Category: Experiential Travel

The beauty of Glamping is having all the amenities of home at your fingertips while still being immersed in nature and creating new and memorable experiences.

What if we told you that you could have all that and bring your real home with you? It may sound to good to be true, but this new trend is very real.

Recently made famous from the HGTV show Tiny House Big Living, this new form of house hunting and traveling is nothing short of Glamping.

With homes usually no bigger than 180 square feet, travel enthusiasts are able to quite literally bring their home on their next adventure.

These tiny homes are the perfect size to hitch onto a trailer or truck and are small enough to make a large impact on a vacation, or in this case a stay-cation.

It may sound impossible to live and travel in a space that’s less than 200 square feet.

But according to Jeannie Matteucci, one of HGTV’s writers, “Compact rooms can feel cluttered and overwhelming without proper organization.

Two of the best storage options for small spaces are cabinets and shelving, which provide open and closed storage for all your essentials.”

Which makes it possible for travelers and wanderlust seekers of all kinds to store items such as skis and snorkels, to rock climbing gear and maybe even a dirt bike.

These revolutionary homes make it possible for glampers to virtually go wherever they want and not only have their comforts from home, but actually have their homes with them.

These tiny living spaces offer up a large opportunity for people searching for an adventure without the price tag.

Tune in Monday nights at 9 PM on HGTV to learn where to get one of these homes and how to decorate your tiny space with all of your glamping needs in mind.

Written by: Michelle Galison

Most people picture themselves on their ideal vacation either lounging on beach or something more adventurous like zip-lining through a tropical rainforest. This year, I opted for something a little bit out of the ordinary for my family vacation and invited myself on my parent’s yearly hunting trip near Wells, Nevada. This city girl had to put away the heels to make room for my boots, forget about wi-fi and cellphone service, and choose some entertaining reading material in preparation for my journey. The plan was to get in touch with nature and get away from everyday technology.

Although the ride felt like a never-ending desert slowly consuming my energy and interest for the last three hours, my daughter was excited to see some cows and horses on the way as she peeked through the window. We passed by a small mansion on top of a hill, many working farms, and a large lake in the middle of the desert that offers free camping areas with tables and a great view, this was sometime after passing a sign for a hot spring nearby. As much as I yearned to experience a therapeutic soak in a hot spring, I’ll have to squeeze that into another adventure because we didn’t want to arrive at night.

It rained and poured on and off for the first two days which was surprisingly relaxing. I entertained myself with Mindy Kaling’s new book “Why not me?” which had me laughing out loud as I snuggled under a blanket and often looked out the window in hopes of seeing a wild animal pass by. Still, I took a stroll in the rain to get a better view of our surroundings and kicked the ball a few times before it began to rain again.

The campsite we picked out was obviously a favorite among hunters and campers, near a small river that ran through the mountains and next to a beautiful landscape, and within a mine field of what we believe was cow or deer poop. The outdoor toilet facility was one of a kind and had an exclusive view like no other I’ve ever personally seen. We used the bathroom in our trailer, but had a good laugh at the creativity of the creator.

Once our large group of family and friends returned from hunting in the afternoon, I quickly jumped on the 4-wheeler to have some fun exploring the surrounding area. It was an adrenaline rush. When I saw our neighbor had set up a large glamping tent with a wood fire burner, I knew I had to share it with everyone. I’m sure they prepared all of this themselves, but I know there are companies out there who take the hassle out of your hands and provide a full glamping set-up anywhere in the United States like Shelter Co.

The fourth day was filled with excitement! We sighted a big herd of deer a few yards away over the mountain just behind our camp. With one clean shot, the male mule deer came tumbling down the steep hill. I had never experienced anything like it, the feeling of sadness overcame the excitement at the sight. This sport is not for the faint of heart, it is legally done with a permit to prevent over-population. Never shoot unless you have a perfect shot and it is lethal, anything less would be cruel. The meat can be sold or stored and cooked and the fur can be used as well. It took them a while to find it as the sun had just set and the night was getting pitch black. The deer was huge, meaning mature in age, with nine tips on its horns and weighing about 250lbs. He was a majestic creature. I wish I could have seen him alive and close up!

The sun was out so this made it the perfect day for 4-wheeling and target shooting. It was fun learning to shoot a shotgun, but the 22 rifle was much easier for my petite figure to handle. We drove through the mountains for fun in search of wildlife and new paths, which we found. We saw squirrels, hawks, crows, cows, and golden eagles. The elk and deer were harder to spot because they blend and hide easily in the hills. I am still in awe of the beautiful scenery and challenge all of you to go outdoors and have an escapade of your own.

Sea kayaking 12km is one the most rewarding outdoor experiences…especially when there is a luxury lodge at the finish line. On our honeymoon around the world, we had dreams of exploring New Zealand’s Abel Tasman National Park—without the use of a tent and camp stove. Enter Wilsons Abel Tasman. They are the only outfitter in the park with beachfront lodges, plus gourmet food, hot showers, a comfortable bed, and cocktail hour. Now we are talking!

For a little history…in 1672 Abel Tasman was the first European explorer to set eyes on New Zealand but no westerners inhabited the region until 1840–that’s when the Brits sent a settlement fleet with brave pioneers, including the Wilsons’ great-great-great grandparents. Eight generations later, the family continues the tradition of Abel Tasman exploration by leading hiking and kayaking trips through the national park, making overnight stops at their historic homes.

All Wilsons’ trips start with a boat ride along the incredible Abel Tasman coastline, through its vibrant waters and granite headlands. From there you can hike, kayak, run, and/or bike anywhere from one to five days. We signed up for the “Three-day Kayak & Walk Break” which involves hiking the northern beaches and forests and a two-day kayak through the southern islands and coves, totaling 32 kilometers of exploration.

We hiked along the beaches, through the forest and up to the cliffs. The vegetation was a lush combination of beech, rata, and tree ferns that would open up to breathtaking vistas of the beaches, where we spotted everything from seals to cormorants to sting rays.

Just before dusk, we arrived in Awaroa Inlet and Meadowbank: the family’s original home and current lodge. After a delightful shower, we enjoyed dinner and relaxed by the fireplace with a glass of wine, listening to the fascinating stories of family’s early days in the wild frontier.

The next morning we fueled up with a hearty breakfast before our 4km scenic walk over the Tonga Saddle to Onetahuti, our put-in spot for our sea kayak adventure.

We kayaked along the rocky coast and into the beautiful Bark Bay inlet for incredible nature sightings, including the endemic Blue Duck! This was no average duck–it rides rapids just like a kayaker.

After lunch we paddled to Tonga Island, a breeding ground for New Zealand fur seals. The seals spend their first few months around Tonga honing their swimming and hunting skills. We watched them take quick dips then scamper up the rocks to catch their breath, flop about and nap. Our guide said, sometimes the curious pups even hop onto the bow of passing kayaks. We would have waited all day to give a seal a ride, but sunset and a hot meal at Wilsons’ Torrent Bay Lodge were calling us to shore.

With fine food and a great night’s sleep under our belt, we were ready to take on the final 12km-stretch of kayaking. We celebrated our Wilsons journey at Split Apple rock, one last gorgeous cove before the port at Kaiteriteri. We felt such a sense of accomplishment but it was definitely Wilsons incredible guides and pampering that was the secret to our success.