What is your favorite glamping?
Although glamping is a new way to practice luxury tourism in nature, its origins go back hundreds of years. From the nomadic peoples in Mongolia with their “Yurts”, passing through the Indian settlements of North America and their Indian stores to the safari tents and the explorers of the National Geographic Society of the 19th century, mainly in Africa. This nostalgia for the past and the unlived adventures has led to glamping, a form of tourism in which for a few days we can experience nature with all the comforts and luxury. Therefore, there are multiple types of glamping accommodations, some examples:
“Wooden Pods”
Traditionally they were shelters of mountain or shepherds. Nowadays, there are usually small cabins perfectly isolated, with electrical connections, a good bed and the necessary comforts to enjoy a true glamorous experience in nature. They have the advantage that they can be used during the four seasons of the year and that wood is a natural and ecological material that integrates very well in nature.
“Cloth accommodations or safari tents:”
First used in Africa to offer a large accommodation space and a safe place in the middle of nature. Designed for very hot climates favoring ventilation. The constructions are simple and the luxury is provided by the furniture and accessories.
“Yurts”
They are cloth shops supported by a wooden framework. Rounded shape. It is a typology imported from the nomadic peoples of Asia and taken out of context. It is a very widespread solution in the world of glamping because it is a cheap solution that offers a large interior space.
“Tipis or Indian stores”
Developed by the American Indians in the s. XIX to favor their nomadic way of life. The design includes a central chimney to place a bonfire in the center. They are very easy to transport and a very fun and attractive solution especially for children. However, they present functional difficulties to reach the level of luxury and comfort expected in glamping (absence of soil, difficulty in positioning a bed, heating problems, etc).
“Tree houses”
Used since ancient times throughout the world as housing, shelter, as a sign of protest or recreational space. The tree-houses awaken in people feelings that take us back to childhood and make us dream, while at the same time provoking that irresistible and ancestral desire to access a high point where we feel safe and can enjoy a good view. That is why it is a model that fits very well in the concept of glamping.
“Domes or geodesic domes”
They are a modern variant extending from Chilean Patagonia to the mountains of Switzerland. They offer a large interior space and the possibility of seeing the stars at bedtime. It is not an economical solution if you want to offer a good view of the environment (glazed vault) at the same time you can control the interior temperature.
“Bell tents (flared tents)”
Inspired by the solutions of the American military camps of the s. XIX A model widely used in multiple glamping sites due to its ease of installation, a central pillar holds the textile cover. It is a similar model to the Indian stores and that can present similar problems. The exterior appearance is that of a large tent.
“Gypsy caravans or Gypsy caravans”
Originally small homes pulled by horses and used by nomadic gypsies. The design has been adapted for the needs of tourism. As glamping becomes more popular, new accommodation typologies emerge that aim to offer new experiences with more or less success. It can be said that there is a typology for each one of us.
