Category: Blog

Top Sporting Events in Mallorca for 2026


Mallorca’s sporting facilities are second to none. A whole array of sports, including football, tennis, cycling, swimming, and golf, to name just a few, have great places to play and train. Not only that, but we are also starting to attract more and more  prestigious sporting events to the island.

This includes the Mallorca Tennis Championships, a pre-Wimbledon men’s grass-court event. The event will return to Mallorca Country Club from the 20th to the 27th of June, continuing its tradition as the only ATP grass-court tournament in Southern Europe. One of the first confirmed players for 2026 is Australian star Nick Kyrgios, the sometimes controversial but crowd-pleasing player, who will compete in Santa Ponça.

In golf, the 2026 Road to Mallorca (HotelPlanner Tour) features a global schedule spanning 19 countries, beginning in South Africa in January and culminating in the Rolex Grand Final at Club de Golf Alcanada, Mallorca, from October 29th to November 1st. The tour offers 20 DP World Tour cards to top performers, with the final event featuring a €500,000 prize fund.

One of the events I’m particularly looking forward to is the Women’s World Cup qualifier between Spain and England—the current World Champions versus the current European Champions, or, as it is also known, La Roja v The Lionesses. This will take place at the Son Moix Stadium, the home of Real Mallorca, on Friday, June 5th.

It’s a great opportunity for tourists, expats, and Mallorquins to see two of the most successful teams in the world playing each other.

From a Spanish point of view, three key players in the current squad are from Mallorca.

Catalina “Cata” Coll, a goalkeeper, was born in Pòrtol. She previously played for Sant Marcel, Cide, Marratxí, and Collerense here on the island before being signed by Barcelona and sent out on loan to Sevilla. She is now back at Barcelona and, after recovering from a serious injury, has become Spain’s first-choice goalkeeper. While on the island, she trained at the Pablo Roca goalkeeping school, where my youngest son Jude has also trained with her.

Patri Guijarro, a midfielder, was born in Palma. She played for UD Collerense, and at the age of 17, she joined Barcelona, where she has remained ever since.

Mariona Caldentey, a forward, was born in Felanitx, where she began her career. She then played for Cide and Collerense before joining Barcelona in 2014. After winning numerous titles, she joined Arsenal in 2024.

From a tourist and expat perspective, it will also be a chance to see the England team in action, including Hannah Hampton, Leah Williamson, Keira Walsh, Lauren James, and Chloe Kelly.

Women’s football has never been stronger, and here on the island, it is starting to thrive. More and more teams are emerging, with Atlético Baleares leading the way by competing in the second-highest division in Spain.

It’s disappointing to see that the club hosting this huge game doesn’t actually have a women’s team. Real Mallorca, since being taken over by its American investors, has done some amazing things for the island. Hopefully hosting this game will prove to them that it is time they invested in a female team. 

Tickets for the game will be sold by the RFEF (the Spanish Football Federation) and, at the time of writing, have yet to go on sale.

6 Points Cycling Challenge: Cycling for a Cause in Mallorca

For those of you who don’t know me, my name is Richie Prior. I have lived and worked in Mallorca for 35 years. I came here as a Holiday Rep, and I worked for the biggest and best excursion on the island called Pirates Adventure. Now I run my own concierge service called Priority Mallorca, and I help run a radio station called Wave Mallorca. I love a challenge, especially when there is charity involved.

In 2004 Pirates launched a Charity Premiere raising money for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital. The events ran until 2016, and during that time we raised €738,744.11. I also ran the London Marathon twice for the hospital in 2008 and 2010, raising £10,867.00 (€12,531.96).

In 2015 Jo from our then radio office asked if the Breakfast Show would consider broadcasting for 24 hours for charity. The challenge was duly accepted and the Radiothon was born. For the first two years we raised money to help the Pirates Charity Premiere and their charities. When the Premiere stopped in 2016, we decided to keep the fundraising going and spread the money to charities here in Mallorca too.

The total raised from all the Radiothons so far is €211,892.44.

So if you add what we raised for GOSH and what we’ve raised with the Radiothons, the current total stands at €963,168.51.

It would be amazing if, with your help, our charity fundraising could pass the one million euro mark!

So with that in mind, on May 15th, 16th and 17th I have signed up to do the 6 Points Cycling Challenge. Over those three days we will cycle 373 km to designated “points” — the island’s northernmost, southernmost, easternmost and westernmost points, the highest peak, and the lowest sea-level point.

I have set up a web page called Richie’s Rideathon, and the money raised will go towards our 2026 Wave Mallorca Radiothon, to be held on June 5th and 6th.

We are raising money for Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital, Son Espases Hospital Children’s Ward, Yachting Gives Back, Save The Med, and 6 Points Cycling Challenges.

⸻

6 Points Cycling Challenges

6 Points Cycling Challenges was conceived by Bryan Visser in 2016 as an individual rider charity ride around Mallorca. The idea was to ride all the way around Mallorca in an enjoyable but challenging way, allowing riders to savour the views, the countryside, the mountains and the sea.

?..

Bryan has been badgering me for years to do the challenge and, as it’s their 10th anniversary, I thought it would be the perfect time to help.

They have chosen to support a small number of charities to ensure that they make a big difference to them.

Asdica has been supporting young disabled people and their families in the municipality of Calvià, Mallorca, with the goal of enabling them to live, as far as possible, a normal life.

Shambhala is dedicated to providing opportunities, education and growth to young people at risk of social exclusion and without financial resources.

SOS Animal is an incredible non-profit organisation that has been a beacon of hope for stray dogs and cats since 1995.

Since 2016 they have organised 15 multi-day 6Points Cycling Challenges and raised an amazing €333,500 for Charity. 

⸻

Great Ormond Street Children’s Hospital

Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) is a world-leading children’s hospital and research centre in London. It treats seriously ill children with complex and rare conditions from across the UK and around the world.

The hospital offers more than 60 specialist services and pioneers new treatments through integrated clinical care and research, while focusing on education and innovation to improve child health.

My relationship with GOSH goes back to 2004 through my work with Pirates and the Pirates Charity Premieres. Through the Premieres, marathons and donations from the Radiothons up to the end of 2017, I am very proud to say we raised a total of €738,744.11 for GOSH, and during that time the money was used for many different projects.

⸻

Son Espases Hospital

The Hospital Universitario Son Espases is the largest and primary public reference hospital for all of the Balearic Islands, located in Palma de Mallorca. It is a modern, highly specialised centre equipped with advanced technology for patient care, teaching and research.

Our work with them has been in the paediatric department and the children’s intensive care unit.

Our last project was helping to build a new rehabilitation unit for children. We have also helped decorate an MRI scanner and its room, the doors of the paediatric ward with cartoon characters, created a brand-new waiting room for parents with children in the intensive care unit, and supported many other smaller projects.

⸻

Yachting Gives Back

Yachting Gives Back is a registered charity through which the yachting industry — both yachts and service companies — helps to alleviate poverty and hunger in Mallorca.

They support at least eight charities that provide food banks and sheltered housing: Associació Tardor, Mallorca Sense Fam, SOS Mamas, Can Gaza, Shambhala Fundació, Càritas, Associació Siloé, and Fundació Deixalles.

Not only have we raised money in the past, but we have also collected food at supermarkets and provided Christmas trees to some of the shelters. Nick Entwisle and his team do an amazing job on the island, and I am more than happy to support them again.

⸻

Save The Med

Their vision is a healthy Mediterranean basin, and their mission is to promote regeneration through a holistic approach, helping local communities become aware and active custodians.

They work with respect, passion and collaboration to leave a positive legacy, uniting people to share knowledge and ideas for a better future. Solidarity and care guide their efforts, as they believe that caring for each other and our ecosystems creates a harmonious, environmentally conscious society.

Brad Robertson is the President and Co-Founder of Save The Med, and I have been lucky enough to interview him on several occasions. His passion and determination to get their message out there is second to none, and I’m proud to be supporting an organisation that is helping keep Mallorca beautiful for generations to come.

⸻

Sponsors

As you can see, we are supporting some great charities, but I’m under no illusion that this is not going to be easy. So I’ve brought together some amazing sponsors to help me along the way.

Mallorca Physiotherapy was established in 2009 by Lauren Rigg BSc (Hons), Physiotherapist, to provide both residents and tourists in Mallorca with a valuable rehabilitative treatment service at a competitive price.

Mallorca Physiotherapy believes in patient-centred care and, following a thorough assessment, develops an individualised treatment programme designed to get you back on the road to recovery as soon as possible.

Lauren is experienced in treating many conditions effectively, but she is particularly specialised in neurological rehabilitation, post-operative orthopaedic rehabilitation and sports injury prevention and treatment.

https://www.mallorcaphysiotherapy.com

0034 679 226 435

⸻

Megasport Centre is a large premium fitness and wellness centre located in Palma de Mallorca. It features over 27,000 m² of facilities, including multiple padel courts, spa areas and numerous guided classes every week.

More information can be found on the Megasport Centre website.

⸻

Bodhana Mallorca is a well-established wellness centre offering therapeutic massages including deep tissue, reflexology, Reiki, Ayurveda, hot stones and holistic therapies. They also provide meditation classes, yoga and beauty treatments.

They serve locals and visitors with personalised wellness experiences either at their centre or at homes and boats. They are known for their experienced international team and flexible on-demand service.

0034 971 676469 (Chethana)

⸻

Nicky Landymore – Nutrition support for the Rideathon is provided by Nicky from Next Level Results, an independent health coach with over 10 years’ experience working with Herbalife supplements and sports nutrition.

Nicky supports clients in Spain, the UK and worldwide, taking a food-first balanced approach and using high-quality supplements to support energy, recovery and performance, especially during endurance training.

In support of the Rideathon, 10% of all nutrition and sports nutrition sales are donated to charity, and a free 20-minute online wellness evaluation is available.

Instagram: @nickynextlevel

⸻

Liberty Sport, located in Portals Nous just 10 km from the heart of Palma, provides a comprehensive cycling experience tailored to every cyclist.

They offer high-quality bike rentals and sales, along with a fully equipped workshop for professional bike repair and preventive maintenance services.

Their team of cycling experts can help you plan routes, training, and provide essential advice on cycling technique, bike maintenance and nutrition.

Whether you’re here to train professionally or simply explore Mallorca on two wheels, Liberty Sport has everything you need to maximise your cycling experience.

Contact Dani: 0034 608 846 136

⸻

Yolkk Ltd

Josh Windatt crafted his first website using Dreamweaver in the early 2000s. Fast forward to the 2020s and he now uses game-changing technology that allows Yolkk to create visually exceptional websites that are also economically viable.

Yolkk provides impactful websites that enable businesses to grow and manage their sites internally without large monthly fees or relying purely on highly specialised developers.

I’d personally like to thank Josh for building my webpage:

https://richiesrideathon.com

https://www.yolkk.com

Contact Josh: 0044 7540 481501

Please pass this information on to all your family and friends. I would love to be able to reach one million euros raised for charity since all the fundraising began.

We can only do that with your help.

Thank you.

Real Mallorca’s Coaching Changes: A Turning Point

I’ve kept my powder dry on what’s been happening at Real Mallorca over the last few weeks. I think it had become obvious that the coach, Jagoba Arrasate, had taken the team as far as he could. When he came to the club in July 2024 from Osasuna, he was known as an attacking coach who loved to promote younger players into the team.

He started well enough, and by Christmas that year they’d accumulated enough points to virtually assure their La Liga status for the following season. That was when the wheels started to come off, as the second half of the season was awful. That disappointing form continued into the start of this season, and by Christmas I thought the club would look elsewhere.

However, they continued with some good results at home, notably against Sevilla and Athletic Club, but away they were awful. Arrasate finished his tenure at Real Mallorca with a win rate of approximately 30.9% (21 wins in 68 matches).

His record across all competitions during his time in charge (spanning from July 1, 2024, to his departure on February 23, 2026) was:

Matches: 68

Wins: 21

Draws: 15

Losses: 32

The disappointing part of his tenure was not promoting enough youngsters into the first team. The squad is ageing and needs some young, refreshing talent. The only young player who was successful was Jan Virgili, brought in from Barcelona. It was a shame to see former San Francisco forward Marc Domenech loaned out when backup was needed for Muriqi.

When the club did decide to twist, it was obvious they didn’t have a candidate in place. Luis García Plaza and Kike Sánchez Flores seemed to be the two names in pole position. The only problem was that the club did not want to commit to a contract longer than the end of the season, as if they were relegated budgets would have to be cut.

Out of the blue, Argentine Martín Demichelis appeared. The former Manchester City and Bayern Munich player had played over 50 times for his country and had been coaching in Argentina. He agreed to take the short contract and try to keep Mallorca in La Liga.

Demichelis’ first match was yesterday afternoon, away in Pamplona against Osasuna, a side that had only lost two games at home so far this season. Unbelievably, Mallorca found themselves 0–2 up in a game they dominated. That was until Virgili was sent off in the 73rd minute. Osasuna managed to get two goals back, with the second coming from former Mallorca player Ante Budimir.

In all honesty, if you’d offered Mallorca a draw before the game they would have taken it, but having been 0–2 up it will feel like a loss. The huge plus is the form of Vedat Muriqi, who has scored 18 goals this season so far. Making him the second best scorer in La Liga, 5 goals behind Kilian Mbappe of Real Madrid. 

With 11 games to go, Mallorca lie in the relegation places, but a win could see them climb out. The next game is at home to Espanyol next Sunday at Son Moix, kick-off at 14:00.

I can’t stress enough how important it is for Mallorca to stay up. It’s great for tourism, as people do visit the island to watch football. It’s great for those of us who live here to see teams such as Barcelona and Real Madrid play live. And finally, it’s great for youth football here on the island. To have a team playing in La Liga is so aspirational for all of our young footballers.

As they say here in Spain “Si se puede”(yes we can).

Revisiting UK School Term-time Holiday Policies

I went back through my blogs to see the first time I talked about the ludicrous policy of not being able to take children out of school during term time back in the UK. It was 2017, and it seems that we are in no better position now than we were back then. This was a policy brought in by the Conservative/Lib Dem coalition in 2012.

When I first arrived in Mallorca in 1990, families used to enjoy the island from May to October without any restrictions. Now what happens is that you get a rush at Easter, Whitsun, July/August and the October half term. The rest of the time, they are supposed to be in school.

The fine for school absences across the country is £80 if paid within 21 days, or £160 if paid after that. You have to get permission from the head teacher if you want to take your child out of school during term time.

You can only do this if:

• You make an application to the head teacher in advance (as the parent the child normally lives with).

• There are exceptional circumstances.

It’s up to the head teacher how many days your child can be away from school if leave is granted.

Isn’t this all a bit draconian? What about asking the government to actually think outside the box and relax the rules preventing kids from travelling during term time? Before 2012 this was the case — and do we truly believe that children suffered in their education?

This is not about encouraging truancy; this would be an agreement between parents and teachers who, let’s face it, are the people who should decide — not a government minister. If the child has a good attendance record and is not behind in their work, in my view they should be encouraged to go on holiday. Seeing new countries, experiencing new cultures, hearing new languages and tasting different cuisines should be part of their education.

There are now definite signs that this policy is out of date and needs changing.

Fines for term-time holidays reached a record high of 459,288 last year, as parents accepted penalties to snap up cheaper deals. New figures from the Department for Education (DfE) show the number of these fines rose by 4 per cent in 2024–25 compared with the previous year. Term-time holiday fines accounted for 93 per cent of all penalties issued for unauthorised school absence.

Many families take such holidays in full knowledge that they will have to pay the fine, because it is still cheaper than paying the peak-season premium.

The cost of flights and accommodation can be more than double for a family travelling during the school holidays, as travel companies cash in on high demand.

Parents can save thousands of pounds by taking their children out of school, while the fine for doing so is only £80 per parent, per child.

The data is the first to capture those fined after the penalty amount increased from £60 previously — suggesting it has not proven to be a deterrent.

For me, there is a perfect solution: return to how it was before, using the method I just mentioned above. I’m sure the holiday companies would be more than happy with families travelling throughout the year rather than just during the peak periods. The government would benefit from increased tax revenue through more travel — and that’s something they definitely need right now.

What’s in it for Mallorca, or any other holiday destination for that matter? Well, when we’re talking about sustainability, surely this is the perfect answer? Spreading visitors more evenly throughout the year rather than concentrating them in the current busy periods has to be better. It would also help employment here on the island, with establishments able to stay open longer and fewer unemployment benefits having to be paid.

Personally I don’t see any negatives. 

Debate on Playground Football Restrictions: A Parent’s Perspective

Looking back, going to school was one of the fun times in my life. I say “fun” because, to be honest, studying wasn’t my strong point. I go back to the days when your whole school year depended on an end-of-year exam — and there was my problem.

My daily schoolwork, whilst not amazing, was passable, but if I had to revise for something, I was dead in the water. I couldn’t sit still in a room and study. I was too busy wanting to go and play football. That could have been outside in the street, at school in the playground, or for the school team. In the evenings, I was playing for my youth football team and training with my town team too.

I made my debut for my town team at just 15 years old in the then Isthmian League, playing in front of a few hundred people — and that was a pretty good standard at that time.

So I didn’t have time for Maths, Biology, and French exams. It was football or nothing for me. I remember my French teacher writing in my school report, “When will Richard realise that a laugh and a joke won’t get him through life?”

One of the things I loved at school was the lunchtime break. We used to congregate in the playground, pick two teams, and off we went. Now, I was a goalkeeper, just like my youngest son Jude is now, but there was no way I was playing in goal in the playground. I was running around trying to show my mates how good an outfield player I was.

It was very competitive, of course, and nobody wanted to go back into a double chemistry lesson having been on the losing team. Competitive also meant that every now and again it would get feisty and disagreements would occur. I went to an all-boys school, so the testosterone was flying around, as you can imagine, but it would soon cool down and on we went. Writing this now brings back great memories and, for me, it was all part of growing up.

So imagine my surprise when I read on the front page of one of the Spanish papers here in Mallorca that schools are going to limit the playing of football in the playground due to the conflicts it generates. Are we serious??

I posted this on my Facebook page and it got a huge reaction — most finding it a stupid decision and a few supporting it. In fact, some parents have said that in some schools already kids can only play on certain days. One parent from the UK said it happens at his son’s school. Another parent here says his son comments excitedly every Thursday that it’s his day to play football. Another said her son had said that arguments in the playground happen anyway, not just because of football.

I saw the paper that had written the story had posted it on their Facebook page, and the pile-on from the Spanish was unbelievable. I couldn’t find one person who supported it.

In an official statement issued last Thursday evening, the FFIB (the Balearic Football Federation) expressed its regret that initiatives are being promoted that could limit children’s participation in sports, and pointed out that football is the most popular sport in the Balearic Islands, with a long history and social impact that makes it a key tool for education, coexistence, and the comprehensive development of children and young people.

The Federation emphasised that youth football goes far beyond mere competition. It is, they explain, a learning environment in which values such as respect, teamwork, discipline, equality, effort, and solidarity are transmitted — all of which are essential elements in the personal and social growth of young people. Through clubs and sports schools, thousands of schoolchildren learn to live together, manage their emotions, and face challenges in a regulated and supervised environment.

I couldn’t have put it better myself.

The Absurdity of UK Politics: A Deep Dive

Politics and religion have long been known as subjects to steer clear of, and in this day and age you could probably add gender in there too.

But politics, believe it or not, is something I’ve always been fascinated by. I don’t really know why, as I have no family history to back that up.

A lot of people will be tuned into EastEnders or Coronation Street of an evening, but I always try to make time to watch Prime Minister’s Questions at 12 midday UK time on a Wednesday. If I miss it, I’ll always watch it on catch-up or YouTube. I know I should get out more, but I’m drawn in by watching grown men and women, most of the time, talking absolute rubbish and always blaming each other for the problems in the country whilst never coming up with the solutions that are needed. It’s like being back in the playground at school, except these are the people who are supposed to be running the country.

These past few weeks have been very interesting, with some Conservative politicians, both in and out of the party, defecting to Reform UK. Now let’s get this straight: politicians have no morals, and as soon as you hear them say, “I’m putting the country first,” you know it’s complete bull and that they’re trying to save their own political careers because they’ve been rubbish at anything they’ve done in the past. In fact, if they truly believe in putting the country first, then call a by-election so the voters can decide if they still want them as their MP.

When asked in her press conference about this, Braverman said that she believes that if an MP changes party there should be a by-election — but then waffled on about why, after she has changed party, there shouldn’t be a by-election in her constituency. Putting the country first?

The three main protagonists right now are Nadhim Zahawi, Robert Jenrick and Suella Braverman. All three have, in the past, criticised Reform or have been criticised themselves by its leader, Nigel Farage. And yet, when asked about it in their press conferences, they hide behind the words, “Well, we say things in the heat of politics, but we don’t really mean them.” These are the very same failed politicians who want another chance to run the country. Are they really expecting us to believe this utter crap they come out with?

Remember, Suella Braverman was sacked twice as Home Secretary; Nadhim Zahawi was sacked after it emerged he’d been investigated by HMRC for not paying enough tax when he was Chancellor — not to mention claiming expenses from taxpayers for heating his stables — and Robert Jenrick was sacked as Housing Secretary by Boris Johnson in September 2021 following controversies. He was later removed from the shadow cabinet and had the Conservative whip withdrawn in January 2026 by Kemi Badenoch after planning to defect to Reform. But Reform are happy to take them into the party to help run the country if they get back into power.

The problem is: what are the alternatives? The current Labour government, which arrived triumphant only 18 months ago, seems to be doing its very best to get everything wrong. Countless U-turns on unpopular policies, followed by decisions by the Chancellor which beggar belief.

The Conservatives seem to be in a downward spiral, and I’m not sure how they get themselves back on track. Then there are the Liberal Democrats, who, despite the complete incompetence of the two main parties, never actually seem to go anywhere.

So it seems that Reform has the momentum right now, and it’s going to be interesting to see how this all pans out. Remember that Zahawi, Jenrick and Braverman all wanted to be leader of the Conservative Party — and failed. Don’t be surprised if one of them tries to topple Farage at some point because, as I said before, they’re only in it for themselves.

I, of course, no longer live in the UK, so I’m watching from afar. Although, to say things are rosy here in Spain, with a coalition government that’s going nowhere, isn’t easy either!

I would, though, always encourage you to go out and vote. In the words of Plato, who is considered one of the most brilliant and influential philosophers in history:

“One of the penalties for refusing to participate in politics is that you end up being governed by your inferiors” — or, in modern terms, by idiots!

I’ll leave you with that great line from an old song by Stealers Wheel, which couldn’t sum up politics and politicians in a better way:

“Clowns to the left of me, jokers to the right, here I am stuck in the middle with you.”

Walking for Pauline: A Son’s Journey of Love, Hope and Determination

Birds of a Feather actress Pauline Quirke MBE was diagnosed with dementia in 2021. Her family, who are unsure what stage she is at, have spoken of the “disbelief” they felt at the time.

I have known Pauline, her husband Steve, and their children Charlie and Emily for a very long time. They used to own a property here in Mallorca, which is when I first interviewed Pauline. That interview sparked a meeting with my wife Rachael, Pauline, Steve and me that led to the opening of the Pauline Quirke Academy here in Mallorca in 2009.

PQA is a performing arts academy for children and young people aged 4–18, offering classes in musical theatre, comedy and drama, and film and television. They have over 200 academies in the UK and here  in Mallorca, it runs every Saturday from 10:00 to 13:00 at Agora School in Portals Nous.

Since Pauline’s diagnosis, the family have been very private, as they did not want any press intrusion. Last month they shared an update on Pauline’s condition, and the news that Charlie will be bringing hope home this Christmas by embarking on a trek in honour of his beloved mum. The trek starts next Monday, the 8th of December, and he will walk 140 km in five days, raising money for Alzheimer’s Research UK.

I interviewed Charlie last week to find out more about it.

RP: Hi Charlie, good to talk to you. I think everybody would like to know: how is your mum?

CQ: Hi mate, thank you for asking. She’s good. You know, she is still, as you know, the funniest woman ever—caring and loving as always. We’re all determined to raise awareness and funds to find a cure for this illness.

RP: Just over 15 years ago, we started the Pauline Quirke Academy here in Mallorca, and it’s been fantastic. The support that we’ve received from both your mum and your dad has been amazing throughout that time. This is a great thing you’re doing, Charlie. When do you actually start?

CQ: Monday, December the 8th. So yeah, it’s a little under two weeks now. It’s come around fast, and I’m walking for five days across five counties, embarking on places that have touched my mum’s life, and our family’s life and history. So starting in Chigwell—the iconic home of Birds of a Feather, of course—then to West Ham’s training ground, through London to Islington, then Windsor where my mum got her MBE, then to the headquarters of PQA, and finally to where we now live.

RP: Five days, 140 kilometres. So it’s more or less 30 kilometres a day. So we’re talking… well, not far off a marathon a day, basically.

CQ: Yes. Maybe I’m not good enough at maths—I didn’t realise how much it was! I think it’s about three and a half marathons in the five days.

RP: Have you been training? I ask because am I right in saying that you are recovering from a broken leg?

CQ: So, in a football match at the end of August, I fractured my tibia and did my MCL. So it’s all been a bit of a mess. I was allowed out yesterday for the first time in four months to walk for about 45 minutes in one go. So I’m aching a little bit now.

RP: You need to make sure you have a good pair of trainers. I think I saw you out in a pair of Adidas the other day?

CQ: I’ve been lucky enough that Alzheimer’s Research UK have got me all kitted out in Adidas. Adidas wanted to come on board and help the cause. So yeah, I’m head to toe in Adidas clobber, and the shoes are actually Alzheimer’s Research UK colours, so that’s a good omen.

RP: Have you got people joining you on the walk?

CQ: Yeah, so they’ve been keeping it a surprise, but I think I’ve got a lot of familiar faces from my mum’s career joining me. Also a lot of my friends that are in the industry. Some actors that my mum’s worked with who can’t make it because of scheduling issues, but who really appreciate and respect my mum, are sending good-luck videos as well.

RP: If people want to donate, what’s the best way to do it?

CQ: The best way is the website, which is trek.charliestrek.org. You can go on there and see all the reasons why I’m doing it, and there’s a nice little handy donation button. Otherwise, you can text CHARLIE20 or CHARLIE10 to 70255.

RP: Right now you are just under £50,000, which is an amazing amount of money.

CQ: I never had a figure in my head. I’m hoping I can get to six figures and that now seems a possibility. That’ll make such a difference for research and for finding a cure. It’s incredible—the amount of money shows the amount of support and love for my mum. It’s such a nice feeling, honestly.

RP: Well, listen mate, we wish you all the luck. Please send our love to your mum, your dad and your sister too.

CQ: Cheers Richie, and thanks for your support.

Christmas is a time when families may notice signs of dementia for the first time—a condition almost one million people in the UK are living with today. Heartbreakingly, there is no cure for the condition—yet.

But Alzheimer’s Research UK exists to change that. With your support, the charity will give families hope by funding the research that will change and save lives. Here in Mallorca and across Spain there are support groups that are listed below. 

  • Age Concern Mallorca: They provide a wide range of support, including advice, help with paperwork, and connecting people with support groups for dementia and Alzheimers.
  • Ceafa: This is part of the Spanish Alzheimer’s network and is active in Mallorca.
  • Fundación Pasqual Maragall: This foundation has a presence in Mallorca, including holding awareness events in Palma. 
  • Age in Spain: Provides information and referrals for dementia care and support services across Spain.

Nearly all of us have family, a friend or someone we know that suffers from this awful illness, I wish Pauline, Steve, Charlie and Emily all our love. 

Remembrance and Identity: A British Expat’s Tale

I came to Mallorca back in 1990. Back then, I worked the summer seasons and went back home in the winter to look for work. My wife Rachael and I met at Pirates; she was Captain Scarlett and I was Captain Darling. We bought an apartment together in 1999, and once we had done that, we tended to stay here in the winters more and more. We got married in 2005 and moved to where we live now, and not long after that our first son, Jacob, was born. Three and a half years later our second son, Jude, arrived.

I class Mallorca as my home, but I have never once considered giving up my British passport and becoming a Spanish citizen. Having lived here for 35 years now, and my wife for slightly less, we could both apply for citizenship — but it’s not something we want to do. We have said to our sons that it’s entirely up to them what they decide.

My youngest, Jude — who you probably know is an aspiring footballer — said to me, “What if it comes to choosing England or Spain in football?” Now, firstly, he’ll be lucky to ever get into that position of course, but we can dream. If he ever did, I said it would be totally up to him. His choice right now is England.

He is also considering other avenues of work in case the football dream doesn’t materialise, which is something we have encouraged. Right now, he wants to go into the military or the fire service, and he would like to do that in the UK.

Working on the radio, I like to keep a keen eye on the news and particularly on things that are happening in the UK. I also listen intently to family and friends and what they have to say about the state of my country of birth. None of it right now seems to be positive.

A poll released only a few days ago from King’s College London reported that less than half of those polled (46%) felt proud of Britain, down from 56% in the past five years.

Remembrance Sunday was a couple of weeks ago — a day held annually on the second Sunday in November in the UK and other Commonwealth countries to commemorate the contribution of British and Commonwealth military and civilian service members in all wars and conflicts. It is a time for national reflection, observed with acts of remembrance such as wearing poppies, attending ceremonies, laying wreaths, and observing two minutes of silence.

My nephew William was part of the RAF band playing at the Cenotaph. I was saddened to hear Alec Penstone, aged 100, who fought in World War II and has attended several remembrance events and appeared on ITV’s Good Morning Britain. When asked what his message was for Remembrance Sunday, he said:

“My message is, I can see in my mind’s eye those rows and rows of white stones, of all the hundreds of my friends who gave their lives. For what? The country of today? No, I’m sorry. The sacrifice wasn’t worth the result that it is now.”

Alec explained:

“What we fought for was our freedom, and even now, it’s a darn sight worse than what it was when we fought for it.”

Surely this can’t be right?

Mallorca’s Tourism Strategy: Diversification and Sustainability Goals

This past week has seen the World Travel Market in London, where the great and the good of the travel world descend on the Excel Centre to showcase their wares. Mallorca focused on diversification and sustainability as the new buzzwords, while the Government continues to fend off questions about tourismphobia.

There are three main travel markets in Europe: the WTM in London in November, Fitur in Madrid in January, and the ITB in Berlin in March. The majority of Mallorca’s tourist numbers come from three countries:

Germany: The largest single source market for tourists in Mallorca, accounting for around 40% of total tourist traffic. In 2024, estimates suggest over 5 million German visitors. Reports indicate that this year there has been a decrease in the number of German tourists.

United Kingdom: The second-largest market, typically making up around 26% of visitors. In 2024, there were an estimated 3.58 million British tourists. Reports suggest that the British helped save the summer season this year, with a slight decline in visitor numbers in July and August but a significant increase in September.

Spain: Domestic tourism from mainland Spain is also a key market, with approximately 1.8 million visitors estimated in 2024.

We are starting to see more and more visitors from other countries. In my concierge business, I have met and spoken with people from the USA, France, Italy, Austria, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, Iraq, and Singapore. Next year, we are expecting flights from Canada, Abu Dhabi, and possibly South Africa.

For me, it is fundamental that we are represented at these travel markets. I often see comments online such as, “Why are we going when we’re always full?” and “Do we really need to spend this money?”

Marketing is crucial for sustainable growth — not just for attracting more visitors. It helps draw in a higher-spending demographic, which is something the Government is keen to encourage. It also helps spread tourism throughout the year and attracts people interested in different types of activities, helping to manage and reduce pressure during peak times. In addition, it can attract tourists with different needs and preferences, which in turn diversifies the local economy and ensures long-term stability.

Not being represented may not have a noticeable effect on tourism numbers in the short term, but you can be sure that in the long term, we would start to suffer. Competition among destinations is increasing, and according to the organisers of the WTM, London 2025 is expected to be the largest event in its 45-year history. Early indicators show significant growth, surpassing the more than 4,000 exhibitors from 2024, with an 8% increase expected.

Let’s be clear: tourism accounts for approximately 45% of Mallorca’s GDP, making it the island’s primary economic driver. The sector’s total impact is even greater, with analyses suggesting it influences up to 90% of the island’s economy through indirect effects on other industries. Most of us have a family member or friend who works in tourism.

Sustainability will be a vital part of our tourism strategy in the coming years. One change I would make immediately is to the tourist tax — I would charge a fixed fee all year round for every traveller.

At the moment:

• Under-16s don’t pay.

• Rates vary depending on the type of accommodation.

• There’s a 50% reduction if you stay longer than nine nights.

• It’s discounted during the low season.

Let’s be in no doubt: the island’s beauty must be maintained for generations to come — but we should also be proud of what we have. I’ve said it before, and I’ll keep saying it:

We are a beautiful island of contrasts — from the stunning beaches in the north to the mountains of the west, the caves and coves of the east, and the bustling nightlife of the south. There is something here for absolutely everyone.

If ever there was a destination built for tourism, it’s our island. It hasn’t been one of the most popular islands in the world for the past 50 years for nothing. In my opinion, it remains one of the best places to live and one of the best holiday destinations anywhere.

We can boast turquoise-blue waters, secret coves, soft golden sands, lush green landscapes, rugged mountains, picturesque villages, amazing cuisine, an up-and-coming wine industry, vibrant nightlife, and a lively capital city. And we’re just a couple of hours’ flight from most major European cities — right in the heart of the Mediterranean.

As someone who lives and works here, I see Mallorca’s magic every single day — in the people, the landscapes, and the memories our visitors take home. If we can combine smart marketing with genuine care for our environment and communities, I have no doubt that Mallorca will continue to shine as the jewel of the Mediterranean for decades to come.

Mallorca’s Extreme Weather: Lessons from Recent Storms

The weather has been hitting the headlines here for all the wrong reasons over the last couple of weeks. The islands were hit badly by the storms, with Ibiza probably getting the worst of it.

I really believe we are sleepwalking into another flooding disaster, like the one we experienced back in 2018 here in Mallorca. If you can’t remember that awful night seven years ago, here’s an excerpt from my blog at the time:

“Thoughts and prayers are with the people of San Llorenç and the surrounding areas this week. Living on a holiday island, you never expect us to be hit by the kind of storm that hit last Tuesday. Shocking videos and pictures were all over social media, and I think the realisation of how bad it was only dawned the following morning. Thirteen people tragically lost their lives, making it one of the worst natural disasters here on record.”

That storm happened at night, and the true devastation it caused only really became apparent the morning after. I don’t think even the word apocalyptic describes it — it was truly shocking.

The storms were caused by an extreme weather event with a massive amount of rainfall, exacerbated by factors including the town’s geography, existing infrastructure, and the difficulty of accurately forecasting the disaster. There was also a subsequent discussion about potential shortcomings in the emergency response and planning.

So here we are, seven years later — and what have we learned? Well, after talking to my Talking Balearics podcast partner, Martin Makepeace, who lives in Ibiza, the answer is: precious little. Ibiza bore the brunt of it, and the warnings that did come arrived too late. Martin, like me, has a blog called Man in San An.

He wrote:

“Saturated streets, mudslides, rockfalls, collapsed roofs, DC10 underwater, UNVRS without power, flights missed, cars submerged, tunnels full of water, the port of Ibiza cascading with water as passengers disembarked up to their knees, and the two most important hubs of the island – the airport and hospital – both leaking like a sieve. This was a generational event that will be spoken about for years to come.”

Remind you of anything?

The only good thing to come out of these recent awful storms is that there was no loss of life — probably more by luck than by preventative measures.

Back in June, we learned that since its inception in 2016 and up until the end of 2023, the tourist tax had raised a total of 698 million euros. Of this total, 218 million euros relating to the years 2020 to 2022 were used to cover needs arising from the pandemic. Of the remaining 480 million euros, only 59 million had been spent on fully implemented projects — a touch over 12%!

Remember, the tax was introduced to offset the environmental and territorial impact of mass tourism by funding projects for environmental conservation, cultural heritage restoration, and the promotion of sustainable tourism. It also aims to compensate local residents for the strain tourism places on the islands’ resources and infrastructure.

If ever there was a time to spend some of this money on our islands’ infrastructure, it’s now. Well, it was after the storms of 2018 — but when you look into the management of the tax, you seriously wonder who is actually running this absolute s…show (sorry, I couldn’t find a better word!).

The Public Audit Office has criticised the “chaos and lack of control” in the management of the tax up to 2023 — one of the reasons there has been such a low level of project execution. Difficulties the Audit Office encountered in preparing this report have led it not even to issue an audit report. It cannot endorse tax data or guarantee that the law has been complied with, or will be complied with, throughout the processes pertaining to the various projects. I actually can’t believe I’m writing this.

Now we learn that the Balearic Government — which has changed since the tax was first implemented — would like to increase it further. Surely they should be looking at the management of the money that hasn’t yet been spent first?

According to the experts, global warming is making weather more extreme and unpredictable by causing hotter temperatures, more severe storms, and more frequent and intense droughts. This is driven by rising global temperatures, which lead to more evaporation and moisture in the atmosphere, fuelling powerful storms like hurricanes and causing intense rainfall or longer periods of drought. Melting ice and warming oceans also contribute to sea-level rise, which exacerbates coastal flooding from storms.

I just hope someone here realises the seriousness of this — and sorts this mess out.