For those with no time
Glamping = glamorous camping. In other words, camping with the comfort of a hotel – a bed, a shower, sometimes even a hot tub, but still in the middle of nature. It’s ideal for those who want to experience nature but don’t want to sleep in a sleeping bag. For couples looking for romance under the stars and, a little, for a change of scene, or for families with children who love adventure.
Some people like to travel low-cost, others swear by comfort. This article is devoted mainly to the second group, because it’s about the trend of the past few years – glamping.
What glamping is
In short, glamping is a form of camping in a luxury style. This modern accommodation trend is a great option for many travellers, because it combines the comfort of modern life with being out in nature. That’s clear from the term itself, which comes from combining the English words glamorous and camping.
Usually it’s camping, but some forms of glamping accommodation are of such high quality that they compare with luxury hotel suites. Plenty of people choose glamping to escape civilisation, though. Anyone interested in this kind of stay can choose from more luxuriously equipped tents through caravans to unusual little houses (even up in the treetops). Besides comfortable beds and stylish living areas, a fully equipped bathroom, ordinary electrical appliances and even a terrace or dining area await. All within a few square metres.
Tip: You’ll find a rich selection of glamping accommodation on Booking or Airbnb.
We’re overstating things a bit with the comparison to luxury suites – that isn’t always quite true. There are places that are simply riding the wave of high demand for this style of accommodation. For an inflated price they offer inadequate quality. I call places like that a “Prague water park” – squeeze as much money out of you as they can, because someone else will turn up anyway.
But glamping really is a unique experience, because you have nature within arm’s reach without giving up comfort or luxury. You can wake up to birdsong and spend evenings by the fire under a starry sky without sleeping in a basic tent wrapped up in a sleeping bag. We’ve become very fond of places with glass roofs where you can watch the stars.
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The roots of glamping
Glamping’s roots go back to the African safari camps of the early 20th century. Wealthy travellers wanted to see the wilderness back then, but without losing their comfort. And that exact approach is coming back today – just with modern design and an emphasis on the experience.
Glamping’s popularity took off mainly with the rise of Instagram and the “slow travel” trend. These days people long for experiences that are authentic, photogenic and comfortable all at once.
Where will you come across glamping?
This way of travelling is more and more popular, so it’s no wonder it’s gradually spreading around the world. Its efficiency, sustainability and energy self-sufficiency play a part too, which means it can be built practically anywhere.
The first seeds of glamping-style accommodation started appearing around the world at the beginning of the 21st century, but the massive jump in popularity has only come in the last ten years. The COVID-19 pandemic contributed a great deal, when people couldn’t travel and missed their connection with nature.
Glamping accommodation first started appearing in Africa and Asia – in Namibia, Tanzania, Thailand and Malaysia, for instance. From those exotic parts it spread around the world, including Europe, where the first resorts were built mainly in Croatia. Now you can come across glamping in Spain, Italy and the UK too.
Glamping is really veeeery widespread in Czechia too. The range on offer is genuinely varied. In our part of the world you’ll often come across treehouses, fitted-out shepherd’s huts or yurts in the woods. The most glamping sites are in the Vysočina region, with noticeably fewer in South Moravia. Overall, though, they’re spread very nicely across the country.
Why is glamping so expensive?
I’m looking for the answer to that myself. Not every place has an inflated price. It’s understandable that building a gem in the middle of nowhere takes work. You get a feeling of freedom, solitude and calm. But you often don’t have running water, only a composting toilet. High demand makes it possible to ask for more money. Demand also brings more new places, and with them pressure on prices. Maybe glamping will become more affordable in future.
We completely avoid booking through Amazing Places, for instance, because charging over 5,000 CZK for a night in a shepherd’s hut simply doesn’t feel right to me. Am I being a skinflint?
What do you think about glamping prices? Write to us in the comments. 🙂
Types of glamping
You may be wondering what glamping actually looks like. Here are a few types worth trying:
- Luxury tents and yurts
- Wooden cabins and treehouses
- Tiny houses
- Caravans and campervans
Glamping recommendations
We’ve had the chance to visit a few glamping sites and we’ve never been wrong. We pick places that aren’t too over the top on price (sometimes that means searching longer) and that feel somewhat welcoming.
Na Vrchu
Our very first glamping stay, and in a word it was wonderful. The Šumava countryside within arm’s reach, lovely hosts and a teepee set in total solitude. There’s a shelter with full facilities, an outdoor bath and a toilet. On top of that they’ve now built a beautiful wooden deck under the teepee.
Oh, and before I forget, they also have a second addition to the glamping family – a wooden teepee. Take a look at their Instagram and you’ll see why you have to sleep there too.
Zašívárna Polom
In a tucked-away village you’ll find this converted house on wheels. When the owner decides to, the house disappears practically from one minute to the next. Two nights spent at Zašívárna made an impression on us. Partly thanks to the smooth communication with the owners, lovely surprises on arrival and genuine solitude. Vysočina is actually a lovely region, and it’s places like this that keep us discovering hidden corners of other regions too.
Trapani glamping camp
Another gorgeous spot, this time on the edge of the Bohemian Switzerland National Park. During the fire in the park the owners fortunately weren’t hit by the flames directly, but the situation still heavily affected how they operate. A friendly young couple live in the renovated attic of the main building on the property. During our visit the husband was repairing a small house next to the main building. His wife supplied us with a hefty dose of joy and a feeling of home. We spent two nights in yurt tents in the extensive garden. Unfortunately I didn’t take a single photo of the visit.
Trapani’s Instagram is a shop window of the moments you’ll want to experience, though.
Maringotka Nouzovka
In the heart of Šumava, our mate Karel and his wife brought a wrecked shepherd’s hut back to life, turning it from a rusted chassis into experiential accommodation in a heavenly spot. Just look at the sunrise you get at the hut – what do you make of that?
