Mallorca (often spelled Majorca in English) is the largest and most varied of Spain's Balearic Islands. Its neighbor Ibiza may share the same clear turquoise water, but Mallorca adds dramatic mountains, hidden coves, peaceful countryside and a capital city full of history and style.

The Serra de Tramuntana mountains, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, run along the northwest coast, with winding roads, stone villages like Deia, Valldemossa and Soller, and the windswept lighthouse at Cap de Formentor at the island's tip. Inland, rolling farmland is covered in olive, almond and carob groves, and local wineries welcome visitors. Palma, the capital, is a delight, with its soaring Gothic cathedral, royal palace and maze of charming streets perfect for tapas. Ride the vintage wooden train from Palma to Soller, then take the old tram down to the port.

When it's beach time, the long, natural stretch of Es Trenc is one of the island's most beautiful, and the coves along the east coast, like Cala Varques and Cala Llombards, are impossibly turquoise. Explore the underground lake of the Caves of Drach, then enjoy great food, wine and lively summer nights. U.S. travelers can fly nonstop from New York in season or connect through Madrid, and Palma is a busy Mediterranean cruise port. I'll help you choose between a seaside resort, a boutique hotel in Palma or a rural finca, and plan the drives and excursions that show off the whole island.