Bed and Breakfast Gandia - Villa Florencia Casa Rural Gandia

Pet Friendly Accommodation Gandia

Pet Friendly Accommodation Pet Friendly Accommodation – Rocky Returns At Villa Florencia Casa Rural, we have always prided ourselves on offering a warm and welcoming environment, not just for our human guests but for their four-legged family members as well. Over the years, we’ve had the pleasure of hosting many furry travelers, but some leave a special mark on our hearts. One such visitor is Rocky, a charming Chihuahua, who recently returned to stay with us. Rocky’s “parents” are on their way back to the Canary Islands after spending the summer in Germany, and Villa Florencia has been their stopover for the past four days before embarking on the last leg of their journey, including a 48-hour ferry from Huelva to the islands. In this blog post, we reflect on our pet-friendly policies and why Villa Florencia Casa Rural is the perfect retreat for travelers like Rocky and his owners, offering comfort, space, and a memorable experience for pets and their humans alike. Rocky’s Journey and Return to Villa Florencia Rocky has become somewhat of a regular here at Villa Florencia. His “parents,” avid travelers, often make long trips across Europe, but they are always sure to stop by our…

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Rally Clásico Territorio Borgia in Gandia

Things to Do This Weekend: III Rally Clásico Territorio Borgia in Gandia If you’re looking for an exciting and culturally rich activity to enjoy this weekend, the III Rally Clásico Territorio Borgia in Gandia, taking place on Saturday, September 14th, 2024, is the perfect event to consider. Whether you are a classic car enthusiast or simply looking for a unique blend of history, culture, and motorsport, this rally is sure to offer an unforgettable experience. A Historic Rally in the Heart of Borgia Territory The III Rally Clásico Territorio Borgia is a highlight for lovers of classic cars and motorsport, combining a thrilling rally with a deep dive into the rich history of the Borgia family, one of the most powerful families in Europe during the 15th and 16th centuries. This rally, now in its third edition, has quickly become one of the premier events in the region, not just for its motorsport appeal but also for its focus on local tourism and heritage. The rally will cover a total distance of 319 kilometers, with 150 kilometers of that being timed. Competitors will navigate open roads through the stunning landscapes of Valencia and Alicante provinces, making stops in small towns…

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Gandia Old Town

Gandia Old Town / Centro Historico A Journey Through Time in the Heart of Valencia Nestled on the eastern coast of Spain, Gandia is a town that offers much more than its famous beaches. Its Old Town, located in the heart of the city, is a historical gem that invites visitors to step back in time and experience the rich culture, architectural splendor, and fascinating history that define the region. Walking through its narrow streets, you’ll find a blend of medieval, Gothic, and Baroque styles, a testament to the town’s long and storied past. This article takes you through the highlights of Gandia Old Town, unraveling its unique appeal and offering a deep dive into its historical and cultural significance. Historical Overview of Gandia Old Town Gandia’s history dates back over a thousand years, with its origins traceable to Roman and Moorish settlements. However, it was during the Middle Ages that Gandia truly began to flourish. The town became a center of commerce, culture, and religious importance under the reign of the Dukes of Borja, the most famous of whom was Francisco de Borja, a descendant of the infamous Pope Alexander VI. The Borja family, known as the Borgias, played…

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2023 Drone Footage

If a picture is worth a thousand words,… here is a three volume novel,….Villa Florencia Casa Rural in Gandia is earning high praise from visitors who are captivated by its charm, comfort, and the warm hospitality offered by its hosts. Nestled in the scenic countryside near Gandia, this rural retreat is becoming a favorite destination for those seeking a peaceful getaway in the heart of the Valencia region. Guests frequently highlight the beautiful setting of Villa Florencia, surrounded by lush orange groves and stunning views of the nearby mountains. The rural location, just a short drive from Gandia’s beaches, offers the perfect blend of tranquility and accessibility. Many visitors appreciate the ease of exploring the area’s natural beauty, including nearby hiking trails, while still being close to the vibrant culture and history of Gandia. The accommodations at Villa Florencia are consistently praised for their comfort and cleanliness. Visitors describe the rooms as spacious, tastefully decorated, and well-equipped with modern amenities, ensuring a relaxing stay. The traditional Spanish architecture of the villa, with its charming courtyards and terraces, adds to the appeal, creating an authentic and inviting atmosphere. One of the standout aspects of Villa Florencia is the hospitality of the…

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Bed and Breakfast in the Mountains

Bed and Breakfast in the Mountains Summer 2020 – Bed and Breakfast in the Mountains.Having been living and working in Villa Florencia for nearly 14 years, I can certainly say – for reasons we are all too familiar with – that this has been our quietest year for guest bookings yet! However, things are gradually easing up in Spain and we now feel able to look forward to welcoming guests back again soon, although slightly differently than before! In order to maintain social distancing, when we let our rooms on a Bed & Breakfast basis this year, we shall only be operating at around 50% capacity, although of course our self-catering apartment can accommodate a family of 4 with no need for distancing, assuming they are from the same household. Bearing that in mind, we are also accepting block bookings for the main B&B rooms on a self-catering basis this year – in other words for a large family group to rent the main floor of the house on a self-catering basis too. Whatever the situation of the bookings we receive, our guests’ health and well-being is of the utmost importance to us, so anyone booking with us can be…

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Ducal Palace Gandia, a visit with guests

Palau Ducal Gandia - Gandia Borja Palace

There are many reasons to visit Gandia at any time of the year, but many visitors do not know that Gandia has its very own stately home, the Ducal Palace Gandia. And well worth a visit it is too, with most people saying what a great surprise it is. Situated close to the end of the “passeo” and looking out directly over the river Serpis, it was constructed in the 14th century and became effectively the summer palace of the infamous Borja family, who had their origins in the nearby inland town of Xativa. After the well known and often shady misdemeanors of his predecessors (think Cesar, Lucrezia, and the two popes the family produced, amongst others!) Francis Borja was born here in 1510. He went on to found the Jesuit College in the town and oversaw the so-called Golden Age of Gandia with its economic prosperity and was later canonised St Francis Borja. In anticipation of the celebrations in 2010 to mark the 500th anniversary of his birth, the palace was the subject of much restoration work and it is now a most impressive site to visit. With only a modest street frontage, it would be easy to pass…

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2019 Update

This year has got off to a great start for us, with many visitors coming to us already – both returning guests as well as new ones. However, in preparation for a busy season ahead we have not been idle during the slightly quieter weeks, but have carried out some renovations inside the villa by upgrading and improving some of the rooms, as well as being busy in the garden by creating some more green areas out there and planting out a whole load of roses too! Since the beginning of the year the weather has been generally warm and welcoming (until this current Easter week, that is!), so our guests who were here to get away from the less pleasant aspects of a northern European winter were delighted with their time here. We had several couples who even came with their dogs and enjoyed getting out and about on Gandia’s dedicated “doggie” beach in some lovely warm sunshine. Other guests included several rock-climbers – both first timers and returners – and even some visitors who were taking the opportunity to see the area with a view to property-hunting. Now that Easter is nearly behind us, we are of course…

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2015 Year in Review

bed and breakfast accommodation with pool

Villa Florencia Gandia 2015 has been a busy year for us all at Villa Florencia, with a constant succession of guests both old and new. This marks our 9th full year of welcoming visitors into our home and it is great to see so many of them coming back to us year after year. Our general mix of guests this year was very much along the usual lines, with a large number coming (not surprisingly) for the sunshine and warmth that is not to be found in the northern parts of Europe so easily, but also many coming for a variety of other reasons. Over the years we have been able to promote ourselves to certain “niche” markets that all help to make Villa Florencia an appealing place to stay and enjoy what the local area has to offer The year started with beautiful weather – which developed into a very hot summer – and this early sunshine encouraged our first rock-climbing visitors to stay with us. The whole area of the Costa Blanca is a well-known destination for climbers in the cooler months of the year and it is always a pleasure to have them stay with us here….

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Autumn Sunshine Activity Holidays

Autumn Sunshine Activity Holidays! The heat of summer may be over, but the weather continues to be beautiful, with lots of sunshine and very mild temperatures. It is at this time of year – and also of course in the spring – when there are plenty of opportunities to enjoy all the other delights of this part of the Costa Blanca than just the summer seaside attractions. Lucy and Ashley recently returned to us for their third visit, and they take great pleasure in participating in outdoor pastimes and sports – something which this area of the Costa Blanca offers the fringe season visitor in abundance. They stayed with us for just over a week in our self-catering apartment and made the most of their time getting out and about doing lots of different activities as well as some conventional sightseeing in Valencia city itself. Because temperatures have remained so mild, it is still very pleasant to swim in the sea so Lucy & Ashley decided one day to combine two of their interests into one all-day experience. They had made arrangements to go horse riding at stables near the beach, and so went for an escorted ride along the…

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Golf Holidays in Spain

Golf Holidays in Spain – twice over! We were delighted to welcome Frank and his family from Belgium, who had booked themselves to stay with us for two nights. They had spent some time in Valencia and wanted to sample some of the countryside of the northern Costa Blanca as a contrast to the bustle of the city. They were then going to be travelling a little further south for a couple more nights, before returning to Belgium. They arrived on Tuesday and had reserved a double room for themselves and our triple room for their family, who were in their early twenties. They settled in to their rooms and spent the rest of the day in the gardens and the pool enjoying the beautiful summer weather we are now having. They expressed an interest in golf and were delighted to hear that the lovely La Galiana Golf course is within easy reach. They are all keen golfers, but were not aware of the existence of this new course as it did not appear in the golfing guidebook they had been referring to. It was therefore probably with a certain degree of trepidation that they set off the next day…

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Short Breaks to Spain

Short Breaks to Spain It is always a pleasure when past guests come back to see us again, and this week John and Jacqui did exactly that – they had visited us last September, and decided to return to us for an early summer Short Breaks to Spain. Last year they stayed with us for only one night as they were on their way to their villa they own in Estepona near Gibraltar and they found us by virtue of our pet friendly accommodation. They were travelling with their labradoodle named Monti and so were pleased to find that we welcomed pets and were conveniently placed along their route. They were driving down south last year, but this time they were not in fact going to their villa at all. They now have some tenants renting it for several months, but they wanted to come back to us and see more of our part of the northern Cost Blanca. They flew to Valencia and spent their first night there, taking the opportunity the next morning to use the tourist bus to acquaint themselves with the city. In the afternoon they caught the train to Gandia, where we collected them from…

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Costa Blanca Pet Friendly Accommodation

As part of our policy of promoting ourselves as Pet Friendly Accommodation, we frequently find that guests want to stay here with their pets, as it can often be quite hard to find suitable places to stay. In the last few days, we have had two such groups of guests, but staying with us for very different reasons. The first couple to arrive were Thor and Margarete from Sweden with their thoroughly endearing dog Buster. They had flown from Stockholm with Buster and were on their way to their holiday home near Torrevieja, but had decided to take a few days to get there and spend some time exploring a different part of the Costa Blanca. They stayed with us for two days in one of our Bed and Breakfast rooms and took advantage of our evening meal service both nights – they considered it so much easier than either taking Buster with them or worrying if he was all right whilst they were out! Buster got along famously with our three dogs and spent a lot of time investigating the garden and playing around with them in general. During the days, Thor and Margarete would take some time to…

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