What is Glamping?
Glamping is short for the English term “Glamorous Camping,” meaning luxury camping. The difference between glamping and regular camping is that overnight stays during glamorous camping don’t take place on a campsite, in a motorhome pitch, or in a traditional tent, but rather in spacious and comfortable accommodations. Whether treehouses or elegant bungalows, the list of extraordinary luxury camping options is long.
Possible Glamping Accommodations:
- Glamping Tent: Fully equipped tents with solid flooring usually include a bed, a small kitchen, and a seating area. Comfortable and close to nature, the glamping tent is ideal for couples or small families.
- Glamping Pod: These small, enclosed wooden huts in round or oval shapes offer a bed, electricity, and often heating. They are insulated, weatherproof, cozy—and perfect for short trips.
- Safari Tent: As the name suggests, this is a spacious tent in safari style, often set on a wooden platform. With multiple sleeping areas, a kitchen, and a bathroom, it’s especially popular with families. The safari tent offers an adventurous feel with plenty of comfort.
- Lodge Tent: A combination of a wooden lodge and tent structure: the lodge tent has solid walls and often includes a bathroom and a veranda. It is very spacious, sometimes with several sleeping chambers, making it suitable for longer stays or groups.
Although you usually stay in a fully equipped accommodation, you don’t have to miss out on nature or the typical “campsite atmosphere.” Many glamping accommodations are located on sand, gravel, forest, or meadow grounds.
Connected to Nature: What Camping and Glamping Have in Common
Both camping and glamping are wonderful ways to escape everyday life and connect deeply with nature. Despite different comfort levels, they share several similarities, such as a connection to nature and communal experiences.
- Self-sufficiency: Typically, both camping and glamping involve self-catering (cooking, shopping, etc.).
- Nature-based vacation: Campsites are located by lakes, in forests, directly on the beach, or in the mountains.
- Family-friendly: Glamping is ideal for families with children and dogs, as it combines nature-based camping with high comfort.
- Sustainability: Glamping consumes less energy than hotels. Many campsites focus on regional products and sustainable practices, reducing the ecological footprint. Tips for a particularly sustainable camping vacation include avoiding waste, using renewable energy sources, and conscious water conservation.
- Campsite flair: Both types of vacations often take place on campsites, with a sense of community, playgrounds, and barbecue areas for socializing with other campers.
Camping or Glamping – Which Suits Me Best?
Despite the shared connection to nature and community spirit, camping and glamping offer two fundamentally different vacation experiences. While camping is reduced to the bare essentials of comfort, glamping feels more like staying in a hotel or vacation rental.
Wondering which option is best for you and your loved ones?
Camping:
- Accommodation: You handle the accommodation yourself: tent, caravan, or tent camp.
- Comfort: Simple, minimalist, usually without electricity or water. Shared sanitary facilities.
- Price: More affordable, usually with minimal costs. Requires more personal effort and lots of equipment.
- Suitable for: Budget-conscious, nature lovers, adventurers.
- Availability: Widely available, possible anywhere in nature. Note: wild camping is prohibited in some countries.
Glamping:
- Accommodation: Usually provided: luxurious tents, treehouses, lodges.
- Comfort: More comfortable, sometimes even luxurious. Often includes high-quality furniture, air conditioning, heating, electricity, and water, frequently with private bathrooms.
- Price: Higher costs due to added amenities. Less preparation required.
- Suitable for: Comfort seekers who still want a nature-based vacation.
- Availability: Only available in specific glamping accommodations.
Glamping in Europe: Top Destinations
Numerous glamping resorts across Europe invite you to relax in style. Here are the most popular glamping destinations:
Austria:
Millstätter See is a peaceful lake with a mountain backdrop. Other lakes and mountain areas are also ideal for a glamping weekend, offering many outdoor activities like hiking, cycling, swimming, and skiing. Austria is attractive year-round.
Germany:
Bavaria is one of the most popular glamping destinations in Germany. Forests, lakes, and the Alpine region make this southern state a versatile destination. Other areas like the Black Forest or the Moselle region are also popular. There are many family-friendly glamping options.
Croatia (Istria):
The diverse coastal region of Istria offers many glamping options, often located directly by the sea. The Mediterranean climate and long summer season make it especially attractive. Pula, for example, offers culture, beaches, and Mediterranean lifestyle. Further north, Poreč combines old-town charm and beach holidays with modern glamping resorts by the sea. The island of Krk is known as a dream destination with beautiful bays and turquoise waters.
Italy:
Italy attracts glamping fans not only to Lake Garda. The mountains and fresh air also make South Tyrol very appealing. A glamping vacation here is ideal for nature lovers and wellness enthusiasts. Sardinia, on the other hand, offers stunning beaches and clear waters with a Mediterranean climate.
Slovenia:
Lake Bled offers a picturesque setting with an island and castle backdrop, making it ideal for romantic getaways or outdoor activities.
Best Protection: Stay Safe While Traveling with Travel Insurance
Whether camping or glamping—being out in nature carries a higher risk of injury. That’s why you should always carry a well-stocked travel first-aid kit. But comprehensive travel insurance is also essential. If you fall ill or get injured during your vacation, a first-aid kit may not be enough.
Are you camping or glamping abroad? To avoid expensive medical bills, it’s best to secure yourself with our award-winning travel insurance. We’re just a phone call away and provide worldwide emergency assistance, 24/7. We organize your medical treatment, cover the costs, and if necessary, arrange medical repatriation.
Well-prepared for nature:
Even before your trip, we provide important information about your destination: we tell you which medications are available, what vaccination requirements exist, and which medical providers are available locally.
In case of emergency:
We also cover the shipping costs for necessary medications abroad. This applies even if you regularly take the medication before your trip.
We also reimburse the costs of doctor-prescribed medications and bandages.
If you suddenly feel unwell during your camping or glamping trip, our teleconsultation service is available upon request: our qualified professionals provide personalized medical advice via phone or video. Our emergency hotline is available 365 days a year, 24 hours a day.
Is Glamping Worth It?
Glamping combines luxury with a nature experience, offering a stylish alternative to traditional camping. The latter is ideal for adventurers and minimalists, while glamping suits comfort seekers and beginners.
Glamping can be enjoyed as a longer vacation or a relaxing weekend getaway. Across Europe, there are numerous glamping sites that combine self-catering, proximity to nature, and the typical campsite atmosphere in a modern way. Glamping saves time and effort during arrival and setup, whereas camping is often more affordable and flexible.
No matter which type of nature holiday you prefer – don’t forget a well-stocked travel first-aid kit and comprehensive travel insurance that’s there for you at all times.
Ultimately, the choice between glamping and camping depends on personal preferences. In either case, you can enjoy a nature-based vacation and a mindful break from everyday life!