Turn Your Camping Trip Into A GLAMping Trip

The great outdoors is the sound of birds tweeting in the trees, the scent of wildflowers and plants, rushing water from the stream and the soft breeze blowing across your face. If only there was a way to enjoy these things without having to rough it. Why go camping if you can go GLAMping? It’s the perfect solution to getting back to nature without losing the essentials.

Image Credit - Bless this stuff

WHAT IS GLAMPING?

Essentially the word itself is a mashup of ‘glamour’ and ‘camping’. The concept of glamping is fairly self-explanatory; take the basic elements of camping, and inject some glamorous luxury into it. Over the past few years, the idea has started to take off particularly with those looking for an alternative to a city getaway or beach break. It’s no surprise, really. You get all the best bits of camping, closeness to nature, open spaces and fresh air, without sacrificing the luxury and relaxation of a regular vacation. There are no hard-and-fast rules when it comes to glamping, however, a glamping site needs to have two fundamentals: immediate access to outdoor life and the comforts you might find at home.

IS GLAMPING RIGHT FOR YOU?

So, you love the idea of camping in mother nature, but you can’t quite say goodbye to those home comforts? There are specific glampsites, luxury camping resorts, and glamping experiences popping up all over the place, this type of break should appeal to anyone. Families, singletons, couples, and even honeymooners are choosing this type of holiday and it’s also becoming more popular as a corporate team-building option as well. The perfect recipe of outdoor living and home comfort, a great experience enjoyed by all. 

If this sounds like the right approach for your outdoor getaway, here are 6 top tips from Lilla rugs on how you can get your GLAMping on:

TIP 1. Choose a gorgeous campsite

Are you looking to tour the Balkans, go to Africa or for something a little closer to home? Think about where you would like to go because it’s time to start planning.

Image Credit - Pinterest

Glamping can be a lot more expensive than camping, depending on what level of glamping you’d like to take on. People love dropping their luxurious tents next to picturesque lakes, on pretty wooded hills, and romantic beaches. However, if you embrace the camping elements of your trip it can save you some money. For example; you can cook on an open campfire instead of eating at fancy restaurants, or you can enjoy a few drinks under the stars rather than sat around an over-crowded bar. Taking your modern comfort on the road gives you the opportunity to stay places that are off the map. The thing to remember here is that you are creating a unique and unforgettable experience.

TIP 2. A great tent or camper

Image Credit (left to right) - Hitched, Pinterest

It’s time to ditch those old nylon tents you have hiding away in the shed! Shelter is the first step in creating your personalised trip. Glamping involves feeling pampered, so crawling through a zipped-up hole to crouch into a sleeping bag is exactly what you’re trying to avoid. A yurt, tepee and pavilion tent are all popular choices and building them yourself is easy once you decide which style you’re after. If you aren’t up for the task of building, you can purchase various styles and types of tents online to suit your needs. Alternatively, you can opt for a camper van or trailer which will work just fine.

TIP 3. A cosy place to sleep

Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest

Nothing says “roughing it” like mummifying yourself on the cold hard ground. Turning disturbed, sleepless nights at camp into deep and tranquil snoozes is a real indulgence that you can’t put a price on. The true key to glamping is having a luxurious, comfy bed to retire to at the end of the day.

Your mattress is crucial for good sleep; the easiest option is an air mattress. They are affordable, compact and easy to pump up. Now, this is where it gets really fun: bedding! Make it a little more luxurious by adding a mattress topper, duvet and plush throw. Don’t hold back on these! They’re perfect for making your space look inviting and give the camping experience a warm, homely embrace. Depending on how committed you are to your glamping experience, you can also opt for a four-poster bed. Four posts allow you to rig yourself a mosquito net, curtains and it can help retain heat overnight. However, you might have a hard time getting out of your tent in the morning.

TIP 4. Light up your space 

Let there be light! Getting the right light inside your tent can transform the ambiance. Forget your old flashlight and lantern, the lighting in your space should be soft yet abundant with light from safe sources.

Image Credit (left to right) - Good House Keeping, Tin can Homestead

Voila! Solar-powered lanterns or fairy lights add sustainable chic to your glamping set-up. Simple is the way to go. You string them up around your tent, as well as inside your tent for a soft twinkly glow, after all there is nothing worse than all your creativity getting lost in the dark. Candles are okay as long as they are encased and you leave them outside of your tent, it’s important they are placed somewhere safe away from anything flammable. Scented candles, like citronella, cedar wood, lavender, and eucalyptus, can help to deter mosquitos and other insects from buzzing around your site.

TIP 5. Comfy Flooring

Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest

To keep your feet warm and cosy, many experienced glampers recommend area rugs. An artsy rug adds a nice touch to the look of the space and it feels great on your feet in the morning. If you have a nice large area inside or outside the tent, creating designated areas for relaxing, cooking and sleeping is exactly what glamping is all about. Floor cushions and area rugs are a great way to separate the space and to add some comfort and glam.

Here are some of your favourite rug choices for a flawless glamping experience:

 Rug Choices (left to right) - KAI, BLAZE, KANSAS

TIP 6. Sweet Sensations

Image Credit (left to right) - Pinterest

Have fun and get creative, make your tent the envy of all tents! Decorative campsite touches are also part of the fun; a french coffee press, elegant camp chairs or LED lights draped around the tent area. Who doesn’t love a gorgeous wicker basket or chest? These are fantastic to bring along so you can have a designated area for miscellaneous camping items. You can also bring some plush pillows, throws, small end tables, and so much more. Flea markets are great places to find and up-cycle these goodies without having to blow your budget.

Here are some of our favourite UK glamping spots to check out this season from coolcamping.com: 

Enjoy the little luxuries of home while savouring in nature at the same time. Do you have any tips for a GLAMping experience? Leave us a comment we would love to hear. If you liked this post, tag us in your glamping pics on Facebook or Instagram. Sharing is caring after all!