We’re in the midst of the festival season, but with the torrential weather putting a dampener on some of our festival experiences, there’s definitely places, other than our vaguely waterproof pop up tents, that we would rather be. So why not go camping in style, and maybe somewhere where it isn’t constantly raining, here’s Door2Tour’s top glamping retreats…
Scarabeo Camp, Morocco
• From €155 per night, half board, based on 2 sharing a tent
45 minutes from Marrakech in the small stone desert of Agafay, there are 5 canvas tents in a nomadic encampment with spectacular views. Each has comfortable beds and a private ensuite; and the tents are moved according to the seasonal temperatures. You can sample delicious Moroccan food, whilst watching an open air film projection or embark on a walking trail with a mountain guide.
Within the surrounding areas you can do anything from a Moroccan cuisine workshop or camel riding to paragliding or hot-air ballooning. Or if you’re going just to unwind, why not have a relaxing massage at the camp.
Sundance Lodges, Alberta, Canada
• From CAD 57.00 per night based on the small tipi
Stay in a cozy tipi or a rustic Trapper’s tent in the heart of the Canadian Rocky Mountains. This self-catered family run site near the Kananaskis River offers visitors a genuine mountain experience. Banff or Calgary are only 45 minutes away and activities onsite include volleyball and badminton courts, a soccer area, a horseshoe pit, walking along the river, exploring the Beaver Ponds and fishing from the river. The nearby areas allow you to do anything from kayaking and whitewater rafting to horseback riding and golfing.
Eco-lodge Brejeira, Algarve, Portugal
• From €20 per night; or from €125 per week
You can take your pick from staying in a yurt, a gypsy caravan, a fire truck or just simply camping. This sounds very much like an eco-friendly hippy retreat. The traditional Mongolian yurt is spacious and well-equipped and is on a raised platform with a veranda at the front where guests can relax. The cosy old-fashioned Dutch gypsy caravan has a marvelous view over the Monchique mountains. The fire truck, once a German ambulance for the fire brigade, has a small camper kitchen and lounge area which can be transformed into a double bed.
From the eco-lodge you are in easy reach of the historic castle town of Silves, the heavenly bays on the south coast and the highest mountain ranges of the Algarve, Serra de Monchique. You can partake in various activities whether it be horse riding or golfing, beaches or town trips, hiking paths or theme parks or biking or fishing.
Armadilla Camping Pods, Loch Ness, Inverness-shire
• £50 per night, based on two people sharing
The custom built wooden eco-pods are en-suite with a fridge, tea-making facilities, LCD TV with DVD and under floor heating for when it gets a bit chilly. Nearby is the village of Drumnadrochit, where visitors can enjoy the local Loch Ness Monster exhibitions, cruises on Loch Ness or a visit to Urquhart Castle. The capital city of the Highlands, Inverness, is only a short drive away. The Cairngorm mountains are also within easy driving distance and offer excellent walking, snowboarding and skiing opportunities to enhance your experience of glamping in the Scottish Highlands. You’ll also be accompanied by some friendly neighbours; Highland cow, Shetland sheep and horses.
Well us here at Door2Tour would definitely prefer to be at one of these glamping retreats to wading through the mud at the festivals in gloomy England! Do you have any other glamping suggestions? Or have you been one of the ones stuck in the mud here in “sunny” old England? If so we’d love to hear your stories!