Ten great camping holidays

Get in touch with the great outdoors on these camping breaks

Try your hand at glamping in the Swiss Alps with White Pod Switzerland
Try your hand at glamping in the Swiss Alps with White Pod Switzerland

Kinsale

Campsites can be crowded but at Kinsale Glamping (glamorous camping) the yurt is in a world of its own, metres above the sea, and within walking distance of the gourmet capital of Ireland. Wood-burning stove, outside fire, plus chalet-style shelter for softer days – all this and amazing views. Sleeps two. From €130. kinsaleglamping.com

Loire Valley

Camping is for the birds at the French resort of Les Alicourts in the Loire Valley. Choose from one of eight tree houses, and let your imagination take flight. Your arbour won't have electricity or water, but all the facilities of the resort, including a water park and spa, are on site. From €100. lesalicourts.com

Swiss Alps

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Glamp in the Alps with White Pod Switzerland. Fifteen domes, each with their own deck, give views of the valley where you can walk, ski, go dog-sledding or get pampered in the spa. Each pod has a wood-burning stove and full bathroom. Equally gorgeous in summer. From CHF1,080 (€896) for two people, two nights. Fly to Geneva. whitepod.com

Tanzania
Camp on a hillside in Tanzania at Shu'mata, a campsite in the midst of Maasailand. Tents are en suite, with traditional beds, and open-air showers. Come down to the camp fire as animals call across the plains. From $534 (€429) per night. Excludes flights to Kilimanjaro from Amsterdam. shumatacamp.de

Pyrenees
Get vintage kicks in France at the Airstream and Retro Trailer Park. They call the Airstream the "Dolly Parton of the caravan world – all about the curves". Have a ball in one of these beauties in this Pyrenees campsite. Kitted out '60s and '70s style, you even get a black-and-white TV. From €90 per night. Fly to Carcassone. airstreameurope.com

Wales
You won't be bothered by ground prowlers at the Red Kite Tree Tent in Powys, Wales. Featured on George Clarke's Amazing Spaces on Channel 4, this is a tent-pod that hangs from a tree, and even includes that all-important wood-burning stove. Sleeps two, with shower and wc, plus decking and firepit by the stream. £300 (€380)pps for three nights. sheepskinlife.com

Cambodia
Whatever floats your boat – or rather tent, at the 4 Rivers Floating Lodge, Cambodia. A row of 12 luxury tents, each on its own little deck, on the Tatai River in the Cardamom National Park. Reached only by boat, you're in a world of your own. Kayak at sunset, and freshen up in the wine-barrel showers before fabulous local food in the floating restaurant. From $220 (€176 per night). Fly to Phnom Penh. ecolodges.asia

Cotswolds
Get your camping groove at the Buttercombe Gridshells, a pair of highly engineered domes in the Cotswold countryside. Set on a deck, you get a king-sized bed in each, iPod dock, Fat Boy beanbags and funky sheepskin stools – all ideal for getting back to nature without missing a cultural thing. The next-door barn provides cooking and washing. Sleeps four, from £600 (€758) for a long weekend. Fly to Bristol. sheepskinlife.com

Kerry
Before glamping there was, of course, good old camping, which is all about finding the best spot to pitch your tent or pull up your van. Wave Crest Caravan Park is near Caherdaniel, with sea views and lovely countryside. You might spot a dolphin or two, and you're assured of a warm welcome. Open March to October, facilities include showers, a games room, and boat mooring. From €22. wavecrestcamping.com

Portugal
Zen out at Tipi Valley, the organic tented surf and yoga retreat. Speed up in the waves, then chill out with a downward dog or two. Simplicity rather than luxury is the vibe here, though you do get a real bed, duvet and pillows in your tent. Fly to Faro. May to October. All inclusive, from €595 for a five-day programme. surfalgarve.com

Gemma Tipton

Gemma Tipton

Gemma Tipton contributes to The Irish Times on art, architecture and other aspects of culture