Thanks again all of you who already gave us tips and advice on Valencia.

Just a few more questions in relation to the rest of our trip to Jávea via the interior. The town of Jativa is on our list but we are debating whether to stay there overnight (is there more to see aside from the fortress?) or to drive on to Alcoy and find a hotel in that area. The road from Alcoy via Guadalest (the next day) looks interesting and from there I gather it will be a short drive via the E15 to Jávea. We would like to arrive there after lunch.

In short: what would you recommend to stay overnight: Jativa (Xàtiva) or Alcoy?
We will be traveling on November 1st, which is All Saints' Day. We know that many shops will be closed but how about restaurants? Should we stock up the day before?
Any recommendations for restaurants in and around Jávea?
Thanks again everyone.

Nov. 1st: All shops will be closed. Why "stock up"? It is only one day public holiday, not a week long.
Restaurants will be open.

Xativa ( or Jativa) has so many beautiful facades to admire that I would probably stay there. Hotel Mont Sant is up near the castle and has a lovely garden for dining as well as indoor. You can also get a light meal up at the castle now. I was just there the other day. Easy parking at castle and Mont Sant.

I have been to Alcoy a few times but for some of their amazing festivals.

That will be a very scenic route to get to Guadalest.. or you can leave Xátiva and go to coast via Gandia for a more travelled route.

Guadalest to Javea is only 37 km but takes over an hour. You could always visit Guadalest on another day trip.

We took a day trip to Xativa, walked to hotel Mont Sant for a meal.
A lovely spot.....the weather was very nice...that might be a deciding factor

Thank you all again for your suggestions. In my first posting on the subject I mentioned the fact that we will be staying in a house rather than a hotel once we arrive in Jávea on November 1st. Hence my question if shops and/or restaurants are expected to be closed on November 1st. In some countries everything shuts down for this important religious holiday which sometimes includes November 2nd, all Souls. I wasn't sure about this part of Spain.
Based upon all the advice we were given I'm sure we'll have a great time!

There should be some small convenience stores open somewhere.. enjoy your holiday.

Thanks very much again, Lincasanova. We look forward to it!
I did indeed check with a store in Jávea which informed us it will be open on 11/1. We just need a few basics on that first day. We plan to be staying in Javea with our son, wife and our two year old grandson.

Is it my correct understanding that you are a 'local' in Valencia? If so would you mind recommending a car rental company on the airport? We usually go for the large international ones such as Avis and Hertz unless advised otherwise. We will of course only rent it after our three day stay in Valencia. Thank you very much.

I would check all prices and go with them. Gold can be quite cheap but you must read fine print about petrol and insurance excess.

You can also pick up a car downtown near the train station which of course would be more logical than traipsing back to the airport if financially it is equal or less to rent from that station.

I am not loyal to any one company. Price and contract exclusions/inclusions are my deciding factor USUALLY.