If you’re a flight attendant with access to discounted staff tickets, you can easily plan your vacation around accommodation—and that’s exactly what I did on this trip to Mallorca.

This time, the hotel came first, and everything else followed.

Planning a Mallorca Vacation Around the Perfect Hotel

When I first saw the stunning design of Hotel Concepció by Nobis in Palma de Mallorca, I knew I had to experience it one day. Yes, it’s expensive, and yes, it’s located in the city rather than directly by the beach—so it’s not your typical seaside resort. Still, I felt it was absolutely worth the splurge.

Some days I’m a curious tourist, ticking off Mallorca’s highlights. Other days I prefer meeting locals, exploring neighborhoods, immersing myself in the culture, and collecting stories. And then there are days when I happily indulge in a bit of luxury travel—staying in beautifully designed hotels, getting spoiled, and surrounding myself with beautiful things.

Feeling rich. Even if just for a day or two.

Hotel Concepció by Nobis Palma de Mallorca: Is It Worth It?

Staying at Boutique hotel Concepció by Nobis felt like intentional luxury—breathtaking design, calm atmosphere, and the kind of aesthetic that instantly elevates your mood. Feeling rich is a wonderful feeling, and honestly, we all deserve it.

The good news? You don’t actually have to be rich to feel that way.

I often combine a low-key stay with one or two nights of luxury. This approach makes high-end hotels more affordable while still allowing you to enjoy the experience fully.

How to Combine Budget Travel and Luxury in Mallorca

Before our luxury stay, we spent the first part of the trip at a cheap all-inclusive hotel—not really worth mentioning—simply to keep costs down. Even though the resort was right by the beach, lounging on an ordinary sandy beach surrounded by hundreds of people isn’t really my thing.

So we rented a car.

A Fiat 500 felt perfectly on brand for Mallorca, and we set off to explore the island. No strict plans—just driving around, wandering, and stopping wherever we felt like it.

Well… almost no plan.

Renting a Car and Exploring Mallorca Without a Plan

We did have one destination in mind: Cala S’Almonia, often described as one of the most beautiful and unspoiled beaches in Mallorca. And yes—it truly lives up to the hype.

Cala S’Almonia: One of the Most Picturesque Beaches in Mallorca

Cala S’Almonia is a unique little bay with unbelievably clear, crystal-blue water. There’s no sand here; instead, you relax on rocks and the ruins of old fishermen’s stone houses. That raw setting is exactly what makes this beach so cozy, authentic, and incredibly Instagrammable.

It also offers fantastic cliff-jumping spots for the adventurous.

Cala S’Almonia is a free beach, but it’s quite small, so it fills up quickly. Arrive early in the morning or just before sunset for the best experience. Parking can be tricky and usually involves a fair amount of walking—but it’s absolutely worth it.

Caló des Moro: The Famous Turquoise Beach Near Cala S’Almonia

Another bonus? Cala S’Almonia is just a five-minute walk from another Mallorca gem: Caló des Moro.

Here you’ll find dazzling turquoise water, soft white sand, and even a small cave where you can hide from the strong sun. The downside is that it gets crowded very fast and space is limited—but it’s still well worth a visit if you come early.

Final Thoughts: Luxury Hotels and Hidden Beaches in Mallorca

Mallorca has a unique way of combining understated luxury with raw, natural beauty. This trip was the perfect reminder that you don’t have to choose between budget travel and indulgence—you can have both.

One day exploring wild beaches and cliff jumps, another day wrapped in beautiful design and quiet luxury. For me, that balance is what makes travel truly special.

Everybody knows King Julien! And yes — I got the chance to meet His Majesty personally, right in Madagascar.

Just before the powerful Cyclone Belal hit Réunion Island, our aircraft was diverted to the safer option: Madagascar. What was meant to be a precaution quickly turned into an unexpected bonus destination.

Thanks to a twist of fate, instead of going home, my stay in Réunion was extended. With Cyclone Belal heading directly toward the island, I suddenly found myself ticking off my 68th country — the extraordinary and unforgettable Madagascar.

First Impressions of Antananarivo: Poverty Meets Colonial Elegance

On our very first evening in the capital, Antananarivo, our station manager booked a dinner for the entire crew at the beautiful restaurant La Varangue.

Madagascar is one of the poorest countries in the world, and Antananarivo reflects that reality clearly. Yet the contrast is striking: alongside poverty, you’ll find elegant hotels, colonial villas, and surprisingly refined restaurants catering to tourists and expats.

La Varangue is housed in a gorgeous colonial building with a relaxed, old-world atmosphere. This is where I tried zebu steak for the first time — zebu being the local humped cattle and a staple of Malagasy cuisine. Verdict? Very tasty… and yes, the hump is purely decorative.

Madagascar Wildlife: A Natural Wonderland Like No Other

Madagascar is famous for its unmatched biodiversity. Thanks to millions of years of isolation, over 90% of its wildlife exists nowhere else on Earth.

The island is home to lemurs, vividly colored chameleons, rare orchids, and the iconic baobab trees. Lemurs are primates that evolved on a completely different branch of the family tree — which perhaps explains their expressive faces and questionable life choices.

The ring-tailed lemur, best known as the inspiration for King Julien from the Madagascar movie, is the country’s most famous animal (even if it’s not officially the national one). The baobab tree, however, is Madagascar’s national tree — known also from The Little Prince.

Lemur Park Antananarivo: Where King Julien Reigns Free

The famous Avenue of the Baobabs may dominate Instagram, but it’s far from Antananarivo and not doable as a day trip. Luckily, just outside the city lies Lemur Park, a sanctuary we couldn’t miss.

Lemur Park is a true conservation area. Visitors can only enter with a guide (included in the ticket price). The lemurs roam freely — there are no cages or fences — but they choose to stay because the environment is safe and food is guaranteed. A very sensible life decision, if you ask me.

Touching or disturbing the animals is strictly forbidden, and guides make sure everyone behaves. The reward? Close-up encounters with lemurs who are completely relaxed around humans.

Madagascar is home to many different species of lemurs, each one more entertaining than the last. And yes — King Julien himself was there, ruling his leafy kingdom with confidence and zero concern for personal space.

Rain, Flood, and Dinner in Antananarivo

That evening, we headed to another stunning colonial restaurant, Le Petit Verdot Antaninarenina — though for a moment, it looked like dinner might be cancelled by nature.

Heavy rain had transformed the streets into flowing rivers. The locals, completely unfazed, placed their bags on their heads, rolled up their trousers, and walked straight through the water like it was perfectly normal (which, apparently, it was).

Our station manager bravely took the wheel, and somehow we managed to drive there safely — proving once again that Malagasy drivers deserve far more credit than Google Maps.

Language Tips for Travelers to Madagascar

Madagascar has its own language, Malagasy, but the majority of people also speak French. English is far less common, so if you’re visiting, remember: bonjour will get you much further than hello.

Madagascar arrived in my life unexpectedly, but it left a lasting impression — wild, poor, beautiful, chaotic, colorful and absolutely unforgettable. And honestly? Any country where King Julien lives rent-free is worth the detour.

In 2023, I spent Christmas and New Year on the beautiful island of Réunion. When I look back, I still think of it as the happiest month of my life.

Christmas is usually a time I spend with my family, back in my snowy hometown. That year, however, I couldn’t be with them. Instead, I celebrated the holidays with my flying crew on a tropical island in the Indian Ocean—an entirely new and unforgettable experience.

Réunion is a small island east of Madagascar, close to Mauritius and not far from the Seychelles. Like many islands in the region, it has a French colonial past, but unlike its neighbors, Réunion is still part of France today. It is an overseas department, often referred to as “remote France.” It feels surreal to be so far away in the Indian Ocean and yet still technically in France—using euros, enjoying Schengen benefits, and even paying the same mobile roaming prices as at home.

This European status brings higher living standards, but the island lifestyle transforms Réunion into something truly special. I have never seen so many smiling, relaxed, and genuinely kind people anywhere else. Everyone seemed to be in a good mood and incredibly welcoming to visitors. Even the passengers on board were the most polite and easygoing I have ever encountered—which is saying a lot, as confined spaces usually bring out the worst in people.

I spent a full month on Réunion thanks to our company’s ACMI contract with Air Austral, the local airline. One aircraft, three sets of crew. A few days a week, I was working—flying short routes to neighboring islands such as Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar, or the Comoros. The rest of the time, I was simply enjoying island life. Truly, I had the time of my life.

Réunion is not about endless sandy beaches. Instead, it is all about lush green hills, dramatic volcanic landscapes and wild waterfalls. Perhaps that’s why it’s less popular than Mauritius as a classic beach destination. But the energy of the island is extraordinary—freeing, grounding, and powerful. In many ways, it reminded me of Hawaii.

Your stay on Réunion can easily turn into waterfall chasing, as the island is home to hundreds of them. At Anse des Cascades, waterfalls seem to appear everywhere you look. My personal favorites were Bassin La Paix and Bassin Bœuf—both perfect for swimming and even cliff jumping. And who wouldn’t want to bathe in a waterfall?

Other stunning natural sights worth mentioning include:

• Bassin La Roche
• Cascade du Chaudron
• Cascade Grand Galet
• Cirque de Mafate
• Piton de la Fournaise (one of the world’s most active volcanoes)

Just be prepared—almost every waterfall requires at least a bit of hiking.

Two colleagues and I hoped to see whales in their natural habitat. Réunion offers small-group trips where you can snorkel near them, but unfortunately, it wasn’t the right season. Humpback whales migrate to the Indian Ocean during the Southern Hemisphere winter, when warmer waters are ideal for their calves. We were there in summer, during the monsoon season. Still, we signed up for the trip. We didn’t see whales—but instead, we swam with a pod of wild, curious dolphins. Seeing them free in their natural environment was absolutely priceless. Most ocean wildlife encounters start around the Saint-Gilles area.

As I mentioned, Réunion isn’t famous for beaches—but it does have some lovely ones. L’Hermitage-les-Bains is a large public beach, though water shoes are recommended because of sharp coral fragments. The upside? Good for snorkeling. Personally, I preferred Boucan Canot, with its beautiful sandy shore and natural rock pool protected from waves.

When it comes to food, I was practically on a tuna diet—because Réunion does tuna exceptionally well. The best beach lunch we had was at the small restaurant Sauvage, a barefoot fine-dining experience. You absolutely must try Tartare de Thon à la Tahitienne. Le Ti Boucan is another great spot for brunch by the beach.

For something truly local, don’t miss La Case Volcan, known for some of the best Creole curries on the island. Instead of a menu, they bring you small samples of all the daily dishes so you can choose your favorite. It’s the perfect stop after visiting the Vanilla Bourbon plantations. Yes—Réunion is famous for its vanilla. Plantation Vanilla Bourbon isn’t just about vanilla; it’s more like a botanical garden showcasing the island’s native vegetation.

For a romantic dinner, I highly recommend La Manta near L’Hermitage Beach. And once again—try the tuna.

Réunion also has its own local beer called Bourbon, but no one really calls it that. Locals simply say “Dodo,” after the dodo bird on the label. We had at least one Dodo almost every evening.

Summer on Réunion means a lot of rain—and when it rains, it really pours. Tropical downpours can be intense, but they usually pass as quickly as they arrive. I actually found rainy evenings there incredibly romantic—unless, of course, the island is hit by a cyclone. In early 2024, Cyclone Belal caused airport closures for two days, and our aircraft had to divert to Madagascar. But that’s a story for another time.

To conclude, I can honestly say I hadn’t felt that free and aligned with myself since 2019. Réunion has, to me, a very feminine, stress-free energy. There is water everywhere—waterfalls, rain, humidity—and water is often associated with the feminine principle. I felt good in my body: I ate plenty of protein (hello, tuna), soaked up vitamin D, slept well, and enjoyed unhurried, meaningful time. The humidity made my skin glow, I stopped trying to control everything, my stress levels dropped, and I finally let myself go with the flow.

For the first time in years, I truly felt like myself again.

As soon as I found out there are cheap direct Ryanair flights from my home city, Bratislava, to Malta, I had absolutely no excuse not to go. Malta is easy to reach, affordable, and incredibly beautiful—perfect if you want to extend your summer or enjoy a sunny spring getaway. One tip, though: avoid visiting in the middle of summer. It gets very hot and extremely crowded.

1. Popeye Village & Anchor Bay

For our first night, we booked a hotel near Popeye Village—mainly because this place had been on my bucket list for a long time. Initially, I wanted to rent a car and explore the island freely, but we quickly realized that public bus transportation in Malta works surprisingly well. All major places are well connected, it’s affordable, and honestly, much easier if you’re nervous about driving on the “wrong” side of the road — in Malta, people drive on the left side of the road, just like in the United Kingdom.

Our first goal was, of course, Popeye Village. This charming, colorful fishing village sits in the stunning Anchor Bay and was originally built as the set for the 1980 Popeye musical movie. Today, it functions as an open-air museum—but the real magic is the view. Dramatic cliffs, turquoise water, and playful wooden houses come together to create a true fairytale scene.

Since our hotel was nearby, we decided to hike there early in the morning across the raw, untouched hills. Big mistake: we completely underestimated the strength of the May sun. By the time we reached Popeye Village, we were already sunburnt. Still, after two hours of walking under the sun, we were rewarded with a breathtaking viewpoint that made every drop of sweat worth it.

The best surprise? Inside Popeye Village, there’s a small hidden beach with a stone platform and sunbeds. Crystal-clear water, a bit of shade, and a cold beer (yes—there’s a small restaurant right on the beach!) were exactly what we needed. We quickly changed our plans and stayed by the water until the evening, heading back to the hotel by public bus—tired, happy, and very relaxed.

2. Blue Lagoon & Comino Island

The next day, we visited another absolute must-see: the Blue Lagoon on Comino Island. To get there, you need to book a boat trip. The ticket usually includes a round trip and a stop at some natural sea caves on the way back. The boats are relatively small (around ten people), which makes the experience feel more personal and enjoyable. Luckily, the boat to Comino Island leaves right from in front of our hotel, as well.

The Blue Lagoon is simply magnificent. The unreal shades of blue almost don’t look real. There are plenty of food stalls around, so you won’t go hungry or thirsty, but keep in mind—the beach itself is tiny and fills up quickly. You can rent sunbeds and umbrellas set up on the rocks, which is very convenient.

That said, don’t spend the whole day lying down. Walk around! The island of Comino is stunningly beautiful, quiet, and wild, and exploring it on foot is just as rewarding as swimming in the lagoon.

3. Valletta – Malta’s Capital

On our final days, we changed locations and moved to the third must-visit spot in Malta: the capital city, Valletta. Once again, we relied on public buses—super easy and stress-free.

Valletta is a historic city by the sea, full of breathtaking views, narrow stone streets, charming corners, cozy restaurants, and tiny coffee and ice-cream shops. We were lucky enough to find a cute apartment with self check-in right in the heart of the old town. And the best part? A Romeo-and-Juliet-style balcony overlooking the street below—so authentic and atmospheric. Save this address – Jean de Valette Boutique Living.

So, what should you do in Valletta? Simply wander around and get lost in the maze of streets. Grab an ice cream, a Frappuccino, an Aperol Spritz—whatever you’re in the mood for. Soak up the atmosphere. At night, the city comes alive with music, buzzing streets, and a magical vibe.

If you’re into healthy food, I highly recommend stopping by Soul Food Valletta bistro, which we discovered by accident while strolling around. And honestly, that’s the beauty of Valletta—you’ll stumble upon amazing places when you least expect it.