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Follow the path of royalty to some of Mallorca’s most spectacular views! Hiking the Archduke Way The Path of the Archduke, or Camí de s’Arxiduc, is thought by many avid hikers to be one of the most magnificent walks on the island, which is not entirely surprising as it was purpose-built by an eccentric Austrian Archduke for the sole function of giving him a pleasurable route to take his horses on. In this, he succeeded beyond doubt, leaving as his legacy this amazing path for us all to enjoy today. THE HISTORY Ludwig Salvator, a decidedly handsome young man, was from the AustrianTuscan branch of the Habsburg dynasty. Considered pleasure-seeking mavericks, they were not the most popular part of the family, so when Italian unification ended the Habsburg reign in Tuscany, the Emperor had to figure out what to with his wayward relatives. Ludwig was first sent to Prague, which wasn’t to his liking, so he asked, using asthma as an excuse, to be allowed to move to warmer climes. He settled on Mallorca, and instantly fell in love with the island. He bought vast swaths of land between Valldemossa and Deià, building stately homes and dedicating himself to his real passions... science and nature. The locals adored the generous, offbeat Archduke, who was accessible to even his most lowly tenants. In 1883, he drew up plans for what is now called the Archduke Way, and the rest is, as they say, history! THE WALK If you like a challenge, and have a good fitness level, this is a fabulous walk for you! The full 17kms circuit (there are shortcuts to reduce the distance to just over 11kms) takes somewhere in the vicinity of five hours to complete and takes you from the starting point in Valldemossa, up steep inclines and through grand holly oak and gnarled olive trees until reaching the Coll de Son Gallard, at an elevation of 766 metres. Here, you continue along the oddly semi-barren and rocky ridge until the crystal blue waters of the Med and dramatic Deià coastline present themselves for your viewing pleasure. Turn your head the other way, and the Tramuntanas loom large. Keep walking and you’ll arrive to the cliffside path with views to Sa Foradada to die for. The next big stopping point is when you reach the top of the 945 metre Puig Caragoli, the highest point of the walk. The road starts its downhill portion from here, taking you through the Es Cairats valley, past the Son Gual estate and finally back into Valldemossa. Along the way, there are also points of historical interest, such as pits and small huts that were once used to store charcoal and snow, a valuable commodity during the hot summer months. Just a small detour away is also the cave of a 17th century hermit who spent a life in solitude and prayer and whose skull now resides in the Hermitage de La Trinitat in Valldemossa. Affordable Mallorca Tip: The path isn’t always clearly marked, so carry a good map or use a guide so your walking wonderland doesn’t turn into a nightmare replete with forest rangers having to fish you off a mountain in the middle of the night. Not fun! by MALLORCA RESTAURANT REVIEW Dave’s Diner Authentic American food in the heart of Palma With quirky new concepts popping up on Palma’s gastronomic scene on an almost-daily basis, it is refreshing to walk into Dave’s Diner in Santa Catalina for some no-nonsense, authentic food. At Dave’s Diner, the American influence is instantly apparent with the choice of music playing through the speakers - the best of the US of A would be an apt title for the playlist. ‘Every Little Thing She Does Is Magic’ by The Police is the first song we hear. This proves to be practically prophetic as every little thing they cook in here is, indeed, a little slice of American magic. Dave realised his dream of setting up a diner in his European base of Palma in August 2019 with his aim being to showcase American cuisine at its best and do away with the cliched stereotypes of oversized portions and basic food that have become synonymous with American dining. All of the ingredients on the menu are sourced locally, something Dave is passionate about as he believes it is important to support the local community of the island. The menu is a smorgasbord of traditional American classics - burgers, sandwiches, pizzas and appetisers and our mouths were watering just reading the descriptions. On Dave’s recommendation, we ordered the classic hamburger, something I had been recommended before our lunch date, and the Philly Cheesesteak Sandwich. Both were served in baskets with homemade chips and a token US flag adorning the buns. The burger was nothing short of exceptional. Perfect, soft buns keep the juicy patty and the filling perfectly encased and the simple yet individual flavours make this burger a true triumph of American cuisine. The Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich looked as good as it tasted - indulgently cheesy with the juiciest of steak and the flavour of the onions and mushrooms permeating through the sandwich. As if these flavours weren’t enough, a jus is served on the side that had been slow-cooked for several days and was there to dip this heavenly sandwich into to add depth to the flavour. It is clear that every single aspect of the preparation of the food is thought through and each ingredient is there to compliment another. Another reason to visit Dave’s Diner is to meet the man himself. Dave is a true Californian that has plenty of fascinating stories to tell about his other job as a Sports Marketing Agent. Dave has organised some of the biggest sports events in the world and has met some fascinating characters throughout his career and his past as a professional skateboarder also comes with its fair share of interesting anecdotes. Authenticity and simplicity are the cornerstones of Dave’s Diner which make it the perfect place to enjoy a delicious meal and immerse yourself in the best of truly authentic American cuisine. Keep an eye on Dave’s Diner on Facebook for updates and events including their frozen margs that will make an appearance in the coming weeks as well as Taco Tuesdays - a sure-fire hit on the Santa Catalina social scene.
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