Son Mir

After a long day in the Mallorca sunshine, there’s no better way to relax than to find a little shade sipping a refreshing glass of… olive oil. Honest! Many visitors now choose to organize whole holidays around sampling the various distinctive local varieties of oil, not wine, produced in this ancient agricultural land. DOP, or ‘protected destination of origin’ olive oils are harvested only in specific locations, just like champagne. Those who don’t fancy sipping the deep green, cloudy liquid neat can try theirs drizzled on a ‘pa amb oli’, but the true professionals use small glasses for the purity of taste. Olive oil tasting is best in November when olives are harvested and new oil pressed. The ‘olive oil road’ in Mallorca has the first base at the Finca Son Mir, and there is an expert guide to help you on your tour. Experience every step of olive oil production with Louise Martens, owner of the Olive Yard of Son Mir. Your oil adventure begins with a visit to the olive yard, followed by a testing session under the tutelage of our expert guide hostess. The olive oils produced in Mallorca are consistently rated among the best olive oils in the world. You can tour the Finca and the XVII-century villa and learn all about the process with Louise while visiting one of the world’s oldest olive trees, (over 2000 years old!)  After the testing, you will continue with an extra virgin olive three-course menu. In the end, you can choose to have your favorite varieties shipped to your home address to make sure you don’t forget the real thing.

With a passion for growing, we are proud to let you know that Fosh Catering is having its own Kitchen Garden in the green heart of Mallorca. The Finca Son Mir has very fertile soil and the Mediterranean sun, invitations to grow almost 200 fruits, nuts, herbs, spices, flowers, and vegetables. The vegetable and herb gardens provide the kitchen of Marc Fosh —and Fosh Catering—with ultra-fresh, organic produce. They guarantee our kitchens remains at the cutting edge of culinary excellence. Our head of the gardening team, Pep Riera, takes ideas from gardens around the world, including that of his childhood in his own finca, Son Mir, with its unique blend of orchards, olives, forest gardens, edible hedges, and perennial garden. Everything is here: the methods, ideas, and techniques of ancient knowledge. Using smartly the “Paredes en Crestall” method, the rotation of the vegetables by families is giving the possibility to create an organic kitchen garden optimizing the nutrients of the substrate for each harvest. Key plants are planted in strategic places to avoid insects, and ancient methods are used to grow in the most effective way our favorite seasonal shoots, leaves, and flowers. Let your botanical skills blossom and experience with us a daily tour: You’ll be treated to a rare insight into the many unique flowers, trees, fruits, and vegetables we grow, and pick up a few tips and secrets from our expert gardeners. Your base for the day will be the green heart of Mallorca, the Finca Son Mir, where you’ll be treated to a delicious working lunch or a Salt-crusted cooking experience. Each half-day, hands-on course includes: Morning tea, coffee and the very best homemade viennoiserie // Tuition and equipment // Seasonal lunch You will discover the most effective ways in which to grow some of our favorite seasonal shoots, leaves, and flowers - and they pair with your favorite dishes.

Palma is Mallorca's vibrant capital, stylish and intimate, yet bursting with life. Half of the island's population dwells in this city, lively all year round with luxury hotels, trendy restaurants, cafes, shops, and nightlife as well as a thriving art scene. It's often compared to Barcelona and, being within a 15-minute taxi ride from the airport, it makes for the perfect city break. Located in the south of the island, Palma looks out over the shimmering Mediterranean sea (take a look at our webcam to see it in real time). Whilst there are many enchanting parts of the city, the main attractions and shops are situated around the massive Gothic cathedral down by the seafront. This area, known as Palma’s old town, is full of ancient passages, historic monuments, and magnificent architecture. Here you will find no shortage of sights or refreshment stops within its many pedestrianized lanes, quirky cafes, galleries, and boutique shops. Thanks to these attractions all being packed within a square kilometer, the old town is easy to explore. The city boasts an enormous harbor which begins in front of the cathedral and borders the west. The cyclist and pedestrian-friendly promenade stretch all the way to the ferry port and cruise terminal (which is located about 3.5km from the old town), making it perfect for a stroll. History & Culture in Palma de Mallorca As an island, Mallorca has been subject to numerous invasions and conquests throughout its history. Palma was known to the Arabs as Medina Mayurqa (902 to 1229), and to Mallorcans thereafter simply as Ciutat (City). But the city was in fact named after the Roman city of Palmaria (founded around 120 BC), which still exists a meter or two beneath the ground; inhabitants of houses near the cathedral are still discovering Roman remains every once in a while. Palma's current image owes much to the last two hundred years. The two iconic roads of Passeig des Born and Las Ramblas was built in the 19th century on a dried-up river bed. The defensive city walls which once surrounded the city were pulled down to create the ring road of Las Avingudas and the waterfront highway and promenade Passeig Maritim were only reclaimed from the sea in the 1950s.

Most of the markets in Palma are held from Monday to Saturday, although there are also some weekly and even seasonal ones. Check out the description for more information. Llotja del Peix (Fish Market) - Get here early as the night's catch goes on sale and mullet, prawns, sardines and sea bass are hawked by women with operatic voices. At Es Moll de Pescadors, Monday-Saturday from 06:00. Mercat Artesanal, Plaça Major- Lively craft market on the Plaça Major with buskers and open-air cafes. At Plaça Major 31, every day from 10:00-14:00 in July, August, September and over Easter; Friday and Saturday only in January and February; extended hours (10:00-20:00) at Christmas (16th Dec - 6th Jan) and 10:00-14:00 on Monday, Tuesday, Friday and Saturday for the dates not specified above. Mercat de l'Olivar - Palma's main market, in a hall near Plaça d'Espanya. Fresh produce on the ground floor, meat and cheese upstairs, plus cheap tapas stall and a public library. At Plaça Olivar, Monday-Saturday 07:00-14:00. Mercat de Santa Catalina - Specialised in fresh fish and seafood, at this market you'll also find local produce, as well as a couple of bars. In the gastronomic district of Santa Catalina. Pere Garau - Local farmers bring their produce, including live animals, to this lively market in the east of the city. At Plaça Pere Garau, Monday-Saturday 07:00-14:00. Rambla - It may not match its Barcelona namesake but Palma's Rambla is similarly lined with flower stalls. At Passeig de la Rambla, Monday-Friday 08:00-14:00 and 17:00-20:00, Saturday 08:00-14:00. Rastro (Flea Market) - A Palma institution which takes over part of the main ring road each Saturday morning. Plenty of bargains but lots of junk too. At Avinguda Gabriel Alomar i Villalonga, Saturday 08:00-14:00. Santa Catalina Market - Fresh fruit and vegetable market just west of the city centre. At Plaça Navegació, Monday-Saturday 07:00-14:00. Mercat Ecologic - Organic fruit, veg, cheese and meats every Saturday morning. At Plaça Bisbe Berenguer de Palou (just off Las Ramblas). San Juan Gastronomic Market - newest market in town, just north of Plaça Espanya. It's open every day and has bars and terraces as well as the usual food stalls. At Carrer de l'Emperadriu Eugenia 6.