American workers are not taking all of their vacation time. And when they do, they are not 100% off-the-clock because they are distracted by the gadgets and gizmos that connect them to the world that they have planned to leave behind. But, there is a new trend emerging to truly disconnect us from our working world: the unplugged vacation.
Believe it or not, an unplugged vacation does exist. Many resorts offer activities to help vacationers unwind such as yoga classes, outdoor activities, etc., and some take a step further by offering rooms with no phones, TV, and Wi-Fi. In fact, Google “unplugged vacation” and you’ll find a sizable list of websites that offer suggestions for best unplugged destinations. Some of these suggestions include:
- Anse Chastanet Beach, St. Lucia – No cable TV, no Wi-Fi
- St. Vincent and the Grenadines – Offers a “digital detox” package where vacationers are asked to relinquish their gadgets and gizmos at check-in
- Fairmont Kenauk at Le Château Montebello Resort, Quebec – Solar-powered cabins, plenty of outdoor activities including hiking, fishing, and canoeing, no cell service or land line
Weaning off the technology while you’re away from the office is challenging, but you’ll be a better thinker if you can go off the grid for a few days. For more recommended unplugged vacations, click here and here. 
Okay, so maybe I’m dating myself, but I can remember the days when flying was the last bastion of isolation. The one-to-five hour oasis from the computer, phone, email, texting and all other forms of communication (that is, except for shelling out $3 per minute on those antiquated sky phones, where you had to stretch the cord over your seatmate’s lap to make a crackly call).
