Parpallo Cave – an excursion

Parpallo Cave  A mountain walk with a bit of pre-history! Coming from Gandia, just before the outskirts of La Drova, is the starting point for several beautiful and well-marked mountain walks in the Parpalló-Borrell conservation area. However, at the Parpallo Cave – Information Centre there, one can take the opportunity to discover more than just mountain walks because it is also the starting point for a guided tour to the famous “Cueva del Parpalló” – a cave of great archaeological significance. Inhabited by ancient man from about 29,000 until 10,000 years ago, this cave was believed to be a meeting point for the various clans that lived along the Mediterranean coast at the time, facilitating trade as well as increasing the gene pool amongst the different groups. Of great significance are the very many examples of cave art (mainly scratched-out pictures on the rock) that were discovered here, far more than at any other site in Europe. Many of these, as well as tools and weapons, are now on display in the Prehistoric Museum in Valencia and MUSEU ARQUEOLÒGIC Gandia. Guided visits to the cave can be arranged, and these start with a video in the Information Centre followed by…

Read More

Gandia Casa Rural – New Spanish site

Villa Florencia Casa rural Gandia

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…

Read More

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…

Read More

Summer 2018

Gandia Bed and Breakfast

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 , 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.

Read More