photo by The Resort at Paws Up

Glamorous camping adventures await!
by Lydia Brown

Recently, a global trend has caught fire, offering outdoor enthusiasts an upgrade on rest and recreation. It’s called “glamping”, a new word for a new kind of travel, defined as glamorous camping. When you’re glamping, there’s no tent to pitch, no sleeping bag to unroll, no fire to build. Whether in a tent, yurt, airstream, hut, villa or treehouse, glamping is a way to experience the great outdoors without sacrificing luxury.  For those of you who have been on safari in Africa and stayed in a tented safari camp you will have somewhat of an idea of what it’s all about.

Glamping is a  fusion of glamour and camping and has emerged globally and has come across the Atlantic over the last decade. Both independent properties and global hospitality brands have capitalized on a jettisoning demand for travelers who want to experience the positive aspects of camping without the ‘uncomfortable’ negatives. Glamping pivots on a high level of service that focuses on complete comfort for guests. The amenities found at glamping destinations far exceed anything that recreational campers experience.

Glamping options run the gamut from tents, to over the water bungalows, to huts, pods, cubes, tree-houses, airstreams, jungle lodges and more.   Let me give you a little insight into the accommodations.

Tents: Glamping tents are a far cry from the do-it-yourself tent in a bag. They offer amenities like comfortable beds and in some cases ensuite bathroom facilities.  Everything is set up for you. There is no tent to pitch.  All you have to do is relax and enjoy the unique experience provided by these luxury tents.

Villas & Huts: Whether you choose overwater glamping huts in the Maldives, a cottage in Indonesia or a beachfront glamping villa in New Zealand or Figi, there is a  stellar collection of glamping accommodations. Staying in a glamping hut or villa will provide you with an opportunity to commune with nature while enjoying pure luxury.

Pod & Cubes: Many glamping destinations around the world have come up with unique, yet luxurious eco-friendly pods and cubes to serve as guest accommodations. These glamping pods and cubes give travelers an opportunity to have a singular experience amidst the surrounding nature. From unique eco domes to cubes with an architectural flare, many properties have embraced the glamping concept and created special dwellings unique to their properties.

Yurts & Teepees: Along with luxury tents, yurts have always been amongst the most popular glamping accommodations. Yurts were first used by Central Asian nomads and the design has been resurrected by many properties looking to offer a unique accommodation that doesn’t leave a carbon footprint.

Tree-house  & Airstreams: Glamping in tree-houses or airstreams are definitely a one-of-a-kind experience. Imagine a luxurious dwelling perched amongst the timbers of Vermont or Switzerland with amenities only matched by the views. Or, imagine taking up residency in a restored vintage Airstream along the Santa Barbara coast. For your next (or first) glamping trip, consider a tree-house or airstream.

Eco & Safari Lodges: Glamping lodges are the perfect way to experience nature while still having four walls and a ceiling. These unique destinations from Maine to Nepal have carefully constructed the ideal dwellings for their properties, allowing guests to stay in complete luxury while still developing an up-close-and-personal relationship with the surrounding nature.

Cabineering: Cabineering is a new travel trend that is now offered by many luxury properties. These luxury cabins give adventure travelers the comforts of home and the special amenities of a luxury hotel in some of the most remote and breathtaking areas around the globe. It’s a cozy way to have a memorable, experiential vacation.

photo by The Resort at Paws Up

Glamping has been a burgeoning travel trend in North America for the past eight years with a variety of unique locations and accommodations to choose from. One of my favorites here in the United States is the Resort at Paws Up (http://www.pawsup.com) located in Greenbough, Montana.  This is considered a luxury tent and features five glamping camps that cater to families, couples and groups. Each glamping tent features an en suite bathroom, The Last Best Bed®, chic rustic furnishings, art-adorned walls, electricity, cooling fans, heat and, most importantly, a camping butler! It’s nature served on a silver platter.  If you really want to be impressed, take a look at their website although photos can’t really do it justice.  Whether you’re an experienced rider or you’ve never been horseback riding before, you’ll lay eyes on sight after sight of historical and breathtaking visions during your unforgettable Montana horseback riding excursion. Junior wrangler programs for kids, customized lessons, cattle work, and roping are available here at Montana’s largest private equestrian center, The Saddle Club at Paws Up. Or try your hand running and sorting cattle with an authentic cattle drive.

There is a budget for everyone and glamping resorts are located throughout the United States and around the world. For more information on these and other glamping facilities please contact me at Sanditz Travel.  Happy Glamping!