The Fortunate Isles: Life and Travel in Majorca, Minorca and Iviza

A breezy, first‑person account carries listeners from a storm‑tossed October departure in London to the sun‑kissed promenades of Barcelona, where the promise of the Balearic archipelago begins to unfold. The narrator and a companion board the steamer Balear beneath the towering Columbus column, feeling the excitement of a dream finally taking shape as they set sail for Majorca, Minorca and the quiet isle of Iviza.

The early chapters paint vivid portraits of bustling ports, pastel‑washed streets, and the gentle rhythm of island life before tourism ever arrived. Through lively anecdotes and attentive observation, the traveller captures the local customs, colorful markets, and the striking contrast between familiar British expectations and the untamed Mediterranean charm that greets them. Listeners will feel the sea breeze and hear the distant calls of market sellers, inviting them to explore a world that feels both timeless and utterly fresh.