Estoril

Porto Colom is a quiet picturesque port that at this time of year was REALLY quiet but that was just what we were after.
The Hotel Estoril was very good for a 2 star. It was our 1st time all-inclusive and the food was excellent(the chef DID smile a few times!)The rooms were basic but tastefully decorated. There’s a gym, a sauna and Jacuzzi as well as a snack bar across the road. The pool and area are small and there’s a pool table poolside! All the hotel staff were really nice and friendly. We didn’t stop around for the night entertainment but if you enjoy bingo, karaoke and quiz nights you'll love it! We preferred a pint of Guinness down in the square at the welcoming Polynesian bar where we enjoyed a few good nights/early mornings with the extremely friendly staff and locals!
There’s a small beach, Cala Marcal, over the back, about a 10 min walk, it’s well signposted. You can walk to the point opposite the lighthouse and find part of the rock worn down to a hoop, takes a good framed pic of the lighthouse across the bay! The old town is lovely sun bleached houses and the walk round to the lighthouse is a wee trek, the lighthouse isn’t actually open to the public but it’s a nice walk around the port.
Around Porto Colom are some lovely little coves and beaches but the cannot miss experience is the sanctuary of San Salvador, there’s massive statues of Christ and a cross, the sanctuary is now a hostel but the views from the top, across the east of the island, are simply breath taking. WOW! The road up is only a few miles out of Porto Colom on the Felanitx road.
We used Porto Colom as a base for exploring the rest of this stunning island and hired a car which the receptionist arranged locally for us(80 Euros for 3 days) and took in the Caves at Porto Cristo...Cuevas del Hams were small compared to the more famous Cueva del Drach, which are phenomenal, but we found it a more personal experience at Hams, it was an educational visit!
There’s lots of local markets we did the one at Manacor but heard the one at Inca is the biggest!
The trip up the south west coast from Palma up to Soller and back was AWESOME, there’s viewpoints all the way up the coast and when in the mountains the little towns are stepped into the mountainside, Deia, Essellens and Valdamossa are particularly worth seeing. If you are a confident driver then go for the road up and over the mountains rather than the tunnel back to Palma, it’s hairy but well worth the views!
Since the holiday was all inclusive we seldom ate out but we treated ourselves to a full Scottish breakfast one lunchtime at Bob’s which was just what we needed and the proprietors are a well friendly couple(Scots/Italian)who have years experience in running restaurants, been told Bob does some wicked pasta dishes!
We sat outside to eat at a place whilst up in Valdamossa called Se Cortoixa, just at the bottom beside the monastery, a wee bit pricey but a superb looking menu and great food!
We would most certainly return to Porto Colom and the Hotel Estoril but if you’re one for a hectic lively resort don’t go!
If like us you enjoy the quiet life and a chance to chill this is an ideal place away from the concrete jungles!