Discover the beautiful Valencian countryside with our illustrated self-guided walks. The area offers breathtaking views and stunning scenery. Based just 5kms from the cosmopolitan city of Gandia and 17 sandy beaches, your accommodation is in a traditional newly renovated Valencian townhouse, which will sleep 4 (http://www.valenciaholiday.iowners.net) and is in a quiet area in the historic part of Palma de Gandia, a small pueblo sheltering under the la Safor mountains and surrounded by orange groves which stretch down to the sea. Ideally placed to discover the many National Parks and Nature Reserves of the Valencian countryside: the Costa del Azahar (Orange Blossom Coast), the Costa Blanca areas and the inland sierras around the Alcoy, Bocairent and Quadratonda areas. You will discover rugged mountain ridges, craggy limestone peaks and pinnicles, deep gorges, and soft sandstone ranges. Other walks will take into fertile valleys, paddy fields, orange and olive groves and the history of Spain will enfold before your eyes: pre-historic caves, snow wells (neveras), old medieval forts, deserted towns and Arab castles. You will not be disappointed. There are short strolls to 5hr hikes so there is something for everyone’s ability. These self guided walks will allow you the unique opportunity to explore these landscapes and experience the Spain long forgotten. Where the sun shines 300 days of the year this is an incredibly green region and sustains a variety of wildlife, flora and fauna. If you get tired of walking the nearest beach is 5kms away where you can rest or perhaps a bit of sightseeing – there is plenty to history for you to take in and Valencia is only 40 minutes away on the train. Some walks will pass through nature reserves where buzzards, kestrels, peregrines and griffon vultures can be seen. Wild boar, lynx, rabbits, hares and the odd wandering group of goats and sheep roam and geckos lay out on open ground sunning themselves. In spring, the area is heady with the exotic aroma of orange and almond blossom: herbs – lavender, rosemary and thyme – and wild orchids, broom, foxgloves and poppies and ferns hide in the fissures of the limestone. In the autumn the green leaves of the trees show their amazing vibrant colours with low lying scrub such as hornthorn, juniper and wild roses display their berries. If you get tired or want a change, the beach is only 5kms away. Valencia is just 40 minutes on the train where you can do a self-guided walk around the city sights or be part of the café culture and take in some museums and art galleries. There are plenty of Theme Parks and Safari Parks to entertain you. With lots of illustrated walks, most paths are clearly waymarked: PRV or GR routes - others are following the old Arab or Mozarabic trails which zig zags across the countryside. The easy strolls are often short but may be a little steep in short sections. The moderate walks are more demanding and are for experienced fell walkers. The very difficult walks are often poorly waymarked where you will have to have a good sense of direction: are often high level walking footpaths and screes and which are for experienced mountain walkers. When can you walk? Anytime! However, we recommend autumn, winter and spring being the best times: with the summer months being very hot so if you do contemplate this time of year, it is advisable to get on the hills or mountains early in the morning, take plenty of water, and aim to finish your walk at lunchtime. We are sure you will enjoy this stunning part of Spain and if you would like to learn more about the Valencian countryside, click onto http://www.valenciawalking.iowners.net And if you have been hankering after the “real Spain” well this is it – our small rustic town of Palma de Gandia is sheltered by the Safor Mountains and is almost surrounded by orange groves that stretch down to the sea. Our holiday home (featured on A Place in the Sun 2004) is a two bedroom single storey traditional Valencian townhouse that has been tastefully renovated and is situated in a peaceful cul-de-sac of 4 other Spanish owned properties where narrow winding lanes and quaint passageways criss cross with small squares and shady parks. Sympathetically renovated retaining the original Valencian features, we believe our home is over 100 years old. The ceramic tiles around the fireplace are original and there is a story that when the church was dedicated the priest came and blessed all the houses in the historic part of town. The traditional Valencian door has shuttered glass windows and decorated ironwork rajas’ and opens onto a spacious open plan L shaped living area with vaulted beamed ceilings. Near the doorway is a casual seating area. The formal dining area has seating for 4 and there is a second sitting area which has reverse air conditioning, a TV/DVD/CD player and a cast iron electric fire for chilly evenings. There is also a large portable gas stove and electric fires. Two bedrooms (1 double with ceiling fan and 1 twin) each with large floor to ceiling wardrobes and cupboards and window shutters to keep out the sun in the summer. The modern bathroom is fully tiled with vanity unit, wc, bath and shower. With seating for 4, the kitchen/diner has new kitchen units and appliances and opens onto the patio. The high walled private patio area has a southerly aspect and there are small shrubs and trees, garden furniture and gas bbq. Just seconds away brings you to the small Plaza de la Vella where Rosa and Jose have their bakery - ideal for your warm bread in the morning and as Jose and Rosa are learning English, you could practice your Spanish with them. There is also a hairdresser and a public telephone box in the plaza and a couple of Tobacconists in the town. Just round the corner is the butcher and a small supermarket and on the opposite side of the road you will find “Bar Palma” where you can eat home cooked food in the evening. There are various tapas bars, an English bar and a Chinese takeaway. Just 15 minutes stroll brings you to the restaurant “Aventura” where Moma has an excellent menu of home cooked food and delicious square pizzas. All the food is very reasonably priced and a Menu del Dia can cost from 7.50€ to 12€. Viva Espana restaurant on the Gandia to Oliva road has an excellent flamenco floor show at the weekends. In the evening there are some lovely walks through the shady orange groves or you can meander along the old narrow lanes down to the river. There is excellent fishing (permit from the Town Hall) when there is water in the river! An outdoor swimming pool is open in the summer months. For more information click onto http://www.valenciaholiday.iowners.net