Whether you live in Mallorca permanently or visit often, the hc/ community is a space to connect with others who – just like you – have a deep connection with the island. Pioneered by island entrepreneur Dr Helen Cummins, helencummins.com is for people who appreciate authentic living in Mallorca. A resident of Mallorca for over twenty years, Helen is an advocate for the Mediterranean lifestyle and the way in which it inspires us to slow down and appreciate what surrounds us.
The hc/ newsletter covers local interviews, place guides as well as tips and recommendations from Helen herself. People from all around the world who share the slow philosophy are invited to join the discussion by subscribing to the hc/ newsletter or by following Helen on Instagram & Facebook.
Have a read below of some of the emails and messages sent from hc/ followers!
JENNIFER, 9TH APRIL 2022
Dear Helen,
I am so inspired by all the work that you do and have been following first ABC Mallorca, then Slow Living & also all of the wonderful business events that you have started proposing in recent months. I hope to be able to meet you in person at one of them soon.
Right now I am still living between Paris & Sóller, where my husband and I continue to look for just the right place – and with a business (yoga studio) here in Paris and new ventures there, my trips over for now have continued to be quite dense. But I will look to see if there are any events over the summer that I can make it to.
I received an email a while back where you said that you actually read and reply to all of the (I’m sure numerous!) messages you receive, so I just thought in the interim, I would reach out and introduce myself.
Born in New York and arriving in Paris by way of Los Angeles 30 years ago, I am a wellness (and wine) entrepreneur with what used to be 2 yoga studios in Paris – and post-pandemic, is now one in Montmartre. I was in Deià during the second confinement in 2020, just a month before having to make the painful decision to close my original studio in December of that year. It was during that time that I had the vision of a very special “yogic coliving” that I felt could be of benefit to many during that difficult time. A vision that I ultimately organised and hosted in a magnificent historic villa in Sóller over 3 months last Spring, while Paris was undergoing it’s 3rd confinement. It was a fully-booked success. But my plans for my next ventures there had to be put on hold while I focused on reopening of the Montmartre studio from summer 2021.
Now, in conjunction with a new business I am in the midst of launching, which will be a Mallorca based company, I am launching a program of Yoga & Nature Immersion retreats beginning with a first retreat, Back to Joy, 27 April – 1 May, prior to a full month of varied holistic wellness offerings in July 2022. And resuming in the Fall. At a very special place between on the outskirts of Sóller, off of the road to Deià.
Mallorca, and the Tramuntana region in particular have been a special place for me where I have been coming regularly for the past 12 years (my first trips date back to the late 90s!). It is a place (as you know!) charged with a very unique transformational energy that has always connected me to healing and guidance when I needed it most. And through both the coliving last year and my new endeavors at present, I am seeking to make that same experience available to others.
I have seen your listing of yoga and wellness retreats on Mallorca, and in general I find that it is difficult for people to find information about retreats on the island. Something that I am working on. If you were interested to know more about what I am developing, I would be happy to provide you with more information too!
With warmest regards,
Jennifer
PETER, 10TH DECEMBER 2021
Dear Helen,
Thank you for continuing to send this beautiful message which I much enjoy reading.
May I wish you and your family a very happy Christmas and a prosperous New Year.
Best regards
Peter
GARETH, 13TH DECEMBER 2021
Hello Helen,
Greetings from a cold, dark and damp Colchester in Essex, UK.
I have been receiving your emails for a couple of months now and they have really piqued my interest in your beautiful island once more.
I have never actually visited Mallorca, often preferring to holiday in the winter in the Canary islands over the past few years with my family.
However, for some reason I have always had an affection for the island and have been wanting to live there for years.
My wife and I lived on the Costa Blanca briefly 14 years ago but she really didn’t enjoy living away from England. I absolutely loved it and walk back tomorrow if I could.
There are so many obstacles in the way of me living my dream life in Mallorca at the moment. But I do feel that by reaching out to somebody like yourself, miracles can be set in motion. Ask the Universe and it will deliver.
I love the look of the Northeast of the island, mainly Alcudia or Pollenca. My dream would be to have the freedom and time to explore the hiking and mountain bike trails in the hills and mountains of that region and just bask in the beauty of the whole place.
I have no savings, very little fluency in Spanish and no current skills to earn a living online. But I am determined somehow to eventually make it happen.
Many thanks for the emails that you send and their wonderful content.
I hope one day to meet you to potentially discuss moving to your beautiful country.
Wishing you all the very best.
Gareth
JENNI, 10TH NOVEMBER 2021
Helen, you are speaking my language. A move to Mallorca is a pipe dream but your newsletter is drawing me ever closer to that reality.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Jenni
BRIAN, 15TH SEPTEMBER 2021
Hi Helen,
Fabulous article on Bendinat – well done again! That will do no harm to my property investment there. Keep up the great work!
Kind Regards
Brian
LIBBY, 24TH JULY 2021
Hi Helen, I recently came across you, but cant actually remember where (apologies), and have really enjoyed reading your newsletters. I have a vested interest as my partners Mother has lived in Majorca for over 20 years. She has a ramshackle farmhouse near Pollensa and we visit most years, just for a week. This year we are actually coming out for 2 weeks, seeing as we didn’t make it last year. I wonder if you could suggest any great eateries , hotels for dinner with magnificent sunsets, and also beaches……we have been to many but I am sure there must be some which we have not discovered seeing as we spend so little time there.
Still sorting hire cars or a 7 seater/van so thought I’d email whilst I was in ‘holiday logistics’ mode !
I do apologise if my requests are beyond your level of service, and can quite understand if you are too busy to get to this one.
Many thanks & warm regards,
Libby
DAVID, 6TH JUNE 2021, UK
Buenos dias Helen,
This is a brief thank you letter. I made the move from England to live in Mallorca in late November last year. It was in between UK lock-downs and just in time to secure Residency, so very fortunate timing.
To prepare for my new life, I read widely about the island (Ex-English teacher!). Your guides were a god-send, beautifully presented, full of carefully considered judgements. I have sampled a number of your recommendations. I was a little surprised that Marc Fosh didn’t make your top twenty restaurants, but can see you value restaurants with a distinctive feel, history and ambience. The new guide is lovely, thank you. I know you have a strong and loyal following, and it is obvious why. Unlike much of what passes for Good Living promotion, it is sensitive and emotionally intelligent.
For me Slow Living is about balance and harmony. I begin the day with a long swim, in the pool or Es Trenc Bay. It’s a form of mediation. In the cooler months I cycled, then wrote. Now, I meet friends, walk in the mountains, and explore the delights of the island. I have even lost the desire to travel – all I need is here!
Best wishes in your business and thank you again for helping me to transition to life here by making good judgements.
David
ALMA, 23RD MAY 2021
Good morning from sunny Ireland,
My name is Alma Murray. We are regular visitors to the island & absolutely adore the lifestyle. My husband & I have been discussing (quite seriously) a move to Mallorca but we need help & advice. I have found your website/newsletters to be excellent in answering lots of questions we have.
We have 2 young boys, Archie (8) & Sonny (5) and we have been in discussions with an English speaking school north of the island close to Pollensa.
My husband has worked in the medical industry for almost 20 years. He is an excellent sales man with experience also in the fitness industry. I have 20 years experience in Arts Marketing & I also have a Retreat Business. We are both in our early 40’s…the perfect time to make a change. Mallorca is where I take lots of my clients for weekend breaks also with my business. That’s why we think it makes more sense to make the move.
We just don’t know where to start looking for employment. My husband has experience in auctioneering too & would be interested in the property market. We just don’t know where to start as we want to have something secured before moving.
Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.
Look forward to hearing from you.
Warmest regards,
Alma
INGE, 19TH APRIL 2021
Dear Helen,
Thanks for the monthly newsletter, I always appreciate reading it!!!
Congratulations.
I have a question and thought who else than you can know this ))
Is there a a place where I can visit a pottery atelier and is there anyone you know of teaching this on Mallorca?
Thanks in advance for your thoughts
Sunny greetings, hope you and you loved ones are doing well.
Inge
BARBARA & PETER, 18TH MARCH 2021, SWITZERLAND
Dear Helen,
Thank you so much for all the inspiring information, up-dates and business ideas. The helpful guides to whatever. There’s always something to pick up and learn.
Especially great thanks for having such a private look at your outstanding, extraordinary and wonderful home. Everything is just perfect. The colours, the furniture, all the well chosen accessories and details.
Compliments and thank you again.
We appreciate your business letters, the business lunches and all other activities you are offering to us. Well appreciated.
We missed so much not being able to travel to Palma. Now it seems to possible again. We are looking forward to travel to our loved island.
All the best for you and your family, stay safe and healthy.
Warm regards,
Barbara and Peter
DELLA, 8TH FEBRUARY 2021, UK
Helen, I stumbled across your wonderful website and feel as though I know you already !!! After working for 25 years, my husband and I are considering selling our business and buying a holiday home in either The Algarve or Majorca. Your site is doing a very good job of persuading us that Majorca is the one !!!!
My husband enjoys sailing, cycling, hiking and I enjoy painting – we both enjoy eating out and are looking for a slow, mindful way of life where we can recharge our worn out batteries. We have 3 grown up children who I’m hoping will join us in years to come with their own families.
I’m drawn to the North West Coast area with easy access to Palma and wondered if you could point us in the direction initially of someone who might help find our dream holiday home ?
Sorry, I’m sure you are terribly busy, but you seem to be so wonderful and knowledgeable about all things Majorcan, I thought I’d make contact.
Yours with fingers crossed. Della x
WENDY, 6TH FEBRUARY 2021, UK
Hi Helen –
Thanks for creating a wonderful, informative website. We’re planning on moving to Mallorca in 2022 and doing our research now. Your website has been very helpful in many ways.
Wendy K.
EVELYN, 30TH JANUARY 2021, IRELAND
Hi Helen,
I’m in a very cold and wet UK. I was just looking at ABC Mallorca when your story caught my attention. Like you, I am Irish, from Tramore, which as you will know isn’t far from where you are from. I’ve been visiting Mallorca for over 10years, I have absolutely fallen in love with that stunningly beautiful island.
Three years ago I made the decision to buy a small apartment overlooking the amazing beach on Porto portals. I’ve since added another apartment next door, which gives me a little patio, something I’ve dreamt of for a long time.
Due to the pandemic I haven’t been able to visit since last September, but the work is going ahead, lots of zoom meeting and FaceTime etc.
I guess the whole point of the email was to just connect with you and congratulate you on the wonderful job your doing. I was so excited to see a fellow Irish woman with the same passion for Mallorca as I have. The 321 was an amazing achievement and I can only dream of doing likewise. I love cycling but have dodgy knees due to my past career. You’ve reignited my passion for Mallorca and simply can’t wait to return.
Sending you heartfelt thanks for all the exciting information I’ve discovered through your work. Well done you. Would love to meet you one day.
Love and best wishes
Evelyn
CAS & ANNELOES, 9TH JANUARY 2021, HOLLAND
Dear Helen,
We wish you all the best for the new year! We so hope to be able to come to Mallorca again! We love it and visited it frequently.
Our dream is to have a small house on Mallorca one day, preferably in Portixol or El Molinar but unfortunately at this moment we don’t have the possibility to fulfill it.
Kind regards,
Cas and Anneloes
The Hague, Holland
MIKE, 31ST DECEMBER 2020, UK
Dear Helen,
Many thanks for your New Year Greetings. I do hope you had a good Christmas. I should be in Palma , as I have been for the last nine years at this time, but owing to the present situation I am having to stay at home here in the Royal Town of Sutton Coldfield. How much I will miss this new year not being in Palma and at the Hotel Gloria . Hopefully things will be better for the 2022 New Year and I can visit Palma.
May I wish you a Happy and Better 2021.
Kindest Regards,
Mike
PATRICK, 4TH NOVEMBER 2020, UK
Helen…….congrats on a great publication and thanks for giving James a profile. I’m working with him myself and I find it really good.
I used to be very fit (admittedly a good few years ago!) but I find that the gradual way he increases your fitness and strength is excellent. It seems slow at first but it definitely works!
Seems like you’ve carved out a great niche for yourself in Mallorca….well done.
Hope you’re all safe and well.
Paddy.
CHRISTINE, 29TH OCTOBER 2020, BLACK FOREST, GERMANY
Dear Helen,
I just read the behind the scene story about you. All I can say: to me you are THE Lady of 2020. Inspiration to the moon and back. How many hours do your days have?
Mine is always too short with 24; reading your story it teaches me to use time wisely.😉 to reach goals, live dreams and listen to my heart.
My biggest sporty goal for 2021 is getting back into my fitness and training routine to be able to ride with one day on the island.
Have a lovely evening my warmest greetings from the Black-Forrest, Christine 🌲🌲🍂🍂🍁🍁🍄
ANN MARIE, 11TH OCTOBER 2020, LONDON
Hi Helen,
I hope this email finds you well. I came across your website/instagram last night as I was reading the “Slow Food Revolution” for the second time in the last few years. I started googling SLOW in Mallorca because I have recently fallen in love with the island and have been there 3x since April 2019.
I am an architect originally from NYC but have made my home in London for the last 16 years. For the last 8 years I have been working in the healthy buildings movement and before that I was Director of Sustainability in a large firm called Arup.
Such a crazy coincidence when I read your bio that you are also responsible for abcMallorca, one of the most beautiful publications I have seen in a long time. The Sustainability edition is amazing.
I am sure you are swamped but I am working on a couple of interesting projects that might be of interest to you; all around wellness and healthy buildings.
Let me now if you might have time for a chat this week or next depending on your diary,
Looking forward to speaking soon,
Best regards,
Ann Marie
MARISKA, 23RD SEPTEMBER 2020, AMSTERDAM
Hello Helen,
Great to have stumbled upon your wonderful site! Looking forward to receiving the newsletters as I am preparing to move to Mallorca. Will do my first house viewings beginning of October.
Your site is already giving me better insight and recommendations.
With kind wishes,
Mariska
DANA, 27TH AUGUST 2020, MALLORCA
Good Morning Helen,
Hoping you might remember me from my restaurant, Osteria N15 in Puerto Pollensa and previously at my second hand furniture shop in Pollensa.
One of my new projects is Wicked Ice; Alcoholic Ice Cream (Vegan and Non Allergen). The founders, Dave and Monique Broadhurst are based in Mallorca and manufacture in Valencia. The company is presently in the process of a rebrand and I am advising in the capacity of production and distribution.
What are the chances of being able to entice you to a taste and test – at your office so your team could enjoy it also? A lunchtime treat!
In the meantime, thanks for all the emails which continue to keep our morale up. In fact, your recent article on slowing down in Sóller prompted us to book a 4 day break there this weekend. A testament to email marketing… it does work!
Best wishes to you and the family.
Dana
AMANDA, 9TH AUGUST 2020, UK
Hola…
Whilst we are currently in America, we remain in Mallorca in our hearts every day. If you find the opportunity to highlight local businesses who are able to ship merchandise internationally (and selfishly, specifically to the USA), I am sure others like myself would be pleased to continue to support our beloved island from afar, even as we ache not knowing when we will be able to return.
For starters, Antic Mallorca & Dos Alquemistas have both indicated they would ship here.
Thank you for sharing the magic of Mallorca.
Best regards,
Amanda
MIKE, 7TH AUGUST 2020, UK
Dear Helen,
Many thanks for your latest newsletter which is excellent and very helpful. I am a regular visitor to the island staying in Palma at the wonderful Hotel Gloria. However owing to Covid 19 I am unable to visit at the moment . Hopefully matters will improve and I can visit next year . I have been spending the New Year in Palma for the last 9 years but will be missing this year unfortunately.
Kind Regards,
Mike Gaffney
TARA MCDONALD, 10TH JULY 2020, UK
Hello
Firstly, thank you for your newsletter, I am blown away by this website, in fact I am now a little obsessed!
My husband and I had been talking about taking a holiday in Majorca for a while now. We have spent a couple of nice weekends over the years in Palma. I’ve always known there was a lot more to Majorca other than Palma and the more well known tourist resorts that did not appeal too much.
I have only just discovered your website and want to say it’s incredible and has helped us book our forthcoming trip this September to stay our first night in Palma, 3 days at the Salvia in Sóller and then a further 3 days at La Residencia in Deià. I am also now armed with a list of restaurants to try, places to see whilst there and things to do….. thank you!
I wonder would it be okay to ask you where you would suggest for the final 2 days. I’m not sure if this is something you like to do or not but thought I’d ask as as a little overwhelmed with the choice. Open to any suggestions… just somewhere that may finish this trip off perfectly.
I hope I may hear from you and if I do not – no worries and I understand you must get bombarded with these emails. I will continue to check into the website and read the news letters either way.
Best wishes
Tara
MARTA, 3RD JUNE 2020, UK
Hi Helen,
I wanted to introduce you to Julieta. My new campervan/tiny home on wheels! I have decided to leave my shared accommodation to move into her full time. I will still have the same job (based in London, but allowing me to work remotely from the island).
I am originally from Mallorca and just waiting for the boarders to open to be able to drive back.
I started looking into buying a van in November, but I remember thinking the campervan was going to only be used at weekends and for holidays. However, after ‘been stuck’ at my parents in North Yorkshire, during the pandemic. I have realised I do no miss living in a city and I am much happier in the countryside, so I am leaving to live full time in Julieta.
I imagine I lot of people will be looking at changing their lifestyles after the pandemic to have a more simpler life and closer to nature. I have a feeling there will be many articles about it soon…
So thought I would share my experience. In case you would like to write about it in my favourite Mallorca magazine. You can see more pictures on my Instagram account @martazaforteza
Thanks,
Marta
IAN O’REILLY, 12TH MAY 2020, Ireland
Hi Helen,
I hope this email finds you very well. It’s actually “sunny” here today in the sunny south east! To be fair, we have had a good run of weather of late. I’ve given some thought to the message in your newsletter and this is what I think is importance right now….
Mind-set and kindness, is there anything more important right now?
When faced with adversity, like the pandemic we are living with right now, it can feel like so much is out of our control. However, the one thing we have control over is how we choose to respond. When facing a challenge or set back, you always have 3 choices. You can give up, give in or give it all you have. Positive self-talk is one of the most productive things we can do each and every day and is more important than ever right now. Being proactive and taking control of your mind and your thoughts ensures a negative thought does not turn into a long term negative conversation in your head. Adversity and set backs are not final, they are an experience and you can bounce back. History and the resilience of humanity has shown us this and just maybe when we come through this we will see more of WE and less of ME in the world. Now wouldn’t that be a great outcome!
We talk so much about “mental toughness” and “resilience”. True mental toughness and resilience is the ability to see the bright side in what might appear a hopeless situation. Now is your time to be the example to those around you! If you are in a position of leadership and whatever that looks like, remember this: it is far easier to lead when times are good, the great leaders step up when times are challenging and provide the “light at the end of the tunnel” to those that might just need it right now.
Each day is a new opportunity to live and lead the best life possible and be the example that some people might need right now, remembering that this time will pass and life no doubt will be different than it was before. My sense is that it could be better and more meaningful with a greater appreciation for those loved ones in our lives. One thing this pandemic can teach us is the importance of switching off, and spending more “quality” time with family and loved ones whilst remembering the only guarantee we have is the gift of the present so when you are with family/loved ones be “fully there and present”….
On a personal note this pandemic experience has provided an opportunity for reflection and has certainly given me a better understanding of who I want to be….
To close with a quote I love and a reminder to us all. It costs us nothing to be kind, Mark Twain once said…, “Kindness is the virtue that the deaf can hear and the blind can see.” As we move through these challenging times, we should never underestimate the profound impact random acts of kindness can have on another person, be that buying a stranger a cup of coffee, praising someone for a job well done or simply paying someone a compliment. Remember, the choice and what you decide to do is always within your control. What will you choose to do today to demonstrate your kindness?
All the best and stay safe,
Ian
ROD BROWN, 9TH MAY 2020, ENGLAND
Hola Helen,
I loved your article this month although it made me a bit sad that I wasn’t there. I would normally have been coming out to Mallorca about now for my first of 3 or 4 visits to Deia as I have been for about 25 years.
Spring and late autumn are my favourite times on the island but I guess this year will just be memories, although I am keeping everything crossed for a safe flight out in the autumn to see all my friends again , who knows !
The overall benefit is that my garden here will look its best for a long time and thanks to lockdown I will be fitter, like you my bike has been dusted off. {your recipes will help}
As you say “poco a poco”, we will all hopefully reflect on this time and retain the changes we have made to our everyday life and perhaps take time to enjoy good things and good friends.
Thank you for your articles, they will keep me going until I can make the short hop over again. In the meantime stay safe and well.
Best wishes,
Rod
ANN KIHIBOM, 8TH MAY 2020, MALLORCA
Dear Helen,
It sounds like you and your family has managed OK during the quarantine, thank goodness. I just wanted to say how impressed I am by your latest HC Newsletter! Good for you!
We are fine, have actually enjoyed these weeks at home immensely, as we never have time to enjoy our house. Soo, we have got so much done in the garden, inside the house and now with shutters and outside furniture. Plus time for reading and enjoying. How fortunate all of us, who live in houses and have a garden, are!!
Take care, stay safe and enjoy!
Best regards,
Ann x
PATRICK MOL, 7TH MAY 2020, ENGLAND
Dear Helen,
We appreciate all your tips about Mallorca. But, I think, the most (second) house owners like to known when they will be able to visit Mallorca again. I think an update about that would really enjoy a lot of your readers.
Kind regards
Patrick Mol
CAROL, 7TH MAY 2020, IRELAND
I love your reflection well done x
NADIA BOUSSELMA, 6TH MAY 2020, MALLORCA
Hi Helen,
Just received and read your great newsletter. Thanks for sharing, I’m sure you’ve done the best out of this crazy experience.
Here are my humble thoughts on what should come next:-)
I’m positive and believe this all happened for the best. A lot of people are claiming to come back to normal, but our pre-coronavirus existence was not normal, and we should not long to return to greed, inequity, exhaustion, depletion,…
As we approach the complete de-confinement maybe we should accept what happened and keep up with what we’ve learned during this extraordinary experience. Go forward with our own inward journey, enjoy and respect nature more than ever, stop consuming unconsciously: reduce-reuse-recycle should be for all of us and more than ever before an evidence.
Travel I believe will also be very different. The way we could all travel the last couple of years was great but an enormous catastrophe for our planet. So I believe the message is crystal clear: time has come to talk about decay rather than growth.
On a personal note I hope people will have come to realise it doesn’t take much to be happy. I hope they’ll understand that there is no need to compare ourselves to a certain dictate way of life. Everyone should find their own way, identity and live their dream life. Spend time with our beloved, take walks in nature, meditate, practice gratitude, find some spiritual practice, help our community … That’s all we should be worried about.
I know the transition will be hard for some, and yet I am profoundly certain that we will all come out stronger and happier after this storm.
From my home to yours I wish us all to turn our back to fear and keep the faith.
Stay safe.
Warm regards,
Nadia
