Majorca Mallorca

Majorca Mallorca Podcast

Ever wondered what it is like to live on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Majorca? (Or even Mallorca?!). Join long term residents and journalists, Vicki McLeod and Oliver Neilson, for a taste of the Majorcan lifestyle. With features about making the move to live permanently on the island to what you could be doing on your next holiday, the Majorca Mallorca podcast aims to cover all of the beautiful aspects of life there. From beaches to celebrity visits, to traditional food and fiestas, to sailing and watersports to hiking and climbing, to setting up a business and cutting through the red tape to getting married in Mallorca and what's hot, Vicki, Ollie and a host of guests will answer all of your questions and welcome your input!

  1. 2d ago

    11 Years in Mallorca: Ottilie Quince on Starting Again

    What does it really take to build a new life in Mallorca? In this episode of The Majorca Mallorca Podcast, Vicki McLeod talks to Ottilie Quince, founder of OQ Service Course in Port de Pollença, about the eleven years she has spent building a business and a life on the island. Moving to Mallorca can look very different from the outside compared with the reality of actually building a life here. Ottilie Quince moved to Mallorca in 2015 after previously visiting the island to train with the Great Britain cycling team. She arrived without a detailed business plan, but with professional experience as a physiotherapist, a willingness to work hard and a determination to make island life work. Her first work involved treating people in hotels, apartments and villas. She soon realised that this was not how she wanted to operate and began looking for premises of her own. That eventually developed into OQ Service Course, a cycling-focused business in Port de Pollença. The conversation ranges far beyond business. Ottilie talks about learning Spanish without worrying too much about making mistakes, the importance of knowing people's names, the role of local fiestas in understanding Mallorca, and the practical realities of being self-employed. There is also a frank discussion about Mallorca's changing tourism economy, the increasing cost of property, seasonal work, cycling tourism and the challenge of adapting to a rapidly changing island. At the heart of the conversation is a simple idea: moving to another country means starting a new chapter rather than trying to recreate the old one. What you will hear in this episodeOttilie's first eleven years in MallorcaWhy she moved to the islandArriving with two cats, four bicycles and a physiotherapy tableLearning Spanish through conversation rather than worrying about perfect grammarHow OQ Service Course got its nameBuilding a business from scratchThe realities of being a woman running a businessThe importance of resilience and adaptabilityWhy Ottilie recommends learning some MallorcanGetting involved with local fiestasThe Pollença Moros i Cristians celebrationsWhy professional cyclists continue to train in MallorcaThe relationship between cycling and local businessesMallorca's changing tourism marketSeasonal work and the winter economyProperty prices and the difficulties of buyingThe difference between renting and owningClimate, heat, humidity and winter dampWhy integration matters About the guestOttilie Quince is the founder of OQ Service Course in Port de Pollença, a cycling-focused business offering physiotherapy and sports massage alongside cycling-related services. The official OQ Service Course website says the business was established in February 2017 and provides cycling support including sports massage, guided rides, bike servicing, cycling apparel, nutrition and other services. Links and resourcesOQ Service Course: https://oqservicecourse.com/OQ Service Course bookings: https://oqservicecourse.com/bookingsPollença Town Council: https://ajpollenca.net/Four Seasons Resort Mallorca at Formentor: https://www.fourseasons.com/mallorca/Majorca Mallorca: https://majorca-mallorca.es/ Guest introductionOttilie Quince moved to Mallorca in 2015 and has spent the past eleven years building a life and business in Port de Pollença. She is the founder of OQ Service Course, a cycling-focused business that combines physiotherapy and sports support with her deep knowledge of Mallorca and its cycling community. In this conversation, Ottilie talks honestly about starting again in another country, learning Spanish, building a business, becoming part of the local community and adapting to the realities of island life.

    11 Years in Mallorca: Ottilie Quince on Starting Again

  2. Aug 28

    Moving to Mallorca: Residency, NIEs, Visas and Spanish Citizenship - with Mallorca Solutions

    Thinking about moving to Mallorca, working here or making the island your permanent home? This episode looks at some of the paperwork and practical realities you need to understand before making the move. Vicki McLeod is joined by Becky Bellafont Evans and Rebecca Edwards from Mallorca Solutions to discuss NIE numbers, residency, visas, seasonal work, Spanish citizenship, private medical insurance and Mallorca's new Tarjeta Única public transport card. Listen for practical insight into getting properly organised before you relocate. Subscribe to the Majorca Mallorca Podcast for more conversations about life on the island. Episode overviewMoving to Mallorca can look wonderfully simple from a distance. The reality, as anyone who has dealt with Spanish administration knows, is rather more complicated. In this episode of the Majorca Mallorca Podcast, Vicki McLeod is joined by Becky Bellafont Evans, founder and CEO of Mallorca Solutions, and Rebecca Edwards from the team. Between them, they discuss some of the most common questions asked by people planning to live, work or settle in Mallorca. The conversation covers the difference between an NIE number and residency, why a Social Security number matters for workers, and the challenges faced by seasonal employees trying to get their paperwork organised. Becky also talks through some of the broad options available to non-EU citizens, including the non-lucrative and digital nomad routes, while stressing that immigration options depend on individual circumstances. There is also a candid discussion about Spanish citizenship, including the reasons some long-term residents consider applying for a Spanish passport and the reality of the application process. Finally, the episode turns to insurance and everyday island life, including private medical cover and the Tarjeta Única, Mallorca's integrated public transport card. The central message is straightforward: do your homework before moving. Good preparation and correct registration can make life considerably easier later. What you will hearWhat Mallorca Solutions doesGrowing up in Mallorca with English parentsSpeaking English, Spanish and CatalanWhy getting paperwork right at the beginning mattersNIE numbers and what they are used forSocial Security registrationSeasonal workers in MallorcaResidency for EU citizensVisa options for non-EU citizensThe non-lucrative and digital nomad routesWhy people should prepare before moving to SpainArraigo and regularisation routesSpanish citizenship and nationalityLanguage and cultural knowledge examinationsPrivate medical insuranceThe role of an independent insurance brokerThe Tarjeta ÚnicaFree public transport in MallorcaWhy better public transport could help reduce time spent in traffic About the guestsBecky Bellafont Evans is described in the transcript as the founder and CEO of Mallorca Solutions, a Mallorca-based business providing assistance with insurance and official administration. Rebecca Edwards works with Mallorca Solutions and has lived in Mallorca since early childhood. She attended school in the Santanyí area and discusses her experience of growing up between English and Spanish cultures. Links and resourcesMallorca Solutions: https://www.mallorcasolutions.com/Spanish Ministry of Justice, nationality by residence: Official Spanish citizenship informationMallorca Tarjeta Única information: Official Tarjeta Única informationTIB Mallorca: https://www.tib.org/es/inicioMajorca Mallorca: https://majorca-mallorca.es

    Moving to Mallorca: Residency, NIEs, Visas and Spanish Citizenship - with Mallorca Solutions

  3. Aug 7

    Sóller, Mallorca: Tourism, Traffic, Housing and the Eclipse.

    What is Sóller really like when you live there? Vicki and Oliver take the Majorca Mallorca Podcast out of the studio and meet Shirley in Sóller for a wide-ranging conversation about life in the valley, from tourism and traffic to housing, buses, winter in Mallorca and the extraordinary build-up to the August 2026 total solar eclipse. There are stories about Northern Ireland, weddings, eclipse proposals, cars, electric scooters and the practical realities of getting around the island, alongside a candid discussion about the tension between residents and visitors. If you are visiting Sóller, considering moving to Mallorca or simply interested in how the island works beyond the holiday brochures, this episode offers plenty to think about. Subscribe to Majorca Mallorca for more conversations about life on the island. Sóller is one of Mallorca's most recognisable destinations, but it is also a real place where people live, work, raise families, run businesses and deal with the same pressures found elsewhere on the island. In this episode, Vicki and Oliver meet Shirley in Sóller rather than recording in the studio. The result is an informal conversation that moves between food, travel, tourism, transport and everyday island life. The timing is particularly interesting. Mallorca is approaching the 12 August 2026 total solar eclipse, an event that has generated enormous interest in Sóller and the wider island. The eclipse is particularly significant for Port de Sóller: astronomical calculations put maximum eclipse there at approximately 20:31 local time, with totality lasting about 1 minute 34 seconds. The conversation also looks beyond the eclipse. Shirley discusses a forthcoming protest in Sóller, the reasons behind local frustration, housing affordability and the difficulty of separating tourism from wider economic and social pressures. Traffic is another major theme. The group discusses congestion into Port de Sóller, car ownership, parking, public transport and electric scooters. One of the most useful points is that the problems are not necessarily as simple as “too many tourists”. Arrival patterns, local car ownership, the physical geography of the valley and the capacity of public transport all play a role. And then there is winter. For people who only know Sóller in July and August, the quieter months offer a very different experience. What you will hear in this episodeRecording the podcast from SóllerThe food and character of the restaurant hosting the recordingShirley's trip to Northern IrelandEscaping Mallorca's summer heatThe changing nature of destination weddingsProposals and wedding photography during the eclipseThe August 2026 total solar eclipseWhere the eclipse may be visible around SóllerThe eclipse rush and restaurant bookingsThe forthcoming Sóller protestHousing affordability and the cost of livingWhether Sóller is really overcrowdedThe Sóller train, tram and Sa Calobra visitor flowTraffic into and out of Port de SóllerLocal car ownership and parkingPublic transport and full busesElectric scooters and road safetyWhy Mallorca is a place where people actually liveWinter in SóllerThe 90/180-day Schengen issue for British visitorsNorthern Ireland and unexpected travel adventuresPlans for the Camino de SantiagoThe Perseid meteor shower following the eclipse Keep up to date with Shirley's daily updates here. www.sollerweb.com ....and find keep up to date with Majorca Mallorca via these links Sign up for our free newsletter here. https://majorca-mallorca.es Please follow Majorca Mallorca on Social Media: FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/MajorcaMallorca.es FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/MajorcaMallorca

    Sóller, Mallorca: Tourism, Traffic, Housing and the Eclipse.

  4. Aug 6

    From Santa Catalina to Superyachts: Erica Lay's Mallorca Story

    What is it really like to work on a superyacht in Mallorca? Erica Lay, founder of EL CREW CO and author of The Superyacht Life, returns to the Majorca Mallorca Podcast to talk about yacht recruitment, crew life and the changing reality of working in one of the island's most important industries. From the days when newcomers could arrive with a backpack and a hope and a dream to today's world of qualifications, visas, money and online recruitment, Erica explains what aspiring crew need to know. We also discuss yacht crew welfare, recruitment scams, rising costs in Mallorca and the growing attraction of alternative yacht hubs such as Vilanova i la Geltrú. Listen to the full episode and subscribe to Majorca Mallorca for more conversations about life and work on the island. Episode overviewMallorca has been at the heart of the Mediterranean yachting industry for decades, but the business is changing. Erica Lay has spent years working at the sharp end of that change. After arriving in Mallorca in 2007, she moved from a career in construction project management into yacht recruitment and eventually established her own agency, EL CREW CO, in 2013. Her business works with yacht crew across a wide range of roles and vessel sizes. Erica has worked in international yacht crew recruitment since 2007 launching her own agency in 2013. In this conversation, Erica talks about her early years living in Santa Catalina, before moving to the Mallorcan countryside, and about the dramatic changes she has seen in both Palma and the yacht industry. She explains how finding yacht work has changed. The old image of arriving in Mallorca with a backpack, walking the docks and hoping for day work has largely disappeared. Today's newcomers need qualifications, documentation, money behind them and a much more professional approach. There is also a warning for anyone tempted by the glamour portrayed in television programmes such as Below Deck. Yacht work can provide excellent opportunities, but it can also mean long hours, cramped living conditions, isolation and significant pressure. Perhaps most importantly, Erica discusses recruitment scams, fake jobs and fraudulent approaches targeting inexperienced crew. The wider conversation looks at Mallorca's future as a yachting centre. Rising costs are encouraging some yachts and businesses to consider places such as Vilanova i la Geltrú, raising questions about how much the island can charge before the industry begins to move elsewhere. What you will hear in this episodeErica's journey from the UK to MallorcaLife in Santa Catalina before its transformationWhy Erica moved from Palma to the countrysideHow yacht recruitment became her careerHow yacht jobs have changed over the past two decadesWhat new crew need before arriving in MallorcaWhy Below Deck is a poor guide to real yacht lifeSeasonal yacht work and freelance crewThe realities of working and living aboard a yachtCrew welfare and isolationMental health support for yacht crewThe importance of qualifications and documentationFake yacht jobs and recruitment scamsHow social media has changed recruitmentWhy Mallorca became a major yachting hubRising costs for yachts and businessesVilanova i la Geltrú as a potential alternativeWhat the changing industry could mean for Mallorca About Erica LayErica Lay is the founder and director of EL CREW CO, an international yacht crew recruitment agency based in Mallorca. She has worked in yacht recruitment since 2007 and established EL CREW CO in 2013. She is also the author of The Superyacht Life: How to Start, Succeed & Stay Sane, a guide covering different stages of a career in yachting. www.elcrewco.com Visit: https://majorca-mallorca.es Subscribe to our newsletter and follow Majorca Mallorca on social media.Sign up for our free newsletter here. https://majorca-mallorca.es Please follow Majorca Mallorca on Social Media: FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/MajorcaMallorca.es FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/MajorcaMallorca

  5. Aug 2

    Burnt Fireworks and Crushed Dreams: Trudi Murray’s Eclipse Perfume

    What would Mallorca’s total solar eclipse smell like? In this episode of the Majorca Mallorca Podcast, Vicki and Oliver meet Trudi Murray, founder of Gaia Natural, to explore the fascinating world of fragrance, memory and Mallorcan creativity. Gaia Natural creates bespoke amenities and spa products for some of Mallorca’s leading luxury hotels. Each property receives its own exclusive fragrance, inspired by its gardens, architecture, history and guests. Trudi also welcomes visitors to her beautifully restored windmill in Costitx, where she hosts intimate perfume-making experiences. Guests learn how to build a fragrance one note at a time, using scent to unlock memories and create something entirely personal. The centrepiece of the conversation is Trudi’s extraordinary limited-edition perfume inspired by Mallorca’s total solar eclipse on 12 August 2026. Named I’m Sorry, Dave, I’m Afraid I Can’t Do That, it draws on lunar dust, Apollo missions, childhood fireworks and what Trudi describes as “burnt fireworks and crushed dreams”. Only 50 bottles have been created, each presented as an interactive work of art with handmade packaging, Mallorcan ceramics and its own tiny diorama. It is a conversation about following an idea down a rabbit hole, turning imagination into something tangible and refusing to stop creating. I'm sorry Dave, I can't do that...Instagram reel. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DZ5XdDutDCY/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== https://www.instagram.com/perfume.experience.mallorca/ Visit: https://majorca-mallorca.es Subscribe to our newsletter and follow Majorca Mallorca on social media.Sign up for our free newsletter here. https://majorca-mallorca.es Please follow Majorca Mallorca on Social Media: FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/MajorcaMallorca.es FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/MajorcaMallorca

    Burnt Fireworks and Crushed Dreams: Trudi Murray’s Eclipse Perfume

  6. Jul 31

    Mallorca This Week: Protests, Airport Delays, Wildfires and Ceuta

    Is Mallorca really telling tourists to go home? This week, Vicki and Oliver examine the huge anti-tourism demonstration in Palma, the clashes outside Ses Voltes and the complicated reality behind the headlines. The protest may be described as anti-tourism, but concerns about housing, overcrowding, traffic, natural resources and the island’s tourism-dependent economy make the story far more complex. They also discuss reports of long EES queues for British passengers arriving at Palma Airport, the proposed European firefighting hub at Son Sant Joan and the devastating wildfire risk facing Spain and the western Mediterranean. Finally, the episode turns to the rapidly developing humanitarian crisis in Ceuta, where approximately 50,000 people reportedly crossed from Morocco into Spanish territory within 24 hours. Plus, Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox arrive in Mallorca aboard a superyacht, Cristiano Ronaldo sparks engagement rumours and excitement continues to build ahead of the total solar eclipse. Listen for honest conversation, local insight and a closer look at the stories affecting Mallorca this week. 00:00 Welcome and Mallorca eclipse update 01:55 Jennifer Aniston and Courteney Cox in Mallorca 02:30 Superyachts and Sa Foradada 04:20 Cristiano Ronaldo’s Mallorca visit 05:15 Pedro Sánchez and the royal summer in Palma 06:25 Mallorca’s anti-tourism protest 08:00 What happened outside Ses Voltes 10:15 Are tourists still welcome in Mallorca? 11:35 What “tourists go home” really means 13:10 Mallorca’s housing and tourism problem 17:15 EES queues at Palma Airport 21:25 Airport assistance and potential disruption 22:25 Mallorca’s proposed European firefighting hub 23:15 Wildfire risks in Mallorca and Spain 25:45 The developing crisis in Ceuta 35:40 Coming next on the podcast The Majorca Mallorca Podcast brings you real stories, local voices and insider knowledge from across Mallorca. Hosted by Vicki McLeod and Oliver Neilson, the podcast explores island life, local businesses, inspiring people, events, food, culture and everything you need to know about living in or visiting Mallorca. Whether you call it Mallorca or Majorca, subscribe for honest conversations, practical advice and a closer look at the people and places that make the island so special. Visit: https://majorca-mallorca.es Subscribe to our newsletter and follow Majorca Mallorca on social media.Sign up for our free newsletter here. https://majorca-mallorca.es Please follow Majorca Mallorca on Social Media: FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/MajorcaMallorca.es FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/MajorcaMallorca

    Mallorca This Week: Protests, Airport Delays, Wildfires and Ceuta

  7. Jul 26

    Mallorca’s Total Solar Eclipse: Where to See It, How to Plan and What Could Go Wrong

    On Wednesday 12 August 2026, Mallorca will experience one of the most remarkable natural events of our lifetime: a total solar eclipse. However, seeing it will not be as simple as walking outside and looking up. The eclipse will reach totality shortly before sunset, when the Sun is extremely low in the west-north-western sky. Across much of Mallorca, the Serra de Tramuntana, local hills, buildings and vegetation could completely block the view. In this episode, Oliver is joined by Majorca Mallorca group contributor Nick Brown, who has studied the island’s geography, viewing angles and official eclipse planning in impressive detail. They discuss: • Why the eclipse will be difficult to see from parts of Mallorca • Which areas may offer a clearer view • Why Palma city centre and much of northern Mallorca could be problematic • The official traffic restrictions affecting the Serra de Tramuntana • Why driving across the island could be a serious mistake • The additional risks posed by August heat and forest fires • What boat owners and charter guests need to consider • How to check whether the eclipse will be visible from your location • How to protect your eyes while watching it The eclipse begins in Palma at approximately 19:38, with the maximum occurring at around 20:32, shortly before sunset. The official advice is to plan early, remain close to your accommodation where possible and avoid unnecessary journeys. Since recording this conversation, we have checked the official eclipse safety guidance. Do not point a phone camera, photographic camera, binoculars or a telescope directly at the Sun unless the equipment has a suitable professional solar filter. The safest options are certified eclipse glasses used according to their instructions or an indirect projection method. Please remember that looking directly at the Sun can cause permanent and irreversible damage to your eyesight. Use properly certified eclipse glasses or a safe indirect projection method. You can also read the detailed blog which is updated with the latest information here https://majorca-mallorca.es/events/mallorca-solar-eclipse-2026-where-to-watch-and-how-to-prepare/ Official Balearic Government eclipse information https://eclipsisegur.caib.es Horizonte Eclipse 2026 visibility tool https://www.horitzo2026.com Spanish National Geographic Institute eclipse information https://eclipses.ign.es IGN eclipse viewing and eye-safety guidance https://eclipses.ign.es/como-observar-eclipses.html ..and here is how to make an eclipse viewer from a Pringles tube, it works best with sour cream and onion. https://youtube.com/shorts/5DBjU573gm4?si=beQxwE9JAOZJoviC Sign up for our free newsletter here. https://majorca-mallorca.es Please follow Majorca Mallorca on Social Media: FACEBOOK PAGE https://www.facebook.com/MajorcaMallorca.es FACEBOOK GROUP https://www.facebook.com/groups/MajorcaMallorca

    Mallorca’s Total Solar Eclipse: Where to See It, How to Plan and What Could Go Wrong

  8. Jul 23

    Where to Eat in Mallorca: From Brilliant Menús del Día to Michelin-Star Dining

    Where should you eat in Mallorca when you want something better than the familiar tourist favourites? Food journalist Mia Naprta joins Vicki McLeod and Oliver Neilson to share some of her latest discoveries, from excellent-value menús del día and properly prepared Valencian-style paella to brunch, Japanese pancakes and an extraordinary three-and-a-half-hour Michelin-starred tasting experience. The conversation takes us from Palmanova to Selva and Palma’s old town, revealing why some of Mallorca’s most interesting restaurants are found beyond the island’s usual expat dining circuit. Mia also explains what it is really like to review restaurants and bars for a living, including the unexpected confession that she is not particularly keen on alcohol, despite being paid to write about it. Listen for plenty of recommendations, strong opinions and a lively debate about whether paella is a Spanish masterpiece or simply a glorified risotto. Mia Naprta is a food journalist who writes in English for the Mallorca Bulletin. Her work takes her into restaurants, hotels and bars across the island, searching for interesting new openings, excellent-value menús del día and dining experiences worth recommending. Show notesIn this episode: Mia explains what a gastrojournalist actually doesThe joys of discovering an excellent menú del díaWhy affordable lunches can reveal more about Mallorca than expensive tourist restaurantsExploring places outside Palma and the familiar expat areasBeach dining in PalmanovaWhat makes an authentic Valencian-style paellaThe case against paella, including Oliver’s “glorified risotto” verdictBrunch culture and Japanese pancakesEating at Selvaj in SelvaSpecial-occasion dining at Zaranda in PalmaThe theatre and attention to detail behind a Michelin-starred tasting menuWhat it is like to spend three and a half hours over dinnerWhy Mia drinks for work, despite not being a great fan of alcohol Restaurants and places mentionedCasa Chiringo, PalmanovaA relaxed beachside restaurant recommended for paella. Mia explains that the team learned from Valencian chefs and prepares its paella in the Valencian tradition. The paellas discussed were priced at approximately €22 to €26, depending on the variety. Mia tried a mixed-style paella containing chicken, seafood and green beans. Selvaj, SelvaOne of the episode’s examples of the interesting restaurants that can be discovered by travelling beyond Palma and the island’s better-known international dining areas. Zaranda, PalmaThe Michelin-starred restaurant led by chef Fernando Pérez Arellano, located within the Es Princep hotel in Palma. Mia describes an intricate, theatrical tasting experience lasting around three and a half hours, with show cooking, highly detailed presentation and a concept influenced by leather and the history of the building.

    Where to Eat in Mallorca: From Brilliant Menús del Día to Michelin-Star Dining
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About

Ever wondered what it is like to live on the beautiful Mediterranean island of Majorca? (Or even Mallorca?!). Join long term residents and journalists, Vicki McLeod and Oliver Neilson, for a taste of the Majorcan lifestyle. With features about making the move to live permanently on the island to what you could be doing on your next holiday, the Majorca Mallorca podcast aims to cover all of the beautiful aspects of life there. From beaches to celebrity visits, to traditional food and fiestas, to sailing and watersports to hiking and climbing, to setting up a business and cutting through the red tape to getting married in Mallorca and what's hot, Vicki, Ollie and a host of guests will answer all of your questions and welcome your input!

Information

  • Creator
    Majorca Mallorca Podcast
  • Years Active
    2020 - 2026
  • Episodes
    133
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Majorca Mallorca
  • Show Website
    Majorca Mallorca