Ditch the smelly sleeping bag and go 'glamping'

[asdf]

Link

NEW YORK (AP) -- Did a bad experience turn you off camping? Maybe your tent leaked in a rainstorm or you shivered all night in a borrowed, smelly sleeping bag. Or that thin foam pad you were trying to sleep on didn't do much to protect your back from the rocky, uneven ground beneath your tent.

It doesn't have to be that way. Tour companies and resorts now offer luxury camping, and the term "glamping" -- shorthand for glamorous camping -- is starting to turn up in reports from the United Kingdom and Canada. The New York Post recently mentioned "glamping" in an article on a new Web site for luxury travel, http://www.globorati.comexternal link. (The story also referred to "jetrosexuals" as a globetrotting jetsetter who thinks nothing of hopping on a plane to Asia for a shopping spree.)

In British Columbia, Canada, the Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, a 30-minute boat ride from the town of Tofino, is offering "glamping" on a fjord on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Tents have Persian carpets, down duvets and even electricity. There's a sauna and hot tubs on site, and activities including fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, hikes and wildlife-watching.

But if you thought camping was a budget vacation option, you'll have to readjust your expectations for glamping. Three-night packages at the Clayoquot resort begin at $4,100 a person, double occupancy. Details at 888-333-5405 or http://www.wildretreat.comexternal link.

Other tour companies offer luxury tent accommodations as well. Abercrombie & Kent has several trips to Africa that include high-end camping, such as guided tours of Botswana that include game drives and accommodations in "walk-in tents with extra length beds, crisp sheets and warm blankets," plus a "mess tent" for what's described as "bush-style haute cuisine" served on china and linen tablecloths. Details at http://www.abercrombiekent.comexternal link or 800-554-7016.

Closer to home and a bit less upscale, but still a world away from the do-it-yourself leaky tent, Maine Family Adventures offers a deluxe guided camping trip to Acadia National Park; http://www.mainefamilyadventures.com...p.htmlexternal link. Meals prepared by the guides, camping equipment and activities are all included in the cost of about $1,000 a person.

[goofball]

Tents have Persian carpets, down duvets and even electricity. There's a sauna and hot tubs on site, and activities including fishing, horseback riding, kayaking, hikes and wildlife-watching.

"walk-in tents with extra length beds, crisp sheets and warm blankets," plus a "mess tent" for what's described as "bush-style haute cuisine" served on china and linen tablecloths.

oh, hell yeah !

[Cirrus2000]

Not quite "glamping", but my in-laws took the kids to stay in these yurts, also on Vancouver Island (like Clayoquot), last summer:



Not a bad spot at all, for soft-walled accomodations.

[DiscGo]

I have a friend that I introduced to camping 3 years ago. He enjoyed it a lot. When he got home he spent $15,000 on camping supplies and then took his family camping. He had so much stuff that they had to get a uhaul to carry it all. I really think he misses the point.

[JP]

Little to flashy for me

[R]

After reading a post like that, I want to go into The Maze with nothing but a knife.

[Scott P]

Three-night packages at the Clayoquot resort begin at $4,100 a person, double occupancy

$4100 for 3-nights? Screw that.

[asdf]

Three-night packages at the Clayoquot resort begin at $4,100 a person, double occupancy

$4100 for 3-nights? Screw that.

'

Hella yeah.. even if I a had the money that still seems like a waste to me.

[shagster]

Three-night packages at the Clayoquot resort begin at $4,100 a person, double occupancy

$4100 for 3-nights? Screw that.

'

Hella yeah.. even if I a had the money that still seems like a waste to me.

I would much rather sleep on the ground than get bent over for the $4100.

[gonzo]

I would much rather sleep on the ground than get bent over for the $4100.

Do I hear $4200?

[DiscGo]

I bought a book last year called: "Tom Brown's Survival Guide". It was a combination of his outdoor and domestic survival books. It was awesome! After reading it my wife and two of our friends did two different survival campouts where we did not bring anything with us and had to survive for 3 days. It was a lot of fun. It really is surprising how little you really need when it comes down to it.

[tanya]

Where to I call to have the set up in the Grand Canyon for 2 weeks! Yahoo!!! I am ready for endure those horrible nights on the hard ground now!


Does anyone have a credit card I can borrow.

[HEADHUNTER]

I would much rather sleep on the ground than get bent over for the $4100.

Do I hear $4200?

$4200 - I am a "Jetrosexual" - whatever that really mean.s

[RugerShooter]

Three-night packages at the Clayoquot resort begin at $4,100 a person, double occupancy

$4100 for 3-nights? Screw that.

no shit

[tanya]

I have a friend that I introduced to camping 3 years ago. He enjoyed it a lot. When he got home he spent $15,000 on camping supplies and then took his family camping. He had so much stuff that they had to get a uhaul to carry it all. I really think he misses the point.

I like it! After 2 weeks of camping out I bet I like it even more!

[greyhair biker]

I have a friend that I introduced to camping 3 years ago. He enjoyed it a lot. When he got home he spent $15,000 on camping supplies and then took his family camping. He had so much stuff that they had to get a uhaul to carry it all. I really think he misses the point.

I like it! After 2 weeks of camping out I bet I like it even more!

that kind of camping w/ my card comes with a friend

[tanya]

I have a friend that I introduced to camping 3 years ago. He enjoyed it a lot. When he got home he spent $15,000 on camping supplies and then took his family camping. He had so much stuff that they had to get a uhaul to carry it all. I really think he misses the point.

I like it! After 2 weeks of camping out I bet I like it even more!

that kind of camping w/ my card comes with a friend

Okay, but you get the floor.

[greyhair biker]

I have a friend that I introduced to camping 3 years ago. He enjoyed it a lot. When he got home he spent $15,000 on camping supplies and then took his family camping. He had so much stuff that they had to get a uhaul to carry it all. I really think he misses the point.

I like it! After 2 weeks of camping out I bet I like it even more!

that kind of camping w/ my card comes with a friend

Okay, but you get the floor.

that looks like a bearskin rug...or is it bare skin on the rug..

[accadacca]

I have a friend that I introduced to camping 3 years ago. He enjoyed it a lot. When he got home he spent $15,000 on camping supplies and then took his family camping. He had so much stuff that they had to get a uhaul to carry it all. I really think he misses the point.

I like it! After 2 weeks of camping out I bet I like it even more!

that kind of camping w/ my card comes with a friend

Okay, but you get the floor.

Oh dang...hard to get huh? What about acca?

[tanya]

I have a friend that I introduced to camping 3 years ago. He enjoyed it a lot. When he got home he spent $15,000 on camping supplies and then took his family camping. He had so much stuff that they had to get a uhaul to carry it all. I really think he misses the point.

I like it! After 2 weeks of camping out I bet I like it even more!

that kind of camping w/ my card comes with a friend

Okay, but you get the floor.

Oh dang...hard to get huh? What about acca?

For you..... you can have the bed and I will sleep on the floor.