Glamping 2.0 - Full-Time Travel

Glamping 2.0

Glamping 2.0

Next-Level Luxe

Glamping is growing up, edging closer to brick-and-mortar hotel experiences in terms of comfort, amenities and design. The latest wave of luxe camping experiences pushes the notion into even more extreme terrain for people looking for truly unique rooms of their own.

Field Notes

Move over minibar; constellation maps are the new must-have amenity at a growing list of luxe campsites that now rival top boutique hotels with their design, sense of serenity and unrivaled access to natural wonders. 

1. Located in the lush forests of the Julian Alps and minutes from the crystalline Lake Bled, Slovenia’s Garden Village Bled boasts 23 units, including a tree house with live trunks growing through it, and pier tents suspended on stilts that jut over a trout-filled stream.

2. Aman-i-Khás, one of the uber-exclusive installations by Aman Resorts, features 10 elegant “tents” (they’re outfitted with leather ottomans and twin writing desks) in the brushwood outskirts of India’s Ranthambore National Park. During the day, visitors can partake in a safari through the park, which remains one of the best locations in the world to spot wild tigers, as well as crocodiles, leopards, jackals and approximately 300 species of birds.

3. Suspended over the serene emerald waters of Cheow Lan Lake in Thailand’s Khao Sok National Park, Elephant Hills Rainforest Camp constructed 20 floating eco-friendly safari tents that sit directly on the water (and are safely anchored in place). Take a kayak trip from your door, or venture over to Elephant Hills, the camp’s sister organization that encourages ethical treatment and interaction with local elephants.

By the Numbers

Inn Crowd

As Montana’s only five-star guest ranch, The Ranch at Rock Creek is an opportunity to experience real Montana with a luxurious twist. Set on 6,600 acres of untouched wilderness and nestled in an isolated valley south of Glacier National Park, the property remains a working cattle ranch that’s been in operation since the late 1800’s. While its original 19th-century barn still stands, the ranch’s other structures have been reimagined into rustic-chic accommodations where cowhide rugs meet canopied beds. The ranch takes rural living to the next level via canvas-cloaked homesteader wagons and personalized cabins that hug up against Rock Creek. Decked out with wood burning stoves, outdoor cedar soaking tubs and individual fire pits, the cabins’ stunning décor is only rivaled by their surroundings: moose, elk and wolves meander through the property, while hiking, horseback riding (featuring a Summer Cowboy Breakfast), guided photography workshops and Blue Ribbon fly-fishing are a step out the front door.

Launch Pad

From the sky, the refurbished trailers at El Cosmico resemble a spiral of Pez dispensers, their pastel flecks dotting West Texas’ barren desert landscape. The brainchild of hotelier-turned-artistic engagement guru Liz Lambert, the campground is made up of trailers, yurts, Sioux-style teepees and scout tents spread over 21 acres just outside of Marfa. Teaming up with architecture firm Lake/Flato, the group created a series of refurbished mid 20th-century vintage trailers, finished with marine varnished birch interiors, 70’s-inspired décor and a more-is-more color palette that somehow remains minimalistic. The grounds also feature a limited-edition micro-home made in collaboration with Kasita, as well as a communal outdoor kitchen, bathhouse, hammock grove and reading room—just to name a few of the site’s amenities.

The Brag

Looking for solitude smack in the middle of Beverly Hills? Perched up on the 10th floor of the Beverly Wilshire Hotel, a newly installed luxury tent offers a bird’s eye view of Rodeo Drive. Veranda Suite includes dinner on the terrace, with dishes cooked primarily on charcoal or in a wood-fire oven, and fire pits that are perfect for roasting (Tahitian vanilla bean) marshmallows. 

Cheat Sheet

As cofounder and CEO of Under Canvas, Sarah Dusek has made it her mission to create luxurious glamping accommodations just minutes from some of America’s most popular national parks. Here are her top awe-inspiring destinations.

Mount Rushmore is spectacular. Located on an original gold mining settlement, with a direct view of the monument from camp, you can spend your days exploring the Black Hills and Badlands National Park, Devils Tower, Crazy Horse and Sylvan Lake. There’s really great rock climbing and Custer State Park is a playground for thrill seekers no matter the experience level.

Great Smoky Mountains is set back in a gorgeous valley in the midst of the lush forest — quite literally a rainforest — the setting is beautiful. The convenience to America’s most visited national park and the Appalachian Trail is what also makes it so incredible, but I’m also a big fan of venturing out to any of the many waterfall hikes that are so unique to the region.

Grand Canyon is a bucket-list location that you just can’t miss. I love the fact that you’re surrounded by a piñon and juniper forest, and just 25 minutes away is one of the world’s great wonders, the South Rim entrance. I recommend getting up super early and watching the sunrise over the canyon. It is truly a chilling experience.  

"This sculpture is called "Transmission" by artist Daniel Popper. Its a reminder that we are all rooted in love, unity and the divine. She stands a towering 28 feet tall and is located on Mojave Moon Ranch in Joshua Tree. The land is private property, so you can see it from the viewing platform off of Sunfair Road. And take it from me, it's best viewed at sunset."

Reel: @johnofah
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There's more to Greece than the white and blue buildings and the surrounding Mediterranean Sea. If you're planning a visit, check out these places below!

📍Kokkinopilos. Preveza
📍Verliga Dragon lake, Thessaly
📍Ithaca island, lonian Sea
📍Aoos springs lake, Epirus
📍Lake Prespes, Macedonia
📍Balda di Stringa waterfalls, Epirus
📍Meteora, Thessaly
📍Pelion, Thessaly
📍Lake Zorika, Epirus
📍Mt Lakmos
📍Crete island, Aegean Sea
📍Gistova Dragon lake, Macedonia

Reel: @farawayfarers
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Swim or kayak through the limestone cliffs of the Twin Lagoon, a must-visit destination for those traveling to Coron, Palawan, Philippines. It is called "twin" lagoon because it consists of two lagoons separated by a limestone cliff, with one lagoon on top of the other. The water in the inner lagoon is warm and clear, with a stunning turquoise color that makes it popular for swimming and snorkeling.

Reel: @travelifejournal
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Take a dip in a series of seven saltwater lagoons located in the Atacama Desert of northern Chile. The Lagoons of Baltinache are known for their beautiful turquoise waters and unique geological formations. The high concentration of minerals in the water gives it a unique buoyancy that makes swimming in the lagoons a unique experience.

Reel: @everchanginghorizon
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Watching the sun rise above the clouds at Haleakalā National Park is one of the most memorable experiences you could have. Haleakalā is a Hawaiian name that means “House of the Sun” and is an awesome place to watch the clear night sky and stars fade away as the sun lights up the sky and the earth.

Reel: @girlchill_sunset
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Just 1 hour from Shanghai by train, Cherry Blossom Valley is a popular tourist destination, particularly in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. The valley is named after the thousands of cherry blossom trees that cover the area and create a stunning display of pink and white flowers. The trees were originally planted in the 1980s by a group of Japanese experts who were invited to China to help with reforestation efforts. The best time to visit is typically in late March or early April. Get there early to beat the crowds!

Reel: @cyncynti
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New Zealand is unbelievable. See it for yourself:

1. Fiordland National Park
2. A classic backcountry hut trip
3. Blue Pools walk
4. Hooker Lake
5. Milford Sound
6. Lake Pukaki

Reel: @kylekotajarvi
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Surrounded by lush greenery, towering karst mountains, and the river flowing through, the Detian Waterfall is a popular tourist attraction and a symbol of the close relationship between China and Vietnam. It is the largest waterfall in Asia and the fourth largest cross-border waterfall in the world.

Reel: @sophoebelous
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Escape to a serene and peaceful oasis away from the bustling city of Marrakech at Le Jardin Secret—a beautiful and historic garden where visitors can escape the noise and chaos and enjoy the beauty of nature. The garden was originally built in the 16th century and is home to many different species of plants, including exotic flowers, citrus trees, and palm trees.

Reel: @hypermiggzz
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For a magical moment and bucket list travel experience, visit the end point of the annual monarch butterfly migration. Starting in August, the monarchs travel 2,800 miles south from Canada, making a temporary home amid the towering trees of the Monarch Butterfly Biosphere Reserve in Mexico, where the two most popular sanctuaries to view them are el Rosario in the state of Michoacan and Piedra Herrada in Estado de México. Standing in silence while thousands of delicate wings beat in unison is something you'll never forget.

Reel: @juliiathompson
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There's just something beautiful about snow covered landscapes like this popular attraction in southwestern Utah. Known for its unique geology, @brycecanyonnps_gov consists of a series of natural amphitheaters, called "hoodoos," formed by erosion of the rock layers.

Photo: @nathanleeallen
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As we experience a couple more weeks of winter, we can't help but dream of tropical destinations like Hawaii. The warm water, sunny skies, and consistent waves make it an ideal destination for surfers. Hawaii has a vibrant surf culture and community and is also a beautiful place to explore outside of the water, with lush green mountains, stunning beaches, and unique cultural experiences.

Reel: @christopherballadarez
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5 PLACES IN THE U.S. THAT FEEL LIKE ANOTHER PLANET:
1. @sequoiakingsnps, California
2. @canyonlandsnps, Utah
3. @olympic_nps, Washington
4. @whitesandsnps, New Mexico
5. Vermillion Cliffs National Monument, Arizona
6. Knik Glacier, Alaska

Reel: @nathanleeallen
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