Anyone can go camping - but have you ever tried glamping? Currently, "glamping" (a combination of glamour and camping) is the ultimate trend for rural holidays: Guests enjoy direct contact with nature without having to forego the comfort of a luxury suite. The chic version of camping has many facets: Stay in a wooden bungalow with a tent roof, a comfortable dome tent, or in a yurt inspired by Asian nomad tents.
A glamping holiday is ideal for all nature lovers as well as for families in search of a new adventure that will convince parents and children alike. Looking up at the starry night sky from the comfort of your bed, waking up to the sound of birdsong the next morning, and stepping outside the door to breathe in the clear forest air - relaxation is guaranteed.
Our Secretplaces Team has gone on a search and picked out the most beautiful glamping hotels in Europe for you!
1. Quinta M (Ribatejo, Portugal)
Quiet, refined and unusual, Quinta M's four modern yurts invite you to relax in a tranquil oasis. A yurt is a round tent inspired by Asian nomad tents, usually with a round window in the roof. All yurts have a bedroom, a small sitting area and a bathroom. Each is named after a Portuguese river and decorated in different colours, so they have their own unique atmosphere. From your private terrace overlooking the property, you can experience unforgettable moments of harmony with the surrounding nature and enjoy the view of the beautiful landscape.
In addition to a pool, the complex also includes a private horse stable. Quinta M is located in the Ribatejo region, just one hour from Lisbon, and known in Portugal as a destination for gastronomy and wine tourism.
2. La Dehesa Experiences (Andalusia, Spain)
Situated near Cordoba in southern Spain, La Dehesa Experiences has six exclusive suites in modern wooden bungalows built on stilts and with a tented roof - just as a true glamping experience should be. The front of the glamping suites is almost entirely made of glass, so you feel like in the middle of nature. Right outside the door, you can refresh yourself in the private swimming pool while enjoying the wonderful view of the green hills covered with olive trees and holm oaks. Depending on the suite you choose, you may even have a view of the lake in the middle of the complex and, if you are lucky, you may also be able to watch lots of birds and other free-living animals drinking without disturbing them.
The six suites are all unique and spaced generously apart so you can relax in complete privacy with your loved ones. They can accommodate two to four people and feature modern interiors with all the necessary amenities. Here you are by no means cut off from the outside world; you even have a kitchenette and a living area with TV at your disposal.
3. Reserva Alecrim (Alentejo, Portugal)
Set on a lake in the beautiful Alentejo countryside, you'll find the first glamping boutique resort on Portugal's southern Atlantic coast. Reserva Alecrim offers eco-friendly accommodation - relax in nature on the wooden sun deck or in front of the fireplace. The charm of the place lies in its simplicity and unpretentious way of living. The property stretches over 28 hectares and is rich in indigenous fauna and flora.
The accommodation offers 32 lodges of various types: igloo-shaped dome tents with a see-through front, safari tents, and wooden bungalows on stilts. Each of the air-conditioned suites offers a beautiful view of the lake or the natural landscape and has a comfortable bed and modern furnishings. Some cottages also have a kitchenette for self-catering.
The complex has three swimming pools, as well as a sunset lounge and pizza bar, and a wide range of activities in the surrounding area. The next beach is only a 20-minute drive away.
4. Azul Singular (Azores, Portugal)
This unique idyll on the Portuguese Azores Island of Ilha do Faial is the perfect place to experience nature in all its glory and listen to the chirping of birds. At Azul Singular, different types of glamping accommodation await you, according to your taste.
If you're feeling adventurous, make yourself comfortable in a yurt inspired by Asian nomadic tents and gaze at the starry sky from your bed through the window in the ceiling! On the platform outside the yurt, you will find a private bathroom with shower and a fully equipped kitchen. The little plus: breakfast, prepared with love and regional ingredients, is brought directly to your accommodation! There are also more robust wooden bungalows with tent roofs available, which offer space for two to four people. You can prepare your own meals in the fully equipped kitchen. The accommodation also offers heating and a private bathroom.
You can explore the surroundings on your own with rented bicycles or take a hike up the mountain. Of course, water lovers will not be disappointed: beaches, diving, and water sports are all within easy reach.
5. Vedetta Lodges (Tuscany, Italy)
Vedetta Lodges is the first rural 5-star campsite in the Tuscan Maremma. Located on the south-eastern ridge of Poggio La Forcola, it awaits guests with seven tastefully furnished suites of over 50 m², each with an arbour and private bathroom. They are stilt houses with tent roof and walls like on a campsite, but from the inside, they show the comfort of a luxury suite: king-size bed, living area, bathroom with large shower, TV, coffee machine and kettle, and a terrace from where you can enjoy an extraordinary panorama.
Three of the lodges overlook the medieval village of Scarlino and the surrounding woods and meadows, while the other four tents offer magnificent views of the islands of Elba and Corsica. The tents are dedicated to the Pleiades, the seven mythological sisters who, in the constellation of Taurus, show sailors the safe way.
Have you caught glamping fever yet? Then choose your favourite accommodation and experience a trip of a very special kind!
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