Join us as we embark on a sun-drenched glamping adventure in Western Europe, passing through France, Spain and Portugal. Pick up your passport and put aside any ideas of erecting tent poles in the cold, as we visit three unforgettable retreats in remarkable settings, each with their own comfortable and distinctive accommodation. Our first stop is Brittany, where overwater raft houses, treehouses and more combine with recreational pursuits aplenty. The tranquility of a Spanish eco-retreat offers a very different experience next, in perfectly whitewashed eco-domes backed by mountains. Finally, in a southwestern corner of Portugal, an opportunity to reconnect with ‘The Earth”, amidst Rajasthani tents, tipis and yurts all styled with care and consideration.
Les Ormes Domaine & Resort, France
Ideally situated between the spectacular Mont Saint-Michel and St Malo, Les Ormes is a former bishop’s estate and the site of a 16th century château, and it seems fitting that a location so charming should be converted into a glamping site filled with exciting accommodation. Choose from the first ever treehouses built in France, raft houses set on sparkling ponds in the estate grounds, bubble domes, wooden barrels, nature lodges and camping huts. This is a great place for a family adventure, with no less than six swimming pools along with a water park and slides, plus golf, zip-lining, archery, climbing, water skiing, pedal boating, tennis and paintball all available on the estate grounds. All this before you have even stepped outside of the resort to explore the local area’s markets, castles and medieval cities.
To Southern Spain now and a completely otherworldly experience, both by name and nature! Otro Mundo (above and main picture) is a family-run haven nestled in the mountainous wonderland of the Sierra del Segura, surrounded by peace, nature and wilderness scenery. The ideal holiday for recharging the batteries and escaping the busy world, the unique accommodation at Otro Mundo dazzles as much as the setting. The two incredible eco domes situated on private plots each have a perfect hemisphere, shining white against a backdrop of rolling hills. Inside, you’ll be just as beguiled by the modernist retro design, with real comfy beds, vintage armchairs and electric lamps for an ambient night glow. Guests have use of El Abericoque’s kitchen facilities, a natural swimming pond and you can buy organic vegetables from the onsite garden.
Part working farm, part picturesque gardens with an inviting freshwater lake beckoning, the grounds of A Terra (meaning “The Earth”) represent the very best of Portuguese natural living – the perfect invitation to close your laptop and return to nature in the relaxing comfort of a family-friendly, wildlife-steeped rural glamping site. Situated just 6 kilometres from Alentejo on the lesser-developed southwestern coastline, you are never too far from an array of beautiful beaches and intriguing local towns to explore. Choose to stay in either a Rajasthani tent, a tipi or a yurt, each slightly elevated on wooden platforms for extra comfort, and each individually styled with handmade natural wood furnishings. Hungry? Well there is an onsite chef to create stunning home-cooked organic meals, along with a barbeque and pizza-oven. Muito bom!
