The people behind Yuva Eco Holiday Centre

We are an extended family, and offer you hospitality, while working in and protecting this beautiful natural environment.

The senior members were brought up in a small village in Eastern Turkey. This has given us a great love of rural traditions. We are a family business, linked to a wider project, which includes cottage industries and organic food production in other parts of Turkey.

Founder: Atilla Sevilmis is the oldest son in a family of 13 children. After university in Istanbul, he worked for many years as an economist, before co-founding a business trading in organic foods. His rural upbringing has given him a special love of nature, community life (especially dancing and singing) and the great outdoors.

Caroline Clipson, Atilla’s wife is British. She is a complementary health practitioner qualified in a range of techniques. When in residence, Caroline offers therapies including: reflexology, and Indian head massage.

Atilla's sisters Yuksel and Özgen are Yuva’s Cooks. With years of experience cooking for their own families, they prepare traditional village-style vegetarian/vegan Turkish food.

Nihat first visited this area in the 1980s and is an experienced local guide. He enjoys sharing his deep love of the forest, plants and wildlife. Having worked in the USA, Nihat’s English is excellent and he is often in demand as an interpreter. He is the centre’s technical co-ordinator, and he plays the Turkish flute.

Many other family members come and go as part of our team.

Bookings are made through our UK and European office, run by Nigel Walker, founder of VegiVentures Holidays. Before booking a holiday at Yuva, please read the ‘special considerations’ carefully.

“Stunningly beautiful surroundings, blissfully peaceful environment, warm friendly hospitality of Atilla and family, fun, laughter, adventures, resting in hammock, sleeping in the kösk at full moon! Please keep it exactly as it is. You can’t improve on perfection.”

Molly, secretary / PA, Yorkshire