Northstar

6 | www.travelweekly-asia.com WHAT'S ON The days when a camping trip meant packing up your old tent, stuffing a backpack with insect repellent and all-weather gear, then roughing it out for a couple of restless nights in a remote location are over. Over, at least, for those who like to be pampered in a luxury tent with all mod cons. Glamping, luxury camping, is a whole lot different from the days when a night under canvas meant sand in the bed, cold showers and the worry that the rustling outside the tent might be something more sinister than falling leaves. Glamping tents offer fresh linen, free standing baths, spa treatments and gourmet meals, yet retain the eco-friendly, back-to- nature experience loved by hardcore campers. The experience offers novelty, digital disconnection and access to unique experiences. Once largely restricted to African safari holidays, glam camping has now spread across the world, with new sites being pitched all across Asia. Said Mary Eden, digital marketing communications manager for the ICS Travel Group, "People are attracted to this modern and luxurious twist on traditional camping that so many experienced when young. "Honeymooners especially love the romantic notion of sleeping under the stars. And without distractions such as TVs and Wi-fi, they can spend quality time together." Glamping weddings, where the bride and groom and their guests stay on-site in dozens of luxurious tents, are also gaining in popularity. In the Margaret River region of Western Australia, Soul Camping has recently wrapped up its busiest wedding season yet. "Our Bell Tent Villages have become a popular choice for weddings for everyone to enjoy a full weekend of wedding festivities without any curfews or long taxi waits, not to mention how amazing they look in the wedding photos," said part owner of the business, Jane Clively. Soul Camping's tent villages can accommodate up to 150 guests in remote locations. Reasons to try glamping Glamping resorts are often located in special places – whether in rainforests, on mountainsides or right on the beach. It answers the call of the wild. You fall asleep and wake up to the sounds of nature. To enjoy the surroundings simply step out of your luxury tent. It's a more sustainable alternative to traditional resorts. Happy Glampers Wild About Asia Luxury camping offers novelty, digital disconnection and access to unique experiences. By Ian Jarrett A Soul Camping wedding tent in Margaret River, Western Australia. Unzipped: Five great glamping experiences Capella Ubud, Bali Inspired by the early European settlers from the 1800s, architect Bill Bensley designed Capella Ubud, Bali as a tribute to their spirit of adventure. It's located in dense rainforest on sloping terrain leading to the sacred Wos River in Keliki Village. Anurak Community Lodge, Thailand The lodge in Surat Thani province, southern Thailand, acts a secluded nature hideaway and activities base for the nearby Khao Sok National Park. There are 20 eco-friendly rooms across 12 bungalows and two safari-style tents. Yanna Ventures guests engage in minimal-impact tourism activities such as hiking, river kayaking, rafting and jungle cooking. Bensley Collection Shinta Mani Wild, Cambodia Perched over 1.5km of river and Capella Ubud waterfalls, Bensley Collection Shinta Mani Wild's 14 one- bedroom tents and one two-bedroom tent are hidden within the wilderness of the South Cardamom National Park, three hours' drive south of Phnom Penh, Guests can choose an exhilarating arrival - criss-crossing the rapids via a 350m zip line, straight into the Landing Zone Bar. Cardamom Tented Camp, Cambodia The park in the Cardamom mountains in Cambodia's south-west is home to critically endangered species, such as the Asian elephant and clouded leopard. Yanna Ventures helps to protect the animals by integrating the role of local forest rangers into the guest experience. The eco-camp – a 2019 PATA Gold Award winner – is equipped with nine safari-style tents located inside Botum Sakor National Park. Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary, India &Beyond offers mobile camping with small groups across India. At the Kuno-Palpur Wildlife Sanctuary, guests observe an abundance of elusive carnivores including leopard, wolves, hyenas, civets, foxes and the caracal, the forgotten cat of the Indian wild, in their natural habitat. Shinta Mani Wild. &Beyond mobile camp tent.

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