14 Uniques Experiences to Have On Your Next Vacation
Want to get into nature on your next vacation but don’t want to haul gear or sleep on the ground? Love waking up to the sounds of birds chirping but also hate not being able to charge your phone? Then glamping, my friend, is what you need.
When you think about camping, there are a few things that immediately come to mind: stargazing, cooking smores over a campfire, sing-songs, and maybe even drifting off to the sounds of waves lapping at the shore. There are other things though: mosquitos, campfire smoke that follows you and gets into everything you own, sleeping on the ground, and outhouses. Camping can be fun, but it isn’t always very glamorous.
What is glamping?
Glamping is a portmanteau of glamourous camping. It’s for those who like the idea of camping, but are not into sleeping on the ground in a nylon tent. Camping, but make it luxury.
Think real mattresses and bed frames inside canvas tents large enough to stand up and move around in. With real bedding and pillows. And somewhere to charge your phone.
You still get to wake up from the kind of deep sleep that fresh air brings and hear birds chirping in the early morning hours. But no more sore necks because your air mattress deflated in the middle of the night.
The term ‘glamping’ may have started in the UK but the modern version of the concept has been rising in popularity in recent years around the world, with a multitude of options available now beyond fancy tents. You can glamp in treehouses, safari tents, yurts, tiny homes, geodesic domes, and more.
Glamping in Atlantic Canada
Glamping is right up my alley as someone who loves her creature comforts and so I wanted to help you plan an amazing glamping vacation in my backyard of Atlantic Canada. There are cool experiences to be had in every province so there’s something for everyone.
Glamping in Newfoundland & Labrador
‘OME – Burlington
‘OME is one of the first glamping options to open in Newfoundland. Located in the small Green Bay community, ‘OME consists of hand-crafted, locally built wooden framed canvas tents. Your tent includes either one or two queen-sized beds, tables, heaters, and chairs. Shared composting toilets are nearby and there’s a community shower available a 10 minute walk down the road.
The charm of ‘OME comes from the colourful, handmade quilts that adorn the beds and are hung from the rafters as well as the brightly coloured deck chairs and breakfast boxes.
No worries about dead phone batteries here since each tent is solar powered. There’s even a coffee maker and propane heater to make you comfortable.
Cost: $200/night
oTENTik – Terra Nova National Park
Terra Nova National Park has two memorable options for a unique glamping adventure. Neither have running water or plumbing but you’re able to make use of all of the amenities and facilities at Terra Nova so water and bathrooms are never far away.
oTENTik is a cross between a tent and a rustic cabin. It’s a great first step into the world of camping, especially for families. Each tent/cabin includes three beds, a table and seating area, camping chairs, BBQ, and picnic table. You’ll need to bring everything else including bedding, pillows, food, and cooking equipment.
Cost: $92/night + park pass
Coastal Tipi – Bauline
This is one of the most unique camping experiences you’ll have in Newfoundland. There’s a tipi in Bauline just steps from the beach. The property has a BBQ, picnic tables, and firepits. The tipi itself has a twin bed so is best for the solo glamper, though a second guest can sleep an additional foam mattress on the floor. There’s a wooden base so you’re up off the ground and a space heater to take some of the nip out of the nighttime air. You’ll have access to a full bathroom with hot shower, toilet, and sink. No outhouse here.
If you want to embrace the rustic, natural beauty of Newfoundland coast and meet locals, perhaps even join them on a fishing trip, this is the spot.
Cost: $77/night
Glamping in Nova Scotia
Cabot Shores Treetop Village
What could be cooler than sleeping in a geodesic dome on top of an elevated platform in Cape Breton? You’ll especially love the views of Church Pond and the skylight so that you can stargaze while cozied up in bed at night.
The domes have no electricity and only one has a source of heat, but they are all equipped with double beds, chairs, battery powered lanterns or solar powered lights. Outhouses are near each dome while the shower and bathroom are just a short walk.
Cost: $135-$165/night
Kayak Cape Breton – Saint Peter’s
Nestled in the woods, on the edge of beautiful Urquhart’s pond, you have ample privacy to create your own eco adventure in a yurt. Hand-crafted in the traditional style the twelve foot yurt is deceptively roomy and airy inside with a super comfy futon.
Even though the site doesn’t have electricity or running water, there is plenty of drinking water provided and you have access to the shower, washroom, and charging station at the nearby boathouse.
Cost: $100-$125/night
Moose Camping Cabins – Birch Plain
The Dancing Moose is a full-service restaurant that serves breakfast and lunch each day. But did you know that they also have four insulated year-round cozy cabins where you can lay your head?
Each pentagonal cabin has its own deck, deck chairs, and picnic table. All cabins have heat and electricity and are equipped with bedside lamps, an electric heater and comfy beds. Cabin #4 is especially cool with its bed loft and spectacular triangular window overlooking the ocean.
Cost: $83-$98/night
Life in Tents – Margaree Forks
Adventure awaits at this eco-camping hostel with a natural setting, overlooking a picturesque valley. They offer close to off-grid camping with a twist of comfort; furnished safari-style canvas Glamping tents, sleeping up to 4 people per tent on a queen bed with twin camping beds for extra guests. Cooking gear, bedding, and towels provided. Each tent has its own campfire pit, with a solar outdoor shower on site and beautiful views of the river valley.
Cost: $99-$125/night
East Coast Glamping
East Coast Glamping offers boutique upscale camping experiences in luxury tents set up at partner campgrounds in Nova Scotia so you’ll have your choice of location. Packages customized to suit every expert or armchair adventurer or aspiring nature-lover.
With an East Coast Glamping package, you’ll experience quality through our attention to every detail, with our high-quality, cosy flannel bedding, deluxe camping beds, and ambient lighting, all within the mesh of a luxury canvas bell tent.
Glamping in New Brunswick
Ridgeback Lodge
The Dream Dome at Ridgeback Lodge on the Kingston Peninsula in New Brunswick might be the best example of true glamping in Atlantic Canada. It’s a luxurious geodesic dome with a memory foam bed, fully equipped kitchenette, bathroom with glass door shower, flush toilet and sink, comfortable chairs and luxurious bedding.
The cherry on top is that you’ll also have access to your own private wood-fired hot tub. Perfect year round.
Cost: From $185/night
Bell Tent – Digdeguash
Located near beautiful St. Andrews, this large bell tent has a queen-size bed with a quality mattress, lovely pine furniture, fan, electric lights, heater, and Wi-Fi access. A portable toilet is located nearby but you also have access to a full bathroom in the property’s wellness centre. Guests also have access to many property amenities such as exercise equipment, a yoga studio, a massage chair, a hot tub under the stars, a restaurant, and mountain bikes that glampers can use to explore nearby Digdeguash tidal bay and waterfall.
Yurt – Belleisle Bay
This secluded and solar-powered seasonal yurt rental offers stunning views of Belleisle Bay—with hiking trails and beach access nearby. Glampers will have their own private deck with outdoor hot shower, compost toilet, wood-stove sauna, and barbecue, which includes all the necessary utensils. You will, however, need to bring your own towels. This spot is perfect for a digital detox since there is no internet or any kind available.
Cost: $178/night
Ôasis – Fundy National Park
The Ôasis pods are the newest and more Instagrammable of the glamping options at Fundya. They resemble giant water droplets and contain a convertible bed/bench with a mattress that can sleep two adults. There’s also a hammock where you can stow your gear or can be a sleeping space for two children. Each pod comes with camping chairs, a picnic table, and BBQ. It’s strictly prohibited to cook inside the Ôasis.
Cost: $122/night + park pass
Glamping in Prince Edward Island
Treetop Haven
The five TreePODS (geodesic domes up in the trees) at Treetop Haven really are next level camping. Each pod has a real queen sized bed, full kitchen, and 4 piece bathroom. The large bay windows mean that you can bird watch from the comfort of your couch. Each TreePOD also has its own private hot tub on the outside deck to take in all of the different seasons that Prince Edward Island offers. You’ll really feel like you’re living in the lap of luxury, while still getting some camping cred.
Cost: $170-$260
Yurt – Basin Head Provincial Park
This fantastic yurt rental on Prince Edward Island in Canada sits in a hay field with stairs that bring guests to the famous clam flats of the island. The gorgeous white-sand beaches and dunes are spectacular and can be reached without a car within minutes. Guests can relax on the deck outside of the yurt rental, where they can sit in the Adirondack chairs and watch the tidal waters glitter beyond the spruce and poplar trees. Smell the fields and flowers, the tall grasses, and unwind as Bald Eagles and Great Blue Herons fly overhead or fish on the waters.
Cost: $115/night
