11 Vacations Where You Can Disconnect And Change Your Life
By Laura Begley Bloom
Transformative Travel: I look at how travel can change lives.
It's no secret that people are addicted to their digital devices. According toPew Research Center, as smartphones and other mobile devices have become more widespread, 26% of American adults now report that they go online “almost constantly,” up from 21% in 2015. And a report published by the Center for the Digital Future at USC Annenberg says the average American spends a whopping 23.6 hours online each week.
In response, a number of travel companies are trying to help guests reclaim their lives outside of their devices by offering innovative ways to escape the digital rat race.
"Ironically, as connected as we are in the social media age, we are completely disconnected," says travel guru Jack Ezon, managing partner at Embark, a new luxury lifestyle and travel planning business that he's about to launch.
Ezon calls this one of the big trends of 2018 in his annual trend report, pointing out that travel presents an opportunity for people to put their fast-paced “connected” world behind them and build true, deep connections that you just can’t get from a Facebook feed or Instagram Live videos. Ezon says there's a new yearning for disconnecting, including "a desire for road trips and trips that offer a real connection to the land."
The travel agency Protravel International also says that disconnecting is one of the five emerging trends in luxury travel. “I’m seeing more and more clients looking to travel to disconnect from technology and the news cycle," says Marvelys Capote, an agent with Protravel International New York.
Recently, Capote sent four women to Holbox Island in Mexico, so that they could "get off the grid and connect with nature."Holbox is a remote island two hours northwest of Cancun with limited Wi-Fi. "My clients stayed at CasaSandra, a boutique hotel without televisions, went bird-watching, fishing, swimming with whale sharks, ate great seafood and came back rejuvenated.”
The Adventure Travel Trade Association (ATTA) has done research into the topic of reconnecting by disconnecting, too. According to a 2017 report, physical and mental health are key motivators for travelers seeking adventure travel experiences — and, according to the ATTA, travelers are increasingly prioritizing this when making travel-related decisions by seeking out wellness trips, as well as opportunities to unplug.
"Almost everyone I know knows someone who is on a device too much," says Casey Hanisko, president of the Adventure Travel Trade Association. "People are craving the idea of reconnecting. Remarkably, adventure experiences can awaken something in us all and remind us that making memories doesn't always happen with a phone in your hand."
Looking to take your own digital detox? From charming cottages to wellness retreats to urban getaways, here are 10 ways to unplug on your next vacation.
ROOMS WITH A VIEW
Looking for a new meeting space? Change your outlook.
BY ROGER GORDON
WE MAY BE BIASED, but we think the Northwest is one of the most beautiful regions on earth. From coastline and mountains to lakes and glaciers, the scenic wonders are natural eye candy. Want to use some of that picture-postcard setting as a backdrop for your next meeting or event? Here are a few venues to consider.
Some places are simply magical. Stillpoint Lodge, situated on a cosy private peninsula in Halibut Cove, Alaska is just that. Magical. Combine unspoiled surroundings, a remote location, intense vistas and glow-in-the-dark waters with snuggly warm staff and that great Alaskan charm, and you’ve got a place so nice that you’ll never want to leave.
Words by Marco Barneveld
Photography by René Koster
See the full story and beautiful fall photos in Code Magazine.
"Crazy busy" is the status quo for just about everyone these days, making the occasional time-out a necessary (if luxurious) break. Need some guidance setting your intention? These 10 wellness retreats will help you find out what you're looking for-- and no Pokémon allowed.
THE CALL OF THE WILD
Alaska's Stillpoint Lodge: A Lodge for Adventurers
Is there anything sweeter than male bonding rituals, kayaking among icebergs, spectacular whale watching and bear viewing that feels like you’re in a National Geographic film? After a week at Stillpoint Lodge, it’s hard to recall a more adventurous, memorable travel experience.
You don’t have to journey to an exotic ashram in India a la Eat, Pray, Love for an exclusive, life-changing meditation retreat. Whether you’re traveling solo, want to reconnect as a couple, or take an unforgettable trip with friends, some incredible resorts and getaways in the States are geared to help you decompress, reenergize, and connect with yourself and the natural world.
