Thinking about going on an alternative holiday this summer
then why not go ‘glamping’? Michelle Moore recalls a trip to the Algarve.
I had never been on an eco-friendly holiday before and when
I had the opportunity to experience a truly natural holiday and stay in a tipi
I couldn’t resist. I stayed at the eco-friendly retreat and experienced ‘glamping’
for the first time at Tipi Algarve in Portugal.
Tipi Algarve is situated in a secluded countryside at the
foothills of the Monchique mountain range allowing a space to be peaceful and
tranquil. This resort is particularly hard to find on arrival but it is
perfectly placed in an isolated area to escape the crowds of summer that flock
to Praia da Rocha on package holidays. This tipi paradise was worth the search.
My travel companion and I got to experience glamorous
camping (‘glamping’) in the Buddha tipi which is 5.5 meters in height and was
surprisingly spacious. Much like a campsite, this tipi site contains a camp
kitchen with table and chairs, gas cooker, refrigerator, freezer and many
appliances including pots, pans, cutlery and tableware. There was also an
emergency blanket and cleaning utensils. There was really no need to leave the
retreat, only to visit the local beaches.
Tipi Algarve has its own chill-out cafe and bar where
breakfast, dinner, and drinks could be bought. This lounge contains table
football, card games, darts, board games and pool table. One evening we enjoyed
a mouth-watering feast made of organic vegetables in the cafe. Most of the
ingredients came from the resort’s own organic gardens. By day, we walked the
organic gardens to admire the array of vegetables being grown there. Lemongrass,
basil, courgettes, aubergines, cabbage, tea tree, beetroot, dill and much more
were being harvested. Guests were allowed to pick the vegetables to cook and
consume at their tipi sites. Remarkably, the smell of eucalyptus trees and from
the vegetable fills the air after a sun shower.
Each morning, the sound of a rooster’s call could be heard
from a nearby house on a hill. We were told the owners supply Tipi Algarve with
fresh eggs that are cooked in the cafe. Each tipi site has its own hammock and
many a time was spent being perfectly comfortable lounging in one to read or
simply listen to birdsong coming from the woodland.
One night in particular, we experienced an exciting show of
lightning and thunder. With each flash of lightning, the tipi lit up in blue
light and the rolls of thunder shook the ground momentarily. Every night, we
had to deal with snails, mosquitoes and spiders inside the tipi especially
after a night-light was burning. The tipi was supplied with a mosquito net
which certainly came in handy as it spreads across to cover the entire bed
while we slept.
We spent a few days relaxing by the swimming pool which has
to be done on holiday. Some quick dips to cool off in the hot summer sun were
refreshing. The vibe was extremely chilled there. It was an ideal place for me
to gather my thoughts and my breath after exams. It is certainly a space where
deep thinking can be done to consider and plan your next life step.
If that isn’t enough to convince you of how relaxing this
place is, the resort also has a qualified practitioner who gives deep tissue
massages, spiritual healing, Reiki, Chakra, Balancing, reflexology, creative
life coaching, guided meditation and intuitive Feng Shui consultations. Tipi
Algarve also offers detox programmes, Tantric, Shamanic, bush craft and nature
retreats.
If you are a budding back-packer or a stressed out
student/parent/worker whose body, soul and mind need natural therapy, Tipi
Algarve is the place to be.
