LET'S GO GLAMPING!
Forget soggy groundsheets. These days camping has cranked up the glam-o-meter to become super chic AND super cheap
BEST FOR: UNDER THE STARS
If you want to really get away from
it all, the only way is up! The treetop cabins of Natura Cabana in the
Pian-Médoc forest are right in the heart of French wine country - and
overlook a vineyard. Perched around 7m up in the oaks, the wooden getaways
house three to four people and have a terrace to eat breakfast on. Don't
forget your wet wipes though - you're here for the experience, not the
facilities, ladies!
PITCH UP: Cabins costs 145 (£125) per
night. Book yours online at Natura
cabana.fr.
BEST FOR: AN OOOH VIEW!
View For stunning scenery it's hard to
beat Europe's highest campsite in the Valais region of Switzerland. Camping
Arolla (Camping-arolla.com) is 1,970m up in the mountains.
There's
a small shop on site, you're next to lots of beautiful walking trails, and
you can hire mountain bikes in the village. However, for an udderly unique
afternoon, watch some cow fighting!
PITCH UP: One night
costs seven Swiss francs (£4) per adult and from six to 12 Swiss francs
(£3.50-£9) per tent. Showers and electricity are extra.
BEST FOR: STAYING WARM AND DRY
Who needs canvas when you can
stay in a pod? The heated wooden shelters at Eskdale in the Lake District
(think
of supersized acorns) are insulated with sheep's wool and made of local
timber. Each sleeps up to four people and facilities at the 80-tent campsite
include toilets, showers and a shop. The super-energetic can explore
England's highest peak, Scafell Pike, and deepest lake, Wastwater, which are
both nearby.
PITCH UP: The pods cost £37 per night. Go to Campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk
for more details.
BEST FOR: URBAN GLAMPING
Getting back to nature doesn't have
to mean missing out on the bright lights. Berlin's Tentstation
(Tentstation.de) is
located
in the grounds of a former outdoor swimming pool in the Tiergarten district
- five minutes from the central rail station and a short walk from the
Brandenburg Gate. Although with a bar and live music on site, as well as
film screenings and barbecues for hire, you might never leave...
PITCH
UP: It costs 11euros (£9.50) per night. Tent hire is 4euros (£3.50) or
book a retro caravan from 10euros (£8.60) per night.
BEST FOR: CARAVANNING
Cancel that transatlantic flight. If you
fancy a spot of retro Americana, the super-slick vintage silver Airstream
trailers, pitched on a working dairy farm just outside Newport on the Isle
of Wight, are just the ticket. Dating from the '50s and '60s, each trailer
is decorated differently with funky period touches, and all boast hot water,
air-conditioning and heating. While you can't use the toilets on board
(unless you're happy to empty them), there are facilities at the site.
PITCH
UP: A weekend break costs from £160 per trailer (which sleeps four).
Check out Vintage vacations.co.uk for more information.
BEST FOR: YURTS
There's no need to get in touch with your
inner Bear Grylls to sleep in the wilds of Snowdonia. The yurts at the
award-winning Graig Wen campsite, just outside the town of
Dolgellau,
have futons, wood-burning stoves and cooking facilities, as well as amazing
views of the mountains. If you're feeling energetic, the area is perfect for
walking.
PITCH UP: A small yurt for two costs from £60 per
night, and you can even have breakfast brought to your door. Visit Graigwen.co.uk
for more info.
PHOTOGRAPHY: SCOPE BEAUTY, ANTHONY ONG, ACPSYNDICATION.COM, REX, ALPHA
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