The Benefits Of Glamping Abroad

After a couple of years of staycation, European travel is starting to recover; data from the same time period last year is showing a 7.2% increase in arrivals compared to the same period in 2019.  This is likely to rise a lot further as the summer holiday season gets into full swing and with the winter we’ve had in the UK it’s no surprise that holidaymakers will want the guarantee of decent weather the continent can supply.

Glamping is a great option for a holiday abroad, combining the savings of self-catering with the proximity to nature and immersion in the local environment and culture that camping or a rural break brings.  Camping on the continent can be great fun, but if you forget something you may not be able to get an exact replacement in your destination country, and it also means cramming the car with so much kit you might have to leave the kids behind!

Glamping in Europe allows you to explore more widely and soak up the real culture of the country or countries you visit, rather than being confined to city hotels and large towns with just day trips out to the scenery that much of Europe is known for.  With some stunning accommodation options, including chateau-inspired tree houses and traditional vehicle restorations, you can get the most authentic and memorable experiences money can buy.

The Treehotel in Norrbotten, Sweden, is one of the destinations we’d love to stay; seven unique rooms are set in a forest and some, like the Bird’s Nest, must be seen to be believed.  In Norway, remote tree houses give fantastic views across the lakes and mountains, while in Portugal you can stay in a windmill and soak in the fabulous wine, olives and other local produce on a sunny evening.

Public transport in Europe is generally excellent, so you can even leave the car at home, fly or take the Eurotunnel to France or Belgium and avail yourself of the flexible freedom that an Inter-rail pass brings – why not make a month of it and explore your dream destinations across the continent?  Doing it this way means you can choose some stunning glamping spots and mix that in with a couple of nights in the major cities to sample the best of the food and drink and tick off some of those must-see sights.

This is where glamping really comes into its own as a holiday abroad; you don’t need to pack any more stuff than if you were going all-inclusive at a resort.  If you’re a pro at packing light then there’s no reason why you can’t do a month long trip around Europe staying in some unique locations and mixing in some town-based tourist time as well.

A European glamping trip doesn’t need to break the bank.  While there are certainly impressive locations (with a certain price tag attached) there are also budget-friendly options like tipis, safari tents and yurts that can make your dreams of glamping abroad a reality.  In all major cities there are budget hotels and backpacker hostels that can provide a cheap night with all mod cons.  You can even mix and match a few nights in a once-in-a-lifetime location with cheaper options the rest of the time to maximise your European glamping vacation.

If Europe is stretching the budget a bit, the UK still has a wealth of amazing glamping options for you to choose from, whether you return to an old favourite again and again, or spread your wings and try further afield.