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 5/5
Need to
Unwind -
Look No
Further
Review Submitted:
August 18,
2009 Date of Stay: July 2009
This place is pure
bliss. Even after we had read all the reviews and watched the video clips
giving us a flavour of Northern Portugal, our first impressions exceeded all
expectations. What more could we need - spacious, tasteful fully equipped
accommodation, a beautiful garden with plenty of places to soak up the sun
or relax in dappled shade, and an amazing salt water swimming pool with
panoramic backdrop. Eunice and Mark are an especially warm, caring couple
who will make sure you leave Yavanna wanting to return. This region of
Portugal offers an insight into the sort of life we are all now trying to
live. Forget fast food chains and traffic queues and enjoy a wealth of
outdoor activities, simple but tasty food and stunning scenery.
5/5
Review Submitted: July 8,
2009 Date of Stay: June 2009
We got incredibly lucky finding Yavanna, with its gorgeous
houses, lovely setting and fantastic hosts. We stayed for a week in June,
two families with two kids each. The houses are simply done, in great taste.
The kitchens have everything you need for cooking at home, and the picnic
tables and various eating areas are beautiful. We all loved the pool, the
large grassy area, and the gardens. Plus, there's an amazing movie
selection, which we watched in the evening or during the occasional rain
showers. The hosts were incredibly welcoming and helpful when we wanted to
kayak, water ski and go to a local market. All in all, the experience was
one of the best we've ever had in our travels and we highly recommend it. We
only wish it weren't so far from San Francisco.
Review
Submitted: July 25, 2009
Date of Stay:
June 2009
We loved Yavanna
and fell in love with northern
Portugal. The place is so
welcoming and peaceful that we
didn't feel the need venture out
very much, although there is no
shortage of excursions. We were
two families there, and our
children, between 8 and 12,
loved Yavanna and made us
promise to go back. Yavanna is
obviously loved by Eunice and
Mark (the owners)...it shows in
the details. They are very
upfront about things that could
effect guests, like animal
noises at night (which didn't
bother me in the least). We took
lovely walks from the house,
went kayaking, had BBQs, and
more. We have done many vacation
rentals and Yavanna is
definitely at the top of the
list.
5/5
Review
Submitted:
June 9, 2009
Date of
Stay:
May 2009
Two of us
had a
wonderful
month of May
at Casa
Gabriel.
During the
time we were
there we
were joined
by two
friends and
subsequently
by our two
daughters
and their
partners. We
all agreed
that the
peaceful
tranquillity
of Yavanna
and the
unobtrusive
hospitality
of Eunice
and Mark
contributed
greatly to
our
enjoyment. Casa
Gabriel is a
lovely house
with 3
bedrooms all
en-suite and
an ideal
location for
visiting the
many
beautiful
places
within easy
driving
distance.
The fruit
trees,
gardens,
swimming
pool,
surrounding
countryside,
restaurants
and clean
fresh air
all helped
to make this
a holiday we
will
remember.
5/5
Yavanna July 2009
cmcrda Derbyshire
Review Submitted: August 26, 2009 Date of Stay: July 2009
We have spent a wonderful 2 weeks at Yavanna. Our 3 families 12 people in total), with 6 children ranging from 11 to 14 years old, had a great time. The children especially enjoyed the pool and kayaking on the Minho river.
We all enjoyed Sian's port tasting and paella evening! If possible we would definitely recommend booking Sian for at least one evening to anyone staying at Yavanna.
There are plenty of places to visit in the area with endless beaches where you can always find a quiet place away from crowds of people. The gardens at Yavanna are beautiful and there are several areas to sit or sunbathe in.
The scenery in Northern Portugal is lovely ranging from picturesque towns to stunning countryside.
Finally we have to mention the warm welcome we received from Eunice who was always helpful but never intrusive.
5/5
Review
Submitted:
May 5, 2009 Date of Stay:
April 2009
Eunice and Mark
made us feel so welcome from the
moment we arrived, despite an
early dip in the pool by our
fully clothed son-his older
brother swears it was an
accident! The pool was fab, even
on a chilly day in April.
Sitting at the granite table
sipping Yavanna wine on the
first evening was pure bliss.
The
houses are beautifully decorated
and every need is catered for.
The gardens are ample even for
the most active families-Mark is
sometimes up for a game of
footie which balances out the
teams! Our sons loved the
kayaking on the Minho-an amazing
way to see the countryside. A
bike ride along the winding lanes
is a must according to Kareem
aged 10. Eating out is a bit hit
and miss and it is ridiculously
easy to over-order. The beaches
are beautiful and windswept as
only Atlantic coast beaches can
be. Information sheets are
provided on arrival at Yavanna.
These provide details of local
beaches and towns. A trip to
Spain is easy as it is only 20
minutes away! Northern Portugal
is very beautiful but if we
return it will be for the
wonderful peaceful Yavanna.
5/5
Wonderful Holidays
HJK1
Germany
Review
Submitted:
September 6, 2009 Date of Stay:
July 2009
We have been in Yavanna for
nearly 3 weeks. We lived in both
houses and enjoyed it very much.
Both houses are very special an
we don't know which house we
loved more. It was a nice feeing
living in a typical Portuguese
house.
5/5
Review
Submitted:
February 16, 2009 Date of
Stay:
July 2008
I agree with the
previous review entirely. We
were two families with children
aged 11,13,15 & 16.
Pool area and gardens superb,
beautiful location, fabulous
views.
I would add that the kitchen is
very well equipped and the whole
property maintained to very high
standards.
Eunice is clearly devoted to the
project and to offering tourism
with a low impact on the local
traditions and culture. Also the
cleaning team of local ladies
were delightful and very
friendly.
It was good value even in August
but I understand you could get
good rates on only part of the
property out of season. I'd love
to return with just my wife for
a romantic getaway.
Highly recommended
5/5
Review
Submitted:
November 11, 2008 Date of
Stay:
August 2008
We went to
Yavanna as a group of 6 adults
and one 12 year old girl. The
welcome from Eunice and Mark was
so warm, the house and gardens
were given over to us but it was
also lovely have them both just
down the garden.
Yavanna and the surrounding
gardens are beautiful. The
pictures on the website cannot
fully show how much land is at
your disposal.
All the facilities are well
above what we expected. The
bedrooms all have amazing views
over the valley to the hills in
the background.
The pool - well its amazing -
huge - much bigger than we
expected and was used by us
everyday. Breakfasts, lunches
and evening were all enjoyed in
different parts of the gardens -
a new experience every time.
The local area is great to
explore and the local bars are
so inexpensive that we brought
money back home!
The gents in the team went
cycling - directions and bikes
kindly provided by Mark - not
too strenuous and many bars
visited by them.
Kayaking was enjoyed by the
team, again recommended by
Eunice - and all had a great
time.
The local villages have great
restaurants - and evening
shopping - what lovely memories.
Hope to visit again soon - so
much left to see and enjoy.
We would all recommend this
venue for the welcome, the
facilities, the view, the
beaches, the chance to nip over
to Spain and so much more.
5/5
Unspoilt place to have a nice
holiday
Review
Submitted:
July 15, 2008 Date of
Stay:
August 2007
Together with
another family, we stayed at
Yavanna in August 2007 and had a
fantastic time. The house is
beautifully renovated with a
fantastic pool, located in a
rural area that takes you right
to the heart of traditional
Portugal. We were also very
close to Spain so had many
things to do: we visited
beaches, national parks, did
canoeing and swam in the Minho
river, visited towns and
villages in the region. You need
a car, but the place is also
great for cycling specially for
those not too afraid of hills.
It was a great holiday for all
of us, children and adults.
5/5
Review
Submitted:
July 13, 2008 Date of
Stay:
March 2008
We stayed at
Yavanna over Easter 2008.
Overall, we had a lovely
relaxing time, and would
definitely recommend the
accommodation and area to anyone
considering a visit. The house
and gardens were attractive and
peaceful, with lovely mountain
views, and a large swimming pool
area - the water was clean and
warm. The villa itself was
clean, well equipped and had
everything we needed. The owner
(Eunice) was on hand with help
and advice, and looked after us
well, but also allowed us our
privacy. There was plenty to see
and do in the area, and we made
good use of the bikes, as well
as kayaking in the Minho River,
swimming in the sea, surfing,
trips into Spain etc. It was
great to find an unspoilt part
of the world not overrun with
tourists, and we'll be back next
year. Definitely recommended !!
Negatives - none
5/5
D & P Adelaide, Australia
Review Submitted: June 19, 2008 Date of Stay: May 2008
We were a group of 4 couples (all about 60 yo) who stayed at Yavanna in May 2008 and enjoyed our stay very much. The accommodation is first class and the garden and pool area is lovely. There was plenty for us to do; walking, cycling, canoeing on the River Minho, sightseeing and just relaxing (great choice of DVDs). Eunice and Mark were perfect hosts and very helpful in providing suggestions and making arrangements for us.
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