This month we will describe another destination that we visited on our Mediterranean cruise. Day 3 found us on the island of Mallorca, Spain, the largest of the Spanish Balearic Islands. The island coastline is marked by a series of small caves and beautiful beaches. It is approximately 50 miles wide and 60 miles long and boasts over 250 miles of coastline. Palma also offers everything you are likely to want from big city shopping to sightseeing and amusement. The island has been home of some famous people including George Sand, Frederick Chopin, Archduke Luis Salvador of Austria and most recently, Michael Douglas. In addition to the bustling tourist trade, farming is the chief occupation and the island grows vast amounts of almonds, olives, figs, citrus fruits and grapes for the production of local wines. We docked early in the morning and took a scenic drive along the north coast to the charming resort village of Valldemosa. The morning air was permeated with the aroma of coffee and freshly baked pastries. The outdoor cafes were filled with locals reading their morning newspapers while shopkeepers opened their doors to welcome the public. The pace of the town can best be described as laid back. Shopping opportunities were plentiful and included local wines and brandies, Spanish linens, artwork, and of course Mallorca pearls. Stores ranged from inexpensive souvenir shops to the "I wish I'd hit the lottery" designer boutiques. Valldemosa was a new experience for us and the atmosphere really captured our senses. It was a study in contrasts; a mixture of medieval structures dating from the 17th century to modern architecture. It is easy to see why it is one of Europe's favorite summer resort towns. We could envision ourselves spending several weeks there, exploring the various shops, restaurants and surrounding countryside. Is a return trip to Valldemosa in our plans? Most definitely! From Valldemosa we continued on to a 700 year old winery where we tasted the local vintages and toured the owner's private home that was decorated with beautiful antiques and rich tapestries. We ended the day at the port city of Palma, a metropolis bustling with upscale shopping and a beautiful yacht harbor.