Spain

Loro Parque is an absolute highlight for families with children, even through the entrance fee is not... cheap. It was originally founded to save parrot species threatened with extinction. In addition to the largest collection of parrots in the world with a total of 300 species, there is a pinguinarium, which reproduces the natural habitat of the penguins. Some of parrots fly freely in the park grounds and consequently give it a tropical flair. Other favourites are gorillas, chimpanzees, tigers, sea lions and dolphins. Children especially love the dolphin shows, which take place every two hours alternating with sea lion performances. The parrot park has now become a veritable zoo. In addition to the feast for your eyes, there something for the palate as well, there are a number of kiosks, restaurants and ice-cream palours. An attractive alternative is the idyllically located picnic place where you can eat food you have brought along. more

The Gothic cathedral of Saint Mary, commonly known as La Seu, ​​is the landmark of Palma de Mallorca.... King James I had it built after surviving a storm at sea and expelling the Moors from the island. The foundation stone was laid in 1230 on the remains of the Moorish main mosque. The construction of the nave was completed in 1587, the main portal was consecrated in 1601. The Majorcan kings Jaume II and III found their final resting place here. The church, 360-ft (110 m) long and 108 ft (33 m) wide, is visible from afar and considered one of the most important Gothic buildings in the world. Built in 1370 and decorated with stained glass in 1599, the huge rose window on the front facade with a diameter of about 41 ft (12.5 m), is striking. The atmosphere inside the three-nave church hall with 18 chapels leading up to a monumental chancel is fantastic. Different architectural styles can be seen here. Some altarpieces in the side chapels have Baroque elements. The baptistery and the tomb of the Count of Romana are in neoclassical style. Art Nouveau in the form of Catalan Modernisme was added by the famous architect Antoni Gaudì. In the course of his work from 1904 to 1914, he moved the choir room from the middle of the nave to the Royal Chapel. Similarly radical is the work of the Majorcan artist Miquel Barceló, who redesigned the chapel of the Blessed Sacrament in the right aisle in 2007 - a new art sensation. However, he also earned a lot of criticism because his central work, a 52-foot-high (16 m) ceramic picture, which deals with the resurrection of Christ and the miraculous multiplication of bread and fish, stands out strongly from the rest of the cathedral. In two chapter houses and on the ground floor of the belfry the museum is housed. more

The magnificent city hall of Palma (1680, reconstructions in the 18th century) stands at the lively Plaza... del Cort, the city's former civic center. Its facade shows a transition from Mannerism to Baroque. The canopy features nicely colored, ornate wood carvings. Formerly a hospital used to stand here, of which a Gothic portal, today the entrance to the city library, was preserved. Since 1716 the building has been the seat of the mayor. On the ground floor you find four large, traditional wooden figures. On the first floor hangs an impressive painting by Van Dyck, but it can only be seen on request. In front of the town hall, in the middle of the square, an olive tree with some chairs offers shade in the summer. more