Glamping at The Nordisk Village near Venice, Italy

How many people can say that when they visit Venice they wake up in the morning to a cacophony of birds tweeting away, a family of rabbits waiting to greet them as they venture outside and a glimpse of a rare and endangered red squirrel?  Well, that is exactly what happened to us during our recent break near the floating city.

OK, so we were not actually staying right in the centre of the canalled metropolis but in a glamping tent just a short ferry ride away.

Don’t get me wrong, I love Venice.  In fact other than the daily commute I did into London for around 12 years, Venice is my most visited city.  I love the uniqueness, the atmosphere that a singing gondolier can create when he floats by on his beautiful black lacquered gondola entertaining his customers and the sense of time standing still when I look up at the crumbling old buildings hoping to catch glimpse of the ornate insides and marvel at a world that for some, has stood still.

However, I will be honest; I really don’t like the crowds.  During the summer months, it is not just the cruise ships that dock here causing congestion in the narrow walkways, it is the ever-increasing tourist population that seems to be crippling the city.  With over 60,000 people visiting each day it is not surprising that I prefer to stay away.

Of course, it would be wrong of me to say not to visit but why not attach your next trip to the city with a nice relaxing break from reality. 

And trust me, we have found the perfect hideaway.

Situated just about an hour from Venice itself a new glamping village has sprouted.  Within the grounds of Camping Ca Savio, a fantastic little campsite located on the Adriatic Coast, GoOutside, an Italian company passion about outdoor holidays, have added their own luxurious touch with their Nordisk tents.

What is a Nordisk Tent?

This is glamping at its very finest.  The Nordisk tent is sometimes also referred to as the Emperor Bell Tent and it definitely lives up to its name.  Whereas a normal bell tent is circular with a central pole, the Nordisk tent is far larger with two poles supporting the roof allowing for even more space inside.

Why is the Nordisk Village at Camping Ca Savio so Luxurious?

“Nordisk Village is an inspiration: a blank page on which a new form of camping is drawn. Here Viking folklore meets the Doges and the Republic of the Serenissima; here Danish Golden Age neoclassical style finds common ground with Andrea Palladio and the sumptuous architecture of the Veneto region.”

(Quoted directly from GoOutside) 

Unlike Bell Tents that we have stayed in previously, the Nordisk Village tents not only have room for a rather large, super comfy double bed but also two twin beds – proper beds not camping beds – and a setting area, so even when it is raining outside there is plenty of space to sit around and enjoy time with the family. 

But that’s not all. 

GoOutside have thought about the smaller things as well.  Like the need for bedside tables for that, all-important summer read that you are trying to finish late one night whilst relaxing in bed, or the stylish shelving unit that can easily house your toiletries or small items.  Perhaps it was the sight of, what us Brits call, an Ottoman Chest at the end of the bed, larger enough to be used for all your clothing that finished it off for me.  Bell Tents are, of course, a difficult shape to furnish and therefore it was not a surprise to find a lack of hanging space for our clothes but unlike other glamping sites, the Nordisk Village does have a solution firstly in the Ottoman chest and secondly, they have placed small hoops on the inner poles where, should you wish to, a hanger could be placed.

What we both really loved about the Nordisk Village, however, was the communal kitchen area.  Set up in the middle of the village, each tent has a cupboard with all the cooking utensils they should need in order to prepare a proper meal for all the family allocated to them.  It is from here that you can chat with others in the evening while slicing veggies from the village’s very own vegetable patch or catch up over the espresso makers bubbling away first thing in the morning. 

Unlike other campsite offerings, this makes the Nordisk Village possibly the most social area I have ever stayed in.

However, before some of you going running into the hills for a bit of peace and quiet – do not panic – each tent also comes with its own covered decking area so that you can retract from socialising and enjoy the tranquility around you any time you wish.

The Area Around the Nordisk Village

What really stood out for me was how well maintained the area around the Nordisk Village is.  Camping Ca Savio has done a brilliant job tending to the gardens, making sure that the herbs and vegetables continue to grow throughout the season, which is no easy task especially when temperatures have been soaring this summer. 

The grass is beautiful cut and at just the right length so that, should you wish to, you can wander around bear-foot with a soft cushion of green carpet underneath you the whole time – which for me is blissful and one of the reasons I love this style of holiday so much.  I want to feel like I am working with nature to relax and therefore having these stunning surroundings only adds to the feeling that I can fully unwind here.

You are probably now wondering whether there are any downsides to this particular glamping site?

Realistically I know that the chances of everyone liking this type of accommodation are slim – after all, we are all different.  But what I would say is that don’t be too hasty to rule it out.  Other than the potential for a mad-dash to the toilet at 4 am in the morning, I really do struggle to see any negatives here. 

And let’s be truthful here.  If you are used to camping or glamping then chances are you are also used to the shower and toilet facilities being a short wander away from your tent.

Our Final Thoughts on the Nordisk Village, Camping Ca Savio

I will admit that I am slightly biased; after all Camping Ca Savio has been my home away from home since I was a kid.  It is the place I return to whenever I can in order to relax and revitalise myself before heading back into the thick of the working week. 

Why?  I don’t know. 

Maybe it is because of the memories we have here; maybe it is the warm welcome we always receive or maybe it is simply because it is the one place that we have both found where we can laze around on a glorious sandy beach all day if we want to, de-stressing after exploring the streets of Venice.

The Nordisk Village may be the newest addition to the offerings at Camping Ca Savio but in my opinion, along with the Airstreams that GoOutside has also added to the campsite, this is possibly the most luxurious way to enjoy a break at this wonderful campsite.

So what are you waiting for – next time you are considering a break along the Adriatic Coast why not take a chance and book something completely different.

Have you ever been to Camping Ca Savio?  Have you had a glamping experience in Italy that you really enjoyed and would like to share with our readers?

^{Disclaimer:  We would like to thank everyone at both Camping Ca Savio and GoOutside for hosting us during our trip.  We would like to highlight to all of our readers that, as always, all views and opinions are our own and were in no way influenced by any other party.}