General Tour Information
Note: The information presented here is an abbreviated version of our formal General Information for Tours to Mallorca. Its purpose is solely to give readers a sense of what might be involved if they take this tour. Although we do our best to make sure what follows here is completely accurate, it should not be used as a replacement for the formal document which will be sent to all tour registrants, and whose contents supersedes any information contained here.
TRAVEL TO MALLORCA: This tour is organized by our British company, Sunbird, and starts and ends in London. The cost of the group flights between London and Mallorca are included in the tour cost. You can choose, however, to make your own travel arrangements to Mallorca. You would receive a corresponding discount in the tour cost should you decide to do this. Please read the Important Travel Information for Participants on Sunbird Tours.
ENTERING MALLORCA: United States citizens will need a valid passport to visit Spain. A visa is not required. Citizens of other nations should contact the nearest Spanish Consulate for entry requirements.
SPAIN MAP AND COUNTRY INFORMATION: You can view maps of Spain in the University of Texas series here. The size of the map can be adjusted by clicking on the lower right corner of the map. You can review the U.S. Department of State background notes on Spain here.
HEALTH: The tour is not a strenuous one: leisurely walking, occasionally over moderately rough terrain, is the only physical requirement. Day-flying mosquitoes can be a problem in some areas, so bring an insect repellent. It may be impossible to obtain any special medications during the tour, so bring all you are likely to need with you. You are advised not to drink the tap water at the hotel, primarily because of its high mineral content. You can review the latest CDC advisories here.
CLIMATE: Temperatures will typically range from possibly as low as 50°F in the early mornings to as high as 80°F during the day. Sunshine should be plentiful, but rain is possible throughout. Cold weather, with temperatures down to 40°F, is rare at this time of year, but should be allowed for as a possibility.
PACE OF TOUR AND DAILY ROUTINE: This is a fairly relaxed tour. On most days there will be an optional pre-breakfast walk from about 7:00 a.m. to 8:00 a.m. after which breakfast is served. Lunch is a leisurely picnic. There are plenty of stops for tea and coffee. We usually return to the hotel at around 7:00 p.m. ,and on at least one night we will go out after dark to look for Scops Owl.
Virtually all the walking is fairly easy on good paths or tracks. There are only two long walks of about two miles each; one of these is on terrain that is a little uneven in places. Most of the birdwatching is done within a short distance of our vehicle.
ACCOMMODATION: Our accommodation is a small family-run hotel in a quiet location close to the sea. The rooms are typical of this kind of hotel, being simple and not too large but very clean. All rooms have a bathroom with shower rather than a bath. Some of the rooms also have a small balcony. The rooms are on two floors and there is no elevator.
FOOD: Breakfasts are also typical for this kind of hotel in this part of the world, consisting of fruit juice, a roll with jam and cheese, and boiled eggs. By comparison, the picnic lunches are sumptuous affairs with a variety of local produce and wine. Evening meals in the hotel are generally local dishes, which are good although often quite simple.
DRESS: Dress will be informal throughout the tour.
TRANSPORT: Transport will be by mini-bus driven by the leader. We will rotate the seating each day.
SMOKING: Smoking is not allowed in the vehicles or when the group is gathered for meals, checklists, etc. If you are sharing a room with a non-smoker, please do not smoke in the room. If you smoke in the field, we ask that you do so well away and downwind from the group. If any location where the group is gathered has a stricter smoking policy than the WINGS policy, the stricter policy will prevail.
GENERAL INFORMATION & CONDITIONS OF WINGS & SUNBIRD TOURS: Please take a moment to read the WINGS General Information & Conditions. This section contains important information about how we conduct tours, e.g., what is included in the tour price, refund and cancellation policies, pace of the tours, and other information that will help you prepare for the tour.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION: A more complete General Information for Tours to Mallorca will be mailed to each registrant on receipt of his or her booking. Final instructions for meeting the group, hotel addresses, etc., will be mailed about three weeks before trip departure. Other news will be communicated as necessary. If you have any questions, please contact us.
Updated: March 2008