Author: Petite Retreats

Retreat Ideas for Friends, Couples, and History Buffs!

This is the year of “the trip,” so take note of these ideas if 2024 is when you finally take the long overdue trip with your friends, or with your someone special, or the year you take the trip where you immerse yourself in culture or history.

Friends-Only Trips
Las Vegas-bound guys should book a cabin, or cabins, at Thousand Trails Las Vegas where the cabin selections can sleep 4, 5, or 6 for a great guys’ getaway. Activities can include the Richard Petty Driving Experience for a NASCAR ride that will not be forgotten. Kinda pricey but worth the thrill – check out drivepetty.com/lasvegas for info. Or, for a free, nature-driven, thrill, hike the 2-mile Calico Tanks Trail with its red, yellow, and orange sandstone formations in Red Rock Canyon. The Mob Museum (themobmuseum.org) takes a look into organized crime in the U.S. while the Neon Museum takes visitors through the Neon Boneyard, which is the resting place for the old neon signs that lit the famed Las Vegas Strip (neonmuseum.org).

Girls trips need to have plenty of time for shopping, pampering, and outdoor activity for good measure, so why not plan your next girls trip around Sedona, Arizona. Book a cabin, cottage or one of the two tiny houses at Thousand Trails Verde Valley and let the fun begin. Sedona has several healing vortexes, all of which can be reached via scenic hikes. For a map, visit sedona.net/vortex-map. These energy centers promote healing, meditation, and self-exploration. Self-care can also revolve around massages, spa treatments, and the like, so for a list of options check out visitsedona.com/spiritual-wellness/spas-salons. Downtown Sedona is great for shopping and the Tlaquepaque Arts and Crafts Village is a great spot to buy gifts – for yourself or others!

Cabins at Encore Miami Everglades RV Resort
Cabins at Encore Miami Everglades RV Resort

History and Culture
Miami, Florida, is often referred to as the Latin Capital of America in part due to its large population of Latin-American and Cuban-Americans. The culture of these ethnicities is prevalent throughout Miami so this is a great destination for a cultural immersion. Book a cabin at Encore Miami Everglades to get your trip off to a good start. Head to Little Havana and walk down Calle Ocho to see the colorful murals and enjoy the iconic Cubano Sandwich. A Cuban food tour is an option – visit miamiculinarytours.com to book one.

Cabin at Gateway to Cape Cod
Cabin at Gateway to Cape Cod

For an immersion in history, check out Boston. The 2.5-mile Freedom Trail is a fabulous self-guided walking tour of the city that takes you past 16 historically significant locations. Then there’s Harvard, the first college in the American colonies founded in 1636, which welcomes visitors to walk the campus. The city of Cambridge itself is quite historic and several self-guided walking tours are available for download at https://historycambridge.org/self-guided-tours. Book a cabin at Gateway to Cape Cod or a tiny house at Tuxbury Tiny House Village for a Boston day trip.

The Romantic Gesture
Palm Springs is great for couples – there’s the sun, the scenery and lots of fun stuff to do for shared interests. Book a colorful cottage at Thousand Trails Palm Springs and hit the desert with your honey. Take the Mod Squad Tour to learn about the architecture and modern design homes throughout Palm Springs (psmodsquad.com). Another architecture-based option would be to tour Sunnylands, in nearby Rancho Mirage, the former estate of Walter and Lee Annenberg, who hosted political, business, entertainment, and educational leaders on their 200-acre winter estate for decades. Sunnylands (sunnylands.org) offers a variety of interesting tours. Or, take the Palm Spring Aerial Tramway up to the of Mount San Jacinto and choose to hike, enjoy the views, or dine at the restaurant.

Cottages at Narrows Too Camping Resort
Cottages at Narrows Too Camping Resort

What’s more romantic than the changing colors of autumn? Book a cabin at Maine’s Mt. Desert Narrows or Narrows Too this fall and leaf-peep to your heart’s content in Bar Harbor. Acadia National Park provides the opportunity to see the colors up close as well as enjoy some great hiking and biking trails. Stargaze at night at the Park’s Jordan Pond and wish upon a few for a happy life with your true love. Stroll across the water to Bar Island during low tide or enjoy a waterfront lobster bake at Stewman’s Lobster Pound, a Bar Harbor gem.

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A Guide to Hiking Hotspots Near our Glamping Vacation Rentals

If you google “hiking challenge,” you will find all kinds of opportunities to sign up with a group or organization that has you accept the preset goal they have established for hiking in 2024. Some are based on mileage while others are based on number of days. They are all good to take advantage of, but we’ve got another one where you just do it without paying, joining, or reporting on an app. All you have to do is glamp with us and hit the nearby hiking trails. We have plenty of hiking opportunities – some onsite and some nearby our glamping locations, so let’s take a look at a few places where you can rack up some hiking miles. We’ve identified mileage and the glamping accommodations below – the rest is up to you.

Book a tiny house at Leavenworth Tiny House Village and check out these two trails in the Okanogan-Wenatchee National Forest: The Icicle Gorge Trail is an easy, 4.1-mile trail (pass required) and the Eightmile Lake Trail is a moderate 6.7-mile uphill hike ending at an alpine lake.

Rent a glamping cabin at Mt. Desert Narrows and tackle the trails in Maine’s Acadia National Park. Jordan Path Pond is an easy 3.1-mile loop that also welcomes leashed dogs while Ocean Path is a popular, flat path, easily walked with great views, especially Thunder Hole.

Cabin at Lake George Escape Campground
Cabin at Lake George Escape Campground

Heading to Lake George Escape in upstate New York? After renting a glamping cabin, check out Berry Pond Trail, a moderate 5-mile round trail that leads to a woodland pond, which is home to a busy beaver community. For an easy hike, the Shelving Rock Summit Trail (3.4 miles out and back) has great scenery including some waterfalls.

Yurt at Thousand Trails Long Beach
Yurt at Thousand Trails Long Beach

Rent an ultra-cool yurt at Washington’s Thousand Trails Long Beach and check out the hiking trails in Beards Hollow which are great for birding, cliff views, and tide pools. The Discovery Trail is another option with an 8.5 mile asphalt trail that features several art installments dedicated to Lewis and Clark along the way.

Plan a glamping experience in the latest trend – the storage container! Book a stay at the Tiny House Container Village at Yukon Trails and check out the 29 miles of trails in Wisconsin’s beautiful Devil’s Lake State Park. Devil’s Doorway is a less than 1-mile loop – an easy hike with scenic views from atop the bluff you hike to! Easy Bluff Trail is an uphill climb with lake views and the rock formation, Elephant Rock.

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5 Things to Do in The Florida Keys

Does island hopping appeal to your travel senses? Or, is a great glamping trip that encompasses culture, history, outdoor activity, and a bit of the off-beat what you’re seeking in your next adventure? Whichever way you choose to travel, consider a glamping trip to the Florida Keys complete with a colorful cottage accommodation at Encore Fiesta Key, located on Long Key. Fiesta Key also offers Elite Suites as an option for your stay. The resort itself has plenty of activities and amenities, including a pool, marina and boat dock, horseshoes, fishing opportunities, and a super fun Tiki Bar and Cantina where you can relax and discuss your plans for your Florida Keys experience.

We serve up five ideas here on what to do in the Keys.

1. Visit Molasses Reef: The Molasses Reef Preservation Sanctuary Area is the most visited coral reef in the Upper Keys. It has clear water, plenty of fish to see and plenty of boulder corals. Book a charter through seadwellers.com and be ready to experience an other-worldly adventure which some have equated to swimming in a crystal clear aquarium! You might see nurse sharks, lobsters, shrimp, moray eels, angelfish, and sea turtles to name a few.

2. Spirited Adventures: There are all kinds of places to partake safely in the spirits here. Try some mead at Keys’ Meads on Key Largo. This Florida farm meadery offers hand-crafted mead and other spirits made from honey. At Papa Pilar’s Rum in Key West it’s all about the rum. From distillery tours to cocktail classes, this is a must-do. While there are no tours offered, plenty of fun can be found at Islamorada Brewery & Distillery. A pet-friendly beer garden, a swag shop full of island gear, food and, of course, drinks, plus special events and plenty of live music and games are what you can expect here.

Slice of Key Lime Pie


3. Key Lime Fun: There’s a whole history behind why it’s called a Florida Key Lime, but all we care about is how good the Key Lime Pie (KLP) pie tastes. Get in on the experience and try this tasty treat all around the islands. On Marathon, Keys’ Fisheries has some of the best KLP in the area, plus other yummy seafood. The colorful Key Lime Pie Bakery just off the famous Duval Street in Key West is another option. Also, try Midway Cafe on Islamorada for KLP or a Key Lime Tart. They also have gourmet coffees on the menu.

4. Unique Shopping: From shells to cigars, there are plenty of trinkets to pick up during a visit to The Keys. Shell World on Key Largo is good for well, you know, shells, but there’s plenty more island-related regalia here. The Big Pine Key Flea Market is open every weekend (Saturday from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. and Sundays from 8 a.m. to 2 p.m.) and has everything from homemade soaps to fishing gear, jewelry, and local art. Rain Barrel Village on Islamorada is an outdoor market plaza with several specialty shops and eateries and lots of Florida souvenirs. Plus, there’s a giant lobster out front that makes for a perfect selfie backdrop! For cigars, check out Rodriguez Cigar Factory in Key West, where you can also see them being rolled.

Kayaking in Sunshine Key
Kayaking in Sunshine Key

5. Only in the Keys Experience: There are some things that you just can’t do anywhere else and if you’re in the Florida Keys, here are those experiences:

  • Feed the Tarpon at Robbie’s in Islamorada
  • Snap a selfie at the Southernmost Point in the Continental U.S. (Key West)
  • See the underwater statue, St. John of the Abyss, while snorkeling at John Pennekamp State Park. (Key Largo)
  • Visit The Little White House – Florida’s only Presidential museum which was President Harry Truman’s winter home. (Key West)
  • Take a ride on the African Queen (Key Largo)

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Get in These 2024 Travel Trends

Skyscanner.com, a travel search engine, recently came out with an article that discussed travel trend predictions for 2024. We thought it would be a good idea to take their trend predictions, pair them with our glamping locations, and see if this could make for the perfect travel ideas for you in 2024. Here goes….

Main Character Energy: Using the term “set-jetting,” this travel trend has travelers heading to the locales where some of their favorite screen characters reside. For example, Emily In Paris, the Neflix hit that follows the life of an American marketing exec when she’s transferred to Paris. OK, while we don’t have a glamping destination in France just yet, we can get you pretty close staying stateside. Book a cozy glamping cabin stay at Thousand Trails Las Vegas and head to The Strip to discover Paris Las Vegas. What you’ll find here is not only a replica of the Eiffel Tower, but also the Arc de Triomphe, the Paris Opera House, the Louvre, and the Musee de Orsay, which gives you an idea of Emily’s daily scenery. The bonus here is that anyone who is a fan of reality TV can dine at Vanderpump à Paris – owned by the Bravo TV celeb Lisa Vanderpump, famous for Vanderpump Rules. In Season 3 of the series, Emily heads to Provence, the region in southern France known for its beautiful lavender fields. Plan ahead and book a trip at California’s Thousand Trails Idyllwild (cabin or cottage glamping accommodations available here) and head over to 123 Farm, a beautiful lavender farm in Beaumont, which has gorgeous lavender fields from June to mid-July. The Farm’s lavender festival runs May through July each year.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Russian River
Cabin at Thousand Trails Russian River

Budget Bougie Foodies: According to Skyscanner, 47% of American travelers have booked a trip specifically to try a restaurant in the destination and another 27% said they’d travel to eat specific cuisine of the area. Some ideas for a glamping/gourmet gorge can include:

  • Thousand Trails Russian River: Book a glamping cabin or cottage at this great California retreat and explore several Michelin Star restaurants in the area including French Laundry in Yountville, Cyrus in Geyserville, Auro in Calistoga, and Barndiva in Healdsburg.
  • Thousand Trails Colorado River: Glamp in a cabin here and plan to head into Austin (about 90 miles) for some of the best authentic Texas BBQ. The Lone Star style for BBQ includes smoked beef brisket, a less sweet, more spicy sauce and, of course, the requisite large slice of white bread. Per eater.com, the must-eat spots include Franklin Barbeque (from James Beard Award-winning pitmaster, Aaron Franklin), Brown’s Bar-B-Queen (situated in a big red trailer in South Austin), and Sam’s BBQ, an oldie that’s been around since the 1950s.
  • Thousand Trails Natchez Trace: Book a stay at a tiny house at Natchez Trace and explore the culinary delights of Nashville. Stop in at Robert’s Western World for a fried bologna sandwich, Hattie B’s for some famous hot chicken, or the Loveless Cafe for some of the best biscuits and jam around. A walking food tour is another fun way to eat your way through Nashville (check out walkeatnashville.com).


Gig-tripping: Maybe it originated with the Grateful Dead’s Deadheads, but gig-tripping is what they’re now calling what you do when you travel to follow the music. You don’t have to go as far as another continent like the Swifties did this past year, but there are plenty of music festivals coming up in 2024 that work well with a glamping destination. Consider Coachella, scheduled for two weekends in April (12-14 and 19-21). Book a stay in a colorful cottage in Thousand Trails Palm Springs and you’re about 30 miles from all the fun of Coachella. Catch the next big stars of Country music at Key West Songwriters Festival 2024, set for May 1-5. Choose from a tiny house at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village or a colorful cottage at Encore Fiesta Key for your homebase for this fest. For a lineup of next year’s big music events, visit musicfestivalwizard.com and see who’s playing near your favorite glamping location in 2024.

Cottages at Palm Springs RV Resort
Cottages at Palm Springs RV Resort

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Good Things Come in Small Packages

The meaning of the saying “good things come in small packages” is basically that things don’t need to be large to be good. In the case of our Petite Retreat accommodations, that saying is spot on. Take our tiny houses for example, they are small but they are mighty when you consider they are full of amenities like kitchens and full bathrooms, and have plenty of indoor and outdoor space for fun. Not to mention how cute they are inside and out! The same goes for our cabins, yurts, and cottages. While the amenities may vary here, they all provide just the right amount of space you need to have a great glamping adventure. When it comes to our tiny homes, we say “go tiny or go home,” and when it comes to all of our Petite Retreats we think a good adage may be “go small and go glamping.” You just cannot lose with these small packages! So, in the spirit of the holiday, consider some of these “good things in small packages” when planning your upcoming glamping trips!


These small packages come with the added bonus of location. And to use another well known phrase, location is everything. The Leavenworth Tiny House Village in Leavenworth, Washington, has five great tiny homes to choose from and is in a stunning Pacific Northwest location near the super charming Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth. Plus this destination offers some of the best outdoor activities in the area that include fishing, skiing, hiking, and biking. Then there’s the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village, with seven tiny homes, in the beautiful Mt. Hood area of Oregon. Mountains, waterfalls, rivers, and lakes are your playground when staying at Mt. Hood and there’s a lot of unique festivals to check out like the Annual Salmon, Mushroom, and Bigfoot Festival or the Huckleberry Festival that features all kinds of foods centered around the local huckleberry like pancakes and jams. Arizona’s tiny house offerings include those at Thousand Trails Verde Valley that are set among the backdrop of the healing Red Rocks in Sedona, Arizona. East coast options include Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, New Hampshire. Close to Boston and the beaches of the Atlantic, it provides a great glamping place to enjoy a New England adventure and there are five tiny homes to choose from here.

Tiny Houses at Thousand Trails Verde Valley
Tiny Houses at Thousand Trails Verde Valley


Looking for some southern hospitality? Check out Natchez Trace Tiny House Village nestled in the woodlands of Tennessee and yet just about an hour’s drive from all the fun of Nashville. There are six tiny homes here. The charming southern towns of Franklin and Leipers Fork are also nearby. Then there’s the fab five, equally colorful, tiny houses at Sunshine Key Tiny House Village in the Florida Keys. Explore Key West, Key Largo and all the other don’t-miss attractions The Keys have to offer.

Tiny House Container Village at Yukon Trails
Tiny House Container Village at Yukon Trails

How about staying in the newest trend when it comes to glamping? Plan a trip this summer to Wisconsin, specifically the famed summer vacation playland known as The Wisconsin Dells and book a stay at our Tiny House Container Village at Yukon Trails. Yes, storage containers are experiencing a renaissance and they have become the hottest glamping accommodation around. Five storage containers, all of them featuring a kitchen and full bath, are roomy and colorful and so on-trend, everyone will be jealous of your glamping trip. These units are upcycled, giving the shipping containers a second life as a one-of-a-kind rental accommodation.

Beyond the fabulous tiny homes, Petite Retreats also include cabins, cottages, and yurts. Couple these unique accommodations with their locations, like Palm Springs, near Yosemite National Park, New York’s Adirondack Region, Maine’s charming Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, around the Pacific Northwest, loads of Florida spots including Orlando, as well as the Midwest, we can say for sure these glamping options are definitely the epitome of “good things in small packages.”

Go ahead and give yourself a gift this holiday and book a stay at one, or all, of these great glamping locations!

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Top 5 Must-Do Experiences in Vibrant Miami, Florida

Just about any travel guide you consult for reasons to visit Miami will include the beaches, the nightlife and, of course, the weather. We know of one great reason for sure – the fabulous glamping accommodations at Encore Miami Everglades that include deluxe lodges and cabins. Plus, this gorgeous and lush tropical getaway is just 30 minutes from Miami, though you feel like you’re in a true nature retreat. So, book a stay at Miami Everglades and check out five more reasons we found to make your Miami getaway a glamping trip to remember.

1. Explore City Beautiful: Coral Gables is less than 20 minutes from Miami and definitely worth a visit. The city’s tree-lined boulevards, Spanish and Mediterranean architecture, and the plentiful historic landmarks make it easy to see why the city is nicknamed “City Beautiful.” Check out the Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden, which has a collection of rare tropical plants set on 83 acres. Another interesting must-see when visiting Coral Gables are the “Seven Villages of Coral Gables” which were designed to reflect villages from around the world and include the French Normandy Village, Chinese Village, and Italian Village. Visit bikewalkcoralgables.org for maps of self-guided tours of the Villages as well as the Coral Gables landmarks.

2. Monkey Around: A visit to Monkey Jungle (monkeyjungle.com) provides an opportunity to see several species of monkeys in their natural habitat. Opened in 1935 by animal behaviorist Joseph DuMond, this 30-acre wildlife park is home to over 300 primates. The Rainforest Adventure Tour is a great way to see squirrel monkeys, capuchin monkeys, and more in a rainforest setting.

Cabins at Encore Miami Everglades
Cabins at Encore Miami Everglades

3. Millionaire’s Row: If you want to see how Miami’s rich and famous live, take a guided boat tour of Millionaire’s Row (tourscanner.com or miamionthewater.com). See if you can spot any of the Row’s residents, that include Jennifer Lopez and Shaquille O’Neal, soaking up the sun. Both tours also provide spectacular views of the skyline and Biscayne Bay.

4. Visit Little Havana: Take in the Cuban cultural experience with a visit to Little Havana (which can be reached via Miami’s free trolley service). Calle Ocho is where you can find the locals conversing, playing dominoes and the Paseo de las Estrellas, which is equivalent to the Walk of the Stars, and pays tribute to Cuban, Latin, Hispanic, and African American musicians, actors, and artists with ties to the community. While you’re here, take a Little Havana Food and Cultural tour (available through miamiculinarytours.com) or visit an authentic cigar factory (check out casahabano.net for info on a factory tour).

Night time Cabin at Encore Miami Everglades
Night time Cabin at Encore Miami Everglades

5. Hit the Beach(es): There are more than 15 beaches in Miami and each has a different flair. For example, Oleta River State Park offers a 1,200 foot sandy beach great for swimming, kayaking, and canoeing. South Beach is the most famous with the iconic Ocean Drive backdrop while North Beach is a popular music venue that features the North Beach Bandshell. Crandon Park Beach has a Family Amusement Center and a Nature Center and Haulover Beach is good for kite-flying and picnicking. For more Miami Beach choices, go to visitflorida.com/travel-ideas/articles/best-beaches-of-miami-florida.

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Glamorous Gifting: The Ultimate 2023 Glamping Gift Guide

Glampers have a slightly different take on camping – notching up the experience by choosing accommodations that are more luxe than rustic, bringing along the comforts of home, and upping the culinary glamp-side experience with cool gadgets that are also travel-friendly. Here are some gift ideas to help you get a head start on shopping for the glampers on your holiday list this year:

Chef’n S’mores Roaster
Chef’n S’mores Roaster

Chef’n S’mores Roaster: The cutest little petite s’more roaster you’ll find on the market, the Chef’n S’mores Roaster does not require a campfire and comes with stainless steel sticks so you don’t have to search for the perfect roasting stick. Available at crateandbarrel.com ($49.95).

Snow Peak Mini Hozuki Lantern
Snow Peak Mini Hozuki Lantern

Snow Peak Mini Hozuki Lantern: These are so cute and compact, every glamper should have one! Powered by AAA batteries, these mini-lanterns are “a compact, bright and versatile LED camping light.” There are three brightness settings and the Mini Hozuki has a runtime of 40 hours when set on high and 70 when set on low. Available from snowpeak.com or amazon.com ($49.95).

SetPower Portable Fridge-Freezer
SetPower Portable Fridge-Freezer

SetPower Portable Fridge/Freezer: As we said, glampers take it up a notch, so a cooler with ice might not cut it, but this portable fridge/freezer combo from SetPower may do the trick. Available from setpowerusa.com ($319), the investment may seem steep, but think of all those bags of ice that won’t be needed. This handy glamping accessory is highly-rated by users who say it is easy to set up, holds the “chill,” and is very portable.

Folding Camp Bench
Folding Camp Bench

Folding Camp Bench: They say glamping with friends is the best way to do it so why not provide seating for the gang? A good glamping gift might be the Folding Camp Bench that provides seating for two (available from bespokepost.com for $140). Portable, easy to clean, and easy to store, this could be the best seating ‘round the campfire.

Jouyek Outdoor Folding Table
Jouyek Outdoor Folding Table

Jouyek Outdoor Folding Table: Another great option for the popular glamping crew is the Jouyek Outdoor Folding Table (amazon.com $59.99) which provides plenty of surface space and under table storage with its zippered lockers. Reviewers say it’s lightweight, easy to fold, and sturdy.

Foodie Finds
Foodie Finds

Foodie Finds: Glampers are often foodies so a cookbook or two and some fun “gourmet glamping” accessories could make for some good gift-giving. The Ultimate Dutch Oven Cookbook ($17); Dirty Gourmet: Food for Your Outdoor Adventures ($22); the 12-Piece Cooking Utensil Set Travel Organizer ($30); or Coghlan’s Multi-Spice container ($6) are all good options and available from amazon.com.

For those looking to really glamp their hearts out throughout the next year, consider the Thousand Trails Cabin Pass. From secluded mountain forest retreats, to beachfront glamping, theme park family trips, or fall foliage gazing escapes – the Cabin Pass has  you covered with prime vacation destinations, all for $1,695/year. With over 125 locations, there is plenty to explore and will make any glamper on your list excited for the year ahead.

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Sun-Kissed Bliss: Your Guide to Sunny Winter Glamping

Looking for something to do for about 80 days beginning in late December? We’re talking about winter getaways when the snow falls, the temperatures plummet, and the sun takes a bit of a hiatus up north. We’ve got some great warm weather getaways to consider and some advice…book now!

Florida: Plenty of sun here with average daytime temps rarely dipping below 60 degrees and with so many glamping locations, a winter roaming around Florida should be on the agenda. Rent a colorful cottage at Encore Tropical Palms in Kissimmee and enjoy the weather at Kissimmee Lakefront Park with a stroll around the lake. Check out Old Town Kissimmee, which is great for dining, shopping and entertainment or make Kissimmee your home base for the Orlando theme park attractions. Head to the east coast and enjoy Miami with a stay at Encore Miami Everglades, which has great glamping accommodations, and check out Miami’s beaches, culture, and nearby Everglades National Park. Meander down the Overseas Highway and enjoy the Keys from a great tiny house at the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village. Keys’ highlights include snorkeling in Key Largo, taking in the fun of the “Conch Life ” in Key West and sport fishing in Islamorada.

Sunshine Key Tiny House Village
Sunshine Key Tiny House Village

Sedona, Arizona: Snow-capped mountains and warm temperatures? You bet, that’s what a winter trip to Sedona will get you. Plus, all the great outdoor activity to be found and the opportunity to stay in a tiny house at Thousand Trails Verde Valley. It’s warm here, but not too warm since you want to spend plenty of time hiking the Red Rock State Park and discovering all the vortexes and cool rock formations (like Cathedral Rock and Bell Rock). Maybe a Jeep tour (pinkadventuretours.com) or a wine trail tour (vvwinetrail.com). Want to recharge? Check out the suggested Spiritual Healing 3-day itinerary at visitsedona.com, which includes some interesting events like a chakra balancing session, hot stone therapy, and a Jeep tour to the healing vortex sites within Red Rock State Park.

Cabin at Medina Lake RV Campground
Cabin at Medina Lake RV Campground

Texas: Texas winters are typically snowless with mild temperatures and none of the heat and humidity found in a Texas summer. Check out any of our Texas locations and consider some of these winter events: Enjoy the San Antonio River Walk when it’s less crowded and stay at Thousand Trails Medina Lake while also taking in San Antonio attractions like The Alamo or enjoying a guided Mural Ridel on a bike to see over 20 murals painted throughout the city (visitsanantonio.com/location/mural-ride). If you’re into the rodeo, don’t miss the Fort Worth Stock Show & Rodeo, scheduled for January 12 through February 3, 2024. Book a stay at any of these nearby glamping locations: Thousand Trails Bay Landing, Lake Whitney, Lake Tawakoni, and Lake Texoma. The Texas Hill Country has some fun winter wine events including the Wine Lovers Celebration, running January 29 to February 23, where visitors can experience over 40 Texas Hill Country wineries with special events and tastings (texashillcountrywineries.org). Again, Medina Lake is a great spot to camp while enjoying all the fun.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Bay Landing
Cabin at Thousand Trails Bay Landing

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5 Things to Do in Orlando

Boasting more than 250 days of sunshine each year, a trip to Orlando is an option if you’re seeking the rays. It’s also a favorite spot for thrill-ride lovers, hikers, bikers, birdwatchers, festival-goers, foodies…and the list goes on. In a nutshell, Orlando has something for everyone. Here are five things to see, not including the fabulous glamping accommodations at Encore Tropical Palms or Clermont (reserve now!), if you’re Orlando-bound:

1. Take the International Drive: I-Drive, as it’s known in Orlando, is almost like an all-inclusive destination for everything from food to fun and more. There are outlet malls, plenty of restaurants (check out the Pirate’s Dinner Adventure or Taverna Opa for an authentic Greek experience); attractions such as the Madame Tussaud’s Wax Museum and Ripley’s Believe or Not; a chocolate museum (The Chocolate Museum and Cafe); gator shows (Gator Golf); plenty of golf options from mini-golf courses to Top Golf simulators and whole lot more on this one exciting strip. For all the fun on I-Drive, visit internationaldriveorlando.com.

2. Board the Titanic: The Artifact Exhibit: Get a feel for what it was like to be aboard the Titanic (before the iceberg) in an opulent recreation of the ill-fated ship that has more than 300 artifacts, full scale room replicas from the ship, and costumed actors to give you the feeling it’s 1912 all over again. Guided tours are available as well as other options that include the Titanic Gala Dinner and the Titanic Teatime Experience. For information, go to titanicorlando.com.

Elite Cottage at Thousand Trails Orlando
Elite Cottage at Thousand Trails Orlando

3. Be a Spectator: Orlando is home to many sporting teams, and depending on the time of year, you can catch multiple games in a single trip. The Orlando Solar Bears are an NHL affiliate, and the hockey season here begins in October and extends to April; the NBA’s Orlando Magic play their home basketball games at the Amway Center and the regular season runs October to April, and Orlando City is the team for soccer and regular play begins in February. Orlando is also a great homebase to catch Major League Baseball’s spring training games, aka the Grapefruit League, played in several nearby locations including Tampa (NY Yankees) and Lakeland (Detroit Tigers).

4. Enjoy a Festival or Two: Any time of year here, you can find a festival celebrating heritage, music, food and more. Some biggies include Universal’s Mardi Gras (held in late winter each year); EPCOT’s International Food and Wine (July to November annually); and EPCOT’s International Festival of the Holidays (set for November 24 through December 30 this year). To find a festival to coincide with your visit, go to orlandoinsidervacations.com/annual-events-in-orlando-kissimmee.

Sunset at Lake Dora
Sunset at Lake Dora

5. Visit Mount Dora: Just about 40 minutes outside of the popular and populated Orlando, you will find the small-town charmer of Mount Dora. Visitors to this lakefront town (the lake being Lake Dora) will love the historic buildings, shops, green spaces, and authentic southern charm found here. Mount Dora fun fact – Presidents Coolidge and Eisenhower came here for a winter retreat. One fun way to see the historic buildings and the town is to take the one-hour, narrated historic tour aboard the Mount Dora Trolley. There are also opportunities for fishing (Lake Dora); antiquing (Renninger’s); shopping in the historic downtown and browsing modern art (Modernism Museum).

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4 Great Small Town, Fall Towns

There’s something about a vacation in fall that is just a bit extra – the crowds are gone, it’s OK to spend some time inside since your summer tan has come and probably gone and the fall colors are an attraction in themselves. Add a bit more to the magic by enjoying some small-town charm when glamping this fall.

Cabin at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes
Cabin at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes

Temecula, California: Pick a glamping cabin or cottage at Thousand Trails Wilderness Lakes in Menifee and you’re less than 20 miles from Temecula – a tiny town with a chill vibe that has been named one of the most charming small towns in Southern California. Temecula is located in California’s South Coast Wine Region and there are more than 40 wineries here. Check out Briar Rose Winery, where the buildings are replicas of Snow White’s cottage or Longshadow Ranch Vineyards and Winery with a true old west feeling and cozy bonfires every Saturday night through November 18. Old Town Temecula is a perfect mix of old and new with antique stores, boutiques, craft breweries, and plenty of places to enjoy a bite to eat.

California’s Yosemite Area: While this part of California is best known for the magnificent National Park found here – we’re talking about Yosemite National Park – there are also several charming small towns that can serve as side trips when visiting here. First things first, book one of the fantastic glamping accommodations at Thousand Trails Yosemite Lakes, which include yurts and cabins. Once you’re settled in, take in the beauty of your location during autumn and the charm of the surrounding towns. Sonora, a historic Gold Rush town, is home to the Indigeny Reserve which has the perfect fall offerings of hard apple cider and apple brandy tastings. For a beautiful fall hike, check out the Dragoon Gulch Trail, a 1.2-mile (moderate) loop. Jamestown, another Gold Rush town, is also worth a visit. Railtown 1897 State Historic Park is good for a look at historic steam trains as well as some Hollywood history. And, the town has several wine tasting rooms as well as a craft brewery. You can also pan for gold, shop, and stroll the Walk of Fame to see which Jamestown locations have been featured in movies and television.

Cabins at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South
Cabins at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South

Milford, Pennsylvania: The perfect mountain town to visit during fall, Milford is located in Pennsylvania’s Pocono Mountains. Plan a glamping stay in a comfy cottage at Thousand Trails Timothy Lake South and take in this picturesque small town. The Black Bear Film Festival is set for October 13-15 and includes a weekend full of indies and short films. Want to see Pennsylvania’s tallest waterfall? That would be Raymondskill Falls, found in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area, which is also a great spot for biking and hiking, plus some pretty great leaf-peeping. For some interesting history, visit Grey Towers National Historic Site, which was the home of Gifford Pinchot, the first Chief of the US Forest Service. Visitors can tour the mansion and the grounds of this estate that was completed in 1886. Milford also offers plenty of shopping and dining opportunities.

Cottage at Greys Point Camp in Topping, VA
Greys Point Camp in Topping, VA

Virginia’s River Realm: Dotted with charming small towns, Virginia’s River Realm is the area where the Rappahannock River meets the Chesapeake Bay. It is all about the simpler life and a trip here in fall promises to be a pleasant glamping getaway. Book a cottage stay at Grey’s Point Camp in Topping and let the fun begin. The Holly Point Art & Seafood Festival is set for October 15 in Deltaville and offers seafood, live music and unique artwork from 60 different vendors and the always-popular annual Urbanna Oyster Festival is scheduled for November 3 and promises all things oyster! Shopping in Kilmarnock is an option with several boutiques and antique stores while Deltaville has a maritime museum and the beautiful Holly Point Nature Park with walking trails and kayaking opportunities. Several towns have regular farmer’s markets, and they include Irvington, Kilmarnock, and Deltaville while Urbanna has a spectacular seafood market. To learn more about the River Realm and its charming towns, check out virginiasriverrealm.com.

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