1 Week Holiday in the Beautiful Valley of Marxuquera with 3 Days of Guided Mountain Biking

Fully inclusive break of 7 nights at the Casa Rural Villa Florencia in Marxuquera, with 3 full days of guided mountain biking with a local guide.

What´s included ?
7 nights accommodation at Casa Rural Villa Florencia, Marxuquera, Gandia including 3 course dinner on all 7 nights.
3 full days of guided mountain biking with local guide, including bike hire and packed lunches.

Only €795 per couple!

Suggested itinerary :
Day 1 – Arrive in the afternoon, meet your Guide and enjoy a “welcome dinner” at Villa Florencia.
Day 2 – Full day of guided mountain biking (we have a wide selection of routes, suitable for all abilities).
Day 3 – Free day to spend at your leisure.
Day 4 – Full day of guided mountain biking.
Day 5 – Free day to spend at your leisure.
Day 6 – Full day of guided mountain biking.
Day 7 – Free day to spend at your leisure.
Day 8 – Free day with late check-out available.
** Where required, the mountain biking activity can be amended to include a special Beginners´Skills Course at no extra cost**

For more information call (+34) 633 117 310 or e-mail NatureTrailSpain@gmail.com

3 Night Short Break in the Beautiful Valley of Marxuquera with 2 Days of Guided Mountain Biking

Fully inclusive break of 3 nights at the Casa Rural Villa Florencia in Marxuquera, and 2 full days of guided mountain biking with a local guide.

What´s included ?
3 nights accommodation at Casa Rural Villa Florencia, Marxuquera, Gandia including 3 course dinner on all 3 nights.
2 full days of guided mountain biking with local guide, including bike rental and packed lunches.

Only €350 per couple!

Suggested itinerary :
Day 1 – Arrive in the afternoon, meet your Mountain Bike Guide and enjoy a “welcome dinner” at Villa Florencia.
Day 2 – Full day of guided mountain biking. (We have a wide variety of routes available, to suit all abilities.)
Day 3 – Full day of guided mountain biking.
Day 4 – Spent at leisure, with late check-out available, allowing you to relax by the pool or to explore the beautiful surroundings.

For more information call (+34) 633 117 310 or e-mail NatureTrailSpain@gmail.com

These days, more people are opting for a vacation that provides the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities rather than just a beach holiday or sight-seeing trip. However, it´s often the case that to indulge in a favourite hobby whilst away, one has to opt for a specifically organised activity holiday.  Here at Valencia Birding, we recognise that such a holiday may not suit all members of a family or party and therefore aim to provide our clients with absolute flexibility and superb value for money.

The stunning Bee Eater is a regular summer visitor to Valencia.

We offer anything from a full week of Guided Bird Watching for groups of up to 8 people, inclusive of accommodation to a day trip that can be arranged for a couple or individual who happen to be holidaying in Spain and quite fancy a Guided Bird Watching trip as part of their other plans.  Increasingly, we´re finding that our clients are opting to combine a day or two Guided Bird Watching with a city break to Valencia or a beach holiday on the Spanish Mediterranean Coast.

Guided Bird Watching for Groups of all Sizes

Valencia is a thriving city that manages to combine centuries of tradition and historical monuments, buildings and squares with stunning contemporary architecture, and a beautifully clean, golden beach.

The City of Arts & Sciences, Valencia

Running right through the city from the historical quarter to the stunning City of Arts & Sciences is a unique green “arterial walkway” that follows the original line of the (re-routed!) river Turia. This is now a green ribbon of beautiful parkland planted with a vast array of native plants and trees, play areas, sports grounds and leafy areas perfect for picnics.

Our local area of La Drova is situated in the mountains at a height of 1,200 feet above sea level. The surrounding mountain views are breathtaking and the peaceful location makes it ideal for nature lovers. For those who enjoy the beach life, Gandia´s Blue Flag Award winning beach is only 20 minutes drive away, as is the cosmopolitan town centre. Channel 4´s A Place In The Sun visited recently and were amazed to find such a well kept secret!

Views from our home base of La Drova

The bird life in this area is extremely diverse and provides something of interest throughout the year. Within a comfortable day trip we can provide our clients with a wide selection of Guided Bird Watching. This includes the coastal wetlands of Valencia where we can enjoy Glossy Ibis, Spoonbill, and White Headed Duck, the rocky peaks of Valencia where we can watch the mighty Griffon Vulture and beautiful Bee-Eater and Blue Rock Thrush or for something very different we can visit the high steppe of Castilla de la Mancha. Here we can enjoy views of Great Bustard, Black Bellied Sandgrouse, Hen Harrier and much more.

The Griffon Vulture breeds on the high mountain crags of Valencia

So, if you´d like to be taken to the best birding sites in the East of Spain by an experienced local Guide without having to commit to a “birding only” holiday, feel free to contact us :

Visit www.ValenciaBirding.com

Email naturetrailspain@gmail.com

Call 0034633117310

These days, more people are opting for a vacation that provides the opportunity to enjoy outdoor activities rather than just a beach holiday or sight-seeing trip. However, it´s often the case that to indulge in a favourite hobby whilst away, one has to opt for a specifically organised activity holiday.  Here at Nature Trail Spain, we recognise that such a holiday may not suit all members of a family or party and therefore aim to provide our clients with absolute flexibility and superb value for money.

We offer anything from a full week of Guided Mountain Biking for groups of up to 8 people, inclusive of accommodation to a single day trip that can be booked for a couple or individual who happen to be holidaying in Spain and quite fancy a ride out as part of their other plans.  Our priority is providing the client with maximum flexibility, and as such we offer :
• Mountain Bike Trips with professionally qualified Guide.

• 2-Day Skills Courses for beginners – perfect for teenagers and adults alike.

• Mountain Bike Hire.

• Fully illustrated route packs for self-guided trips.

Increasingly, we´re finding that our clients are opting to combine a day or two Guided Mountain Biking with a city break to Valencia, a break in the beautifully Valencian hills or a beach holiday on the Spanish Mediterranean Coast.

Within easy reach of our home base of La Drova lies Spain´s third city, Valencia.  It´s a thriving city that manages to combine centuries of tradition and historical monuments, buildings and squares with stunning contemporary architecture, and a beautifully clean, golden beach.  Running right through the city from the historical quarter to the stunning City of Arts & Sciences is a unique green “arterial walkway” that follows the original line of the (now rerouted!) river Turia. This is now a green ribbon of beautiful parkland planted with a vast array of native plants and trees, play areas, sports grounds and leafy areas perfect for picnics.

Our local area of La Drova is situated in the mountains at a height of 1,200 feet above sea level. The surrounding mountain views are breathtaking and the peaceful location makes it ideal for nature lovers. For those who enjoy the beach life, Gandia´s Blue Flag Award winning beach is only 20 minutes drive away, as is the cosmopolitan town centre. Channel 4´s A Place In The Sun visited recently and were amazed to find such a well kept secret!

The mountain biking in this area is extremely diverse and provides something for riders of all abilities. Terrain ranges from high, rocky mountain tracks to riverside trails and lanes through rice fields, orange groves and rural villages.

So, if you´d like to enjoy some superb mountain biking within stunning scenery, without having to commit to a “biking only” holiday, feel free to contact us at naturetrailspain@gmail.com ,call us on 0034633117310 or visit www.mountainbikingvalencia.com

The Gandia area is known as La Safor and is a gorgeous area located on the mid-eastern sideboard of Spain, almost adjacent to the Balearic Islands and just below Valencia (Spain’s third largest city).  La Safor is on the cusp of the northern Costa Blanca and the southern part of the Costa del Azahar.  The capital of the area is Gandia (pop. 80,000) a busy and cosmopolitan town surrounded by a number of delightful smaller towns, villages and estates that extend inland and along a stunning coast of golden, Blue Flagged beaches.

GANDIA HAS SOME OF THE FINEST BEACHES IN SPAIN – FANTASTIC!

One of the few remaining traditionally ‘Spanish’ areas along the east coast, La Safor has managed to avoid the ‘concrete jungle’ developments of elsewhere.  In fact, at the time of writing, Gandia has only 318 British residents illustrating the ‘unknown’ nature of Gandia – despite its superb beaches, first class communications and infrastructure.

For excellent properties for sale in the La Safor region see Casalasafor 

La Safor comprises the following villages, towns and estates (in alphabetical order):

ALFAUIR
Alfauir is a small pueblo five minutes’ drive from Gandia and 10 minutes from the coast

Communications to and from Alfauir are excellent with quick and easy access to the arterial A7 motorway and the N322 – both of which go to Valencia and Alicante and their international airports.

The La Safor beaches are only 10 minutes’ drive away.

BARX
Barx is a tranquil village some fifteen minutes’ drive north west from Gandia and twenty minutes from the La Safor beaches.  Beautifully positioned amidst citrus groves in the mountains, Barx is a traditional, rural Spanish village.

THE DRAMATIC MONDUVER MOUNTAIN RANGE – 10 MINUTES FROM THE BEACH!

Barx benefits from having a lively local community and is renowned for its hospitality to strangers and its superb annual fiesta, which includes an exciting and eccentric water party!  The area around Barx abounds with walking, cycling and climbing opportunities and is surrounded by dramatically rugged mountains.

Barx village has a full range of shops, bars and restaurants, a medical clinic and pharmacy.

GANDIA
Gandia is on the Costa Blanca and is located some 70kms south of Valencia and is easily reached from either Valencia or Alicante via the arterial A7 motorway.
A charming, vibrant town with a booming economy and hundreds of shops, bars and restaurants it is ideal for permanent living. Old streets and squares abound with the town blessed by a most glorious, tree lined main Paseo which stretches the full length of the town.  Indeed, you are unlikely to find a more atractive and lively town along the whole of the Costa Blanca.

Gandia Beach is some 4 x kilometres from the centre of Gandia town (which is reached easily by either car or bus from the beach). Gandia beach is renowned for its international award winning Blue Flag rating and is a lively area with countless bars, restaurants and nightclubs. The beach is immaculate, sandy and safe with a superb system of lifeguards and warning flags.  Indeed, it is probably the best beach along the whole of the Costa Blanca and has a long, shallow incline that allows for safe swimming for children and adults alike. It is also cleaned daily during the summer season and is accordingly absolutely spotless and astonishingly free of rubbish. There are a profusion of showers and play areas and the new, grassed promenade is a source of justifiable pride to the Beach authorities.

CALLE MAJOR GANDIA – SHOP, SHOPS AND MORE SHOPS…

The whole area is maintained immaculately and stands as a showpiece for what can be done, with care and good planning, to ensure that a beach area lives up to the highest expectations of holiday makers. This may be less surprising than it seems at first – because this is where the Spanish come for their beach holidays – Gandia playa being the closest beach to Madrid. Perhaps a case of the Spanish wisely looking after their own interests!

At the southern end of Gandia beach is the port and an enclosed, efficient marina for yachts and private vessels.  In this area there are also a range of shops and banks that complement the other amenities that are spread around the beach apartments.

Meanwhile, surrounding Gandia are some superb estates – some of them quite luxurious and all of them notable for having wonderful mountainous surroundings.

GANDIA PLAYA
Gandia playa (beach). This is some 4 x kilometres from the centre of Gandia town (which is reached easily by either car or bus from the beach). Gandia beach is renowned for its international award winning Blue Flag rating and is a lively area with countless bars, restaurants and nightclubs. Gandia playa is immaculate, sandy and safe with a superb system of lifeguards and warning flags. The beach has a long, shallow incline that allows for safe swimming for children and adults alike. It is also cleaned daily during the summer season and is accordingly absolutely spotless and astonishingly free of rubbish. There are a profusion of showers and play areas and the new, grassed promenade is a source of justifiable pride to the Beach authorities.

The whole of Gandia playa is maintained immaculately and stands as a showpiece for what can be done, with care and good planning, to ensure that a beach area lives up to the highest expectations of holiday makers. This may be less surprising than it seems at first – because this is where the Spanish come for their beach holidays – Gandia playa being the closest beach to Madrid. Perhaps a case of the Spanish wisely looking after their own interests!

GANDIA BEACH HAS EVERYTHING YOU COULD POSSIBLY NEED FROM LIFE GUARDS TO BARS AND PLAY AREAS

At the southern end of Gandia playa is the port and an enclosed, efficient marina for yachts and private vessels. Resources are clearly being directed towards the port and marina which hosted a team from the America’s.  In this area there are also a range of shops and banks that complement the other amenities that are spread around the beach apartments.

Valencia airport is 45 minutes’ drive away and is accessed easily from junction 62 that is just off the arterial N332 road. This can be reached from the playa within minutes – with the motorway accessible within ten minutes’ drive.

GRAU DE GANDIA
Gandia port/marina. This area is at the end of Gandia Playa and is located some five kms. from Gandia town. This is a lovely area that is part port and part marina with a selection of original fishermen’s houses, old town houses and new adosados. A lively and interesting area, there are a full range of shops and banks and other amenities for day to day living. This area also benefits from being inherently busy all year round.

The Grau is quickly and easily reached from Gandia town but also is close to an entry point for the arterial A7 motorway (approx. 4kms) thus allowing for speedy communications to and from Alicante and Valencia. At both Gandia and nearby Xeraco there are train stations that go to Valencia, making a day out particularly easy.

GANDIA MARINA – PRETTY, CONVENIENT AND CLOSE TO THE CLUB HOUSE, BARS AND SHOPS

LA DROVA
La Drova is located fifteen minutes’ drive from Gandia and the7 kilometresof award winning Blue Flag beaches of Gandia andLa Safor. Theinternational airports of Alicante (1 1/2hrs) and Valencia (50 minutes) are close by and easily accessible via the excellent arterial A7 motorway. Madrid is four hours’ drive.

La Drova must rank as one of the most beautiful, secluded and convenient places to live in Spain. Set some1,500’ up in the mountains,La Drova rests within a lush valley bounded by mountains on two sides. Monduber, the highest mountain at 847m (2,500’+), dominates the area with its sharp summit clearly visible from all directions.

STUNNING LA DROVA

Five minutes’ drive takes one to the charming and ancient village of Barx where a traditional and vibrant Spanish life continues, as it has for generations. Here there are a range of amenities, including a pharmacy, doctor’s surgery, shops, restaurants and bars.

La Drova itself has a bar/restaurant and an excellent and well run sports centre which has a large swimming pool, tennis court and a games facility. Wonderful walking, climbing and cycling exist in an area with air so clear and unpolluted that that the stars at night gleam with an intensity barely known in the UK. This is an area that will absolutely seduce even the most hard-hearted international traveller.

LAS CUMBRES
Las Cumbres is located some ten minutes’ drive inland from Gandia and is half way up the magnificent mountain of Monduber (height 847m approx. 2,500ft). The ancient village of Barx with its shops, restaurants and traditional life is some 4 kilometres away, whilst the award winning Blue Flag beaches along Gandia’s coastline can be reached within fifteen minutes. Valencia, with its international airport, is only forty minutes easy drive, with Madrid accessible, via the arterial A7 motorway, within four hours.

Las Cumbres looks down upon the beautiful, verdant Marxuquera valley, filled with citrus groves and has as its backdrop the stunning mountains of the La Safor range.

GANDIA BEACH HAS A WONDERFUL PROMENADE THAT STRETCHES FOR KILOMETRES!

LA FONT
La Font d’en Carros is a rural village in the middle of evergreen citrus groves on the outskirts of Oliva. Gandia is some 8kms away with the nearest award winning beaches within a few minutes’ drive. Pretty and surrounded by citrus groves and lovely small, rural villages, La Font is extremely convenient as it has quick and easy access to both the N332 and the arterial A7 motorway. Meanwhile the foothills of the lovely La Safor mountain range are only a few minutes’ drive inland.

La Font has a range of bars and restaurants and all the necessary amenities for day to day living. There is also a popular sports centre (polisportiu) with a communal swimming pool.

LES FOIES
Les Foies has a single bar, a scattering of houses and is located within the beautitul Monduver mountain range where walking, cycling and climbing is a delight amidst a glorious wilderness. Les Foies is within five minutes’ drive of Barx and within ten minutes of Simat de Valldigne. Gandia, the N332 and access to the arterial A7 motorway is only twenty minutes away.

THE MONDUVER MOUNTAINS 10 MINUTES FROM GANDIA PROVIDE UNLIMITED WALKING, CYCLING AND CLIMBING

MARXUQUERA
Situated just outside the town of Gandia is the broad valley of Marxuquera. This is a stunning valley of evergreen citrus groves that blossom in May with a wonderful, heady fragrance. The Marxuquera valley encompasses a number of small villages within the citrus groves and has as its backdrop the stunning mountains of La Safor, the highest of which reach up to over 1000m (over 3,000’).

Gandia is reached within less than ten minutes, with the beaches only a few minutes further on. Communications are excellent to Valencia and Alicante airports.

This is a prime location for people who want all the benefits of a country property, whilst being within minutes of a busy town (Gandia) and all its facilities.

MONTEPINO
The exclusive estate of Montepino is in an area renowned for its breath-taking views, the convenience of its location and the seclusion of its properties.

The estate is located some ten minutes’ drive inland from Gandia and is half way up the magnificent mountain of Monduber (height 847m approx. 2,500ft). The ancient village of Barx with its shops, restaurants and traditional life is some 4 kilometres away, whilst the award winning Blue Flag beaches along Gandia’s coastline can be reached within fifteen minutes. Valencia, with its international airport, is only forty minutes easy drive, with Madrid accessible, via the arterial A7 motorway, within four hours.

GANDIA HAS NOTABLE FIESTAS THAT LAST A FULL WEEK INCLUDING: LAS FALLAS AND FIRA Y FESTES!

Montepino looks down upon the beautiful, verdant Marxuquera valley, filled with citrus groves and has as its backdrop the stunning mountains of the La Safor range.

MONTEREAL
Monte Real is a small urbanisation overlooking Gandia. The estate is little more than five minutes from Gandia itself and comprises some twenty to twenty five villas.

Monte Real has excellent communications into Gandia and is close to the Gandia exit of the arterial N332. The beaches of La Safor are with ten minutes’ drive and Valencia can be reached within 45 minutes.

MONTE CORONA
Monte Corona is located 10 minutes from Gandia and the 7 kilometres of award winning Blue Flag beaches of La Safor. The international airports of Alicante (1 1/2hrs) and Valencia (40 minutes) are close by and easily accessible via the excellent arterial A7 motorway. Madrid is four hours’ drive.

Monte Corona is an estate with an array of superb properties that are perched around a hill overlooking the stunning citrus groves that surround Gandia.  Beautiful mountains rise up above and beyond Monte Corona providing the estate with a dramatic backdrop.  The estate benefits from wonderful views, tremendous convenience and a number of truly luxurious villas.

THE AL FRESCO LIFE OF THE GANDIA AREA IS A DELIGHT

MONTERREY
Monterrey is an urbanisation on the outskirts of Gandia, just inland of the town. Reached from the quick and efficient Albaida road, Monterrey is situated within a green bowl between the mountains and is surrounded by evergreen citrus groves. This is an area of fine, individual villas that compliment an area of real beauty and peace. It is also supremely convenient for Gandia itself and the award winning La Safor beaches and, just inland, the mountains themselves.

Monterrey is close the N332 and also to junction 62 of the A7 arterial motorway. Accordingly, Valencia (and its international airport) is easily accessed within some 50 minutes and Alicante within about 95 minutes.

DOES IT GET BETTER THAN THIS?

Oliva
Oliva is the second largest town in La Safor after Gandia and is famous for its superb European Blue Flagged beaches.  Located only 6km south of Gandia, Oliva is close to junction 61 of the arterial A7 motorway and is within one hour’s drive of Valencia airport.

The town has a population of 25,000 people, of whom some 3,000 are north European.  This provides Oliva with a genuinely international feel which is reflected in the excellent services and amenities on offer.  The town has a myriad of busy shops, bars and restaurants and is well known for its vibrant life.

Oliva is split into three areas: the beach, the old town and the new town.  Each area complements the other.  The wonderful, broad Paseo of the new town is ideal for promenades, the frequent fiestas and the excellent, extensive, Friday market.  Meanwhile the old town is a thriving area of picturesque old houses within the intimacy of winding streets.  The beach area provides an area perfect for summer days.  Beach bars, play areas for children and spotless, golden sand abound.

On the fringes of Oliva are evergreen citrus groves that extend to the surrounding mountains.  Within minutes of the town, are a series of beautiful villages and estates with a wide range of housing from luxury villas to town houses and apartments.

TERRIFIC ROCK CLIMBING CAN BE UNDERTAKEN ALL ROUND THE GANDIA AREA

PALMA DE GANDIA
This is some 5kms from vibrant and charming Gandia and 10kms from the busy town of Oliva.  The stunning La Safor beaches are ten minutes’ drive away.

Palma de Gandia is a village renowned for its wonderful views across the citrus covered plain leading to Oliva, Gandia and the sea. Pretty, with the beautiful La Safor mountains behind it, Palma de Gandia is charming, has narrow, intimate streets with old buildings and a range of amenities from bars and restaurants to shops. There is also an excellent, large, communal swimming pool.

Palma de Gandia is extremely convenient as it has easy access to the N332 and the Oliva (Junction 61) junction to the arterial A7 motorway – thus allowing for quick and easy travel to the international airports of Alicante (approx. 80 mins drive) and Valencia (forty minutes’ drive).

TERRIFIC VILLAS, FLATS AND TOWN HOUSES FOR SALE AROUND GANDIA AT ALL PRICES

POTRIES
Potries is situated some 10kms from Gandia and is very close to the pretty and busy small town of Oliva. The A7 motorway is easily accessible from junction 61, thus providing easy travelling to Alicante or Valencia airports.

Potries, itself, is a small rural village with many old buildings, including a church that looks as though it was lifted from the English countryside.

The beautiful La Safor mountain range dominates the inland views and provides wonderful walking and climbing for those who wish to turn away from the excellent, Blue Flag beaches of nearby Oliva.

LAS FALLAS FIESTA IN GANDIA – AWESOME!

RAFELCOFFER
Rafelcoffer. This is a traditional village of old houses and intimate streets situated a few minutes inland from the coast and is equidistant between Gandia and Oliva. Both of these towns can be reached from Rafelcoffer within a gentle drive of five – ten minutes. The important arterial north/south A7 motorway has an entry point at Oliva allowing Rafelcoffer to be reached easily and quickly from both Alicante and Valancia and their international airports. The La Safor mountains are very close, together with the award winning beaches on the coastline which are some 5-10 kilometres away.

The village is surrounded by orange groves, has a polisportiu, a lovely church, many fine buildings and a range of amenities including bars, restaurants and shops.

VALENCIA CITY IS VIBRANT AND EXCITING AND ONLY 50 MINUTES BY TRAIN FROM GANDIATECTURE, CULTURE

SANT MARTA
Santa Marta is an urbanization conveniently situated on the outskirts of Gandia within two minutes’ drive of the town and within sight of the mountains. The wonderful beaches of La Safor can be reached within ten minutes’ drive whilst the A7 motorway linking the east coast of Spain to Gandia is accessible within 10 minutes. Valencia (and its international airport) can be reached within forty five minutes and Alicante within 90 minutes.
Santa Marta is well placed for those who require the convenience of living close to a vibrant Spanish town (Gandia) whilst being on a quiet secluded and exclusive estate. The best of all worlds!

GANDIA – THE PERFECT BEACH?

TOSSAL LES BOTES
This is the most exclusive estate in the La Safor area with only some ten other properties, all of extremely high standard, on the estate. Gandia is only some 5 mins drive, with easy access to the arterial A7 motorway (which runs along the east coast of Spain) only some 10 mins drive from the villa. The airports of Alicante (1 1/2 hrs) and Valencia (40 mins) are close by and allow for easy international travel. Madrid is 4 hours’ drive.

The estate looks down upon a stunning valley of extensive citrus groves that stretch away to the base of the La Safor mountain range. This rises steeply from the valley floor and acts as a magnificent, theatrical backdrop to the views. To the east, the sea is clearly visible as a sparkling sheen.

GANDIA HAS SUPERB HORSE RIDING

VILLALONGA
Villalonga is one of the largest towns in La Safor with a population of some 3,500 people within a high employment area. Busy and lively, this is a place that is popular amongst the British who enjoy the stunning scenery, convenience and strong traditional Spanish community. There is also an excellent sports centre with a large and well maintained swimming pool.

Villalonga is situated some 10kms from both Oliva and Gandia. An excellent new road system allows for quick and easy access to both towns and to the award winning La Safor beaches. The arterial N332 road is close as is junction 61 of the A7 motorway. This allows Alicante to be reached within some 80 minutes and Valencia within forty minutes.
The beautiful La Safor mountains rise immediately inland from Villalonga, intersected by the Beniarres valley and reservoir. Here there is spectacular walking and climbing through beautiful, unspoilt rural countryside.

Nick Snelling – Culture Spain

FURTHER RELEVANT INFORMATION ABOUT THE LA SAFOR REGION OF SPAIN

Culture Spain – the authority site that provides you with everything you need to know about Spain

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 our marketing efforts at a wide range of nationalities as well as at the local Spanish holidaymaker and house renter.  Indeed, our flexibility and the range of accommodation options that we can offer have proved to be a popular concept with our guests.  Many – particularly in the peak holiday season – still prefer to go for the traditional Bed and Breakfast type of visit and spend much of their time during the day exploring the surrounding areas and attractions.  However, even these guests (more often than not) also choose to take advantage of our evening meal service, so in fact have all the advantages of a friendly country hotel but without the constraints that are traditionally associated with that type of accommodation. 

Other guests prefer to have self-catering accommodation, and this is where our apartment comes into its own.  Although it is an integral part of the main house, it has its own entrance, two en-suite bedrooms and a fully equipped kitchen and living room.  Guests staying here, however, also have full use of all the other facilities of the villa including the option of evening meals.  Sometimes, however, we are more than happy to offer “Casa Rural” type accommodation to those who are looking for that particular option.  This involves renting a room (as you would on a Bed and Breakfast basis), but without the breakfast – or indeed any other of the catering that we generally offer.  For these guests – and it is generally a Spanish concept – we are happy to allow them to ‘self-cater’ in the main kitchen, which obviously they might have to share with any other guests staying here at the same time.  However, the facilities and the space have always meant that this has never been a problem and has proved a cost-effective and convenient choice for many guests. 

Another possibility is that of Villa Rental (renting the entire house (with or without the apartment depending on numbers) ), which means that groups of up to 16 people can spend time here together, but with sufficient space that it never seems crowded or cramped.  This option has been chosen in the past for either weekend lets – usually for Spanish hen parties – or else for longer stays when an extended family wanted to holiday together.  In this case, guests have full access to the whole property, and basically rent the villa for their vacation with exclusive use of the kitchen, living areas, gardens, etc.  We are still on the property, but in our separate apartment so do not in any way intrude on our guests’ privacy, but are nevertheless on call if any help or advice is requested. 

So we anticipate that we will welcome our guests in 2012 with as wide a range of options and choices as possible, and making ourselves known to as many different types of holidaymaker as we can.  Traditional overnight Bed and Breakfast guests, apartment renters, weekend party groups, special interest holidays, or Spanish “Casa Rural” guests – we look forward to meeting them all during the coming year.  We are enlarging and improving our sun terraces around the pool so there will be even more space for our guests to relax and make the most of the gardens and the beautiful weather that we hope to see in the year ahead. 

The animal lovers amongst our guests will not be disappointed either, as we now have a third dog who has joined the household – a beautiful and placid Spanish Mastiff called Lola who is the very epitome of the expression “gentle giant”, and who we are sure will charm each and every one of our visitors.  She is joined by Aurora and Sandy, so we now have the full set – small, medium and large!  Cat lovers will also be pleased to hear that Sparkle (our Siamese looking cat) continues to thrive, and has grown from a tiny bottle-fed kitten to a healthy 18 month old beauty, so the entire Villa Florencia family is ready and looking forward to welcoming all our guests in the coming season. 

We hope that many new visitors will come for the first time, but of course it is very gratifying when previous guests come back to us again. If the weather is as good for the rest of 2012 as it has been so far, it should be a year to remember!

Penya Roja Climbing Lodge is a beautiful and spacious country home, located just minutes from two of the Costa Blanca’s best climbing rocks, Gandia Crag and El Bovedon or an easy drive to any of the Rock climbing sites on the Costa Blanca.

Your hosts , Nigel and Mark, run the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge with all of its facilities and comforts like a small country hotel and combine this with a welcoming feeling of informality and relaxation. Our aim at the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge is to provide an exceptional standard of individual service to our guests, making them feel that they are in a friendly and informal atmosphere where they can relax and unwind without the usual constraints of a conventional hotel.

Our B&B accommodation consists of 5 spacious bedrooms (three twins and two doubles) all have air-conditioning and heating, are well furnished and benefit from housekeeping services on a daily basis. Complimentary tea and coffee making facilities are provided in each room and all have modern en-suite bathrooms with power showers.

Additionally there is a 2 bedroom/2 bathroom self contained, self catering apartment for rent.

The lodge also has ample car parking facilities – we would suggest that guests hire a car in order to derive the greatest benefit from the surrounding towns and countryside.
The public rooms of the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge include a bar and lounge for the use of all our guests, where – depending on the season – you can either have a refreshing drink after a hard day’s rock climbing around the pool, or enjoy your favourite after-dinner liqueur in front of a log fire on the cooler winter evenings.
Breakfast and dinner are both served on the glass-enclosed terrace which has panoramic views of the nearby orange groves and mountains.

For those who wish to venture further afield, the Penya Roja Climbing Lodge provides an ideal base for daily excursions to Valencia, Benidorm or Alicante

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Avoid the crisis, make money on-line and out-flank your business competitors

A new book, The Laptop Entrepreneur, shows you how to make a living on-line and turbo charge any existing business.  It provides a clear, accessible ‘road map’ to Internet success, illustrated in logical and easily comprehensible steps – specifically designed for the ‘person in the street’.

“A must-read…’ James Parkes   www.costa-news.com

“…superb, practical guide…”  Steve Hall www.thisisspain.info

“A really excellent piece of work.” Mike Cliffe Jones www.mikeslife.org

“Invaluable”  Expatica

“…practical and down-to-earth…”Norman Viss www.isolatedinternationals.com

Nick Snelling and Graham Hunt, assisted by 6 successful on-line business experts, have produced a book that will show you how to conduct accurate on-line market research, buy the best possible domain name, find the right search terms and keywords for your web site, create a successful Blog and undertake affiliate marketing.  They also show you how to make social media work for you and teach you how to copy write Internet articles for maximum effect.

“You can earn money on-line.  You can create your own business and you can earn a living using the Internet.  Equally, you can often outflank other much bigger businesses – if you know how to use the Internet properly” says Nick Snelling.   “Best of all you do not need to be a computer geek to learn how to make a living on-line.”

Graham Hunt agrees: “it is amazing how people do not take advantage of using the Internet properly.  The return on investment can be astonishing and making money on-line is accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds.”

However, both writers acknowledge that, for the layman, the concept of how to use the Internet to earn a living on-line can be difficult to understand, given that there is so much information about how to do this that most people are overwhelmed before they start.

“What we have done, in The Laptop Entrepreneur,” says Nick, “is to peel away the ‘mystery’ that surrounds making money on-line and to distil what you need to do into simple, clear steps that anyone can understand.”

The Laptop Entrepreneur is available now and is the answer to anyone seeking independence and a way to make money on-line for themselves or wishing to start or even maximise their existing business.   It is, as Nick states, “an anti-crisis” book and one that provides an alternative to the job uncertainty and economic hard times that are affecting everyone.

“The thing is that if you know how to use the Internet there are so many possible ways to make money online,” enthuses Nick, “ whether you earn money blogging or setting up an affiliate marketing business.  Or you can offer copy writing services to other businesses or you can set up niche web sites to drive buyers to your business or you can do market research for companies or look after their social media.  To name just a few activities – all of which are there for the ‘taking’ and some of which will suit your existing skill set, once modified to the demands of the Internet.”

It is hard not to be excited by the passion that Nick and Graham have for The Laptop Entrepreneur and their almost Messianic commitment to showing people how they can be independent, earn money on-line, create a new business or maximise an existing one.  They open up a whole new world of opportunity where there are minimum overheads, low risks and huge potential. 

Surely, few people can afford not to take advantage of The Laptop Entrepreneur the enthusiasm of the authors and the invaluable, practical knowledge they impart?

          ADDITIONAL INFORMATION:

         Publication date DECEMBER 10TH 2011

         Price £14.99/€17.50

         Summertime Publishing

         ISBN 978-1-904881-58-2

         240 pp, paperback 
 

MEDIA ENQUIRIES

For interviews with the author and to arrange review copies and excerpts of the book,
please contact the publisher at publicity@summertimepublishing.com
or author, Nick Snelling, at casalasafor@gmail.com

Laptop Entrepreneur is available via all online bookstores and for Kindle

earn a living on-line earn money blogging earn money on-line how to make a living on-line Laptop Entrepreneur make money on-line making money on-line

In the current global economic climate it is perhaps not at the top of everyone’s list to have a winter or a Christmas break, but with the weather in northern Europe getting colder and more wintry with each passing week, there can surely be no better way to take your mind off the chill in both the weather and the economy than by heading for a little good value sunshine and warmth.

Few places offer better value for money at the moment than Spain – even the strong euro cannot take away from the fact that a winter break on one of the costas or in one of Spain’s stunning cities still represents a great deal. A short flight with a budget airline to one of the many destinations in Spain from almost anywhere in northern Europe can still be purchased at a very reasonable cost, and accommodation can be found at amazingly low prices now that the main holiday season is over. Good quality hotels or self-catering apartments and villas are in plentiful supply, and all are offering great deals to attract the out-of-season traveller.

Whilst it is true that inland Spain (and hence Madrid) can be chilly in the winter, the weather along the coastal regions can still be pleasantly warm in the daytime. Temperatures in the time leading up to Christmas are frequently around the 20˚c mark during the day, and even January and February are often pleasantly warm. And so what if the thermometer is not climbing so much at this time of the year? At least visitors do not have to endure the endless, dull grey skies that are so characteristic of much of the rest of Europe. There is nothing like a bit of bright sunshine in a blue sky to raise the spirits, even if a heavy duty sun-block is not a required item in the hand-luggage!

There is plenty to do in Spain apart from sitting on a beautiful sandy beach, and winter is a great time for taking advantage of all that is on offer. Spectacular scenery, beautiful walking and hiking routes, cycling and sightseeing are just a few of the activities that are not only cheap to participate in, but also probably more enjoyable on a sunny day when it is not scorching hot. Bird watching is also a hugely popular recreation in this part of the world, with many varieties to be found, especially at the time of year when they stop off on their migratory routes. National parks and wetlands provide areas of particular interest for anyone who is keen to see varieties not common at home. A morning spent out in nature followed by an afternoon watching the world go by in a café on a beachside promenade can seem a world away from the chill of the rest of Europe.

If a city venue holds more appeal, then Barcelona, Valencia, Granada, Seville and Cadiz are all in areas that enjoy a mild winter climate and each of them has sights and attractions to delight the visitor. Barcelona has long been one of the most popular city break destinations in Europe, but Valencia (although often overlooked) has a wealth of attractions too, including the stunning City of Arts and Sciences, the beautifully and ecologically constructed Biopark, and of course its well preserved historic centre. Seville and Cadiz are each architectural and cultural gems in their own right, and of course Granada is home to the world-famous Alhambra palace.

So … give some thought to Spain for a winter break that is good value, easy to reach and offers something for everyone. At a time when the economic climate is getting ever frostier, a little warmth and brightness can be especially beneficial!

Spain is not just about sun, sea and sangria, it’s about the Moors, the Reconquest, El Cid, Hernan Cortes, the Conquistadors, the Golden Age, Don Quijote, the Camino de Santiago, Flamenco, Rioja, Ribera del Duero, paella, seafood, the Alhambra, Real Madrid, Barcelona, Velazquez, Goya, Murillo, Andres Segovia, Joaquin Rodrigo, Carmen, Napoleon, Wellington, the Spanish Armada, Catalyuna (Catalonia), Andalucia, or Andalusia if you prefer, Rafael Nadal, Fernan Adria – the list goes on and on.

Books4Spain has been established by Rod Younger, an Anglo-Spaniard and author, to help you discover Spain and its rich history and culture through books, as well as to provide you access to useful, relevant and interesting information about living, travelling or holidaying in Spain.

Our intention is to try and re-create the experience, attractions and benefits of a traditional bricks & mortar independent bookshop but with the added convenience afforded by the Internet and technology to offer better choice, an easier way to discover books about Spain, great customer service and, ultimately, to enable our clients to learn more about Spain, its culture and history.

We have a small but growing network of reviewers who are either experts in a particular field, e.g. Therese Wassily Saba for flamenco and classical guitar (www.myflamencodiary.com), or who are book lovers and lovers of Spain and who write the Books4Spain Reviews for specific books.

Customer service is a priority for us and we aim to respond within 24 hours to any emails and to try and resolve any questions or queries as quickly as possible. We are human and we are new so the site is constantly being improved and our book selection increased.

We welcome any feedback or suggestions you may have with regard to the site and our book selection – we are always looking to add quality books about Spain to the site so please do email us your suggestions/recommendations to suggestions@books4spain.com and we will use our best efforts to source the relevant book(s).

Authors such as Ernest Hemingway, George Orwell, Laurie Lee, Gerald Brenan, George Borrow, Richard Ford and Washington Irving have long been fascinated by this amazing country and we hope that Books4Spain enables you to discover, and share in, their experiences and those of many others.

We look forward to being of service to you.

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Many people are seeking alternatives to the seaside resort holiday that is centred around lots of sunshine and doing as little as possible except maybe reading a book on the beach or around a swimming pool.  Pleasant as that prospect may be, spending two weeks with nothing else on the agenda can become a little monotonous.  More and more holidaymakers are looking to combine some of the lazy sunshine holiday concept with a certain amount of activity, and it is here that the area around Gandía and the whole area along the Costa Blanca can really come into its own. 

The beautiful mountain scenery that lies almost immediately behind the coastal resorts along the Costa Blanca provide for a whole host of activities that are only now being fully recognised by local towns and businesses as equally valid and attractive reasons to come to this part of Spain.  An obvious recreation in the La Safor mountains near Gandía is that of hiking and walking, and there is a wide choice of routes that have been mapped out for the enthusiast, ranging from easy, gentle walks to more strenuous hikes and climbs.  Local authorities have started producing maps showing the recommended routes to follow, and these are also signposted along the way to make things even easier and more “user friendly” and less daunting for the first-time hill walker.  There is also a hiking information centre in the hills behind Gandía where many of the local routes are centred upon, set in an area designated of special interest and natural beauty.  As an extra point of interest, some of the routes also make use of disused railway lines in the area and the hiker will find themselves taking unspoilt and scenic routes between towns and villages, often even walking through former railway tunnels along the way. 

If walking and hiking does not appeal, an alternative is cycling and mountain biking.  This is a recreation that is hugely popular amongst local people, and it is not hard to see why.  Bikes can be hired locally, either as an independent daily or weekly rental, or in the company of a guide who can take the enthusiast along routes in the hills and mountains if a road trip is not what you have in mind.  Stunning mountain views are the reward for a steep climb through many of the villages and towns in the area, and then of course there is always the extra reward of the exhilarating downhill trip at the other side!  It is very easy to combine a route that takes in a mountain section, followed by a return along the coast and maybe a swim in the sea all in the same trip – the best of everything! 

Nature lovers can also indulge themselves along the Costa Blanca by visiting the areas frequented by the many species of birds in the area – both local and (depending on the time of year) migratory.  There is a large designated nature reserve of wetlands to the south of Valencia City that will be of particular interest to the bird watcher, and this is home to a great number of species as well as a stopping point for birds that are passing through on their seasonal migrations.  In addition to this specific area, the entire stretch of coast provides excellent opportunities for spotting a wide range of birds, including many birds of prey in the mountains.  Guided bird watching tours can be arranged by local experts who can take the visitor to the best starting-off points, depending on the particular types of bird that are of particular interest.  This can in fact be an excellent way of combining the different activities that the area lends itself to so well – walking through beautiful scenery whilst at the same time spotting varieties of birds and wildlife the visitor is unlikely to encounter at home. 

And all this, of course, is available along the Costa Blanca in a climate so very much milder and warmer than what the visitor would probably be used to at home.  Indeed, the long mild season that this part of Spain generally experiences makes it perfectly possible – and maybe even preferable – to take a break at a time when the mainstream holiday crowds have either not yet arrived or already returned home.  The visitor can then benefit from lower airfares (rather than having to pay the premium normally levied during school holidays), cheaper accommodation costs, and of course a less crowded environment than during the traditional peak season.  

Alternatively, if some members of a group want the more traditional high-season holiday activities of sun and sea, this can be combined with the interests of the walker and nature lover all in the same trip.  The Costa Blanca and the La Safor region in particular really does have a lot more to offer than first meets the eye.