Tag: Marchuquera Accommmodation

Marchuquera is a picturesque rural valley nestled in the region of La Safor, located in the province of Valencia, Spain. Surrounded by the imposing Serra Falconera mountains, this tranquil area is celebrated for its natural beauty, agricultural heritage, and connection to local traditions. Marchuquera serves as a serene escape from the bustling coastal towns nearby, such as Gandía, yet it is still within reach of the Mediterranean coast, providing an ideal blend of countryside charm and seaside proximity.

The valley is renowned for its fertile soil, which has been cultivated for centuries, primarily for citrus orchards and olive groves. These agricultural practices continue to shape the landscape today, with the lush greenery and vibrant colors of the orchards contrasting against the rugged mountains that frame the valley. Marchuquera’s rural setting offers a slower pace of life, where locals and visitors alike enjoy outdoor activities such as hiking, cycling, and exploring its scenic routes.

Historically, the area has deep roots in the Moorish occupation of the Iberian Peninsula, leaving a cultural imprint still visible in its architecture and traditional irrigation systems. The peaceful village atmosphere, combined with the rich historical backdrop, makes Marchuquera a unique destination for those seeking authenticity and a connection to the past.

Marchuquera’s community is small but tight-knit, offering a welcoming environment for those who visit. It is a haven for nature lovers, history enthusiasts, and anyone looking to experience the quiet allure of the Valencian countryside. Whether exploring its hiking trails, partaking in local festivals, or simply enjoying the stunning landscapes, Marchuquera invites all who pass through to embrace its peaceful, rural charm.

Guests from the USA

It was with great pleasure that we welcomed two couples from the United States last week, especially so because they came to us on the recommendation of some friends of theirs who stayed with us last year in our bed and breakfast. Bob and Mary Lou were from Colorado Springs (where their friends who stayed with us last year were from also), but Hank and Maxine come from Missouri. They were on a driving holiday through France and Spain and stopped overnight with us on their way to Malaga. They had visited Barcelona before coming on to us and arrived in the late afternoon, ready for some relaxation in the gardens and around the pool. They soon settled in to their rooms and then enjoyed some drinks and tapas in the bar before joining us for dinner that evening. They had not visited Spain before, and had decided to drive down the Mediterranean coast, stopping off at Barcelona, then on to the Costa Blanca before heading down towards Andalucia. Their whole trip was to last just over three weeks – including their visit to France – and they were loving their time in Europe. They were following some of the…

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Dog Rescuers from Germany!

Just over a month ago we were pleased to have Dagmar and Andreas visit us for a couple of days from Germany. They were spending time helping at the local animal rescue centre before taking four dogs back to Germany by plane for adoption. Dagmar chose a dog that she also wanted to adopt, but was not able to take it with her at the time for legal reasons and it was going to be transported to Germany at the beginning of June. We were therefore very happy when they returned to us last week by car with the intention of taking Dagmar’s own dog back with them, as well as three others that had also been found homes in Germany. They arrived late in the afternoon, having left Germany the previous evening and driven non-stop the whole way! Having visited us before, they settled in with us like they felt at home immediately and joined us for dinner that night. The next morning they were keen to go to the rescue shelter and see the dogs they were taking home, so the plan was to straight to the centre, spend some time with the dogs and depart for Germany…

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Overnight B&B Guests from Holland

On Sunday we were pleased to have Ton and Frank from Holland stay with us for the night on their way south to Almeria. They had set off on their journey by car from the Netherlands on the Saturday, staying at Narbonne in France along the way. In fact they phoned us from France to enquire if we had a vacancy for Sunday night, as they liked the idea of breaking their journey in our part of the northern Costa Blanca. This was to be a tour around the mainland of Spain for them, lasting about four weeks, in order to familiarise themselves with the country. They already have a property on the Canary Islands, although are thinking of relocating to the mainland, as well as retaining their other home in Holland also. They arrived during the afternoon, having made good time from France, and were pleased to be able to spend some time around the pool in the beautiful weather that we are enjoying now, before taking advantage of our evening meal service too. They decided that it would make things very much easier for them if they could simply relax after their long drive, without having to think…

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Property Hunters with plenty of Choice!

Bernard and Grace arrived on Tuesday for a three night stay with us, having already visited this and many other parts of Spain in the past. However, they were here with a purpose other than a break from the routine of life in England – they were looking for a property to buy for their retirement, with the intention of moving here on a permanent basis. They had spent time in the past looking for property in various locations along the Mediterranean coast, but had now decided that this area was the one they preferred. The northern Costa Blanca seemed to suit most of their requirements, and the area around Gandía was particularly to their liking. They wanted to see a good choice of quality properties at reasonable prices in an appealing part of the country – and somewhere that still felt like it was an authentically Spanish area, rather than somewhere that had a disproportionate ex-pat community (whatever the nationality!). With the choice of houses currently on the market, they had already spent time on previous visits viewing a large number of houses, so this visit was to be a series of mainly second viewings, to whittle their list…

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Family Holidays in Spain

Easter was a very busy time for us all at our casa rural in Gandía, with a completely full house over the Easter weekend itself. Visitors returned from last year, as well as many new ones visiting us for the first time. The weather had been forecast to be damp and cool, but in the end only a little rain fell over the holiday period, and mostly the weather was fine and warm – always good for our guests on their holidays! Tony, Trudy and their children Harvey, Monty and Queenie visited us for just over a week, and chose to stay in our self-catering apartment. Tony and Trudy had visited the area last year with a possible view to purchasing a holiday property and wanted to return this time with their children to give them the opportunity to see the region also. The self-catering apartment was the ideal option for them, and allowed them much more flexibility – they enjoyed the sense of independence and privacy that the apartment allows, but at the same time they joined us for most of their evening meals – and even for some breakfasts too! They wanted the advantages of the apartment, but…

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Motorbike Friendly Accommodation

Motorbike Friendly Accommodation David and Caroline from Devon arrived for a couple of nights with their two children on their motorbikes – they were enjoying a touring holiday around Spain, starting from the Santander ferry, and returning the same way. In fact, we were the furthest point of their trip, having looped around the northern part of the country earlier on in their visit. They decided they wanted a couple of days relaxation before starting back for the ferry home again, as well as the opportunity to take in the sights of Valencia City. The opportunity to have a couple of nights at a Bed and Breakfast where they could be safe in the knowledge that there was safe and secure parking for their bikes was one not to be missed! They decided, however, not to take their bikes into the city when they went to Valencia, but to travel in by train and spare themselves the possible parking problems which two motorbikes can present in an unknown city. They arrived with us on Good Friday and made the most of the pool and gardens when they had settled in, before joining us for dinner in the evening. On Saturday…

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Springtime in Gandía

The middle of March always seems to mark the beginning of the new season and the onset of Spring, with the fiesta of Fallas and early guests in search of some warm sunshine on the Costa Blanca. This year was no exception, and we were pleased to welcome guests from England as well as from Spain. Mike and Maggie decided to see for themselves what the fiesta of Fallas in Gandía was all about, having been recommended by a friend that it was an event not to be missed. They also wanted to find some early warmth and sunshine, and they were not disappointed. The weather was almost consistently bright and clear, and was perfect for the combination of sightseeing, walking and relaxing that they had in mind. They spent six days with us, and always found plenty to see and do, even if a trip to Valencia city was not on their itinerary – they had already visited there in the past, and wanted to get to know the surrounding area this time instead. They found Gandía to be a delightful town, and the fiesta of Fallas was taking place there at the time of their visit too, so…

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Mountain Biking, Nature Trails and Valencia Football

On Monday we welcomed a guest from just about as far away as you can get – Australia. Nic was travelling on his own and doing a bit of a tour, visiting his father in the U.S. before embarking on a trip around Europe. He had visited his sister in Edinburgh before going on to see Amsterdam and then Berlin before making his way to Spain. However, he felt that he now wanted a break from busy city sight-seeing and was looking for a spell of getting back to the countryside and nature so decided to visit us here in Gandía. He thought we would be well placed for a tranquil, rural setting but within reasonable reach of Valencia city if he wanted to have a quick day trip. He arrived by train in Gandía, having flown in to Barcelona from Berlin earlier in the day. We were happy to collect him from the station, and he dined in with us on his first evening. When he arrived the previous evening, it was already dark, so the following morning he was very impressed with the surroundings of the villa and felt he had made the right decision in coming here…

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Villa Florencia Casa Rural Gandia B&B Spain 2012

The season that lies ahead in 2012 will be our sixth full year of operation, and we are looking forward to a year of welcoming back previous guests as well as meeting new ones for the first time. The New Year period has already been and gone and was a busy time for us, with a full house of guests, many of whom had come for the excellent rock-climbing to be found in the area. We hope to have more rock-climbers visit us in the future, as this is an activity – along with other outdoor and nature-related interests – that we are actively promoting. In the cooler months of the year the area is a haven for those looking for an outdoor holiday rather than one based around sunshine and beaches. Mountain biking, hiking, horse riding, bird watching and hill walking are just some of the other activities that can be enjoyed in the immediate area around the villa, or at most within a 20 minute drive. Diversification has to be a positive thing, especially in the uncertain economic times that seem to face everyone at present– in whatever European country you find yourself. In past seasons, we have directed…

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The Story of the Heidelberg Student´s Kiss

Several months ago we received a booking for two nights from a German couple wishing to break their journey at Villa Florencia. It turned out that they were on an extended holiday in Spain of just over three weeks, and we were to be their first stop in Spain, on their way to the Costa del Sol. They had departed from near Heidelberg and embarked on a 17 hour drive, arriving in the early evening, and looking for a well earned rest!In recent times we have had several guests stay with us in similar circumstances, as it seems Villa Florencia is at a convenient stopping point along the way down to the south of Spain and the Costa del Sol. Travelling guests feel that once they reach a point slightly south of Valencia that they are then on their way to their destination, and can afford to have some time to relax and unwind after the stress of a long journey. Klaus and his girlfriend arrived in the early evening and spent the following two nights in our self-catering apartment, which suited them very well, as the first morning they were still catching up on some much needed sleep! In…

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Marchuquera Marxuquera

The Marchuquera Valley, located near Gandia in the Valencian Community of Spain, is a region of extraordinary natural beauty and significant historical and archaeological importance. This valley, nestled between the rugged mountains of the Safor range, offers a unique blend of geological diversity, rich flora and fauna, and a deep cultural history that spans thousands of years. Among its most notable features is the Parpalló-Borrell Conservation Area, a protected site known for its paleontological and archaeological significance. Geology The Marchuquera Valley is characterized by its diverse geological landscape, shaped by millions of years of tectonic activity and erosion. The valley lies within the broader Betic Cordillera, a mountain range that extends across southeastern Spain. The region’s geology is dominated by limestone and dolomite formations, which have given rise to a rugged terrain of cliffs, caves, and karst landscapes. These limestone formations date back to the Mesozoic era, making them some of the oldest geological features in the area. The presence of numerous caves, including the famous Cova del Parpalló, is a testament to the valley’s karstic nature. These caves have not only shaped the physical landscape but have also played a crucial role in preserving the region’s rich archaeological and…

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