So, glamping (or ‘glamourous tenting’ in the event you’ve the time) is formally a factor. Properly, it’s been a BIG factor for some time now. At first, it was journey’s greatest stored secret, however quickly turned more and more stylish, and has now reached sufficient vital mass that, dare we are saying, is changing into as fascinating as conventional tenting.
Glamping lodging combines primary dwelling with a boutique edge, tradition and reference to consolation, and campsite hosts are having a lot enjoyable customising the expertise for his or her guests; a lot so, that you simply’ll not often discover two lodging the identical.
It’s straightforward to know why there’s such a buzz: experiencing this bespoke tenting fashion has offered us with a couple of purpose to hit the open street and head into the outside. For some purists, glamping won’t ever be correct tenting. For others, it’s a must-try various – or the gateway that leads them from lodges to the outside.
On this information, to glamping we’ll introduce you to this eccentric past-time, it’s origins and how one can plan a luxurious outside vacation with ease.
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What’s glamping?
Glamping is taken into account the highest finish of the tenting market. It differs from ‘regular’ tenting in that the main target is on consolation, luxurious, creativity and making a home-from-home with out having to fill your suitcase with provides for dwelling wildly.
Glamping appeals to all outside adventurers, from single-travellers or giant teams, to households of all ages and pet-owners. Whether or not you’re searching for an eco-pod within the woods for one, or a novelty household keep in Hansel and Gretel’s gingerbread hut, the various spectrum of glamping lodging means there’s one thing for everybody.
As a rule, glamping websites are prepared so that you can transfer into right away. The beds (sure, actual beds) could be already made up with contemporary linen, and the hearth, wooden burner or frontier range (a super-efficient sort of wood-burning cooker) lit prepared on your arrival.
The nitty-gritty of ‘regular’ tenting corresponding to placing up the tent, carrying heavy backpacks or pumping up lilos turn into a factor of the previous! For some individuals, after all, these are the issues that make tenting such a pleasure, however for many who’d somewhat consider taking it straightforward, it makes the entire expertise an entire lot much less like work.
So, all it’s important to do is pop your luggage down, put the kettle on and concentrate on having enjoyable – and the last word rest that compliments it.
And right here’s one of the best factor, you’ll discover glamping lodging in the identical tranquil, wild outside areas as you’ll at conventional campsites. Truly, many open-air vacation hosts present each choices on the identical tenting grounds, so that you’ll metal really feel very a lot a part of the camp group and achieve that shared connection to nature.
The historical past of the glamping motion
Glamping has at all times been with us, with early documentations pre-dating 5000BC. It’s simply that, till latest occasions, you may argue that it didn’t have a reputation. Till the time period was first coined someday within the early 2000s, ‘glamping’ (glamourous tenting) was simply tenting with all of the luxuries.
Eager to reside comfortably is nothing new, even for individuals on the transfer. Nomads and wandering folks have at all times taken all the things with them – together with the kitchen sink – just because that’s the way in which they lived.
They may have led harsh lives in comparison with ours, however their non permanent dwellings weren’t with out their comforts. They’d animal skins and finely woven carpets to make life higher. In addition to open fires, cooking pots, washing amenities and all the things else they wanted for a life on the transfer.
Even the ‘motorised vagabonds’ who explored Twenties America (and these embrace Henry Ford) didn’t go with out their ‘primary requirements’. The USA’s first motorhome, the Pierce Arrow Touring Landau, an costly and splendid coach-built car-come-camping wagon, had a mattress, a rest room and a phone so you may cellphone the chauffeur!
Glamping at this time nonetheless to pays homage to those age-old traditions and continues to have fun and utilise the lay of the land, creating vacation properties that complement the panorama and serving to residents really feel ‘at one’.
>>Try this unimaginable glamping home constructed into the hilly panorama of South Cantal <<
Varieties of glamping lodging
As we write this, there’s likelihood some glamping innovator has launched the most recent debutante in glamping innovation, like a glamping spaceship or transformed war-bunker, endorsed by journey influencers, and prepared for it’s Lonely Planet vlog debut!
Within the meantime, there’s an thrilling selection of glamping choices accessible in at this time’s open-air vacation market, from luxurious treehouses overlooking the South African savannahs, Gypsy Caravans lining the bottom of the French Pyranees, Biodomes making a panorama of the Northern Lights. The ‘what’s subsequent?’ query thrills us massively!
There’s nonetheless a spot for the OG static caravans and conventional cellular properties on the glamping scene, and their constant reputation proves they’re at little threat of being overshadowed, however there’s a brand new wave of camper, searching for one thing somewhat extra distinctive and unorthodox.
Right here’s a number of (of many) sorts of glamping lodging you’ll discover on our web site, accessible to guide at this time!
Glamping in a bell tent
Glamping tents do are available in a spread of sizes and styles, however one of the recognisable and synonymous with modern-day glamping are bell tents (or as some us name them in France ‘tente nomade’)
Some declare the bell tent originated within the 1850’s by native people, others argue that the nomadic tribes of Northern Europe lay declare to the design. Both approach, US Military Colonel, Henry Hopkins Sibley threw a spanner within the debate by patenting the design and licensing it to the US Military.
The bell tent has seen mass structural evolution for the reason that 19th century, from cotton canvas strung on a single picket pole, to the evolution of A-frames and extra sturdy supplies – however it’s distinctive bell form has remained unchanged (fortunately).
Are bell tents good for glamping?
Sure. Bell tents are sensible, wealthy in historical past, lovely in nature and have a low-environmental impression. They’re cosy sufficient for a pair with a canine, however versatile sufficient households and bigger households too.
>> Simply take a look at these lovely bell-tents on the Whacka Lodge – Life-style Nature Camps in Gers in Occitanie, France. <<
You’ll discover glamp websites hosts throughout Europe and past who’re embracing the tent’s distinctive cultural identification, adorning the canvas externally with bunting and fairy lights and filling the tent inside with boutique interiors, luxurious bedding, cooking tools and plenty of ‘little touches’ to personalise their customer’s expertise.
We love the safari-inspired styling of the bell-tents at Tenting La Carona campsite, within the Costa Dorado area of Spain.
And speaking of Safari tents, introducing the following distinctive glamping expertise…
Glamping in a yurt
Born in Central Asia and famed for his or her distinctive, round form, yurts are round tents with an intricate interior picket body, coned roof and historically made with an animal pores and skin, felt or wool overlaying.
Often known as ‘gers’, yurts reportedly date again to the 5th century BC are nonetheless utilized in rural Mongolia as culturally vital properties to nomadic communities.
>> Try these genuine Mongolian Glamping Yurts, in Northern Ardeche, France. <<
It’s no surprise that Yurts have withstood the check of time and are fiercely protecting in opposition to the weather, their construction is a masterclass in architectural composition. In complete, a yurt contains of a round base, trellis body, transportable picket lattice partitions, roof poles, a central roof ring, a door body and a number of overlaying layers.
Modern-day glamping yurts pay respect to the age previous design, but additionally add trendy facilities and lavish furnishings. You would possibly discover a sizzling tub and eating space on the patio space by your yurt.
Sure. Yurts are well-insulated, snug and born to thrive in nature. They’re usually present in batches with entertaining communal areas, and so preferrred for teams of pals / household too.
Glamping in a Safari tent
Impressed by African natives and constructed to resist excessive warmth while giving safari vacationers a house from house expertise, safari tents are extremely popular throughout the world of glamping as they mix consolation with tradition for the last word outside expertise, wherever you pitch up on the planet.
Campsites provide various levels of ‘glamour’, from stripped-back canvas shelters, to luxurious safari huts, cabins and lodges like those loved at this in style campsite within the lovely bastides of Dordongne, France.
Or, why not go all-out and guide a once-in-a-lifetime safari tent expertise with easy accessibility to an actual South African safari? De Pahuys campsite within the spectacular Agter-Paghuis Valley of Western Cape, provides each!
Glamping in a tipi / tepee
Very similar to safari-tent tenting, an open-air keep vacation in a tipi (or tepee) transports you again to an vital indigenous heritage. This time it’s the Native Individuals who have been impressed by their extra everlasting wigwam properties to create these versatile tents to create transportable housing for his or her communities.
Campsites with tipi’s and wigwam tents are attracting guests from far and vast who love their spaciousness, feel and appear. They’re usually customised with luxurious and inventive touches, in addition to facilities like a kitchenette and furnishings.
Or you may strip again the expertise solely and achieve a deeper connection to their origin. Keep in an genuine tipi at a campsite within the Japanese Pyranees. You’ll immerse your self in nature’s wilderness, while nonetheless accessing these vital house comforts, like contemporary bedding and wash amenities.
Glamping in a treehouse
There’s no higher technique to embrace your inner-child than a treehouse glamping vacation. It’s true. The nostalgia felt from sleeping in a treehouse is incomparable – and it’s timeless pleasure could be loved by households of all ages.
Normally picket buildings and suspended amongst a forest cover, treehouses defy gravity and provide one of the best views of the encompassing nature and sky above.
We’ve seen an evolution of treetop housing over the previous few years, with essentially the most revolutionary designs and performance. Campsites corresponding to DéfiPlanet’ a’ Dienne provide a whimsical forest expertise, with essentially the most impressed self-contained treehouses which adjoin with suspension bridges.
Glamping in a Gypsy Caravan / Roulottes
Historically horse-drawn and inhabited by travelling communities for the reason that 19th century, gypsy caravans (often known as wagons or roulottes) are intricately handcrafted, superbly embellished and are of nice historic significance, particularly to our tenting world, the place we proceed to have fun nomadic dwelling and it’s ever-evolving relationship with trendy society.
Owing to their pure objective as a home for working households, gypsy caravans are good for self-contained, snug household glamping. Whether or not replicas or reconditioned originals, this sort of bespoke lodging sits proudly like a murals in nature.
Try Routlotte Tzigane, a conventional French Gyspy Caravan, with genuine picket carvings housed at this very good campsite in Le Nizan.
Glamping in a picket lodge / log cabin
There are lots of sorts of static picket homes reigning supreme in glamp websites internationally. We’re maybe extra conversant in these quaint, wintery scenes on a postcard or on-line, promoting cosy log cabin retreats nestled on a mattress of snow, amongst snow-capped timber and sure, that sounds idyllic… However these sturdy buildings make for fantastic properties all yr spherical, in any pure setting.
A terrific instance of the flexibility of picket glamping properties could be discovered at this lovely riverside campsite in Dordogne, the place you’ll discover floating cabins and woodland cottages.
Whether or not produced from interlocking logs or repurposed timbers, glamping guests love the secure, cosy feeling you get from staying in a picket lodge, hut or cabin. Additionally they really feel linked to their environment, due to the sight and scent of uncovered wooden.
Campsites like Ohai Nazaré within the centre of Portugal reinforces canvas tents with picket buildings to create ‘tent lodges’ – and have a number of magnificent picket bungalows too.
On a smaller scale, and related in operate to picket glamping pods (which we’ll extra about within the subsequent part), picket glamping huts are additionally sensible, sustainable and prioritise night time’s sleep. If that seems like your cup of tea, you’d love this mini glamping hut village within the woodlands of Mozirje, Slovenia.
Glamping in a pod
Glamping pods are sometimes picket in building, compact in format and have low environmental impression. While glamping pods are available in every kind of revolutionary shapes, the most well-liked adaptation on the glamping circuit is the barrel or pitched roof form, housing one or two bedrooms max.
Glamping pods are a dream funding for campsite hosts attributable to their low upkeep and sustainability, so that you’re prone to discover clusters of pods in a single space, thus making this an ideal alternative for a household getaway (particularly if in case you have youngsters who like their very own area).
>> Try these charming glamping huts within the countryside outskirts of Wiltz, Luxembourg <<
Owing to their dimension, not all glamping pods come outfitted with in-house wash and cooking amenities, however most campsites will provide these on-site and also you’ll additionally profit from a extra reasonably priced worth per night time, in consequence.
Little doubt about it, costs for glamping are beginning to look decidedly 5 star. That is most likely in direct correlation to this sort of vacation changing into “a factor”.
Don’t let that put you off.
The essence of tenting is straightforward: to get again into nature. Glamping additionally has that ethos, with a contact of luxurious and uniqueness, and it’s attainable to get again in nature whereas glamping for an affordable worth.
Glamping is the highest finish of the tenting market, sure.
However whilst you would possibly anticipate to pay handsomely for a luxurious tipi backstage at a music competition, there are many locations the place you may glamp for lots lower than you would possibly assume – and definitely so much lower than you’d pay to remain at a boutique resort or an upmarket B&B.
Tenting has at all times been an incredible worth for cash vacation and glamping isn’t any completely different. Nonetheless, the value will depend upon what you select. Easy eco-pods could be surprisingly good worth, whereas bigger household safari tents on unique websites the place you’re the solely visitor are going to be dearer, naturally.
However, on the finish of the day it’s all concerning the expertise and being out in nature, spending time with those you like and having fun with a carefree existence. And, in case your finances can enable, that reminiscence is priceless.
Very similar to conventional tenting, glamping invitations you to a world of open-air journey, not least for it’s pure skill to attach you to your environment, however the alternatives to discover, play and chill out in nature too!
Most campsites can facilitate your entry to joyous outside actions, be that on-site or in neighbouring lands – and generally, excursions can price you nothing in any respect! Glamping actions might embrace:
- Strolling / Mountain climbing Trails in nature reserves, countryside or coastal paths
- Excessive sports activities like mountain biking, paragliding, water rafting
- Swimming in swimming pools, lakes, seas or rivers
- Exploring close by landmarks, cities and different factors of curiosity
- Spa remedies like saunas, steam rooms, sizzling tubs
- Children leisure like playgrounds, youngsters golf equipment, cloud-spotting or different outside actions for youngsters.
Actions related to glamping are particularly nice on your psychological wellbeing, as you could be transported to environments with the freshest air, while partaking in actions that transfer your physique greater than common (which is particularly nice for sporting out the children or animals!).
Glamping helps to distract your thoughts with new sights, sounds and smells, thus being solely current within the second.
>> Learn extra about the advantages of being lively within the nice open air this yr <<
Glamping suggestions for rookies
- Ebook effectively forward to get the dates you need – or guide on the final minute to take advantage of one of the best offers, in the event you don’t thoughts travelling. Peak season is at all times going to be summer season and the costs will match accordingly. However right here’s the factor: reserving throughout off peak season is an actual deal with. Snuggled in a yurt, with a guide and a sizzling chocolate shut handy, whereas the wind blows outdoors and the ability of nature is throughout, is a form of luxurious that places you at peace with the world.
- Attempt it for a weekend away or a brief break earlier than committing to every week or longer. Reserving throughout the week can usually fill awkward gaps for glamping website house owners so it’s possible you’ll discover some nice offers. This may very well be an incredible excuse for a romantic {couples} getaway, earlier than deciding to deliver the children subsequent time!
- Do your analysis. There isn’t a ‘one dimension suits all’ glamping expertise – apart from having fun with being out beneath the celebrities – so doing a little bit of analysis into the sorts of lodging will swimsuit you’ll make all of the distinction. Is it a yurt or a pod, a bell tent or shepherd’s hut? Revisit our information above. Solely you may resolve!
- Keep away from chains. Sure, hospitality chains are getting in on the act. And bringing their pricing buildings with them. It’s straightforward to identify one glamping park, owned by a really well-known 5 star luxurious resort chain, for €1,700 an evening. Sure, actually! We’re not right here to knock the chains, however it’s additionally straightforward to search out different glamping parks in the identical area, owned by people who reside on website, for lower than a tenth of that.
- Discuss to the location house owners about what that you must deliver, though you may just about anticipate all the things to be laid on, together with bedding. Some websites do breakfasts and dinner however greatest to verify earlier than so you realize what sort of provides to deliver.
- Be ready with the proper clothes. Meaning taking wellies and strolling boots and Pac a Macs and jumpers. Whereas a number of locations can have wooden burning stoves and open fires, it could nonetheless get somewhat chilly at night time. And you’ll’t at all times depend on good climate. Learn out final tenting guidelines right here.
- Plan your days out. Glamping websites are sometimes in unbelievable places with tons to see and do if you end up there. So take into consideration renting bikes or surfboards or testing native sights… somewhat planning can go a great distance on the subject of this.
- Deliver the household pet…or not. Some glamping websites welcome canine with biscuits and open arms, others don’t. So in case you are searching for canine pleasant glamping or for dog-free glamping, greatest test it out in our listings first!
- Be a part of the glamping revolution! Whether or not it’s your first or 50th time glamping, have enjoyable sharing your tales on socials, hashtagging to your coronary heart’s content material – and spreading the phrase on this joyous journey! Or simply observe a number of glamping influencers to get a sneaky peak of what’s to anticipate!
5 distinctive glamping experiences in France
We’ve scanned a whole bunch of bespoke glamp websites on our ever-growing database and proudly current 5 places inhabited by a few of the most of attention-grabbing and innovatively designed glamping properties in all of France.
Tenting Ecologique La Roche D’ully
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Feast your eyes on this 4-star, eco-camping wonderland, a masterclass in bespoke, boutique dwelling that actually captures the artwork of play.
Located on the foot of the majestic Jura Mountains in Gordes de la Loue, this campsite hosts grass pitches for tent / motor-home tenting and greater than 45 of essentially the most joyful, self-contained glamping properties.
From picket lodges, to chalets on piles (and even a magical fairy hut!), there’s journey awaiting the entire household. And let’s not neglect these luxurious touches, just like the baroque impressed inside décor, comfortable furnishings and a few glamping properties even embrace a classic fashion, roll-tap tub by the bedside. Dreamy!
Tenting du Mettey
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Uncover world-class glamping pod ingenuity at this one-of-a-kind campsite within the charming city of Vosges.
Marketed as the last word eco-retreat, each inch of land right here promotes sustainable dwelling; from the eco-pool cleaned by vegetation, to a group backyard offering the camp restaurant with home-grown, natural substances. And, wow, the distinctive lodging right here is in contrast to something you’ve seen earlier than!
Of the 18 glamping properties on website, you’ll have your decide of eccentrically designed domes, cabins, gypsy vehicles and picket cabins submerged within the camp’s gorgeous pure panorama.
Domaine d’Escapa
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Lakeside glamping within the coronary heart of the Lizet and Baïse valleys of southwestern France is made all of the extra particular by the vary of lodging right here.
The alluring teepees, trailers, treehouses, pods and huts at this luxurious campsite are all tactfully positioned for optimum countryside views – and every have particular person traits and facilities to make your keep one to recollect.
We particularly love the colorful cluster of picket trailers dotted alongside the lake’s mattress; some that includes a jacuzzi, kitchenette, hammock and terrace – good for stress-free after a day of outside exercise.
Lodges de Blois-Chambord
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Very similar to the renaissance heritage of its close by castles, this spectacular campsite within the Chambord area of central France celebrates conventional luxurious dwelling, and it’s transition into modernity.
The glamping properties listed here are a marvellous mixture of angular structure and luxurious dwelling. From easy sleeping pods, to floating properties, you’ll have enjoyable selecting whether or not to remain on the land or water.
You’ll be able to benefit from the heated swimming swimming pools on website, or chill out within the sauna after a day of exploring the well-known Château de Chambord and different emblematic landmarks within the Loire Valley.
Tenting du Domaine D’Anglas
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Wine lovers, have we received one thing for you… image your subsequent open-air vacation in a luxurious glamping pod, surrounded by vibrant vineyards within the South of France.
This wonderful campsite within the historic spot that’s the Gorges de l‘Hérault hosts an abundance of deluxe dwellings, from bell tents to the camp’s very personal novelty ‘wine homes’.
Not restricted to those that get pleasure from a crimson, white or rosé, the on-site and close by leisure right here is made for the entire household to relish in, with river swimming, forest hikes, hand-gliding and way more awaiting you.
….. And right here’s lots extra the place these got here from.