Valencia holiday
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Self-Guided Walks are available (see below)
Golf- an 18 hole Severiano Ballesteros course Oliva Nova is just south of Oliva.
Scuba Diving equipment and bikes can be hired locally.
Sea and river fishing are also available.
Horseriding is available near Ondara and Benicolet.
Walking- There are many walking trails in the Valencia area and one we recommend is in the Vall de Gallinera The Moors occupied this area for 600 years and were expelled in 1609. The Vall de Gallinera became deserted and the Duke de Gandía who owned the land, brought from Majorca 150 families to repopulate the valley.The Valley is made up of small towns most of them beginning with Beni-(which means son of) The scenery is beautiful, with ruined hermitages, quaint old houses and cool streams and picnic areas.
Fiestas-La Fallas are held locally in Gandia and Valencia and other nearby towns and festivities continue for a week. Massive papier mache, wood and wax charicatures are built by the townsfolk during the year and painted: A Fallas Queen has already been elected and there is fierce competition for the best entry. The figures are then burnt on the night of the feast of St. Joseph. These figures, called "ninots" by the Valencians, allude to events and personalities of the day. The ninots, half satirical, half symbolical, are created in a style somewhere between comic strips and Walt Disney cartoons. For one week the Valencians are both spectators and participants in a spectacle which goes beyond the walls of the great theatre which these cities become. The tourist influx and the international projection of the Fallas grows every year
Moors & Christians - This festival commemorates the battles, combats and fights between Moors (or Muslims) and Christians during the period known as Reconquista (from the 8th century through the 15th century). The festivals represent the capture of the city by the Moors and the subsequent Christian reconquest. The people that take part in the festival are usually enlisted in filaes or comparsas (companies that represent the Christian or Moor legions), and for several days, they parade with bombastic costumes loosely inspired by Medieval fashion. Christians wear fur, metallic helmets, and armour, fire loud arquebuses, and ride horses. In contrast, Moors wear ancient Arab costumes, carry scimitars, and ride real camels or elephants. The festival develops among shots of gunpowder, medieval music and fireworks. It ends with the Christians winning a simulated battle around a castle. The most famous is in Alcoi but there Oliva, Denia also hold battles.Tourist information will let you have a list of participating towns.
Bullrunning is held in various towns - Denia and Javea are the nearest where this event can be seen.
Bullfighting - the nearest bullring is in Ondara. It was built in 1901 but rebuilt in 1957 after being destroyed in the Civil War. Usually there are posters outside when the next bullfight is due.
Rastros
Rastros in Spain are really Car Boot Sales. If you are stuck for something to do on Saturday or Sunday, these 3 rastros are the largest and best in the area.
Jalon - Saturday morning
Vergel - Saturday morning (at the entrance to the Safari Park)
Pedreguer - Sunday morning
STOP PRESS Formula 1 Racing comes to Valencia for the next 7 years commencing 2008. With Bernie Eccleston's expertise, the track will mirror the Monaco circuit.
2008 is the start of the 33rd Americas Cup regattas which, it is hoped, will be held again in Valencia culminating with the Final taking place in the port of Valencia in the summer of 2009.
The Moto GP Grand Prix Valencia is held every year at the Ricardo Tormo Stadium.
Eating Out
Eating out- The Viva Espana Restaurant is on the N332 between Oliva & Gandia where you can celebrate your holiday - the meals are reasonable (we recommend Paella) and there is an authentic floorshow at weekends.
Most towns offer a Menu del Dia (lunch time only) 3/4 courses and a drink for anything up to 12€. There are a number of Chinese Restaurants in Gandia, one on the main paseo offers a buffet for 8€ plus drinks.
If you would like to dine locally there is Bar Palma and a 15 minute stroll brings you to "Aventura" where Moma makes delicious home made food. We recommend the huge square pizza.
Paella usually has to be ordered the day before. Fidua is a dish which is almost exactly like paella except rice is substituted with pasta. Fidua originated (so they say) in Gandia when some fishermen went out to sea and forgot the rice. So being adaptable they used pasta or angel hair and so Fidua was born ! Each town has their own version and they will assure you that theirs is the most authentic. Whatever version you will enjoy !
Oli Ba Ba on Oliva Beach is a favourite for pizza and has a fantastic view of the sea.
Guests who have visited us before have left ideas of where to eat too.
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