What is Glamping?

Glamping - Pronunciation: /ˈglampɪŋ/  noun 
Early 21st century: Blend of Glamorous and Camping 
 A way to enjoy the beauty of nature without all the icky stuff that comes with it.

Over the last couple of years glamping has become a luxurious, more interesting alternative to staying in a hotel. Unique accommodations have been popping up all over the world, and designers and travel agents have jumped on the trend with full force. What began as a passing quirk, has now evolved into permanent outdoor structures that mimic old fashioned tents and very expensive log cabins.

I love camping (well, apart from snakes, bears, spiders, broken zippers, and heating a can of baked beans over a match and a twig....) but I think glamping would also be a fun thing to do. Kind of reminds me of an old Tarzan movie, where the safari tent was assembled in five minutes, and the expedition involved a walking stick and a furry animal. Beautifully coiffed women arrived with trunks of petticoats, a writing desk and a typewriter, and the men had an endless supply of hot soapy water and cigarettes. I guess it speaks to the romantic in many of us; we like the idea of sleeping under the stars, just not the actual camping itself.

So, I became curious about glamping, and I can really see the appeal. Most owners build their accommodations around a healthy respect for the environment, combine it with a good dose of comfort, and just enough independence to make the guests feel that they are really participating in the outdoors. Of course, they will start the fire-pit for you, warm up the spa pool, and give you a cozy blanket, but you get to find your own rock, roast marshmallows, enjoy the view, and retreat to your (mosquito free) comfy bed when the day is over.

The level of luxury really does vary accordingly, but many of them are well within a decent budget. Definitely more for a vacation than a quick business trip, every place I looked at came well equipped for a stress-free weekend getaway (no longer do you need to navigating your evening with a flashlight, leave a trail of breadcrumbs, and hastily digging a hole in the ground).

While all have basic modern conveniences, some are truly swoon-worthy. One place that I found comes with air conditioning, goose-down linens, and an antique bathtub filled with scented milk. Another had a fireplace, a flat screen television, and your own private butler. Others are more spare in their furnishings, but they still have more than the bare necessities, and the settings are always quite lovely.

I can see glamping in my future; it seems like a great way to enjoy a more scenic destination, without having to bring a map and my own toilet paper....

Photograph from Fireside Resort in Jackson Hole