Emma Scott-Boon review 12 Jul 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Being surrounded by nature, beautiful rivers, great people - the Portuguese and the yurt owners.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Just book it - you wont regret it. Not enough mobile reception to make phone calls (a good thing for me) text messages possible though. Phone calls were possible to make when at the surrounding towns.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Totally. Off-grid, local water, local produce, etc.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
The perfect holiday...if you want to totally relax and 'get away from it all', but still be a short distance from Portugal’s 3rd largest city, wonderful towns and historical sites, great walks etc. Then this is for you.
Pete Saddington review 5 Nov 2012
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The stunning scenery was fantastic, the location pretty much perfect for a 'get away from it all' holiday. But the welcome waiting from Hannah, Derek and family was brilliant. Exceptional local knowledge, and friendly conversations over fantastic food really made this a holiday to remember.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Do not expect a 'night life' as such; while there are local events- we were lucky enough to visit over the local music festival season-
the location is quite secluded and a good drive away from any big nights out. If, like us, you are looking to escape the hustle and bustle of city life, this is near enough perfect.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, reduced environmental impacts or supported conservation?
Without a doubt. Many of the ingredients used in the home cooked food are home grown, and if not are sourced as locally as possible; the electric is solar powered, the water is from a natural spring and there is a recycling set up as well. It's clear they are totally in tune with the Eco-travel ethos, and while some would do it because its trendy, not here: this is a family who really care about what they do, and their impact on the environment; so much so that they even provide home made olive oil soap, which adds another little touch full of thought.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent. While some may prefer a holiday to be all bells and whistles, for a stripped back, relaxing break, with wonderful food, people and scenery, you could not hope for more.
Karen Kinnear review 21 Oct 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
The peace and quiet and the very comfy yurt.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Pre-order evening meals. You won't be disappointed. A hire car is essential to get there although once you arrive you won't want to go anywhere!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Solar panels, compost loo and local produce all help.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We had a great couple of days. The owners are really friendly and helpful. The yurt and it's garden area are completely private and self contained but near the owners home if you need anything.
Jenna Wills review 4 Sep 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Spending our evenings lazing in the hammocks and watching shooting stars.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring a torch - it gets pretty dark in the mountains! Pre-order some evening meals from the owners, Derek and Hannah. The area surrounding the yurt is very quiet with only a few restaurants nearby and Derek and Hannah are amazing chefs!
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, they have a compost loo and all electrical power is provided by the sun.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
We loved it. The area is really beautiful and with lots of stunning river beaches, it's perfect if you just want to get away from the hustle and bustle of city life. The owners (and their lovely cat and dog!) are incredibly friendly and make you feel like part of the family! They only live a minutes walk up some steps from the yurt and have great knowledge of the local area.
Caroline Howson review 10 Aug 2010
1. What was the most memorable or exciting part of your holiday?
Sitting out at night and watching shooting stars. Relaxing in the hammock with a drink. The friendliness of the owners.
2. What tips would you give other travellers booking this holiday?
Bring plenty of books to read. Drive slowly on the mountain roads.
3. Did you feel that your holiday benefited local people, and minimized impacts on the environment?
Yes, we had a solar powered shower and compost loo, ate local produce.
4. Finally, how would you rate your holiday overall?
Excellent, a very relaxing break during a tour of Portugal.
Meag Diamond review 7 May 2010
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.
Jane Sweet review 29 Sep 2009
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
Patricia Young review 21 Sep 2008
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.
Polly Perkins review 18 Sep 2008
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.
