A Guide to Glamping – Campsited

So, glamping (or ‘glamourous camping’ for those who’ve the time) is formally a factor. Well, it’s been a BIG factor for some time now. At first, it was journey’s greatest saved secret, however quickly turned more and more fashionable, and has now reached sufficient crucial 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 just’ll hardly ever discover two lodging the identical. 

It’s simple to grasp why there’s such a buzz: experiencing this bespoke tenting fashion has supplied 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 resorts to the outside.

In this information, to glamping we’ll introduce you to this eccentric past-time, it’s origins and how one can plan a luxurious out of doors vacation with ease.

Click on the hyperlinks under to take you on to a bit of curiosity:

• What is glamping?
• The historical past of the glamping motion
• What are the sorts of glamping lodging?
• How a lot does glamping price?
• What actions are you able to do while glamping?
• Glamping suggestions for learners
• 5 distinctive glamping experiences in France

What is glamping?

Glamping is taken into account the highest finish of the tenting market. It differs from ‘normal’ 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 out of doors adventurers, from single-travellers or massive teams, to households of all ages and pet-owners. Whether you’re on the lookout 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.

More typically than not, glamping websites are prepared so that you can transfer into immediately. The beds (sure, actual beds) might 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 to your arrival.

The nitty-gritty of ‘normal’ tenting similar to placing up the tent, carrying heavy backpacks or pumping up lilos develop into a factor of the previous! For some folks, after all, these are the issues that make tenting such a pleasure, however for many who’d moderately consider taking it simple, it makes the entire expertise an entire lot much less like work.

So, all it’s important to do is pop your baggage down, put the kettle on and give attention to having enjoyable – and the final word leisure that compliments it. 

And right here’s one of the best factor, you’ll discover glamping lodging in the identical tranquil, wild out of doors areas as you’d at conventional campsites. Actually, 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 neighborhood 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 would argue that it didn’t have a reputation. Until the time period was first coined someday within the early 2000s, ‘glamping’ (glamourous tenting) was simply tenting with all of the luxuries.

Wanting to reside comfortably is nothing new, even for folks on the transfer. Nomads and wandering people have at all times taken the whole lot with them – together with the kitchen sink – just because that’s the way in which they lived.

They might need led harsh lives in comparison with ours, however their non permanent dwellings weren’t with out their comforts. They had animal skins and finely woven carpets to make life higher. As properly as open fires, cooking pots, washing amenities and the whole lot else they wanted for a life on the transfer.

Even the ‘motorised vagabonds’ who explored Twenties America (and these embody Henry Ford) didn’t go with out their ‘basic necessities’. 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 would cellphone the chauffeur!

Glamping right this moment nonetheless to pays homage to those age-old traditions and continues to rejoice and utilise the lay of the land, creating vacation properties that complement the panorama and serving to residents really feel ‘at one’.

>> Check out this unbelievable glamping home constructed into the hilly panorama of South Cantal <<

Types of glamping lodging

As we write this, there’s an excellent probability some glamping innovator has launched the newest 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!

In the meantime, there’s an thrilling selection of glamping choices accessible in right this moment’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 recognition proves they’re at little danger of being overshadowed, however there’s a brand new wave of camper, on the lookout for one thing a bit extra distinctive and unorthodox.

Here’s a couple of (of many) sorts of glamping lodging you’ll discover on our web site, accessible to e book right this moment!

Glamping in a bell tent

Glamping tents do are available in a spread of styles and sizes, however one of the crucial 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 individuals, others argue that the nomadic tribes of Northern Europe lay declare to the design. Either means, US Army Colonel, Henry Hopkins Sibley threw a spanner within the debate by patenting the design and licensing it to the US Army.

The bell tent has seen mass structural evolution because the 19^th century, from cotton canvas strung on a single wood pole, to the evolution of A-frames and extra sturdy supplies – but it surely’s distinctive bell form has remained unchanged (fortunately).

Are bell tents good for glamping?

>> Just have a look at these beautiful bell-tents on the Whacka Lodge – Lifestyle 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 id, adorning the canvas externally with bunting and fairy lights and filling the tent inside with boutique interiors, luxurious bedding, cooking tools and many ‘little touches’ to personalise their customer’s expertise.

We love the safari-inspired styling of the bell-tents at Camping La Carona  campsite, within the Costa Dorado area of Spain.

And speaking of Safari tents, introducing the subsequent 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 wood body, coned roof and historically made with an animal pores and skin, felt or wool overlaying.

Also generally known as ‘gers’, yurts reportedly date again to the 5^th century BC are nonetheless utilized in rural Mongolia as culturally vital properties to nomadic communities.

>> Check out these genuine Mongolian Glamping Yurts, in Northern Ardeche, France. <<

It’s no marvel that Yurts have withstood the check of time and are fiercely protecting towards the weather, their construction is a masterclass in architectural composition. In complete, a yurt contains of a round base, trellis body, moveable wood 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 fashionable facilities and lavish furnishings. You would possibly discover a scorching tub and eating space on the patio space by your yurt.

Glamping in a Safari tent

Inspired by African natives and constructed to face up to excessive warmth while giving safari vacationers a house from dwelling expertise, safari tents are extremely popular throughout the world of glamping as they mix consolation with tradition for the final word out of doors expertise, wherever you pitch up on this planet.

Campsites provide various levels of ‘glamour’, from stripped-back canvas shelters, to luxurious safari huts, cabins and lodges like those loved at this well-liked campsite within the lovely bastides of Dordongne, France.

Or, why not go all-out and e book a once-in-a-lifetime safari tent expertise with quick access to an actual South African safari? De Pahuys campsite within the spectacular Agter-Paghuis Valley of Western Cape, affords each!

Glamping in a tipi / tepee

Much like 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 Americans who have been impressed by their extra everlasting wigwam properties to create these versatile tents to create moveable housing for his or her communities.

Campsites with tipi’s and wigwam tents are attracting guests from far and huge who love their spaciousness, feel and appear. They’re typically customised with luxurious and inventive touches, in addition to facilities like a kitchenette and furnishings.

Or you’ll be able to strip again the expertise completely and achieve a deeper connection to their origin. Stay in an authentic tipi at a campsite within the Eastern Pyranees. You’ll immerse your self in nature’s wilderness, while nonetheless accessing these vital dwelling comforts, like contemporary bedding and wash amenities.

Glamping in a treehouse

There’s no higher method 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 will be loved by households of all ages.

Usually wood constructions and suspended amongst a forest cover, treehouses defy gravity and provide one of the best views of the encircling nature and sky above.

We’ve seen an evolution of treetop housing over the previous few years, with essentially the most progressive designs and performance. Campsites similar 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

Traditionally horse-drawn and inhabited by travelling communities because the 19^th century,  gypsy caravans (also referred to 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 rejoice nomadic dwelling and it’s ever-evolving relationship with fashionable society.

Owing to their pure goal as a home for working households, gypsy caravans are good for self-contained, comfy household glamping. Whether replicas or reconditioned originals, this kind of bespoke lodging sits proudly like a murals in nature.

Check out Routlotte Tzigane, a standard French Gyspy Caravan, with genuine wood carvings housed at this very good campsite in Le Nizan.

Glamping in a wood lodge / log cabin

There are many sorts of static wood homes reigning supreme in glamp websites the world over. 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 bushes and sure, that sounds idyllic… But these strong constructions make for fantastic properties all 12 months spherical, in any pure setting.

An amazing instance of the flexibility of wood glamping properties will be discovered at this beautiful riverside campsite in Dordogne, the place you’ll discover floating cabins and woodland cottages.

Whether constituted of interlocking logs or repurposed timbers, glamping guests love the protected, comfortable feeling you get from staying in a wood lodge, hut or cabin. They additionally 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 wood constructions to create ‘tent lodges’ – and have a couple of magnificent wood bungalows too.

On a smaller scale, and comparable in operate to wood glamping pods (which we’ll extra about within the subsequent part), wood glamping huts are additionally sensible, sustainable and prioritise an excellent night time’s sleep. If that appears 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 wood in development, compact in format and have low environmental influence. Whilst glamping pods are available in all types of progressive shapes, the preferred 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 because of their low upkeep and sustainability, so that you’re more likely to discover clusters of pods in a single space, thus making this an ideal alternative for a household getaway (particularly you probably have youngsters who like their very own house).

>> Check out these charming glamping huts within the countryside outskirts of Wiltz, Luxembourg <<

Owing to their dimension, not all glamping pods come geared up with in-house wash and cooking amenities, however most campsites will provide these on-site and also you’ll additionally profit from a extra inexpensive worth per night time, because of this.

Glamping suggestions for learners

• Book properly forward to get the dates you need – or e book on the final minute to take advantage of one of the best offers, for those who don’t thoughts travelling. Peak season is at all times going to be summer time and the costs will match accordingly. But right here’s the factor: reserving throughout off peak season is an actual deal with. Snuggled in a yurt, with a e book and a scorching chocolate shut handy, whereas the wind blows exterior and the facility of nature is throughout, is a form of luxurious that places you at peace with the world.

• Try it for a weekend away or a brief break earlier than committing to per week or longer. Booking in the course of the week can typically fill awkward gaps for glamping website homeowners so it’s possible you’ll discover some nice offers. This could possibly be an amazing excuse for a romantic {couples} getaway, earlier than deciding to deliver the children subsequent time!

• Do your analysis. There is not any ‘one size fits all’ glamping expertise – aside from having fun with being out beneath the celebrities – so doing a little bit of analysis into the sorts of lodging will go well with 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. Only you’ll be able to determine!

• Stay away from chains. Yes, hospitality chains are getting in on the act. And bringing their pricing constructions with them. It’s simple to identify one glamping park, owned by a really well-known 5 star luxurious lodge chain, for €1,700 an evening. Yes, actually! We’re not right here to knock the chains, but it surely’s additionally simple to seek out different glamping parks in the identical area, owned by people who reside on website, for lower than a tenth of that.

• Talk to the positioning homeowners about what it’s good to deliver, though you’ll be able to just about anticipate the whole lot to be laid on, together with bedding. Some websites do breakfasts and dinner however greatest to examine earlier than so you already know what sort of provides to deliver.

• Be ready with the correct clothes. That means taking wellies and strolling boots and Pac a Macs and jumpers. While numerous locations could have wooden burning stoves and open fires, it will possibly nonetheless get a bit chilly at night time. And you’ll be able to’t at all times depend on good climate. Read out final tenting guidelines right here.

• Plan your days out. Glamping websites are sometimes in unbelievable areas with tons to see and do if you find yourself there. So take into consideration renting bikes or surfboards or trying out native points of interest… a bit planning can go a good distance in the case of this.

• Bring the household pet…or not. Some glamping websites welcome canine with biscuits and open arms, others don’t. So in case you are on the lookout for canine pleasant glamping or for dog-free glamping, greatest test it out in our listings first!

• Join the glamping revolution! Whether it’s your first or 50^th 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 couple of glamping influencers to get a sneaky peak of what’s to anticipate!

5 distinctive glamping experiences in France

We’ve scanned tons of of bespoke glamp websites on our ever-growing database and proudly current 5 areas inhabited by among the most of attention-grabbing and innovatively designed glamping properties in all of France.

Camping Ecologique La Roche D’ully

Book this campsite right this moment

Feast your eyes on this 4-star, eco-camping wonderland, a masterclass in bespoke, boutique dwelling that actually captures the artwork of play.

Situated 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 wood 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, delicate furnishings and a few glamping properties even embody a classic fashion, roll-tap tub by the bedside. Dreamy!

Camping du Mettey

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Discover world-class glamping pod ingenuity at this one-of-a-kind campsite within the charming city of Vosges.

Marketed as the final word eco-retreat, each inch of land right here promotes sustainable dwelling; from the eco-pool cleaned by vegetation, to a neighborhood backyard offering the camp restaurant with home-grown, natural components. And, wow, the distinctive lodging right here is not like something you’ve seen earlier than!

Of the 18 glamping properties on website, you’ll have your choose of eccentrically designed domes, cabins, gypsy vehicles and wood 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 wood trailers dotted alongside the lake’s mattress; some that includes a jacuzzi, kitchenette, hammock and terrace – good for enjoyable after a day of outside exercise.

Lodges de Blois-Chambord

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Much just like 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 can reap the benefits of the heated swimming swimming pools on website, or calm down within the sauna after a day of exploring the well-known Château de Chambord and different emblematic landmarks within the Loire Valley.

Camping du Domaine D’Anglas

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Wine lovers, have we acquired 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 houses’.

Not restricted to those that take pleasure in a pink, 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 rather more awaiting you.

….. And right here’s lots extra the place these got here from.

Find extra distinctive glamping websites right here.