We Are Not From Here: The Stand-up Show Speaking to Mallorca’s Newcomers, Long-timers and In-betweeners
When you move to Mallorca from somewhere else, there is a moment that arrives quietly. It often comes months or years after the move, once the practical things are settled and the novelty has worn off. It is the moment you realise you now live between worlds. You are not entirely from there anymore, but you are not fully from here either. You translate yourself in small ways every day. You learn when to hold back, when to speak up, when to laugh even though you are not entirely sure you understood the joke.
It is this space that comedians Xavier Jallois and Abdullah Osturk walk straight into with their tour We Are Not From Here. The show has toured across Spain to full houses, bringing together people who have, in one way or another, experienced the quiet strangeness of being new somewhere. And, it has sold out so quickly in Palma that a second performance has had to be added.
Xavier grew up in Chile. He is half French and moved to Spain six years ago to study film. Abdullah moved to Madrid at twenty three from Turkey on a full scholarship to study economics and finance.
Neither man imagined that the core of their adult life would be telling jokes to strangers in a second language.
“It started very small,” Abdullah tells me. “I took some film and scriptwriting classes, and I tried an open mic in Istanbul just to see. I was terrified. But after that, I thought, okay, maybe something is here. Later in Madrid I found out there were English open mics. I went to one. Then another. Then I met Xavier.”
For Xavier the start was equally intense.
“My first open mic felt like jumping out of a plane,” he says. “The first part was just silence. Pure silence. Then the last joke worked, and the room laughed, and I thought, alright, we can try again.”
They laugh about this now, but anyone who has ever stood in front of a room and attempted to be funny knows that silence is not neutral. Silence is brutal. Which is why many comedians describe the early days as a kind of compulsion. You only continue if something in you needs to.
Madrid Comedy Lab
Madrid does not have the obvious international comedy identity of Berlin or Amsterdam. Yet something has been building.
Abdullah and Xavier are the guys behind the Madrid Comedy Lab, the city’s only dedicated English language comedy club. It has become a cultural hub for people who communicate in English but live in Spanish: Students. Newcomers. Brits. Americans. Italians. Germans. Latinos who find Spanish comedy culturally familiar but linguistically difficult. Spaniards who prefer the rhythm of English humour. People who simply like to laugh.
“It is one of the most diverse rooms I have ever seen,” Abdullah says. “You have people from everywhere. And everyone is there because they want to understand each other.”
Xavier agrees. “There is something beautiful when a group of people who have nothing in common except that they did not grow up here all sit in a room and laugh about the same thing.” This is where We Are Not From Here was born. Not from a theory. Not from a grand idea. From small rooms where people needed somewhere to belong for an hour.
The Show: Big Feelings, Small Observations, Shared Recognition
They talk about arriving in Spain and not understanding social rules. They talk about language misunderstandings. They talk about restaurant bills that take twenty five minutes to arrive. They talk about being called guiri. They talk about the elasticity of time in Spanish culture. Abdullah laughs when this comes up. “I still struggle with punctuality here,” he says. “If I go to meet a lawyer at ten, and they arrive at eleven, I think, what is happening? But then at the same time, I sit in the sun with friends on a terrace and I think yes, I understand this life.”
Xavier adds, “The pace of life here is different. It can be frustrating. But it can also be good. You learn something about yourself in it.”
The humour is observational, but beneath it is something more vulnerable: the realisation that belonging is not something given. It is something negotiated.
Mallorca, perhaps more than many places in Spain, is a patchwork of identities. People come here to start again, to retire, to escape, to work a season, to raise families, to reinvent themselves. Some stay six months. Some stay thirty years. Some never learn Spanish. Some become more Mallorcan than the Mallorcans.
But almost everyone remembers the moment they realised they were not from here either.
The show does not patronise this. It does not suggest that everyone should blend in perfectly. It suggests instead that belonging is made in moments: shared laughter, shared awkwardness, shared understanding.
And it does something else. It opens the door to talking about immigration, culture and identity without turning those conversations into conflict.
“Comedy can say things that are hard to say directly,” Abdullah explains. “If I make a joke about people assuming I am Moroccan because of my name, it is funny, but it is also saying something important about how people see each other.”
Xavier puts it more simply: “If it is funny, people laugh. It does not matter where you are from. Laughter is universal.”
The Reality of Touring: Self-Produced, Self-Run, Always Adapting
There is no glamorous tour machine behind this show. They are doing everything themselves.
“We handle ticketing, promotion, posters, everything,” Abdullah says. “And then we also have to deal with the venue. Sometimes the lighting is strange. Sometimes there is background noise. Sometimes the sound system is not right. You have to adapt to each new room.”
Comedy is especially sensitive to environment: a slightly too bright room. A ceiling that is too high. Chairs arranged too far back. These things change the rhythm of laughter. Every night is a recalibration. But Mallorca has welcomed the show strongly. The first date in Palma sold out swiftly enough that a second earlier show was added.
“There is something very warm about performing to people who also moved,” Xavier says. “They understand the feeling. You do not need to explain everything.”
So Who Is the Show For?
Not just foreigners. Not just expats. Not just English speakers.
“If you have ever felt like you do not fully fit in,” Abdullah says, “then the show is for you.”
If you have lived here long enough to have a favourite bakery but still occasionally mispronounce a word, the show is for you.
If your children correct your Spanish. If you love Mallorca but sometimes need to breathe. If your family back home does not understand your life here. If you have tried to explain sobremesa to someone and realised there is no direct translation.
This show is for you.
As Abdullah said as the interview drew to a close:
“Come. Laugh. It is not about where you are from. It is about being human in a place that is new. That is something we all understand.”
Tickets available now. https://fienta.com/we-are-not-from-here-live-in-mallorca-2
Mallorca Insider: Journalist & Author Jan Edwards
Mallorca Insider: Journalist & Author Jan Edwards
When Jan Edwards traded her BBC radio studio for a remote finca in rural Mallorca, she didn’t just swap alarm clocks for almond blossoms — she found a whole new life story worth writing about.
A former broadcaster in Oxfordshire and Birmingham, Jan moved to Mallorca in 2004 with her partner Richard, settling in the quiet countryside between Manacor and Colònia de Sant Pere. Their home is off-grid — powered by solar panels, supplied by tanker-delivered water, and always shared with a community of adopted cats. “It was a huge change,” Jan admits, “but one I’ve never regretted.”
Over the last two decades, Jan has become a familiar voice and pen in Mallorca’s cultural and gastronomic scene. She’s written for magazines, newspapers, and radio, and runs two popular blogs — Eat, Drink, Sleep Mallorca and Living in Rural Mallorca. She also presents food and hospitality features for Mallorca Sunshine Radio, and in 2021 published her debut novel Daughter of Deià. Its sequel, The Mallorca Cat Café, followed in 2025, with a third book and a memoir in progress.
Mallorca Then & Now
“When we arrived, the food scene was limited,” Jan recalls. “Today there’s an explosion of creativity — from Michelin-starred chefs like Tomeu Caldentey, who famously gave back his star, to rural vineyard restaurants such as Terragust, where everything on the menu is grown on the island.”
She recommends Palma gems like Vida Meva (a three-course menu del día for €23), Italian hideaway Gigi’s, and neighbourhood favourites on Carrer Blanquerna — streets where locals still outnumber visitors. Beyond the capital, Jan is an enthusiastic champion of the east coast: Peruvian flavours at Mamacona, rustic tradition at Ca’n March in Manacor, and hidden wine experiences like Mesquida Mora’s El Cub in Porreres.
A Writer’s Discipline
As a novelist, Jan is refreshingly honest about the challenges of self-publishing: “Writing is discipline and consistency. But marketing your own book is harder than writing it.” She laughs, but she means it — and her advice to would-be authors is simple: get it down on the page first, edit later.
Why She Stays
After 21 years, Jan’s affection for Mallorca hasn’t dimmed. “It’s the peace, the beauty, the rhythm of rural life. I’ve swapped high heels for walking boots and don’t miss a thing.”
Whether she’s blogging about local gastronomy, reporting for radio, or quietly crafting her next book, Jan Edwards is a reminder of what Mallorca looks like when you go beyond the resorts: authentic, rooted, and deeply inspiring.
👉 Hear Jan’s full story — including her restaurant and hotel recommendations — on the Mallorca Insiders podcast. [Link to episode]
From BBC to Rural Mallorca: Insider Jan Edwards on Food, Wine, and Writing
When journalist and broadcaster Jan Edwards swapped her BBC studio in Oxfordshire for a rural finca between Manacor and Colònia de Sant Pere in 2004, she had no idea just how much Mallorca — and her own life — would change.
More than 20 years later, Jan has become one of the island’s most respected voices on food, wine, and rural living. She’s written extensively for magazines and radio, created the blogs Eat, Drink, Sleep Mallorca and Living in Rural Mallorca, and published two novels in her Daughter of Deià series, with a third on the way.
In our latest Mallorca Insiders podcast, Jan opens up about:
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Life off-grid — solar panels, water deliveries and septic tanks
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How Mallorca’s food scene has evolved from limited local options to Michelin-starred experiences
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The art (and discipline) of writing — and why marketing your book is as tough as writing it
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Insider restaurant and hotel recommendations that reflect authentic Mallorca
Jan’s warmth and wit make this episode a delight — whether you’re an aspiring writer, a foodie, or just curious about life away from the tourist trail.
👉 Listen to the full conversation here
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Meet Saloua Sfar: The Woman Behind A Ma Maison and Muse in Palma
Living and working in Mallorca: Saloua’s story
Many people dream of moving to Mallorca for the sunshine, the sea, and the slower pace of life. For Saloua Sfar, that dream began by chance. Born in Tunisia, she was working on a private yacht when she first docked in Palma. She had never even heard of Mallorca before — but something about the island reminded her of home. The mountains, the coastline, the light.
“My heart was captured,” she explains on the Majorca Mallorca podcast. “It felt familiar, but freer. I decided to stay.”
Like so many expats, Saloua built a life here from scratch. But instead of slipping into the background, she became one of the island’s most distinctive restaurateurs.
A Ma Maison: more than a restaurant in Palma
Tucked away in Santa Catalina, A Ma Maison is not a typical restaurant in Mallorca. Saloua does everything herself: cooking, serving, managing, even washing dishes.
“It’s my house,” she says. “If you don’t have at least two hours to spend, don’t come. You are not just coming to eat — you are coming for an experience.”
Her food reflects her roots, blending French, Tunisian, and Mediterranean flavours. There is no fixed à la carte. Instead, guests are invited to trust Saloua’s creativity. Vegan? Gluten-free? Not a fan of fish? She adapts every menu to suit.
Dinners cost around €40 — a fraction of what is now typical in Palma. “I decided to earn less but give more,” she says. “I want everyone to feel welcome.”
Cooking with love, heritage and a little surprise
A Ma Maison has become known for its warmth and authenticity. Saloua’s mother still brings spices from Tunisia every year, keeping traditions alive. One speciality is her fennel herb couscous — a vegan dish unique to Tunisia.
And every November, as the restaurant marks its anniversary, regulars gather for something special. Saloua cooks with her mother, and sometimes steps out from the kitchen to perform a belly dance. “I love surprising people,” she laughs.
This year marks the 14th anniversary of A Ma Maison, a milestone few small restaurants in Mallorca reach.
Muse: a cultural space in Palma’s Foners neighbourhood
Two years ago, Saloua expanded her vision with Muse, an event and cultural space in Palma. Located in Foners, a neighbourhood that is rapidly transforming, Muse is like a blank canvas.
“It’s a big white box,” she says. “It can be anything — a gallery, a performance space, a yoga studio, a wedding venue. Palma needs places like this.”
Already Muse has hosted fashion shows, drag nights, jazz concerts, art exhibitions, and community celebrations. Saloua often reduces rates or gives the space for free if she believes in the cause. “Life is not just about money. It is about giving and receiving.”
Muse celebrates its 2nd anniversary on Sunday 7 September, with an afternoon of music, art and dance. The event is free and open to everyone.
Hospitality with kindness
Beyond food or events, Saloua’s philosophy is clear: hospitality is about kindness. “People don’t go to a restaurant because they are hungry,” she says. “They go to be happy, to be seen, to be cared for.”
That belief is what makes her one of Mallorca’s most unique voices in food and culture.
Listen to the Majorca Mallorca podcast
In our latest episode of the Majorca Mallorca podcast, Saloua Sfar shares her story of living and working in Mallorca, building A Ma Maison, and creating Muse. She talks openly about the challenges of rising costs, her love of cooking, and why kindness matters in hospitality.
👉 Listen to the full podcast episode here
Balu in Santa Catalina: Palma’s newest reformer Pilates studio
Balu in Santa Catalina: Palma’s newest reformer Pilates studio
Looking for a studio where you can move, connect, and feel part of something new? Balu in Santa Catalina has quickly become one of the most talked-about additions to Palma’s wellness scene.
Behind the project is Alix, who moved to Mallorca a couple of years ago with a love of Pilates and the determination to build a space that felt welcoming, stylish and fun. During lockdown she had fallen for the mindful strength of Pilates and yoga, and the idea of creating her own studio grew from there.
What is reformer Pilates?
Reformer Pilates uses a moving carriage on a frame, with springs to add resistance, a footbar and straps. You can lie, sit, kneel or stand on it, performing slow, controlled movements that combine strength and stretch. It’s low impact but surprisingly intense — Alix jokes that shaking is part of the process. It builds core strength, improves posture, and works muscles you didn’t know you had.
Who can it help?
People turn to Pilates for all sorts of reasons. It’s known for supporting:
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Back pain and posture issues from desk work or weak core muscles
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Neck and shoulder tightness
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Hip, knee and ankle stability for runners, cyclists and active people
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Balance and coordination (especially useful as we age)
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Post-natal recovery and pelvic floor strength
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Mobility and flexibility after injury or inactivity
It’s not a medical treatment, but many physiotherapists recommend it as part of long-term recovery or maintenance. At Balu, small class sizes mean beginners and regulars alike get tailored guidance.
What you’ll find at Balu
Balu keeps groups small — just six reformers — so teachers can give everyone personal attention. The timetable mixes full-body classes with sculpt sessions targeting core, legs and glutes. Early starts are already proving popular: 06:30 classes bring in yacht crew and commuters, and from November the team plans to add a 06:00 option.
Alix wanted every detail to feel thought through, right down to the small pieces of kit. “When you pick up a ball or hand weight it should match the room, not fight it,” she says. Newcomers are encouraged to arrive ten minutes early for a quick tour of the reformer so the first class feels less daunting.
A space to connect
The studio isn’t just about exercise — the sofa area encourages people to sit, chat, and share a juice or water after class. In just a few weeks, Balu has become a place where strangers connect and new friendships spark. “Mallorca is incredibly open,” Alix says. “People actually follow up on a coffee.”
What’s next
Plans include monthly workshops and eventually pop-up reformer retreats using portable machines at venues around the island. With boutique fitness booming in Palma, Balu is already carving out its own niche: practical schedules, warm welcomes, and a focus on building community.
A bold new arrival
Opening a business here takes courage, but Alix has stepped forward with vision and energy. Balu brings something fresh to Santa Catalina — a place where movement, design and community come together. It’s early days, but the momentum is real, and we can’t wait to see how this young studio grows.
Fundación Handisport: Rafa Winckelmann’s mission to make sport and Mallorca accessible to all
When Rafa Winckelmann talks about sport, he is not just describing games. He is describing freedom. Two decades after a motorbike accident left him with an incomplete spinal cord injury at C4/5, the Mallorcan founder of Fundació Handisport is still chasing that feeling of movement, camaraderie and open air that sport gives. “After the accident I thought, why should I change my friends or the way I live,” he says. “I went looking for activities I could share with family and friends. Diving was the first surprise. I had no idea it would be possible.”
That discovery set the course for what would become Fundación Handisport, launched about 17 years ago to create real, practical access to leisure sport in Mallorca for people with disabilities. The formula was simple and bold: choose activities that individuals can do independently, but in the company of others, and adapt them so as many people as possible can take part. The early roster included golf, scuba diving, water-skiing, sailing, off-road 4x4 excursions in the Serra de Tramuntana, and blow-karting, the land-sailing sport powered by wind. “It sounds dangerous,” Rafa laughs, “but it is very safe. The point is to choose sports where we can adapt equipment and instruction to the person.”
As word spread, visitors began arriving from across Europe. Handisport quickly realised that a day on the water or a round of golf is only part of a holiday. People also need accessible hotels, restaurants and transport. The foundation started joining the dots, advising travellers and working with town halls and tourism bodies on accessibility plans. Over the years Handisport has collaborated on improvements in Calvià and Alcúdia among others, from ramps and wider doorways to accessible beach showers and clear, useful signage, including Braille. “Accessibility benefits everyone,” Rafa says. “Parents with buggies, older people, anyone carrying luggage. When you make a pavement wider or a bathroom easier to use, you improve comfort and dignity for all.”
Progress has been steady rather than swift. By law, venues that change their activity must meet accessibility standards, and many hotels have invested in adapted rooms and facilities. Even so, Rafa argues, the island should see accessibility as an investment rather than a cost. “People with disabilities usually travel with companions and tend to stay longer. They often choose better rooms to be sure things will work for them. If businesses see accessible customers choosing the restaurant with a ramp rather than the one with steps, they will act. Confidence grows when you feel the intention is there to help.”
Today Handisport’s activities are spread across the island. Sailing is based in Palma, Blokart in Binissalem, water-skiing in Palmanova, and hand-cycling on safe promenades and designated routes. The emphasis is on inclusion, safety and joy. Hand-bikes range from add-on units that clip to a standard chair to full recumbent models with flags for visibility. “We avoid roads when we are with beginners,” Rafa notes. “The aim is confidence and fun.”
This November brings another major milestone: the Handisport Mallorca Open, taking place from 11 - 15th November at Golf Son Antem, Llucmajor. Organised by Fundación Handisport with the support of PowerBaseTec and PBT Mobility, the tournament will welcome around 75 international players from 13 countries, highlighting the spirit and skill of adaptive golf in an inclusive environment where disabled and non-disabled golfers compete side by side.
More than a competition, the Handisport Mallorca Open is designed as a shared experience. The programme includes an opening ceremony, a practice round, two days of tournament play, social dinners, a guided hand-bike tour, and optional excursions to explore Mallorca. Specialist standing chairs allow players with limited mobility to address the ball upright and swing safely. As Rafa puts it, “It is hard, but that is golf. The magic is that everyone can take part.”
The event also reflects Handisport’s long-standing commitment to accessibility in tourism. The host hotel, Hipotels Gran Playa de Palma, offers adapted rooms, roll-in showers, lifts, pool access hoists and accessible dining, restoring independence and comfort to travellers who often have to plan their journeys with precision.
Handisport’s internal team continues to evolve. Rafa’s mother recently stepped back from the presidency and, following a short transition, he will formally take on the role next month. The team now includes German coordinator Jonas Nachtwey, who grew up around adaptive golf technology through his father, the inventor of one of the leading standing chairs. “Jonas lives and breathes this,” says Rafa. “That mix of technical know-how and empathy is invaluable.”
Spectators are warmly invited to attend tournament days to cheer players on. “It is inspiring,” Rafa says, “but more than that, it is normalising. You see ability, not limitation.”
Rafa knows better than most that recovery is a long game. He was 27 when he crashed in 1999. Years of physio followed. Some function returned on his right side; enough to stand briefly, to drive with adaptations, to live independently. “You do what you can every day,” he says. “Keep healthy, keep ready, and trust that science will keep moving. Robotics, AI, neural tech, stem cells. When the breakthrough comes, I want my body to be prepared.”
In the meantime, he measures progress in smaller victories: a new ramp at a café, a smoother pavement that keeps wheelchair users off the road, a hotelier who widens a bathroom door because it is the right thing to do, and a first-time diver surfacing with a grin. The message to Mallorca’s tourism industry is clear. Accessibility is not a niche. It is a standard, a market, and a mark of respect.
For visitors considering a trip, Fundación Handisport advises on adapted activities, accessible accommodation and tailored excursions, including help for cruise passengers on short stays. For locals, the foundation offers ways to volunteer, sponsor and host inclusive events. “We are always happy to help people discover what is possible,” Rafa says. “Because once you try, the island opens up.”
Find Fundación Handisport via their website or social channels by searching Handisport Mallorca. Spectators are welcome at the Handisport Mallorca Open this month. Go along, and be part of a more inclusive Mallorca.
The Gap Counselling: Creating a Safe Space for Mallorca’s Communities
When Sarah and Gary Napier first came to Mallorca in 2015, they had no idea that nearly a decade later they would be opening one of the island’s few dedicated centres for counselling, mental health support and community connection. The couple arrived as part of a mission trip with 24-7 Prayer, spending long nights working with Street Angels in Magaluf. Those early experiences, they say, revealed both the joy and the struggle behind life on the island. It is a theme that has stayed with them, and ultimately led to the creation of The Gap Counselling.
“We have been running the counselling practice for around five years now,” Gary explains. “It began online during Covid, when people suddenly had time to stop and realise they needed help. The demand was huge.” From just a handful of clients in the early days, the practice has grown into a professional team of five counsellors, supported by an operations manager. Sessions are now offered both online and face-to-face, with a strong emphasis on privacy, trust and continuity.
“Living on an island can feel very small,” Sarah adds. “People guard their privacy closely. There is this idea that life here must be perfect. Sunshine, sea, fiestas, beautiful feeds on social media. But everyone carries something. And many people feel they cannot talk, especially if they think others think they ‘have it all’.”
The counsellors say that although the reasons people seek help vary, the underlying issue is often similar.
“If you strip it back, most of the time what we are working with is self-esteem,” Gary says. “How we see ourselves, how we value ourselves, how childhood experiences shaped our sense of identity. Many people had a difficult experience growing up, even if it looked normal from the outside. It stays with them into adult life and into relationships.” Gary continues. “We work with family conflict, parenting challenges, relationship breakdowns, anxiety, and addiction. But beneath many of these is pain that has not been acknowledged. We are not going into the past for the sake of going back there. We are going there so the person can move forward. If you heal the wound properly, you can run again.”
This vision of healing has now taken physical form in their new space, located in the former Penny Lanes in Palmanova. The idea came through local connections, and from the shared dream of turning the venue into something restorative for the wider community. “We always hoped to have a physical place,” Gary says. “Not just for one-to-one sessions, but somewhere where people could meet, learn, connect. A safe space. And when the opportunity arose to take over this building earlier than expected, it felt like the right moment.”
The downstairs area will become a café-style social space, available for events, meet-ups, talks and gatherings. The upstairs will be a training and education centre. Workshops will range from mental health awareness to parenting support, relationship communication and The Gap’s new identity-focused course, Dare to Be You.
“We are passionate about helping people understand who they are,” Gary explains. “We are not taught emotional education. We learn maths and grammar, but not how to have a relationship or how to recognise our own needs. Then we grow up, fall in love, get married or start families, without understanding ourselves. So the work starts with identity and purpose.”
The centre will serve the island’s English-speaking community, but also the Spanish and international communities. Among the counselling team are speakers of Spanish, French and Polish. “Inclusivity is important,” Sarah says. “People need support in their own language. And Mallorca is full of mixed-culture relationships, which can come with their own challenges.”
The launch coincides with Movember, making men’s mental health a key focus throughout November. “Men often do not talk,” Gary says. “They can be surrounded by people and still feel alone. But when men do gather and talk honestly, it changes everything.” The centre will host men’s discussion circles, talks and informal drop-in sessions. There will also be children’s activities and family-friendly events to ensure the centre does not feel clinical or closed-off.
Running a counselling practice can take an emotional toll, and the couple are open about the need for self-care. “Counsellors are often the worst at looking after themselves,” Sarah admits. “So I make sure to walk, run, watch something light, do something fun. You have to consciously let the day go.” Gary adds, laughing, “By Friday evening, I have no more words. My head is full!” But the demanding nature of the work is also what makes it meaningful. “Life is messy,” Gary says. “We are not here to judge anyone. We are here to walk with them through the messiness and help them find solid ground again.”
The Gap Counselling’s new centre will open with a community launch event, including food, children’s activities and an introduction to the month’s programme. Everyone is welcome.
“Ultimately,” Sarah says, “this is not our space. It’s the community’s. A place to breathe. A place to be yourself.”
Flying to Formentera – Carlos Pons on Cystic Fibrosis, Swimming Tours and Hope
Some interviews stay with you. Sitting with Carlos Pons in the Majorca Mallorca studio felt like catching up with an old friend. We talked about rescue helicopters, science that sounds like science fiction, and the joy of swimming around an island for a cause.
Carlos runs the Respiralia Foundation, which supports people with cystic fibrosis in the Balearics. The disease is genetic, lifelong and demanding. But thanks to new drugs like Kaftrio, many patients are breathing more easily than ever before. “It is incredible. From coughing all night to clear lungs in two days. It changes lives,” Carlos told us.
Respiralia began with families looking for answers. Carlos joined when his nephew was diagnosed and has been part of it ever since. The centre in San Agustín opened in 2009 and is now a hub of therapy and training. This September they open a new gym, proving that science never stands still.
The conversation turned often to community. The Formentera Swimming Tour is more than a fundraiser. It is part challenge, part festival, part reunion. “We limit it to 240 swimmers, and it sells out fast. They sleep on mats, eat together, form teams and dance on the beach. It is our main income for treatments, but also the heart of our Foundation,” says Carlos.
Carlos’s own story adds another layer. He was a military pilot, flying search and rescue missions, until illness grounded him. “I realised I could keep helping people, but on the ground,” he said. That instinct has grown into projects as diverse as a children’s documentary, family-friendly charity runs, and even support for Ukrainian refugees on the island.
Science is still at the core. The Foundation is pioneering phage therapy, using viruses to fight antibiotic-resistant bacteria. They are testing ways to personalise treatment and save lives that antibiotics cannot. “We have saved legs, avoided transplants. The possibilities are huge,” Carlos said.
As always, we asked about the island itself. Carlos loves Mallorca, with its mountains, its challenges and its debates about tourism and housing. “There are no easy solutions. But we all live here together and we need to protect it,” he said.
For him, home is Consell, animals in the paddock, and a chance to switch off. “It keeps me balanced,” he smiled.
Listen to the full conversation to hear about mucus, miracle drugs, a helicopter pilot who swapped the sky for science, and why the last weekend of June is booked solid every year.
🎧 Listen to the podcast: [link to podcast]
🌐 Find out more: www.respiralia.org
Bonnie Tyler Rocks Port Adriano
It was Total Eclipse of the Heart meets total eclipse of the sun as Bonnie Tyler brought her powerhouse vocals to a sold-out Port Adriano in the middle of a Mallorcan heatwave. Dressed head to toe in black leather trousers, a long-sleeved top and jacket, she looked every inch the rock star while the rest of us were melting.
From the moment she stepped on stage Bonnie showed she was Holding Out for a Hero of a performance, powering through a mix of old favourites and newer tracks with the same husky voice that made her famous. The crowd saved their biggest cheers for Total Eclipse of the Heart, which turned into a full-blown singalong, proving that after fifty years in music Bonnie is still Simply the Best.
In a moving tribute she dedicated Simply the Best to her late friend Tina Turner, drawing a wave of emotion from the audience. She also surprised fans with a gritty Janis Joplin cover and some blues, showing she is more than a pop icon. Between songs she shared stories from her time in the 80s working with Jim Steinman, the man who wrote Meat Loaf’s biggest hits. With a grin she joked that while she may have had two fans in her dressing room, they were only electric ones, and in that heatwave, she needed them.
Throughout the show she was warm and engaging, clearly enjoying herself and connecting with the audience. There was no sense of going through the motions. This was Bonnie relishing the moment, telling stories, smiling, and laughing with the crowd about the sweltering weather.
The finale had to be Holding Out for a Hero. As the opening notes rang out the audience knew it was time to give everything they had left, and they did. Arms in the air, voices raised, the marina was alive with pure nostalgia and joy.
Port Adriano once again proved why it is one of the island’s top live music venues, offering a unique backdrop where luxury yachts, summer skies, and legendary performers collide.
Bonnie Tyler gave Mallorca a night to remember. A hot night, a sold-out show, iconic songs, and stories that reminded us why Bonnie is still our hero.
Divas of Soul at Es Jardí, Calviá
Es Jardí once again proved why it has become one of Mallorca’s most exciting summer venues, hosting an evening dedicated to the unforgettable women of soul. Last night’s Divas of Soul show was not only about powerful music, but also about the joy of gathering in a space that blends great performances with a festival vibe designed for everyone.
The music set the tone from the very start with a high-energy tribute to Tina Turner. Her songs filled the open-air venue with fire and movement, getting the crowd dancing within minutes. The Clams, Madrid’s acclaimed all-female soul band, followed with a set that honoured the great voices of soul while adding their own vibrant energy. Their performance was packed with groove, brass, and charisma. Closing the night, Dina Arriaza & the Eternal Amy Band brought Amy Winehouse’s music back to life with emotional intensity, reminding the audience of her unique talent and unforgettable presence.
What makes Es Jardí so special is the setting itself. The organisers have thought of every detail to create a space that is both family-friendly and relaxed. Parking is easy and well-managed, and once inside, the venue feels safe and welcoming. Alongside the music there is plenty to explore, from food stalls serving up a variety of tastes to quiet corners where you can stretch out on hammocks or oversized deckchairs. Groups of friends and families make the most of these spots, turning a concert into a whole evening out.
One of the highlights away from the stage is the 360 camera experience sponsored by Calvià Council. Visitors can step onto the spinning platform, strike a pose, and walk away with a fun video clip for their phone, capturing the spirit of the night. It adds a playful, interactive touch that festival-goers of all ages enjoy.
Es Jardí is not just about music, it is about atmosphere. With fairy lights strung above, an open layout that never feels crowded, and entertainment that appeals across generations, it offers something rare on the island: a festival that feels both international and distinctly Mallorcan.
As the final notes of Amy’s tribute faded, the crowd left with smiles, stories, and plenty of photos. Divas of Soul was a triumph, and Es Jardí once again confirmed its reputation as the perfect summer stage in Mallorca.
On the buses, Nick Brown: Mallorca’s Public Transport Insider
When Nick Brown and his wife Sian moved to Palma in early 2020, they arrived just in time to beat the first Covid lockdown by a matter of weeks. Their plan was straightforward: enjoy retirement by the sea, embrace the beauty of Mallorca, and build a life in the island’s capital. What Nick did not expect was to become Mallorca’s unofficial public transport guru!
Nick’s background is as international as it gets. He left the UK in 1981, lived in the Netherlands, Belgium, Bahrain, and France, and speaks multiple languages. But when it came to Spanish, he was starting from scratch. “You can’t just pick it up by osmosis,” he says. “If you move here, you need to put more effort into learning Spanish than you think you’re going to.”
Settling in Palma, Nick fell in love with the city’s year-round vibrancy, stunning scenery, and the mix of Northern European convenience with Mediterranean charm. As he explored, he began to unravel the complexities of Mallorca’s bus and train systems. He saw visitors in the Majorca Mallorca Facebook group struggling to understand the difference between EMT city buses and TIB island routes, so he started explaining it in clear, practical posts.
Before long, he was fielding questions daily, from how to use the TIB card to which routes were free, and even how to get into the first-class section of the historic Sóller train without paying extra. Nick’s advice has opened the island to visitors who do not want to hire a car or who prefer a more sustainable way to travel.
For Nick, public transport is more than just buses and timetables. It is about unlocking the island. “If you know how to use the buses, you can get from Magaluf to Alcudia without stress, enjoy a glass of wine with lunch, and see parts of Mallorca you would otherwise miss,” he says.
He also shares the less glamorous but essential information, like Palma’s restricted driving zones (ACIRE areas) and how to avoid fines, the real drink-drive limits in Spain, and why parking bays are colour-coded.
Nick’s tips are practical and people-focused, reflecting his own enthusiasm for helping others. Whether it is guiding a lost tourist to the Irish Consulate or explaining the monthly discount system on TIB buses, he is happiest when sharing useful knowledge.
His Facebook group, Majorca Public Transport Questions, is a must for anyone planning to explore the island without a car. And for those who take the time to listen, Nick offers the kind of insider details that can transform a trip from ordinary to memorable.
In a world where holiday advice often comes from glossy brochures or hurried hotel reception desks, Nick Brown is the friendly, well-informed local voice you wish you had on speed dial.
Palma Nova Guide
Located 20 minutes to the west of Palma, Palma Nova is best described as a jewel in the Tourist crown of beautiful Mallorca. Based in the municipality of Calvia, Palma Nova is blessed with expansive beaches and safe, clean shallow water, which makes it a great choice for families with children of all ages.
If your idea of a perfect day is lazing on a sunbed watching the world go by, you are spoilt for choice with Palma Nova’s three stunning beaches: Son Matias, Na Nadala and Es Carregador, all of which are scrupulously clean and well appointed with sunbeds, parasols and most importantly services.
A small but interesting boating Marina, a climbing frame to keep the little people entertained and a fair selection of beach activities and water sports means that there is something to suit every taste and pocket.
Palma Nova Promenade is the perfect place to take an evening stroll and maybe stop in one of the many bars for a sundowner. Or just sit on one of the benches and watch folk go about their business from a distance.
Behind the beach, you will find a wide selection of restaurants, bars, boutiques, perfumeries, jewelry and souvenir shops which are open daily until late.
Palma Nova really is a top resort with a lot to offer.
15 August – La Mare de Déu d’Agost, also known as the Feast of the Assumption in Mallorca
15 August is a national public holiday in Spain.
What It Celebrates:
The Assumption of the Virgin Mary into heaven — one of the most important Catholic feast days. In Mallorca, it's celebrated as La Mare de Déu d’Agost (Our Lady of August), and deeply rooted in local tradition.
How It's Celebrated in Mallorca:
Across the island, especially in towns like Puigpunyent, Campos, and Caimari, you’ll find:
- Religious processions honouring the Virgin
- Open-air concerts and traditional dance
- Local markets and fairs
- Food and drink stalls with regional specialities
- Live music and evening parties in the main squares
Cultural Significance:
It’s a day when townsfolk return home, families gather, and communities come together to celebrate heritage, faith, and festivity. It often marks the peak of summer fiestas in many villages.