Holiday Rentals in Spain Blog

Villamarchante is situated in the foothills of the Sierra Calderona mountains. Nestled in and among the pine trees and orange groves it is just 30 kilometres west of the city of Valencia. Villamarchante is more than anything else a place to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet of the countryside while being close to a big city if you need it. Although it is a small village it still has all of the amenities that you may require during your holiday such as shops, bars, supermarkets and restaurants. If you fancy a trip into the mountains on foot or horseback make a trip over to Lliria situated in the Turia Valley, it is here you will find guided trips for the area. If you need more, there is the wine tasting trip that includes the area of Utiel and Requena. The beaches are within easy reach where you can go jet skiing, sailing, surfing, scuba diving and windsurfing just to name a few.

Villalonga is located on the Costa Azahar. With miles of sandy beaches there is never a problem finding a place to sit and relax. Villalonga is a quiet little village where you can do nothing except relax but if needed the city of Benidorm is a short drive down the road and has just about anything on offer you could imagine just in case you need a big city fix. There are five beaches near Villalonga including Platja de Belreguard, Platja de Miramar and Platja de Piles where you can swim or sunbath. The surrounding countryside offers you the opportunity to cycle, horse ride or just take a relaxing stroll while you enjoy the beautiful scenery. The Oliva Nova Golf course is only some 9 kilometres down the road with a few more further on. For people of all ages there is the Noah’s Ark animal sanctuary that houses animal’s which have been rescued and are waiting to be re-homed. It is open to the public with animals ranging from donkeys and rabbits to tigers and bears and on show for you to enjoy.

Valencia City is one of the largest and most exciting places to be found on the Costa Azahar. The beaches here are unusual as they are located in the heart of the city. There is also some amazing entertainment on offer in the city including ancient architecture, museums, theatrical productions and concerts. The promenade that runs along the back of the beach is lined with cafés, bars, restaurants and small boutiques, this area is known as the beaches of Malvarrosa and Levante the most popular areas in Valencia. As in most of Spain water sports are hugely popular here with sailing, scuba diving and windsurfing along with many other ones on offer. For the golfer there are four golf courses located in the outer lying area of Valencia. The mountainous area behind Valencia offers walking, mountain biking, horse riding and mountaineering. As we said earlier there is a lot of history here so it is best to get a guide book but make your first stop the Miguelete tower and the Cathedral of Valencia the most important monuments in the city.

Sagunto is the capital of the district of Camp de Morvedre and is situated in the northern part of the Valencia province at the foot of a hill belonging to the Sierra Calderona. There is a enormous amount of history here with a lot of ancient architecture and the Roman theatre. Sagunto also has a port where they export minerals and citrus fruits. The port area is home to a number of top class restaurants and bars where the cuisine will tempt your taste buds. Paseo Maritimo also has some discos dotted along the port area that provides a wealth of entertainment to suit anyone’s taste. During the daytime take a walk through the narrow winding streets in the ancient town centre where you can see noblemen’s homes of long age, also visit the Calle Mayor and the Calle Caballeros or visit the tiny houses located in the Jewish quarter. If you have any time left walk up the Calvary Route to the Hermitage of La Soledad where you can view the orange groves and market gardens that extend down to the sea. If it’s to hot then you can take a dip in the Mediterranean at one of Sagunto’s five beaches.

Piles is located on the Costa Azahar in the most northerly region of Valencia. Piles has some of the most fantastic beaches and beautiful mountains as a back drop to the village. Piles is a quiet place where you can get away from the madding crowds that exist on other parts of the Costa Azahar. Being located near the mountains offers you the opportunity to go walking, hiking and mountain biking on the many well marked trails. Some areas in the mountains allows you to para sail and balloon. Be sure to schedule your holiday around one of the many fiestas celebrated here as they can be a lot of fun what with processions, cavalcades, all night dancing and live music not to mention the food stalls where you can sample the local cuisine with plenty to drink.

Oliva is located just to the north of the Costa Blanca area about 10 kilometres from Gandia. Oliva is first and foremost a Spanish village and then a tourist destination so you need to speak at least a little Spanish when you visit here. Many people from Madrid have their summer houses and villas in the area. Being a Spanish village makes it just that much more interesting with all of the required facilities one may require while on holiday. The night life here is lively and the bars stay open late but if it is more lively entertainment you need then make a trip to the resort of Denia just 15 minutes down the road. Oliva has a story to tell in its city gates, fountains, buildings, gardens and walls indicating how it grew into what it is today. The two places worth a visit in the village are the churches of St Maria and St Roc. One of the biggest reasons people come to Oliva is to play on the course designed by none other than Seve Ballesteros. This exceptional 18 hole course is open to non members staying in there holiday apartment in Oliva as well as all the facilities on offer in the resort including the spa facilities. There is so much more to do here other than play golf, for example you can go sailing, windsurfing, kite boarding and in the mountains you can go walking, climbing, hang gliding and canoeing all of this is just behind the village.

Monserrat is located in the province of Valencia and is a short distance from the city of Valencia. This is the place for a nice quiet holiday and if you need the big city life it is not that far away. Monserrat is a sleepy little hillside village with a lot of surprises in store for the holidaymaker. There are local markets and shops located here where you can purchase supplies for your holiday. There is a lively night life here if you care to participate otherwise there is a number of restaurants and cafés where you can spend a relaxing time soaking up the atmosphere. If you need something more exciting you can go walking, hiking, cycling and horse riding in the magnificence countryside. The golfer has not been left out as there is two 18 hole courses where you can test your skills.

Lliria is located on the banks of the River Turia in the province of Valencia approximately 25 kilometres from the city of Valencia. Lliria is best known for its orchestra which exemplifies its musical history and its World Musical Festival held in August. You know when you see Lliria as it has whitewashed villas, interesting architecture and little twisting cobbled stone streets as it is here you will find the remains of Edeta, an important Iberian city during Roman times. Proof of Roman and Iberian habitation can be found in the archaeological museum. Don’t pass up the “Histories Nocturnes” as this tour offers you the opportunity to enjoy the sights, theatre performances, local cuisine and music. If you are into hiking then bring your boots as this area is perfect for such activities or take a stroll through the village to St. Vicente’s Park where you can just sit and relax along the banks of the river. Like most villages in Spain Lliria celebrates a large number of festivals with great gusto especially the Bull Run so schedule your holiday around one of these.

Gandia is a village where you can experience the true taste of Spain with its heritage and culture that has not been altered over time. Gandia has retained its history in the form of the 14^th century Palacio Ducal de los Borja which has tours scheduled every thirty minutes. For a relaxing walk try the tree lined promenade along the beach front which is lined with fountains, cafés and shops, it’s just a good place to people watch. Playa Nord lays claim to the best beach on the coast. It’s here you will find 3 kilometres of the best kept sandy beach anywhere. Gandia also has a Sailing Club which will satisfy all your requirements. If you’re a golfer and need a fix there is an excellent nine hole course with a driving range, putting green and a pitching green. There are also two excellent restaurants here that offer the local Spanish cuisine.

Cullera is a village located on the Costa Azahar 25 miles south of Valencia. With its close proximity to the coast, historic attraction and beautiful countryside it makes for a great family holiday location. The beaches here are some of the best around with their wide expanse it is easy to find a place to put your towel so you can sunbath or swim. Also available here is scuba diving and surfing with the required facilities. When the evening comes there are a number of excellent restaurants that serve fresh local produce and seafood that allows you to sample the famous Spanish cuisine or sit in one of the cafés and watch the world go by. Cullera has a number of historical sites in the village that you can explore. There is a 13^th century castle that overlooks the city and was built over an even older Moorish Fortress. Within the walls of the castle is the Sanctuary of the Virgen del Castillo. The 17^th Century church of Saint John has recently been restored and is well worth a visit.