With the end of summer approaching, you may decide to conclude the season with a bang. A camping trip remains an ideal end-of-summer tradition for enjoying a last group outing with the family. However, many people who have adapted to modern convenience may hesitate over living in tents and fishing for their dinner.
Luckily, you don’t have to sacrifice your favorite amenities to enjoy time outdoors. Welcome to glamping, a modern reinvention of a classic pastime.
What Is Glamping?
Glamping is a clever combination of glamour and camping. Instead of sliding into small sleeping bags or struggling to pitch a tent, you get to enjoy the rustic outdoors with all your basic amenities. Glampers immerse themselves in the sights and sounds of nature while indulging in the comforts of home. Many get to try things they usually wouldn’t, such as drinking champagne while gazing at amazing scenery or cooking gourmet s’mores over a fire pit.
You don’t have to stick to your local forest, either — people travel over the world to get their fill of roughing it in luxury. Glamping campgrounds stretch from Hawaii to India, offering a variety of experiences and activities. The hardest part? Choosing which excursion to dive into first.
Why Do People Love It?
Glamping combines the best parts of the typical camping trip with modern technology. You can have a bathroom with plumbing and a soft bed while still enjoying forest hiking trips and cooking food around a fire. You are closer to nature than you’d be staying in a hotel, but you benefit from the safety and security of having four sturdy walls around you. Many glamping campgrounds also allow pets, so you can have your beloved Fido or Fluffy around to explore the great outdoors with you.
Camping is generally well-loved, as 45% of U.S. campers say it significantly reduces their stress. Embracing nature is sure to bring stress-relief — it provides a vacation from responsibilities, and greenery is known to have healing properties. Being around trees lowers cortisol and blood pressure levels, and it enhances the immune system as well. Plants release airborne chemicals called phytoncides that increase your number of white blood cells. Get an all-natural immune boost while exploring nature at its finest.
How Can You Do It?
Start researching campsites that accommodate glamping and pick one that suits your interests. Every site offers different amenities — such as linens and electric outlets — so pay attention to the details. Make sure to pick a pet-friendly location if you plan on bringing pets. Depending on where you set up camp, you have a few different options for lodging.
Some sites offer the typical cabin or tent, while others have exciting options like treehouses, yurts and barns. Yurts reduce carbon emissions — an excellent option for eco-friendly folks. Other campgrounds provide the ultimate luxury treatment with spas and housekeeping. You should save up a bit before splurging on these options, though, as they usually lie within a higher price range.
Once you pick a location and accommodation, compile a list of things you’ll need and start packing. Consider keeping it light because you won’t need as many belongings as a regular camping trip. Your lodging will come stocked with some of these already — like towels and cookware — leaving you room to pack other things. You will still want to bring toiletries and food supplies, of course, and consider packing a heated blanket and some lanterns for extra coziness.
Be sure to schedule time for tours and sightseeing, too. It may be tempting to stay in your lodging for most of the trip, but glamping is meant to increase your proximity to nature. Take advantage of this by getting to know the local area and signing up for events. The best way to enjoy a trip is to do something you’ve never tried before. Whether it’s rafting or ziplining, you’re sure to find excitement in new activities.
Experience the Great Outdoors in Style
Glamping is catching on in popularity, and for good reason. Try something new and make it your next adventure — you may find yourself coming back for more each year!
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