Gandia Casa Rural - Villa Florencia Casa Rural Gandia

Celebrating Our Most Loyal Customers

Bill & Jackie Celebrating Our Most Loyal Customers: At Villa Florencia Casa Rural, nestled in the scenic surroundings of Gandia, Spain, we have the pleasure of welcoming guests from all over the world. Over the years, some of these guests become more than just visitors—they become friends. Among these cherished friends are Bill and Jackie from the UK, who have been visiting our villa for the past 14 years. Every August, like clockwork, they return for their two-week “sunshine break,” bringing with them a warmth and familiarity that we’ve come to treasure. Their story is a testament to the unique charm of Villa Florencia and the deep connections that can be formed between hosts and guests. Bill and Jackie first stumbled upon Villa Florencia Casa Rural more than a decade ago during their search for a peaceful retreat in Spain. Like many, they were drawn to the promise of sunny days, beautiful landscapes, and the allure of a quintessential Spanish experience. What they didn’t expect was to find a place that would become an integral part of their lives for the next 14 years. Their first visit was marked by curiosity and a desire to explore a new destination. They…

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Villa Xauxa Gandia

Villa Florencia Casa Rural, Rural accommodations with pool.Carrer de la Penya Roja 2, Xauxa, Marchuquera (46728), Gandia, Spain Xauxa derives its name from Arabic, which means passage or gate. Xauxa (Catalan references,…)País imaginari on hi ha tot el que es desitja. / País imaginario donde está todo lo que se desea. Imaginary country where there is everything you want. Situació o lloc on no hi ha cap mena d’obligació i es fa el que es desitja.Situación o lugar donde no existe obligación alguna y se hace lo que se desea.Situation or place where there is no obligation and you do what you want. The term “Xauxa” has intriguing roots connected to both linguistic evolution and local geography in the Gandia region of Spain. Origins of the Word “Xauxa”: The word “Xauxa” is believed to have origins in Valencian and Catalan dialects, with its etymology possibly tracing back to the Arabic term “shauṣa,” which refers to a place or land, reflecting the region’s historical interactions with the Moors. Over time, the term evolved in local vernacular to describe specific geographic and cultural contexts within the Valencian Community. The exact origin is somewhat obscure, but it has been integrated into the local…

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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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Citrus Production in the Gandia Region of Spain

Citrus Production in the Gandia Region of Spain: A Rich Legacy and Modern Industry The Gandia region of Spain, nestled in the heart of the Valencian Community, is renowned for its thriving citrus industry. This area, with its fertile soil, mild Mediterranean climate, and centuries-old agricultural traditions, has become a key player in the global citrus market. The region’s oranges, mandarins, and lemons are celebrated for their exceptional quality, flavor, and nutritional value, making them highly sought after in both domestic and international markets. This article will explore the rich history and current state of citrus production in the Gandia region, focusing on the specific varieties grown, the cultivation practices, and the major exporting companies that have made Gandia a hub for citrus trade. From the iconic Valencian oranges to the delicate Clemenules mandarins, Gandia’s citrus industry is a testament to the region’s agricultural prowess and commitment to excellence. The History of Citrus Cultivation in Gandia Citrus cultivation in the Gandia region has a long and storied history that dates back to ancient times. The first citrus trees were likely brought to Spain by the Moors in the 10th century, who introduced advanced irrigation techniques and agricultural practices that transformed…

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La Murta Valley – Alzira

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La Murta Valley, located near Alzira in the Valencian Community of Spain, is a hidden gem for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. This picturesque valley, nestled within the Sierra de Corbera mountain range, offers an idyllic escape into nature, where visitors can immerse themselves in the serenity of lush landscapes, rich history, and diverse wildlife. The valley is renowned for its beautiful walking trails that meander through ancient forests, past historic ruins, and alongside tranquil streams. The most popular route is the circular walk that takes visitors through the heart of La Murta Valley. This trail, approximately 6 kilometers long, is suitable for walkers of all levels, offering both gentle paths and more challenging ascents for those seeking adventure. As you begin your walk, you’ll be greeted by the sight of the valley’s abundant flora, including Mediterranean pine, oak, and a variety of aromatic herbs. The air is filled with the scent of rosemary and thyme, creating a truly sensory experience. The trails are well-marked, with signs providing information about the local flora, fauna, and the valley’s history. One of the highlights of walking in La Murta Valley is the opportunity to explore the ruins of the Monastery of La…

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Villa Florencia Summer 2021 Update

Summer 2021 at Villa Florencia Casa Rural is, not unexpectedly, turning out to be another one of uncertainty as far as travel is concerned – especially international travel. However, we are happy to say that very many of our past guests are feeling safe enough to visit us, as well as welcoming many new local Spanish faces too. Our self-catering apartment is proving especially attractive to families, who are looking to have a sunshine break, but with the added reassurance of extra privacy and distance from others. As well as bed and breakfast guests in our rooms, we have also had several larger family groups who have rented the whole property – again with the reassurance that they can enjoy time together safely, rather than in the environment of a conventional hotel with other guests. At Villa Florencia we always aim to make our guests feel as welcome and safe as possible, and this year is certainly no exception. With the several sun terraces and large pool there is no difficulty in maintaining a safe distance from others whilst enjoying a very welcome break. We hope of course that life will return to normal in the year to come, but…

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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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Las Fallas 2017 – A Pet Friendly Solution

Fallas 2017 – A Pet-Friendly Solution! Once again, it is the time of year when winter finally seems to be becoming a thing of the past and there is a spring-like feel in the air. And here in the Valencia region that can only mean one thing – the fiesta of Las Fallas, when huge and usually satirical effigies are constructed in the streets of the main towns – only to be burnt to the ground on the night of March 19th. All this is inevitably accompanied by what seems like limitless numbers of fireworks on the days leading up to the 19th. Traditionally there is a major display at 2.00pm each day – it takes place in front of the railway station here in Gandia – although the term “display” is a touch misleading. As is often the case in Spain, it is more a question of achieving the maximum noise possible, rather than a colourful display of lights in the sky. The main criterion seems to be that the louder it is the better – and if it is totally deafening and makes the ground vibrate, then this indicates ultimate success! And of course it is not only…

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Casa Rural 2006 – 2016 – Ten Years On!

2006 – 2016 – Ten Years On! 2016 marks our tenth anniversary as the owners of Villa Florencia Casa Rural and this year has been the most rewarding yet! We have not only had our busiest year, but it has also been a year when we have been delighted to see so many of our guests returning to us time and again – and recommending us to their family and friends who have also come to stay with us. This year has seen a great mixture of guests from Spain, the rest of Europe, the UK and even from across the Atlantic. Noticeable too is the number of guests coming to us with their own pets (usually dogs) in response to our promoting ourselves as providing pet-friendly accommodation – with many of them returning to us several times. The year started for us with a German couple staying for a prolonged period in our self-catering apartment. They are normally in the habit of spending the winter months through to March in their camper van in the south of Spain, but this year called in for a couple of nights to visit other guests (friends of theirs) who were staying with…

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Family Wedding in Spain

Family Wedding at Villa Florencia Every year (and sometimes more than once) we are delighted that Sabrina visits us from Germany. Sabrina comes and spends her time helping at our local animal rescue centre – SPAMA – which is a local charity that rescues and re-homes lost and abandoned dogs and cats. Not only does Sabrina help at the centre here in Gandia during her visits, she also is instrumental in helping to find new homes in Germany for many of the dogs from SPAMA. To date, more than one thousand dogs have been moved from Gandia and adopted in Germany and much of this is due to Sabrina’s efforts. When over here, Sabrina stays in our self-catering apartment along with various members of her family that might be accompanying her, as well as her boyfriend Monius. This year, we received the usual reservation from her, although this time for a visit in May, rather than her more usual time of September or October and also she said she wanted to bring more members of her family as well. It then emerged that this was no ordinary visit, but that she and Monius intended to get married here in Spain…

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Pet Friendly Accommodations

2016 – A very “Pet Friendly Year” so far! At Villa Florencia we always pride ourselves on welcoming not only our human guests, but also any canine guests that happen to bring their humans along with them!! It is often very difficult to find a pet friendly hotel and guest house accommodation where the family pet is welcome and so we have had several guests already this year who have visited with their pets. Some have been new guests who have not visited us before, whilst others have been very welcome “returners”! And we are expecting the arrival of yet more canine guests in the near future – particularly a lovely Golden Retriever and his Spanish owners who won a photo competition of their pet relaxing on an air-bed in the swimming pool last summer! Brian and Marilyn returned with their two lovely Golden Retrievers named Carlos and Paco earlier in the month. They live in the south of Spain but like coming to this part of the country for a pet friendly break with their dogs and visited us last October and again now in May. Not only that – they have booked for a third visit in October…

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Spring B&B Guests

Spring B&B Guests We have enjoyed a busier than usual start to the year here at Villa Florencia, with a variety of guests from different countries – and coming for different reasons. Before the warmer weather really starts in earnest we generally have a steady succession of guests each year who come for the renowned rock climbing in the area, as well as cycling, hiking, etc. and this year has been no exception. However, as well as these guests, we have also been fortunate enough to play host to many other couples in the last three months(some more than once!) who have visited us for different reasons. It is reassuring to see a sustained increase in the number of property hunters in the area – a trend that has been establishing itself over the last year or so. Not only have we seen guests looking for the house of their dreams – we have also seen them turn their plans into reality. One such example is Kirsty and Peter who have been living in Germany but decided a warmer climate would be to their liking. After several visits to us they finally found their ideal property and signed on the…

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