The 2017 Masters Weekend began with a reception and dinner for our party of 46 at the Gran Hotel, Sóller, our base for the weekend.
The 2017 Master's Weekend began with a reception and dinner for our party of 46 at the Gran Hotel, Sóller, our base for the weekend. Sóller is situated in the Valley of Oranges, at the heart of the mountainous Tramuntana region in the north of Mallorca.
The next morning we boarded a coach for the scenic drive along the coastal road to Valldemossa to visit the 14th century Carthusian monastery, where composer Chopin and novelist George Sand lived for a time. After a Chopin piano recital and a tour of the royal palace, we enjoyed a paella buffet lunch at Hotel Valldemossa, with fine views.
After lunch, we boarded the coach for Deià and a tour of the house where poet Robert Graves lived and worked for most of his adult life. We were welcomed by William Graves, Robert's son. The day ended with a five-course tasting menu with paired wines at Ca'n Boqueta, a local restaurant.
The next day, at Sóller railway station, we boarded an old train with wooden carriages, which traverses the mountains on its way to Palma. We left the train to visit the historic house and gardens at Alfabia, and completed the journey by coach. We enjoyed a guided walk through Palma to the magnificent Gothic cathedral, followed by lunch.
We returned for dinner at Agapanto in Port de Sóller. Following a cava reception on the beach and terrace, with fine views over the harbour, we were given a six-course tasting menu. Senior past master Marshall Field gave a typically witty speech to thank the master and mistress for organising the weekend.
On Sunday, we boarded a boat for a trip along the rocky coastline to Sa Calobra. After a brief exploration we returned to Port de Sóller and headed for a tapas restaurant on the quay for lunch to mark the end of the weekend.
Throughout, the weather was near perfect and the atmosphere within the group was excellent from the outset, and reflected the laid-back location.