If you are not a huge nature lover and spending a night underneath the stars sounds more like torture than a romantic adventure, camping is probably not your cup of tea. However, glamping might change your mind and make you realize that reconnecting with nature can be a wonderful experience. This fancy version of camping allows you to see the great outdoors as well as have access to running water, comfortable bed and air conditioning. You’ve read it right, with glamping sleeping in the woods does not include lying on the ground while being eaten by bugs, dealing with an empty phone battery because there is no place to charge it and having to bathe in the local lake. This luxurious camping includes staying in yurts, tipis or luxury caravans, instead of basic tents so you can fully enjoy your outdoor experience. If you are wondering what you should bring on your glamping trip, here is a list of essentials.
The tent
As mentioned, a glamping tent is not your basic tent you most likely already have. No, this is a tall tent that is big enough so you can stand in it and place a whole bed, a chair, and other ‘luxury’ items in it. New bell tents and canvas wall tents usually cost more than $1000, so you might want to check out eBay for cheaper options.
The floor
If you are able to find a campsite that offers a wooden platform, your work is done. Otherwise, you will need to bring your own. You can find a piece of faux wood sheet vinyl at any home improvement store, so get one that is about the size of your tent floor. This will give your tent that cozy vibe and help you keep it clean. If you wish to make this space even homier, add a few area rugs such as faux sheepskin ones.
The bed
You won’t need a sleeping bag when you go glamping. One of the best things about this type of camping is that you will actually get a good night’s sleep in a comfortable bed. In those glamping tents that are available for rent you might see wooden bed frames, but if you are bringing your own equipment, dragging that frame around is completely unpractical. Therefore, opt for an airbed that looks like a regular bed. Check out this great list by My Sleep Bot and you will find an air mattress that will help you sleep like a baby. The last thing you need to do to create a glamping bed is the linens. With a fitted sheet, you can easily disguise the fact that you are using an air mattress, and a bunch of cozy pillows and a throw blanket will turn it into a comfortable nook you will never want to leave.
Furniture
Apart from the bed, you should place some additional furniture into your tent, such as a wicker chest you can use for storing your clothes. A charming and cute chair is a part of every glamping tent, so opt for a butterfly kind since it can be easily folded when needed. Side tables, poufs, a heater or fan, and lamps will turn your tent into a home away from home.
Details
Now that you have all the essentials it is time to add a personal touch to your glamping tent. Put a vase with freshly picked flowers on your table, hang some lightweight picture frames and display your figurines to add even more dimension to the space.
If glamping seems like something you would definitely try but you are not willing to invest in all of these items before you see for yourself what all the fuss is about, you can visit glamping camps where you can rent a tent with everything you need in it. Here are some of the best places for glamping you should visit in 2020.
Terra Glamping, East Hampton, New York
Located just 2.5 hours from New York, this glamping camp offers safari-style tents filled with furniture worthy of a fancy hotel room. There is no Wi-Fi so you can take a break from your phone, get to know your new neighbors and enjoy the view of the picturesque Sag Harbor.
Under Canvas Mount Rushmore, Keystone, South Dakota
Last year Under Canvas glamping retreat has opened another glamping spot, this time in the Black Hills of South Dakota. Here you can choose from several different types of tents, from safari tents with king-size beds to suite tents that even have a separate lounge area with a queen-size leather sofa. Therefore, you can travel here alone, with your friends or your whole family. Apart from Mount Rushmore, Under Canvas retreat has camps in Zion, Moab, Yellowstone, Glacier, the Great Smoky Mountains, and the Grand Canyon as well.
Finn Lough, Fermanagh, Ireland
If you wonder how it would feel to sleep inside a snow globe, then you should definitely visit Finn Lough. Their bubble domes feature 180-degree transparent walls so you can relax in your bed and watch the stars. Each of the domes has a bathroom and heated flooring, but there is no Wi-Fi so you could completely enjoy the tranquility of the natural surroundings.