The Place
Palma’s aristocratic palaces can be very grand indeed: their architecture puts mere commoners in their place. Ca Sa Galesa is no exception, and has the added interest of being open to outsiders – many of the palaces are still family-owned and may not be visited. Its architecture is a textbook example of 17thC style, and much of the furniture has the opulence to match. By contrast, some of the bedrooms are fitted out in what could be called American style, with white-lacquered rattan furniture upholstered in flowery fabrics, possibly an acquired taste. An English tea is served in the afternoon in the Monet kitchen. Nearby you can visit the royal palace and the Gothic cathedral (La Seu), whose spectacular position a stone’s throw from the Mediterranean shore is unique in Europe. Don’t miss the cathedral’s stained glass windows, particularly striking at sunrise and sunset.