On paper, camping at a festival always seems like a great idea: the wide open spaces, fresh air and feeling at one with nature. The reality is mud (lots of mud), endless queues for the loos and feeling like your neighbours are a little too close for comfort. Why camp when there are so many other options out there from glamping, to camper vans, apartments and even villas!
So, let your tent to gather dust, don’t worry about that sleeping bag you can’t find and leave the toilet roll and tinned food at home. Holiday Lettings are here to take you on a magical mystery tour of some of the best tent-less festivals.
So, let your tent to gather dust, don’t worry about that sleeping bag you can’t find and leave the toilet roll and tinned food at home. Holiday Lettings are here to take you on a magical mystery tour of some of the best tent-less festivals.
Photo credit: Samwoodgoddess via commons.wikimedia.org
Where: Primavera Sound, Barcelona, Spain
When: May
How: You don’t need to even consider the camping option at Primavera Sound – there isn’t one! We recommend staying in Barcelona itself to make the most of visiting this vibrant city as getting to and from the festival site from the city is easy: there are shuttle buses especially for the festival and the metro stop is a short stroll away. There are plenty of self-catering options in Barcelona from budget apartments to villas with private pools; you’ll be spoilt for choice!
What’s on: Music, music and more music! You’ll find some big names on the alternative scene here with a sprinkle of some mainstream artists too. Previous line-ups have included The Pixies, Aphex Twin, Portishead, Public Enemy, The Cure, PJ Harvey and De La Soul.
When: May
How: You don’t need to even consider the camping option at Primavera Sound – there isn’t one! We recommend staying in Barcelona itself to make the most of visiting this vibrant city as getting to and from the festival site from the city is easy: there are shuttle buses especially for the festival and the metro stop is a short stroll away. There are plenty of self-catering options in Barcelona from budget apartments to villas with private pools; you’ll be spoilt for choice!
What’s on: Music, music and more music! You’ll find some big names on the alternative scene here with a sprinkle of some mainstream artists too. Previous line-ups have included The Pixies, Aphex Twin, Portishead, Public Enemy, The Cure, PJ Harvey and De La Soul.
Photo credit: Mohamed El Amin Nogdalla via Flickr
Where: Iceland Airwaves, Reykjavik, Iceland
When: November
How: Staying in an uber cool apartment is the city centre is the way to go here. In fact, there are plenty of self-catering accommodation options in Reykjavik. If you want to feel hip and trendy, then you’ve come to the right place! Take some time out from the festival and visit one of the many art galleries, laid-back wine bars hosting live music and stand up comedy until the early hours.
What’s on: The festival takes place in various venues around the city, from churches to theatres so there’s no mud to contend with! You’ll be treated to the likes of The Shins, The Rapture, TV On The Radio, Florence and the Machine, Klaxons, Hot Chip and Flaming Lips. Home grown talents such as Björk, Sigur Rós and múm have also made appearances in recent years.
When: November
How: Staying in an uber cool apartment is the city centre is the way to go here. In fact, there are plenty of self-catering accommodation options in Reykjavik. If you want to feel hip and trendy, then you’ve come to the right place! Take some time out from the festival and visit one of the many art galleries, laid-back wine bars hosting live music and stand up comedy until the early hours.
What’s on: The festival takes place in various venues around the city, from churches to theatres so there’s no mud to contend with! You’ll be treated to the likes of The Shins, The Rapture, TV On The Radio, Florence and the Machine, Klaxons, Hot Chip and Flaming Lips. Home grown talents such as Björk, Sigur Rós and múm have also made appearances in recent years.
Photo credit: Bob Bob via Flickr
Where: Glastonbury, Somerset, UK
When: June
How: Yes, believe it or not, Glastonbury is very much a contender for a tent-less festival. We’ve all seen those panoramic shots on TV of the tents packed in like Sardines (or maybe you’ve been a sardine yourself) but did you know that you can hire luxury tents and teepees? There are a few companies now offering luxury camping with all the mod cons you’d expect in a hotel, such as Wi-Fi, state of the art showers, beauty parlours and wardrobes.
What’s on: What isn’t on! You don’t get much more diverse and eclectic than Glastonbury. Huge names such as Jay Z, Shirley Bassey, Radiohead and Paul McCartney have all graced the Glastonbury stages. But it doesn’t stop at the music. There’s an abundance of theatre, art and comedy too so you’ll never have a dull moment, whatever the weather!
When: June
How: Yes, believe it or not, Glastonbury is very much a contender for a tent-less festival. We’ve all seen those panoramic shots on TV of the tents packed in like Sardines (or maybe you’ve been a sardine yourself) but did you know that you can hire luxury tents and teepees? There are a few companies now offering luxury camping with all the mod cons you’d expect in a hotel, such as Wi-Fi, state of the art showers, beauty parlours and wardrobes.
What’s on: What isn’t on! You don’t get much more diverse and eclectic than Glastonbury. Huge names such as Jay Z, Shirley Bassey, Radiohead and Paul McCartney have all graced the Glastonbury stages. But it doesn’t stop at the music. There’s an abundance of theatre, art and comedy too so you’ll never have a dull moment, whatever the weather!
Photo credit: Jandy Stone via Flickr
Where: Coachella, California, USA
When: April
How: You can walk or cycle (a popular choice) to the festival or take a shuttle bus. In fact, parking is pretty limited and if you don’t feel like camping, taking the shuttle each day from your accommodation is a wise. There are loads of places to stay from villas with pools to sleek apartments. If you’re travelling from further afield, we recommend taking a few weeks out either side of the festival to explore California while you’re there.
What’s on: From its small beginnings as a festival for niche alternative acts, Coachella has ballooned and now hosts some of the biggest names in music to rival Glastonbury’s offering. Acts in previous years have included Price, Blur, Kanye West and Rage Against the Machine. Coachella also prides itself on its art installations and quirky activities such as pinball competitions, silent discos and three-legged races.
When: April
How: You can walk or cycle (a popular choice) to the festival or take a shuttle bus. In fact, parking is pretty limited and if you don’t feel like camping, taking the shuttle each day from your accommodation is a wise. There are loads of places to stay from villas with pools to sleek apartments. If you’re travelling from further afield, we recommend taking a few weeks out either side of the festival to explore California while you’re there.
What’s on: From its small beginnings as a festival for niche alternative acts, Coachella has ballooned and now hosts some of the biggest names in music to rival Glastonbury’s offering. Acts in previous years have included Price, Blur, Kanye West and Rage Against the Machine. Coachella also prides itself on its art installations and quirky activities such as pinball competitions, silent discos and three-legged races.
Photo credit: Jmills74 via Wikipedia.org
Where: Fuji Rock, Niigata, Japan
When: Late July
How: Once you’ve got a ticket, shuttle bus travel is included. They depart from Echigo-yuzawa Station in Niigata Prefecture every fifteen minutes. There are plenty of places to stay in Niigata and also plenty to do when you’re not at the festival. Highlights include the the atmospheric Shouun Sanso Garden, and taking a ride in a traditional ‘Tarai-bune’, tub-boat.
What’s on: The 3 day event hosts more than 200 Japanese and international musicians making it the biggest festival in the country. High up in the mountains, you’ll feel a sense of escapism while you enjoy acts such as Jack Johnson, Outkast and The Orb nestled amongst some of Japan’s finest cutting-edge musicians.
When: Late July
How: Once you’ve got a ticket, shuttle bus travel is included. They depart from Echigo-yuzawa Station in Niigata Prefecture every fifteen minutes. There are plenty of places to stay in Niigata and also plenty to do when you’re not at the festival. Highlights include the the atmospheric Shouun Sanso Garden, and taking a ride in a traditional ‘Tarai-bune’, tub-boat.
What’s on: The 3 day event hosts more than 200 Japanese and international musicians making it the biggest festival in the country. High up in the mountains, you’ll feel a sense of escapism while you enjoy acts such as Jack Johnson, Outkast and The Orb nestled amongst some of Japan’s finest cutting-edge musicians.
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