Camping News & Reviews
It’s never too early to start planning coastal Santa Barbara weekend getaways. After arriving at your luxury accommodation by the beach, all of your worries and woes will be washed away faster than you can say “Surf’s up!” Grab your sunblock, a plush beach towel, and throw in an assortment of cheese, crackers, and mixed
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As we say farewell to the unpredictable spring weather and welcome in the summer breeze, glampers and their families will no doubt be in search of an interesting destination for an unforgettable weekend getaway. Enter family weekend getaways in Texas. For those looking to check-off Texas vacations from the list of must-visit places to bring
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We stayed in one of 2 converted train wagons at Pen-Rhos Luxury Glamping, priced from £55 per night for a wagon that sleeps 2 people.
Pen-Rhos Luxury Glamping
Llandrindod Wells
LD1 6UL
United Kingdom
Tel: 07446 755453
With storm Ciara due to hit, we were prepared for the worst, making sure all our waterproofs and plenty of supplies for the weekend were packed before setting off around lunchtime on Friday.
Although I’ve spent a fair bit of time in mid-wales before, I’d never been to Llandridod Wells so we were looking forward to exploring somewhere new.
On arrival, we were greeted by a friendly sheep, we parked up and carted our gear for the weekend down a short path and into our wagon, one of two located in a field that provided impressive views out over the countryside.
The converted train wagon was beautiful both inside and out and extremely warm and cosy. Although the rain hadn’t started yet, the site is quite high up and the wind was howling around us.
With everything inside the cabin and the kettle on, we were amazed at how stable the wagon was and it was extremely well insulated so we felt confident that no matter what storm Ciara threw at us, we’d be safe and cosy in our wagon.
Our stay couldn’t have come at a better time, just a week before we’d gone through a traumatic few days, and we both felt like we needed a good dose of rest and relaxation to recover from it. Thankfully the wagon had everything we needed for a comfortable, romantic weekend break.
On our first evening, we met both Steve and Katie, owners of Pen-Rhos Luxury Glamping, lovely warm people who made us feel right at home. They told us about their plan to introduce a hot tub option later in the year and I can’t think of a more idyllic countryside location to enjoy chilling in a hot tub under the stars!
The storm hit with full force on Saturday evening which only enhanced the wild desolate feel of the glamping site and we happily lay in bed sipping Prosecco listening to the wind howling and the rain lashing down.
One of the downsides we’ve found with some glamping accommodation is lack of storage, but the wagons at Pen-Rhos have been cleverly designed to ensure there is plenty of storage under the double bed, which was spacious and extremely comfortable.
The little kitchen was beautifully finished and contained everything we needed to self-cater during our time there. The quality and finish throughout the little wagon was excellent and we really couldn’t fault anything at all!
Mid-Wales is vastly underrated in my opinion with people tending to head down to the Brecon Beacons or further north to Snowdonia, something I’m guilty of myself in the past. Don’t get me wrong, both the Brecon Beacons and Snowdonia are stunning, with obvious appeal, but if you’ve never been to Mid-Wales, the region has a lot to offer too.
Some of the landscapes we drove through made us feel like we were in the Scottish Highlands and after spending a day in the little spa town of Llandrindod Wells (about 10 miles away from Pen-Rhos Luxury Glamping) we’ve decided it’s probably the friendliest town in Wales.
We nipped into a local shop to stock up on more supplies as the storm was meant to hit with full force on Saturday night, and after chatting to one friendly local, we received an invitation to go over and stay if the weather got too bad. The ladies in the local yarn shop were lovely too (I can never resist yarn shops!) and we found a most unexpected restaurant called Worth Your Salt and had a huge and delicious meal there.
The town itself was lovely to walk around, but we also wanted to head out into the hills to get a bit of walking in before the bad weather hit.
We’d done a bit of research prior to arrival and found a walking route that would take us to Water Break Its Neck waterfall in Warren Wood. We did the short 1.5mile Warren Trail (there’s an even shorter walk option and the waterfall is only 10 minutes away from the car park) which took us up a few steep sections before snaking back round, culminating in us reaching the waterfall before the short walk back to the car.
Set within the ancient woodland of Randor Forest, the waterfall is beautiful and well worth a visit if you’re in the area. Parking is free and you can find out more about Warren Wood here.
We’ve stayed in so many different styles of glamping accommodation over the years, but never before in a converted train wagon and we absolutely loved it.
This is probably the best value glamping accommodation we’ve ever stayed in.
With prices from just £55 per night, this is probably the best value glamping accommodation we’ve ever stayed in. The wagons offer a high level of comfort and are fully equipped with everything you need for a romantic break, but it’s also a superb location for solo travelers wanting to get away from it all for a few days of peace and tranquillity.
The wagons have been beautiful finished and provide high levels of cosy comfort, ideal for when you need some breathing space or when you want to get away from it all and spend some quality time with your loved one. So if you’re looking for a great value glamping break, we thoroughly recommend Pen-Rhos Luxury Glamping.
DISCLOSURE | Thank you to Pen-Rhos Luxury Glamping who invited us to stay. We were not paid to write this review.
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Ready for Australia Day 2020? Discover the best Australia Day events and weekend getaways!
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Big woods bears, deer, turkeys and grouse in one weekend? I was all in for Fall Fest.
Though I failed at talking my close hunting buddies into joining me, I succeeded in finding some time to get away for a mid-autumn trip to the hunting camp recently for the overlap of four unique hunting seasons.
For one guy hunting two days, my Dodge Ram was loaded with a ridiculous amount of gear, but there’s no ration more important than preparation. I planned to do a lot of hunting, and the diverse game I intended to pursue required different tools and techniques, so it was a bit of a crowded cab as necessary.
I arrived at our Lycoming County camp amid a deluge of rainfall Thursday evening. It was just enough time to get soaked unloading the camp essentials to the roaring sounds of a swollen mountain “crick” and dry off inside by the woodstove before the power kicked off.
BK, the only other member in camp, and I hustled to find emergency candles and dust off the old kerosene lamps, providing just the right romantic ambience for two grown men with stubble beards to share an evening together. After some beverages and story swapping, we decided to turn in early with lofty intentions for the next day.
Friday morning, I awoke to howling winds and swaying trees around 4 a.m. I fired up the gas stove and warmed a can of soup by candlelight, which I poured into a thermos for lunch. Not wishing to get blown out of any trees by the steady gusts, I crept back to bed for two more hours and got up again at dawn to prospect for grouse.
Twenty steps into my favorite grouse haunt, I shouldered my over-under 12-gauge, to practice mounting and swinging. At 22 steps, a grouse flushed 10 yards away, and I never got the safety off in time to pull the trigger. Two and a half hours later, I arrived back at the truck with no more flushes to show for my brush-busting efforts. I did flick about 20 ticks off my brush pants, however. No problem getting that bag limit!
Arriving back at camp around noon, I found the power still off, but enough water in the tank to take half a scent-free shower. Yes, I got my entire body soaped up, but only partially rinsed, before I emptied the water heater. A hand towel wiped down the remaining soap, and like a waxed boogie board, it was the easiest I’ve ever slipped into hunting clothes in my life.
Hiking the mountain behind camp took an hour. Finding the right tree to climb with my Summit took a half hour. Add those together, and you’ll get the amount of time it took for an 8-point buck to arrive and walk directly under my stand. With my buck tag already filled, all I could do was take pictures and watch as he milled around beneath me.
Just before dark, “couples night” kicked off as two different pairs of does, followed by suitor (and shooter) bucks frequented the area. One tandem headed my way, and I considered filling the doe tag in my pocket. At 25 yards, she picked out my sky-lined silhouette and bolted, preventing me from making the decision for myself. It appears I should’ve searched a little longer for the “just right” tree to climb.
Additional members arrived at camp later that evening, and more “good luck” salutes than I would’ve cared to transpire ensured a heavy sleep and slightly groggy wake up.
Nevertheless, I headed to a dual-purpose location before daybreak where I felt I had an equal chance of killing a bear or a doe. I sat until 11 a.m. and got skunked. You can’t depend on last year’s sign for this year’s hunt – hard lesson learned.
By noon, I was almost in a different county, toting my .17 HMR rifle and turkey vest. Walking down a large draw, the turkeys spotted me the same time I saw them, and I discovered I’m no deadeye on a distant and moving target.
A clean miss at least broke up the flock, and setting up on the opposing ridge, my pleading kee-kee runs brought at least one bird back in to 30 yards a few minutes later. But the turkey stayed just on the other side of the brush, and I didn’t feel comfortable shooting through all the obstacles with such a light round. I never could get the bird to commit, and I reluctantly surrendered to the victorious flock.
In one last ditch effort, I went all in on my Saturday evening sit for archery bear. With no doe tag for this location, it was bear down or bust for my Mathews compound. I hoofed it up a laurel-choked hillside to an open bench that would afford me a shot under 40 yards.
However, as nightfall bore down I had not seen another living creature, and this brought my weekend hunting excursion to a close. As I traveled back to camp that evening, a doe burst across the road, and I slammed on the brakes just in time to see a tall-tined buck scamper across on her trail.
I smiled at the realization that this final encounter perfectly summarized my Fall Fest weekend of close calls and near misses. If I didn’t know any better, I’d even guess a bear snuck by at 60 yards, just out of view, concealed by the laurel.
They say close only matters in horseshoes and hand grenades, but I still enjoy being close to the action. Even with missed opportunities, it’s a lot of fun being out there!
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Fall is a favorite season for many reasons, but in Paso Robles, California, the reason is unanimous. Fall signals the return of the annual Harvest Wine Weekend.
This year, the Paso Robles community will join together October 18-20 to celebrate the annual harvest season at local wineries and vineyards. From grape stomps to cave dinners, Harvest Wine Weekend has an occasion for everyone. Let us pique your interest in the California harvest with a few event highlights.
Harvest Festival Dinner & Grape Stomp at Opolo Vineyards
Held on October 18, the Harvest Festival Dinner & Grape Stomp at Opolo Vineyards is an annual tradition. Enjoy grape stomping, folk dancing, wine tasting, and a dinner that includes roasted lamb, Sarma and more.
Photo: Sun RV
Harvest Weekend at Chronic Cellars Winery
During Harvest Festival Weekend at Chronic Cellars Winery, you can enjoy newly released wines expertly paired with selections from Vivant Fine Cheese. Outside on the patio, you can entertain the whole family with cornhole, horseshoes, outdoor billiards and complimentary pumpkins for the kids to carve!
Winemaker Dinner in the Caves at Eberle Winery
Boasting over 17,000 square feet of underground caves, Eberle Winery is a Paso Robles staple. On Friday, October 18, Eberle will host a Harvest Festival Winemaker Dinner in the Caves prepared by celebrated chef and cookbook author Lou Rook III.
The winery will also offer complimentary BBQ bites, tasting room specials and music from Los Gatos Locos on Saturday, and the Hurricane Food Truck and live music by Liv & Rob on Sunday.
Harvest Fest Weekend at Mitchella Vineyard & Winery
Throughout Harvest Fest Weekend, you can enjoy tastings, appetizers and pairings at Mitchella Vineyard & Winery. Along with these indulgences, you can also play Jenga® GIANT™ or cornhole as you overlook the vineyards!
Photo: Sun RV
With all of the festivities at the wineries during Harvest Wine Weekend, you can have some down time between events nearby at one of Sun RV Resorts three premier Paso Robles RV parks.
Spend Harvest Wine Weekend at Wine Country RV Resort, featuring its own wine garden with plenty of planned activities. It’s also is within walking distance of EOS Winery and The Ravine Waterpark!
When you stay at Vines RV Resort, you’ll discover a variety of luxurious amenities. Check out the swimming pool complex, crack open a book in the library, or unwind in the Magnolia Lounge.
Designed by nature, Cava Robles RV Resort is part of our Signature Sun RV Resort collection. Here, you can choose RV living or stunning cottages in the heart of wine country. Enjoy all the amenities, including pools, spas, fire pits, a wellness center, dog parks, and our onsite restaurant, the Farmhouse Bistro.
Book your stay at one of our premier California RV resorts in Paso Robles and have a convenient homebase during the annual Harvest Wine Weekend. You can check availability and reserve online, or call 888-886-2477 to speak with a customer service specialist.
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