Portugal Yurt holidays
| country: | Portugal |
| location: | Near Coimbra in Central Portugal |
| price: | From £65 per couple per night, including breakfast. Special weekly rate of £400! N.B. We are closed between October and 01 May |
| more info: | Rental of a tent for children £50. We have an additional bell tent - ideal for children! |
| late availability: | We still have yurts available: 30th July - 3rd August 2010 (yurt2) and 3rd August - 7th August (yurt1) as well as 21st August - 28th August 2010. Book now before they go! |
| vouchers: | Gift vouchers can be used with this holiday |
| Holiday Details |  4 reviews |
Portugal Yurt holidays
Come and stay in our romantic Mongolian yurt, nestled in the mountains of central Portugal, about one hour inland from the ancient university town of Coimbra.
Whether you’re looking for a lazy rural retreat, or an active holiday in the hills, there’s no better way to get back to nature without foregoing any creature comforts.
It's self-contained and fully furnished, set in our smallholding which we manage organically. Olives, vines and fruit trees surround the yurt, our own spring provides the water and energy is solar powered.
The nearest village is ten minutes walk away, and has a café and a very small shop. The two closest towns, Arganil and Gois, are a twenty-minute drive away, and each has a supermarket, a weekly market and several cafés and restaurants. The closest airport is Porto, two and a half hours’ drive from here.
There are several natural river beaches close by, perfect for swimming and relaxing. You can walk off the property and into the hills, or drive a short way to access fine mountain walks, abandoned hill villages, country restaurants, lakes and reservoirs.
We can put you in touch with local operators offering horse-riding, mountain-biking, water sports and other activities. Or there are many cultural and historic destinations within an hours drive, from Roman ruins to medieval castles.
Walking Swimming Fishing Horse riding River trips Nature appreciation
Whether you’re looking for a lazy rural retreat, or an active holiday in the hills, there’s no better way to get back to nature without foregoing any creature comforts.
It's self-contained and fully furnished, set in our smallholding which we manage organically. Olives, vines and fruit trees surround the yurt, our own spring provides the water and energy is solar powered.
The nearest village is ten minutes walk away, and has a café and a very small shop. The two closest towns, Arganil and Gois, are a twenty-minute drive away, and each has a supermarket, a weekly market and several cafés and restaurants. The closest airport is Porto, two and a half hours’ drive from here.
special things to do and see here
There are several natural river beaches close by, perfect for swimming and relaxing. You can walk off the property and into the hills, or drive a short way to access fine mountain walks, abandoned hill villages, country restaurants, lakes and reservoirs.
We can put you in touch with local operators offering horse-riding, mountain-biking, water sports and other activities. Or there are many cultural and historic destinations within an hours drive, from Roman ruins to medieval castles.
traveller reviews for Portugal Yurt holidays
Excellent! I feel in love with the yurt style living and it made me start to dream about adapting more aspects of this lifestyle into my own. (more)
rooms, food and facilities
The yurt sleeps two; there’s a double bed, although children’s beds can also be arranged. 
A substantial continental breakfast is included, using local produce wherever possible. It’s served next to your yurt under a chestnut tree. Family & baby friendly: We are happy for families to visit but please be aware the terrain is mountainous. Extrabeds/cots are available for small children.
how to find us
By air: The closest airport is Porto, two and a half hours’ drive from here.
By train: The nearest train station is one hour from here in Coimbra a pick up service is available.
how this holiday makes a difference
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The yurt is situated on a hectare of organically managed smallholding. It is a family run business and local people and we do all the work. Yurts were originally the movable homes of Mongolian nomads but are very stable and ours stands on a strong, safe wooden platform.
We have organic fruit gardens and trees, a vegetable garden with raised beds worked with permaculture in mind. We have vines, olives and figs in the Moorish tradition and have restored this abandoned plot of land in the local tradition. We manage woodland with local hardwoods such as chestnut, cork oak and oaks. Local people have restored the house we live in, in the local slate tradition. Much of the food we offer is home grown, most other provisions are bought locally and we employ local people whenever possible. We provide full information about all local services and about how to visit local historical or natural sites of interest, or experience local events or traditional activities. We have extensive information about local restaurants, food specialties, cafes and local events and activities. Our power is solar power only, our water comes from our own spring. All our grey water is recycled and filtered. The yurt bathroom has an ecological loo. All our practices promote and encourage environmentally friendly and low impact behavior and habits. We hope to put visitors in touch with local tradition whilst enjoying and respecting the natural environment. |
Tourism can be good and bad for destinations & local people. We carefully screen every holiday against our criteria for responsible travel. 'Look behind the brochure' to find how each holiday makes a difference (see left). We don't claim to be perfect - there is no global accreditation - but we've led the way since 2001 and screened 1000's of holidays. We invite every traveller to write a review about their experiences and responsible tourism. This valuable feedback is sent to the people who run the holidays. We keep a very close eye on it and take off holidays that don't live up to our standards. |
 Reviewed 07 May 2010 by Meag Diamond | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
All aspects of the holiday were amazing. From the very moment Derrik picked me up from the airport and told me about the history of Central Portugal, to the dinners at the picnic table, to falling asleep under the stars, and to talking with Hannah about her knowledge of botany and the surrounding area. I loved it all. I left rejuvenated and inspired.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. I learned a lot about Portugal, the history of the area and a different face of Portugal that the typical tourist might not get to experience. Staying in the yurt with the compost toilet and the delicious meals from local foods was inspiring and left a minimal impact on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent! I feel in love with the yurt style living and it made me start to dream about adapting more aspects of this lifestyle into my own. I enjoyed the company of Hannah and Derrik as they were hospitable and genuine. I am hoping to return again as I found the whole holiday charming and relaxing.
| Reviewed 29 Sep 2009 by Jane Sweet | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The first view of the yurt in its little valley. Eating wonderful meals underneath the chestnut tree with Baloo and Mercy for company.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Travelling by train really added to the holiday. Try to get a walking map of the area. We only had a road map and would have liked something larger scale.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Absolutely fabulous
| Reviewed 21 Sep 2008 by Patricia Young | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Waking up in the morning to a bright sky, cool air, snuggled up under the duvet in the lovely cosy yurt.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Prepare to be very lazy and just do absolutely nothing but drink wonderful red wine and play backgammon.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, everything was really thought through to minimise the impact on the environment.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
I thought it was great.
| Reviewed 18 Sep 2008 by Polly Perkins | |
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The stars at night through the yurt roof and outside, too. The surrounding mountains and fresh air. The silence except for an occasional hoot of an owl. We also went swimming in the local rivers which was great.
The owners were very friendly and the food, both breakfast and dinner, was delicious AND the owner kept us up to date with the football results in England!!!
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
You need a car to get there and to use to get to the small towns in the area. We arrived by air at Porto and took the train to Coimbra where we stayed for a few days . We hired a car from there - returning to Coimbra after our stay. This made the cost of car hire cheaper. Coimbra is a very enjoyable city.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes. We visited the local towns.
We went to Luso and used the local medical spa facilities including a massage which we would do again.
We learnt how to use a compost lavatory and a 'hay bale' and we used solar energy.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a fantasic holiday and will certainly go again.
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