…And if it does, use them! Invite your travel buddies round for a quiet drink, peruse at the photos taken so far, plan some more excursions, phone family at home or e-mail your friends at work (sure to make them jealous!). Don’t forget that there’s much to be found online which can brighten up your holiday too. Travel blogs are great sources of information and online poker rooms can provide a night of excitement playing Spain’s “juegos de casino“. If you strike lucky, you could even win enough to fund another Mallorcan trip!