Glamping is the urban dictionary slang for glamor camping, aka not really roughing it, but enjoying the outdoors in style. A trend that's growing in popularity with young urbanites to get back to their roots without completely abandoning creature comforts, glamping allows you to appreciate the great outdoors and sleep under the stars as if you were in a five star resort. Man-made wonders combined with the sights and sounds to rock you to bed.  Although camping season is winding down, make the most of the cooler evenings at these glam camps, allof which have electricity to keep you warm and cozy by the fire.

Paws Up Resort- Montana

What's more indicative of enjoying the great outdoors than your own glamping butler to warm the s'mores and primp your linens?  Enjoy electricity, a spacious deck, private master bathroom, twice-daily housekeeping service, scrumptious meals prepared by your private chef and your own personal camping staff to swat the mosquitoes away if you so need. Your accommodations include 3-6 bedroom tents set along the majestic backdrop of the Blackfoot River or Elk Creek. The honeymoon tent even includes a Jacuzzi. Oh-la-la.

4 Rivers Floating Lodge- Koh Kong

A secret off-the-beaten path rabbit hole in Cambodia, this floating lodge is truly one of a kind. Elevated on a pontoon platform in the Tatai River, you are surrounded by 360 degrees of nature. With origins in the safari veldt of Africa's game parks, each of the 12 double and twin-bed tented villas has a flat screen tv, minibar, wifi and dvd library. Take a kayak or boat trip down the river to enjoy the surroundings.

Serengeti Migration Camp, Tanzania

Rated #1 in East Africa by Conde Naste in the Reader's Choice category, this tastefully decorated camp emulates old word style. The split-level lounge, cigar bar, restaurant, sundecks and swimming pool are perched among the outcrops and overlook the vast and rugged landscapes that are home to the world's greatest mammal migration. Watch the wilderness from the comfort of your couch.

Hot Tub Safari- UK

Self-proclaimed "posh bedrooms with canvas walls," this adults only glamping resort is a true escape. Each tent has a private terrace with its own hot tub. Spend the afternoon soaking with a chilled bottle of fizz and then wander a few feet to the main house for drinks in the drawing room and dinner in the conservatory restaurant. It's like a real life game of Clue.

Teniqua Treetops, Western Cape

Positioned high on the foothills of the ancient Outeniqua mountain range in West Africa, these eco-friendly accommodations provide a safe canopy to experience a myriad of wild birds and game. On site and close to the homestead is a family braai (grill) area with table and seating and an indoor game room with exercise equipment and table tennis. Ideal for families and birding as over 50 species call the area home. 

The air's a little crisper, the wind a little chillier, fall's a coming and 'tis the season for football and beer. In anticipation of Oktoberfest (which actually starts in September), here are some of the best brewery tours in America and the best breweries the World. From lessons in beer making to tastings, food pairings and pouring lessons galore, you may want to leave the kiddos at home to experience all these beer trips have to offer. Bottom's up, prost and cheers.

The Best Brewery Tours in America

New Belgium Brewery- Fort Collins, CO

Offered Tuesday through Saturday (Colorado is a religious state- no drinking on Sundays), the home of Fat Tire, Sunshine Wheat, and 1554 the New Belgium factory is a whimsical place started by a home brewer and his bike.  The tour includes live story-telling, beer-sampling, art-gazing and general merriment. The crew also hosts other epic events throughout the year including a charity ski scavenger hunt where you'll search for big foot and chase chickens up the mountain and the Tour de Fat, a cross country bike ride promoting sustainable cycling.

Anheuser-Busch- St. Louis, MO

One of the premier powerhouse breweries in the country, the Budweiser family of Anheuser-Busch offers tours in five different locations, Fairfield, CA, Fort Collins, CO, Jacksonville, FL and Merrimack, NH, but their original home in St. Louis is the preferred venue. Visit the Budweiser Clydesdale Stable, Beechwood Lager Cellars, historic Brew House and Bevo Packaging Facility. For $10, they also offer Beer School, a half-hour class which takes you through pouring techniques, food pairings, and the different ingredients used for brewing.

Magic Hat Brewery, South Burlington, Vt.

Experience the joy of cranking out 400 bottles of beer every minute via a DIY or guided tour. Make sure to slot in time for the Growler Bar, which has 30 ever changing beers on tap, including Magic Hat's year-round offerings, the current seasonal and even some experimental brews. Play beer critic and tell them what works, what doesn't and maybe your opinion will end up on a shelf near you.


The Best Brewery Tours in the World

Guinness- Dublin

Ireland's #1 tourist attraction (can you blame them?), the Guinness Storehouse is a self-guided tour, which allows you to run straight through to the bar or meander as long as you like. Experience the World's Largest Pint Glass holding 14.3 million pints of beer, the Gravity Bar with 360 views of the city, and get certified to pour the perfect pint. And yes, it tastes even better overseas as a result of the local ingredients.

Westvleteren 12- Belgium

Westvleteren 12 is a Belgian Trappist Ale that has consistently been voted the single best tasting beer in the world by all leading magazines. The Brewery was founded in 1838 and is owned and operated by the monks of the St Sixus Abbey.  They feature only three beers, with proofs of 5.8%, 8% and 10.2% respectively and many say they taste better with age, much like a fine wine. Pinkies up.

Weihenstephan- Germany

The  oldest brewing place in the world in Freising, the Bayerische Staatsbrauerei Weihenstephan Brewery was founded in 1040 so the tour literally takes you to the origin of beer with almost 1,000 years of history. Originally operated by Benedictine monks, their corporate philosophy is "class not mass" so expect quality over production scale.

Wells and Young's- UK

The tour from grain to grass is more than just a drinking tour; it includes a full English supper of Bangers and Mash (or a vegetarian option), tastings of the award winning range of beers and a goody bag at the end of the evening. Learn how the barley malts and creates hops in traditional English pub style.

What do snake races, flower carpets and Puli Kali (leopard and tiger costume play) have in common? Onam festival, the largest and most elaborate festival in the Indian state of Kerala.  Onam festival in India lasts ten days and unites the people of Kerala putting religion and the caste system aside.  The festival celebrates the harvest season and occurs in the first month of the Malayam Calendar called Chingam (August-September).

Importance

Onam festival in India portrays Kerala's legendary past and the people celebrate with passion and pride for their tradition.  The festival is a time to rejoice the harvest season with food, music, dance, sports and boat races. Thousands attend the festival including those outside the state of Kerala.  Simply reading about or seeing pictures of Onam festival does not give one a chance to grasp how spectacular it really is.

Legends of Onam

The most popular legend is the return of King Mahabali. Onam in India celebrates his return every year. His reign was seen as the 'golden era', for it was a time of peace among all communities.  Crime and poverty did not exist and the rich and poor were treated equal. Other legends include Boat Palliodam which began the tradition of feeding a poor person on the day of Onam. Another favorite is The Legend of Vanishing Boy.

Rituals

Many rituals are practiced during Onam festival in India. Children arise early decorating yards with flowers from Atham to Thiruvanam. Atham is the first day of Onam celebrations, and Thiruvanam is the last. These two days are the most important. The most significant of the decorations is the flower carpet known as Pookalum. Flowers are added in the following days of Onam. Other rituals include the big feast, Onasadya, which consists of vegetarian dishes and is served on banana leaves. After the big feast, strong men engage in sports while others play games.  Traditional games are known as Onakalikal.

10 Days of Onam

Atham - First day of Onam and one of the most significant. Floral carpets called Pookalum are created from fresh flowers which are meant to welcome King Mahabali's spirit.

Chithira - House-cleaning begins and another layer is added to Pookalum.

Chodhi- Shopping activities start on the third day of Onam.

Vishakam- Women begin preparing for the big feast Onasadya. Shopping in the market continues on this day.

Anizham- the famous snake boat race, Vallamkali, occurs on this day. Boats are painted elaborately and tourists gather to witness the colorful race.

Thriketa- This day marks the time of Onam when families come together. By this time, Pookalum has become more elaborate and larger in size.

Moolam-  Pookalum is made into a new design kondattam (gaiety).

Pooradam- Clay figures are made on this day called Ma.

Urthadam- Big celebrations for the eve of Onam.

Thirvuonam- Tenth and most important day of Onam. Chants of Onashamsakal (Good Wishes) are heard throughout the state. Early baths are taken, new clothes worn and Onasadya is prepared. People engage in dances and games throughout the day.

 

By Molly Nelson, Guest Author

While we hate to say goodbye to summer, there's something about the crisp fall air and changing of the leaves that starts the school year out right. Fall festivals are ripe with outdoor concerts, down home food and carnival -like atmospheres. Celebrate the coming of autumn at some of these elaborate harvest events and join us as we bid summer a due.

Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta (October 1-9, 2011)

From its modest beginnings in 1972 with 13 balloons launching from a shopping mall parking lot, the Albuquerque Balloon Fiesta has grown to multiple events launching year-round at the custom-designed, 365-acre Balloon Fiesta Park. Now with 700 balloons, it is the largest ballooning event on earth, the most photographed event on earth, and the largest annual international event held in the United States. For nine days in October, the New Mexico skies are dotted with colors as hundreds of balloons take lift off. Enjoy whimsical floating shapes filled with equal parts of hot air and wonder.

West Side Nut Club Fall Festival- Evansville, IN (October 3-8, 2011)

One of the oldest, biggest and most popular festivals in the USA, the West Side Nut Club Fall Festival attracts over 100,000 people each year to sample food fare from over 120 non-profit booths offering everything from corn dogs to puppy chow, elephant ears to homemade cobblers. Carnival rides, arcade games, parades, live entertainment and people watching are just some of the draw.

Maryland Renaissance Festival (August 27- October 23, 2011)

For a little over two months, the Annapolis area is transformed into a 25 acre fair grounds based on a fictitious 16th century English village named Revel Grove.  With more than 130 craft shops and 42 food outlets, it is the second largest Renaissance Festival in the US. Come rent a wench or maiden costume and join the old-fashioned fun!

The Pumpkin Show- Circleville, Ohio (October 19-22, 2011)

Ohio's oldest and largest festival, around since 1905 Circleville is put on the map every October with the Pumpkin Show- a  pie eating, egg tossing, big wheel race,  hog calling good time. Pegged "the greatest free show on earth," other events include a parade of over 9,000 and the Miss Pumpkin Show and Little Miss Pumpkin beauty pageants. Feast on pumpkin flavored chili, ice cream, donuts, pizza and even burgers at this global celebration of the gourd.

National Apple Harvest Festival- Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (October 1-9, 2011)

Another celebration of fall flavors, the National Apple Harvest festival near historic Gettysburg celebrates the favorite fruit of the season.  Featured attractions include an antique car display, the apple cider press (still used today), an apple butter boil, pony rides, orchard bus tours, candy apples, Native American dancing, Andes Mountain Music, Tractor Square Dancing, Chainsaw Carving, and a display of live birds of prey by Rehabitat. The festival has literally something for everyone with hundreds of arts and crafts dealers, demonstrations, contests, food stands, and entertainment.