Green Mountain Yurt | Yurt in Granada | Canopy & Stars
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Green Mountain Yurt is gloriously positioned in a hidden corner of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, halfway between the historic city of Granada and the Mediterranean coast. From your private garden terrace you have spectacular views of the ancient villages and terraces nestling in the hillsides. The yurt itself has been made to the highest of standards in the local village of Cadiar, and has been finished with elegant white wooden furniture and Moroccan rugs. Ideal for a sunny romantic break, it has its own individual space about with an outdoor kitchen and private bathroom, all about 250m from the house. Wander around their land and you’ll discover your hosts Robert and William’s main passion: the mountain garden, an ongoing project combining impressive formal gardens and more relaxed wildflower areas.
The area is a real haven for walkers and you’ll even find specially mapped out in-house guides created by your talented hosts; you can go hiking up in the hills or follow the ancient donkey paths between little Andalucian villages. Head further up for skiing, over to Pitres for the open air swimming pool or down to the Costa del Tropical for a day at the beach!
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Essentials
The important stuff
Check in: 4 PM - Please arrive before dark due to the mountainous roads
Check out: 10 AM
Please be careful not to fall off the terrace walls! There are also many trip hazards on the path - please keep children under supervision.
August 15th is local fiesta and may be noisy at night with live music.
Sleeping arrangements
1 double. Camp bed available for a child or teenager with a supplement of £6 per night.
Extra space available
Space
for 3 children
from £6 per child per night 1 camp bed in the yurt plus 2 sleeping in a small tent adjacent to the yurt
Space
for 1 baby
no charge.
Cots and high chairs can be provided if requested in advance
Kids & Pets
Children welcome.
Cooking
Kitchen equipped with an electric hob and an electric fridge
Cutlery, crockery and glassware is provided
Washing
Solar-powered hot showers
Compost loo
Heating, lighting & bedding
Log burning stove in yurt
Solar lighting
All bedding provided
Wifi can be used at the main house
There is an electric socket available for charging equipment
Robert and William are happy to pick you up from the bus stop in Pitres or arrange transport for you from further afield, up to as far as Malaga airport (156km away) But please note transfer costs are not included in the price of your booking and may not be available on your dates, so please contact them directly to discuss feasibility and price - approximately 100 euro each way.
By public transport
The nearest train station is Granada, 80km away
The nearest bus stop (alsa.com) is in Pitres, 1.5km away, or you can asked to be dropped off at the top of the road to Atalbéitar, just 200m from Green Mountain Yurt. The bus costs around 10 euro (each way) can collect you from Pitres for around 5 euro (each way) but this must be arranged with the owners in advance.
By car
From Malaga Airport
Malaga airport to Cortijo Opazo takes about 2 hours.
From Malaga airport take the road signed to Malaga. Just past the first roundabout you should get into the left lane signed for Motril and Almeria. This will take you up a ramp and over the motorway which you will then join heading east.
After about 1 km look for signs to Motril. This will take you onto another motorway, heading for Motril and Almeria.
Stay on this motorway, following signs for Motril. This will take you around Malaga heading for Motril and Almeria. At one point, after about 10 minutes, you find yourself joining a motorway from the left and the motorway then has 4 lanes. You need to move over to the left two lanes since soon the motorway will split and you want to take the one going to Motril and Almeria - the E-15 or A7 (they are referred to by both titles). Do not, at this stage, be tempted to take an alternative motorway signposted for Granada, just keep on the coastal motorway.
The motorway will takes you past Velez Malaga (convenient but not attractive shopping centre available just off the motorway here), Nerja (lively and popular town, possible place to stop for lunch) La Herradura (a calmer place to stop and have a drink on the beach, usually easy to park). When the motorway comes to an end (it’s still being built, so who knows, by the time you drive along it may have been completed in which case these instructions are out of date) you will be put back on the old road at just after Almuñecar, and you simply carry on towards Salobreña and Motril.
Just after Salobreña look for signs to Granada - you don’t get a lot of warning. Take the slip road off this road and at the roundabout turning left, go under the bridge and take the exit signed to Granada/Orgiva.
After two more roundabouts you are on another new stretch of motorway (Autovia de Sierra Nevada) Follow this towards Granada and Orgiva, but take the exit for Orgiva and the Alpujarras. This takes you down hill again and at the second roundabout turn right for Orgiva. Follow this road past the reservoir and along the hillside to Orgiva. There is a short tunnel after about 15 mins. After the tunnel turn immediately left across the river via the seven eye bridge. You should have right of way on this bridge, but check first before crossing as there is not enough room for two vehicles to pass. Follow this road up into Orgiva, going straight through a number of traffic lights until you reach the traffic lights by the church, then turn left here signposted to Trevelez, Pampaneira, Bubion etc.
Follow this road across the bridge and up the hill. Just around a sharp right bend look for a right turn to Trevelez, Pampaneira, Bubion etc. Take this right turn and follow the road past a number of villages including Pampaneira.
After about half an hour you arrive at Pitres. Stay on the main road through Pitres. You then cross the Rio Bermejo. The road straightens out briefly. There is a garage on the left hand side. Opposite this and slightly in advance there is a right turn signed to Atalbeitar. If you get to Portugos you have gone too far. Take this right turn down a steep tarmac road.
Cortijo Opazo is the first house on the right after a few bends. The door is to the rear of the house (the uphill side).
From Granada Airport
From Granada airport to Cortijo Opazo takes a little under 1.5 hours.
There’s only one road out of this small and friendly airport, so take this towards Granada – if the skies are clear you will see that you are heading towards the Sierra Nevada mountains. After 5kms you will see a sign pointing you right onto the slip road of a dual carriage way, heading to Granada and Santa Fe.
Once on the dual carriage way the road will soon split. Stay in the right lane for Granada/Sierra Nevada.
On this road, ignore the turn off to Santa Fe but continue through the traffic lights towards Granada (look out for the John Deere showrooms that you pass).
After 12kms you pass a campsite. At about 13kms look out for a sign to Motril/Sierra Nevada. As you approach the large roundabout move to the right hand lane and take the right turn towards Motril.
You are now on a sort of ring road that takes you around Granada, you don’t want to go in to Granada. At every junction just keep following the signs to Motril (ignore anything that says Sierra Nevada from now on).
This dual carriage way will take you away from Granada in the direction of Motril. After 53kms there is a sign for Lanjaron and La Alpujarra (junction 164). Take this slip road and turn left at the first roundabout. Go back over the motorway and straight over the next roundabout towards Lanjaron and La Alpujarra. The road is quite twisty from now on.
Pass a wind farm, and at about 60kms enter Lanjaron. You come to a small roundabout. Take the right turn for Orgiva. This allows you to bypass the narrow streets of Lanjaron. Go straight over the next roundabout (look out for castle on right). The road takes you out the other side of the town. Keep on going towards Orgiva.
At about 68kms you pass a campsite on the right. After a few more bends there is a BP garage on the left. After this take the left hand turn heading to Bubion, Pampaneira and Trevelez.
Stay on this road as it climbs up into the mountains. At about 88kms you go through the village of Pampaneira (home of many hairpin bends and rugs). Soon after you pass a petrol station. Ignore the left turn to Bubion, continue on the main road. After 88kms you pass a right turn to the villages of La Taha. Ignore this but continue into the village of Pitres (90kms). Don’t drive up into the town but stay on the lower road which bypasses Pitres. You pass over the Rio Bermejo and find yourself on a straight piece of road. On the left side there is a petrol garage. Just before this there is a turning to the right to Atalbeitar (92kms). Take this down a steep tarmac road. After two sharp bends Cortijo Opazo can be seen on the right hand side of the road. The entrance to the house is to the rear (uphill side) of the property.
You'll be expected between 4.00pm and 6.00pm - please don’t arrive before 4.00pm as the accommodation will not be available, but if you need to arrive after these hours please let Robert and William know and they'll make sure they're around to greet you - you might have to go look for them in the garden if you don't see them straight away!
If you have any problems, give Robert a ring on:
(0034) 958064018 or 646430656
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Food & Drink
At Cortijo Opazo
If you want to cook for yourself, you are welcome to use seasonal vegetables from the garden. For everything else, the nearest shops are in Pitres, 1.5km away.
Pubs & Restaurants
An up-to-date list of all the best local eateries in the area will be supplied to you on arrival.
Read more
Activities
Activities in the Alpujarras
There are tourist information offices in Pampaneira and Capileira. For much of the year (after the snow line has retreated) there is a bus service from Capileira up into the high Sierra Nevada mountains which allows you access to the National Park, the summits of Mulhacen and La Veleta, the Caldera refuge and other wilderness areas.
- The city of Granada is about 1hr 15mins by car and is a must for anyone who has never visited it before. Steeped in the history of the Moors the Alhambra Palace is a magical experience and offers a glimpse into Spain's past. It is advisable to book your tickets in advance. The city itself is extraordinary and many hours can be spent wandering its narrow streets and enjoying tasty tapas.
- Whilst our local villages of Pitres and Pórtugos have little more than food shops, bars and restaurants, close by are the villages of the Poquiera Gorge, which themselves have a vast array of rugs, pots, clothes and other artesan products as well as excellent local wines, cheeses and of course, the famous dried ham (Jamon Serrano) which can be tasted and enjoyed in almost every village.
- Treat yourself to a relaxing and theraputic massage whilst you are here. There are a range of practitioners, from conventional Chiropractors, to specialists in Chinese, Indonesian and Thai massage, all of whom will come to you. There is also a centre for Alexander Technique (The Alexander Music School) in nearby village of Ferreirola and a local acupuncturist.
There is also a modern and important health spa, The Balneario de Lanjaron, in Lanjaron, about a 40 minute drive from Cortijo Opazo.
Outdoor & Active
- There is a superb open air swimming pool in Pitres. This is open to the public from June until the end of September - there is an admission charge. The pool is surrounded by grassy areas for relaxing and sunbathing, and has a pool-side bar and restaurant for the occasional (or frequent) refreshment or ice cream. The pool is seldom crowded, even in August, and is a delightful facility to have within walking distance of your accommodation.
Close by there are several rivers, streams, waterfalls and natural pools where you can enjoy a splash and a swim in the most natural way there is.
At just over an hour's drive the Mediterranean coast of the Costa del Tropical can be enjoyed for a relaxing day on the beach. The closest resort is the Playa de Granada at Motril - a large expanse of sand with easy parking on the beach front - but a little further exploration reveals hidden coves, still undeveloped, or small town beaches with excellent seafood restaurants.
- The Alpujarras is a fabulous area for walking, whether you are interested in high altitude treks or casual meandering around the fascinating unspoilt villages. The GR7 path (Gran recorida, long distance footpath from Athens to Algeciras) passes a few hundred metres from Cortijo Opazo and there is an extensive network of other tracks to choose from. The paths are well sign-posted and are often old mule tracks - so the steepness is no more than a loaded mule can manage! We provide you with a folder of excellent walking guides and maps of the area. This includes some of our favourite walks that you can follow.
- Above the city of Granada and a further 30 minutes drive is the ski resort of the Sierra Nevada. This is a worthwhile day's excursion from Cortijo Opazo. Slopes open from early December and remain open well into April. Parking, hire of ski and snow board equipment, and lift passes are easy to organise on arrival. There are numerous lifts and the queues move quickly. Slopes are well prepared with liberal use of snow canons when required. The resort is at a high altitude going from 2100 metres up to 3300 metres, so wrap up warm.
- There is a choice of horse riding stables in the area which offer riding at all levels of experience from beginner to advanced.
- If bike riding is more to your taste this area is very popular with mountain bikers. Cycling is 'big' in Spain and many a weekend the roads are populated with brightly glad competitors. Locally there is an extensive network of mountain tracks that are excellent for off road cycling.
There are also opportunities for canyoning, paragliding, and white water rafting in the area, and there are a couple of good scuba diving schools on the coast. If you want any more information about these opportunities just let us know.
Nature and Wildlife
- Andalucia is a particularly rich area for bird spotting at all times of year as it is located on a major migratory path. Scarcely a day goes by when it it not possible to see an eagle of some description flying majestically through the sky or hovering over the valley, and at many times of the year the air is full of the mysterious calls of the Bee Eaters. During late summer we have often been mesmorised by squadrons of vultures flying overhead.
Birdwatching tours can be arranged through Birdwatch Alpujarra. They have a very good knowledge of the area and how to access some remote spots.
- Green Mountain Yurt is situated on the edge of the Sierra Nevada National park, a protected world heritage 'Biosphere'. The selection of wild flowers to be seen is impressive, from Dianthus Hispanicus, Digitalis Obscura to Phlomis Purpurea and many different types of orchid. On the high mountain pastures you may be lucky enough to see bright blue Gentiana Alpina, and at about 2000 metres in altitude, the Crocus Nudiflora or Nevadensis. Obviously in May and June you will see a greater range of wild flowers, but at all times of year, winter included, you will be rewarded with a delightful selection if you keep your eyes open. A good book to arm yourself with is: 'Flowers of South-West Europe' by Polunin and Smythies or 'A selection of Wildflowers of Southern Spain' by Betty Molesworth Allen.
- Over 100 different types of butterfly can be found in the Sierra Nevada - small wonder due to the great variety of plant life. Ones we have seen in our garden include: Peacock, Swallow Tail, Fritillary, Provencal Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Painted Lady, Common Blue, Small Copper,and many more including frequent appearances from the Humming Bird Moth.
- The Alpujarras is a popular destination for artists of all sorts and people find it a very creative area. Surprisingly, the small village of Pitres has its very own Casa de Arte run by local working artists. If you wanted to spend the day working with an artist this could be arranged, but the opportunities for just putting up your easel or opening your sketch pad are tremendous.
The quality and ever changing nature of the light in the Alpujarras make it a fascinating experience for photographers, challenging yet very rewarding for a practised eye.
Music and Fiestas
The fiestas are the life blood of the villages; to understand Spain one needs to understand the fiestas. Scarcely a month goes by without there being a fiesta in one village or another, and often a weekend will arrive when there are several, all happening at once. The highest concentration of fiestas happens in August, when many Spanish come back to their home village to spend time with their families. Music is an important element, as are fireworks and huge shared dishes of paella.
Otherwise, there is a healthy programme of music taking place during the year, usually organised by the town halls but also by bars, individuals and art groups, such as the Music in the Mountains festival that takes place throughout the Alpujarras.
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Meet your hosts
Robert and William moved to Cortijo Opazo in 2003 and set about converting a ruined farm house into a home and rural lodging business. Once this was up and running they turned our hands to their true passion, that of creating a garden on the 8,000 square metres of land adjacent to the house. This is an ongoing project, but the garden is regularly open to visitors and gets an overwhelmingly positive response.
Wildlife & the environment
Cortijo Opazo is situated in the Natural Park and on the edge of the National park of the Sierra Nevada. It is a site of special cultural significance and as such has a high level of legislative protection so that the ancient villages and terraces all around us remain unchanged with the advance of time.
The Green Mountain Yurt offers an environmentally low impact holiday. It was manufactured locally, crafted from natural materials. The hot water and electric lighting are run from solar power. All the water used in the yurt kitchen and bathroom are recycled to water the fruit trees. The toilet is a dry compost, odour free toilet, the contents of which are also recycled on the land after composting. The overall construction of the yurt and its facilities have left no permanent mark on the land - once removed the land will return to the exact condition it was before.
Green Mountain Yurt is gloriously positioned in a hidden corner of the Sierra Nevada mountain range, halfway between the historic city of Granada and the Mediterranean coast. From your private garden terrace you have spectacular views of the ancient villages and terraces nestling in the hillsides. The yurt itself has been made to the highest of standards in the local village of Cadiar, and has been finished with elegant white wooden furniture and Moroccan rugs. Ideal for a sunny romantic break, it has its own individual space about with an outdoor kitchen and private bathroom, all about 250m from the house. Wander around their land and you’ll discover your hosts Robert and William’s main passion: the mountain garden, an ongoing project combining impressive formal gardens and more relaxed wildflower areas.
The area is a real haven for walkers and you’ll even find specially mapped out in-house guides created by your talented hosts; you can go hiking up in the hills or follow the ancient donkey paths between little Andalucian villages. Head further up for skiing, over to Pitres for the open air swimming pool or down to the Costa del Tropical for a day at the beach!
Robert and William are happy to pick you up from the bus stop in Pitres or arrange transport for you from further afield, up to as far as Malaga airport (156km away) But please note transfer costs are not included in the price of your booking and may not be available on your dates, so please contact them directly to discuss feasibility and price - approximately 100 euro each way.
By public transport
The nearest train station is Granada, 80km away
The nearest bus stop (alsa.com) is in Pitres, 1.5km away, or you can asked to be dropped off at the top of the road to Atalbéitar, just 200m from Green Mountain Yurt. The bus costs around 10 euro (each way) can collect you from Pitres for around 5 euro (each way) but this must be arranged with the owners in advance.
By car
From Malaga Airport
Malaga airport to Cortijo Opazo takes about 2 hours.
From Malaga airport take the road signed to Malaga. Just past the first roundabout you should get into the left lane signed for Motril and Almeria. This will take you up a ramp and over the motorway which you will then join heading east.
After about 1 km look for signs to Motril. This will take you onto another motorway, heading for Motril and Almeria.
Stay on this motorway, following signs for Motril. This will take you around Malaga heading for Motril and Almeria. At one point, after about 10 minutes, you find yourself joining a motorway from the left and the motorway then has 4 lanes. You need to move over to the left two lanes since soon the motorway will split and you want to take the one going to Motril and Almeria - the E-15 or A7 (they are referred to by both titles). Do not, at this stage, be tempted to take an alternative motorway signposted for Granada, just keep on the coastal motorway.
The motorway will takes you past Velez Malaga (convenient but not attractive shopping centre available just off the motorway here), Nerja (lively and popular town, possible place to stop for lunch) La Herradura (a calmer place to stop and have a drink on the beach, usually easy to park). When the motorway comes to an end (it’s still being built, so who knows, by the time you drive along it may have been completed in which case these instructions are out of date) you will be put back on the old road at just after Almuñecar, and you simply carry on towards Salobreña and Motril.
Just after Salobreña look for signs to Granada - you don’t get a lot of warning. Take the slip road off this road and at the roundabout turning left, go under the bridge and take the exit signed to Granada/Orgiva.
After two more roundabouts you are on another new stretch of motorway (Autovia de Sierra Nevada) Follow this towards Granada and Orgiva, but take the exit for Orgiva and the Alpujarras. This takes you down hill again and at the second roundabout turn right for Orgiva. Follow this road past the reservoir and along the hillside to Orgiva. There is a short tunnel after about 15 mins. After the tunnel turn immediately left across the river via the seven eye bridge. You should have right of way on this bridge, but check first before crossing as there is not enough room for two vehicles to pass. Follow this road up into Orgiva, going straight through a number of traffic lights until you reach the traffic lights by the church, then turn left here signposted to Trevelez, Pampaneira, Bubion etc.
Follow this road across the bridge and up the hill. Just around a sharp right bend look for a right turn to Trevelez, Pampaneira, Bubion etc. Take this right turn and follow the road past a number of villages including Pampaneira.
After about half an hour you arrive at Pitres. Stay on the main road through Pitres. You then cross the Rio Bermejo. The road straightens out briefly. There is a garage on the left hand side. Opposite this and slightly in advance there is a right turn signed to Atalbeitar. If you get to Portugos you have gone too far. Take this right turn down a steep tarmac road.
Cortijo Opazo is the first house on the right after a few bends. The door is to the rear of the house (the uphill side).
From Granada Airport
From Granada airport to Cortijo Opazo takes a little under 1.5 hours.
There’s only one road out of this small and friendly airport, so take this towards Granada – if the skies are clear you will see that you are heading towards the Sierra Nevada mountains. After 5kms you will see a sign pointing you right onto the slip road of a dual carriage way, heading to Granada and Santa Fe.
Once on the dual carriage way the road will soon split. Stay in the right lane for Granada/Sierra Nevada.
On this road, ignore the turn off to Santa Fe but continue through the traffic lights towards Granada (look out for the John Deere showrooms that you pass).
After 12kms you pass a campsite. At about 13kms look out for a sign to Motril/Sierra Nevada. As you approach the large roundabout move to the right hand lane and take the right turn towards Motril.
You are now on a sort of ring road that takes you around Granada, you don’t want to go in to Granada. At every junction just keep following the signs to Motril (ignore anything that says Sierra Nevada from now on).
This dual carriage way will take you away from Granada in the direction of Motril. After 53kms there is a sign for Lanjaron and La Alpujarra (junction 164). Take this slip road and turn left at the first roundabout. Go back over the motorway and straight over the next roundabout towards Lanjaron and La Alpujarra. The road is quite twisty from now on.
Pass a wind farm, and at about 60kms enter Lanjaron. You come to a small roundabout. Take the right turn for Orgiva. This allows you to bypass the narrow streets of Lanjaron. Go straight over the next roundabout (look out for castle on right). The road takes you out the other side of the town. Keep on going towards Orgiva.
At about 68kms you pass a campsite on the right. After a few more bends there is a BP garage on the left. After this take the left hand turn heading to Bubion, Pampaneira and Trevelez.
Stay on this road as it climbs up into the mountains. At about 88kms you go through the village of Pampaneira (home of many hairpin bends and rugs). Soon after you pass a petrol station. Ignore the left turn to Bubion, continue on the main road. After 88kms you pass a right turn to the villages of La Taha. Ignore this but continue into the village of Pitres (90kms). Don’t drive up into the town but stay on the lower road which bypasses Pitres. You pass over the Rio Bermejo and find yourself on a straight piece of road. On the left side there is a petrol garage. Just before this there is a turning to the right to Atalbeitar (92kms). Take this down a steep tarmac road. After two sharp bends Cortijo Opazo can be seen on the right hand side of the road. The entrance to the house is to the rear (uphill side) of the property.
You'll be expected between 4.00pm and 6.00pm - please don’t arrive before 4.00pm as the accommodation will not be available, but if you need to arrive after these hours please let Robert and William know and they'll make sure they're around to greet you - you might have to go look for them in the garden if you don't see them straight away!
If you want to cook for yourself, you are welcome to use seasonal vegetables from the garden. For everything else, the nearest shops are in Pitres, 1.5km away.
Pubs & Restaurants
An up-to-date list of all the best local eateries in the area will be supplied to you on arrival.
There are tourist information offices in Pampaneira and Capileira. For much of the year (after the snow line has retreated) there is a bus service from Capileira up into the high Sierra Nevada mountains which allows you access to the National Park, the summits of Mulhacen and La Veleta, the Caldera refuge and other wilderness areas.
- The city of Granada is about 1hr 15mins by car and is a must for anyone who has never visited it before. Steeped in the history of the Moors the Alhambra Palace is a magical experience and offers a glimpse into Spain's past. It is advisable to book your tickets in advance. The city itself is extraordinary and many hours can be spent wandering its narrow streets and enjoying tasty tapas.
- Whilst our local villages of Pitres and Pórtugos have little more than food shops, bars and restaurants, close by are the villages of the Poquiera Gorge, which themselves have a vast array of rugs, pots, clothes and other artesan products as well as excellent local wines, cheeses and of course, the famous dried ham (Jamon Serrano) which can be tasted and enjoyed in almost every village.
- Treat yourself to a relaxing and theraputic massage whilst you are here. There are a range of practitioners, from conventional Chiropractors, to specialists in Chinese, Indonesian and Thai massage, all of whom will come to you. There is also a centre for Alexander Technique (The Alexander Music School) in nearby village of Ferreirola and a local acupuncturist.
There is also a modern and important health spa, The Balneario de Lanjaron, in Lanjaron, about a 40 minute drive from Cortijo Opazo.
Outdoor & Active
- There is a superb open air swimming pool in Pitres. This is open to the public from June until the end of September - there is an admission charge. The pool is surrounded by grassy areas for relaxing and sunbathing, and has a pool-side bar and restaurant for the occasional (or frequent) refreshment or ice cream. The pool is seldom crowded, even in August, and is a delightful facility to have within walking distance of your accommodation.
Close by there are several rivers, streams, waterfalls and natural pools where you can enjoy a splash and a swim in the most natural way there is.
At just over an hour's drive the Mediterranean coast of the Costa del Tropical can be enjoyed for a relaxing day on the beach. The closest resort is the Playa de Granada at Motril - a large expanse of sand with easy parking on the beach front - but a little further exploration reveals hidden coves, still undeveloped, or small town beaches with excellent seafood restaurants.
- The Alpujarras is a fabulous area for walking, whether you are interested in high altitude treks or casual meandering around the fascinating unspoilt villages. The GR7 path (Gran recorida, long distance footpath from Athens to Algeciras) passes a few hundred metres from Cortijo Opazo and there is an extensive network of other tracks to choose from. The paths are well sign-posted and are often old mule tracks - so the steepness is no more than a loaded mule can manage! We provide you with a folder of excellent walking guides and maps of the area. This includes some of our favourite walks that you can follow.
- Above the city of Granada and a further 30 minutes drive is the ski resort of the Sierra Nevada. This is a worthwhile day's excursion from Cortijo Opazo. Slopes open from early December and remain open well into April. Parking, hire of ski and snow board equipment, and lift passes are easy to organise on arrival. There are numerous lifts and the queues move quickly. Slopes are well prepared with liberal use of snow canons when required. The resort is at a high altitude going from 2100 metres up to 3300 metres, so wrap up warm.
- There is a choice of horse riding stables in the area which offer riding at all levels of experience from beginner to advanced.
- If bike riding is more to your taste this area is very popular with mountain bikers. Cycling is 'big' in Spain and many a weekend the roads are populated with brightly glad competitors. Locally there is an extensive network of mountain tracks that are excellent for off road cycling.
There are also opportunities for canyoning, paragliding, and white water rafting in the area, and there are a couple of good scuba diving schools on the coast. If you want any more information about these opportunities just let us know.
Nature and Wildlife
- Andalucia is a particularly rich area for bird spotting at all times of year as it is located on a major migratory path. Scarcely a day goes by when it it not possible to see an eagle of some description flying majestically through the sky or hovering over the valley, and at many times of the year the air is full of the mysterious calls of the Bee Eaters. During late summer we have often been mesmorised by squadrons of vultures flying overhead.
Birdwatching tours can be arranged through Birdwatch Alpujarra. They have a very good knowledge of the area and how to access some remote spots.
- Green Mountain Yurt is situated on the edge of the Sierra Nevada National park, a protected world heritage 'Biosphere'. The selection of wild flowers to be seen is impressive, from Dianthus Hispanicus, Digitalis Obscura to Phlomis Purpurea and many different types of orchid. On the high mountain pastures you may be lucky enough to see bright blue Gentiana Alpina, and at about 2000 metres in altitude, the Crocus Nudiflora or Nevadensis. Obviously in May and June you will see a greater range of wild flowers, but at all times of year, winter included, you will be rewarded with a delightful selection if you keep your eyes open. A good book to arm yourself with is: 'Flowers of South-West Europe' by Polunin and Smythies or 'A selection of Wildflowers of Southern Spain' by Betty Molesworth Allen.
- Over 100 different types of butterfly can be found in the Sierra Nevada - small wonder due to the great variety of plant life. Ones we have seen in our garden include: Peacock, Swallow Tail, Fritillary, Provencal Fritillary, Dark Green Fritillary, Painted Lady, Common Blue, Small Copper,and many more including frequent appearances from the Humming Bird Moth.
- The Alpujarras is a popular destination for artists of all sorts and people find it a very creative area. Surprisingly, the small village of Pitres has its very own Casa de Arte run by local working artists. If you wanted to spend the day working with an artist this could be arranged, but the opportunities for just putting up your easel or opening your sketch pad are tremendous.
The quality and ever changing nature of the light in the Alpujarras make it a fascinating experience for photographers, challenging yet very rewarding for a practised eye.
Music and Fiestas
The fiestas are the life blood of the villages; to understand Spain one needs to understand the fiestas. Scarcely a month goes by without there being a fiesta in one village or another, and often a weekend will arrive when there are several, all happening at once. The highest concentration of fiestas happens in August, when many Spanish come back to their home village to spend time with their families. Music is an important element, as are fireworks and huge shared dishes of paella.
Otherwise, there is a healthy programme of music taking place during the year, usually organised by the town halls but also by bars, individuals and art groups, such as the Music in the Mountains festival that takes place throughout the Alpujarras.
Robert and William moved to Cortijo Opazo in 2003 and set about converting a ruined farm house into a home and rural lodging business. Once this was up and running they turned our hands to their true passion, that of creating a garden on the 8,000 square metres of land adjacent to the house. This is an ongoing project, but the garden is regularly open to visitors and gets an overwhelmingly positive response.
Wildlife & the environment
Cortijo Opazo is situated in the Natural Park and on the edge of the National park of the Sierra Nevada. It is a site of special cultural significance and as such has a high level of legislative protection so that the ancient villages and terraces all around us remain unchanged with the advance of time.
The Green Mountain Yurt offers an environmentally low impact holiday. It was manufactured locally, crafted from natural materials. The hot water and electric lighting are run from solar power. All the water used in the yurt kitchen and bathroom are recycled to water the fruit trees. The toilet is a dry compost, odour free toilet, the contents of which are also recycled on the land after composting. The overall construction of the yurt and its facilities have left no permanent mark on the land - once removed the land will return to the exact condition it was before.
We had an amazing stay at the Green Mountain Yurt! It was the perfect combination of comfort and an outdoor lifestyle. The yurt was very cosy and we loved the outdoor kitchen. The bathroom had a high standard and the eco way of thinking was perfect.
07/07/2019
Helena
This was our first Canopy & Stars trip outside of the UK. The yurt is in a fantastic location, with views across the mountains. It is in its own private area within the extensive terraced gardens. The yurt is lovely inside and the kitchen and bathroom facilities next door to it are well kitted out. And all very clean. We stayed eight nights and didn't use our car after we got there, with shops and a few bars and restaurants within walking distance. William and Robert are great hosts, and also cooked a lovely dinner for us on two nights. They provide cards with useful routes and maps for a series of walks in the area; we did several and they exceeded our expectations. The High Alpujarras is a wonderful area to explore. All round, it was a splendid experience.
16/09/2018
Nicholas
We had a wonderful 4 night stay in th Green Mountain Yurt. The facilities were excellent and the yurt very comfortable. We loved the area and really enjoyed the walking and peacefulness.
04/07/2018
Patricia
We had a fabulous stay at Green Mountain Yurt. Friendly greeting and lots of useful information contained within the yurt. The site is immaculate and the views are stunning. Quiet location perfect for local walks although the terrain can be a challenge to some. Rob and William are great hosts and have a wealth of local knowledge to share. Great destination and we would highly recommend.
01/06/2018
Stewart
Absolutely stunning location with views down to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada's surrounded by beautiful gardens, great facilities in the yurt with separate private toilet and shower and kitchen facilities. Little bit chilly at night but the stove int he yurt worked a treat. Lovely meal made by the owners.
12/05/2018
Helen
The Green Mountain Yurt is in a lovely location with some beautiful walks and scenery around.
26/10/2017
Laura
Robert and William were great hosts, information pack on walks were second to none enabling us to have a stress free holiday. Attention to detail was excellent, everything had been thought of. Garden was lovely, dogs were friendly. High class glamping!
15/09/2016
Karen
Fabulous, relaxing yet plenty to do - exactly what we wanted from a holiday. The yurt location was off the usual tourist trails. The owners were exemplary in their support eg: detailed walking maps gave easy access to the landscape/mountains.
18/08/2016
Elizabeth
We spent five days at the green mountain yurt with our three children aged 10, 8 and 5. All of us had a fantastic time with plenty to do for all ages. The yurt itself was great. It was beautifully fitted out, very comfortable and with everything we needed. The views from the yurt were absolutely magnificent; sitting out in the evening with a glass of wine looking out across the mountains is something that I will remember for a long time. The kids loved exploring the beautiful gardens, playing with Ella the dog and the chickens. William was away during our stay but Robert was a perfect host, advising on trips and bringing us fresh eggs & courgettes from the garden. He was also great with our kids. During the day there was lots to do-as well as pottering around local villages & spending a day at the open air swimming pool, we drove up to the stunning mountain waterfall, & down to the coast. It would be a fantastic place for walking, although we weren't able to do this with our kids. Robert & William have created a beautiful & serene environment which is a world away from London & a perfect spot to relax & rejuvenate. We would recommend it to anyone & hope to return ourselves soon.
06/08/2016
Amelia
We spent five lovely days in a Yurt at Cortizo Opazo last week. The Alpujurran landscape was breathtaking and the yurt camp was equipped with everything we needed.
The hosts, Robert and William, were very welcoming and very informative. We really appreciated their local walking guides which we made full use as we explored the local area. We took advantage of the meal service the hosts offered and had perhaps the nicest meal of our trip sitting in their beautiful garden at sunset eating home grown food. Our little girl particularly enjoyed William's homemade pasta!
The yurt itself was very cosy on the chilly evenings and mornings due to the lovely stove it had and we thought the Cortizo was a really special place to spend time as a family. Our 16 month old loved getting to know all the animals on the farm.
All in all a fantastic first holiday with Canopy and Stars!
29/03/2016
Amy
Reviews
We had an amazing stay at the Green Mountain Yurt! It was the perfect combination of comfort and an outdoor lifestyle. The yurt was very cosy and we loved the outdoor kitchen. The bathroom had a high standard and the eco way of thinking was perfect.
07/07/2019
Helena
This was our first Canopy & Stars trip outside of the UK. The yurt is in a fantastic location, with views across the mountains. It is in its own private area within the extensive terraced gardens. The yurt is lovely inside and the kitchen and bathroom facilities next door to it are well kitted out. And all very clean. We stayed eight nights and didn't use our car after we got there, with shops and a few bars and restaurants within walking distance. William and Robert are great hosts, and also cooked a lovely dinner for us on two nights. They provide cards with useful routes and maps for a series of walks in the area; we did several and they exceeded our expectations. The High Alpujarras is a wonderful area to explore. All round, it was a splendid experience.
16/09/2018
Nicholas
We had a wonderful 4 night stay in th Green Mountain Yurt. The facilities were excellent and the yurt very comfortable. We loved the area and really enjoyed the walking and peacefulness.
04/07/2018
Patricia
We had a fabulous stay at Green Mountain Yurt. Friendly greeting and lots of useful information contained within the yurt. The site is immaculate and the views are stunning. Quiet location perfect for local walks although the terrain can be a challenge to some. Rob and William are great hosts and have a wealth of local knowledge to share. Great destination and we would highly recommend.
01/06/2018
Stewart
Absolutely stunning location with views down to the foothills of the Sierra Nevada's surrounded by beautiful gardens, great facilities in the yurt with separate private toilet and shower and kitchen facilities. Little bit chilly at night but the stove int he yurt worked a treat. Lovely meal made by the owners.
12/05/2018
Helen
The Green Mountain Yurt is in a lovely location with some beautiful walks and scenery around.
26/10/2017
Laura
Robert and William were great hosts, information pack on walks were second to none enabling us to have a stress free holiday. Attention to detail was excellent, everything had been thought of. Garden was lovely, dogs were friendly. High class glamping!
15/09/2016
Karen
Fabulous, relaxing yet plenty to do - exactly what we wanted from a holiday. The yurt location was off the usual tourist trails. The owners were exemplary in their support eg: detailed walking maps gave easy access to the landscape/mountains.
18/08/2016
Elizabeth
We spent five days at the green mountain yurt with our three children aged 10, 8 and 5. All of us had a fantastic time with plenty to do for all ages. The yurt itself was great. It was beautifully fitted out, very comfortable and with everything we needed. The views from the yurt were absolutely magnificent; sitting out in the evening with a glass of wine looking out across the mountains is something that I will remember for a long time. The kids loved exploring the beautiful gardens, playing with Ella the dog and the chickens. William was away during our stay but Robert was a perfect host, advising on trips and bringing us fresh eggs & courgettes from the garden. He was also great with our kids. During the day there was lots to do-as well as pottering around local villages & spending a day at the open air swimming pool, we drove up to the stunning mountain waterfall, & down to the coast. It would be a fantastic place for walking, although we weren't able to do this with our kids. Robert & William have created a beautiful & serene environment which is a world away from London & a perfect spot to relax & rejuvenate. We would recommend it to anyone & hope to return ourselves soon.
06/08/2016
Amelia
We spent five lovely days in a Yurt at Cortizo Opazo last week. The Alpujurran landscape was breathtaking and the yurt camp was equipped with everything we needed.
The hosts, Robert and William, were very welcoming and very informative. We really appreciated their local walking guides which we made full use as we explored the local area. We took advantage of the meal service the hosts offered and had perhaps the nicest meal of our trip sitting in their beautiful garden at sunset eating home grown food. Our little girl particularly enjoyed William's homemade pasta!
The yurt itself was very cosy on the chilly evenings and mornings due to the lovely stove it had and we thought the Cortizo was a really special place to spend time as a family. Our 16 month old loved getting to know all the animals on the farm.
All in all a fantastic first holiday with Canopy and Stars!
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Book with us in confidence knowing you won’t find that place cheaper elsewhere. All of the prices we display are set and matched by our Owners. (In this world of foreign currency, we do have to say 'subject to exchange rates' for some of our European places.)
What does ‘from price’ mean?
Our ‘from price’ is based on a four night stay in low season and designed to help you to compare different prices across our collection. Some of our Owners vary their nightly rates and check in days throughout the year, so it may differ from the rate quoted below the calendar. It is quite common (although by no means universal) for places to charge a little more in peak season or for shorter stays, to cover changeover costs. Consider booking longer stays during the cooler months if you’re looking for the lowest nightly rates.
Agency Terms & Conditions
Except where otherwise specified, we Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Company No 09088366) of Merchants House, Wapping Road, Bristol, BS1 4RW act only as an Agent in respect of all bookings we take and/or make on your behalf. As an Agent we act as an intermediary between you and the owner (‘’Owner’’) of the holiday accommodation (‘’Property’’) you will be staying in. We help to arrange reservations and bookings between you and the Owner and take payments from you on behalf of the Owner.
We are only arranging a contract between you and the Owner for hire of the Property and for any other services or arrangement you purchase from the Owner (the “Booking”). This means the legal contract for the Booking is between you and the Owner despite the fact that a payment for the Booking has been made to the Agent. Your contract for the Booking is not with Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd (Canopy & Stars).
Canopy & Stars is part of the Sawday’s family of companies, a majority employee owned business, 24% owned by a charitable trust and a B Corp. We accept no liability in relation to any contract you enter into in relation to Bookings or for the acts or omissions of any supplier(s) or other person(s) or party(ies) connected with any Booking.
When making your Booking we will arrange for you to enter into a contract with the Owner, as detailed in clause 1.2 below. Your Booking is subject to these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other specific booking conditions of the relevant Owner(s) you contract with. The Owner’s booking conditions may limit and/or exclude the Owner’s liability to you.
You may decide to make more than one Booking at the same time. The price charged in total for more than one Booking will always equal the prices charged separately for each individual Booking. All Bookings are available to be purchased separately at the same price as they are when more than one Booking is made. This means that any multiple Bookings do not constitute a package as defined in the Package Travel, Package Holidays and Package Tours Regulations 1992.
By making a booking, you agree that:
- You have read these Agency Terms & Conditions and agree to be bound by them;
- The lead name on the Booking will be the person responsible for the Booking and shall be responsible for paying the deposit and the full price, for making any amendment and cancellation requests and for the payment of any additional charges. The lead name accepts these Terms & Conditions on behalf of all persons in the Booking;
- You consent to our use of your information in accordance with our Privacy Policy;
- You are over 18 years of age and where there may be age restrictions in place, you declare that you and all members of your party are of the appropriate age
The Canopy & Stars online booking system enables Guests to make Bookings 24 hours a day. To confirm your booking, you must pay a 25% deposit (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of your check in date) and the entire Booking will be subject to the cancellation policy as outlined in clause 2 below. The Canopy & Stars telephone booking line is open Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturdays 10am to 2pm. When using the online enquiry form, for those Properties without online booking, please allow 24 working hours for us to contact you by telephone to confirm the Booking. If we are unable to reach you by phone, we will attempt to contact you by email. We will contact you during Canopy & Stars working hours (Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm and Saturday 10am to 2pm). Online or email enquiries will be dealt with in the order they are received, but please be aware that we cannot guarantee reservation of your selected dates until the receipt of suitable payment. Therefore, if possible, we do recommend that you book on the Canopy & Stars website using the online booking system.
1. Booking and payments
1.1 In order to confirm your chosen Booking, you must pay a 25% non-refundable deposit as required (or full payment if booking within 10 weeks of the date of your check-in). The deposit is non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking. These include, but are not limited to, marketing and PR, property inspection fees, Owner management, booking management, credit card fees and customer service.
1.2 Your Booking is confirmed and a contract between you and the Owner will exist when we receive payment of the deposit and send you a booking confirmation on the Owner’s behalf. This Booking confirmation email will be sent within 24 hours and will contain the details of your Booking and of payments made and due. If you have not received your Booking confirmation email within the specified time, please notify us as soon as possible by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk). Please check your confirmation carefully and report any incorrect or incomplete information to us immediately. As we act only as booking Agent, we have no responsibility for any errors in any documentation except where an error is made by us.
1.3 Once the 25% deposit has been paid, the full balance payment will be due 10 weeks in advance of your check in. A reminder to pay your balance will be sent to you one week prior to this 10 week date, where applicable, by email. We automatically take the balance payment using the same card as used to make the deposit payment. It is your responsibility to advise us if we should use a different card and to contact us by telephone (0117 204 7830) to arrange for alternative payment method. If the automated balance payment does not successfully go through as there is a problem with your card, such as it is expiring, then we will contact you to try and take alternative payment. If you do not make any payment due to Canopy & Stars by the due date for payment and at the latest within 5 days of this date, then with regret, we will notify the Owner who will cancel your Booking and terminate their contract with you. In these circumstances, your rights to a refund are set out in clause 2.3 and 2.4 below. Please note that if you have paid in a currency that is different to the original pricing, we will not be able to guarantee the same conversion rate that was used to convert the deposit payment.
1.4 Except where otherwise advised or stated in the booking conditions of the Owner concerned, all monies you pay to us for a Booking will be held on behalf of the Owner(s) concerned.
1.5 Credit Card payments are processed via Elavon who provide merchants services facilities to Sawday’s Canopy & Stars Ltd.
2. Cancellation by You
2.1 If you have to, or want to cancel or amend your Booking, this request must be sent to us by email (bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk) and will be considered and responded to within two working days of receipt. Please ensure that you have received written confirmation of any changes to your Booking prior to travel. Whilst we will always try to help, we cannot guarantee that such requests will be met.
2.2 Cancellation by you at any time will result in your 25% deposit being forfeited. The deposit is always non-refundable as it covers costs incurred and services provided to enable your Booking.
2.3 All bookings are non-amendable and non-refundable within 10 weeks of your check in date. If you need to cancel your booking within 10 weeks, the total cost of the accommodation including the deposit will be forfeited. Cancellation should always be in writing to bookings@canopyandstars.co.uk.
2.4 If you need to cancel your booking at a date 10 weeks or more in advance of your check in date, the 25% deposit will be forfeited. If the booking has been paid in full the balance will be returned to you, minus the 25% deposit. Refunds will be issued in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to book your stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used. Alternatively, if you paid in cash, your refund will be processed in the currency of the booking. Where this is different to the currency of the payment card, this will be converted at the current exchange rate on the day of the refund.
2.5 Cancellations made by you, at any time, may incur a £50 administration fee in addition to us retaining the non-refundable deposit. This represents the administration costs incurred by us on behalf of the Owner to deal with such requests.
2.6 If extreme weather prevents you from reaching your holiday, taking, or finishing your holiday, you are still subject to these cancellation terms as outlined in clause 2.3 above. We strongly recommend that you take out a travel insurance policy which covers this eventuality. In the event of the property becoming unavailable (such as due to fire or flooding), Canopy & Stars will endeavour to provide the Guest with suitable alternative accommodation, starting with any other accommodation that may be available with the same Owner of your Booking, or will refund all monies paid, or a proportion in the case of curtailment. The Agency cannot, however, pay any compensation or expenses as a consequence of such an event.
2.7 Cancellation insurance is available to purchase from many providers, but will be a third-party arrangement and not involve Canopy & Stars or the Owner in any way. You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for UK holidays and you must take out personal travel insurance for international holidays, including for illness and cancellation due to Covid-19. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment.
2.8 If you fail to check-in on your date of arrival your Booking will be cancelled and no refund will be due.
3. Amendments to your booking, requested by you
3.1 Amendments to your Booking can only be made more than 10 weeks prior to the check in date, after which time amendments may be treated as cancellation and our refund policy as detailed in clause 2.3 above may apply. All amendments are subject to availability and may incur a £50 admin fee detailed in clause 2.5 above.
3.2 If we can fulfil your request to amend your booking, any differences in price as a result of the amendment, will be paid by you in the case of an increase and refunded to you in the case of a decrease in price, e.g. amending your booking from low season to high season.
3.3 In the event that a date swap is offered, this will normally be agreed with a set timeframe to rebook and sometimes a credit against a future stay will be offered. The credit can only apply to a stay at the same space as originally booked.
3.3.1 If a date swap is offered, then the Agency Booking Terms and Conditions applied at the time of your original booking will still apply. Therefore, if your date was swapped within 10 weeks of the original check in date, the 10 week cancellation policy set out in clause 2.3 applies to your new stay, even if the new check in date is beyond 10 weeks.
4. Refunds
If a refund is issued it will be in the same form and ratio as the original payment was made. Therefore, if a Gift Voucher was used to purchase the original stay, the refund will be back onto a new Gift Voucher at the same amount as originally used.
5. Insurance
You are strongly recommended to take out personal travel insurance for all members of your party for your holiday, including holidays in the UK. It is your responsibility to ensure that the insurance cover is adequate for your needs, including cancellation and curtailment for any reason. Please read your policy details carefully and take them with you on holiday.
6. Changes and Cancellations by the Owner
We will inform you as soon as reasonably possible if the Owner needs to make a significant change to your confirmed Booking or to cancel your Booking. We will also liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
7. Cancellations due to events outside of Owner’s control
An Owner may have to cancel a booking due to events outside of their reasonable control (see clause 22). In such circumstances, we will liaise between you and the Owner to try and organise an any alternative Booking offered by the Owner, or a refund but we will have no further liability to you.
8. Complaints & Procedure
We always aim to provide the best possible holiday experience, however, if you have any complaint or problems during your stay, please immediately notify the Owner during the stay itself, so that the Owner has the opportunity to resolve the problem at the time. If you do not follow this procedure, there will be less opportunity for the Owner to investigate and resolve your complaint and to make your stay as enjoyable as possible. Delays may also mean that the amount of compensation you may be entitled to, may be reduced or negated.
Whether or not your complaint is dealt with satisfactorily, please also let us know of the problem as soon as possible by emailing info@canopyandstars.co.uk. We will aim to respond within 1 working day to acknowledge your email. We will then review your feedback and investigate the complaint. This may involve discussing your concerns with the owner, revising the website listing for inaccuracies, and reviewing previous guest feedback and internal inspection notes. This process can take time to complete, so please allow approx. 7 working days for a final response.
We also welcome you to fill in our feedback survey which will be sent to you via email the day after you check out. It is important for us to gather as much information as possible about the experiences our guests are having. This is what helps us support our Owner in fulfilling their potential and identifying if anything could be improved.
9. Our Responsibility for your Booking
Your contract is with the Owner and its booking conditions apply. As Agent, we accept no responsibility for the actual provision of the Booking. Our responsibilities are limited to making the Booking in accordance with your instructions and acting properly in accordance with our legal duties as an Agent. We accept no responsibility for any information about the Booking that we pass on to you in good faith. However, in the event that we are found liable to you on any basis whatsoever, our maximum liability to you is limited to twice the cost of your Booking (or the appropriate proportion of this if not everyone on the Booking is affected). We do not exclude or limit any liability for death or personal injury that arises as a result of our negligence or that of any of our employees whilst acting in the course of their employment.
10. Your Responsibilities
10.1 Please note that you have a contract with the Owner of the property. As such you are under a responsibility to behave in a proper, appropriate and legal manner whilst staying at the property with due respect to the Owner, the Property and other guests and their Property.
10.2 You are responsible for informing the Owner of any losses or damage to the property as soon as possible. Please note that you will be liable to pay the Owner for any losses or damage to the property caused by you or a member of your party (except reasonable wear and tear). Some Owners may also require a damage deposit. If so, this information will be provided on the website place page under ‘essentials’.
10.3 You must also leave the property by the check-out time specified on your Booking. If any guest behaves inappropriately or improperly (of which the Owner will be the final judge on their Property), or illegally, the Owner reserves the right to ask the guest and their party (at their discretion) to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period and/or refuse any future bookings from you. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11. Pets
11.1 Not all properties accept pets. If you wish to take your pet on holiday, please advise us before booking and we can check whether pets are accepted at the property. You must obtain the prior consent of the Owner before taking any pets to the property. If you take a pet to a place that doesn’t allow pets, or you exceed the number of pets allowed at a place, the Owner has the right to refuse you to stay at the Property, and/or they may ask you to leave the Property before the end of the holiday period. Please note that this would be without the right to any refund.
11.2 A nightly charge may be made by the Owner for each pet and additional terms may apply, you will be notified of this at point of Booking. Please check these terms carefully before booking and arriving.
11.3 Please do not leave your pets alone or unsupervised in the property at any time during your stay. For the safety and comfort of your pet we request that Owners exercise due diligence at all times, especially where the property is located near a road/livestock. Canopy & Stars nor the Owner can accept responsibility for the safety of your pet.
11.4 If any guest has an allergy to pets, please be aware that Owners (and we) cannot guarantee that a pet has not stayed in a particular Property. We and Owners cannot accept responsibility for any suffering which may occur as a result of such animals having been present in a property.
11.5 We ask that all owners of pets keep their pet under control at all times and to be responsible for ensuring that they do not damage the Property, livestock or vegetation during the stay. You will be liable for any damage caused by your pet. Any damage is to be reported to the Owner immediately. Any additional cleaning required, that may incur an additional charge, will be at the Owner's discretion.
12. Special requests
If you have any special requests (for example dietary requirements, allergy, cots or room location), please let us know at the time of booking. We will pass on all such requests to the Owner, but unfortunately, we can't guarantee that they will be met and we will have no liability to you if they are not.
13. Maximum Numbers
Please note that except by prior arrangement confirmed in writing, only the number of persons specified on a booking confirmation may occupy a property. Most owners reserve the right to refuse admittance or revoke a Booking if this condition is not observed and you are unlikely to receive any refund.
13.1 The Owner reserves the right to sue the guest for any loss, damage or injury caused to the Owner, the Property or to other guests and/or their property. As Agent, we will have no liability to you in these circumstances.
13.2 The Owner only supplies the Property for domestic and private use. You agree not to use the Property for any commercial, business or re-sale purpose, and the Owner has no liability to you for any loss of profit, loss of business, business interruption, or loss of business opportunity. If you do wish to use the Property for a commercial purpose, you must contact Canopy & Stars prior to confirming your booking.
14. Group Bookings
Not all Owners accept Bookings for a single sex group (for example, a stag or hen party). Guests wanting to make such a Booking should check with us beforehand to enable us to check whether the Owner is prepared to accept the Booking. We will then advise you accordingly. In event that an Owner does not accept this type of Booking then it is with regret, that the Booking may be cancelled, and cancellation fees may apply. It is the Guest’s responsibility to enquire with Canopy & Stars and/or check on our website beforehand to make sure that this type of Booking is permitted.
15. Pricing
15.1 Canopy & Stars reserve the right to amend advertised prices at any time on behalf of the Owner. We also reserve the right to correct errors in both advertised and confirmed prices. Special note: changes and errors sometimes occur.
15.2 Rates are set per place in the currency specified by the Owner. Where this has been converted into the currency of your preference, until the payment stage this will be an estimation only, based on a recent exchange rate. The original rate will be displayed before you confirm your payment and you will be given the option of paying in your own currency at our guaranteed rate, or paying in your own currency and leaving the conversion and any associated fees to your card provider.
16. Information & Accuracy
The information and prices shown on this website are varied from time to time and may change between the time you first view a property and make a Booking. You should check that all the details are as you expect prior to making a Booking. It is always possible that, despite our best efforts, some of the properties (including the features and extras available) may be incorrectly described and/or priced. If we discover this is the case after you have made a Booking, we reserve the right to contact you with details of the correct information and/or pricing and will give you the option to:
(1) proceed with the Booking based on the correct information and/or pricing, which may require the payment of an additional amount by you
OR
(2) subject to availability, change your booking dates to dates when the pricing can be honoured and so no additional charge to you. In the event that a lower price can be offered for alternative dates then the difference would be refunded
OR
(3) cancel the Booking. If we do not receive your instructions within 5 days of contacting you, we reserve the right to cancel your Booking without liability to you.
17. VAT
Many of the Owners of properties in the Canopy & Stars portfolio are not registered for VAT in which case no tax is payable. Where VAT is payable, the tax is included in the advertised holiday rental price. If the rate of VAT changes between the date of the Booking and the date of the stay, Canopy & Stars may adjust the rate of VAT that you pay, unless you have already paid for the Booking in full before the change in the rate of VAT takes effect.
18. Visa, passport and health requirements
Unless you tell us otherwise, we assume that all members of your party are British citizens who hold or will hold full British passports valid for the entire duration of the international Booking. Information on visa, passport and health requirements, where given and applicable, is so given on this basis. Requirements may change and you are therefore strongly recommended to check the up to date position with the Owner of the Booking, Passport Office, appropriate embassy or consulate or your doctor as applicable in good time before the commencement of your holiday. Prior to international travel it is your responsibility to check whether it is safe to travel by visiting the FCO website www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice.
19. Governing Law and Jurisdiction
These terms and conditions have been drafted in accordance with and are governed by English law and the courts of England and Wales have exclusive jurisdiction in relation to any and all disputes arising out of these Agency Terms & Conditions.
20. Discrepancies
In case of a discrepancy between these Agency Terms & Conditions and any other Canopy & Stars literature, these Agency Terms & Conditions shall prevail.
21. Validity clause
In the event that a court finds that a condition in these Agency Terms & Conditions is illegal or void, the illegal or void provision will be severed from the remainder of the Agency Terms & Conditions, which will continue to be valid and have full force and effect.
22. Events beyond an Owner or Agency’s control
If an Owner or Canopy & Stars is prevented or delayed from complying with any of their respective obligations under these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking due to events or circumstances beyond their reasonable control, the inability or delay in performing those obligations will not be treated as a breach of these Agency Terms & Conditions or a contract for a Booking. Examples of such events or circumstances include fire, flood and other acts of God, strikes, trade disputes, lock outs, restrictions of imports or exports, riot, accident, disruption to energy supplies, civil commotion, acts of terrorism or war, pandemic (including Covid-19), any national/local/regional government restrictions.
Thank you for wading through all the very boring, but very important stuff above.
Now the outdoors is calling, so go and get wild in nature!
We had an amazing stay at the Green Mountain Yurt! It was the perfect combination of comfort and an outdoor lifestyle. The yurt was very cosy and we loved the outdoor kitchen. The bathroom had a high standard and the eco way of thinking was perfect.
07/07/2019