A travel guru has issued an urgent warning to holidaymakers eyeing a festive retreat in one of Spain’s most beloved destinations.
Mallorca offers the perfect festive getaway for Brits wanting to escape the grim weather, with Christmas lights going up in Palma and crowds gathering for an array of yuletide events. But Alex from the ‘Mallorca Under The Sun’ YouTube channel has highlighted a serious issue tourists should be wary of if they are planning a Christmas in Mallorca.
“Now you may well be forgiven for, just looking at Palma Nova this morning, that the island is completely dead,” she said in her latest video. “I’m afraid that is not the case.” She explained how pickpockets have “not gone away” and will be “operating throughout the winter months, particularly throughout the Christmas season over in Palma”.
(Image: Mallorca Under the Sun)
“As amazing as Palma is over the festive season, there is a darker side operating and this is going to be these street thieves, the pickpocketers, the handbag dippers that are going to be out and about,” she warned. “I very much doubt they’re going to be on the next flight to the Canary Islands and operating over there. They’ve got plenty of targets over here in the form of Christmas shoppers and those enjoying the festive season over here in Mallorca.”
Alex also warned that Palma “is going to be extremely busy” in the run up to Christmas, right up until the Three Kings’ Night on January 5. She recommends that anyone travelling to Palma from elsewhere on the island uses public transport during this period, as parking spaces will be hard to come by.
However, she went on: “At the same time, if you are getting on public transport into the centre of Palma, just be aware that is also going to be extremely busy. Which means that you need to pay special attention to the location of your belongings. Watch out for people pickpocketing on public transport, particularly on Saturday night when it’s likely to be very busy.”
Looking ahead, Alex highlighted November 23 as a significant date for visitors, being the day when Palma illuminates its big Christmas lights – an event that attracts large crowds and brings with it the risk of pickpockets. She advised: “Do not carry your backpack across two shoulders, make sure it’s tucked under your arm or wear it across your front. Make sure you know where your wallet and your phone are at all times.
“Avoid bringing your passport or any important documents with you into Palma, try to leave them at a hotel. If not, just make sure you really do have tight hold of them.”
Despite this, Alex did not want to put anyone off visiting. She insisted visiting Palma at this time of year really is a “magical experience”, with the “perfect combination of sunshine with the festiveness of the Christmas lights too”.
This post was originally published on here
