A step back in time, with essences of oranges!

Following a time living and working on the beautiful island of Mallorca before I came to work here at Cruise.co.uk I thought I would tell you about something that has made me very popular with some of my clients of late. Now, Palma de Mallorca is a very popular port of call on a Mediteranean cruise and I am a firm believer that this is by far the most diverse and interesting port of call the med has to offer, Not only does the capital, Palma have amazing shopping, quintessential spanish pavement cafes and the most spectacular cathedral right on the seafront. You also have beautiful white sand beaches, beautiful teracotta towns and for the young and young at heart of us... Magaluf strip. See? Mallorca has something for everyone!

What I am going to tell you about today is an excursion you can do all by yourself at your own pace, whilst docked in Palma and taking in the best landscape of the island; Over 100 years ago, a train was built on the island to transport the fresh oranges grown on the west coast of the island in the mountains around the town of Soller down to Palma where they would be sold. The beautiful old train was electrified in 1912 and still trundles up and down the picture postcard Tramaunatana mountains every day, but no longer to transport the oranges- It is to transport the lucky tourists through the mountains on a lovely 45 minute journey. The train still retains all it's original Mahogany and brass fittings and if you're feeling a little special and like the idea of the first class cabin? WHY NOT? It is exactly the same cost as the other traditional carriages!

The beautiful Soller,Orange Blossom Express train still runs every day from Palma-Soller on the island and you can very easily walk from the cruise port to the station in about 15 minutes or hop in a taxi for around 4euros, before you travel through the pine clad mountains, passing through hillsides broken by white cottages with the smell of the fresh citrus fruits blowing the trees! It's a wonderful afternoon out and the town of Soller is absolutely beautiful with a traditional spanish square (Placa) dominated by the very grand gothic church.

So if you fancy heading into Mallorca's best scenery at your own pace whilst in Mallorca, It has to be the orange blossom express train and it's only 13euros each return, Great Value and something very different I would reccomend it to anyone!

Just make sure, before you depart Palma the return journeys from Soller to make sure you are back at the port in time. A taxi back to the port would cost around 60euros and take around 40 minutes.

I consider myself an "expert" on the island of Mallorca and I am full of further ways to explore this very green and pleasant land and will continue to light up your days with ways of enjoying this mesmorising port.

Enjoy!