Mallorca.

When I am going to a place, I look online for things that define it. With El Escorial, it was the monastery, with Toledo, for me, it was El Greco and of course, the 3 cultures intervening.
So, what defines Mallorca for me? To be honest, I didn't really care. It was where Rafael Nadal is from and that's all that mattered. But it turned out to be so much more than that.
High walls hid beautiful courtyards from us as we walked through the tiny streets of Palma, but it wasn't enough. Sometimes we did get a glimpse of what was inside and it was another world. Bright flowers and enough foliage to compensate for it's dependence on tourism, I must say that the Mallorcans are proud people who actually come alive when it's not tourist season.
I must admit, I always thought Mallorca would be this tourist place for the summer without any culture of its own, bowing down to capitalism. But it's not so. The artists (Chopin, Miro) that have sought refuge in the hills of Mallorca speak for the rich culture of the island. And let me tell you, once you are done with the beaches, take a car or a scooter and travel around the island, it isn't all that big and a week should be more than enough to enjoy everything perfectly. I couldn't, but I am going to as soon as I get the opportunity.
For me, beaches are an exquisite experience, I am another person on the beach and the fact that I was able to look beyond that and admire it, is a big thing.