North America’s Most Luxurious Glamping Sites

Glamping can be such a distant cousin to camping — some sites are so sumptuous, so lavish, that the word camping would never even come to mind. We put together a list for you of some of the most luxurious glamping sites in North America.

The Lodge and Spa at Brush Creek Ranch

jimsyurtinterior4

The Lodge & Spa at Brush Creek Ranch is a luxury boutique guest ranch in Wyoming on 30,000 private acres. From log-hewn buildings to stone fireplaces to plenty of outdoor activities, this ranch makes every guest feel at home. Book a cozy lodge guestroom or private cabin with stunning views of Rocky Mountain wilderness. It’s a ranch vacation like none other.

Fogo Island Inn

02_guest_suite

Fogo Island Inn in Newfoundland, Canada is a study in contrasts. This minimalist and modern-designed sanctuary can be found in a remote 18th-century fishing village off of Newfoundland’s rugged northern coast that almost seems removed from the modern world. A local architect designed it as a modern take on traditional Atlantic Canadian architecture. While in a rustic setting, luxury is in full effect with fine linens, inventive local cuisine, a wood fired sauna, a cinema and lots of other touches. Guests are encouraged to immerse in the local culture by foraging for wild berries, fishing for mackerel and listening to the local musicians.

Gateway Canyons Resort and Spa

kiva signature king

Founded by the creator of the Discovery Channel, Gateway Canyons resort was created to nourish guests’ curiosity through the art of discovery and adventure in a wonderful setting.

It’s located in the Red Rock Canyons of western Colorado, just one hour southwest of Grand Junction. The 58-room luxury resort offers horseback riding, hiking, fishing, biking, disc golf, rafting, kayaking, jeep tours and more. Stay in your own casita with a king-sized bed, five-point master bath with outdoor garden shower, walk-in closet, and fireplace or you can stay in one of two lodges. And of course, no matter where you sleep, there are stunning views in every direction.

Siwash Lake Wilderness Resort

inside-tent

Siwash Lake is an all-inclusive resort on a dude ranch in British Columbia. But don’t think dusty and dirty, this is a first-class, private hideaway surrounded by 80,000 acres of pristine Canadian rangeland. Ranking among North America’s finest, this place is legendary for horseback riding, wilderness adventures, pasture-to-plate cuisine, and lavish safari-inspired tents.

The Ladder Ranch

ladder_house_master_bedroom
ladder_house_living_dining_room

The Ladder Ranch offers one of the most exclusive and unparalleled vacations you will ever experience. Purchased by Ted Turner in 1992, this exclusive property is located in south central New Mexico and covers an enormous 156,439 acres. Turner’s five-bedroom, three bathroom Ladder Ranch house exudes “authentic” Southwest character, complete with his personal touches, representative of countless experiences and adventures. You’ll be amazed at the incredibly diverse and spectacular wildlife (bison, elk, deer, antelope, mountain lions, bears) and the magnificent mix of ecosystems, ranging from desert grasslands to pine forests in the foothills of the Black Range (Gila Mountains).

How to Make Friends When Traveling Solo

I’ve been traveling solo now for more than 10 years and I love it. So many people put off their dream trip because they don’t have anyone to go with. Don’t do it! I hiked up a volcano in Ecuador, swam with Dolphins off the coast of New Zealand, rode a bike from Hanoi to Saigon in Vietnam, and crossed the Red Sea from Egypt to Jordan. But I have a little secret to tell you, even though I travel solo, I’m rarely ever alone. On all of these trips, I started alone, but made friends along the way. How? Here are my tips for meeting people when you travel solo:

Brooklyn Bike Tour5

Tours
Today, there are so many different kinds of tours you can join – from food tours and bike tours to hiking and pub-crawling. Inevitably you meet the other travelers and end up having new friends to join you afterwards for lunch or dinner. Longer group tours, lasting a few days to weeks are great for solo travelers as you’re instantly part of a family.

Take a Class
The whole act of travel can be one big education. On top of that, there are classes everywhere. How about learning to tango in Argentina? Or how to cook the perfect spring roll in Vietnam? Or how to surf the waves at Bondi Beach in Sydney? By taking a class, you always meet other travelers and can celebrate each other’s triumphs when you finally can say a whole sentence in Mandarin or snowboard down a hill without falling.

Accommodations
Today, there are so many more options than just staying in a hotel. If you want a social environment in which you are sure to meet other solo travelers, a hostel is your best bet. There are some wonderful small and clean hostels out there and many where you can still get a single room if you don’t want a shared dorm room. That way you can have your privacy when you want, but still experience the social atmosphere in the lounge areas. Other options are more communal glamping experiences, Couchsurfing and Airbnb where you rent a room and get to know the owners. I’ve made many good friends around the world who welcomed me into their homes.

Kimpton Press Trip38

Share a Meal
Another great way to meet locals is to join them for a meal. There are some great apps and websites out now that allow you to find locals who want to cook for you! Sites like MealSharing.com and EatWith.com post local meals that you are welcome to join. What better way to absorb the local culture than from a local and a home-cooked meal!

Meet-ups
Another great way to meet locals is to check out some groups on websites like meetup.com, expat groups, and even couchsurfing groups. Many of these have weekly gatherings for all kinds of interests – walks, concerts, meals, etc.

20130430_152130

Volunteer or Work
On my two and a half year journey around the world, I taught English to executives in Istanbul, served up lattes and Vegemite sandwiches in Melbourne, volunteered at an English Immersion program in Spain, and spent my Christmas week with homeless in London. These were not only the best experiences of my entire trip, but possibly my entire life. Each adventure gave me a window into the local culture that I just couldn’t get as a tourist. Immersing yourself in a culture instead of just passing through always pays off in huge ways.

Get Social
And of course, if you get homesick, you can always easily get online to say ‘hi.’ Thanks to Facebook, Skype, and other social media, it’s incredibly easy to stay in touch with friends and family back home when you’re looking for some comfort.

6 Awesome Reasons to Travel Solo

I have to be honest — my first time traveling solo I hated it and felt noticeably alone and out of sorts. But then, about three days into it, I hit my groove and started liking it. I realized I just had to give myself transition time to get used to it. I learned that the advantages far outweighed the disadvantages.
Here’s why:

Station Girl_2

Go Now
Want to take an amazing trip, but don’t want to go alone? You might be waiting a long time. Coordinating travel with others can be difficult and frustrating due to schedules, different budgets and destination desires. If you just change your perspective and realize you can go alone, you can plan your trip and not wait for the day that never comes when someone can go when you want to go and where you want to go.

You’re the Boss
When you travel solo, you are THE boss. You do what you want, when you want. Feel like staying in all day and just reading a book, do it! Want to hike for hours until your legs feel like spaghetti? It’s up to you! You can stay at the hotel or glamping cabin of your choice, eat what you want, and wake up when you want. It’s very freeing to just go and do what YOU feel like doing.

Alone Time is Important
Today, we are so connected; our phones, laptops, and tablets are always within reach keeping us in touch to everything and everyone, sometimes too connected. Being alone, truly alone, is necessary to recharge your battery and think about life – changes you want to make in yourself, your career, your relationships. Relish your alone time.

You are Never Really Alone
On the flip side of that, when you are alone, you tend to be more open to meeting new people. You are not coupled up and just focusing on your companion. You will start to talk to other people — on a tour, at your campsite, or at a café. You will also see how many other solo travelers are out there doing the same thing as you, which makes it so easy to join each other for a beer or coffee. So even though you are alone, you’ll find that if you want to be with other people, it’s much easier than you realize.

Meaning
Many first think that it would be a waste to not share travels with someone; that you’ll have no one to share the amazing moments with. I actually found the opposite; I was able to be razor-focused on my surroundings — the sights, the sounds, the tastes — much more than if I was talking with someone and distracted by their presence and their thoughts. When traveling solo, I think I experience a heightened sense of everything because I can really be in the moment.

It’s Empowering
Perhaps the most wonderful result of traveling solo? It makes you feel like you can do anything. After navigating the trains in Cairo or dealing with a transit strike in France or possibly losing your credit card somewhere between Zanzibar and Istanbul, you realize that you can handle any situation thrown at you. Nothing excites me more than landing in a brand new country, getting some local currency out of the ATM, figuring out the local transport system and how I will get to my lodging, how much it will cost and then making it all happen. While it can be a bit scary or stressful, it’s also really invigorating and can really teach you one of life’s greatest lessons – don’t sweat the small stuff.