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To many, a camping holiday is an oxymoron. The idea that erecting a frustrating canvas dwelling in the middle of a cold, wet, cowpat-covered field could somehow be a relaxing break is something that a lot of us fail to understand.
Recently, however, the old camping stereotypes (of rough nights, makeshift toilets and mosquito bites) are making way for a new era of glamorous camping, or ‘glamping’.
From Catalonia, to Colorado, to Cornwall, trendy campsites are springing up and they are not short of holidaymakers eager for a reservation. The main reason for the surge in popularity is that glamping combines the traditional appeals of camping (such as nights under the stars) with the luxury of a comfy bed and tents that are kitted out with more fittings than some hotels; this perfect marriage of natural surroundings and creature comforts means that more people are escaping the cities and going glamping.
Glamping is highly recommended for those who consider themselves camping virgins and find the amount of special equipment and different tents for sale intimidating. Families will also find this type of holiday brilliant, as there is no need to make a fire or fiddle with gas canisters and you won’t have to wrestle with a cheap tent whilst the kids run riot. The majority of these trendy tents are already erected.
There is certainly no shortage of different accommodation or locations to choose from when deciding on a trendy camping holiday. Among the most popular types of tent are the Mongolian yurt and Plains Indian tepee; but there are a whole host of weird and wonderful dwellings on offer. From Romany-gypsy caravans, to eco-pods fitted with plasma screens and iPod docks, all of these types of accommodation guarantee a truly unforgettable experience.
The lure of camping has always been the beautiful natural surroundings, so rest assured that these luxurious tents are not compensating for a lack of great locations. ‘Glampsites’ can be found in every corner of the globe and allow travellers to fully interact with the lush environment in a way that day trippers could only dream of.
One of the most remarkable glampsites is Koh Kong on the Cambodian-Thailand border. Set against the backdrop of mountains, amid lush jungle, Koh Kong is the world’s first floating campsite. Visitors to the site have the incredible experience of staying in a traditional Khmer stilt house on the Tatai River, and will be amazed by the amount of activities on offer in this picturesque region. Go kayaking or trekking, or if you prefer, simply sit out on the veranda in the glow of the midday sun and watch the crystal waters run past.
If you are more of an environmentally minded traveller, and want to cut down on your carbon footprint by having a ‘staycation’, there are some fantastic glampsites in the UK, such as the Mawgan Porth campsite in Cornwall. This effortlessly cool campsite, situated near the stunning Cornish coast, gives holidaymakers the chance to stay in an iconic, hip, 50s inspired American Airstream caravan.
The caravans are kitted out with a variety of features from wood burners to DVD players, meaning that the whole family will be kept occupied. Staying at Mawgan Porth also provides travellers with the perfect base to get out and explore this stunning region of the UK.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
