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Mallorca has a fine reputation as a summer beach holiday destination however there is a lot more to this amazing island than just fine beaches and holiday resorts.

As well as the magnificent capital of Palma with its historic past and great architecture, there are a number of other much quieter, yet no less interesting, towns many of which hold their own festivals during the year. For example, in late August each year the Fiestas de San Agustin is held in Felanitx, an ancient town halfway between Palma and the wonderful beaches of the east coast such as Cala D'Or and Cal Marsal.

This is a week long festival of sports, cultural activities, street bands and concerts. The highlight of the week is Els Cavallets, a traditional series of fertility dances that are enacted by groups of children. This ritual dates back to 1603 when the Convent of St Augustin was founded and consists of the town's children dancing around a lady in a costume imitating a pony. The dancers wear a red uniform with a green hat that has white trimming. The lady is actually a young girl wearing a green jacket with red hat and waves an embroidered handkerchief in time with the music. The dances all have different names and are accompanied by bagpipes, drums and flutes. A demon then joins in and chases the children as part of the dance. This dance is performed twice during the festival, once on the Sunday evening before the feast of St Augustin and then again after the mass on the feast day itself.

Within easy reach of Palma and the major resorts, Felanitx is definitely a place to see during your next trip to Mallorca.