How to Take a Safe, Disconnected Trip
When was the last time you went more than 24 hours without looking at your phone screen?
If you had to think hard or can’t even remember, it’s a sign that it’s time to take a break from your online life.
Why Digital Detox Is Trending
According to research, the average American touches their phone more than 2,600 times a day!
Whether it’s to check a notification, look at emails, or simply scroll through social media, it feels like everyone is “always on.”
Digital detox has become a trend because it helps slow things down, reduce stress, and improve both sleep quality and focus.
Plus, here’s something important: traveling disconnected often creates much more vivid memories because you truly live the experience with your whole self—free from distractions.
How a Digital Detox Trip Works
There are no strict rules—after all, it wouldn’t make sense to “impose” a type of trip. Everyone chooses their own level of disconnection.
Resorts, lodges, and even cruises now offer packages designed for those who want to unplug, with activities like hiking, cooking classes, yoga, meditation, bike rides, and outdoor sports.
Perfect Destinations to Disconnect
Big Sur, California
With its dramatic cliffs and the Pacific crashing below, Big Sur practically begs you to put your phone away.
The cell service is spotty (which helps!), and the scenery makes any notification feel irrelevant. Trails, waterfalls, and unforgettable sunsets await.
Iceland
If you want to feel like you’ve landed on another planet, Iceland delivers exactly that.
Glaciers, volcanoes, hot springs, and the northern lights—all without needing to be online.
Many rural areas don’t even have cell coverage, so the detox happens naturally.
Blue Ridge Mountains, North Carolina
A perfect hideaway for nature and silence lovers. Spend your days exploring trails, having picnics, and enjoying the sound of birds.
The best part? It’s easy to find cabins and chalets designed to encourage offline living.
Bhután
A country that measures its “gross national happiness” is already an invitation to rethink priorities.
Between centuries-old monasteries and jaw-dropping landscapes, you’ll hardly miss your Instagram feed.
U.S. National Parks
Yosemite, Yellowstone, Zion… the list is long, but they all share something in common: vast areas without cell service, which makes it easier to immerse yourself in the experience.
Each trail or panoramic view will remind you how nature knows exactly how to impress.
Bali, Indonesia
Although it’s famous among influencers, Bali also offers incredible retreats where digital takes a back seat.
Yoga getaways, hidden beaches, and endless green rice fields help you slow down to the pace a detox requires.
What to Pack to Make the Most of It
- A good book (or two) — for slow reading while you relax by the beach or pool.
- Notebook and pen — to jot down thoughts, reflections, and even sketch ideas.
- Paper map — so you don’t have to rely on digital navigation
- Film or instant camera — to capture moments without the temptation of checking notifications.
How to Stay Safe While Disconnected
Like it or not, our phones carry our lives—and you don’t have to abandon them completely.
You’ll still need your phone to access banking services or handle life outside the trip.
You’ll also need it for route planning and to occasionally let your family know you’re alive, right?
The goal is to use it as little as possible—but always keep it handy for emergencies.
Benefits That Last Beyond the Trip
The coolest part about a digital detox is that it doesn’t end when you get home.
Many people say that after the experience, they use their phones less, sleep better, and feel more present in their interactions with friends and family.
And If I Can’t Go Completely Offline?
That’s fine! This isn’t a competition. The goal is to reduce digital distractions as much as possible—but if you need to use your phone to check a map or make a call, it’s no big deal.
Little by little, you’ll realize you don’t need to capture everything or respond to messages instantly. And that feeling of lightness? It’s priceless.
