Go Glamping for These 2023 Events

If you want to make sure you have the best glamping spots reserved that are nearby to some of 2023’s big events, take note of these events below and get your rezzies in order with Petite Retreat accommodations.

Palm Springs International Film Festival: Scheduled for January 5-16, 2023, this event includes screenings of international films and documentaries, plus awards and celeb sightings in and around Palm Springs. Book a cottage stay at Palm Springs to be near festival events.

Cottage at Harbor Lake RV Resort
Cottage at Harbor Lake RV Resort

MLB Spring Training in Florida: Experience the 2023 Grapefruit League season and take in a few games as you glamp around the Sunshine State. Games start February 25 and run through March 28. Options can include cottage rentals at Sunshine Travel in Vero Beach to see the NY Mets play in nearby Port St. Lucie at Clover Park; Harbor Lakes to see the Tampa Bay Rays or Holiday Travel to see the Philadelphia Phillies in nearby Clearwater at BayCare Ballpark.

Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival: Scheduled for Saturday, April 15, this event has a Cherry Blossom Walk, a pup parade, live music, and a Sumo wrestling event. Sounds like a colorful, and interesting, way to welcome the beautiful cherry blossoms and the arrival of spring. Book a stay at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village!

Bar Harbor Music Festival and Bar Harbor Fine Arts Festival: Summer in New England is the quintessential getaway and Bar Harbor is a wonderful location to enjoy come summer. The Music Festival runs June 30 to July 28 and features all genres from classical to opera to jazz while the Fine Arts Festival, scheduled for August 2-4, showcases artist works from potters to painters. Book a stay at Mt. Desert Narrows or Narrows Too to be close to these events.

Mt. Hood Huckleberry Festival and Mt. Hood Salmon, Mushroom, and Big Foot Festival: Two great reasons to book a stay at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, Oregon, in late summer. The Huckleberry Festival, set for the third week of August, celebrates all things huckleberry while the Salmon, Mushroom, and Big Foot Festival welcomes back the salmon to the Oregon rivers as well as celebrate mushroom harvest time.

Leavenworth Oktoberfest: If you can’t make it to Munich, Leavenworth’s Oktoberfest, spread over three weekends (September 29-30; October 6-7; and October 13-14) may be the next best thing. In addition to beer and brats, there will be live entertainment, dancing, and plenty of fun. Book a stay at Leavenworth Tiny House Village and get ready to say “Prost!” more times than you can imagine.

Urbanna Oyster Festival: Urbanna, Virginia, is known as the “Oyster Capital of the East Coast” so of course they have a festival every year to celebrate the oyster. Two days of everything oyster, plus live music, and contests (yes, oyster shucking is one of them) are scheduled for November 3-4, 2023. To be near all the fun, reserve a glamping accommodation at Bethpage Camp-Resort, conveniently located in Urbanna!

Cottage at Bethpage Camp-Resort
Cottage at Bethpage Camp-Resort

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3 Recharging Getaways

Nothing better than a getaway when the getaway gets you gone but doesn’t involve numerous “travel” days, long lines, and a big hit to the budget. De-stressing, reconnecting, and recharging are important to a happy and healthy life. Here are a few quick getaways that will hopefully have you happy and stress-free by the time you head home.

LA to Palm Springs: Of course, Los Angeles has plenty of sunshine and beautiful beaches, but if it’s your homebase, a little road trip out of the city is guaranteed to ease stress and help you reconnect to the beauty that is California. Book a colorful cottage at Palm Springs and get ready to unwind. Palm Springs is a great place to reconnect with nature thanks to the proximity to Joshua Tree National Park, an ancient desert which is known for having multiple energy vortices. Hike this magical desert landscape which is loaded with spring wildflowers in April and May. Do you enjoy the feeling of wind in your hair? If so, then plan a windmill tour where you can enjoy a self-guided driving tour through a California wind farm (windmilltours.com). If your astrological element is water, then a hike through Tahquitz Canyon to see the waterfall should be on the agenda. For details on this 1.7-mile loop check out tahquitzcanyon.com. This healing vibes getaway is about an hour and a half drive from Los Angeles.

Phoenix to Sedona: Just under two hours from Phoenix, Sedona, Arizona, can be called other-worldly with mystical powers and healing vortexes that can even bring calm to the A-plusses of Type A personalities. Sedona is a healing place thanks in part due to the red-orange color of the red rocks that surround it which is considered one of the most neuro-stimulating colors. Book a cabin, cottage or tiny house at Verde Valley and you’re on our way to restful retreat. Plan hikes to see the vortexes and soak up their healing energy; take a yoga class in the desert; or enjoy some of the spa services offered at one of the numerous spas in town. Plan ahead and enjoy the Sedona Yoga Festival, scheduled for June 2-5. The Verde River is great for relaxing canoe and kayak trips and a wine tasting at nearby Alcantara Vineyards may be just what you need to take the edge off!

Mt Hood Tiny House Village Tumbleweed
Mt Hood Tiny House Village

Portland to Welches:  A roughly less than one-hour drive is nothing if it means within that short timeframe you can travel from the bustle of the city to the serenity of wooded wilderness. If Portland is where everyday life finds you, you’re lucky the drive to Mt. Hood National Forest is a quick trip. Plan a tiny home adventure at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and get ready to recharge in the great outdoors. To name a few, outdoor activities here can include hiking, biking, climbing, horseback riding, fishing, birding, and rafting. There is a wine trail and a tap trail (which highlights the region’s breweries, cideries, and distilleries), plus antique shops, galleries, and eateries. If music is your go-to for recharging, make note that the Mt. Hood Jazz Festival is scheduled for May 6-8. If fields of flowers bring you peace, check out the Wooden Shoe Tulip Festival, set for Sunday May 1, or the Spring Fever Open House, sponsored by the Cascade Nursery Trail, where area nurseries are open for tours, host plant sales, and other flower-themed fun events. Spring Fever Open House is a three-day event scheduled for May 28-30.

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Top 5 Galentine’s Getaways

If you’re a fan of TV’s Parks & Recreation, you know that we have the character Leslie Knope to thank for making Galentine’s Day a thing. Celebrated on February 13, the day is designated for “ladies recognizing ladies.” Show your gal pals all the love you feel for them this year and enjoy a Galentine’s Getaway to these top spots.

Nashville, Tennessee: Book a glamping stay at Natchez Trace Tiny House Village and get ready to experience Nashville and the surrounding neighborhoods with some of your best gal pals! Head into Nashville to experience the one-of-a-kind honky tonks that line the city’s world famous “Lower Broadway.” More musical fun can be found at the Ryman Auditorium whether you’re taking in a concert or just a guided tour of this historic music venue. What’s a girl’s trip without a few Instagram shots so make sure you check out the murals around town that provide the perfect backdrop for these photo opps (visitmusiccity.com/trip-ideas/nashville-murals). Nashville’s neighborhoods provide another option for interesting things to do – check out The Gulch, SoBro and Capital View for all kinds of fun. Need more space than a tiny house affords? Natchez Trace also features a gorgeous lodge which sleeps up to 15 and a number of cozy cabins!

Miami Everglades RV Resort Cabin
Miami Everglades RV Resort Cabin

Miami, Florida: There’s more than the beaches to enjoy when the gals gather for Galentine’s Day in Miami. Of course, if you’re looking for prime beach time, the best beaches in Miami include Lummus Park (said to have postcard worthy views), the iconic South Beach (SoBe to the locals), and Crandon Park, when you’re really there for the beach. Then there’s Coconut Grove (mark your February calendars for the 19-21 which is the annual Coconut Grove Arts Festival) – an historic Miami neighborhood with dining, shopping, and the occasional live peacock strutting your way. Located in Coconut Grove, Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, a National Historic Landmark that offers 34 rooms on view at the estate as well as 10 acres of formal gardens, is another must-see when taking in Miami.

Mt. Hood Tiny House Village - Scarlett Tiny House
Scarlett Tiny House at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

Portland, Oregon: Portland is for Pittock Mansion, Powell’s City of Books, and plenty of Instagram worthy pics. It’s also a great destination for pals – as in gal pals this Galentine’s Day. The aforementioned Pittock Mansion is a French Renaissance-style chateau built in 1914 as the home of publisher Henry Pittock. Visitors can choose from guided or self-guided tours of the mansion, the Gate Lodge, and the grounds (pittockmansion.org).  A Portland landmark, Powell’s City of Books is billed as the world’s largest new and used bookstore. Plenty of choices for that book group discussion can be found here! As for the photo opps – check out the marquee at the Arlene Schnitzer Concert Hall for a very large “Portland” backdrop, the Old Town Portland sign (another historic landmark), and underneath the St. John’s Bridge at Cathedral Park. A great place to stay is in an adorable tiny house at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village, which is about 45 minutes from the city.  

Santa Barbara, California: Pick from cabins, cottages, or the unique tipi or western cabins at Santa Barbara’s Rancho Oso RV & Camping Resort to get your sunny Cali Galentine’s Getaway off to a great start. Without even leaving the resort, the fun begins with horseback rides and a look-see at the resort’s Western Village complete with stables, Conestoga wagons and a welcoming stone lodge. Off-site excursions can include a trip into the Danish-style city of Solvang where you can enjoy a trolley ride around town, visit the Hans Christian Andersen Museum, and try some tasty Danish baked goods. Another option is Montecito where must-sees include Butterfly Beach and Casa del Herrero, a 1925 Spanish Colonial Revival estate open for tours. Keep your eyes open when you’re out and about in Montecito as a few well-knowns call Montecito home including Oprah and Harry and Meghan. There are also opportunities for wine tours in Santa Barbara, a visit to the Santa Barbara Zoo, and plenty of shopping, dining, and sunsets to be experienced.

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

San Antonio, Texas: A girl’s trip to San Antonio is a perfect trip if you’re looking to combine history, culture, great food, and some fun on the river. Book a cozy cabin at Medina Lake and you’re less than an hour’s drive to San Antonio. For history, there’s the Alamo – there is no admission fee, and you can choose to take a self-guided or guided tour at this historic location where you can learn about the Texas Revolution. The famed River Walk offers all kinds of fun including eating, shopping, and getting your steps in on this 15-mile scenic walk along the San Antonio River. There’s also nightlife options and river cruises here. Viator offers a San Antonio Food Tour as well as a Ghost Walking tour (viator.com).

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Who’s Your Valentine

Looking for love in the way of tiny home? We’ve got the perfect matches for you whether you’re into sporty types or a tiny house with a European flair. We suggest you swipe right and get to know some of our favorite tiny homes this Valentine’s Day.

European Flair: The tiny homes at Leavenworth, Washington’s Tiny House Village definitely give off a distinct Bavarian feeling thanks to the snow-capped backdrop of the Cascade Mountains. Otto, Rudolf, Belle, Adeline, and Hanna are the choices here and each offer something a bit different. Rudolf, Belle, and Otto all sleep 4-5 guests and have a loft area; Adeline welcomes 4 while the smaller Hannah sleeps 2. All have full bathrooms, well-appointed kitchens, and a spacious living area. Any choice makes for the perfect companion while you explore the quaint Bavarian-style village of Leavenworth with its shops, tasting rooms, galleries, and restaurants. Plus, Leavenworth offers top-notch outdoor activities year-round from skiing, fishing, hiking, biking, and kayaking.

Otto at Leavenworth Tiny House Village
Otto at Leavenworth Tiny House Village

Peaceful Vibes: Few places in the U.S. provide a more peaceful, healing vibe than Sedona, Arizona, and the two tiny houses at Verde Valley RV Resort are good companions on any trip here. Let tiny homes Finn and Rose be the comfortable spot you come home to at the end of exploring the rugged scenery and healing vortexes of Red Rock State Park. Both Finn and Rose sleep 3 guests, have a mini fridge and freezer, an electric stovetop, coffeemaker, and microwave, plus a toilet/sink/shower combo bathroom. Nearby Alcantara Vineyard and Winery, which offers tours and tastings, is a great place to toast your new tiny house love. Other Sedona highlights include the Oak Canyon Scenic Drive and Tlaquepaque Arts & Shopping Village.  

Sunny and Sporty: If your idea of perfection includes a tiny house on an island in the sun, look no further than the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village in the Florida Keys. The five sunny and colorful choices here include Kai, Lucy, Isla, Pearl, and of course, Hemingway. Big-hearted Lucy and Isla both sleep 6, while Pearl and Kai sleep 2-3 and Hemingway welcomes 4 guests. All have great kitchens, full bathrooms, AC/Heat, cable TV and outdoor picnic tables. Located on Ohio Key, the Sunshine Key Tiny House Village is just 30 miles from Key West and all things Hemingway and just minutes from Bahia Honda State Park, which is great for snorkeling and kayaking.

Lincoln at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village
Lincoln at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village

Pacific Northwest Charmers: If you love the mountains, craft brews, wide open spaces, and plenty to do when it comes to the outdoors, check out the tiny house choices at the Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, Oregon. Seven tiny homes – all with different personalities – await the glamper looking for tiny house love in the Pacific Northwest. Big guy Anderson sleeps 7, while Ingrid, Lincoln, and Scarlett sleep 5. Atticus, Savannah, and Zoe round out the options with each sleeping 3. All share the trait of having a well-appointed kitchen and full bath and any pet-lover will choose Lincoln or Anderson, as these tiny houses are a pet-friendly.  Of course, towering Mt. Hood provides all kinds of winter fun from skiing to sledding to snowboarding and the miles and miles of trails offer great opportunities for winter hikes and fat bikes. Craft breweries abound and the historic Timberline Lodge, built in the mid-1930s by the Works Progress Administration, is worth a visit.

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Because it’s all about the Grapes

Whoever came up with the calendar that recognizes national days of celebration in May must be an oenophile – or what regular folks call a wine lover. May has two days dedicated to vino – National Moscato Day on May 9 and National Wine Day on May 25. So, let’s raise our glasses of whichever fermented grape is your favorite and toast to America’s Wine Trails.

Cozy cabin at Verde Valley in Cottonwood, AZ.

Arizona’s Verde Valley Wine Trail (vvwinetrail.com) has at least 10 wineries (check the website for a downloadable map) set among the beautiful countryside that includes locations in Jerome, Cottonwood, and Sedona. Book a tiny home at Verde Valley and you’ll find yourself in perfect proximity to explore Alcantara Vineyards, which is less than a 5-minute drive or a nice 1.4-mile hike from the resort. One unique way to see the vineyards is to do the Water to Wine Kayak Trip – check out sedonaadventuretours.com. Another option if you don’t want to go solo is to check out the tours offered through Sedona Vineyard tours (sedonavineyardtours.com).

Glamping Tent at Marina Dunes in Marina, CA.

If you’ve already done California’s northern wine country (Napa, Sonoma, etc.) consider the wineries of Paso Robles for a different perspective. Start your adventure with a glamping reservation at Marina Dunes and then take the day to head to Paso Robles to explore their grape offerings. For details, visit pasorobleswineries.net. There are plenty of options for tours, including group, private and even one where a non-drinking guide drives your car! And, if you want to taste something different than wine, consider an olive oil tasting at Pasolivo (pasolivo.com).

Vineyard in the Willamette Valley region of Oregon.

Did you know that Oregon’s lush Willamette Valley is home to two-thirds of all of Oregon’s wineries and vineyards? Start your trip off right by requesting a downloadable brochure from willamettewines.com and booking a tiny house at Mt. Hood’s Tiny House Village so at day’s end you have the best place to enjoy some of the wines you purchase along the way. All kinds of tours are available for Oregon Oenophiles, so check out agreatoregonwinetour.com for some options. Fun Fact: because of Oregon’s cooler climate, the state’s signature grape is the Pinot Noir, which is considered one of the oldest grapes in the world.

Cabin at Lake George Escape in Lake George, NY.

While not specifically devoted to wine alone, the Beverage Trails near Lake George, New York, do offer wine tasting along with spirits, cider, and beer. Book a rental cabin or cottage at Lake George Escape and try a different libation every day!  In addition to the Winery Production Facility, The Adirondack Winery has two additional tasting locations in the area as well. Check out visitlakegeorge.com/things-to-do/beverage-trails.

If you book a cozy cabin at Neshonoc Lakeside you can explore parts, or all, of Wisconsin’s Great River Road Wine Trail which stretches from northern Iowa to southern Minnesota. In addition to the great wineries, your drive will serve as an attraction as well. The river part of the Great River Road refers to the Mighty Mississippi so the route includes valleys, bluffs, and views of the river, all among a perfect country setting. Visit greatriverroadwinetrail.org for more information.

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