I love Mallorca any time of the year, every season has its peculiarities. In August, many shops and restaurants are closed for vacations. It’s the hottest month on the island and the locals too enjoy their time off on one of the island’s twohundredsomething beaches. Admittedly, unless you get there early in the morning, they can get pretty crowded. That’s why I’m often looking for a cool alternative – like a shady hiking trail along the sea. One of my favorite paths leads from Banyalbufar to lovely Port des Canonge.

The small bay forms the natural harbor of a popular but still rather secluded fishing village and has a couple of great places to eat. Such as Can Toni Moreno, for instance, which is always crowded around lunchtime. Particularly on Sundays, when Mallorcans use to meet at a restaurant that’s been part of their family tradition for ages. Can Toni is only a stone throw away from the beach so you really taste the ocean on your plate, whether you take a grilled fish (always my first choice) or go for one of the mouth-watering paellas. There are several variations on the menu. And if you are lucky, you find a table outside on the canopied patio.

The walk only takes slightly more than an hour, but it has some great vista points. Mind you, the turquoise crystal clear water to your feet is constantly luring you to jump in. So take your bathing things and a towel and go for a swim, there are several opportunities on your way. All along, the aromatic scent of pine trees mingles with the salty air, for me the very essence of the Mediterranean. It’s like a perfume that brings back memories of endless summer holidays, and the feeling of being free and open for new adventures.