It combines the excitement of the great outdoors with all of the luxuries in life, such as gourmet dining, comfortable beds, a glass of wine in the hot tub and satellite television etc.

(photo credit: ontarioswildernessregion)

This type of camping is ideal for those who don’t get a buzz from insects, leaky tents, wild animals, campfire cooking, and outhouses. While nature lovers may frown upon it, at least it’s a way for some people to enjoy themselves as they just have different tastes. For many people, their first camping trip is often their last, but at least glamping gives them another opportunity to get outside when possible.

You’ll find there are some organized glamping trips all over the country, and different places in the world for that matter. These feature all of the experiences that most traditional camping trips offer, but the campsites are steeped in luxury.

You may find that people sleep in designer tents which come with electrical power and climate controls and you may find some of the sites are filled with luxury cottages or cabins with all of the amenities of home. Still, people get to enjoy Mother Nature and they still take part in activities such as hiking, canoeing, swimming, water skiing, and white water rafting etc.

The only difference really is that the comfort of the campers is basically the top priority on these tours. This means chefs are usually available and your laundry can be done while you’re off climbing the nearest mountain or fishing in the local lake.

Of course, not all glamping trips are the same. Some of them may be more primitive and others can even be more luxurious.

It’s unclear where and how glamping originated, but many people think it started at outdoor rock concerts where rich and famous entertainers are pampered too while performing out in the middle of a muddy, rain-soaked field somewhere.

Just picture Woodstock with luxurious camping facilities and you may get the picture. As the years went by, these rock concerts suddenly sprouted VIP tents and bars etc.

But it doesn’t really matter what your idea of glamping is as it can be anything you want it to be. It can be as luxurious or primitive as you like when you’re experiencing it on your own. You should be able to find some designer or high-end camping gear on the market these days as well as several types of gourmet camping foods to take along with you on the trip.

You can also get creative too and design your own creations and tents, etc. However, if you’d rather have everything taken care of, just check out some glamping tours and see what they have to offer. Some may be more appealing than others, but you’re bound to find one that’s suitable for you.

Even though you may be setting up camp in luxurious surroundings, at least you’ll still be able to explore the wilderness and beauty of the countryside.

You also need to be in pretty good physical condition to be able to carry the equipment and climb and knowledge of survival in the outdoors can be essential.

If you’re climbing mountainsides you’ll come across a wide variety of physical and weather conditions. The sun can be intense one minute and the air freezing cold, thin, or dry the next.

Storms can also strike out of nowhere at anytime. However, when you get to the top of a mountain and take in the view it’ll all be worth it.

You need to select the proper camping and climbing gear before attempting alpine camping.

Make sure everything from your boots to the rope you’re using is in excellent condition and make sure the tent is suitable for the climate. With difficult weather it is also important to have car breakdown cover.

However, you need to consider the total weight that you’ll be carrying. The longer the trip the heavier your backpack will usually be.

Make sure you only take the necessities and leave everything else behind. This is where a camping/hiking/climbing checklist becomes your best friend. You also need to know the terrain of the mountains you’ll be exploring.

There might not be any firewood available on some of them for cooking and keeping you warm. If this is the case, you should take along special multi-fuel burners.

In addition, you’ll also need a supply of water. Do some research before hand to make sure there is a source somewhere along your route and set up your camp near it. Make sure you find a safe spot to pitch your tent and keep away from trees as they could fall on you. The same goes for glaciers, as they could melt underneath you.

If you’re camping and climbing with a group make sure you don’t leave the slowest or most inexperienced climber at the back of the group. You could end up unknowingly, leaving them behind.

It’s a good idea to have these people at the front of the group where you can keep your eye on them and help them out when needed.

If you’re climbing in snowy areas, remember that avalanches can often be triggered by the simplest of noises. Make sure you’re as quiet as you need to be. Don’t start yelling unnecessarily in these areas as you could set something off.

The main thing is to have as much fun as possible while doing everything properly and safely. Don’t try to take shortcuts when it comes to safety.

Make sure everything is well planned out and people know where you’re going and when you expect to return. It’s important that you take electronic communication devices with you if possible.

If you’re careful you’ll find that alpine camping can be a very exhilarating outdoors experience.

Pitching up in Hyde Park, within a stone’s throw of the grandiose Buckingham Palace sounds like a pretty cool idea – but is it practical and, most importantly, is it legal?

The trespassing laws are not as strict in England as they are in the States, i.e. you won’t get immediately handcuffed for it, but it is still frowned upon. In a perfect world, we would be able to camp on any spot of land that we thought looked even remotely comfortable, but, unfortunately,it’s not that simple.

Most National Parks in England allow a certain amount of wild camping, but, even if it is forbidden in a certain area, it is unlikely that you will get more than the well-built farmer asking you to move along if he finds you (courteous ignorance goes a long way in these situations). In a city centre, though, the chances of being oustedwill shoot through your canvas roof. You’ll stick out like a tent pitched in the middle of a metropolitan wilderness.

However, I do seem to recall pictures of many a happy camper pitched beside Westminster Abbey in the not-so-distant past. There was a wedding going on, I think, or something along those lines. Forgive me for my ignorance if there was some kind of temporary law established for those couple of weeks, but if they were allowed to camp out on the street, then why can’t you camp out in the park?

A little longer ago – 2007, in fact – a group of Bulgarian and Romanian immigrants were camping their nights away in the hidden corners of Hyde Park while they looked for work. The Daily Mail quoted one of them as saying: “If you find a hidden area, then you can stay for days in your tent and you will not get caught.”

Well, there you have it; camp away, as long as you’re well hidden!I don’t know for how long they were actually there, but the park manager later insisted that the Royal Parks Police would not tolerate such encampments… perhaps it’s not such a good idea then.

You probably would be breaking some kind of law and you would get into some kind of trouble, but it’s an intriguing thought and an intriguing challenge at that. Camp in the city at your own risk, but, if you get caught, remember:you didn’t get the idea from me!

Image credit: Europe a la Carte

The only thing you need for comfortable van camping is an organized system to make the space inside the van livable. Bring only the things that can be used during the trip. Use plastic storage tubs to keep the things in it and to keep the space open.

Plastic tubs are helpful to stack the things nicely and they can also be kept on the roof during nights for more livable space. They are also rainproof.

Don’t leave your van running while sleeping because carbon monoxide poisoning is very harmful. Also, cooking the meal heats up your van, so don’t leave the stove burned while sleeping.

Advantages of van camping:

• Van camping is less expensive than RV camping. It costs very less if you buy an already used one.
• Vans are very comfortable when compared to tents. For backpacking, you can drive the van wherever you go.
• You can park the van anywhere. The flexibility with van camping makes it to be considered by most campers.
• You can drive anywhere. You can also go down the desert trails where it is difficult for an RV to go.

There are several benefits to this style of camping such as the exercise and the fact that you don’t have to fork out six dollars for a gallon. It also means there’s less pollution escaping into the environment, making it a bonus for everybody involved.

However, before you pack up and head put into the woods, there are a few things you need to consider. You have to ask yourself if you’re capable of taking a bicycle camping trip. This means you have to be realistic about the physical condition you’re in.

Bicycle camping isn’t for everybody no matter how tempting it may be. You need to be in pretty good shape to embark on a cycling camping trip.

Your physical condition will dictate the type of trip you can take. If you’re new to cycling you should probably think about camping pretty close to home. Pick out a spot that’s relatively close and make that your goal. You might even want to prepare yourself by cycling the same distance ahead of time as a practice run.

This way you’ll know if you can handle the distance. However, make sure you take it easy and stop for rests and water breaks on the way. If you have a hard time biking the distance, you should consider camping out somewhere closer to home.

If you can cycle the distance without any aches and pains then you shouldn’t have a problem when you go camping. Also, remember when you go camping you’ll be taking a backpack full of equipment with you.

The best thing to do is take lightweight camping gear with you, such as light nylon sleeping bag. In fact you might not even want to take a sleeping bag with you at all if you’re in a warm climate. You’ll also need a light back pack that can fit on your bike or comfortably on your body.

If you want to carry less equipment, look for a campsite that has outdoor grills and stores nearby that sell supplies. This way you can buy your goods when you arrive instead of carrying them with you. The lighter your backpack is the better as long as you have the necessities. The same thing goes for clothes and hygienic items.

Make sure your bike is in good shape and has all of the safety tools installed, such as lights, reflectors, a tire pump and a bell. Other than that make sure you treat the bicycle camping trip like any other, meaning you have a first aid kit and a communications device.

Take all of the precautions you would on any camping trip and treat it the same way. This means make sure you lock up your bike. If you don’t it could be a long walk home.

Camping in the winter means you’re going to need some extra gear and clothing. And some extra camping skills will also help you out quite a bit as you’re likely to face a few different types of challenges.

While you might feel comfortable just winging it during a summer outing, you shouldn’t really leave home for a winter trip without planning everything out to the last detail.

It’s not recommended to go camping in bad weather conditions on your own. It’s probably going to be a lot more fun if you share the adventure and it’s definitely going to be safer. Traveling with experienced campers will help and there could be quite a bit of work to do on your excursion.

When going snow camping, you should so some research on the area you’re planning to visit and study maps of the local area. You need to figure out your travel time and how long it will take to set up your camp.

In addition, you need to know the quickest routes in and out of the campsite in case of emergency. This means you should find out where the closest emergency services such as hospital and search and rescue teams are located.

Don’t forget to check the weather forecasts to see what to expect. If there’s going to be a blizzard, you may want to think about camping somewhere else or postponing the trip. The same thing goes for the local trail and road conditions.

Avalanches can be deadly and you should be able to recognize and avoid areas that could be prone to them. You can also check avalanche forecasts and stay away from areas where the danger is high. If you’re traveling in questionable areas it’s recommended that you have some formal avalanche training to be safe.

After making the plans for your trip be sure to leave a copy of it with somebody so they’ll know exactly where you’ll be and when you’ll be returning. Make sure you leave contact information for everybody in the camping party as well as vehicle information for the autos you’ll be taking.

As with all camping trips, make a checklist of supplies you need to take and make sure you have one or more cellular phones with you and the batteries as well. It’s also a good idea to take some money with you just in case.

They’re great places to relax on sunny afternoons as you can listen to the birds sing while sitting outside in the colorful gardens. In the evening you can enjoy some fantastic home-cooked meals and have a leisurely drink.

Of course, not all country pubs are this idyllic, but there are some that live up to the reputation as being somewhere special.

The only thing better than a country pub is one that offers camping on its grounds for tents, caravans, or for both.

These are ideal for campers who arrive late and don’t want to worry about cooking when they’re tired from traveling and for those who don’t want to trek miles out into the wilderness.

Many British pubs that offer camping are situated in charming, picturesque villages and have plenty of land to share with campers.

They’re often used for a place to stay over for the night on touring trips and can also be used as a base to explore the local countryside and historic sites. Most of the campsites are located next to or behind the pubs and are well worth checking out.

Still, no matter how much you miss being out there, keep in mind that this is the season that needs you to be prepared.

All season tents are built to handle any type of weather and if you plan to go out in nature during the spring months this is the type of tent you need. Keep in mind that the spring months can be challenging so far weather is concerned.

Spring showers and unexpected chilly weather can spoil your trip; so make sure you pack extra clothes.

A 10 F sleeping bag is the right sleeping bag for this purpose and so is a thick mattress that will be able to withstand the cold and humid spring soil.

Spring is a lovely time for walking. The entire nature smiles at you and there are flowers all around.

With all the plants in bloom you have to be careful about the spring allergies.

Make sure you pack an allergy aid kit because you would not want an unexpected allergy to ruin your trip.

Remember that during spring the hibernating animals tend to come out of their dens. If you are camping near a forest or river make sure you take care of the food you pack.

The hungry forest animals may attempt to enjoy it and give you the surprise of making the trip short because food shortage.

There are basically two types of camping to pick from in the winter. These are snow camping and desert camping. Snow camping in mountainous areas and plains is ideal for people who love the snow and winter sports. Desert camping is suited for those who like to stay dry and warm and prefer water activities and sightseeing.

There are several excellent places for each type of camping. For snow lovers you can enjoy cross country skiing, hiking, snowshoeing, horse trails and more at Oakwood Lakes State Park in South Dakota. It’s suited for families and offers a variety of activities. You can also try cave camping in California in the Sierra Nevada Mountains. This park offers camping in snow caves under the stars on guided tours. Utah’s Snow Canyon State Park is also ideal as it is filled with wonderful wild life and fantastic scenery.

When you’re looking for a place to enjoy boating, hiking, fishing, horseback riding, water skiing, and canoeing you can try California’s Bidwell-Sacramento State Park, Nevada’s Valley of Fire State Park, and Buckskin Mountain State Park in Arizona, which is ideal for nature watching.

Therefore, there are things you need to consider carefully, before going for motorcycle camping.

The first step is to plan several things. One of these is to travel light as you borrow just the things you will need for one-night outing at familiar locations.

In case this is your first motorcycle trip, do not venture too far from home and try to eat at restaurants. Planning it modestly, especially if it is a first trip, is the key to a successful experience.

The motorcycles usually have a limited carrying capacity, so take just what you will need. Therefore, go for essentially backpacking and don’t forget you are on two wheels.

Check the weather forecast, before the trip, for it is very important.

Another issue to consider is the camping equipment. Check it well and make sure all the items are essential.

Take only items that you can’t without. For instance, go for tents that are easy to set and mostly- easy to carry on a motorcycle. Packing is an issue, because you shall avoid overloading the motorcycle.

Store the heavier items as low as possible and always forward the rear wheel. When you pack the motorcycle, just test the safeties of the bike with a local test drive.