Europeans go on holiday!

You know, it's interesting--when Americans take a break from the day to day, they go on vacation, yet Europeans go on holiday!  Having just returned from our first European holiday, I feel assured that going on holiday is something that everyone deserves to do!

We left Vienna last Wednesday--it was a cold and drizzly fall day, or as we have taken to calling it--Seattle weather.  In true Darci and Jacob fashion, we left with what we thought was plenty of time to get to the airport, but of course ran through security when the plane was scheduled to board.  Fortunately, the Vienna airport was running behind so we were not actually late, and made it with plenty of time.  We flew FlyNiki, a wonderful, budget airline, which is a subsidiary of Air Berlin.

Upon arriving in Palma de Majorca, we took a 45 minute shuttle to our hotel on Colonia St. Jordi, and it was amazing!  Our hotel was right on the Mediterranean and our room on the 7th floor had a wonderful view.  We spent the first afternoon walking around town, as Wednesday evenings is when they have their street market.  We then went back to our hotel for dinner (the food was not the highlight of the trip), and put Hersh to bed in his hotel crib.

The next morning was a bit overcast, but after a nice breakfast and everyone's morning nap (we napped with Hersh each morning) we set out on foot and walked the length of the promenade, past the light house, to the Port.  As the afternoon wore on, the weather cleared.  We enjoyed sangria with our lunch and then took a dip in the Mediterranean.  It was a lovely day.

The next two days we had amazing weather--sunny, clear, breezy, 80 degrees.  Each day we hiked to a different beach--one day Es Trenc, the next day from Es Dolc to Es Carbo.  Both beaches were amazingly beautiful with crystal clear blue water.  It felt so nice to be outside in the warmth and swim in the open water.

Our final day was cooler and a bit overcast, and Hersh was tired, so we just took it easy and read on our balcony while Hersh napped.  One interesting aspect of our trip was that we were surrounded by Germans and everyone assumed we were German.  We booked the trip through a website that typically serves Austrians and Germans and did not come in contact with one native English speaker our entire trip.  But, let me tell you, those Germans love babies!  Hersh was the hit of the hotel and made friends with just about everyone.  Another aspect of the trip that was strange on one hand, but also enjoyable, was the fact that it was low season.  Because it was low season, Majorca was fairly empty and very laid back.  There weren't any crowds and the beaches had lots of room for lounging and roaming.  At the same time, because it was low season, everyone was in low season mode.  The people working at the hotel were less than attentive--it was clear that this time of year is easy compared to the summer, and this approach did not bother us.  It allowed us to enjoy "complimentary" beverages and free beach towels, which was good, because Jacob declared that there was no way we were paying the 15 euro each rental fee for towels! 

We were fortunate to have had an amazing holiday but are very happy to be home in Vienna.  Sleeping in our own bed is wonderful and it is nice that we feel at home here.  The question now, where to travel to next?  We think maybe Prague or Budapest!

enjoying some sangria upon arriving at our hotel!

produce at the farmer's market

fill your plastic jug with wine at the farmer's market

amazing sunset

"Like my sunhat?"

lighthouse after a storm

Loving the cool Mediterranean breeze

Family Portrait!

like father, like son

"Who me? I'm a pirate!"

Muchas Gracias, Majorca!