Solitude and Spirituality

Glamping is a portmanteau of “glamorous” and “camping” and describes a style of camping with amenities and, in some cases, resort-style services not usually associated with “traditional” camping.

Who knew the extent of the exciting range of accommodation available?

I never knew there were so many different types of glamping accommodation out there. Here is a selection of just some of the types of places that you can stay in:-

1. Cabin

2. Pod

3. Bell Tent

4. Yurt

5. Tipi

6. Mongolian Ger

7. Tree House

8. Lodge

9. Safari Lodge

10. Shepherd’s Hut

11. Dome

12. Gypsy Wagon

13. Railway Carriage

14. Bothy

15. Airstream/Vintage Caravan

16. Cabin on Wheels

17. Hobbit Hole/Earthship

18. Boat/Land Boat/Floating Structure

19. Refurbished Bus or Truck

20. Refurbished Plane or Train

21. Tree Tent

22. Wagon/Roulette

Quirky places to stay

As well as the slightly quirky accommodation — I love the idea of sleeping in a treehouse — it reminds me of my childhood when my brother and I built ‘camps’ in the garden and slept outdoors under the stars. It’s fun, exciting and a little bit different.

It also gets us right back to nature because glamping sites are specially chosen for their beautiful, quiet settings, far from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. It’s an escape, a winding-down experience and a break from technology.

The soundtrack of nature

Silence is golden, save for the sounds of the countryside: a babbling brook, birdsong, owls calling at night, a fox howling. The soundtrack of nature.

We all need some R&R

Following the pandemic people are planning staycations more than ever and we all need some rest and relaxation and what better way to de-stress than to head off into the countryside and sleep under the stars?

The good news

Camping back in the day was pretty basic and you usually had to tramp across fields to reach a dingy shower block to use the loo.

Glamping is not about sleeping on a hard floor in a sleeping bag — you don't have to compromise on creature comforts. Most sites provide private or ensuite bathrooms and the standard is luxury — underfloor heating, Egyptian cotton sheets, and all the mod cons you could wish for. No more washing up in a bowl outside the tent or cooking on a Calor gas stove! Unless, of course, you want to do that. There is so much choice out there and there is something for everybody. There are adult only sites, places that welcome dogs and children, sites that accommodate large parties and smaller, more intimate sites.

We all enjoy our creature comforts and glamping has the added bonus of waking up to a spectacular view and that feeling of being truly connected to nature. Some off-grid sites do not offer wi-fi on purpose so that residents can have a complete break from their screens.

Solitude and Silence

“In solitude silence becomes a symphony. Time changes from a series of moments strung together into a seamless motion riding on the rhythms of the stars. Loneliness is banished, solitude is in full flower, and we are one with the pulse of life and the flow of time. . . .

— Kent Nerburn’s Simple Truths

Getting back to normal

The impact of the pandemic has been widespread and has deeply affected so many of us in different ways, whether it be the loss of a loved one or dear friend, catching the virus and the resulting after-effects, anxiety at being cooped up at home for months on end, losing our jobs or a change in the way we work or go about our daily lives, or simply not interacting with others as we did before the COVID-19 virus took its hold.

The after-effects have been catastrophic and we have had to re-think the way we do things.

Now that we can take holidays and vacations, we have to look at different destinations. Instead of hopping on a plane and flying off to an exotic island or back-packing in some far-flung country, we are all looking closer to home for staycations.

And that’s why glamping has taken off to the moon and back because everybody wants a haven in the countryside where they can unwind and relax in the great outdoors.

28 of the Coolest Glamping Sites around the world

Here some of the amazing places you can go glamping around the world. I want to visit them all because they look so different and intriguing.

Creature comforts

I enjoy a touch of luxury, especially when I go away on holiday, and seeing the wonderful variety of glamping sites and places to stay has inspired me to go and check some of them out.

Due to the popularity of glamping post-pandemic here in the UK, I will have to book far ahead and look forward to a relaxing, rejuvenating stay, connecting with nature, and practicing some meditation as I embrace the solitude and spirituality of these wonderful places and truly appreciate my surroundings.

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This article was first published on Medium, where you can find more of my work. Why not get a weekly update from me in England by signing up to Rosy's Ramblings? I publish every Saturday and it's free!