The ISA JournalA Weekend Trip to Mallorca, Spain

If you told me the first place I would be traveling to was the island of Mallorca, Spain, I never would’ve saw it coming—and here’s why.

The first few weeks of studying in Madrid, Spain, have been incredible, from the infamous tapas and awe-inspiring street fashion; to being immersed in the Spanish language both with my Spanish roommates and ordering at restaurants; to walking 20,000 steps daily the first week under the warmth of the Madrid sun to see all its unforgettable historical sites. This city has something to do or see with every street you go down!

However, I decided to take a step outside of my study center for the main reasons I picked Madrid: to be able to explore and see all parts of Spain. When deciding where to go for my first weekend trip, I knew that staying within my country is what I felt most comfortable with, as I was still settling in and getting familiar with the Spanish lifestyle. I had known about Sevilla, Barcelona, and Bilbao.

But this week, when looking for places to go, an affordable option at the time that popped up was Mallorca, Spain: an island next to Ibiza I had never heard of before this Google search. So, with a little bit of research and excitement to be at the beach, I landed in a place that I never thought I’d be—and never wanted to leave.

The best way to describe Mallorca is, well, it has it all. Beaches, mountains, Old Town Palma, historical sites, calm yet charming alleys and good eats. It’s hard not to love.

My favorite thing in Palma was the cathedral. It was truly one of the most beautiful things I have ever seen in my entire life. It is hard to get the full effect without actually being there due to the size and ambiance, but it was an incredible experience, especially having an art and religion background.

My friend and I sat in a pew admiring and taking in the architecture all around us for at least 20 minutes. There was so much detail in the 61 stained glass windows decorating the walls. The environment was calming and respectful, making it a very beautiful experience despite just the looks of the cathedral.

It’s safe to say that Gothic-style architecture is one of my favorites. The construction of this cathedral started in the 13th century. It is really mind-blowing how people could create and design with such intricacy without the use of technological advancements.

Lastly, as if it couldn’t get better than seeing the Cathedral up close in and out, I unexpectedly spotted the cathedral one last time before leaving Palma, lit up at night for a race happening in the city!

So, while I could share countless stories from my weekend trip to Palma, Mallorca, I must emphasize that if you ever get the opportunity to visit, the cathedral is an absolute must-see that you should not miss. It made me appreciate history, and its crucial role in art, much more than before.

It is a reminder that art and stories never die, despite the modern technology-filled society we live in, and how the two subjects will always be studied and looked up to for many centuries to come. This day was one I’ll never forget, and hope to relive it sometime in the future with my family.

Hannah Dres is a student at the University of Denver and an ISA Featured Photo Blogger. She is studying with ISA in Madrid, Spain.