Glamping: camping in comfort

The life of the inhabitants of megacities is not only convenience, but also daily stress, poor ecology, oversaturation of information and excessive population density. That's why, instead of standard sightseeing tours, citizens are now increasingly choosing to relax in silence in nature. So, ecotourism is becoming more and more fashionable.
However, for people accustomed to comfort, living in a tent turns from rest into additional stress.
Fortunately, glamping was invented for those who like to relax in nature with all the amenities. The definition originates from two English components: glamorous and camping, which together translates as "glamorous camping". Glamping originated in the UK in 2005, but has only recently begun to gain popularity. Its spread was caused not only by the attractiveness of living in nature, but also by the unstable economic situation. For example, in England itself, the peak of glamping's popularity occurred after Brexit.

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The main distinguishing features of a glamorous camping are the full service of hotels with a full range of amenities. At the same time, it must remain mobile and eco-friendly.

THE FORM IS NOT THE MAIN THING!

Spheres-"bubbles", igloos, yurts, wigwams, treehouses and even "space" capsules on rocks: the shape of hotels is limited only by the imagination of their creators. Such dwellings have one thing in common: they are all located far from populated areas, are comfortably arranged and have a lightweight design.

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ALL INCLUSIVE

The main feature of the "glamorous" camping is the availability of a full range of hotel amenities. So, dwellings, as a rule, are equipped with a bathroom with hot water, are furnished with full–fledged furniture, including a bed with bed linen, and provide a full service, including the services of a cook.

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EVERYTHING NEW IS WELL-FORGOTTEN OLD

Although the concept of glamping is relatively new, originated in the 2000s, its history began in the Middle Ages. At that time, elite mobile homes were the privilege of the upper classes – rulers and important military officials. A large number of household items were collected on hikes, which were used to equip tents, creating luxurious palaces in the field.

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Later, this tradition was transferred to colonial countries. The wealthy segments of the population chose to travel comfortably: now electric generators, travel refrigerators and even baths and pianos began to be added to the amenities! Some of these camps have existed in African countries to the present day, still functioning. Unsurprisingly, the idea of "VIP camping" has been popular at all times, and the well-forgotten tradition is back in fashion. But the discoverers of the comfortable eco-friendly movement have not been established in history.

GLAMPING IS BACK ON TREND

Modern camping camps with amenities have spread to different parts of the planet: from Antarctica to Mongolia, from Lapland to Peru, from ocean islands to forest reserves. More than a hundred are scattered throughout Europe.

The most famous glamping in the world includes the Peruvian Skylodge Suites in the Cuzco Valley – transparent capsules on top of the Sacred Mountain, which can only be reached by climbing metal brackets to a height of 400 meters.

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But the Scottish Loch Ness Glamping is a series of wooden armadillo dwellings on the lake shore - an excellent observation point for those who want to see the famous Loch Ness monster.

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The Finnish creators of the glamorous camping Kakslauttanen Arctic Resort offer to watch another character: you can "catch" the flight of Santa Claus through the glass dome of the igloo. The camp is located far beyond the Arctic Circle, in the middle of the Lapland forests.

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Another project, White Desert, is a pioneer of glamping in Antarctica. It is open only from November to January and has six residential areas. Each of them is equipped with heating, which allows you to comfortably observe wildlife from the inside – emperor penguins and other inhabitants of the local fauna.

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In Russia, the popularity of glamping, as well as ecotourism, is gradually growing: in 2018, the first project was opened on the Kola Peninsula – MamontCamp. It offers tourists an active recreation program in classic capsule dwellings.

Later, other glampings were opened across the country: in the Moscow region, in Altai and in the Republic of Karelia. However, the boundaries of this definition are very blurred, and "glamorous camping" sometimes means classic campgrounds and even cottage settlements. This means that the direction has yet to develop.

MAMONT CAMP

The only northern camping site in Russia was opened on the Kola Peninsula thanks to the Mamont organization, a non–profit association created by polar scientist Frederik Paulsen. The Foundation carries out research work in the Arctic and organizes events that attract tourists from various countries. The travel company Russia Discovery also took part in the creation of this glamping.

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The Kola Peninsula was ideally suited for the new project due to its close accessibility from Moscow and St. Petersburg, the Arctic climate and the beauty of nature. The development of the direction was hindered only by the lack of infrastructure: not everyone would decide to spend the night in a tent in the northern cold. That's why glamping has become a real find.
MamontCamp is a completely transparent communal tent offering magical views of the northern landscape. Next to it, on the very coast of the Barents Sea, there are also eight spheres for living. Inside, the heated domes are furnished with a minimum of practicality: comfortable beds and bedside tables for things. Each of the spheres is designed for two people. The glamping has the necessary amenities: toilets, a wash area and a barrel bath. There is a bar and a restaurant where a professional chef pampers guests with traditional dishes made from local ingredients.

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GLAMPING IN KHABAROVSK

In continuation of cooperation with the MamontCamp project in the Arctic, in 2019, Russia Discovery opened a project in the Khabarovsk Territory. This comfortable campsite boasts that, the only one in existence, it is located right on the territory of the national reserve. That is why it was named "Protected Areas".
The National Park was created on the Anyui River to increase the population of the Amur tiger. At the moment, there are just over twenty representatives of the species on the territory.
The device of this premium-class glamping repeats the structure of MamontCamp: one spacious common dome and five smaller residential ones. Even the camp is also located by the water – on the shore of Anyui.
The cabins, for three guests each, have electricity and comfortable beds. The view from the window delights with a spectacular view of the hills and the river surface.Public facilities include toilets, showers and a sauna. A common area with panoramic views is equipped with a seating area with sofas, a bar and a restaurant. Here guests can taste traditional taiga dishes prepared by a specially invited chef: a variety of fish (bream, grayling, carp, etc.), meat of local game, mushrooms and berries, herbal tea, jam from cones and lingonberry juice.

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RUSSIAN GLAMPING BUSINESS

If you have become an adherent of glamping recreation, then why not combine business with pleasure and build a business on it? This tourist niche is still practically unoccupied, and there are a great many interesting geographical points for camping sites in the country. They can even be places from the UNESCO list in Altai, Kamchatka, Komi and the Caucasus. There are many people who want to visit these regions, however, the lack of infrastructure deters travelers.
Glamping often has many advantages over traditional hotels:

• relatively low cost of construction;
• no need to obtain a building permit and the ability to simply lease land;
• the project is easy to make online, starting with just one location;
• this is a ready-made solution that includes everything you need from furniture to communications.

And most importantly, the structures can be used all year round.
What your glamping will be like is up to you. And whatever you choose, it will be an excellent investment in the development of Russian ecotourism and respect for the nature of our planet.

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