With killer amenities, including gourmet food, massages, king beds and soaker tubs – and all nestled in absolutely breathtaking surroundings.

Ever been out with a group of friends, telling tales and reminiscing, when someone brings up a story about camping – tenting in particular, and there is an immediate chorus of groans, head’s nodding back and forth indicating a big ‘nooooo’, followed by everyone’s horror stories? Hilarious to scary stories, about everything from trying to erect the tent (epic fails), rain-soaked sleeping bags, tent collapsing, the back-breaking sleeping on the ground (we didn’t think that would be uncomfortable??) and that feeling of ick upon waking covered in morning dew just like the tent canopy. Nothing like spending time in a tiny tent to create a real dislike for confined spaces.

What keeps people going back for that not-so-great sleeping scenario is everything else that the whole camping experience has to offer: scenery, nature, fresh air, the off-the-grid stress-busting beauty of the surroundings, and the sharing of it all with family and friends. Despite those compelling benefits, many folks just can’t go back and do the tent thing again and end up missing out on the good part of the experience. What if a you could have everything you enjoyed about the camping without all the stuff you didn’t? You can.

We’ve found ten awesome places that offer all the great parts of the camping experience without any of the work – fabulous tent accommodations that range from simple to downright luxurious, nestled in beautiful surroundings around world, and all waiting for their guests to simply check in, without set-up, dismantling, back-breaking and dewy scenarios. Look at the pics and you’ll see why they’re on our radar:

It’s easy to understand why guests of La Jaima, located just outside of Alicante, Spain, would feel like they were transported to another place and time. This opulent tent was created by the same man who built luxury tents for King Mohammed VI of Morocco, and the Moorish influence is evident by the colourful decor and decadent interior. The tent is enveloped in peaceful surroundings, and offers a discreet kitchen and bathroom facilities, canopy bed and plushy, colourful furnishings. And, a pool 🙂

Nestled in the woods in southern Ireland is Dromquinna Manor, offering guests custom made tents built by safari tent experts in India. These tent designs have dispensed with the frustrating parts – yay- providing an open space (no center poles), high ceilings, smooth floors, and wait for it…beds with duvets! Each tent is positioned to offer a beautiful view and max privacy, and has its own veranda and deck area. Another perk – coffee, juice and croissants are delivered every morning to start the day off right!

The Ekopod website aptly states, “we travel not to escape life, but so life doesn’t escape us”. Ekopod is located in the tranquil setting of Bodmin Moor, just outside of Cornwall England, and offers unique geometric pods for two that boast full bathrooms (with soaker tub), kitchens, wood-burning stoves and a king size bed.

Italy’s first yurt retreat, Fireflies and Figs, is located on a picturesque hillside in the Arbruzzo region, and offers guests their choice of circular, canvas covered yurts, which are fully-furnished with custom pieces and full bathrooms. The canvas walls roll up, letting the beautiful surroundings and fresh air fill the space. A resident chef prepares dinners from locally sourced ingredients to enjoy under the stars.

Hola! Perched upon a hillside overlooking the town of Alhaurín el Grandein in Andalucia, Spain, is Casa de Laila, offering airy accommodation in Moroccan style bell tents, and plenty of lux amenities such as massages, yoga, buffet breakfast, dinner service and a pool.

Here’s a place to bring out that inner cowboy/cowgirl – The Vail Collective Retreat at 4 Eagle Ranch, located in the mountains and on 1,000 acres of pasture just outside of Vail Colorado. Guests enjoy well-appointed luxurious tents featuring king sized beds, wooden floors, and private tipi bathrooms. Food and fun include daily breakfast, campfires with evening drinks and s’mores, and weekly farm-to-table dinners. Wha-hoo!

Can you say Tuscany? Vedetta Lodges offers lovingly furnished tented lodges, situated amidst an olive grove on the south east ridge of Poggio La Forcola, at Scarlino in Tuscany, Maremma. These climate-controlled lodges offer breathtaking views stretching out over forests and countryside toward the medieval town of Scarlino, or sweeping views of the sea. Of course, creature comforts are abundant, with full bathrooms, TV, WiFi, a daily hamper of goodies delivered at breakfast, Happy Hour (ahh…Tuscany and wine do go together..) and gourmet dining.

Vinha da Manta is located on the edge of the “Natural Park Serra da Estrela”, in Portugal, and is home to eight luxury canvas lodges. The lodges, designed in the Netherlands and made in Canada, offer a variety of sleeping configurations, kitchens, private baths and amazing valley views. Food is a gourmet’s delight – local cheeses, wines, and freshly made meals, created using ingredients from area farmers and their own garden. The video below definitely whets the appetite in more ways than one.

And now for something completely different…Elephant Hills is the first luxury tented jungle camp in Thailand – offering “Elephant Camp“, a choice of 35 tailor-made tents located right on the border of the rainforest of Khao Sok National Park, or “Rainforest Camp”, one of the world’s only floating tent camps, situated in the center of Cheow Larn Lake in Khao Sok National Park. Whether on land or water, the well-equipped tents have stunning rainforest views, and are fully furnished with ensuite baths. The pictures really are the best way to do this location justice.

Last, but certainly not least, is Clayoquot Wilderness Resort, an all-inclusive eco-safari resort located near the village of Tofino on Vancouver Island, Canada. Visitors are transported to this remote and luxurious resort via float plane or boat, arriving to find an atmosphere that is rustic yet refined, and tent accommodations that offer ensuite baths, comfortable beds and antique furnishings. Guests have a number of highly personalized wilderness adventures to choose from during their stay, and gourmet meals to enjoy after working up their appetite. Former visitors have described the scenic location of the resort as “take your breath away”, and after viewing the pictures, it’s easy to see why.

Let’s face it, if we don’t experience camping one way or another we miss out: whether a DIY experience or perhaps one of the glamping options we’ve listed here, we would miss out on the things they both have in common, namely the stories and memories that last a lifetime. That in itself is makes it all worth experiencing – the only thing left to choose is how and when. Just do it.