Glamping Holiday Style: Must-Have Items to Boost Your Festive Spirit

If you plan on spending your holidays glamping, make sure you bring plenty of holiday spirit with you. Some easily transported décor includes:

Tabletop Trees: Balsam Hill offers an elegant 17” crystal and pearl tabletop tree or a more traditional 36” frosted alpine tabletop tree (visit balmsamhill.com for details) and target.com has everything from ceramic to Sisal bottle brush style when it comes to tabletop trees.

String Lights: Light up your glamping accommodation with festival lights and of course, Amazon has every imaginable holiday-themed string lights available including snowflakes, a mix of gingerbread men and candy canes, the Grinch and his faithful companion Max, pinecones and berries, and one that has Santa with snowflakes and Christmas trees. Visit amazon.com to get details on pricing and availability.

Holiday decorated cottage at Encore Tropical Palms
Holiday decorated cottage at Encore Tropical Palms

Inflatable Décor: Think about it – they take up very little space but when fully inflated provide quite the holiday punch! Five Below has a polar bear and a penguin for $5 each that inflate to four feet; Amazon.com has a 3-pack of inflatable Christmas trees that are also coolers for under $45; and Temu.com has a variety of inflatable round ornaments in several colors and styles.

Greenery, Pinecones and Candles: A simple swag of garland and a hurricane candle or decorative bowl filled with pinecones can be the perfect touch, while a wreath can welcome everyone to your glamping getaway. A display of LED-candles is always good for holiday décor too!

Holiday decorated cabin at Encore Bulow
Holiday decorated cabin at Encore Bulow

Bells: A simple string of bells can ring in the season and keep you in the spirit of the holiday – remember, every time a bell rings an angel gets his wings! Amazon.com has a variety of bells from vintage and rustic to the traditional silver and gold!

DIY Snow Globes: Pre-trip, gather several different sized small jam or jelly jars (baby food containers work well too) and host a DIY craft night when glamping. Aside from the jars, you need water, glycerin, glitter and some small, festive figurines. Glue the figures to the jar lid, fill the jar with water and a dash of glycerin, tightly cover the jar with the lid (after the glue has dried), give it a shake and voila, instant holiday keepsakes!

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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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Best Photo Op Spots

Sam Abell, a photographer well-known for his amazing photos for National Geographic through the years said, “Essentially what photography is is life lit up.” Light up your life this month and get outdoors and take some amazing pics of your life’s adventures. After all, it is National Photography Month. Back in the day, excellence in photography required all kinds of gear. Now it’s simply using your ever-present smartphone to capture the people and scenery experienced during your travels. Here are a few spots to visit for some guaranteed spectacular shots.

California: The varied landscape of California makes for plenty of great photos (not to mention all kinds of outdoor fun). Consider a stay in a cabin or cottage at Russian River and head to nearby Guerneville to capture the majestic giant redwoods; or book at yurt at Yosemite Lakes and try your luck at photographing a moonbow at Yosemite Falls. Late May and early June are prime time for this opportunity and for specific times and details, check out yosemitemoonbow.com.

Florida: The Sunshine State is full of all kinds of great photo ops, from the crocodiles in the Everglades to the characters of Disney World. But one off the beaten path location that makes for great photos is Kelly Park, home to the amazing Rock Springs. Book a colorful cottage at Tropical Palms Resort in Kissimmee and spend the day photographing the natural beauty of Kelly Park/Rock Springs.

Maine: According to goxplr.com, there are at least 17 great photo opportunities in Maine’s Acadia National Park. Those include the view from atop the Park’s Cadillac Mountain, Schoodic Point, Jordan Pond, and the Park’s wild gardens. Choose your basecamp from either Mount Desert Narrows or Narrows Too, book a cozy cabin, and see if you can capture all 17. For a complete list, go to www.goxplr.com/maine/guide-to-acadia-national-park.

Photo Captured from Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort
Photo Captured from Mount Desert Narrows Camping Resort

Oregon: May is said to be a great time to capture the rushing waters of Multnomah Falls in the Columbia River Gorge. The melting snows of winter make a May visit to the falls worth the trip. Plus, the budding wildflowers are an added bonus. Book a tiny house at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and get set to capture plenty of breathtaking images in this area, including majestic Mt. Hood of course.

Pennsylvania: Although the covered bridges found throughout Lancaster County are man-made, they still provide some pretty unique opportunities for great photos if you’re planning to spend some time in this beautiful area of Pennsylvania. With 29 covered bridges sprinkled throughout the County, there are plenty of choices. Some of the most popular include Pine Grove Covered Bridge and Zook’s Mill Covered Bridge. For a list of bridges and covered bridge tour opportunities, visit discoverlancaster.com/things-to-do/covered-bridges. A cottage or yurt rental at Circle M makes for a great stay while snapping the bridges.

Bay Landing • Bridgeport, TX
Bay Landing • Bridgeport, TX

Texas: Are you a fan of Bridgerton? If so, you might want to plan a visit for you and your camera to the Rose Garden at the Fort Worth Botanic Garden. The garden rivals anything you might see on the popular Netflix series, and you can make-believe you’re waiting for Lady Whistledown to write you into the story. Book a cabin at nearby Bay Landing and explore the gardens. The months of May and June promise plenty of blooms from the Garden’s jasmines, hydrangeas, dogwoods, and southern magnolias.

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Best Glamping Resolutions for 2022

New Year, New You – including the one that either loves to glamp or is planning to try out this ultra-lux, trendy version of camping. We’ve got a few ideas for 2022 glamping resolutions:

  • Try a different glamping style: If you typically go for a tiny house, try a yurt or a cozy cabin. Glamping with Petite Retreats gives you plenty of choices to switch up your glamping accommodations in the new year. Tiny houses offer you a four-wall experience with cool lofts, indoor kitchens and bath facilities, and surprisingly spacious living areas. A yurt is an option if you want to do a hybrid glamping experience. While a yurt is still canvas-construction, our yurts have kitchenettes, bathroom facilities and big-screen TVs. Cabins and cottages are cozy options and if you’re looking for something completely different, try a teepee or covered wagon accommodation. Check out all the glamping options at petiteretreats.com.
  • Try a different location: If you always go to the mountains, try the beach instead. If you go always go off-grid, try a more “citified” location next time. Also, if you always glamp the east coast, then go west, or south, or north! Petite Retreats has locations around the country in some of the most popular destinations. Go city and stay near Seattle, Boston, or Portland. Glamp near the beaches of Florida in the Keys or in Orlando. Lake life is an option at Lake George, New York, and several locations in Texas and Wisconsin. Desert options include Sedona and Palm Springs while charming and quaint is taken care of with locations in Leavenworth, Washington, and Bar Harbor, Maine.

  • Be Present: Enjoy every minute of your glamping experience from sunrise to sunset. Greet the day with a sunrise experience at Maine’s Acadia National Park or bid farewell to a day well-glamped with a beautiful sunset at Santa Barbara’s Stearns Wharf. Practice forest bathing, known to lower blood pressure and boost energy – consider glamping accommodations in New Hampshire, Oregon, and California for plenty of woodsy de-stressing.
Fiesta Key Resort
Fiesta Key Resort
  • Be Active: Glamping has the same outdoor activity options as camping, but when you’re done with a day spent outdoors, the comforts of glamping are definitely a plus. Take advantage of our glamping accommodations that are near plenty of outdoor activity options. Explore hikes in our national parks and forests at locations in Washington, Maine, California. Whitewater raft in Yosemite while staying at Yosemite Lakes in nearby Groveland or paddle the waters of Lake George in upstate New York. Fishing options in the lake, rivers, and oceans nearby our glamping locations can include Texas’ Lake Texoma, the waters of Wisconsin’s Door County or Oregon’s Mt. Hood area and deep-sea adventures in the Florida Keys. There’s also horseback riding at Rancho Oso and Marina Dunes in California and other fun options biking and climbing as well as seasonal fun like winter snow adventures and fall leaf-peeping.

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Not your Average Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day has been traditionally celebrated in the United States on the second Sunday of May since 1914 but the tradition to honor Mothers dates to Ancient Greece. Here are a few things to think about when considering what to gift Mom with this year – Mother’s Day is the busiest day for restaurants; it’s the third highest selling holiday for plants and flowers; and more phone calls are made on this day than any other in the year. So, if you want your celebration to be like everyone else, by all means buy the flowers, book the restaurant, and give Mom a call. But, if you think your honoree is extra special and want the celebration to be unique, just like her, check out these options. And remember, whether you celebrate on May 9, or choose another day – these are all still good ideas!

Cabin at Spring Gulch in New Holland, PA.

Take in a Farmer’s Market: Plan a stay in an oh, so tranquil yurt at Tall Chief and head into Seattle to explore the iconic, and always entertaining, Pike Place Market. If you’re there during Mother’s Day Weekend, check out the Market’s 13th Annual Flower Festival that runs May 8-9 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. Whether you book a cabin at Pennsylvania’s Appalachian or Spring Gulch, you’re about an hour’s drive from Philadelphia’s Headhouse Farmer’s Market which is open on Sundays and features 50 rotating vendors. Taking in Santa Barbara for a Mother’s Day holiday? Book your stay at Rancho Oso and then consider a Sunday drive down the sunny California coast to Santa Monica to explore the city’s Downtown Farmer’s Market that runs from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.

Waterfall in Portland Japanese Garden.

Walk Through a Garden: Reserve a charming tiny house at Oregon’s Mt. Hood Tiny House Village and then spend the day in nearby Portland taking in the views at the city’s Japanese Garden. Spread over 5.5 acres, the garden is serene and tranquil with several different gardens including the Tea Garden and the Natural Garden. For information and reservations for timed visits, go to japanesegarden.org. The Wild Gardens of Acadia can be found in Maine’s Acadia National Park and feature over 400 species of flowers, shrubs, trees and other plants native to the area. For more details visit acadiamagic.com. For the perfect accommodation when visiting Bar Harbor and Acadia National Park, book a colorful cottage at Narrows Too in nearby Trenton.

Botanical gardens of Acadia National Park in Maine.

Get Active (sort of): Try an e-bike (pedal-assisted) and enjoy the scenery of Leavenworth, Washington. The Leavenworth Mountain Tour explores downtown Leavenworth as well as Icicle Creek Canyon and the historic Leavenworth Ski Hill. Visit bavarianebiketours.com for more details. Book one of the five tiny houses at Leavenworth Tiny House Village for your stay. Or try something a bit out of the ordinary, but very trendy, and take a goat yoga class. Check out Legacy Lane Farm in Stratham, New Hampshire, which offers goat yoga classes every Sunday, and also has a Country Home Store onsite that sells handmade lotions and soaps made from goat’s milk. To continue your Namaste kind of day, book a tiny house accommodation at Tuxbury Tiny House Village and relax after a day at the farm.

Tiny House Emerson at Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, NH.

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Gift Guide

It’s almost December and while that means that thankfully 2020 is almost over, it also means holiday gift time is right around the corner! We’ve got some ideas that will give you a jump on that holiday gift list.

  1. Who didn’t toss their 2020 planner somewhere around early May? Hopefully 2021 planners will be filled with fun things to do and be in use until New Year’s Eve 2021. Check out the 2021 National Parks Planner with its cool cover of vintage park signs or Marjolein Bastin’s Nature’s Inspiration Planner with its beautiful painting of flora and fauna. Both are under $15 and available at amazon.com.
Binoculars for the bird and nature-watching.
  1. Put together a beautiful basket for your favorite birder which can include a great set of binoculars (Nikon Aculon A211 from dicks.com at $60), Peterson’s Field Guide to Birds of Western North America ($18.99 at amazon.com), and the Bird Watching Log Book ($6.99 at amazon.com).
Cabela’s Seasoning Sampler ($9.99 at basspro.com)
  1. Whip up a gift for the glamping chef and fill a Dutch Oven (Lodge has a great 6-quart one available at target.com for $70) with all kinds of cooking goodies like Cabela’s Seasoning Sampler ($9.99 at basspro.com), a few pan scrapers for the cast iron cookware ($4 and under at REI.com), and a good pair of heat resistant gloves for glamp cooking (check out Grill Armor Gloves at grommet.com for $30).
Campfire Dutch Oven ($79 at target.com)
  1. For glampers who love their pets, give a gift that’s good for the furry ones. The Mobile Dog Gear Week Away Pet Tote Travel Bag ($39.99 at chewy.com) is great for the traveling pooch. The pack contains foldable silicone bowls and a placemat, plus it’s lightweight. Toss in a NiteHowl LED Safety Necklace ($10 at amazon.com) for good measure. For the cat who loves to take in the views, check out the EZ Mount Window Sill Kitty Bed which affixes to the window and allows kitty to soak up the sun and have a nap space up and away from everyone ($25 at amazon.com.)
Mobile Dog Gear Pet Tote ($39.99 at chewy.com)
  1. Keep it cool and fill a cooler (try the Igloo Chest Cooler, $72 at grainger.com) with everything you need to stay hydrated and keep your beverages icy cold. Fill the cooler with a matching set of Hydroflask bottles (prices vary based on size, hydroflask.com), a few coozies from frostbuddy.com, and some cooler packs (check out Walmart.com for the variety available from Artic Ice).
  1. Light up someone’s glamping life with a variety of lights – from small to large. Start with the Biolite Power Mini ($30 on amazon.com), add a few personal headlamps (check out the Petzl Tikkina Headlamp from REI, $19 each), and finish off this enlightened gift bag with the L.L. Bean Trailblazer 300 Rechargeable Lantern ($49.95 from llbean.com). Be super creative and wrap some string lights (amazon.com has plenty of options) around the gift bag, which can be used to adorn a porch or loft on a future trip!

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Mother’s Day Gift Guide

IG @saltypinkpineapple, from a cozy cabin in Williamsburg in VA.

Looking for a way to show your appreciation for your favorite Mom on Mother’s Day? Check out these great ideas to make her next glamping trip one she will never forget.

Treat Her to Breakfast: Whip up some avocado toast using Coughlan’s Camp Stove Toaster ($4.99/cabelas.com) and serve it up with a spicy, virgin Bloody Mary. Check out Harry and David’s Bloody Mary Mix set which comes complete with garnishes ($49.99/harryanddavid.com).

Breakfast toast on outdoor camp stove toaster

Have Her Hikin’ in Style: From top to bottom, make sure Mom is well suited for any hike. REI’s Co-op Vented Explorer Hat is made of organic cotton and provides USP 50+ sun protection ($40/rei.com). L.L. Bean’s Darn Tough CoolMax Micro Cushion Socks ($21/llbean.com) are moisture wicking and quick drying and the performance fit helps eliminate bunching and blisters.

Comfort Beside the Campfire: While it might not be possible to give Mom a relaxing spa treatment while glamping, you can make sure her campfire chair provides all the right support. Consider gifting her with STRONGBACK’s Heavy Duty Camp Chair with Lumbar Support ($100/amazon.com).

Play Her Favorite Games: Is she a whiz at cards, or maybe rolling the old bones is her favorite pastime? Orvis offers the perfect compromise with their Campfire Games Set ($30/orvis.com), which includes 52 waterproof playing cards, six dice, and instructions for three different campfire-friendly games.

Orvis Campfire Games Set

Sweets for the Sweetest: After a delightful dinner prepared by her crew, give Mom the perfect sweet treat the whole family can enjoy. Cuisinart’s Love 6 S’more Maker can prepare six s’mores at once on a camping grill ($14/homedepot.com). Gooey fun for the whole family!

Gourmet Greatness: Looking to give mom a little bit s’more? Try amping up her s’mores game for the occasion with a s’mores kit from 1927 S’mores ($18.00). Each component is made from scratch, and the attention comes through in taste. Appropriately named for the year the s’more was invented, this company is making flavor a priority, with offerings such as cocoa espresso, triple chocolate, and peppermint.

Gourmet S’mores

Guarantee the Memories: Make sure the trip and every detail of the experience is remembered for years to come. Check out the selection of camping journals at amazon.com. We like the Family Camping Journal ($8.99), which has more than 100 pages to record all the deets!

Give Her A Cozy Night’s Sleep: Ensure a perfect end to a perfect day by making light’s out is as cozy as possible for Mom. Start with L.L. Bean’s Flannel Camp Pillow ($30/llbean.com) that is lined with soft flannel on one side and is machine washable. Then toss in the L.L. Bean Mountain Classic Camp Blanket ($70/llbean.com) for the perfect lightweight blanket. And, since Mom’s got the day (and night) off, guarantee her an uninterrupted sleep with the REI’s Louis N Clark Comfort Eye Mask and Ear Plug Set ($13/rei.com).

 

Zoom from a Tiny House!

Add a little dose of tiny to your next Zoom session with friends and family. These Zoom backgrounds will make you feel like you’re in a tiny house while practicing social distancing. Simply download a photo, open Zoom, and select ‘Choose a Virtual Background’ to upload your photo. Happy Zooming!

Sunshine Key Tiny House Village • Big Pine Key, FL

Click here to download this background

Sunshine Key Tiny House Village • Big Pine Key, FL

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Sunshine Key Tiny House Village • Big Pine Key, FL

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Sunshine Key Tiny House Village • Big Pine Key, FL

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Sunshine Key Tiny House Village • Big Pine Key,

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Mt Hood Tiny House Village • Welches, OR

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Mt Hood Tiny House Village • Welches, OR

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Mt Hood Tiny House Village • Welches, OR

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Mt Hood Tiny House Village • Welches, OR

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Mt Hood Tiny House Village • Welches, OR

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Leavenworth Tiny House Village • Leavenworth, WA

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Leavenworth Tiny House Village • Leavenworth, WA

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Leavenworth Tiny House Village • Leavenworth, WA

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Leavenworth Tiny House Village • Leavenworth, WA

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Leavenworth Tiny House Village • Leavenworth, WA

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Tuxbury Tiny House Village • South Hampton, NH

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Tuxbury Tiny House Village • South Hampton, NH

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Tuxbury Tiny House Village • South Hampton, NH

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Tuxbury Tiny House Village • South Hampton, NH

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Tuxbury Tiny House Village • South Hampton, NH

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Tuxbury Tiny House Village • South Hampton, NH

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Brush Up on your Pet Travel Tips

IG: nishatnguyen  •  Tiny House Riley at Tuxbury Tiny House Village in South Hampton, NH.

Just like you would ensure the safety of your human traveling companions, it’s important to stay on top of the best advice when it comes to traveling with your pets. It’s never a bad idea to acquaint, or re-acquaint, yourself when it comes to pet safety when traveling. Here are a few to keep in mind –

  1. You may think your pet loves a car ride, but a quick trip around the neighborhood is very different from a long road trip. The tip here is to see how they do on longer trips by taking a drive and increasing the time each drive. Do this several times and you’ll quickly find out when the timer should be set for a quick pit stop that includes a short walk to stretch the old legs, all six of them!

    Pet-friendly yurts from Yosemite Lakes in CA.
  2. Pack their bag! Besides food and water, there are a few things your pet shouldn’t leave home without and those include: a few of their favorite toys, comfortable bedding or blankets to remind them of home, and a complete listing of their vaccinations, medical history and any medications (including a vet-prescribed or approved anti-nausea and/or anti-anxiety if your pet suffers from nervous stomach or is just plain nervous). Make sure you have their tags and chip information as well as an extra leash or two. And, for your fellow travelers, the necessary supplies for cleaning up after your pet.

    Tiny House Lincoln at Mt. Hood Tiny House Village in Welches, OR.
  3. Make sure your pet has his own space in the vehicle and while it may not be too spacious, focus on making it comfortable and safe. Pet carriers or specially made pet car seats are best for small dogs and, of course, experts recommend that pet restraints, or pet seatbelts, provide the safest way for car travel with pets.
  4. Aside from your pet’s regular items, be prepared for emergencies. A pet first-aid kit should include activated charcoal or milk of magnesia for accidental ingestions, non-stick bandages, antimicrobial spray (like Vetericyn which is good for dogs and cats), Pedialyte, scissors, and swabs. Or, check out chewy.com and let them take the guesswork out of it with prepacked first-aid kits for pets. Another good idea is to check with your vet – they may have a pre-printed list of items to include in a pet first-aid kit. A final note – make sure that you have printed a few pics of your pet in the unfortunate event they roam away from your glamping accommodation and you need people to help find him/her.

Kayaking at Bend-Sunriver in Bend, OR.

Schedule Pet Expeditions. Sure, it’s your vacation, but you brought along your best friend so make sure that some time during the trip is focused on something they would like. Google pet-friendly places in your destination and see what pet-friendly restaurants, parks, and trails are available. Plus, think of all those cool Instagram posts of your trip together!

Tiny House Otto at Leavenworth Tiny House Village in Leavenworth, WA.

Tropical Plans, Tropical Palms

Tropical Palms • Kissimmee, FL
Colorful cottages at Tropical Palms •  Kissimmee, FL

The holidays can be a stressful time – even if you are extremely organized, get along with every member of your family, and find endless rounds of holiday affairs super exciting! Whether this is the case with you, or you find yourself more aligned with Mr. Scrooge when it comes to all things holiday, there is nothing wrong with getting ready for the season with a little “me time.”

The best way to get in some quality “me time” is quick getaway to de-stress before the holiday rush begins. What can more de-stressing that a tropical getaway? Tropical Palms Resort in Kissimmee, Florida, fits that bill perfectly. Situated on 69 sun-kissed acres and perfected located to the area attractions, it’s the perfect home base for a quick Florida getaway minutes from the happiest place on Earth.

Tropical Palms • Kissimmee, FL

Spend your days relaxing poolside or playing shuffleboard, bocce, or a few rounds of mini-golf. Or, if you want to slowly ease into the holidays, check out some of these holiday-themed events nearby!

Festival of Trees

The Orlando Museum of Art transforms into a winter wonderland with displays of beautifully decorated trees, wreaths, gingerbread houses and holiday vignettes during the annual Festival of Trees. The event runs November 15 through November 24 at the museum. The festival will also feature live entertainment, family-focused fun, and holiday raffles. Visit www.omart.org for more details.

Tropical Palms • Kissimmee, FL

SeaWorld Christmas Celebration

Running November 23 through December 31, SeaWorld celebrates the season by lighting up the park with more than 3 million twinkling lights and bringing special guests like Rudolph and Santa to welcome the holidays! There will also be live entertainment and special holiday markets. For details, visit www.seaworld.com/orlando.

Holidays at Old Town

Visitors can enjoy the festive decorations that turn Old Town Kissimmee into a winter wonderland. Twinkling lights, strolling carolers, horse-drawn carriage rides and snow! Yes, somehow, they manage to bring “snow” to this tropical location, using a biodegradable, non-toxic product like they use in the movies. To round out the fun, there will be a tree lighting ceremony, live music events, a car show and an ice-skating rink. Event runs from November 23 to December 25 and is mere minutes away from Tropical Palms. To learn more, visit www.experiencekissimmee.com.

Tropical Palms • Kissimmee, FL

Holiday Home Tour and Winter wonderland

Get some decorating ideas and a peek inside some of the charming homes in Celebration, Florida, during this event that is scheduled for Saturday, December 1, and Sunday, December 2. This is a self-guided tour and each home is uniquely decorated for the holidays, both inside and out. Visit www.celebrationfoundation.org for more details.

And, if you don’t want to start your holiday celebrations just yet and are focusing only on relaxing, here a few things to consider:

Discovery Cove: Experience the tranquility of life underwater at Discovery Cove where you can interact with bottlenose dolphins and feed the tropical birds.

Inside a Colorful Cottage • Tropical Palms • Kissimmee, FL
Inside a Colorful Cottage • Tropical Palms • Kissimmee, FL

Disney Wilderness Preserve: Home to more than 1000 species of plant and animals, you can choose to hike, bird watch or simply enjoy the beauty of this preserve that is home to bald eagles, woodpeckers, squirrels, snakes, and bats!

Kissimmee Lakefront Park: The park has plenty of walking paths, a fishing pier, and picnic areas. Enjoy a simple day of rest and relaxation amid nature here.

Here’s the plan –pick your colorful cottage for your stay at Tropical Palms; decide what mix of holiday spirit and relaxation you want and then sit back, or get moving, and make this your best holiday season, yet!