One of my cherished places in Mallorca is Son Serra de Marina and its beach. Riding a horse along this coast offers a very different way of reading the landscape, and authorised excursions can accommodate several levels of experience.

A quiet spring morning is ideal. Away from the usual crowds, the ride passes near the necropolis of Son Real, a burial site whose history reaches back many centuries, and continues through the broad northern coastal landscape towards Playa de Muro.

Son Serra also has an unusual sense of freedom. Parts of the beach have long been used by naturists, and people can enjoy their way of life without feeling observed. At the same time, there are relaxed seaside places to eat, listen to music and meet friends.

It has become popular with residents, but it still retains a certain calm and is often easier to approach than the island’s most famous beaches. What stays with me is the combination: history under the ground, open sea ahead and the slow physical rhythm of the horse beneath you.

Anyone arranging a ride should use an authorised operator and confirm current routes and environmental restrictions. The privilege of entering a sensitive landscape always carries the responsibility to protect it.