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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…

To say that 2020 has been an unusual year would be the understatement of the century! Having been placed in lock-down here in Spain in the middle of March, things gradually began to ease up until we reached the point in June when we were permitted to open our doors to guests again, albeit on a “restricted numbers” basis. Of course, the situation is not simply that things are now back to normal and holidaymakers can start making their plans again – so much depends on travel regulations of all the countries concerned, not just Spain, but the countries our visitors might be coming from. Such is the constantly changing situation that visitors from overseas are very wary of making any bookings at all in case they are cancelled or changed at the last minute. However, as soon as the restriction of movement between provinces was lifted here in Spain, we saw a very high volume of enquiries and bookings pour in from Spanish guests who were wanting to secure themselves accommodation for their annual summer break. Ever since this happened we have had an ongoing stream of bookings, and interestingly many from people wanting to book the whole house…

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…

The monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba is one of the most historic monastic constructions in Valencia and located near Alfauir, a village about eight kilometres outside Gandia. It has its origin in Xàbia. In 1374 Pope Gregory XI authorized the foundation of a monastery to the hermit of Xàbia, who belonged to the Hiernymite order. The duke Alfonso of Aragon granted the grounds to the building. The monastery was attacked by pirates in 1387. Therefore, the monks feared to return there. For that reason in 1388 Alfonso of Aragon bought the territories of Cotalba from the Muslims, which were more protected and he donated them to the Hieronmyte monks of Xàbia. They moved to Cotalba and Alfonso of Aragon founded the monastery in 1388. In 1388 Alfonso of Aragon and Foix, Royal Duke of Gandia, constructed a fortress to protect the monastics from attacks by Berber pirates. Tradition claims Saint Vincent Ferrer preached publicly from the monastery. The father, Pere March, and the two wives of the well-known Valencian medieval poet Ausiàs March are buried in this monastery. In the 16th century the monastery came under the protection of the House of Borgia. The Duchess of Gandia, Maria Enriquez…

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…

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…

Villa Florencia Summer 2021 Update

Gandia Casa Rural – New Spanish site

Bed and Breakfast in the Mountains

Monastery of Sant Jeroni de Cotalba

Ducal Palace Gandia, a visit with guests

2019 Update