Most people associate Majorca with the high rise concrete mayhem of Magaluf. Here you can start your evening eating pie and peas in the “George and Dragon”, party the night away on endless two for one drinks promotions and then stagger back to your hotel with kebab sauce dribbling down your chest.

This is fine until you ease yourself out of the 18-30 zone and start to look further afield for more refined destinations. Well actually away from the Fish and Chip resorts, Majorca can be just as unspolit and and chilled out as the most desert of islands. Head north to the region of Pollenca and the stunning mountainous countryside hides many jewels of tranquility – villas with swimming pools hidden down single track roads.

Most are within 5 minutes drive of the lovely resort of Port Pollenca and the old town of Pollenca itself – with its traditional farmers’ market and proper Spanish Tapas bars and lively squares.

But if you want a quiet week, the villas are secluded paradises. A place to stock up on beer, wine and food. Load up on reading material. And just let the sounds of the countryside wash over you. Donkeys bray, cockerals call and crickets sing. At night, being so far from the light pollution of the towns, the night sky becomes a cinema show in itself as millions of stars light up above you.

Venture away from Pollenca through a winding road to the beautiful village of Soller set high in the mountains. Take the old style narrow guage railway down to the port and walk amongst the yachts.

Check out www.villaparade.co.uk for a company that specialises in properties in this idylic part of the world.