Coast  

The nearest beach is 19 kms from Rugat.  The beach at Gandia has 5 kms of fine sand. The landscaped  promenade has been newly built, separating the beach from the main tourist infrastructure.  This lively area is full of restaurants, bars, hotels and shops,  July and August are very busy but during the rest of the year it is wonderfully quiet. . 5 kms to the north of Gandia is Xeraco, a large beach but less developed than Gandia itself, there are also restaurants and a nudist beach at the northern end.  To the south there are many smaller family beaches such as  Guardamar, Bellreguard, Piles y Oliva. We can also let you into a secret, a beach with a fantastic restaurant  for lunch and no development! 

Itineraries 

La Casa Vieja is at the top of the fertile valley of  Albaida, its is flanked by hills making walking from the hotel ideal..  You can make the easy climb to a ruined Moorish castle and survey the   whole valley and surrounding countryside.

The areas called La Costera & La Vall d'Albaida offer ideal conditions for walks of different levels, from a 2 hour stroll to an 8 hour hard walk, these routes use country rights of way and bridle paths that are well marked.  The international route GR - 7 crosses the area on its path from the north of the province of Valencia to the south.  In Xativa  a short walk(PRV-78),, circles the town  giving stunning  views of the walls and the old quarter.   At  www.vallblanca.com there are several short routes for either walking, cycling or on horseback.

The circle of  La Safor is undoubtedly the  most important,  a not to be missed walk.  The horseshoe crest crowned by jagged and sharp crags tumbling over the screes  are startlingly  beautiful offering one of the most splendid views in the province. 

One of the other remarkable routes is along the old Alcoy to  Gandia railway line.  This was built by the British at the end of the 19 century, closed quite recently on 30th April 1969.  The recommended part to walk is from Lorcha to Villalonga, an easy 12 kilometers either on foot or bicycle.

Towns, Villages & Landscapes

Xativa is 30 kilometers from  Casa Vieja.  Xativa, a monumental town par excellence, offers a rich historical and artistic heritage which can be discovered whilst strolling though the town.  Oldest archeological remains found in the area of Xativa are from 30.000 BC.  A Roman, Visigoth  Arab and Christian settlement, Xativa offers a wealth of diverse cultures,  From 1244 to 1707 Xativa was the 2nd most important of  towns in population and political weight in the Kingdom of Valencia, the castle being one of  the birth places of the Borgia family. 

Another town of great interest is  Bocairent, the medieval quarter, narrow streets, Moorish caves  and bull ring set into the rock face are united by the human effort with need to carve out space from the hard rock on which Bocairent was built. 

The Ducal  city of Gandia is a mix of the temperaments of  the Safor district, Sea, Mountain and Beach provide an interminable source of interest year round.   Its beauty captivated  Jaime I and Pope Alejandro VI, from the Borgia saga, incorporating the city into the international cultural circuit of the 15th century.  The Borgia dynasty, conspirators of palace and church, became famous in the whole of the Mediterranean

Guadalest, sited on the top of a crag, the houses built into the rock face,  dominates a  whole valley. The village of historical interest, is divided into two.  To get to the medieval castle area, a rock tunnel has been excavated, the castle itself, hanging from the crag,  The Arrabal district, spreading over the mountain side, has numerous artisans shops and restaurants.  The trip from Alcoy is of outstanding beauty, being the best way to approach the village, shame that there are so many people that think Guadalest is worth the visit. 

A visit to the city of Valencia must not be missed.  The 50 minute train journey from Xeraco (easy parking) is unforgettable, through the great  rice fields and orange groves, with gentle classical music in the background, it is the very best way to get to the heart of the city. There are so many interesting things to see that return visits are a must.  Founded by the Romans, Valencia has been the home of many cultures, Visgothes, Moors....  On a modern note, the Cuidad de Las Artes y Ciencias (The Science & Arts City), in part designed by the Spanish architect Calatrava, is the largest cultural complex in Europe.  It houses an aquarium, science museum, planetarium etc. 

One of the most intrinsic landscapes near to the Mediterranean coast is the Albufera.  Between rice fields and the sea,  closed in by the geological silt of the estuaries of the rivers Turia & Jucar lies this nature reserve.  A paradise home for migrating birds  and its own residents, it is the breathing space for surrounding counties and villages.  At under an hour from Rugat, this sweet water lake  & nearest village of El Palmar is a definate yes, the visitor can take a typical boat ride with the fishermen of the area to see the large grey heron rising over the bows as you wind your way through the reed beds, home to many different breeds of bird.  Sunset over the lake is breathtaking. .  

Sports 

Horse riding, rock climbing, hot air ballooning, golf and tennis are some of the activities that can be arranged from the hotel.  There are a minimum of 6 world class golf courses within easy striking distance of the hotel.    

Local Services

Rugat itself, has a chemist and a doctors surgery,  In Castelló  de Rugat, at 1 mile, there are banks, cash points, shops, bars and cafes, opticians etc  and a small weekly fruit & vegetable market.  There is also a large 24 hour National Health call in centre. 

Fiesta y Culture

During your stay you will be able to discover the meaning of the word 'Fiesta', enjoying  lively local feast days. From March 15th. to 19th.  there are Fallas (Valencia, Gandia & large  towns),  Moors & Christians and of course the Easter celebrations. All these festivities have been declared as national  interest.  The coastal fiesta in honor of the Virgin Carmen, patron saint of sailors (July 16th.),the night of  Saint Joan (24th. June), and the celebrations in Gandia in honor of the Borgia family (29th. September to 3rd. October) are some of the larger ones.  Each village has its own patron saint, celebrated  during 4 or 5 days each year with music, street dances, fireworks and processions.  These are not for the faint hearted and last throughout the night.  Rugat has its special days during the last weekend in July.

Gastronomy

Rice & fish  form the basis of the cooking in the coastal area of Valencia.  In Gandia Fideua s the dish par excellence, similar to paella it is of seafood and pasta instead of rice.  Inland cooking still uses rice but also try the local stews and hotpots, not forgetting the local sweet treats, often using almonds and honey.  Oranges, of course, must not be overlooked.  Valencia cuisine is abundant in nature and like the fiestas is not for the faint of heart.

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