Make your way independently to the charming city of Palma de Mallorca. The city boasts a magnificent 14th century cathedral and a host of flamboyant “modernist” façades inspired by the work of the Catalan architect, Gaudi (who also worked on restoring the cathedral). Dine on your own tonight in one of the city’s many innovative restaurants. Our hotel is in the tastefully renovated 16th century mission, the Mision de San Miguel (or similar). Overnight Palma de Mallorca. Hotel included. Dinner not included.

Meet your guides this morning for a 30-minute van shuttle into the countryside where we pick up our bikes. We have a gently rolling ride to Sineu via Montuiri and Pina. You’ll love the flat roads, good asphalt, and bike-friendly atmosphere of the island, so sit back, relax, and get ready for an easy pedal this morning! We ride past citrus and olive groves, through small villages, to the town of Montuiri, where we stop for lunch on a terrace overlooking the surrounding countryside. After lunch we’ll stop by an interesting architectural site left by the Muslims, who ruled over the island for 400 years. From there you can choose an easy ride back to the hotel or stretch your legs with an extra loop. Our hotel, the Leon de Sineu (or similar) is in a restored 15th century palacio, complete with small garden, swimming pool, and a friendly manager. They’re used to having cyclists at their hotel and will prepare dinner for us that we can enjoy on the terrace. Overnight Sineu. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

We head east this morning for a loop through two small but picturesque towns before stopping for our usual coffee break in the town of Petra, famous for its cathedral and world-renowned wineries. After our break, we continue on to visit a restored “Finca,” or fortified farmhouse, that was a working farm until the late 19th century. Now it reflects the elegance and worldliness of the island’s inhabitants, and also shows how life was lived for centuries before the advance of modern “civilization.” From there we cycle to Porreres for lunch in a sunny square and then bike back to Sineu to rest by the pool or gather for a drink on the terrace. Overnight Sineu. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

We have a spectacular ride this morning, out of the low farmlands of the east and up to the dramatic north coast. Happily for us, there is a relatively flat gorge that cuts through the hills, skirting the massive limestone peaks to the west. We exit the 15 km gorge and find ourselves in the delightful town of Pollença, full of winding streets, cute shops, and of course a few churches! We have a paella lunch in a sea-side restaurant overlooking a glittering blue bay and a sandy beach.  After the ride, enjoy a swim in the sea or relax at our hotel located in the heart of the old town. Tonight we dine at a local family-run tapas restaurant that has been in Pollença for decades. Overnight Pollença. Hotel, breakfast and dinner included.

You have several options today: the tough, the easy, or the long. You can tackle the dramatic Cap de Formentor, which twists and turns its way up and over the headland that juts out into the sea like a fist. It’s actually not as long (or as hard!) or it seems, but it’s still 18 km to the tip, with a few stretches of steep grade. For those who want an easy ride, you can bike to the seaside at the Port de Pollença and ride along the waterfront for 10 km to the striking medieval village of Alcúdia, which still sits within the golden stone walls erected for protection hundreds of years ago (it was also the major Roman settlement on the island, and has ruins of a Roman theater, for you history buffs out there!). We continue from there to the Cap des Pinar for some views and maybe a picnic, depending on timing. You can ride back to the hotel from here or else choose the “long-flat” option and extend your ride into the Natural Park of the S’Abufera, where you can do an 11 km loop through the reeds and birdlife. Of course, you can also bike back to the beach, or stay at the hotel and laze the day away. Dine where you like tonight as we have a “free night.” Overnight Pollença. Hotel and breakfast included. Dinner not included.

Cycle back to the interior today, through the same beautiful gorge that sneaks us past the craggy hills to the west. If you’re hungry and have a keen palate, stop for lunch at the famous Celler C’an Correras, specializing in seafood and other regional specialities. After lunch, a short ride takes us to our fabulous hotel for the next two nights, the Es Castell (or similar), a beautifully renovated estate tucked up against the mountains with views out over the valley. Tonight we dine in the hotel’s excellent restaurant, presided over by our gracious hosts, James and Paola. Overnight Binibona. Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

The west side of Mallorca is a cycling paradise for some, but quite possibly cycling hell for others. We decided to design a day that allows you to see this beautiful coastline without all the suffering and sweat: we take the train! This historical rail line was built in 1912 and plies through the Sierra de Alfàbia mountains with amazing ease, sometimes reaching a 23% grade and passing some 13 bridges and tunnels. Today’s exercise is not on the bike, but on foot, as we’ve found a beautiful walking trail that goes from Soller to the neighboring town of Deia. We’ll take the afternoon to explore these two beautiful villages and have lunch before heading back to a final night’s dinner with Paola and James. Overnight Binibona.  Hotel, breakfast, and dinner included.

Today we bid farewell to our travel companions and have a morning transfer to the airport in Palma de Mallorca. Don’t make any flight reservations before 11 a.m. today. Breakfast and transfer included.