Glamping projects can begin in many different ways.
Sometimes it starts with a piece of land and a vision of what could be. Other times, it’s more practical: more friends and family are visiting, and you need a comfortable place for them to stay. What many people don’t realize is that a glamping tent can be the perfect solution — whether as an addition for family, a private retreat space, or the start of a business idea. In our case it started with the dream to have a place to escape from the city, but not having the budget to build a house. We bought a piece of bare agricultural land and started camping there in the weekends in our tiny hiking tent, while the kids slept in the storage next to it. Looking for alternatives we learned that the cheapest way to have a comfortable ‘bedroom’ was a… you guessed it: Glamping/ Bell tent. Several years later we replicated the idea and we rent our tents on Airbnb, getting pretty much only 5* reviews from people that most of the times, never concidered camping at all, but appreciate the proximity to nature combined with comfort!
This post is meant to be your starting point — a simple roadmap you can follow whether you’re imagining a private retreat or testing a business idea. Later in this series, I’ll dive deeper into specific setups (like retreats and business models), but let’s start here.
Step 1: Start with a clear vision
Ask yourself: is this glamping for personal use (friends, family, private retreats) or for business?
- For private use, you can keep things simple, flexible, and creative.
- For business, you’ll eventually need to think about permits, utilities, and scaling up.
Either way, having clarity from the start saves time, money, and stress later.
Step 2: Prepare the land
Even the most beautiful terrain needs practical touches:
- Clear access paths (cars, walking trails).
- Level ground or a plan for bases (especially if your land is sloped).
- Drainage: in Sicily, clay soil after winter rains can surprise you.
Step 3: Build a solid base
You don’t always need an elaborate structure. If the land is flat and stable, a layer of gravel with proper compaction can already provide a reliable base. That’s how we did it in Peru, where there was hardly any rain — and the tent stood strong for years.
Other common options include:
- Wooden decks (fast, flexible, removable). Read our detailed guide on bases here
- Stone or concrete platforms (durable, permanent — but often require permits).
- Mixed-material frames (eco-friendly, creative).
Think of this as your canvas — the tent will only be as good as the base it stands on.
Step 4: Choose your first tent
Start small. One tent is enough to test how your land feels, what works, and what doesn’t. Bell tents are a popular choice here in Sicily because they handle the climate well, but there are other models too.
👉 Ballpark cost: A minimal setup with one tent and a basic base can start around €2,000. This is enough to get something functional, though it doesn’t include infrastructure like bathrooms or kitchens (we’ll cover that in future posts).
Read our post on choosing the perfect bell tent
Step 5: Add simple atmosphere
Glamping isn’t just about shelter — it’s about feeling. A few lights, a rustic path, a shaded corner, even a small outdoor kitchen can transform the experience. You don’t need luxury to make it magical, only intention in the details.
👉 For inspiration, check out our Pinterest boards here.
Step 6: Test with first guests
Before you open to the world, invite family or friends. Their feedback will highlight what’s missing (blankets, mosquito nets, hooks, extra lighting). This is how you refine your setup before scaling up.
Final thoughts
Starting glamping in Sicily doesn’t have to be complicated. With a vision, a base, a tent, and some thoughtful details, you can already create something special.
This is just the first post in a series. In the coming weeks, I’ll go deeper into:
- How to host private retreats (using real stories from Sicily).
- What it takes to turn glamping into a business model (with sample numbers).
- Creative hacks to build beautiful setups on a budget.
✨ If you’re curious about what’s possible on your own land, that’s exactly what I help people with through my glamping consulting. Reach out and let’s map your path together.