WHAT IS GLAMPING? ⛺

It may seem like an easy question, but the answer is complex. Glamping, by definition, is a form of camping involving accommodation and facilities more luxurious than those associated with traditional camping (Oxford). But Glamping is so much more: nowadays it includes from wooden cabins to store bought canvas teepees and offers amenities beyond just a place to sleep, unlike most traditional hotels.

Tent with a view to Lake Atitlan - Tz'unun

For many years ancient cultures were living like this—African Safaris or so far in the past like the Ottomans (for military expeditions) and Genghis Khan (in yurts). It was not until recently that it got a name and became something more luxurious and less out of necessity or functionality. The first time the term “Glamping” was used was in 2005 in England where it started popularizing and spreading also across the US, and it was added to the Oxford dictionary in 2016 (one year before El Picnic Project started). The word Glamping is the marriage between two words: Glamorous + Camping. And that, in an oversimplified way, summarizes what Glamping is.

Glamping is a unique approach to nature immersion. It is about enjoying the restorative powers of the outdoors with all the comforts you want. Everything is ready—you don’t need to pitch a tent, don’t have to sleep on the ground, bathe in the river or gather firewood. Most Glampings will have a cooking stove (a few will even offer grocery shopping service for a fee) or fewer will have a restaurant on site.

There are different types of Glamping and your choice will depend in factors like the weather or the level of comfort you’d like to have:

• Tents, Yurts and Tepees: these are the most common due to the fast set up. They are made with weatherproof thick canvas, it is spacious and you can usually have more than one bed.

• Tree House: the most fun, child memory activator. It is suited for more extreme weathers, allowing you to have heating or cooling systems.

• Camper Van: glamping on the move. The most versatile as you can go wherever you want with a bed and a kitchen always by your side.

• Hybrid: El Picnic style. Fun for us to design and build and unique for you. With a mix of canvas, stone and bamboo, we have put a lot of thought on the mix between comfort and perfect symphony with the surrounded nature with our big open windows that being the landscape and views to you.

  

  Hybrid Glamping Tent by Picnic - Xi'xil

Some amenities that Glamping offers are:

• Comfortable furnishings like high quality beds with linens

• Climate control (depending on the weather of the region)

• Hot shower

• Toiletries and Towels

• Outdoor areas like terraces and bonfires

  
  

Others, like El Picnic, offer also great Wi-Fi, a social lounge area, MiniGolf on site, restaurant services with great food and drinks made with fresh, locally sourced ingredients, board games, yoga mats, and much more. And since we feature just four exclusive rooms, privacy and intimacy are a great plus!

It is clear that the combination of nature’s benefits and the Glamping’s comfort is the perfect recipe for a restorative break. The only question left is: Where should your Glamping adventure begin? 😉