experiential outdoor hospitality blog + podcast
Spotlight on Glamping Structures - Overwater Bungalows
DRAWING INSPIRATION FROM FISHERMAN HUTS, THREE STUBBORN AMERICANS INVENTED THE OVERWATER BUNGALOW ON THE ISLAND OF TAHITI IN 1967.
AS OF 2024, THERE ARE OVER 250 RESORTS GLOBALLY THAT OFFER A STAY IN THIS UNIQUE GLAMPING STRUCTURE, AND THE NUMBER IS GROWING.
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL DIVE DEEPER INTO THE STORY BEHIND THE OVERWATER BUNGALOW, AND WE’LL ALSO FEATURE A COLLECTION OF GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE WORLD WHO OFFER A STAY IN PARADISE, SUSPENDED SAFELY ABOVE THE MOST GORGEOUS WATERS IMAGINABLE.
The Sanctuary Experience - Fishing
HUMANS HAVE BEEN PRACTICING THE ART OF FISHING FOR OVER 80,000 YEARS.
ONCE AN ACT OF SURVIVAL, FISHING HAS BECOME A SPORT OF SKILL AND PATIENCE ENJOYED BY ALL CULTURES AND AGES ACROSS THE WORLD.
IT’S ESTIMATED THAT SPORT FISHING ACCOUNTS FOR OVER $48 BILLION DOLLARS SPENT ANNUALLY ON LICENSES, EQUIPMENT, FISHING TRIPS AND FISHING RELATED ITEMS (BEER NOT INCLUDED…).
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL LEARN MORE ABOUT THE HISTORY OF FISHING, AND HOW ITS BECOME A PURSUIT OF BOTH SUSTAINABILITY AND HAPPINESS. WE’LL ALSO HIGHLIGHT SOME GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE WORLD THAT OFFER WORLD-CLASS OPPORTUNITIES TO TAKE THE ANGLING EXPERIENCE TO A WHOLE NEW LEVEL.
Spotlight on Glamping Structures - Glamping Pods
ONE OF THE MANY THINGS WE LOVE ABOUT GLAMPING, IS THE VARIETY OF STRUCTURES YOU CAN STAY IN.
FROM YURTS, TO SAFARI TENTS, TO TREEHOUSES, TO GLASS IGLOOS…IT’S ALMOST IMPOSSIBLE TO RUN OUT OF OPTIONS.
THERE ARE OVER 20 DIFFERENT TYPES OF STRUCTURES THAT QUALIFY AS GLAMPING, WITH MORE BEING INVENTED EVERY YEAR. WHILE SOME STRUCTURES ARE DEBATABLE AS TO WHETHER THEY ARE TRULY GLAMPING OR NOT, THERE IS ONE STRUCTURE THAT LEAVES NO DOUBT AND THAT IS THE GLAMPING POD.
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL LEARN ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THE GLAMPING POD, AND FEATURE SOME AMAZING GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE GLOBE THAT OFFER A STAY IN A STRUCTURE THAT WAS DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY FOR GLAMPERS.
The Sanctuary Experience - Winter
WINTER MEANS SOMETHING DIFFERENT DEPENDING ON WHERE YOU ARE ON PLANET EARTH.
FOR SOME…IT MEANS HUNKERING DOWN AND WAITING FOR WARMER DAYS.
FOR OTHERS…SNOW, DARKNESS, AND FRIGID TEMPERATURES CAN BE ENJOYABLE THINGS.
ESPECIALLY WHEN ACTIVITIES AND ACCOMMODATIONS ARE DESIGNED SPECIFICALLY TO ENHANCE THESE OFTEN SHUNNED ELEMENTS OF NATURE.
THE GLAMPING DESTINATIONS FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE, SET AMIDST THE COLD CLIMATES OF THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE, OFFER UP THE CHANCE TO EMBRACE THE COLD WINTER…AND MAYBE EVEN CELEBRATE IT.
SO PUT ANOTHER LOG ON THAT FIRE, BREW YOUR FAVORITE COCOA, WRAP THAT COZY BLANKET AROUND YOU, AND PREPARE TO LEARN ABOUT HOW YOU CAN EXPERIENCE THE COLD OF WINTER IN AN ENTIRELY NEW WAY.
The Sanctuary Experience - Culinary
HUMANS BEGAN USING FIRE TO COOK FOOD ROUGHLY 780,000 YEARS AGO.
THE CULINARY ARTS HAVE COME A LONG WAY SINCE THEN AND HAVE BECOME A GATEWAY FOR PEOPLE TO LEARN ABOUT CULTURE, CREATIVITY, AND WHAT IT MEANS TO TRULY EXPERIENCE ALL THAT FOOD HAS TO OFFER.
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL TALK ABOUT THE ORIGINS OF THE CULINARY ARTS, AND DISCUSS HOW FOOD CAN CONNECT US IN A DEEPER WAY WITH OUR PLANET… AND EACH OTHER.
WE’LL ALSO FEATURE SOME OF THE GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE GLOBE WHO ARE PROVIDING BEST-IN-CLASS CULINARY EXPERIENCES AS PART OF THEIR HOLISTIC EXPERIENTIAL HOSPITALITY OFFERING.
Spotlight on Glamping Structures - A-Frame Cabins
CREDIT FOR THE A-FRAME ARCHITECTURAL DESIGN GOES TO AUSTRIAN-AMERICAN DESIGNER RUDOLPH SCHINDLER, AND A LAKE ARROWHEAD, CALIFORNIA HOME WHICH WAS DESIGNED BY HIM AND BUILT IN 1934.
INSPIRED BY THE LAKE ARROWHEAD HOME CALLED “THE BENNATI HOUSE”, ARCHITECT JOHN CAMPBELL DESIGNED AN A-FRAME CABIN IN THE 1950’S DUBBED “THE LEISURE HOUSE”, WHICH LED TO THE A-FRAME TREND EXPLOSION ACROSS THE UNITED STATES.
TODAY, THE A-FRAME IS A POPULAR VACATION STRUCTURE THAT BOASTS A LARGE INTERIOR, INDOOR/OUTDOOR FLOW, AND A SIMPLE AND DURABLE DESIGN THAT WORKS WELL IN ALL SEASONS.
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL DIVE A BIT DEEPER INTO THE DESIGN OF THIS ICONIC VACATION SYMBOL, AND HIGHLIGHT SOME GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE WORLD THAT FEATURE THIS STRUCTURE AS A BEAUTIFUL GLAMPING OPTION ON THEIR PROPERTIES.
The Sanctuary Experience - Farm Stay
FARMING DATES BACK ROUGHLY 12,000 YEARS TO THE NEOLITHIC REVOLUTION, AND WE CAN THANK THE EGYPTIANS FOR PLANTING THE SEEDS.
FARM STAYS DATE BACK TO THE 1980’S…AND WE CAN THANK THE ITALIANS FOR LAUNCHING WHAT WE KNOW TODAY AS AGRITOURISM.
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL DIVE INTO THE HISTORY OF THE FARM STAY AND WHY IT WAS CREATED, AND HIGHLIGHT SOME FANTASTIC GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE GLOBE THAT OFFER THE FARM STAY EXPERIENCE - MUCH TO THE DELIGHT OF THEIR ANIMAL RESIDENTS.
Spotlight on Glamping Structures - Bell Tents
THE BELL TENT IS A DOMINANT FIXTURE AT MANY GLAMPTUARYS BECAUSE IT’S EASY TO PITCH, DURABLE, OFFERS A SPACIOUS INTERIOR, AND IS INEXPENSIVE TO PURCHASE.
WHO DESERVES THE CREDIT FOR THE INGENIOUS DESIGN OF THE BELL TENT? THAT’S AN ONGOING DEBATE.
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL DIVE INTO THE ORIGIN STORIES AND EXPLORE GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE GLOBE THAT OFFER A STAY IN THIS SIMPLE AND EFFECTIVE GLAMPING TENT.
ONE THING IS FOR CERTAIN, YOU’LL WANT TO ADD EVERY GLAMPTUARY FEATURED IN THIS ARTICLE TO YOUR TRAVEL BUCKET LIST!
The Sanctuary Experience - Horsemanship
THE ART OF HORSEMANSHIP DATES BACK TO ROUGHLY 2000 B.C. WHEN HORSES WERE TRAINED BY INDO-EURPOEANS FOR USE IN LARGE-SCALE MILITARY OPERATIONS. SINCE THEN, HORSES HAVE BEEN INTRODUCED TO THE REST OF THE WORLD AS A MODE OF TRANSPORTATION, AN AGRICULTURAL WORKER, A SPORTING ANIMAL, AND A COMPANION.
MOST RECENTLY, THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN HUMAN AND HORSE HAS COME TO FOREFRONT THROUGH THE PRACTICE OF HORSEMANSHIP.
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL TALK ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE HORSE, THE ORIGINS OF MODERN HORSEMANSHIP, AND THE GLAMPTUARYS THAT OFFER THE OPPORTUNITY TO CONNECT WITH ONE OF NATURE’S OLDEST AND MOST MAJESTIC CREATURES.
Spotlight on Glamping Structures - Tiny Homes
THE ‘TINY HOME’ MADE ITS FIRST APPEARANCE IN FRANCE BACK IN 1783, AND WAS A PLACE OF REFUGE FOR QUEEN MARIE ANTOINETTE. IT WAS A MERE 225 SQ FT, WHICH WAS VERY SMALL WHEN COMPARED TO THE REST OF THE BUILDINGS AT THE CHÂTEAU DE VERSAILLES.
TODAY, ENTIRE TINY HOME COMMUNITIES CAN BE FOUND ALL OVER THE UNITED STATES, AND THE GLAMPING WORLD HAS WELCOMED THEM WITH OPEN ARMS.
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL DIVE INTO THE HISTORY OF THE TINY HOME, AND WE’LL ALSO HIGHLIGHT OUR BUCKET LIST OF AMAZING GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE WORLD THAT OFFER A STAY IN THIS EMERGING GLAMPING STRUCTURE.
The Sanctuary Experience - Education
EXPERIENTIAL TRAVEL IS TRENDING, AND THE OUTDOOR HOSPITALITY DESTINATIONS THAT OFFER EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS ARE LEADING THE CHARGE.
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL REVEAL THE BEST GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE WORLD THAT OFFER A DIVERSE COLLECTION OF EDUCATIONAL PROGRAMS DESIGNED TO ENLIGHTEN AND INSPIRE.
Spotlight on Glamping Structures - Yurts
YURTS MADE THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE IN SIBERIA BACK IN 600 BCE, MAKING IT ONE OF THE OLDEST KNOWN DWELLING STRUCTURES KNOWN TO MAN THAT IS STILL USED TODAY. YURTS WERE POPULAR AMONGST THE NOMADIC TRIBES OF THE FORMIDABLE CENTRAL ASIAN STEPPE, DUE TO ITS LIGHTWEIGHT, SPACIOUS, AND DURABLE DESIGN.
TODAY, YURTS ARE FOUND ALL OVER THE WORLD AND ARE ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR GLAMPING STRUCTURES AVAILABLE.
IN THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL DIVE INTO THE HISTORY OF THE YURT AND EXPLAIN WHY IT’S STRUCTURAL DESIGN HAS STOOD THE TEST OF TIME. WE’LL ALSO HIGHLIGHT OUR BUCKET LIST OF AMAZING GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE WORLD THAT OFFER A STAY IN THIS CLASSIC GLAMPING STRUCTURE.
Spotlight on Glamping Structures - Cabins
MAKING THEIR FIRST APPEARANCE AROUND 3,500 B.C. IN SCANDINAVIA, CABINS ARE ONE OF THE MOST POPULAR STRUCTURAL DESIGNS USED IN MODERN GLAMPING. WE’LL DIVE INTO THE HISTORY OF THE CABIN, EXPLAIN WHAT SEPARATES IT FROM A HOUSE, AND HIGHLIGHT GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE WORLD THAT OFFER GORGEOUS CABINS TO RELAX IN AFTER A DAY FULL OF ADVENTURES.
The Sanctuary Experience - Wellness
WELLNESS IS THE ACTIVE PROCESS OF NOURISHING OUR MENTAL, PHYSICAL, EMOTIONAL AND SPIRITUAL STATES SO WE MAY BETTER CONNECT WITH THE ENVIRONMENT AND EACH OTHER. WE’LL HIGHLIGHT SOME GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE GLOBE THAT OFFER BEST-IN-CLASS WELLNESS EXPERIENCES IN THE MOST NATURAL OF SETTINGS FOR OUR SUPREME ENJOYMENT AND ENRICHMENT.
Spotlight on Glamping Structures - Covered Wagons
THE COVERED WAGON WAS INVENTED OVER 400 YEARS AGO IN PENNSYLVANIA, AND WAS THE MAIN MODE OF TRANSPORTATION FOR 500,000 FOLKS DURING THE WESTWARD EXPANSION OF THE UNITED STATES. TODAY IT’S ONE OF THE MORE POPULAR GLAMPING STRUCTURES USED WORLDWIDE. WE’LL HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE BEST GLAMPTUARYS THAT OFFER THIS ICONIC CONVERTED VEHICLE AND FEATURE SOME SPECIFIC STYLES THAT QUALIFY AS A COVERED WAGON.
The Sanctuary Experience - Spas
THE WORDS “SPA” AND “SANCTUARY” ARE OFTEN USED TOGETHER WHEN TALKING ABOUT A RELAXING AND REJUVENATING EXPERIENCE. INSIDE THIS ARTICLE, WE’LL EXPLAIN THE REAL MEANING AND ORIGIN OF THE WORD SPA (THINK MINERAL SPRING), AND HIGHLIGHT SOME GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE WORLD WHERE YOU CAN TAKE A SOAK…IN A SPA.
Spotlight on Glamping Structures - Treehouses
HUMANS HAVE BEEN CLIMBING TREES FOR TWO MILLION YEARS. RECENTLY, WE HAVE BEGAN LIVING IN THEM. WE’LL HIGHLIGHT SOME OF THE MORE FAMOUS TREEHOUSES IN HISTORY, AND INTRODUCE SOME GLAMPTUARYS AROUND THE WORLD THAT HAVE EMBRACED THIS GLAMPING STRUCTURE IN THE SKY.
Glamptuary Review - Cedar Ridge Ranch
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE A GLAMPING TRIP WITH MY BROTHERS, ALPACAS, GOATS, AND HORSEMANSHIP TRAINING WITH A BEAUTIFUL SUNSET TRAIL RIDE THROUGH THE ROARING FORK VALLEY NEAR CARBONDALE, CO
Glamptuary Review - Puma Hills Mountain Retreat
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE A STAY IN A SECLUDED GEODESIC DOME, AN OUTDOOR CAVEMAN GYM, BISON CHILI WITH BACON CORNBREAD, AND GORGEOUS VIEWS ALONG PRIVATE HIKING TRAILS SET AMIDST THE TARRYALL VALLEY
Glamptuary Review - Black Tree Resort
HIGHLIGHTS INCLUDE DELICIOUS MEALS DELIVERED TO OUR DOORSTEP, OUR OWN PERSONAL GOLF CART, A BEAUTIFULLY DESIGNED A-FRAME SAFARI TENT, AND HORSES! MORE PICTURES AND DETAILS INSIDE
Welcome to Glamptuary
My name is Bobby and I love experiencing the great outdoors glamping with my pack mates Christina, Kazan and Wally.
The goal with this blog is to highlight travel destinations that offer amazing glamping accommodations combined with sanctuary experiences.
I hope you enjoy the stories, images and podcasts you find here. Safe travels on whatever journey you may be on in life.
“Of all the paths you take in life, make sure a few of them are dirt.” – John Muir
