Occasional Digest

I went on a budget-billionaire holiday to Spain with scuba bikes and sunset parties

Collage of women on a boat in Palma with city views and a resort pool.

IT’S late morning and I’m sunbathing on the front deck of a swish motor-cruiser, glass of rosé in hand and Balearic beats drumming in the background while I sail across the sparkling Mediterranean.

Life doesn’t get much better than this. On a normal Saturday morning, I would be standing pitchside at my kids’ football practice, ready to hand out water, yet here I was being waited on hand and foot.

Caroline Iggulden and friends in party mode Credit: Supplied
Enjoy a daytime party at UM Beach House Credit: instagram/umbeachhousemallorca

My five mum pals and I had decided to jazz up our weekend mini break to Mallorca’s capital city, Palma, by hiring a private boat to take us around the coast.

We’d been inspired by celebs like Jennifer Aniston, Courteney Cox and Pedro Pascal, who have all been spotted sunning themselves on yachts this summer.

And the great thing is, you don’t need a mega budget to live an A-list lifestyle in Mallorca.

Sail Trip Mallorca, run by husband and wife Yannick and Sarah, offers bespoke private and group trips that are super-easy to book.

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Once on board, all we needed to worry about was relaxing on the cushioned sunbathing area and deciding what tunes to blast through the bluetooth speaker.

Captain Yannick ensured drinks were kept topped up as he steered us towards a secluded cove, where we didn’t waste any time diving into the crystal-clear water.

Despite us all being in our forties, some of our number were brave enough to take a leap from the roof of the captain’s cabin, straight into the ocean.

If you’re not a brave swimmer, though, our boat came equipped with paddleboards, a giant ring and snorkelling gear.

Then there are the underwater “scuba bikes” that allow guests to travel as deep as 20 feet beneath the waves, equipped with an oxygen tank and clear helmet so you can observe the fish as you pedal.

While we enjoyed a dip and a cycle, the multi-talented Yannick whipped up a delicious lunch of tapas, salad, mini burgers and dips for us to tuck into back on board.

Then, all that was left to do as we cruised back into Palma harbour was take in the most spectacular views of the city’s cathedral.

The whole experience felt like pure luxury. But best of all, it didn’t cost us an arm and a leg.

Enjoy a city stroll in Palma, Mallorca Credit: Getty
The Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma Credit: David Soanes Photography

With enough space for 11 guests, the four-hour trip costs around £100pp including access to all the water equipment and a boozy lunch. Not bad, if you ask me.

Once back on dry land, be sure to check out the spectacular Cathedral of Santa Maria of Palma up close.

And if you haven’t had enough of a dance on the boat, the recently opened AMOK in Palma hosts regular sunset parties that are well worth the €15 entry.

Far from being a boisterous, sweaty nightclub, this classy venue has a huge terrace bar and garden, lit up by twinkling lights in the trees.

Here, sunset views are accompanied by top-class DJs playing a mix of modern and Latin beats and excellent cocktails. If you’ve got the stamina, the party moves inside to the main club at 11:30pm and continues until 6am.

Don’t worry if you’re not a late-night raver, though. Those who prefer more of a daytime party will love UM Beach House (umbeachhouse.com).

Palma isn’t blessed with the greatest beaches, but this seafront club is gorgeous, with its own picturesque pool and direct access to the sea.

It’s a favourite holiday haunt of celebs, such as radio presenter Kate Lawler, who also visited in June.

Tuck into tasty tapas for lunch Credit: Supplied

GO: PALMA, MALLORCA

GETTING THERE: EasyJet flies from Luton and other UK airports to Palma in Mallorca from £19.99 each way.

See easyjet.com.

STAYING THERE: Rooms at the 4* AC Hotel Ciutat de Palma cost from 130 euros (£111.30) per night including breakfast.

See marriott.com.

OUT & ABOUT: Private trips with Sail Trip Mallorca cost from £90.46pp for a four-hour sailing.

For more info, see sailtripmallorca.com.

Reclining on the huge, padded loungers, big enough for three, with glasses of fizz in our hands, Monday’s school run felt a world away.

Definitely stay for lunch as UM Beach House has a 360-degree terrace overlooking the sea, which serves a varied and delicious menu of fresh seafood pasta, light poke bowls and . . . more rosé.

Best of all, we were able to store our suitcases on site so, after a few hours of luxury bliss, we hopped into taxis straight for the airport feeling pampered instead of having to drag ourselves back to the hotel all frazzled.

Talk about the VIP treatment.

I know what I’ll be dreaming of when I’m standing at the side of a football pitch at the weekend.

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