Glamping can be costly. Booking data from glamping specialist Canopy & Stars found that the average nightly price of such accommodation increased by around nine per cent per year over five years. Demand for budget options is also on the rise.
But while the most sought-after glamping accommodation in UK holiday hotspots can book up quickly, especially during the peak weeks of summer, the alternatives on the continent are less known among British travellers.
Slow Village, Île de Ré, France
Run by Slow Village, a collection of campsites and holiday villages in scenic destinations across Europe, this site offers modern conveniences on Île de Ré, a couple of miles off France‘s Atlantic coast.
Guests stay in cabins that are inspired by the island’s oyster huts with light, bright interiors and splashes of pattern that add interest to the décor. Île de Ré’s wider attractions include salt marshes, dunes, pine forests and white sand beaches. Around the site are 110 kilometres of cycle paths (Slow Village offers bikes for hire), as well as woodland and quaint villages nearby. The village also has tennis courts, yoga and fitness sessions, a children’s playground and areas for sports such as pétanque – plus there’s plenty of fishing on the island. Meanwhile, the site’s large swimming pool is next to a restaurant terrace and a children’s club is available for those aged three and above. Two-bedroom cabins for up to two adults and two children are available from €420/£355 per week. slow-village.fr
Flumendosa Camping Village, Sardinia, Italy
Flumendosa Camping Village is within the lush pine forest of Santa Margherita di Pula, one of Sardinia’s blissful seaside resorts. It is a five- to 10-minute walk to the beach, while the village’s facilities include a football pitch and swimming pool. Pula’s old town is less than 30 minutes away by public transport, or 10 minutes by car, Gutturu Mannu nature reserve is nearby and you can rent boats or kayaks to explore along the coast. Trips can be booked via Kampaoh, which offers campsites in Spain, France, Italy, and Portugal. Tents for two adults and two children are available from €113 per night. kampaoh.com
Riviera Villages, French Riviera
Riviera Villages is a trio of high-end glamping resorts on the French Riviera. Its sites offer stylish accommodation –including safari tents, mobile homes and lodges – along with the amenities you might expect from a hotel stay, such as a concierge service, entertainment, a spa, bars and restaurants. Located on Pampelonne Beach, Kon Tiki has direct access to the Mediterranean Sea and guests stay in beachfront lodges and Tiki Huts. Toison d’Or village, meanwhile, is in the heart of the Gulf of Saint-Tropez and has “Kasaï” lodges. Lastly, Prairies de la Mer is situated in Port Grimaud with bungalows and suites available.
Each village has several dining options, ranging from casual beach bars to gourmet restaurants. Guests can try out water sports, such as paddleboarding and jet skiing, as well as tennis, cycling and beach volleyball. There are activities for children and entertainment programmes of live music and themed evenings. Accommodation for up to two adults and two children is available from €400 per night. en.riviera-villages.com
Urnatur, Östergötland, Sweden
Urnatur offers glamping accommodation in Sweden‘s wilderness, around two hours and 20 minutes’ drive north-east of Gothenburg. Its treehouses and forest huts were built using timber from storms that hit the country in the 2000s. To encourage living in harmony with nature, guests live off-grid. It is an ideal setting for a family adventure, with opportunities for hiking, fishing and exploring the dense natural surroundings. Accommodation for up to two adults and two children is available from SEK 3,500 per night (approximately €300). urnatur.se/en
Huttopia Lagoa de Óbidos, Portugal
An hour’s drive from Lisbon, Huttopia Lagoa de Óbidos is set within Portugal’s largest lagoon and surrounded by fishing villages such as Nadadouro, Vau, Bom Sucesso and Foz do Arelho. This site is operated by glamping lodgings provider Huttopia, which focuses on outdoor travel experiences in areas of natural beauty.
With its long stretches of sandy beaches and calm winds and waters, Óbidos is perfect for kitesurfing and watersports. For oenophiles, the Bombarral Vineyards are around half an hour away, and cyclists can explore coastal trails around the lagoon on bikes available to rent from the site. A trapper tent for up to two adults and two children is available for seven nights from €1,190. europe.huttopia.com