Top 4 destinations for a digital detox vacation
From woodland escapes to wellness retreats, travel provides an opportunity to disconnect from technology and embrace the slow life. We’ve delved into Tripadvisor and NationMaster data to uncover the best digital detox destinations worldwide and have curated our specialists’ top experiences in each one.
Below, you’ll discover the best places to detox from technology based on various travel styles. You might choose to indulge in treatments at a spa hotel, head out on scenic hikes in the countryside, keep your mind engaged in creative workshops, or connect with nature in some of the world’s best national parks.
1. Thailand: best for spa & wellness
By Southeast Asia specialist Anna
Soothing pressure, gentle stretches, and deep breathing… Thailand’s signature massage is just one of the reasons the country has been hailed the wellness capital of Asia. Spa resorts are certainly not a rarity, but some stand out from the rest, helping you to fully embrace an offline vacation.
Wellness is a core value at Six Senses resorts across the globe, and there are two in Thailand, each with a setting that steals attention away from any digital device. Six Senses Yao Noi overlooks a classic Thai seascape, with limestone karsts piercing the water. Its hillside spa offers a full-day wellness program, which includes an herbal-infused massage, guided meditation, and a facial. Meanwhile, Six Senses Samui gazes across the glittering Gulf of Thailand, where you can enjoy Thai healing therapy and hot stone massages.
For a completely unplugged vacation experience, I suggest staying at Chiva-Som, near Hua Hin. You’ll meet with a health and wellness advisor when you arrive who’ll help design the stay around your personal wellbeing goals. Best of all, there’s a strict no-digital devices policy in all public spaces, so you can take full advantage of a digital detox.
2. Italy
By Europe specialist Shannon
From gentle hill walks past verdant vineyards to steep inclines up serrated peaks, Italy has scenic trails to suit both avid hikers and those who want to experience the great outdoors at a more leisurely pace. You could walk through the rolling countryside in Tuscany or take in views of the sparkling waters from Ischia’s lofty trails. Home to the Dolomites, Cinque Terre, and the Path of Gods, the country isn’t short of wish-list hikes, either.
Rather than relying on apps to help you stay on course, I suggest heading out with a private guide. They’ll take you to the best trails and the quieter corners where few people go, tailoring the route to your interests, abilities, and tastes — quite literally. As you walk, you might stop off for gelato, wine tasting, or a hearty Italian lunch.
Where you stay also has a bearing on the success of your digital detox, so I’ll find places that immerse you in nature and keep you away from your phone. You might choose to stay in a peaceful hilltop maisonette overlooking the Tuscan countryside, or an alpine property with in-room yoga mats and views across the jagged Dolomites. Elsewhere, there are farmhouses, villas, and spa resorts, each with their own approach to enjoying la dolce vita away from your phone.
3. Japan: best for workshops & classes
By Japan specialist Clio
Spending time away from digital devices can spark your creativity, and there’s no better place for hands-on workshops and classes than Japan. With a rich history of crafts and cuisine, you can escape the distraction of technology in both cities and rural areas by connecting with local experts.
You could try woodblock printing in Tokyo, mochi making on a farm near Lake Biwa, or a traditional obanzai cooking class in Kyoto, which focuses on locally grown, seasonal produce. Though, I think one of the best ways to unwind and go offline on your vacation is by joining a calligraphy class. Led by a sensei, you’ll reconnect with the art of putting ink to paper as you learn how to form intricate kanji characters on washi (traditional paper). The process is slow and meditative — you’ll grind your own ink and select from an array of brushes before creating your artwork.
I also recommend taking the train to Fukui, home to Eiheiji Temple, where you can learn all about Zen Buddhism at the neighboring Hakujukan lodging. Wake up to chanting at dawn, soak in the warm open-air baths, and refine your meditation skills in the peaceful temple setting.
4. Australia: best for national parks
By Australia specialist Lee
Not only does Australia have the most national parks of any country in the world, but it also protects a vast wealth of Aboriginal culture, wildlife, and ancient landscapes in and around them. Hiking is a given, but there are many other ways to explore Australia’s parks that also help you break free from technology.
In Ningaloo Reef, just off Cape Range National Park, you could swim in coral-dotted waters with whale sharks, turtles, and manta rays. In Kakadu National Park, Aboriginal guides and artists will share the land’s culture, storied history, and ecological richness on a cruise along the forest-fringed East Alligator River. Freycinet National Park boasts night skies so clear you can spend hours staring up at the twinkling constellations, while the rainforests of Blue Mountains National Park are rich with birdlife.
Wherever you choose to focus your time, I can help you pick stays that further nurture your digital detox. Sal Salis is a safari-style tented camp on the water’s edge of Ningaloo Reef. It offers luxury without modern appliances, helping you to stay connected with nature. Spicers Sangoma Retreat is tucked in the foothills of the Blue Mountains, with a serene spa and cuisine inspired by local produce. There are also rainforest eco-lodges, bushland cabins, and luxury beachfront hotels, so your time away from technology will always align with your tastes.