Sunshine, sand and sea Mallorca • Issue No. 2042 • 22 - 28 August 2024
RICHARD GERE and his family have chosen Mallorca as their latest holiday destination and are staying in a luxury hotel in Formentor, enjoying the island’s sunshine, sand and sea as well as relaxing in the hotel itself. The actor, aged 74, is spending a few days in Formentor’s luxury new Four Seasons Hotel, along with wife, activist Alejandra Silva, the couple’s children, Alexander and James, and Silva’s son Albert. The hotel, which has undergone an extensive and costly renovation, has only been open since last Friday, meaning that Gere and his family are some of the first guests to explore and enjoy the new facilities on offer. Previously known as the Hotel Formentor, the establishment has a long history of celebrity guests ever since it first opened back in 1929, according to the hotel’s official websi-
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Kites released THE Regional Ministry of Agriculture, Fishing and the Environment has released five red kites into the Mondragó Natural Park. The red kites are a protected species and had been taken in by local wildlife recovery consortium COFIB after being found injured or starving by members of the public. Once fully recuperated, each bird has been marked and equipped with a satellite transmitter and an official metal ring and can be tracked to help control safe reintegration into the wild. The release of the birds was assisted by councillor Joan Simonet, who combined the action with an educational event informing attendees of the problems and dangers the protected birds face and the importance of conserving the species [Europe Press, Islas Baleares, 20/08/2024]. The red kite is in danger of extinction in the Balearics, but thanks to work from local government, ecologists and the public, the population in Mallorca is beginning to rise.
Richard Gere is enjoying the island’s sunshine as well as relaxing in the hotel.
te, fourseasons.com. Guests have included the Dalai Lama, Winston Churchill, Grace Kelly and Audrey Hepburn, to name just a few. An average stay at the newly refurbished Four Seasons hotel
costs more than €1,200 per night. Gere has starred in many successful films but is possibly most famous for his role in Pretty Woman (1990) alongside acclaimed actress Julia Roberts.
RED KITE: In danger of extinction.
THE Mallorca festival of Sant Bartomeu on August 24 brings festivities across the island, not just on that day but also on the days surrounding the date, which celebrates one of the most important patron saints of Mallorca. Across the island, local towns have adorned the streets and houses with streamers and other colourful decorations, and residents will be full of anticipation for the day itself. Being the patron saint of both Soller and Montuïri, these towns, in particular, will be holding traditional celebrations, but similar festivities will
Credit: FB: Ayuntamiento Montuïri
Island celebrations Traditional dancers in Montuïri.
be found across the island. Celebrations will include local speciality dishes in the open air, live street music, fires and fireworks. There will also be plenty of locals dressed up as the traditional Mallorca ‘dimonio’ parading through the towns, bringing theatre and dance to life.
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