The Isle of Champions

Yesterday, one of the greatest tennis matches of all time happened on Centre Court at Wimbledon. It had everything you could ever expect a sport to give you: high drama, extreme skill, natural talent, tenacity, heart and incredible humanity. Both Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer had much glory to be gained by winning...and neither was willing to give it less than their all for nearly five hours. It was hard to cheer for either because choosing a winner would result in also selecting a loser.

In the end, Rafael Nadal walked away with his first ever Wimbledon title - tears of great emotion in the eyes of both the victor and the defeated (mine too, while we're at it.) So this post is dedicated to Rafa's home of Majorca, the beautiful island in the Mediterranean less than 125 miles off the coast of mainland Spain.

I'm certain that the beaches and the bars are great places to start (especially now in sangria-soaked celebration of Rafa's victory.) But one of the nicest ways to see the island is via the Tren de Soller that leaves from the capital of Palma. Originally built in 1912, the open wooden cars roll through the mountainous countryside close enough for those with long arms to pluck lemons & oranges from the trees.

Maybe this kind of idyllic lifestyle would bring out the champion in anybody. Congratulations Rafa!