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May 11, 2012
CARRY ON GLAMPING
The trend for 'glamping' seems to show no sign of waning. Glamping is, of course, short for 'glamorous camping'. Glampers are those who fancy the idea of a holiday under canvas, surrounded by the great outdoors, but who don't want to go the whole hog.It is thought that glamping has its roots in the musical festival scene, when a few innovative souls decided they'd had quite enough of waking up to all that mud and inconvenience. Whatever its origins, glamping holidays have become increasingly popular with British families over the past few years, as well as those in search of a romantic retreat. Yurts and tipis have sprung up all over Britain, along with canvas tents that would look perfectly at home in an African safari park. There are traditional shepherd's huts and tree houses. Even vintage caravans are getting a look in nowadays.
Glampers spurn the rough and ready in favour of something far more lavish. Amenities may include springy mattresses and freshly ironed linen sheets. If an evening chill sets in, they may even get to light their very own woodburning stove. Bath tubs and Jacuzzis often seem to be par for the course, complete with running hot and cold water. Never has ordinary camping seemed quite so basic.
More recently, glamping has become something of a global phenomenon. In fact, there are opportunities to enjoy the opulent outdoors just about anywhere in the world, from Holland and Spain, to Alaska and Australia. Whatever the venue, posh camping doesn't come cheap. That said, a night of glamping still costs less than a night in a posh hotel. Fresh air is thrown in for free of course.
Posted by Sue at 19:13:01 on 11/5/2012
May 1, 2012
DISNEYLAND PARIS ANNIVERSARY - IT'S BEEN 20 YEARS!
This spring sees the 20th anniversary of the opening of Disneyland Paris, which has been operating since April 1992, after almost a decade of planning and construction. It was first named Euro Disney and has been subtly renamed a number of times over the years.Disneyland is located in the resort town of Marne-la-Vallée, within the easterly suburbs of Paris and roughly 32 km / 20 miles away. Since 1992, it has comprised two individual theme parks, following the arrival of its adjacent and somewhat less successful cousin, the Walt Disney Studios Park.
For me, I'm not sure if I could hack an entire week of Mickey Mouse parades, roller coasters and fairground rides - and queuing. I've enjoyed family days out at Legoland, but at the end of the day, to be honest, I'm quite glad to be going home, rather than waking up the next day and doing it all over again, and again! However, it looks like I'm in the minority, since more than 15 million visitors now come here every year, despite the often unreliable European weather - after all, it's not the sunny and more appealing Californian weather enjoyed by Disneyland in Anaheim, or Walt Disney World in Orlando, Florida. These enormous visitor numbers mean that the Paris version has actually become not only the biggest themed attraction in France, but in the whole of Europe. Have you been for a ride on the 'Indiana Jones et le Temple du Péril'?
Posted by Martin at 11:07:09 on 1/5/2012
