Majorca Mallorca

What happens when a life in theatre collides with a love of horses and the rhythms of the land? In this episode, we meet Katja Lebelt, founder of Can Cavall Blau, an ecological farm and creative space tucked between Inca and Lloseta.

Katja shares her remarkable journey from designing costumes and sets for opera houses across Europe to building a sustainable farm in Mallorca, where she now lives with her family and a herd of polo horses. We explore how her artistic background influences everything she creates on the farm, from the way the land is shaped to the artisanal products that come from it — bitter orange aperitif Amargéro, natural wines, pomegranate vinegar, lemonade, and more.

Listeners will hear:

• How an injured polo horse named Cumbia changed Katja’s life.
• The challenges of starting a sustainable farm on rocky Mallorcan terrain.
• The evolution of Can Cavall Blau into a hub for horses, natural products, and intimate tastings.
• Why Katja sees the farm itself as her new “stage.”
• How arena polo is bringing a fresh, sustainable twist to the sport in Mallorca.

Can Cavall Blau is more than a farm — it’s a living performance, rooted in authenticity, connection, and creativity.

👉 Learn more or book a tasting: www.cancavallblau.comSign up for our free newsletter here. https://majorca-mallorca.es

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This episode of Mallorca Insiders brings back our resident foodie, Mia Naprta, with a special guest, Anna Ruiz Alfaro, organiser of Mallorca Restaurant Week. Together they share the stories behind the island’s buzzing dining scene, from the much-talked-about opening of Annabelle’s in Palmanova (and its infamous €64,000 bill) to the international concept of Restaurant Week — now making its mark in Mallorca. Discover how this initiative showcases top restaurants, celebrates local products, and offers residents and visitors the chance to enjoy high-end dining at accessible prices.

Writer and community voice Shirley Roberts joins us from Sóller to talk rain after the storm, water restrictions, and why the island’s hospitality lives or dies on the welcome. We dig into her Table for One mission for solo diners, the reality behind “anti-tourism” headlines, and the charm of the Sóller tram. Shirley also shares true insider tips: the Habaneras music nights on Repic beach with special train and tram options, when Palma and Sóller switch on the Christmas lights, and why church halls, events calendars, and third-age centres still knit local life together. Warm, candid, and very Mallorca.

Rain, leaks and water talk: post-storm relief, how Sóller and Deià handle shortages, and why some towns import water in summer.

Tourism reality check: busy days, traffic, and why headlines miss the nuance.

The tram, the square and daily rhythm: how locals and visitors share space.

Table for One: Shirley’s call for restaurants to welcome solo diners and allow one-person online bookings.

Service matters: staff training, student hospitality programmes, and the difference a proper welcome makes.

Big insider tip: Habaneras on Repic beach, Port de Sóller (two evenings in September). Tradition, burnt rum, handkerchiefs, and production by Truï. Special transport: train from Palma, tram to the beach, late return bus on the same ticket.

Dates to note: Palma Christmas lights late November; Sóller early December. Tram pause mid-Dec to Jan, with special runs on Christmas Eve and New Year’s Eve.

Community threads: SóllerWeb’s events calendar, blood donation drives, third-age and cultural centres, and the Anglican Church in Palma and Pollença.

Faith and belonging: why church still matters for some, and where community now gathers.

Resources and mentions

SóllerWeb (events and local info): https://www.sollerweb.com/

Historic Sóller tram and train: https://trendesoller.com/

Anglican Church Mallorca (Palma and Pollença): https://anglicanchurchmallorca.org/

Truï (event production) and Truï Teatre: https://trui.es/ & https://truiteatre.es/

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You can email MM on [email protected]

In this episode of Majorca Mallorca, Oliver sits down with Sergio García, the creator of Expat’s Walks. Sergio shares his love of exploring Mallorca on foot whilst teaching Spanish to the international community on the island, the history and hidden gems he uncovers along the way, and the challenges (and humour) of learning Spanish as a Brit living on the island. From his own journey to the community he’s built, this is an inspiring look at how walking together can open doors, spark conversations, and create connections across cultures.

Discover more about Sergio and his walks: https://quecuando.com/

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You can email MM on [email protected]

In this Mallorca Insider episode, Vicki sits down with Becky Bellafont Evans, founder of Mallorca Solutions and the island’s go-to problem-solver for paperwork, residency, taxes and more. Since 2008, Becky and her team have been helping Mallorca’s international community cut through the bureaucracy and get things done — from NIEs and TIEs to visas, car registrations, insurance and council taxes.

Expect practical tips, stories from the frontlines of Spanish admin, and a candid conversation about why good customer service makes all the difference. Whether you’re relocating, renewing documents, or simply trying to make sense of life admin in Spain, this episode is packed with essential insights.

In this episode:

• Becky’s story and how Mallorca Solutions began back in 2008
• The difference between NIE, residency, and TIE (and why so many get it wrong)
• Renewing your TIE card five years after Brexit — what you need to know
• Council taxes (IBI and bin): deadlines, fines, and how to avoid nasty surprises
• Why Spanish bureaucracy can be so confusing and how to navigate it
• The importance of customer service and speaking your language
• Handy tips on ID, the DGT app, driving licences and ITVs
• Upcoming Mallorca Solutions events, including coffee mornings on family protection, tax, and setting up a business
• How to access helpful blogs and resources on the Mallorca Solutions website

Links & Resources:

• Mallorca Solutions Website
• Email: [email protected]
• Follow Mallorca Solutions on social media for updates and useful reminders
• Subscribe to the Majorca Mallorca newsletter at majorca-mallorca.es

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You can email MM on [email protected]

In this episode we sit down with Saloua Sfar, the creative force behind A Ma Maison, one of Palma’s most personal restaurants, and Muse Palma, a multi-purpose cultural and events space. Originally from Tunisia, Saloua shares how Mallorca captured her heart, why her restaurant feels like “coming to her home”, and the challenges and joys of building businesses on the island. From her unique menus to belly dancing at anniversary parties, Saloua’s story is one of resilience, creativity, and passion for hospitality.

This conversation with Saloua Sfar dives into:

• How a holiday to Mallorca turned into a lifelong home.
• The philosophy behind A Ma Maison — a restaurant run with love, where every guest feels like family.
• Keeping dining affordable while offering a full experience.
• The balance of creativity and sustainability in cooking.
• Her Tunisian culinary roots and the influence of her mother.
• The story behind Muse Palma, a flexible cultural and events venue.
• Thoughts on hospitality in Mallorca and the importance of service, kindness, and training.
• Why dreaming, adapting, and building a community of support keeps her moving forward.

Whether you’re passionate about food, hospitality, or the entrepreneurial spirit, Saloua’s journey will inspire you to keep dreaming and create with heart.

https://www.tiasaloua.com/

https://muse-palma.com/

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You can email MM on [email protected]

Carlos Pons, managing director of Respiralia, joins us to share how a Mallorca-based foundation is changing lives for people with cystic fibrosis. We talk about life-extending treatments like Kaftrio, why modern respiratory physiotherapy has moved on from clapping to autogenic drainage, and how strength training is boosting lung capacity. Carlos explains the famous Swimming Tour around Formentera that funds hundreds of treatment sessions each year, and he lifts the lid on their pioneering phage therapy research that targets dangerous bacteria without antibiotics. He also reflects on life in Mallorca, housing pressures, and his own journey from Spanish Air Force search and rescue pilot to charity leader. If you care about science, community and real Mallorca stories, this one is for you.

Listen now and find links to Respiralia, the Swimming Tour and how to support their work in the show notes.

https://www.respiralia.org/

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You can email MM on [email protected]

00:00 Who is Carlos Pons and what Respiralia does

07:30 Kaftrio and how it changes day to day life for patients

12:00 Screening at birth in the Balearics and early intervention

16:40 From clapping to autogenic drainage

20:30 Why strength training improves lung capacity

24:30 Incidence in the Balearics and what daily management looks like

30:40 The Swimming Tour around Formentera and how it funds treatment sessions

37:30 How to get a place, timing, and the Respiralia spirit

42:00 Palma fun run and inclusive community events

46:00 Carlos’ SAR pilot years and the leap into the third sector

52:00 Phage therapy research to target bacteria without antibiotics

59:30 Regulation, funding, and why they seek grants over investors

1:06:00 Community projects, forests in the Serra de Tramuntana, and support for Ukrainian families

1:12:00 Housing pressures, legal insecurity in rentals, and balanced debate

1:18:00 The future for people with cystic fibrosis and why outlooks have changed

In this episode of Mallorca Insiders, Vicki sits down with veteran journalist and broadcaster Jan Edwards, who swapped early mornings at the BBC for a rural, off-grid life in Mallorca back in 2004.

Jan shares her journey from London hotel PR to BBC radio, to finca life between Manacor and Colònia de Sant Pere, where she and her partner Richard care for a family of cats and run on solar panels, water deliveries, and sheer determination.

Along the way, Jan has built a reputation as one of the island’s most trusted voices on food, wine, and rural living. She runs the blogs Eat, Drink, Sleep Mallorca and Living in Rural Mallorca, writes regularly for radio and magazines, and is the author of the Daughter of Deià series — her third novel and a memoir are on the way.

We talk candidly about:

• How Mallorca has changed in the last 20+ years
• Her favourite authentic places to eat (from vineyards to Michelin-star chefs who gave back their stars)
• Off-grid life and the joys/challenges of rural Mallorca
• The discipline of writing and publishing books (and how to market them)
• Insider tips for where to eat, drink and stay if you only had 24 hours on the island

👉 Tune in for a warm, funny and very real conversation with a woman who’s seen Mallorca transform, plate by plate and page by page.

You can see all of Jan's previous articles about gastronomy in Mallorca here https://eatdrinksleepmallorca.com/

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You can email MM on [email protected]

What do you do with the kids when it is too hot or pouring with rain in Mallorca? How do you find out about the best art shows, open-air films, polo days and food tours before anyone else? Nina Moon has the answers.

In this episode of the Majorca Mallorca Podcast, Vicki chats with Nina Moon, founder of The Calendar Mallorca, about the island’s cultural scene and family-friendly activities. Nina shares why she started the platform, how her time away in Austria gives her a fresh perspective, and her best tips for summer events, from hidden art spaces to vineyards and open-air cinema.

Whether you are a parent, a visitor, or a culture lover, Nina’s advice will help you make the most of the island all year round.

What you will hear in this episode:

• Why August is the trickiest month for families on the island
• Nina’s favourite rainy day activities and art exhibitions in Palma
• The story behind The Calendar Mallorca and how it started at Port Adriano
• Highlights to look forward to: Nit de l’Art, Cinema a la Fresca, food tours and more
• Why donating blood is one of the most important community acts you can do

Visit www.thecalendarmallorca.com for all the tea.

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Meet Catrin and Sebastian, the creative couple behind Pamboli Palma, a fashion brand inspired by the island they love. From quiet village life in Moscari to photo shoots in Berlin, their story is full of colour, creativity and a deep connection to Mallorca.

What you will hear in this episode:

• How a first holiday to Mallorca led to a life-changing proposal
• Why Moscari became their home and muse
• Turning backgrounds in journalism and film design into a fashion label
• The challenge of producing colourful garments in small batches
• The spirit behind Pamboli Palma and what makes it unique

Whether you love fashion, travel or just a good story about following your passions, this episode is for you.

Listen now on the Majorca Mallorca Podcast and discover why this brand is making waves on and off the island.

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You can email MM on [email protected]