Camping as an outdoor activity is well-known to many of us. You can break from the daily grind, explore outdoors, sleep in the tent, and enjoy the light of a cozy bonfire under the stars. And amenities on a camping trip are way different than at home or on a hotel vacation: there is no electricity, hot tubes, heating, bed, and a typical kitchen.
Glamping as a new art of camping, glamourous camping was born when “camping” became connected (started providing campers internet access). However, glamping resorts do not just provide internet access to campers (the campsites already do it!) but also give campers all the creature comforts they would like to have in a normal hotel (heating, electricity, private bathroom facilities, air conditioning, etc.)
To enjoy glamping tourists don’t need to possess any survival skills: all this hassle with tents, bonfires, and sleeping bags is excluded. Everything the tourist must do is book the glamping accommodation in advance. Of course, glamping is not so “wild” as camping is: even if glamping campsites are immersed in nature parks, deserts, and forests, they look like little green hotels rather than camping tents. Glamping campsites also provide tents as accommodation, but they are very comfortable, furnished, and have all the modern amenities.
However, glamping still brings you closer to nature and is a good opportunity to enjoy hiking, climbing, swimming, or kayaking. And you don’t need to take care of any utilities; just leave your luggage in your glamping house! After the hiking trip, you don’t need to mess up with the tent or cook food: a gourmet meal and warm, soft bed will await you in your shut/pod/bell or canvas wall tent/igloo/treehouse or cabin (so are different glamping structures to stay in). And maybe satellite internet to rewatch “Game of Thrones’ or enjoy betting on IviBet bonus, solar power, and a swimming pool. You can find accommodations in all sizes and for any budget. One of the most luxurious glamping accommodations is a geo-dom, a rounded shape, and futuristic-looking house.
And whatever you choose, the glamping structures include all the luxuries you are used to and some even more: they look inside as five-star hotels with friendly staff, swimming pools, etc. Some of them can cost $2000-5000 per night. Often there are also restaurants on the territory of glamping resorts. And you still live in an eco-friendly house and can enjoy the outdoors in the fascinating destination, so glamping has many benefits. In terms of pricing, glamping is way more expensive than camping, and this is the biggest disadvantage of glamping. You need to pay for all the glamping facilities, and they cost more money than a place at the campsite, a camping pot, a sleeping bag, and a tent. And you will be safe – camping out in nature can sometimes be dangerous: you can meet wild animals or burn your fingers while preparing your food.
As a camper, you interact with nature directly and therefore are exposed to many risks. However, for some fans of outdoor living, this safety devalues the idea of true camping. On a camping trip, you can develop many useful skills such as pitching a tent, finding clean drinking water, and building a fire, and in the glamping accommodation, you don’t need to do anything. And glamping is less sustainable than camping.
If you are planning your next outdoor vacation and want to choose between camping and glamping, ask yourself if the bare minimum of amenities is something for you or not. If it suits you and you are ready to buy camping equipment and develop some essential camping skills, you can try camping. If you are looking for a less challenging option and still get back to nature, consider glamping. Hopefully, you now have a good idea of which option is better for you.
