The farm of Ca’s Sant has belonged to the same family for four generations and is a real oasis of tranquillity. Six acres of land, which are mostly orange groves, and a lovely garden surround this rural boutique hotel with 13 bedrooms nicely decorated with classical furniture plus all the modern equipment that ensure total comfort. We are close to the town of Sóller, in the northwest coast of the island, where one can pick an electric train to go to Palma in just over an hour, or a tramway to go down to Port de Sóller with its wonderful fish restaurants and a notable absence of the massive tourism that assails the rest of the island.

Sóller has three museums – Ethnographic, Natural Sciences and Maritime – and a fascinating story of an army of Algerian corsairs that tried to plunder the area in the 16th century and what happened to them. Have someone tell it to you. Finca Ca’s Sant is at the foot of the Sierra de Tramontana – a mountain range where we can find the highest peak around: Puig Major with 4,800 feet. There are caves and crevasses that will delight the expert. And paths that are the joy of the hiker and the trekker. should we feel like staying “at home”, we can enjoy a dinner (by prior request) with products from the kitchen garden and orchard and the local market, with recipes so popular that they’ve even published a book listing with them.

Good idea to take away the orange homemade marmalade – if we share that Anglo-Saxon habit.