Glamping: A New Way To Camp Or A Passing Fad?
In today’s contemporary world, camping can be a way of escaping the challenges of modern technology. In fact, the whole point of camping is to get in touch with nature and to appreciate the natural world better that so many of us take for granted in a world that grows further and further out of touch.
Today, we are going to take a look at a type of camping (if we can go so far as to call it that) that completely does away with that philosophy. We are sure that many campers were disgusted just be seeing the word in the title, but we had to address this matter sooner or later.
We will be talking about glamping. We will start off by explaining the meaning of glamping for our readers who are less acquainted with it and then we will take a look at some of the pros and cons of glamping. Bear with us, as you may end up learning something new about this type of camping.
What Is Glamping?
Before we get into further details, we should discuss and explain what glamping is. This is because there are quite a few misconceptions about glamping and what the term describes. There are some who believe that glamping is just a different way of saying that you are visiting a resort, and they would not be too far off with that assessment.
Glamping is a combination of the words “glamour” and “camping.” As you may have guessed from this combination, it tends to be less camping and more glamour. It boils down to a mix of a vacation resort, a camping trip, and a safari.
When you are glamping, you often have luxurious accommodations positioned somewhere out in the wild with all of the amenities you could desire. Some glamping locations even have a waiting staff that is ready to call on your needs while you are out in the wilderness.
There are usually gourmet meals available, often made from some of the ingredients that you will find in the surrounding area to keep you immersed in the experience.
While there is nothing outwardly negative about glamping, you will see that there are both pros and cons to this style of camping. Let’s go over them and see whether the advantages to this activity will outweigh the disadvantages.
Benefits Of Glamping
The best part about glamping is that you will always be accommodated, no matter what the situation. If you are hoping to go on a relaxing vacation where you can still enjoy natural surroundings, you will find few better options than a glamping trip.
Glamping allows you to experience a new environment if you should choose to travel to a different country, and it lets you get a better idea of the environment of the country. When compared to a traditional resort, glamping is a much more secluded experience that allows you much more privacy.
If you are tired of being swamped by fellow tourists while you vacation, a glamping trip may be the best option at your disposal.
Glamping also gives you to freedom to relax and not have to look out for yourself while you camp. If you ever wanted a unique camping experience, you will be hard-pressed to find one which is more unique than glamping. For example, there are few forms of camping in which you can enjoy a gourmet meal at the same time.
This style of camping will often feature shelter and accommodations that are far beyond the capabilities of a regular campsite. Luxurious decking and gravel paths are not an uncommon site in a glamping campground.
Disadvantages Of Glamping
For all of its pros, we can’t say that glamping is camping in any way, shape, or form. Comparing camping to glamping is like comparing kayaking down a stream to taking a cruise down that stream in a luxury ocean liner . When you are glamping, you are essentially a client at a high-end resort.
There is nothing wrong with going to a resort on your free time. After all, every one of us is free to do what we want with the money that we have earned, but we will not be disingenuous and tell you that glamping is anything like regular camping.
When you are on a glamping trip, you arrive to find the campsite ready and furnished. This is convenient for travelers from out of the country, as you will not be able to bring all of your camping goods with you, but it does not make for an authentic experience in the slightest.
A camping trip can teach you survival skills that can prove to be useful should you ever find yourself in the forest alone. This is not the case when you are glamping, as you will have a five-star chef ready to provide food for you whenever you please.
There is also the matter of cost. A fun camping trip can easily be arranged on a budget. If you plan to go glamping, you should start saving now, as those amenities do not come cheap. This is another way that glamping contradicts camping entirely, instead of an affordable family activity, it becomes a pricey vacation.
This is not even to mention the environmental impact that some glamping sites have. From the killing of endangered species to the destruction of the surrounding environment, some glamping sites suck the life out of their surrounding area like some vampiric resort.
If you are hoping to get closer to nature and maybe learn some useful skills along the way, you will find that glamping is the wrong choice. There are many other reasons why glamping cannot actually be considered camping, but that is for another day.
Conclusion
We hope that this article has helped you make a distinction between glamping and camping. In the end, it is up to what you expect. You can either opt for a vacation in resort-like surroundings or a fun outing into the woods.
Resources:
