Glamping
There are many attributes to living in NYC that reiterate the fact that moving here was the right choice on my part. At this point in my life, I am very happy to be unaffected by gas prices. With the recent financial crisis and the economy in such a questionable state, I can still attend readings, concerts and art exhibitions for free or for a small fee. Rent will always be expensive, but New York is the only place where I can hear a reading by Dave Eggers in Manhattan, a speech by Joan Didion in Brooklyn and see famous graffiti art by the famous pseudo-anonymous Banksy on the outside of a restaurant four blocks from my apartment.
There is one element that New York City will unfortunately never be able to simulate, and that is the great outdoors. This time of year, with the pleasantly crisp, fresh air, allows an optimum experience for one of my favorite recreations: camping! On the school calendar, September was the best time to escape the beginnings of fall responsiblities one last time, avoid any appearance complexes and just flat out have a good time with friends.
I’ve always enjoyed “roughing it” during my travels, mostly because my personal budget never left me much of a choice. But living in New York has quickly taught me how working hard and living comfortably go hand-in-hand. In the city especially, money = luxury, comfort and convenience, and with money, these luxuries are all things attainable. Now that I’m moving away from college and towards a career, taking flight before the first day of class is no longer an option. Upon my morning browse through Nytimes.com, I have found how adults with a specific taste in travel can collide with nature–in the most luxurious way!
I have finally reached the subject of my blog: Glamping. Glamping is the most luxurious way to experience the outdoors without exactly roughing it. These chic and stylishly simple tents are more like a canvas hotel room than your typical self-pitched, rain-soaked, backyard tent. Starting at about $115 per night, guests can stay in tent bungalows suitable for two at Costanoa. Located in the San Francisco area, these tent bungalows are complete with indoor hot showers, heated concrete floors, a 24-hour dry sauna and an outdoor fireplace. Sound appealing?
If that doesn’t tickle your luxury bone, some of these Glamping opportunities really take it to the 5-star teepee level. At Paws Up, for $695 per night, two can enjoy tents along the Blackfoot River in Montana, complete with king-size beds, art on the “walls,” a private master bath and a personal butler! Come on! I know Alex could get into this kind of camping!
Maybe Glamping doesn’t appeal to you as an avid indoor participant. Lacking electricity and Wi-Fi, at least you won’t be sucked into that $10.95 per day Internet access charge!
 Courtney Centeno, account executive
