Celebrating my 50th birthday with a Wine and Dine Tour in Mallorca

Turning 50 is no small thing, it’s one of those milestones that makes you pause and take stock of life a little. Personally, I didn’t feel like throwing a big party or doing something extravagant. What I really wanted was to enjoy a meaningful experience with the people who matter most, my wife and a few good friends. We all needed a break, so we decided to celebrate the occasion in style: under the sun, with good food, great wine, and laughter. Where better than the beautiful island of Mallorca? And that’s when we found the Wine and Dine Tour in Mallorca. I will tell you all about it!

We planned our trip for June. The weather in Mallorca that time of year is just perfect, not too hot, but warm enough to enjoy every moment outdoors. We booked a charming finca located just outside Palma. It had all the ingredients for a great holiday: plenty of space, a private pool, and quiet surroundings where we could truly unwind.

Getting around was easy with a couple of rental cars from Europcar. Over the days leading up to my birthday, we explored some of the island’s hidden gems and well-known sights. From picturesque villages tucked in the Tramuntana mountains to stunning beach coves with turquoise water, we packed a lot into our days. But I was still looking for something unique to do on the big day itself.

I wanted the day of my birthday to feel different, something more than just dinner at a restaurant. That’s when we stumbled upon the Wine and Dine Tour in Mallorca, organised by Food Tours Balearics .

The concept caught my eye right away: four restaurants, four courses, each paired with a local wine, and the best part, it was entirely self-guided using a web app. That meant no tour groups or guides to follow around. We could move at our own pace, enjoy some privacy, and focus on what mattered most: great food, wine, and time together.

My wife is the more social-media-savvy one in our house, so she checked out their Instagram page to see if it was legit. After scrolling through videos and photos of happy people enjoying delicious food in both Mallorca & Ibiza, she was convinced, and so was I. We booked the Palma Old Town tour for eight people.

One of our friends has dietary restrictions, and we were a bit concerned about how that would work. But we needn’t have worried. During the booking process, we were able to note the dietary needs, and the restaurants made adjustments without any hassle. That kind of attention to detail goes a long way.

Once we booked, we received a confirmation email right away. Everything was prepaid, which made things easy for everyone, no need to figure out who owed what after each course. It also meant we could just enjoy ourselves without thinking about bills or tips along the way.

The day before the tour, we received another email with a link to the web app. It included all the details we needed: the starting point, the order of the restaurants, walking directions, and even some highlights to look out for along the way. It was nice to have that kind of structure, especially since we didn’t know Palma all that well.

The day of my birthday started slow and relaxed, just how I wanted it. We had a leisurely brunch at the finca. Our friends had put together a beautiful spread, complete with champagne (it was a birthday, after all). Afterwards, we enjoyed a swim in the pool and let some music set the mood for the day ahead.

Around 4:30pm, we called a couple of taxis to take us to Palma. Drinking and driving is, of course, a no-go, especially when a wine tour is on the agenda.

Just before our 5pm start time, I got a WhatsApp message from Emily at Food Tours Balearics, checking in to make sure everything was going smoothly. That personal touch meant a lot. It’s small things like that which show a company really cares.

We arrived at the starting point as directed by the app and were able to begin right on time. The app gave us some background about where we were, which made it feel a bit more like a guided experience, without the guide. A quick tip: don’t forget to turn on your location while using the app, otherwise you won’t be able to see where you are or how to walk to your next stop. Thankfully, one of our friends caught that early on!

At each restaurant, we simply told them we were part of the Wine and Dine Tour. I showed our booking reference, and we were promptly welcomed and seated. No waiting, no confusion. The service was top-notch, and the first course arrived quickly. We could choose our preferred type of wine, and every pairing was thoughtfully selected.

When we were done, we just stood up and walked to the next stop. It felt a bit strange at first not paying, but in a very good way! The walking route between restaurants was enjoyable, and the app pointed out interesting sights along the way. We walked through little streets that we probably would have skipped if we wouldn’t have done this tour. Luckily we did, because the streets were so calm with little shops, we even had some time to check some out.

Each restaurant had its own unique ambiance and cuisine, but all shared one thing in common: excellent service and truly delicious gourmet dishes. And our friend with dietary needs received personalised dishes at every stop.

The final restaurant served us dessert, a sweet course with a perfect drink to match. The ambiance was warm and festive, and we were all in such good spirits that we decided to stick around a bit longer for extra drinks (those we happily paid for ourselves).

While chatting with the bartender, someone mentioned it was my birthday. Before I knew it, they brought out a special dessert with sparklers and played a song to celebrate. The whole bar joined in singing, raising their glasses, and cheering. It was one of those moments you don’t forget.

We were so happy with the entire experience that we made a short video to thank the Food Tours Balearics team. My wife posted it to her Instagram story – honestly, I’m not sure how all of that works, but she does! Apparently, they saw it and appreciated it a lot. As a thank you, they offered us a discount for a future tour.

We also found out that they run a similar Wine and Dine Tour in Ibiza. So who knows, maybe for another occasion, we’ll hop over to that Balearic island and do it all over again.

Looking back, I couldn’t have asked for a better way to celebrate turning 50. Everything was handled with care and professionalism, and we all felt like VIPs. The Wine and Dine Tour in Mallorca turned out to be more than just a food tour, it was a shared memory, a celebration, and a perfect day wrapped into one.

If you’re planning something special or just want to enjoy Palma in a different way, I wholeheartedly recommend it. It’s an experience I’ll never forget.