Central Mallorca: Why go

Known as Es Pla, this fertile central plain stretches from the Serra de Tramuntana range in the northwest to the Serra de Levante in the southeast. Seldom visited by tourists, this is Mallorca's agricultural heartland and used to be where most of the islanders lived pre-tourism. Nothing much has changed over the years. You'll see vineyards, groves of almond, apricot, fig and olive trees, grazing sheep and snuffling pigs, old dry stone walls, fincas, hundreds of old windmills to the east of Palma and in springtime a myriad of wild flowers. Sleepy country towns offer few tourist attractions beyond their weekly markets and occasional festivals, but do offer an insight into rural Mallorca. Staying here makes an ideal base for exploring the island - most places are within 20 minutes of Palma, beaches and the mountains.