By Lyn Funnell
The journey from Palma to Soller takes just under an hour, travelling through the picturesque Serra de Tramuntana mountains.
We were looking forward to the trip on our recent stay in Majorca.
The wooden lacquered carriages and brass fittings have been perfectly maintained on these antique trains. The line was originally opened on 16th April, 1912 (the day that the Titanic sunk) to transport oranges as the roads through the mountains were practically non-existent and the oranges and lemons were transported by mule carts.
When the railway line opened it was known as the Orange Express.
There are 13 tunnels blasted through the mountains. The Tunel Major is nearly 3kms long.
the Serra de Tramuntana mountain range is a UNESCO World Heritage site with its historic landscape of olive groves and dry stone walls. The scenery is stunning for the whole journey.
Do make sure you go to the loo and buy water, etc in the station shop before you get on the train!
In Soller we climbed off the train and got on one of the historic trams, just outside the station. They travel between Soller and the Port de Soller every 30 minutes.
The trams started 18 months after the trains. They made it quicker and easier to transport fish, fruit and vegetables to Palma.
Like the trains, their interiors are polished wood and well-preserved.
It was quite an experience travelling on the tram. It passes closely by orange and lemon trees, back gardens and houses where you could reach out and tap on the windows if you wanted to!
The Port was very scenic, but expensive. So we caught a tram back to Soller.
Soller is a traditional Spanish town. Unfortunately it was heaving with tourists.
The main plaza, The Plaça de la Constitució is in the centre of Sóller, and just a few minutes’ walk from the station. It’s dominated by the Neo-Gothic style Sant Bartomeu church, which was built in the 16th century and renovated in 1904 by Joan Rubin, one of Gaudí’s students.
We were amused to see an orange tree growing in front of the church.
Wandering around the old narrow streets, we didn’t fancy sitting in a crowded restaurant.
Then we spotted a bakery with a queue outside. So we knew it would be good and we bought a couple of hot, fresh pies and ate them in the town square. Of course we had plenty of water with us.
After our lunch, we walked along a road where the tram tracks went and we found an amazing bar called the Oasis Bar. It was like a jungle with plants and trees filling every space.
The cushions on the seats had seen better days, but it was lovely sitting there in the shade, surrounded by tropical greenery.
I had a glass of rose wine and hubby John had a coffee. The prices were ever so cheap and Osama, the owner, kept coming out with plates of tapas for us. Then he picked some nisperos for us from one of his trees. They’re like small apricots. Typical Majorcan hospitality!
We went to meet our daughter Rana and granddaughter Isabella, who had stayed longer in the Port de Soller. And it was time to catch the train to Palma.
I strongly recommend the trip to Soller by train and tram. We all had a wonderful day!
We stayed at
Bonsol Hotel
Paseo de Illetas 30
E 07181 Illetas
Mallorca
Espana
Tel 34-971 402 111
www.hotelbonsol.es
bonsol@hotelbonsol.es
