Whilst many glamping web sites categorize staying in cabins, huts, chalets, and bungalows as ‘glamping,’ I disagree. The time period ‘Glamorous Camping’ or ‘Glamping’ originated from conventional canvas tent tenting and was merely an upgraded thought with the addition of some luxuries, like personal bogs (bliss!), correct bedding, and rather less fold-out furnishings. I completely respect the thought of actual tenting and roughing it within the wild. I simply personally favor a number of modern-day luxuries to encompass me, however don’t get me mistaken, I nonetheless really feel all tenting, glamorous or in any other case, ought to be loved underneath canvas.
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Now whereas there are lots of great canvas glamping websites in good ol’ Blighty itself, nothing is kind of as great as Tropical Glamping, and never a lot will get extra tropical than glamping within the South Pacific with the twinkling stars above you and the Polynesian blue stretching out beneath. One of one of the best locations to actually immerse your self in nature and get off the well-beaten vacationer monitor is the award-winning Ikurangi Eco Retreat in Rarotonga within the Cook Islands. Hidden away from the standard vacationer path, which lies proper across the coast of this stunning Pacific Island, this retreat lies within the lush-green hinterland of Rarotonga, missed by the towering volcanic peak of considered one of Rarotonga’s tallest mountains, Mt Ikurangi. Don’t get me mistaken. It’s not an all-day drive to achieve this hidden idyll, only a mere few hundred meters inland from the lagoon, and out of the blue you’ll be met with the true Rarotonga; the locals’ easy bungalows; taro plantations and wandering piglets, and surprisingly pleasant stray canines which meander fortunately throughout the roads.
The retreat itself is run by a passionate hospitality couple, Vicki and Alan, from New Zealand with a wealth of non-public expertise in working a tourism operation. After falling in love with the Cook Islands on vacation, they returned on a three-year work contract and efficiently managed considered one of Rarotonga’s main vacationer sights. When they noticed Ikurangi Eco Retreat on the market, they merely knew that this was a enterprise they need to put money into as its rules and values are so particular they usually consider it’s really a enterprise that ‘gives back’, not solely to the financial system of the native individuals, but in addition to the pristine surroundings, defending it for generations to return.
With an Executive Chef background, Alan is happy by the tropical fruit ample on the property and recent seasonal produce is a characteristic of their day by day complimentary breakfasts. With wholesome, flavoursome choices and one thing totally different most every single day of your keep, Alan likes to be artistic utilizing merchandise like chia seeds, buckwheat, quinoa, sago and tapioca to provide a healthful breakfast that units you up for the day.
Vicki and Alan really feel privileged to name the Cook Islands dwelling and like to share the nice and cozy “Kia Orana” spirit with their company and guarantee they’ve essentially the most magical time on their trip. Offering you area to unwind, suggestions that will help you discover, and the proper tropical setting in your subsequent getaway, Ikurangi Eco Retreat actually is the proper place from which to find all that the Cook Islands has to supply.
Once right here, you’re met with an opulent twist on ‘glamping’ – as an alternative of the scent of freshly reduce grass or hay, right here you’re met with the scent of scrumptious mangoes, and as an alternative of tents pitched in a discipline of Oak timber and buttercups, right here you’re surrounded by tropical swaying palms and fairly hibiscus flowers. Like with all tenting, there may be nonetheless a dashing or two of rain, however pleasantly right here, it’s heat, and the lengthy hours of Pacific sunshine greater than make up for it. And better of all, you’ve the place virtually to your self. If you selected a resort on the water’s edge by the lagoon, you’ll be preventing with throngs of vacationers, whereas right here, it’s just about simply you and nature.
As to the lodging, this stunning retreat presents 4 Luxury Safari Tents and their extra unique Ariki Safari Tent. The Luxury Safari Tents are perched on personal timber decks overlooking the retreat and the Takitumu mountain ranges. The tents provide a spacious and furnished open-air lounge, bedrooms with king-size beds full with luxurious linens; a non-public ensuite with a contemporary composting bathroom, and personal scorching water outside bathe (you haven’t tried Tropical Glamping until you’ve had a scorching bathe underneath the celebs!), totally screened home windows, in addition to loads of dwelling comforts together with energy factors for charging electronics, secure, hairdryer, waffle robes, tea and occasional making amenities, a bar fridge and a beautiful day by day tropical breakfast delivered proper to your door. In addition to all of this, the Ariki Safari Tent, excellent for these celebrating a honeymoon or anniversary, incorporates a extra luxurious and trendy twisted wooden décor and an open-air, claw-foot bathtub to can help you bathe underneath the celebs with a glass of champagne… and the one you love after all!
So in the event you fancy making an attempt some Tropical Glamping; dwelling beneath lush-green palms and mango timber for a number of days in a few of the finest canvas tents the South Pacific has to supply (particularly the one with the claw-foot bathtub!), then set your coronary heart on a go to to the Ikurangi Eco Retreat, it received’t disappoint. But you don’t should take my phrase for it because the retreat can be a finalist within the Cook Islands Tourism Awards, that are being judged subsequent week and I’ve a sneaking suspicion they’ll do fairly nicely!
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