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The Airstream Glamping Trend

Do luxury hotels and caravans seem to be irreconcilable concepts? Well, that’s not the case at all, especially if we delve into the welcome and fascinating meanderings of glamping.

The fusion of these two opposites is both possible and intriguing, and goes by the name Airstream hotel. As the name suggests, these are hotels and guest houses that don’t offer hospitality in traditional buildings and rooms, but rather are equipped with a fleet of Airstream trailers that have been ultra-accessorised and customised to accommodate the most disparate range of ideas and needs (from rustic country to super-technological, by way of the 1950s).

The Airstream hotel phenomenon is experiencing a sharp increase, and in fact this type of tourism is increasing in popularity practically throughout the whole world, from the USA to Europe and South Africa, with an increasingly varied selection suitable for every budget.

 

One of the most chic options, for example, is the Grand Daddy Hotel in Cape Town: here you can choose between seven completely vintage Airstreams that have been meticulously reconstructed, each furnished and laid out according to a completely different theme. The names of the Airstreams are Duck (with characteristic furniture covered completely in polka dots), Afro Funk (with an African theme), The Ballad of John and Yoko (in honour of the famous couple Lennon-Ono), Earthcote Moontides (with a magical and bizarre atmosphere), Love of Lace (in boudoir style), Goldilocks and the Three Bears (with a fairy-tale theme) and finally Pleasantville (furnished like a classic Fifties home). All this costs around 120 dollars a night.

 

Conversely, the more rustic choice, Vintage Vacations in England has 13 Airstreams and the prices for weekly stays range from £350 to £680 depending on the season. Their caravans are truly exceptional and you can choose to stay in a highly spartan Airstream from 1946, for example, or a futuristic one from 1954 or a classic version from 1962.

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Huvafen Fushi: Serene. Visionary. Naturally Modern.

Huvafen Fushi, located on the islands of Maldives, is a true glamping resort in a tropical paradise.  On this little atoll, you are completely surrounded by the serene blue water of the Indian Ocean.  At Huvafen Fushi, which means “Dream Island” in Dihvehi (the native language of Maldives), guests are pampered with immaculate accommodations, creative gourmet dining, and an abundance of outdoor activities that take advantage of the vast playground this pristine beach offers.

Accommodations at Huvafen Fushi range from luxurious to “over-the-top” lavish.  The bungalows at this posh resort may look traditional from the outside with their thatched roofs, but on the inside they are full of modern technology, sleek design, and extreme relaxation.  Bungalows may either be situated on the beach or on a pier perched over the water, with the ones on the pier featuring areas of the floor made of glass so that guests can view the water below.  Gadgets abound in these modern bungalows, which feature a Bose indoor/outdoor music system, plasma televisions, and Bang & Olufsen phones.  Each bungalow boasts a large ensuite bathroom, and a private plunge pool, but perhaps the most impressive amenity of all is the view of the clear, blue water of the Indian Ocean.

 

For guests looking for supreme extravagance, Huvafen Fushi offers the Ocean or Beach Pavilion.  The Ocean Pavilion is built out 200 meters over the Indian Ocean for complete privacy.  This luxury home features its own freshwater infinity pool that blends with the ocean horizon that serves as the backdrop.  The Beach Pavilion, which is approximately 800 sqm, has its own private beach.  The upstairs master bedroom of this two-bedroom luxury home, has a glass floor to provide views of the fiber-optic lit, infinity pool below.  Each pavilion offers access to your own Thakuru, or personal butler, 24 hours a day.

 

Dining at Huvafen Fushi is an experience like none other.  For a laid back experience, indoors or outdoors on a white sand covered deck built over the lagoon, guests can dine at Celsius, which features a selection of global cuisine and fresh ingredients.  For a unique dining opportunity, guests can enjoy fare at RAW, where all food is freshly prepared and served, you guessed it, raw.  You’ll never believe that food could taste so good uncooked.  For a more upscale dining experience, there is Salt, which prides itself in serving seafood freshly caught from the Indian Ocean as well as an extensive wine list.

Activities abound in this tropical paradise.  Days can be filled with snorkeling where guests can view a coral reef alive with marine creatures and colors so bright, they appear to be out of a painting.  Big-game fishing provides a unique opportunity to yield a bounty of barracuda, Mahi-Mahi, or tuna.  For a bird’s eye view of the Maldivian atolls, guests can ride in a seaplane, perfect for taking photos.  Guests can also take a ride on a luxury Dhoni (a traditional sailboat of the Maldives) to view the sun as it sets over the water. For an unparalleled experience in relaxation, guests can indulge themselves in a spa treatment at Huvafen Fushi’s exclusive underwater spa. That’s right, it’s underwater – with windows which allow guests to view schools of fish just on the other side of the glass.  This sanctuary of requiescence is lavished with delicate fabrics that mimic the ocean life just on the other side of the glass.

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Glamping Adventures in Utah at Blue Sky Ranch

For an action-packed vacation, Blue Sky Adventures is the perfect location.  The ranch is located in Wanship, Utah and covers 3,300 acres of Utah’s diverse and breathtaking terrain.  For the ultimate view, Blue Sky Ranch has constructed the Antelope Yurt with views overlooking the Wasatch Mountains and nearby Deer Valley Park.  This traditional Norwegian glamping yurt is perfect for a family or romantic getaway, and has many amenities which include solar LED power, a wood stove, a propane grill with side burner, an outdoor fire pit, a coffee maker, and deluxe bunk beds. Despite the cozy accommodations, most visitors to Blue Sky Ranch will spend their time engaging in the myriad of activities available year round.

Summer activities include:

Horseback Adventures: Take a tour along Alexander Creek or retrace the steps of Mark Twain’s stagecoach.

 

Mountain Biking: Blue Sky Ranch features over 25 miles of exclusive double-track and single-track trails geared towards intermediate and advanced level riders.  Nearby Park City has 400+ miles of Gold-Rated IMBA trails with various trails that are suitable for all skill levels.

Kayaking: Paddle through one of the nearby unique mountain reservoirs and keep an eye out for wildlife.  Solo or tandem kayaks are available.

Hiking:  Guided overnight hikes and backpacking tours.  Hike to the Antelope Yurt or a designated camping spot for an overnight adventure.

Fly-fishing: A Blue Sky Adventures professional fishing guide will teach you how to angle like a pro!  Fly-fishing excursions are available as half day or full day on either the Provo or Weber rivers.  All necessary gear is included, as well as snacks and drinks. For full-day trips, a full lunch is provided.

 

Rafting:  Guided half-day or full-day river trips on the class II & III Weber River.

Yoga Adventures:  A unique option for the fitness-minded is one of Blue Sky Ranch’s custom yoga adventures.  Blue Sky Ranch has partnered with Park City Yoga Adventures to create the yoga hike.  The hike lasts for 1 ½ hours and wanders through breathtaking views and possible wildlife sightings, to Blue Sky’s yurt where a yoga instructor will guide you through sixty minutes of yoga practice.

Cowboy for a Day:  Live a day in the life of a cowboy! This is an experience that is not for those scared of a little hard work. The adventure starts with instructions on properly tracking and grooming the horse all the way to an honest-to-goodness cattle drive.  Includes a hearty cowboy breakfast and a boxed gourmet lunch.

Winter activities include:

Winter Horseback Riding: A 1.5 hour ride to a historic tavern in the mountains for lunch.  The tavern resides on a high mountain meadow which provides exquisite views of the mountains of Unita.

Wagon & Sleigh Rides: An enchanting ride through the snow-covered ranch.  Cookies and hot cocoa or cider are provided as well.

Alpine and Nordic Ski Touring:  Blue Sky Ranch features diverse ski trails including over seven kilometers of groomed skate track on the farm and light backcountry trails on the ranch.  Available as a 3-hour guided tour or a day-long, self-guided tour.

 

On-Mountain Ski Tours: Exclusive on-mountain guided tours of the ski areas that only locals know about!  Take advantage of the knowledge of a local professional who has hundreds of days spent on the mountain.

Yoga Snowshoe Adventures: Combine a peaceful snowshoe tour through the serene, snow-covered wilderness to the authentic Norwegian yurt on property for a 60 minute yoga session led by Park City Yoga Adventures.

Dog sledding:  Blue Sky has partnered with Pawsatch Snow Dogs to provide an authentic dog sledding experience.  Pawsatch will teach you how to drive your own sled propelled by their friendly and sociable Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies.