For some it’s an attitude to life, for others it’s a new-found freedom that also offers the security of their own home. Camping and caravanning are booming like never before and urban trendsetters have discovered glamping, the glamorous form of camping, for themselves. Escaping the stress of everyday life in nature and at the same time being in an exclusive ambience – that’s a holiday for all our senses.
A breeze of freedom and adventure, unique closeness to nature and campfire romance, inexpensive holiday alternative and counterpoint to everyday life – the fascination of camping has many facets. Being on the road is the goal, regardless of whether you explore other countries with a backpack and tent or travel comfortably to the most beautiful places in the world in your own camper van.
Nature-loving holidaymakers who don’t want to do without the comfort of a hotel stay swear by glamping. This outdoor trend stands for holidays in luxurious and unusual accommodation in the middle of nature. After all, the neologism “glamping” is a combination of “glamour” and “camping”.
Camping: the benefit of safety
Caravans and Co. are very popular and there is no end to the boom in sight. In the past few pandemic years, many have rediscovered travelling by camper van – as a safe alternative to staying in a hotel, as you have your “own home” with you everywhere and direct contact with others is very limited or non-existent. The safety aspect now joins the well-known advantages of camping holidays. Enough space, good weather and a breathtaking view of the Adriatic Sea are offered, for example, by the Aminess Maravea Camping Resort in Croatia, which was included in the list of “Superplaces 2022” by the German Automobile Club (ADAC).
Under the claim “Support your local restaurant” a special gastronomic concept was launched at the beginning of the second wave of the pandemic in Germany that addresses the theme of safety: the camper van dinner. More varied than the usual “meal to go” at home, the guests eat the ordered meal in their own camper van on the parking spaces in front of the restaurants. Those who prefer a casual picnic in nature, on the other hand, are well advised to use the “Picnic” set by the Danish design label RigTig – consisting of an insulated bottle with four mugs and a baking dish with lid.
On the road with the cult camper
The VW Transporter, affectionately known as the “Bulli”, is legendary and has been very popular with campers since the 1950s. The indestructible vehicle even became a Hollywood star in the Oscar-winning film “Little Miss Sunshine”. A perfect companion for an extensive road trip with the VW Bulli is “Bowl” by Höfats. It is a fire bowl and barbecue in one and offers plenty of freedom and fun on top. Vegetables, potatoes, sausages or halloumi are placed on the plancha plate and the grill grate. And later, when it gets dark, the flames of the fire bowl create a magical atmosphere.
Useful camping tools
If you are going camping, you are close to nature, enjoy birdsong and have breakfast in the morning sun – this is how you could paint the picture of the typical camper. Since most campers prepare their own evening meal, it’s a good idea to have a good look at the equipment in your mobile home before you set off. Mepal’s stackable storage containers keep the kitchen tidy and provide an overview of the supplies. Among the kitchen gadgets, the can opener is a must-have on board, as well as a hard-wearing pan that can be used both on the cooker and over an open fire. A robust companion through the outdoor day is the Longlife cup from Thermos. It keeps coffee and tea warm for a long time, while the blanket from Pad with the VW Bulli motif protects you from the morning chill. And if a long day at the beach is on the cards, the cool bag from Cilio will serve you well. Drinks, fruit and snacks stay nice and cool in it.
Glamping: Camping goes glamour
While camping holidays once always meant foregoing a lot of comforts, nowadays this no longer has to be the case. Typical of glamping are unusual accommodations in the middle of nature. The offer varies from tree houses, e.g. at the resort “Baumgeflüster” in Bad Zwischenahn in Germany, to circus wagons, tipis and safari tents, to exclusively equipped mobile homes or rustic chalets. Whether waterbed or rainforest shower, underfloor heating or designer bathroom, WLAN or wellness: the equipment of the glamping locations leaves nothing to be desired. This way you can spend the whole day in nature and at the same time enjoy the luxury that often misses out in everyday life. And the best thing about it: Many glamping providers pay strict attention to sustainability to ensure that nature is also protected.
For mobile food lovers
The Nomad Kit from Opinel is the basic equipment for a classy camping kitchen. Two knives, one of which has an integrated corkscrew, a folding paring knife and a cutting board are stylish companions for snacks. The special microfibre cloth, on the other hand, is a transport case for the products, but also a tea towel or a small tablecloth.
Koziol has the ideal tableware for mobile enjoyment in its range. Everything is super-light yet robust, stackable and easy to clean. The same goes for the “super glasses” – they are made of unbreakable high-tech plastic that also keeps drinks cold for an extra-long time. The Light to Go provides atmospheric lighting. The flexible light provides up to 14 hours of light thanks to the integrated power bank and is charged via USB cable.
Stylish glamping companions
Even if glamping locations are well equipped, you can create an individual ambience with a few favourite pieces that underline the personality of the landlady or landlord. In the casual lounger from Blomus, you can relax and watch the sunset while juicy steaks and fresh vegetables roast on the portable gas grill from Rösle. The cuddly soft merino lamb’s wool blanket from Eagle Products keeps you comfortably warm on chilly evenings, just as the insulated bottle from Stelton in dark gold metallic keeps keeps water, juice & Co. deliciously cold. And if something doesn’t work, the multi-functional tool from Victorinox is always at hand. With 25 functions, it replaces a complete toolbox and is extremely handy and compact.
American Way of Drive: Mythos Airstream
The Airstream has been spreading camping glamour of a special kind for 90 years. No other caravan awakens as many desires as the “silver cigar” with which the American Wallace Merle Byam (known as Wally) established a completely new lifestyle.
Because his wife complained on holiday about the exhausting and hard life in a tent, Wally built a permanent shelter on a chassis made of canvas and plywood, aerodynamically styled in the shape of a teardrop and equipped with an oven and a small refrigerator. The clever businessman constantly developed his project until in 1932 the first caravans were for sale, which Wally called “Airstreams” because they moved along the road “like a stream of air”. The birth of a myth. Today, Airstream enthusiasts can choose from a variety of models made according to the rules of old craftsmanship and with great attention to detail.
And so, the Airstreams continue to roll along the roads of the world in the spirit of Wally Byam, who said: “Adventure is everywhere you look for it, in every place except at home in your rocking chair.” There is nothing more to be added to these words.
Title: IB Laursen
