What is Glamping?

Low cost international flights have opened up the world to those who wish to start a bit further afield, but also want to retain much of their independence, when you are sitting behind the wheel of a luxury motorhome it is like taking your hotel with you, with a bit of planning you really are king of the road - and you can be sure you won't be too tents about it.

When most people think of camping they get an unglamorous image of a tent that leaks, mud, and a spot or two of rain. It doesn't have to be this way though. There's a new form of glamorous camping taking Britain by storm which is known appropriately enough as Glamping.

Glam camping is what it sounds like. Sleeping outdoors with as many trappings of modern life as possible. That means access to running water and toilets, electricity and comfy cushions. For people who love normal camping this probably defeats the whole purpose of living in the great outdoors and getting away from normal life for a while.

There are a lot of families more likely to take camping holidays this year in order to avoid the expense of going abroad. A number of camp sites with top notch facilities have sprung up in the last few years in order to accommodate them. Halfords have reported an increase of 60% in sales of their air beds. It seems that a lot of campers are deciding not to rough it by sleeping on the ground.

There are a number of things that you can take with you to make traditional camping a bit easier. Anything hand sized can be packed into a rucksack but if it needs electricity you're going to need a stack of batteries or your own generator.

If you're going to a festival the trip is going to be more of a social event so you may want to make an effort like you do on a night out. For women hair straighteners can be an essential item. There are cordless hair straighteners available on the market that are suitable for the job.

If you can stand more noise then an mp3 player and portable speakers are a great addition to any camp site. But remember to pack those batteries. There's no need to live on cold food or to struggle with a camping stove. Barbecue packs make for a great way to cook. They are small, lightweight, inexpensive and can cook enough food for a party of five.

Camping can be as bare bones or as fancy as you like.

Imagine laying out under the stars, roasting marshmallows over a camp-fire, the reflection of the camp-fire flickering on your Hunter Wellies, telling ghost stories, and bonding with your friends and family. Now imagine sleeping in a flimsy tent, dealing with bugs, rain, and being exposed to anyone and anything that decides to stroll by. Now that romantic image is seeming less than ideal, but thanks to Glamping, you can enjoy all the benefits of camping with the luxuries of an exquisite hotel.

Glamping is an increasingly popular trend for those who want to experience the great outdoors, but don't really want to "rough it" in the wilderness. Glamping lets you have the best of both worlds. You can have excellent meals and a good, peaceful night's sleep free from bad weather and pesky creatures without dealing with the equipment, gear, and bringing a vacation's worth of food.