Posted on

Justin Bieber Wants To Go Glamping!

Recently, it was reported by the Winnipeg Free Press that Justin Bieber was going ‘glamping.’ The star explained that, “You sleep on a bed. It’s a mattress bed! In a huge tent with TV and everything. You have electricity and stuff but you’re still in amongst the wildlife. It’s pretty cool.”

Is there a luxury side of camping growing in America today? After all, the opening ten minutes of Sofia Coppola’s “Marie Antoinette” gives us an idea that glamping may have been around for awhile. A browse online reveals that Bieber’s glamping is a reality after all.

For example, HotelChatter.com has a picture of the set up Bieber describes found at The Resort at Paws Up. At this Montana resort, you soon find that the term glamping is a registered trademark of this company and that they also offer a camping butler. In addition, MSN.com has several reviews of vacation destinations that have offered luxury camping packages for years.

Despite this, what about regular people that want to do some glamping on a budget? For the rest of us, there is hope.

1. How to get electricity in the woods

Bieber claims that the first step to glamping is electricity. Is this solely about solar power? Along with solar, some people take a gas-powered generator with them to power camping lights and computers. Despite the reliability, gas generators tend to be loud. Is there another solution? When considering electricity in a remote location, the first thing to think about is how much you will need.

If you are thinking about a few lights and recharging your cell phone, a deep cycle marine battery that is part of a power pack is your key. You plug them in at home and take them with you when you go camping. They are furnished with two and three prong outlets — just like home. Although the $170 Duracell power pack model found on Amazon is a temptation, the truth is that it might run out sooner than expected.

On the other hand, the Xantrex Statpower XPower Powerpack 1500 for $439 is going to power you through the whole weekend — and make you popular with neighbors if there is a storm. For the maximum in glamping electricity, consider renting a mobile unit like the kinds found at outdoor stage performances like Bonnaroo.

2. Sleep in the woods like a queen

Dragging a mattress into the woods sounds easy, but are there luxury points that you are missing? Besides the typical bed and bedding, not really. However, from experience, there is one thing I would recommend — a mosquito net. Whether you have a thousand pounds of Deep Woods Off! or not, you will be glad you invested in something like the lace 4 post bed canopy mosquito net . Found at Ebay for $99, it is worth every penny and a glamping essential.

3. Bring your own water and take a hot shower

Unfortunately, I have a lot of experience with showering outside of the house. Whether it was farming or home renovation related, I have found one piece of equipment that makes glamping a truly bearable. In general, it is easy to pack up your own water and put it on the trailer for your camping trip. The hard part is getting steaming hot water.

With the help of a propane tank, a shower tent, and a platform to stand on, you will have water to bathe in or wash dishes with if you buy the Triton Hot Water System. I owned one for two years and used it daily. Like me, you will be surprised that the cost is only $119 at Target.com. Hooking it up to the propane tank is easy and you only need to screw on a garden hose to feed water into the hot-water-on-demand system.

4. Relieving oneself successfully nature

Having a tent with a bed in it is all fun and games until someone needs to go to the loo. For the most luxurious toiletries for the great outdoors, you can get a portable outhouse. Found at OutdoorWorld.co.uk, there are a variety of chemicals, portable toilets, and privacy tents that you can buy online for about £129.99 ($203) or less.

If you do not want to bother with maintenance or cleanup, you can also buy or rent a trailer that has all the familiar qualities of home within a luxury portable toilet. Good examples can be found at Royal Flush Fresno or Scottie’s Potties.

5. The all-in-one mini-glamping trailer

Popular in the 1950s, teardrop camping trailers are a way to have a bed, storage, and a place to cook rolled into one. You might not be able to fit a shower and a toilet in there, but you and a friend will not want for much else. Although they fell out of popularity for awhile, one company has decided that this quirky piece of camping history needed to be resurrected.

Coming the rescue of budget glampers is Vacations in a Can. In addition to being quaint and highly functional, Vacation in a Can’s teardrop camper has the benefit of being self-contained. This means storms, bugs, snakes, and bears are no longer an issue once you close the door.

If the Vacation in a Can is not glampy enough for you, there is one final alternative. Founded in Australia, the Opera Tent pop-up camper unfolds on top of a trailer to reveal one of the most breath-taking luxury outdoor experiences imaginable. Although the idea is portability and compactness, the tent sleeps two, has a lighted hardwood floor, and is finished with teak and leather interiors for about £23,000 ($35,900).

Posted on

"Glamping" Wedding for Matthew McConaughey

Matthew McConaughey is officially off the market. The attractive actor often compared to Hollywood icon Paul Newman, wed his longtime love and mother of his two children over the weekend. A low-key ceremony took place on McConaughey’s Texas ranch, far away from the glaring lights and shouts of paparazzi. An attempt to keep the wedding plans between the wavy-haired actor and his bride, Camila Alves quiet nearly worked, according to the Huffington Post.Just prior to the ceremony word of the nuptials leaked out and a helicopter appeared above the grounds of the actor’s Austin home.

A guest interviewed by US Weekly stated Matthew McConaughey’s wedding ceremony was emotional and sweet words whispered into the bride’s ear while at the alter brought a tear to her eye. Tears have likely flowed from the eyes of many women around the world upon hearing that McConaughey now has a ring on his finger. Last year during an interview with Esquire magazine McConaughey stated he was ready to settle down and had found the woman he wants to make a family with and live out “life together.”

The actor’s new movie, “Magic Mike” prepared to hit theaters as he temporarily transformed his Austin ranch into a “glamping” campground for guests who were invited to the ceremony and would be celebrating late into the evening hours. The guest may have been camping throughout the weekend of planned partying, but they were not roughing it too much – McConaughey graciously rented tents complete with air-conditioning units.

The couple met in 2006 and became engaged at Christmas last year. McConaughey and his new wife have two children together, Levi, nearly 4 and Vida 2.

Posted on

Upscale Camping in the US and Canada

https://i1.wp.com/www.travelchannel.com/static_files/assets2/images/logo.png?resize=112%2C51

Glamorous camping or “glamping” has taken over the world of travelers who love outdoors and adventure but don’t want to forego the comforts of a 5-star hotel. Affluent travelers can expect the luxuries of top-notch service and amenities in commanding outdoor environments — just imagine sitting by a campfire eating s’mores while getting a manicure. The kinds of accommodations that fall under the “glamping” category are still debatable but structures that are anything but a cabin apply (think yurt, tent, treehouse, igloo, even a tipi). We rounded up the top places to “glamp” this summer, in settings that range from the American West to city zoos.

glamping-paws-up-resort

The Resort at Paws Up
Here’s a salute to old-school Americana that comes with a hint of modern luxury. Touted as the original American safari, The Resort at Paws Up includes well-appointed tents for the well-heeled traveler (some tents comprise 2 and 3 bedrooms). Sprawled over 37,000 acres of Montana wilderness, the resort treats guests to outdoor adventures such as fly fishing, geocaching and hot air ballooning. Tents are equipped with a camping butler (a combination personal chef-housekeeper-activities director) and camp chef.
glamping-glass-treehouse

Jonathan LaRocca, Flickr
Thanks to AirBnB.com, the site where people can list and book unique accommodations around the world, guests can officially stay at the Modern Glass Treehouse in Atlanta (the only means of booking is through the site). This 2-level, steel-and glass-structure forest retreat has 2 bedrooms (the top-floor loft is in the trees). Both bedrooms are equipped with their own kitchens and bathrooms. Though it’s set in the woods, the treehouse is also only 5 minutes from Atlanta — offering the perfect balance between town and country.
glamping-roar-and-snore

San Diego Zoo
One of the most popular zoos in the US offers a Roar & Snore Safari program, where guests can stay overnight in a fantastic tent. This family-friendly experience includes well-appointed tent accommodations, dinner, evening snacks, breakfast and the opportunity to relax in a setting overlooking the park’s African Plains field exhibit. So guests can see wildlife, from giraffes to rhinos, in after-hours action.
glamping-rockwater-secret-cove

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort

Rockwater Secret Cove Resort

British Colombia

Once a hidden gem, this waterfront property is no longer a secret — thanks to its prime location on Malaspina Strait on Canada’s Sunshine Coast. The resort’s intimacy in a quiet, coastal setting has wooed couples for many years, and now everyone from families to those seeking girlfriend getaways are booking. Expect fine linens, a hydrotherapy tub with ocean views, rainforest shower, propane fireplace, shoji screens, private verandas and even floor heating.
glamping-dunton-hot-springs

Josh Johnson
Even if travelers had no choice but to sleep on a cot, they would stay overnight at Dunton Hot Springs. This former silver mining town turned luxury resort in Colorado’s San Juan Mountains has lured celebrities and jetsetters alike with its stunning views of the Colorado Rockies, as well as its decadent spa fed by natural mineral hot springs and farm-to-table menu. Its new Christy’s Tent, constructed out of cotton canvas, has 300 thread-count sheets, a gas stove, oversized en suite bath and shower stocked with luxury Ren skincare amenities and view of the Wilson Mountain Range, to boot. Due to its popularity, Dunton is launching a whole new tent experience called Cresto Ranch, with 8 luxury safari-style tents in an alpine clearing and restored 19th-century farmhouse.
glamping-pacific-yurt

Thinkstock
Welcome to one of the fanciest yurts in California. The 30-foot Pacific Yurt (essentially a stronger tent with wooden beams and flooring and round, domed vinyl ceiling) in Big Flat, CA, comes equipped with a claw-foot tub, electric fireplace and spacious deck. The property is located beside the 165-mile-long Trinity River, which boasts year-round fishing. The Trinity Wilderness Area is also home to incredible bird watching ops; enjoy some of the 260 bird species that migrate through the area such as bald eagles, blue herons and ospreys.
glamping-c-lazy-u-ranch

C Lazy U Ranch

C Lazy U Ranch

Colorado

Known for its “5 spur service,” C Lazy U had its glamp on way before it became trendy. Colorado’s original luxury guest ranch has been luring travelers for more than 90 years thanks to its American West appeal. Just in the shadow of Rocky Mountain National Park and the Colorado River, the resort provides glampers a wealth of outdoor activities, including horseback riding, an outdoor pool, tennis, yoga, trap shooting, archery, hiking, fishing and paddle-boating. Glampers can choose from among 40 guest ranch accommodations that dot the Colorado hills, with amenities that range from a stocked mini-bar to private hot tub.
glamping-aka-central-park

AKA Central Park

AKA Central Park

New York

Welcome to the “concrete” jungle of New York City, where AKA, an innovative brand of fully-serviced residences, offers the city’s first alfresco hotel bedroom and 5-star camping. Guests can sleep under the stars amid NYC’s skyline in AKA’s penthouse suite near Central Park. High on the 17th floor, the suite comes equipped with a 1,000-square-foot wraparound terrace, where a plush queen-size bed awaits you in front of a wood-burning fireplace. Also included are a telescope, gourmet s’mores and other snacks, champagne, A Vod (AKA’s signature vodka) and morning coffee.