MALLORCA -- When one thinks Mallorca, one probably thinks of sun, sand and a picture-perfect blue sea. I had never given much thought to the island's mountains, nor its rain.
But as I sat on a tour bus winding its way slowly up the Tramuntana mountain range, headed toward the village of Valldemossa, heavy drops began to fall.
Valldemossa's cobblestone streets and stone houses. Photo Credit: Christina Jelski
I was joining the morning tour as part of an ALG Vacations-hosted trip, alongside a group of nearly 30 travel advisors, influencers and journalists. We were also joined by TV personality Carson Kressley, who has appeared on shows like "RuPaul's Drag Race" and "Queer Eye for the Straight Guy" and has long served as ALG Vacations' "travel advisor champion."
For most of us, this was our first visit to Mallorca. And very few in the group had any prior knowledge of Valldemossa, a historic village famous for its Carthusian monastery, which dates back to the 14th century, as well as its picturesque stone houses and cobblestone streets.
The charming, mountainside town has been attracting celebrities for centuries. Our tour guide informed us that composer Frederic Chopin and novelist George Sand had spent a winter there in the 1830s, with the couple leaving an indelible mark on the destination's cultural identity. (During their stay, Chopin composed a significant body of work, while Sand later wrote a book detailing their time on the island.)
More recently, the town has served as a vacation retreat for actor Michael Douglas, who owns a home in the area. Earlier this year, Douglas celebrated his 80th birthday with other elders of the village, per local tradition.
As we exited the bus, the rain tapered off, leaving behind a light fog that only served to enhance Valldemossa's fairytale-like feel. Our tour guide encouraged us to wander and get lost, and so we did, fanning out into narrow, sloping alleyways, cautious of the slippery, still-wet cobblestones.
A tray of freshly baked coca de patata. Photo Credit: Christina Jelski
As the rain picked back up, I sought shelter within a small bakery called Pasteleria Ca'n Molinas. Heeding our guide's advice, I treated myself to a coca de patata, a potato pastry popular in the region. Dusted with powdered sugar, the round, pillowy roll was satisfyingly sweet, serving as the perfect pick-me-up before I rejoined the rest of the group and reboarded our bus.
At this point in the morning, the weather was starting to clear. As we coasted downhill, we noticed a growing line of vehicles in the opposite lane, all headed towards Valldemossa.
The combination of an early start and wet weather had allowed us to enjoy the town without too much crowding. But as the clouds parted, it became clear that this hidden gem wasn't so hidden after all -- a steady stream of visitors was en route.