Guest book
“Wonderful”
Hannah and Derek have created an idyllic experience.
The yurts are wonderful, and they have really paid attention to every detail.
Their food is absolutely delicious and their warmth as hosts makes staying an absolute pleasure.
The area is so beautiful and the starry sky at night is so romantic.
We loved every minute of our stay in this beautiful place.
September 2011
A
honeymoon like no other, we arrived as guests and were immediately
treated as returning friends. Derek and Hannah are professional,
friendly, and perfect hosts delivering quality food everyday to be
enjoyed right outside your yurt as the sun slowly sets. We have been
given memories of a honeymoon that we hold very fondly in our hearts
and will always look back on a perfect honeymoon.
The
surrounding area is a treasure trove of days out, with the national
forest, river swimming, and kayaking on the mondego river. And
surrounded by villages that seem that time forgot!
Could not recommend this more, and we only hope we can make a return trip in the near future.
Honeymooners September 2011
“Absolutely perfect”
We
stayed here for four days in August, and wish we could have stayed
longer. Hannah and Derek and family are perfect hosts, sharing their
beautiful valley with their guests. Their garden produces food for the
delicious breakfasts, and the surrounding hills mean you are really
away from it all. The valley is off the electrical grid, but solar
panels mean that the gorgeous yurts have light, and the private toilet
areas have hot water for showers. I spent one afternoon lying in the
hammock and reading a book and every other afternoon swimming in the
amazing rivers spots that Hannah and Derek can tell you about. A few
nights we arranged to have dinner made, which was absolutely delicious.
If your dream holiday is to stay in a beautiful, wild place but still to be well taken care of, you must visit here!
August 2011
We enjoyed every bit of it: the place, the scenery, the food (and drinks) Derek's interesting talks, the atmosphere, fabulous interior decoration of the yurts! spectacular views of the stars and the moon....no noise, only the birds and the trees, unforgettable experience. The children ask when we will come back! We wish you every success.
Janique, David, Simon, Luka and Myrthe August 2011
What a lovely week! The kids thought the yurt was a "palace" as soon as we arrived. The setting is amazing and we were so cosy and comfortable in Chestnut Tree Yurt . You have created a really unique and lovely holiday experience. Your garden and home is beautiful. The food has been excellent and the company of your kids has made it even more memorable.
Susie and family August 2011
When you book anything new and especially on the internet you can't help feeling nervous about what you are going to find.
Any anxieties were swiftly set aside.
The Yurt was really comfortable and decked out in very tasteful fabrics and furnishings.
Derek and Hannah are both excellent cooks.
Derek
made our 11 year old son a fantastic chocolate cake and Hannah always
came up with very well judged meals for all the family and we could
tell that if we had been on our own without the kids she would have
come up with some really interesting food.
I really enjoyed chatting with Derek and by the time we left I felt we had covered an amazing variety of topics.
Theo and Ella are really lovely kids and a really positive testament to the lifestyle which they have been brought up in.
All in all a really great place to chill out and relax
Matt and family August 2011
Things we enjoyed most:
- Enjoy the silence!
- Wild swimming
- Relaxing relaxing relaxing
- Great chats with Derek
- Watching Ela chasing the chickens
- And of course the YURT!
There is more but no more space.......
Ania and Lukasz from Poland August 2011
We would like to thank you all for sharing your private paradise with strangers. These three days were just perfect!
We will come back for sure...for the food the yurt, your kindness and good mood, for everything.
Vanessa and Miguel July 2011
We had a really lovely stay. Breakfast surprises, secret swimming spots along the river, friendly people, good food, wine and perfect weather. What else could you wish for your holidays. We shall miss it for sure.
Pieter, Annelies, Burt Jolies and Evienne July 2011
Our stay was everything we could have wished for!
Birch branch hedges
Working out what the six sticks at the yurt entrance are used for
Local walks and great river swimming
Afternoon naps in the hammock
Mushroom pate to die for!
Wonderful example of eco-friendly living.
Listening to the owls at night.
Jenny and John Antwerp, Belgium July 2011
“Out of this world!”
We
stayed in the Apple Tree Yurt with the Honeymoon Package. All the food
was included, plus a welcome bottle of bubbly, beautiful flowers
decorating the Yurt & thoughtful little pressies - candle, shower
gel etc. It was everything I had hoped for and more! The Yurt was
incredibly comfortable & cosy & every night we had a really
good sleep. I even managed a couple of daytime naps in bed too, while
Ady favoured the hammock which is conveniently placed in the shade. The
food was truly out of this world & I can't rave about it enough! We
tried things we had never had before - pork & prunes, pickled
aubergine & elderflower champagne to name a few - and were never
disappointed. There appeared to be lots of places to visit - we only
went to the river - but to be honest, I loved the Yurt so much I didn't
want to go out! The perfect place to relax, unwind & read lots and
lots of books! We will definately go back. Hannah & Derek were
fantastic hosts & made us feel welcome from the second we arrived
& their children Theo & Ella are delightful. If you are reading
this, then you are obviously considering visting so DO IT! You would be
mad not to!
Honeymooners June 2011
Some holiday places are good,
Some holiday places are fair,
But there's one holiday place that really stands out,
and it's yours coz your smashing so there!
Ady and Dell Honeymooners June 2011
“Heavenly honeymoon”
A
truly chilled out week. A yurt decorated and furnished like a plush
hotel room with the benefit of stepping out into nature. Just the right
touches to ensure a totally relaxed holiday. Hammocks, robes, the best
tasting home cooked food imaginable and hosts that are quite possibly
the nicest people we have ever met. Derek and Hannah can advise on some
amazing local swimming spots.
Julia and Jim June 2011
What a wonderful place to start our honeymoon!
I only hope the rest of our trip will be as magical as this.
Horseback riding, wild swimming, relaxing in hammocks, its to die for!
Thanks for an enchanting stay.
Niamh and Jonathan May 2011
“Amazing Honeymoon!!”
My
husband and I stayed here for three nights for the start of our
honeymoon in Portugal. I can't say enough how magical it was!! It was
just what I wanted it to be, the yurts were beautiful and cozy, and the
owners were sooo lovely, and it was in a truly beautiful location. We
had a perfect time just relaxing in the hammocks, reading, going
horseback riding, and swimming in the local streams. Stunning, and I
would recommend it for anyone looking for a truly magical and unique
place for their honeymoon. P.S. - I totally recommend adding the dinner
package to your meal... the food was amazing!!
May 2011
“This was exactly what we were looking for!”
If
you are looking for somewhere to relax / decompress / breathe then we
can't recommend Hannah and Dereks yurt's highly enough. Its lovely and so
are they and their children.We had 5 nights of deep sleep and good food
cooked by them, or in the local town.If you like wild swimming then go
there - the area is beautiful.Lots and lots of windy mountain roads,
but worth every bend.We stayed there on our way to and from Lisbon from
Madrid, and I think it's one of the best choices we've ever made for
our family.Thanks very much.
May 2011
Thank you once again for a wonderful stay we are so glad we came back!
We've had a well needed restful break and have enjoyed every minute.
Here's to stay number 3!
Matt and Emma May 2011
When
visiting your website we had high expectations for our experience here
and on arrival we were certainly not disappointed.
The comfort
of the yurt itself the hospitality offered by all (especially Balu!)
and our every need catered for meant that this perhaps too brief a stay
will be treasured forever.
Lazy days lounging in the hammocks braving the compost loo and filling
ourselves with a delicious breakfast and dinner meant that we are
prepared to move from the tranquility of the yurt and into the bustle
of Lisbon.
Thank you and best wishes
Lucy, Caroline and Dave August 2010
There once was a village called Pracerias
Whose route there was quite precarious
The yurt was not camping
Its even beyond glamping
Our old tent now looks hilarious!
You must stay here whatever you do
It has ants as big as Balu
If you are male
You can wee on the straw bale
I bet the girls want to try it too.
At night Del brings food for his guest
And they inquisitively perform a taste test
We devoured Allo Sag
And Dahl is our bag
And the sweets are just simply the best!
(And Derek serves it all in his vest!)
And now we return to the coast
Home to our friends where we will boast
of our relaxing time in a yurt
Chilled times a dead cert
To Derek, Hannah, Theo and Ella we toast!
Chris and Laura August 2010
After living two years in the bustling
city of Lagos Nigeria I was deeply desiring a spring break of rest,
fresh air, and a slower pace. Staying
two nights in the yurt was the perfect answer.
Many times
through out my stay I would pause to take in the sights of freshly
blossomed trees or the night sky full of constellations
I would pause to take in the smells of warm eucalyptus , fresh air and
earth.
I would pause to take in the sounds of the babbling brook and conversing birds.
Thank
you for creating such a hidden treasure where one can shed the stress
of daily life and ignore the agendas for a bit surrendering to a more
natural rhythm.
Meag Diamond April 2010
Thank you so much for five great days here on this beautiful and quiet place on earth.
This place is wonderful both when it rains and when the sun shines.
Thank you for showing us some unforgettable wild swimming spots.
Not only were they beautiful with clear water and so many tones of green around.
We also had them all to ourselves.
We felt a bit like Adam and Eve in paradise!
Camilla, Marc and Micheal (10months) September 2010
Honeymooners Harriet and Robert
What a wonderful paradise you have, hidden in the mountains of Portugal.
We are so glad we found you. it has been a delightful last days of our Honeymoon.
You are not only have the most glorious accommodation and food but Derek has inspired us
to get in the garden and start distilling essential oils.
We can't recommend this holiday enough.
Harriet and Robert May 2010
Honeymooners Kath and Patrick
Thanks for a great stay lots of laughs (mainly Derek's) and a week of just what we needed.
Perfect wind down after a manic few months planning our wedding.
We have had the loveliest of honeymoons .
Certainly the best I have been on!!
Such a romantic, restful beautiful spot with such wonderfully warm hosts.
We shall remember staying here always.
Thank you again
Kath and Patrick July 2010
We really enjoyed our few days in the Apple Tree Yurt -
One of the best holidays we have had.
The area is so peaceful and quiet, the scenery amazing and the wild river swimming really
memorable.
Fantastic hosts and some great alfresco breakfasts and suppers just made the
week for us.
Thanks again, will defiantly make plans to revisit at this time of year again- an
undiscovered gem, we hope it stays that way.
Hannah and David September 2010
Magical
Wonderous
Marvelous
and Glamerous!
Simply lovely to meet
you guys on
our journey.
The Yurt was amazing -
attention to detail!
Looking forward to coming back.
Lynnie and Louis - Apple Tree Yurt August 2010
Honeymooners Raymond and Janet
What a fantastic
honeymoon you gave us! A welcome card and bottle of sparkling wine to
begin and the yurt!
The yurt is certainly the most decandent and comfortableaccomodation we
have stayed in; so relaxing and peaceful.
The countryside around about is beautiful and although we did little
walking ourselves we can vouch for the great swimming holes
and spectacular scenery. All of this was brilliant.
What made our stay so relaxing however was your wonderful hospitality
and the fantastic food and drink...
Should anyone be asking us to recomend a destination for a romantic
idyl for their honeymoon we will be recomending
the yurt.
Love and best wishes
Raymond and Janet October 2009
Honeymooners Alex and Charlotte
Thankyou for a
wonderful second week of our honeymoon.
What a beautiful little nest in valley. We have felt so well looked
after with delicious food,
recommendations for stunning cool
swimming holes, help with arranging riding and surfing and a very warm
welcome. It has been a delight.
Alex and Charlotte August 2009
What a wonderful place you have here! Dustin has really enjoyed his birthday here it was everything we had expected and so nice to stay in the mountains, the stars are amazing this certainly won't be our last stay in Portugal. We love the yurt and can´t wait to see if you expand so our friends can join us too.
Ali and Dusti Williams August 2009
It is our final morning of our stay in our fairie dell. Reluctantly we have to say farewell to our delightful hosts. Two very short days and nights, but we feel rested and energised to continue our journey through France, Spain and Portugal. We have visited some places but I have a feeling that when we get back to Blighty to share with our friends this gorgeous spot will be at the top of our list. In the immortal words of Arnold Schwarzenegger "we will be back"
Malcolm and Yvonne Oldham June 2009
Honeymooners Jane and Pete
While surfing on the
Internet.
Looking
for somewhere new to jet.
We came upon a lovely yurt.
A different hol
that was cert.
We end our week now in this tranquil place.
Respite from
our usual rat race.
After discovering many valleys and hills.
Unspoilt
landscapes and old olive mills.
Friendly locals, clear flowing rivers.
Nature that often gives you the shivers.
So if P and Q is your main
desire
the yurt has everything you will require.
Hannah and Derek; as
hosts the best
they can't do enough for their paying guest.
Theo, Ella,
Mercy and Balu,
complete the family that welcome you.
So if you're
looking for a hol like this
and would like to experience some of the
bliss
Look no further than this yurt for two
and don't be put off by
the compost loo!
Love and best wishes
Jana and Pete - May 2009
This is the perfect
place to get away from it all- waking up to the
sound of the babbling brook and the breeze through
the trees is the perfect antedote to city living...who knew
that getting back to nature could be so decadent.
Jo and Guy - June 2009
When
we arrived two weeks ago we felt we landed in a fairytale, such a great
place. A wonderful yurt and thousands of fireflies wow what a show they
gave....
You've been really inspiring to us starting your life here
in Portugal and building your house and business here in portugal.
Great to hear! And the cooking mmmm maybe you should design your own
cook book!
Roxane, Cees and Laura - July
2009
The yurt is so cosy and beautifully decorated. We enjoyed some
wonderful moon light through the roof opening.
Aine and Mike - July 2009
We really enjoyed the
adventures of eco-living as you have managed to
blend in perfectly
with the untouched nature here.
We loved your lemon tree and vegetable garden and the Yoga session "a
la nature"
Peaceful, picturesque and enlightening experience.
Muna and Tareq - September 2009
I´m not sure either of
us knew what to expect on arrival, just getting
here seemed remarkable
considering the tiny road here. It has been an amazing week-our
expectations have been blown away-
the food has been astonishing- the prunes and pork loin and chicken
tagine as well as the cakes have been
spanking. I think we both thought it wold be a week of healthy eating
but I am very glad it has not been!
Thanks for making our holiday so good it has been nigh on perfect.
Simon and Maddy - July 2009
The yurt is so cosy and beautifully decorated. We enjoyed some wonderful moon light through the roof opening.
Alan and Emma May 2008
This really is a wonderfully relaxing and beautiful spot...The bird song, the running water near by, the tranquility and of course the yurt. I shall miss the stars. Thank you so much for making us so at home and comfortable. Tom and Laura June 2008 Thanks for a great holiday! The yurt is an amazing place to stay and was made even better with the fantastic hospitality.
Dan and Emma August 2008
We have had a fantastic time and have fallen in love with the countryside and surroundings. We loved swimming in the rivers, doing our yoga facing the sun and attempting a few walks in the hills. One thing is for sure we will be back!
Polly August 2008
Not since I first clapped eyes on Dr Who's tardis have I stepped into such a magical and wonderous world as this yurt. And whilst, unlike the tardis, the yurt is unable to move through time and space, who would rather be anywhere else than this pine scented Portuguese paradise.....All of you have served us well and when your time comes to leave this paradise, God will invite you into his, but you will wonder, will you not , whether the version you tested on earth was not indeed better.
Mike August 2008
When Dan first suggested honeymooning in a yurt I was somewhat skeptical. However, during our journey here and upon arrival my reservations were blown away. The yurt and its surroundings are incredibly beautiful and the perfect place to recuperate after a stressful year of planning a wedding! Add to this the best hosts one could wish for, some delicious food and a compost loo(!) and this week was perfect.
Honeymooners Dan and Hannah August 2008
I can't imagine a more romantic place to stay. I went to sleep looking up at the stars above me. And when I say stars I mean stars. This little valley is enchanted - with running streams - kitchen garden - and chestnut tree - I felt like I was in>a fairy tale. There can't be many places in Europe as undisturbed by commercialization as this corner of Portugal. A real treasure. The perfect place to come for a holiday that is both environmentally sound and classy!
Coll September 2007
I have travelled in many parts of the world, and frequently slept in tents, sometimes in very extreme conditions, so when I came to Derek and Hannah's yurt I had thought I would find myself once again confronting the rigours of the simple life. How wrong I was! Instead of hard earth I found myself walking on a beautiful wooden floor covered in Moroccan rugs, instead of a sleeping bag a delightful brass bed awaited, with welcoming fresh sheets and soft pillows. There were lights to read by and books to read, chests of drawers and tables, water and all mod cons, as well as the sheer delights of feeling that the yurt is so much part of the natural environment. You lie in bed, smelling the scent of herbs and fruit and the trees, the splash of water in the little brook acts as a lullaby, and you can see the sky through the light above you.I could wish for no other lodging, anywhere.
Hector May 2007
Having spent a party filled weekend in Porto it was a total contrast to drive into the hills and the stunning scenery of central Portugal. Hannah and Derek have created a special retreat in the most beautiful setting. It really is in the middle of nowhere but they have provided everything one could wish for and went out of their way to ensure my stay in the yurt was extremely comfortable. After a hot shower the goose-down duvet and sumptious bed were a joy after a long day exploring. The yurt is a fantastic base from which to walk off into the hills or find remote villages and beautiful swimming spots where fish are your only company. Breakfasts were a banquet including pancakes, boiled eggs, toast and delicious fresh coffee which set me up for the day. Thank you Hannah and Derek (and your lovely children!) for such a fantastic experience.
Sophie B July 2007
This was our first trip to Portugal and our first time in a yurt - going on this experience it will be the first of many. It is truly wonderful place to get away from it all. The Yurt is set up like a large, romantic hotel room with a really luxuriously comfortable bed and delicious breakfasts delivered to your door each morning. Staying for dinner was a real treat with Derek's desserts a triumph! Set in fabulous countryside with great views a short hiking distance away, what more could you ask? Many thanks Hannah and Derek, for having us to stay.