The amount of people who own mansions or spend their holidays regularly in Mallorca is truly amazing. While RTL, the German private channel's leading anchorwoman, Ulla Kock am Brink (see photograph) celebrates her 35th birthday at her brand new villa, some of European's football champions (Möller, Stoichkov, Vladoui, etc) soak aching bones in the many beautiful beaches on the island and the recent ex-Barça coach Johann Cruyff, in the company of his family, flies high in a hot air balloon (photo bellow). Far from the summer hustle and bustle, Ferdinand Piech, boss of the famous German car company, VW, has managed to pass unnoticed and spend a few quiet days in the unique setting of the Hotel Formentor. Udo Lindenberg, old-timer German rock star is enjoying the hospitality of Puerto Andratx, while yet another unconditional fan of the island, Werner Schulze-Erdel (photo), basks in the sun at El Toro (his upcoming series on RTL, Buenos Días, Mallorca, will be on the air as of August 9th). Even super-star Linda Evans, famous for her leading part in the series Denver, had to pull into the island - allthough unanticipated - after a somewhat rough cruise on the luxurious Midnight Saga. One thing's for sure, if some day the fountain of tourism were to go dry (which is largely unlikely), the Mallorcans could always resort to charging all these celebrities a luxury tax.

First he swept millions of spectators off their feet with an absolutely marvellous circus... and now he's investing millions in his new Mallorquín project. Last year the owner of the Roncalli Circus, Bernhard Paul, bought a grandiose mansion on the hills above Genova (see in the photograph). This man, formerly a renowned publicity agent, now spends his time restoring every little corner of his property with the dedication of a true artist. This large extension of land will include a creative centre for artists and people in the showbizz which is expected to open by next November. Mr Paul's reasons for making a dream of such magnitude come true are utterly convincing in their absolute sincerity: "The sun and the sea breeze just make imagination fly."

This week's most spectacular event will take place in the sea. For the first time in its forty years' history, the Cutty-Sark Regatta will be held in the Mediterranean. Coming from Genoa, the participating boats will lower their sails in the Bay of Palma between July 21st and 24th. We'll have the chance to admire over a hundred sail boats and their respective crews (over 3,000 participants from all over the world). Travel agencies have organized half-day excursions for about 20 pounds a head. July 31st will be the great day of victory for these true sea-dogs, when they'll be docking into the harbour of Naples, the city crowned by the eternal fires of the Vesuvius.