We are located between Valencia and Alicante in an area known as La Safor, which is renowned for its temperate climate and is designated as an area of outstanding beauty.
La Drova is situated at the base of Mt. Monduver (841m). If you climb to the top there is a panoramic view of the La Safor region, and on a clear day it is possible to see the island of Ibiza.
The area is mountainous with numerous walks of all degrees of difficulty, but well worth the effort for the views alone. This natural environment is a refuge for a variety of flora and fauna. There are two dozen different herbs to be found growing wild on the slopes, many specialty trees and rare orchids.
The skies are dominated by the stately Royal Eagle - you will find it gliding above the crags seeking prey. Within the forest, woodpeckers and nightingales live together with weasels, badgers and an animal that has returned to the forest after centuries, the boar. The calls most prevalent at night are those of the fox, the little owl, barn owl and common owl.
La Drova and Barx have spring water sites, which make excellent stopping points for replenishing bottles when walking or cycling.
Restaurant Parpallo in La Drova village is famous throughout the area for their paellas. A taste of real Spain for our guests!
Barx
The historic village of Barx is located just 1.3 km from La Drova.
The village boasts many shops including, two supermarkets, a chemist, two bakers, three butchers, a bank, and a tobacconist. There are numerous bars and restaurants providing excellent meals at ridiculously low prices. A typical ‘menu del dia’, consisting of a three course meal with wine and coffee, costs around 7 Euros.
A weekly market is held on Tuesdays, where many bargains can be found, as well as fresh fish from Gandia.
There are many fiestas in Barx, the main one celebrated during the third week in August. This fiesta is in honour of St Michael and the Divine Shepherdess, of whom there is a statue overlooking the village. During the fiestas, there are lots of activities including theatre shows, live bands, fantastic pyrotechnic displays, with the celebrations carrying on throughout the night until 6am!
Gandia
Gandia is unquestionably the capital of the La Safor region and is one of the largest coastal towns and a rather well kept secret.
The Gandia sea front, almost 4 km long and 125 metres wide is characterised by its seemingly endless and well-cared for promenade and features a wide variety of facilities to suit all tastes. Seasonal facilities are installed on the north beach to hire all types of windsurf equipment. Sailing possibilities are complemented by a dinghy sailing school located in the yacht club.
Restaurants, bars and discos are the main meeting points on pleasant summer nights. The beach and the town are actually some 2km apart which succeeds in separating the summer tourism from day to day living. There are numerous designer shops in the tree lined town centre for some serious retail therapy!
The Palau Ducal de Gandia, a well-built construction centred around a large courtyard, is one of the most beautiful architectural monuments in Gandia. The birthplace of Saint Francesco de Borja, it was almost a ruin when it was acquired by the Jesuits in 1890. They started its reconstruction as they considered it a spiritual symbol of the order. It is now beautifully restored and well worth a visit.
Activities in the area:
Walking
Mountain biking
Horse riding
Mountain hiking
Climbing
Diving
Sailing/water sports
House hunting
Relax and enjoy nature
Visit the town of Gandia and historic Xativa
Blue Flag beaches
Inland tours
Enjoy the Spanish Paellia cuisine
Cultural and local events
Car rental easy to go….. special offers at: cheap car rentals see on our website on the left.
How to reach us by car:
DIRECTIONS FROM VALENCIA AIRPORT
On leaving the airport, follow directions for the A3 motorway in the direction of Madrid. Keep on the A3 (only a few kilometres) until you get to the exit for the AP7 motorway, and take it in the direction of Alicante. Somewhat confusingly, you will see the road referred to on signs as the A7, the AP7 and the E15, but don’t worry, it is all the same road at this point! The ‘P’ part signifies that you are on (or heading for) a section of the motorway that is a toll road. The road does divide into the A7 and the AP7 after a few kilometers, but stick to the AP7, which is the shorter route rather than the longer, old inland road. You will go through a ticket booth where you take a ticket for the toll. You give this up at a manned booth on leaving the motorway, at which point you pay the toll ( €4 ).
Keep on the AP7 until Exit 60, which is the exit for Gandia and the N332 road. Take this exit, and head in the direction of Alicante down the N332. The N332 is a coastal road, but incorporates a Gandia by-pass, so stick with the 332! As you go around Gandia on the 332, ignore all signs for Gandia and keep following the Alicante signs until you have passed through one tunnel. There are 2 tunnels - if you go through them both, you have gone too far! Take the exit after the first tunnel (there is only the one exit between the tunnels) and this is for the CV675, which is the road to Barx-La Drova. Take the CV675 in the direction of Barx (Gandia is the other way). It is 11 km to La Drova (just before the village of Barx.). If you are in La Drova, please continue driving in the direction of Barx - and we are located on the last metalled street of La Drova on your right hand side; Calle Esparterola. In front of this street is a bustop. Just drive up the mountain for 400m and you will see our sign and nr.28 on your right hand side. Welcome to Villa Goodlife! Please park your car in front our our gate.
DIRECTIONS FROM ALICANTE AIRPORT
Take the A7 toll motorway heading North (direction Valencia) from the airport. The toll barrier is not immediately at the entrance to the motorway, as the first several kilometres are free. Leave the motorway at exit 61 (the toll is payable on exit). This is the first Gandia exit heading north, and takes you on to the N332. You need to turn left on to the 332 after the toll booths (signed Gandia). Keep on this road - you will go through Palmera and Bellreguard - and after Bellreguard you will come to a large roundabout with palm trees. Stick on the N332 around the roundabout (turning left), and you will pass through a short tunnel. Take the exit after the tunnel, and this is for the CV675, which is the road to Barx-La Drova. Take the CV675 in the direction of Barx (Gandia is the other way). It is 11 km to reach La Drova (before the village of Barx.). If you are in La Drova, please continue driving in the direction of Barx - and we are located on the last metalled street of La Drova on your right hand side; Calle Esparterola. In front of this street is a bustop. Just drive up the mountain for 400m and you will see our sign and nr.28 on your right hand side. Welcome to Villa Goodlife! Please park your car in front our our gate.
Our terms:
Deposit : Minimum of one nights accommodation on booking For Longer Stays 10 %
Balance : 4 weeks prior to arrival
Payment : Cash or money transfer by bank
Confirmation : On receipt of deposit.
Cancellation : We are unable to refund deposits and must insist that we are notified in writing of all cancellations. Should cancellation occur within 4 weeks prior to arrival, the following charges will apply:28-15 days: 50% of total cost 14 days or later: 100% of total cost
