Hooting Owl Yurt Holidays, Andalucia, Southern Spain

How does Hooting Owl minimise its impact on the environment and contribute to a sense of place?

High in the Sierra Nevada Mountains in Spain, this innovative yurt camp uses solar panels to heat water, with an electric override if it gets too cold. The yurts themselves have a very small impact on the environment and are all the more beautiful for that reason. In terms of water consumption, grey water is recycled, and spring water is used for irrigation, as well as in the site's swimming pool. All water usage is monitored. There are compost toilets and warm eco-showers, while clothes and washing can be done in the basins provided, although guests are asked to bring their own ecological soaps as no miniature toiletries are provided.

The mountain valley surrounding the yurt camp is a natural haven for wildlife. The Alpujarras contains some 100 traditional villages set on the side of the Sierra Nevada mountains, home to the Mulhacen, Spain's highest mountain. There's a seemingly endless list of activities to do in the area, ranging from walking, climbing and mountain biking to vineyard visits and bird watching.