Lovers' grottoes and bracing views: The more romantic side to Majorca's Love Island

Specimens of natural beauty: 2018 contestants of Love Island Australia. Photo / Supplied

As planeloads of lithe bodies unload onto the beaches and across our screens for this wet bank holiday weekend, TVNZ is indulgeing us in a double helping of Love Island.

Both UK and Australian series of this raunchy holiday-themed programme are being screened, a welcome dose of sunshine and trashy TV to help battle the winter blues.

The premise is fairly simple: handsome singletons on holiday and looking for "love", and an inexplicable cash incentive. There isn't much to separate the Australian from the UK series, which seem to blur into one big debauched beach party, but somehow it's essential winter viewing. Though not necessarily for those planning a holiday.

However, this Balearic 'love island' is home to many fine specimens of natural beauty – and that's not counting the contestants.

Illuminated caves: Cuevas del Drac. Photo / Supplied

Romantic caves

Subterranean marvels, Majorca is riddled with cosy grottos for lovers. In the east of the island, the Cuevas del Drac holds an underground lake on which you take an illuminated boat ride, while being serenaded to music. It appears romance is alive and well on Love Island.

Gothic gem: Cathedral of Santa Maria, Palma. Photo / Rafael Dols,Getty

Catedral de Mallorca, Palma

Palma's great Cathedral of 'La Seu' as it's affectionately known is a gothic gem. Though it's been around since the 13th century, the impressive building by the water has changed with the times. Its chapel was designed by Antoni Gaudi – of Sagrada Familia fame. Though his contribution to Palma's cathedral was far more efficient than in Barcelona.

'meeting point of the winds': Cap Formentor. Photo / Getty

Sa Dragonera

A love island off the cost of the main island, Sa Dragonera is a national park. This romantically secluded island is uninhabited, and reachable from Sant Elm or Port d'Andratx. The dramatic ridge which forms the island backbone lends it the name of 'the dragon.' Though it might also have something to do with all the lizards.

Romantic seclusion: Playa de Formentor. Photo / Getty

Mirador Es Colomer and Cap de Formentor

The 'meeting point of the winds' offers bracing views over the Med. The hike is well within reach of the Playa de Formentor or Port de Pollenca beaches, for those who can tear themselves away from oogling contestants.