Villa Florencia - Browsing Sunshine
-
More Canadians Arrive!
Last Wednesday we were pleased to welcome some unexpected guests – again from Canada – who were touring around Spain with a possible long-term view to settling here. They called on us to see if they could stay here as they wanted to stay in bed and breakfast accommodation as opposed to conventional hotels wherever possible. They had in mind also that the bed and breakfast industry might suit them if they were to settle here, and were eager to hear our experiences.
Brian and Lonnie come from Alberta and were travelling around Spain in the opposite direction from our last Canadian guests – they had started in Seville and were ultimately destined for Barcelona – whereas Neil and Debra had started in Barcelona and were heading south and round to Portugal. Both couples wanted to stay away from big cities for most of their time in Spain, and therefore felt that bed and breakfast accommodation would suit them better, as well as allowing them to get a better feel for what everyday life is like for people living here already.
Brian and Lonnie spent three nights with us and during the day would explore the area and seek out towns, villages and even some properties that they had already seen on various websites. Their plan is one that is very much for the future, however, so this trip was purely exploratory to see which areas of the country might suit them when the time comes to think about making the big move. They were very impressed with the La Safor region, however, and had already determined that it is a very healthy as well as a very pleasant part of the country in which to live due to the microclimate to be found here. They took trips up into the mountains to check out some of the smaller villages there, as well as spending time one day in Xátiva – a town that appealed to them very much. Being near the coast is not of great importance to them, so the inland area around Xátiva was of considerable interest, as well as being a potential base for a bed and breakfast business in the future. Further down the coast they discovered Oliva and its Friday market and from there they fell a little bit in love with the beautiful village of Forna that lies inland through the orange groves behind Oliva.
After each day’s exploring they would return to us and take advantage of our evening meal service and tell us of their discoveries and impressions that day. It certainly seemed that our part of the Costa Blanca was going to be fairly far up their list of possible locations to consider in the future, as they preferred an area which was not too over-populated with non-Spanish residents and was a little different from the mainstream tourist destinations. However, after a three night stay with us they felt that they had acquainted themselves with the area sufficiently and it was time to move on. They had managed to reserve accommodation in another bed and breakfast establishment to the north of Valencia where they planned to spend a couple of nights before heading up to their final destination of Barcelona where they were to catch their flight back to Canada. Hopefully we will see them back with us in the future when they feel the time is right to look at a move to Spain and they will consider our area as a place to start their search in earnest.
-
Canadians Walkers on a Sabbatical
Walking holidays in Spain
We were pleased to welcome Neil and Debs to Villa Florencia at the end of last week, with the added dimension that they are from Canada, taking five weeks to tour through Spain and Portugal, and doing the whole thing by public transport – mainly bus. We collected them from Gandía bus station and brought them to our home, and the emphasis of their trip was to stay away from large cities and towns, and to spend time walking and hiking in the hills and mountains that this country has to offer away from the better known tourist destinations.
Their aim was to stay in bed and breakfast accommodation along the way, planning their route a week or so in advance and staying at each place for three or four nights at a time, which would give them the opportunity to get a feel for each area and explore the natural environment. They are keen outdoor explorers and walkers in Canada, but were taking a six month sabbatical from work to enjoy life without pressure for a change and had decided to take advantage of some European late summer sunshine, as the weather in Canada is beginning to cool considerably by this time of year. They had flown in to Barcelona and spent a few days in Tarragona to recover from the inevitable jet lag, and then made their way down to Gandía in order to explore the La Safor mountains and the wonderful scenery of the northern Costa Blanca.
They stayed with us for four nights, and each day they would explore the surrounding mountains and valleys, either on foot direct from the house or we would give them a lift to a start point. They took a packed lunch with them each day, and made the best possible use of the marked out hiking and walking routes around the mountain of Mondúber. They visited the Parpalló-Borrell natural park area and information centre there to get guidance and ideas, and were impressed that Gandía was now trying to publicise the beauty of the surrounding area to the foreign traveller. Sometimes they would do a round route and return to the house, or sometimes they would contact us from a pre-arranged point and we would then collect them and drive them home. They loved the fact that they could hike in such beautiful surroundings and in superb weather, and that they could do so without having to hire a car to drive a considerable distance before setting off on their day’s walk.
At some point during the afternoon they would return to us and spend the last hour or so of sunshine in the garden, taking advantage of the warmth that they would miss so much upon their return to Canada. Each evening they dined with us, and found the whole concept of being able to have a holiday such as this based around Villa Florencia most appealing, without having to venture into larger centres and towns other that to travel on to their next port of call. And all too soon it was indeed time to leave – even though they had extended their visit to us by one night – so after consulting bus timetables they left heading in the direction of Alicante and their next rural accommodation that they had already reserved. It had been a very great pleasure to have Neil and Debs stay with us, and gratifying to find that they could spend time in the immediate surroundings of our home pursuing their outdoor walking and hiking pastimes and that they felt it compared with the fantastic scenery and surroundings of their home country.
-
Spanish Walking Holidays
Is There a Doctor in the House? (Well – two, actually!)
Last week we were pleased to welcome a couple from Edinburgh who had booked to stay with us for a week of late summer sunshine. Brian and Ruth are keen hill walkers and hikers, and wanted to spend some time in nice weather preparing themselves for a walking challenge that awaited them after their return to Scotland.
During conversation, it emerged that both Brian and Ruth are doctors back home in Scotland and were both feeling the need for some well earned rest and relaxation – as well as pleasant walking in the sunshine. This part of the Costa Blanca has some magnificent walks, and it is fast becoming a recognised destination for hikers and hill walkers as well as more serious climbers. Routes are for the most part well signposted and marked out, and lead participants through beautiful scenery and tranquil surroundings. Estimated times are displayed as well as the level of difficulty involved, so there is something suitable for everyone in the area around here.
Brian and Ruth were to be staying with us for six nights, so they had time to combine plenty of walking and exploring with some relaxation in and around the pool, as well as one day’s sightseeing in Valencia City. Typically, they would take advantage of the designated walking routes in the mornings, often have lunch in a restaurant at the end of the walk (maybe sampling the local specialities of paella and fideua), and then later in the day return to Villa Florencia for some afternoon sunshine. The weather on the Costa Blanca has been especially good this year and remained so for the duration of their stay, without the sometimes erratic changes that can take place in September. Days have been pleasantly warm and even night time temperatures have been staying much milder than usual.
Their excursion to Valencia was planned for the Sunday of their stay, as they wanted to get a feel for the place, without necessarily visiting every tourist sight in the guidebook! They went up by train and walked around the historic area, and were able to do so without the crowds of people that might have been around on a weekday. A trip on the tourist bus completed their visit and gave them a good impression of what a lovely city Valencia is.
Brian and Ruth were delighted that their time with us was a perfect opportunity to get a late summer sunshine break and prepare themselves for the chill that would probably await them on their return to Scotland. They were more than pleased with the variety of walking routes to be found near our guest house, and feel that they would like to come back in the future to do more of the same. It was an absolute pleasure to have them visit us, and we would certainly hope to see them with us again in the not too distant future.
-
A Break from the City!
We had a booking during the course of last week from a man from Madrid, who had stayed with us last year as well. We are always pleased when a past guest wants to return to us, and this time Nacho wanted to bring three of his friends along with him, to show them where he had had such a good time the previous year.
Because they were going to be a group of four, our self-catering apartment was the ideal solution for them, as it would give them the space and independence they wanted, but still with all the other facilities of the main house at their disposal. What they wanted most of all, however, was a short break away from the stresses and strains of their city jobs and some time to relax and unwind around our pool and of course at the nearby award-winning beaches that Playa de Gandía has to offer. They decided that the best way to avoid the worst of the traffic was to stay with us from Saturday until Monday instead of the usual weekend break, and so it was that they arrived around 5 o’clock on the Saturday afternoon. That left them plenty of time to settle in to the self-catering apartment before heading off to the nudist beach that lies to the north of Playa de Gandía to catch the late afternoon sunshine.
They stayed down at the playa area for dinner at one of the many restaurants to be found there, before returning to Villa Florencia later in the evening for a drink around the pool and then a good night’s sleep in the peace of the countryside – a sharp contrast, they said, to the constant background noise of the city! Sunday morning was spent having a swim in the pool before another trip to the beach, where they spent the rest of the morning and early afternoon, before enjoying a paella lunch that they had already booked in advance in the local area. More beach time was followed by a return to Villa Florencia around 9 o’clock for a barbecue in the garden under the stars – again with much commenting about the peace and quiet of a rural break from the hustle and bustle of Madrid.
Their plans for Monday were to spend more time down at the blue-flag beaches of Gandía, before returning to Villa Florencia in the middle of the afternoon. They still had time to prepare themselves a meal in the apartment and have one last swim in the pool before it was time to leave and return to the city once more. They reluctantly departed around 6 o’clock, and they all agreed that it had been a very welcome break that combined some beautiful mountain scenery around the villa along with some spectacular beaches within very easy reach – less that 15 minutes drive, in fact! It is always a pleasure when past guests return, and even better when they bring some friends along with them. We certainly look forward to seeing them again and are only too pleased that they felt they had had a relaxing break from the rigours of city life. Villa Florencia and Gandía once again show themselves to be a haven of peace and relaxation for frazzled city-dwellers!
-
Out latest Guests from the States
Americans on Tour!
We received a booking some time ago (via e-mail) requesting accommodation for a party of six people, who were coming to the area for a few days with the main intention of visiting the Lladró porcelain factory in Valencia. We had assumed this was a group of friends from the UK who were flying in for the weekend, so we were surprised and pleased when a mini-bus pulled into the car park and a group of American tourists disembarked!
They were a group of friends from Colorado Springs, and were on a tour of Spain for their vacation, and had flown first to Madrid, where they had spent a few days visiting the sights. After that, they travelled between Madrid and Barcelona, where again they spent some time seeing the famous landmarks and getting to know the Catalan capital.
Their next port of call was to stay with us at Villa Florencia, where they felt immediately at home and settled in to their rooms in the late afternoon. Pre-dinner drinks and tapas in the garden preceded a leisurely dinner, before an evening spent watching a DVD of Pride and Prejudice.
They were regarding their three night stay with us as something of a period for relaxation in a very busy sight-seeing schedule around the rest of the country, but the main attraction for them was the day they had planned for the Monday, visiting the Lladró porcelain factory in Valencia, then spending some time in the historic part of the city itself, as well as a look at the iconic City of Arts and Sciences (Ciudad de las Artes y de las Ciencias). Before that - on the Sunday - they set off in their mini-bus to see Playa de Gandía, and were most impressed with the standard of the blue flag awarded beach there. After a short stop and a walk along the promenade, they went a little further south down the Costa Blanca, and headed inland to visit the picturesque town of Guadalest, with its hill-top castle and stunning blue lake. They returned full of praise for the place, having also found a restaurant there that they all recommended most highly for lunch. Another leisurely dinner at Villa Florencia followed, and then they spent the evening playing cards – a pastime they often enjoy together in Colorado Springs.
Monday was an earlier start for them, as they had a fixed-time appointment for their tour and visit to the Lladró factory. Not only did they see round the factory, but as keen collectors they were also shown around the LLadró museum, which they found of great interest. After the morning there, they carried on to the centre of Valencia and spent time looking at the City of Arts and Sciences as well as the historic area and the Turia Gardens. They returned to us in the late afternoon, having had one of the most enjoyable days of their tour so far. Another evening was spent having dinner and playing cards in Villa Florencia, before an early night in preparation for a prompt departure in the morning.
Tuesday was to be a travelling day for them, as they were moving on to Granada for a few days to see the sights there and of course visit the Alhambra Palace in particular. After that, their schedule was to take them driving north back to Madrid, where they would catch a flight to Washington DC and then home to Colorado Springs. It was great having them visit us, and an unexpected pleasure too, as we had not known in advance that we were going to be looking after a tour group of American friends.
They did say that they still had places in Spain to see that they had not managed to take in on this trip, so who knows – maybe we shall see them again. If so, we will look forward to their return.
*Lladró :- The work of the Spanish company Lladró is the maximum expression of handcrafted porcelain. All Lladró pieces are made in Valencia following an artisan process that has earned them worldwide prestige. A wide variety of creations embracing all stylesCreated in Valencia in 1953 by Juan, José and Vicente Lladró, Lladró is the story of a dream come true. The vision of three brothers with a passion for porcelain who transformed their little workshop into a brand that now has followers all over the world.
-
Valencia B&B Holidays
Family Holidays on the Costa Blanca
Stuart and Linda, along with their 10 month old daughter Katy, booked in to stay with us for 8 nights in our self-catering apartment over the Easter period. They wanted to have a combination holiday that took in city, beach and countryside so decided that making Villa Florencia their base would be the perfect solution, and they often made use of our evening meal service when they returned from a particularly long day out.
They made excursions every day to the surrounding area and beyond, and were so impressed with their first trip to Valencia City that they returned there later in their stay for a second visit. They made trips to several of the beaches in the area as well, and also took in much of the inland mountain scenery of the Costa Blanca. They were glad to find that wherever they went, they would find suitable facilities for young Katy and always received a warm welcome in cafés and restaurants. In between all this, they also found time to relax in our gardens and around the pool on the days when the weather was bright and sunny.
Valencia City proved a very pleasant surprise for them. Being well travelled, they have visited many places in the world but found a unique atmosphere and vibrant mood in the city, and felt that the City of Arts and Sciences was most definitely a sight to remember for its unique style of distinctive architecture. On their second trip to the city, they took the Touristic Bus tour, and bought a combination ticket which not only gave them access to both bus tour routes, but also admission to the Bio Park – a fantastic new open-plan animal park which specialises in promoting the ecological aspects of animals on the planet and showing them to the public in as open and natural environment as possible.
Stuart and Linda were absolutely delighted with their holiday, and felt there really was something for everyone in this part of the Costa Blanca. Beautiful beaches, spectacular scenery, an interesting city – the area has it all, and they were more than pleased to enjoy everything that the Costa Blanca – and the La Safor region in particular – had in store for them. They hope to return to us later on the year – possibly in July – and maybe accompanied by Linda’s father, when they hope to show him how great this part of Spain really is.
-
Biker Friendly B&B
Is it a Motorbike .... Is it a Car?? Well, neither really – it’s a trike!! We received a phone call on Thursday asking if we had vacancies for the next 2 nights from a couple who live in Elche, and who were thinking of visiting our part of Spain for a couple of days to explore the area and make the most of the sudden improvement in the weather. Sue and Frank were particularly interested in the fact the we had secure off-street parking, as they said they would be coming up from Elche on their trike. Friday afternoon saw the arrival of Sue and Frank Reidy – and their magnificent motor-trike, which was rather like a combination of a quad bike and a Harley-Davidson, but with three wheels! They had an excellent trip up from Elche, staying on the N332 and enjoying the ride in the beautiful weather. Sue and Frank have lived in Spain for about 10 years now, and run a very busy and successful pool maintenance company, specialising in annual contracts and sorting out the many problems that people can have with their pools and pumping equipment. They trade under the name of Clearwater Pools, and most of their business is concentrated along the southern Costa Blanca – hence their desire to get to know our part of the northern Costa Blanca. After a drink in the garden and then dinner, they planned their excursion for the following day and decided on a combination of inland mountain scenery and coastal resorts. Saturday was the warmest day of the year so far, with temperatures reaching 36˚c, and was just what they had in mind for their trip. They set off in the morning, riding up to La Drova and Barx in order to see the spectacular views from there right down to the coast. After that, they went to Simat, Cullera and then a whole loop inland getting to see many of the small picturesque villages that lie in that direction. Taking in Playa de Gandia as well, they finally returned to us in the late afternoon, having had a thoroughly enjoyable day and covering about 300kms!! They described it as a perfect day out for them, and they obviously appreciated this part of the Costa Blanca and its wonderful scenery. Sue and Frank joined us for dinner again on the Saturday night, and then all too soon it was time for them to check out on Sunday morning. However, they were in no rush to return home and thought they would take a scenic route back south, with the promise of returning to us in the future – possibly with some friends, and either visiting us on a B & B basis again, or possibly renting our self-catering apartment for a change. We look forward to their return, and to seeing their impressive “trike” parked in our parking area once more!
-
Spain Travel and Leisure
TRAVEL SPAIN FOR HOLIDAYS IN SPAIN, CHEAP HOLIDAYS TO SPAIN, FLIGHTS TO SPAIN, FACTS ABOUT SPAIN, TRAVELLING IN SPAIN, PARADORES IN SPAIN, SPANISH CITIES AND THE HOLIDAY RESORTS OF SPAIN
-
Semana Santa – Easter in Spain
Semana Santa – Easter in Spain
Easter can be the perfect time to think about a break from the grey skies of northern Europe and to head to the Costa Blanca in Spain for some early, pre-summer sunshine. Days should be warm and sunny and a welcome change from the probably still chilly weather elsewhere. Evenings will still be cooler of course, but nevertheless very much milder than in the UK. As well as the better temperatures, Easter in Spain can give the visitor a feel for a tradition that has been all but lost in most other countries in Europe, and it is marked with a mixture of tradition, music, culture, theatre and, of course, religion.
Semana Santa is the Spanish description for Easter, although this translates literally as ‘Holy Week’. The festivities do in fact last for the entire week leading up to the Easter weekend, with processions through the streets from local churches to the cathedral and back again. Most of the processions tend to take place in the evening, with the most important being on the Thursday, and going through into Good Friday. As far as church services are concerned, Easter Sunday is obviously the most significant.
The Easter processions date back to the 16th century, when the church decided to inform the populace of the story of Christ, and it was thought that the best way to do so would be by means of processions that depicted the fall and resurrection of Jesus. Almost every town in Spain takes the Easter celebrations seriously, and although certain regions and areas do so more extravagantly than others (Seville, for example), anywhere in Spain will provide the visitor with a spectacle very different from anything they could ever see at home. Indeed, the Spanish celebrations will give the visitor a look back in time, as essentially the way Easter is marked has not changed very much over the centuries.
The processions themselves consist of floats and displays, usually very old and valued ones, which are borne by the men of each town’s different areas from the local churches to the main cathedral and then back again. Generally speaking, each community displays two floats – one depicting Jesus Christ, and the other one the Virgin Mary. The floats themselves are often very heavy and cumbersome and cause no small discomfort to those who are carrying them, but this is indeed part of the point of it all, as far as the participants themselves are concerned. Very often, those taking part in the processions will wear long robes with conical hats which conceal the face of the wearer, although this has nothing to do with the Klu Klux Klan in the United States, who took the idea for their costume from the Easter participants at a very much later date.
So if you like the idea of something a little different from at home, with a touch of Costa Blanca weather hopefully thrown in for good measure, have a look at the bargains that may still be available from the budget airlines, and book your Costa Blanca Sunshine Holiday Easter could certainly be very different this year!
-
A family holiday in Benidorm
Benidorm, in the province of Alicante, has been a very popular seaside resort for over half a century. With four million visitors every year it is Spain`s largest resort. The reasons behind this popularity are easy to see as it not only offers sun, sea and sand but also a whole range of activities for the ideal family holiday. The resort is very popular among tourists for its beaches and hotels, but there is a great deal more to see beside these. It is surrounded by beautiful mountains, which offer a stunning contrast to the innovative skyscrapers within the resort. For the keen tourist there is the beautiful old city to walk around and explore, but there is also the more modern built up area of the city, for the obligatory holiday shopping. With two main beaches and a few smaller and quieter ones there is plenty of choice available to every visitor.
Benidorm has been such a popular destination for so long for many reasons. The range of activities available to visiting families is very wide and increasing year by year. The resort caters for every type of holiday-maker there is with a whole host of activities ranging from water sports to theme parks to nightclubs, so no-one will be left bored. For a quiet day trip with the family the little island just of the coast, called Peacock Island, is the ideal place. There are frequent boat trips and the area surrounding the island is a marine reserve, allowing visitors to see the mystical depths of the waters in Aquascope. The water sports that are available at Benidorm are a very popular activity. Ranging from boat-hire, jet-skis and diving courses, there is plenty to do to broaden your horizons and really enjoy the holiday. The museum and old city are beautiful spots to explore for a more relaxed and cultured day out and the city has a fascinating history to learn about. There are two main beaches in Benidorm, both offering beautiful sunshine and spots for sunbathing. Levante is the busier beach, but just a short walk away is Poniente. This beach is a great deal quieter and less tourist-focused, yet it is still very close to all the amenities of the resort. There are also a few other beaches around the city. The nightlife of Benidorm is famous and with many British and Irish bars and a large amount of the visitors being English, there is a very familiar feel to the place. The range of different nightlife is extensive, from the bars and clubs within the hotels and the city and also a few along the marina. There is also a very popular casino to visit.
Travelling to Benidorm is very simple as it is such a popular destination. There are regular flights to Alicante, which is just a forty minute drive from the seaside resort. There are many buses and taxis available from the airport, or there is the option of car hire. Flights are regular from airports across the UK including Gatwick, Luton, Stansted, Bristol and Manchester. Due to the popularity of the resort there are often many cheap flights available. Some hotels will also offer transfers to and from the airport, included in the price. There is a vast range of hotel choices, each situated in different areas of the resort. For a quieter visit the area of Poniente may be suitable, otherwise the areas of Levante or the town centre are very popular. There are many package holiday deals available for a cheap holiday in Benidorm, so it is worthwhile searching for the cheapest deal.
