While cosmopolitan getaways may be classic, sometimes getting back to nature can be, quite literally, a breath of fresh air. That said, what about those of you who love the romance of camping out under the stars but aren’t exactly wild about the wild?
Enter glamping, camping’s younger, trendier sister. Glamping provides the perfect soft-landing approach to the excitement of camping – minus its less-palatable inconveniences.
These types of vacations provide families with valuable opportunities to learn experientially through nature, engage in physical stimuli, and bond over unique activities such as waterfall trekking or wildlife spotting – all within a safe, contained space.
If you’re thinking of jumping on the glamping bandwagon for your next family vacation, here are some key things to take note of before booking your trip.
1. Choose your glamping experience wisely
There are a variety of choices available for an enjoyable glamping vacation, from mountaintop retreats and seaside getaways to rustic forest adventures. A Google search on the best glamping locations in Malaysia, for example, will yield helpful results that can help you plan your trip carefully.
Read the information thoroughly to find the best locations that fit your goals and expectations, and also pay attention to reviews and users’ recommendations.
2. Clarify if the property is child-friendly
Accommodation options that allow young children are a priority for many travelling families. Some glamping sites have strict adults-only policies, so do check in advance with your holiday provider that kids are allowed entry.
Whichever way you land, try and avoid picking a remote spot in the middle of nowhere. Make sure there are interesting activities and attractions for the kids at, or close to, the location of your choice.
3. Check the weather
This is important: the last thing you’d want to do is book a beach cabin only to find out you’d be arriving right in the middle of monsoon season!
Given the amount of time you’re likely to be spending outside, it pays to do some research beforehand about the terrain and climate you’ll be immersing yourself in before going ahead with your stay.
4. Know what you’re paying for
Make sure to double-check the property’s listing before booking to find out what’s included. When in doubt, contact your holiday provider for confirmation of their amenities.
Depending on your family’s travelling preferences, some key questions to ask include:
- What are the toilet facilities and bathing conditions like?
- Will you have access to basics, such as running water and electricity?
- Is there Wi-Fi connectivity within the property?
- Is this a self-catered accommodation or will meals be provided?
- In case of an emergency, is on-call assistance readily available?
Asking these upfront will help minimise the risk of unwelcome surprises during check-in.
5. When in doubt, pack like a Scout
You can never be too prepared – but, at the very least, make sure to include these essentials:
- Suitable clothing
Although many of today’s glamping options come with various modern conveniences, not all of them have laundry facilities. Children are bound to get dirty as they discover nature, so pack enough clean clothing for the duration of your trip.
Bring along comfortable walking shoes for outdoor activities, as well as slightly warmer layers for cooler climates or for when the temperature drops at night.
- Rainy-day items
You’re in the heart of a jungle when sudden showers hit, leaving the family housebound – what do you do next? It always helps to bring along an emergency supply of toys, board games, and books for times such as these.
Devices are an option, too, though do take note that connectivity might be an issue, depending on your location.
It’s also wise to pack along an ample supply of snacks, as well as food items for an easy-to-prepare meal. If your accommodation offers only self-catering facilities, it could be extremely inconvenient – not to mention risky – for you to head out looking for food in bad weather.
- Mini survival kit
Don’t forget to include a basic first-aid kit, sunscreen, insect repellent, swim diapers for the little ones, wet wipes, a flashlight, hand sanitiser or disinfecting wipes, and an umbrella for those rainy days. These are often overlooked but are lifesavers in a fix, often helping to ensure a safer stay.
It also never hurts to bring along a physical map of your location, as you won’t always be able to rely on Google Maps or a strong phone/Wi-Fi signal to help you navigate the area.
And finally, for parents travelling with young ones, make sure to bring along your one of your child’s favourite items from home, such as a beloved blanket, to help them adjust to their new and unfamiliar surroundings.
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This article was written by Kimberly Lee for makchic, a Malaysian-based online site for chic, curious, and spirited parents. makchic has been providing trustworthy and authentic family-related content since 2013. For diverse stories of parenthood that inform, support, and uplift all families, visit makchic.com and follow them on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter.