Friday, 16 November 2018

Hi Glampers !

Today we have a guest post for you written by Sharon Wagner . 


Sharon Wagner is creator of SeniorFriendly.info and author of the upcoming book, The Ultimate Guide to Senior-Friendly Workouts, Fitness Gear, Healthy Recipes, and More. With both her website and her book, she hopes to provide helpful tips, tricks, advice, and product recommendations that help seniors stay active and engaged as they age.




6 Easy Ways to Have a Great Trip on a Budget

Research and studies have shown that travel can improve overall health, boost creativity, and even lower the risk of depression. After retirement, you typically have more time to travel. If you’re hoping to travel while still saving money, here are some great ways you can on a budget.

1. Home exchanges

One inexpensive way to see the world is by agreeing to a home exchange with another individual. This can reduce your cost of accommodations to nearly zero. It also gives you the chance to see a huge number of locations on a budget. It works by agreeing to trade spaces with another homeowner for a short period of time. All you have to do is search “home exchange” on the internet and look at the options available.

2. Stay with locals

Services like Airbnb have seen a huge explosion in the market during recent years. This has added tens of billions of dollars of value to the company and cementing Airbnb as an extremely valuable option for budget-conscious travelers. You can stay with locals in whatever area you’re traveling to and pay lower prices and enjoy a more immersive experience.

3. Plan itinerary in advance

First organize the sights and activities that you want to see in a city, country, or continent according to geography, and work on connecting the dots from there. Look at what is closest to each option and factor in how much you want to go to a particular location. Often poor planning can lead to unexpected expenses, so make sure you have a good idea of what you want to do. You can still have some wiggle room, but winging it isn’t the best idea financially.

4. Take care of your home before leaving

An easy-to-forget part of your budget is taking care of your house before leaving. It’s no fun paying for damages when you come home. When leaving for vacation, make sure everything in your home is secure. Check for batteries in your smoke alarm. If it’s wintertime, turn on your faucet just a touch to let water trickle through the pipes so your pipes won’t freeze. There are even services available which allow you to locate a house sitter to take care of your home, pets, plants, or whatever you need to care for when you’re traveling.

5. Use alternative means of transit

Public transportation, along with ridesharing, can be a viable means of more affordable travel. An article from The New York Times about using public transit while abroad recommends planning your trips so that you don’t have to travel at night. This allows for safer travel. Look up the local road culture or transit availability before you go to a destination. Large cities also offer hop-on, hop-off tours that get you to all the sights without exerting too much energy.

6. Balance buying local groceries and eating out

When you’re visiting countries that are expensive to travel in, one of the best ways to save money is by visiting the local supermarket and making your own food occasionally. This is especially useful if your accommodations allow you to prepare your own food. You can—and should—still eat out to experience the local cuisine; however, as a rule of thumb, try to eat out only once a day so you can keep some spare change in your wallet.

There’s a lot of places to see in this world, but you don’t have to be rich to see them. If you’re not retired yet, practice for it by taking some affordable vacations now and see what you’d be interested in doing. You’ll have an enjoyable time and won’t have to worry about finances.


Tuesday, 3 July 2018

Hi Glampers !

Going camping with children is so rewarding, seeing them tearing around being free, exploring nature's biggest playground. They often learn new skills and the best of all tire themselves out by bedtime leaving you time to relax and enjoy the peace and quiet. For most children there is nothing worse than a long car journey when going on holiday, I remember this myself and it always lead to the same old question .... Are we nearly there yet? 

With that in mind I have come up with a few fun games and ways of keeping children entertained in the car so as to start off their camping holiday in good spirits as you mean to go on .


ARE WE NEARLY THERE YET? 

1. Film/ Pop Star Alphabet Game

One person in the car names a Film or a Pop star and the others have to take it in turns to think of another person or film that starts with the same letter that the previous word ended with. This is a great one for keeping children thinking and one for adults to join in too.

2. Hum the Song

This one is for older children to enjoy. Each child takes it in turns to think of a song, they then have to hum the song, without speaking or singing and the others have to guess what it is. You get one point for naming the song and one point for naming the artist. Whoever guesses correctly goes next. If you set a time limit, for example 20 minutes then the winner is the person with the most points after that time. 

3. Yellow Car / Mini Game 

This one is a favourite of mine from when I was a child and is a good one to play on a motorway where there are lots of different cars. It is quite simple, you get one point for spotting a yellow car and one point for spotting a mini, again set a time limit and the winner is the person with the most points at the end of that time. This game can often be one to keep on going for your whole journey.

4. Play word association

One person says a word. The next person has to say a word associated with the previous word, the next says a word associated with that word and so on.  For example Bear - Woods - Picnic - Basket - Laundry - Washing Machine - Kitchen - Kettle etc

5. Make up a Story

Another favourite of mine is to make up story as a team with each of you saying one sentence at a time, and the others then continuing the story, adding on their own sentence. For example the child starting off might say, ' Once upon a time there was a cabin the woods ', the next child can then add their sentence to the story such as ' in the cabin lives an old man called Bob' , then it would move on to another child to say their sentence. The aim is to make the story as funny as  possible.

I Hope these games help you with your Journeys . We look forward to seeing you Glamping with us soon !

Bye for now

Camp Katur :) 

Thursday, 25 January 2018




HI Glampers !

Today we have an article written especially for us by freelance writer Jane Richardson. 



How To Make The Most Of Your Yorkshire Glamping Trip 
Are you looking for the perfect getaway, but dreading having to make all the arrangements and travel plans? Love connecting with nature and the idea of camping in the woods but not the prospect of putting up your own tent and roughing it? Well then, glamping in Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside is the answer for you. The serene countryside, genteel seaside resorts, a spa town, countless historic manors and many such endless splendors, are all part of what makes up the beautiful Yorkshire. The World Travel Awards named Yorkshire the leading destination of Europe in 2013. And glamping, popular among luxury travelers and campers alike, has found its treasured base in Yorkshire.

Where to glamp in Yorkshire?

Glamping in Yorkshire allows you to disconnect from the chaos of daily life and realise all your dreams of camping without giving up on creature comforts. After all, soaking in a hot tub inside a romantic teepee and in the surroundings of resplendent greenery all around sure makes for the most relaxing and glammed-up camping holiday. The beautiful Camp Hill estate located between the bustling market towns of Bedale and Ripon in North Yorkshire is the ideal base for a Glamping holiday. Based here, you can explore the picturesque villages of Kirklington and Carthorpe, the spa town of Harrogate and make side trips to the great cities of Newcastle and Leeds.

What’s your style of Glamping?

Glamping accommodation choices are plenty. They come in an unending array of styles and sizes. For a big group of up to 5, the Bell Tents, inspired by the Native American Tipis, are one of the ideal tents with a double bed, a sofa bed, and a single sofa bed. Hobbit pods are luxury and cosy alternatives to traditional tents fit for four with a bunk bed, futon ZIP chair, a seating area and the basics included. There are cozier ones fit for a honeymooning couple dressed in scented candles and fairy lights. Or, hideaway in the unidomes inspired by the aesthetic living of the pioneers and the dwellings of nomadic tribes. If not, let your African dreams take wings as you cocoon with your partner and kids inside the fun-filled Safari Tents fit for 6 to 8, with its own shower and toilet and a decked terrace to enjoy the views and feel the breeze.

Boost your Glamping holidays

A communal campfire, wooded trails, back-to-nature shower sheds, a children’s area, an eco-spa, and a Nordic BBQ cabin - these are the highlights of Glamping at Camp Katur. The natural sights, fresh air and sunlight make glamping a wholesome experience here and there are plenty more ways to boost it. Friends and families at Camp Katur have a ball quad biking, clay pigeon shooting, touring on Segway, cycling, wine tasting and doing fun workshops on baking, cocktail making and more.


Finally, glamping somewhere on these 250 acres of English Country Estate with an 18th-century building at its focal point makes for an unforgettable holiday experience – where the surroundings only spell of woods, rolling meadows, and green spaces as far as you can look.


Wednesday, 6 December 2017

Hi Glampers ! 

Are you all ready for the festive season? Christmas comes around so fast doesn't it . Now that we are in December if you are anything like me you will be frantically hitting the shops or surfing the internet trying to find your loved ones the perfect Christmas gift. 

I have been taking a look at Glamping Fashion gift ideas this year, there are so many fabulous clothing gift ideas for those family and friends who love to Glamp.  


I love this cute white ladies Glamping jumper, it would make a perfect gift. Priced at £24.70 this can be found on Zazzle.com by using this link,  https://www.zazzle.co.uk/glamping_style_t_shirt-235370967319216947


This T - Shirt sums up Glamping for me and comes in a variety of different colour options too, great value at £22.85 also available from Zazzle.com at this link, https://www.zazzle.co.uk/campfire_smoke_in_my_hair_camping_glamping_t_shirt-235712183234560170


This T-Shirt is a brilliant bargain at only £15.44 and would make a great gift for any man who loves his camping trips ! Available from Esty.com at this link https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/519154072/glamper-life-comfy-t-shirt-life-is?ga_order=most_relevant&ga_search_type=all&ga_view_type=gallery&ga_search_query=glamping%20clothing&ref=sr_gallery_38


These Glamping PJ's will keep you warm in your sleeping bag at night, they come in a variety of different coloured and patterned PJ bottoms too. Priced at £28.00 they can be found from Amazon.co.uk here at this link https://www.amazon.co.uk/CafePress-Happy-Glamper-Pajamas-Comfortable/dp/B01JOSYDA6/ref=sr_1_5?ie=UTF8&qid=1512559582&sr=8-5&keywords=glamping%2BPJs&th=1

These wellies are a favourite of mine, they are really cute and I love the pink buckle bow and what's better is they are only £12.50! These are available from Asda Direct and can be found at this link, https://direct.asda.com/george/women/shoes/cloud-print-wellington-boots/GEM568670,default,pd.html

These children's PJ's are amazing, I love all the little pictures on them of the trees and caravans etc, any little girl who loves camping would make a proud owner of these PJ's ! They size from 2-10 years and can be found on Amazon at this link https://www.amazon.co.uk/Hatley-Little-House-Kids-Glamping-Pyjama/dp/B00U1RY9GI/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1512560627&sr=8-1&keywords=childrens+glamping+clothing

I hope that has given you a few Christmas gift ideas . 

I wish you all a great Christmas and a Happy new Year . 

Camp Katur xxx



Tuesday, 3 October 2017


Hi Glampers 

Here is another fantastic article by out guest blogger Jamie Strand on the importance of taking your holidays each year and the health benefits that come with it. After all nothing puts a smile on your face like some much needed relaxation time ! 





The Mental Health Benefits of Using Your Vacation Days

You’d love to go on vacation. You dream about hopping on a plane and going to an exotic foreign country where you can lay on the beach and sip something yummy from a glass graced with a tiny umbrella. Or maybe you fantasize about jumping in the minivan with the family and driving across country to see the sights.

But just as soon as those tantalizing visions pop into your head, they quickly fizzle away. After all, the boss can’t spare you at work. There are too many deadlines to meet. Maybe your supervisor will be annoyed and find a replacement for you. Or maybe you feel that your department will be lost without you. So you give up those vacation days and keep dragging yourself to work even though you feel frazzled, depressed and totally stressed out. Well, now is the time to change your way of thinking. Using your vacation days is good for you. In fact, it improves your mental health. Read on to discover how traveling on vacation can be the best thing you ever do for yourself.

Goodbye Stress

When you travel on vacation, it allows you to escape from the environment that is the source of your stress and anxiety. Many people struggle with the the stress of meeting deadlines at work, stress of trying to balance home and work life or stress of being unemployed or underemployed. All of these factors gradually take a toll on our mental health.

If you don’t take time to get away from everyday pressures, you wind up feeling depressed, irritable and filled with anxiety. Your memory worsens, and it becomes more difficult to make wise decisions. These are all important reasons why you should really consider taking those vacation days.

After taking a vacation, your outlook on life improves. Why? When you’re on vacation, you’re able to relax with people you care about, sharing new experiences as you explore unique places and come in contact with people that differ in culture, language or religion. If you take a family vacation, you have the opportunity to strengthen the bond with your loved ones. You broaden your mind and create shared memories with family. Even better, these memories are completely unrelated to school, work or regular life. A University of Vienna study even found that the positive effects of taking a vacation continue even after you return to work. In fact, when study participants returned to work, they experienced fewer physical ailments such as backaches, headaches and heart problems--all issues linked to stress.


Cognitive Boost

When you slave away at work, never taking days off, you begin to feel resentful and burned out. Eventually, your work production suffers. Going away on vacation helps to recharge your energy and sharpen your mind as you plunge into a new environment and maybe even learn a foreign language. Finding your way around an unfamiliar town by studying a map or taking a flamenco dance class while visiting Spain are both ways that you boost your cognitive abilities while on vacation. These benefits improve your work performance once you return to work.

Taking Your Pet on Vacation

Do you own a pet? Why not take it on vacation with you? It’s a well known fact that pets help reduce stress in our lives. Taking your pet with you to an outdoor or wilderness vacation may be just the thing you need to help decompress from all of life’s anxieties.  Many hotels accept pets, so it would be easy to take your precious cat or dog along for some rest and relaxation.

Recovering from Addiction

If you’re recovering from addiction, you also receive mental health benefits when you travel. Taking a vacation promotes self-healing. It  might allow you to meditate on your past mistakes and your hopes for a positive, healthy future.

You earned those vacation days. Every day you come to work and deal with tight deadlines, overtime hours and stressful situations. So why let those vacation days fall by the wayside? Take time for yourself, improve your mental health and travel somewhere on vacation. Just don’t forget to take your sunscreen!


Photo via Pixabay