The Orange House of Mallorca

Submitted: 25th August 2024

The Orange House of Mallorca

Isabelle Broom has been off jet setting again and this time it’s Mallorca….

Map of locations in The Orange House

orange house

Map of locations in The Orange House

It’s one of the most popular holiday destinations in Europe. So, it might come as a surprise to hear that the first time I visited Mallorca was to research this novel in April last year. However, it certainly won’t be my last. With its miles of golden beaches, stunning old town, picturesque villages and rich, fascinating history, Mallorca offers so much to discover and enjoy. And the sun shines for 300 days of the year!

Map of locations in The Orange House

I decided to stay in the city of Palma for the duration of my time on the island. It’s the perfect base from which to explore, whether you hire a car or use the regular buses. I spent many a happy hour wandering through its cobbled streets. How I loved admiring the quirky street art, browsing the pop-up stalls along the harbour, and mulling over my plot.

In the evenings, sunset skies framed by vast palms are streaked black by darting swallows, their shrill cries accompanying the peal of cathedral bells. Special mention must be made to Bar Café Coto . This is where I enjoyed delicious Spanish tapas washed down with fruity, full-bodied red wine.

The Orange House (c) Isabelle

The Orange House, at this early stage, still had a working title. It was only when I headed north to the small town of Pollença that I stumbled across exactly the inspiring abode I had been hoping to find. I knew I would ‘know’ the house when I saw it, and so I did. It was nestled just off the famed Calvari Steps, which run from the hub of the town up to a chapel offering incredible views of the mountains beyond. The house – which is indeed orange – gave me tingles as soon as I clapped eyes on it. So much of the story grew from that point onwards, and Pollença became my chosen setting.

The Calvari Steps (c) Isabelle Broom

Map of locations in The Orange House

There is much to see and do in the town. There’s a plethora of boutiques, numerous restaurants, a Roman bridge – ‘Pont Roma’ – and, most notably, a sprawling Sunday market. Here I sampled everything from freshly squeezed zumo de Naranja and locally grown arbequina olives. Then there were punnets of strawberries and salty lumps of Manchego cheese. A short bus ride away is the beachside resort of Puerto de Pollença. This is where vast pine trees trail their branches in the water and ducks paddle out over the swell.

Palms in Palma (c) Isabelle Broom

Map of locations in The Orange House

One of the highlights of my trip occurred on the day I went to Deia, a small village in the Serra de Tramuntana region, where honey-stone houses with brightly coloured shutters lay cluttered along narrow, sloping lanes. The writer and poet Robert Graves lived there for many years, and after visiting his final resting place in the hilltop graveyard, I walked out to his former home, which is now open as a museum, and found that I was the only person on site. Getting to stand alone and uninterrupted in his study and stare out at the same view he did whilst sitting at his desk, was a truly special experience.

Pine trees in Port de Pollenca (c) Isabelle Broom

Map of locations in The Orange House

After visiting the Medieval-walled town of Alcudia, with its centuries-old buildings, decorative pots of flowers and atmospheric charm, I created a whole new scene so my characters (and readers, natch) would enjoy it, too, although I fear there aren’t enough superlatives in the world to do it justice. I felt similarly in Port de Sóller, where I hopped on the iconic wood-panelled tram and waved to bemused tourists as it trundled me and others along the shoreline and up the mountainside tracks to the town of Sóller above.

Pretty flowers in Spain (c) Isabelle Broom

Map of locations in The Orange House

I spent much of my time in Mallorca with my mouth ajar, marvelled by its beauty, enriched by its culture, and warmed by its perpetual sunshine, and those feelings lingered when I returned home to begin writing the book. Hopefully, you’ll find every page suffused with all that I loved about the island, and maybe even decide to discover its delights for yourself one day.