Best Camping Spots In Europe For 2024’s Calm-Cation Travel Trend

02.11.2023 - 11:15 / forbes.com

Imagine lying snugly in a warm sleeping bag by a gurgling river with the soporific sound of trees rustling and the occasional bird call from outside your cozy tent. This is what experts predict will be one of the biggest travel trends in 2024.

Since the gradual lifting of border restrictions post-pandemic, vacations have been blighted by economic uncertainty and revenge travel ‘burnout.’ The result has been a turn to nature-focused trips and 2024 looks to be the year of the outdoors.

However, travelers are no longer content to just ‘rough it,’ campground booking platform Campspot has found.

Their research suggests adventurers are now looking for waterfront locations, panoramic views, and high-speed connectivity to elevate their camping experience—three elements they claim contribute most to their feelings of relaxation and wellness.

Campspot has dubbed these types of peaceful getaways 'calm-cations.'

“The global economic landscape has been marked by unpredictability, leaving many travelers in search of a haven that provides solace and serenity,” the online marketplace for campsites and RV resorts said in a press release.

Revenge travel, where people have made up for missed adventures with fast-paced, bucket-list-ticking trips, has also left travelers feeling drained and disconnected from the destinations they visit.

Calm-cations are an affordable alternative with the potential for a “true mental refresh.” Here are three chilled-out campsites in Europe to try out the trend.

According to Campspot’s survey, 64% of respondents said camping with a nearby natural water feature such as a beach, river or lake contributes to their feeling of relaxation when spending time outdoors.

For a dreamy waterside campground, try Tartaruga Camping in Zakynthos, Greece. You’ll pitch your tent in a paradisical setting among an olive grove looking out over the Bay of Laganas. During the day, you can snorkel with loggerhead turtles while at night you can eat fresh seafood in the onsite restaurant and drift off to sleep to a soundtrack of cicadas.

The survey also found that campers prioritize fresh air and beautiful views when selecting a location. Get a lungful of clean forest oxygen at Le Clos du Lac in Provence, France, at a dizzying 1,485 meters on the edge of Écrins national park.

By day, you’ll have views of majestic mountains and by night a canopy of sparkling stars. As for activities, there are innumerable hiking trails winding through the surrounding peaks, plunging into flora-filled forests and reaching soaring summits.

Although camping is about getting away from it all, Campspot’s survey found that 91% of campers desire access to the internet of some kind, with 64% of campers feeling most relaxed with high-speed