These bubble domes let you experience the Irish countryside in comfort

Secluded and striking, this is the future of camping

There’s nothing more romantic than sleeping under the stars, right? Wrong. In fact, in practice there are few pursuits less enjoyable. From the Chinese water torture of unforeseen rain to that one tent pole that just won’t co-operate, nature can be as infuriating and unpredictable to connect with as a patchy WiFi signal.

So you know the smart thing to do: Leave the camping to Bear Grylls and his roadkill suppers, and turn instead to the bubble domes of Finn Lough in Northern Ireland. These distinct pods loom from the gloom between the trees like something out of a sci-fi blockbuster — and are designed with transparent walls for unencumbered views of both sky and surroundings.

But, as close are you are to nature, you’ll still find yourself cocooned comfortably in the setting of a modern hotel room, stuffed with five-star commodities. So, even though you can watch foxes pad past, and identify the trees from their leaves and bark alone, you can do so from the comfort of your fluffy dressing gown or four-poster bed, Nespresso coffee in hand.

Worried that privacy would be an issue? Fret not. These translucent bubbles are shrouded by forest so dense that it easily affords you the coverage needed for a romantic getaway. And the star-crossed lovers among you would surely leap at the chance to turn the telescope in the bubble up to the night sky. Now that’s romance.

Adventure also beckons. The Finn Lough resort also offers fishing – famously plentiful in the region – and hiking to help you nurture your inner woodsman. Alternatively, you could just keep on relaxing by testing out the Element Trail spa or indulging in the fine food of Finn Lough’s restaurant, which serves a variety of seasonal local dishes, cooked using organic herbs and vegetables grown on site.

Surrounded by the waters of Lower Lough Erne, Finn Lough lao has its own marina, which offers boating and other water sports, as well as incredible woodland cycle trails for the more active gent. Meandering trails show the peninsula in all its glory, and you’d be forgiven for mistaking Aghnablaney for Westeros when you stumble across the castle ruins.

So, if you’re looking for a perfect escape, and a higher class of camping, this gem — just a two-hour drive from Belfast — provides a true haven away from civilisation, and is the perfect place to take your new SUV for a spin. That is, until you have to return to real life and burst your bubble’s bubble…

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