Silver Island, Greece
If you're coming to Silver Island, you're coming for the yoga retreat. And if you're coming for the yoga retreat, you're abiding by their rules. That means nothing comes to the island that doesn't already belong here unless it's been approved by the island's stewards. You don't even get to bring soaps or shampoos—environmentally-friendly ones are provided. You're certainly not allowed to bring your phone. The goal is to inspire you to appreciate the island's natural beauty and to spend more time actually meditating.
(image via Instagram)
Maui, Hawai'i
If you want to get away from it all but you still want some creature comforts, the Travaasa Hana may be the perfect solution. This hotel promises "the real Hawaii," and it certainly offers all of the relaxation with none of the distraction. Offerings include horseback riding, tandem gliding, pole fishing, pilates, and lessons in cocktail making. Luxurious spa treatments will help you recharge for the next big thing you tackle among the scenery. Travaasa also offers a "phone hotel" to make sure you truly unplug.
(image via Flickr)
Mexico
Lacandón is home to what is believe to be the last uncontacted group of people in North America They have allowed linguists and photographers in, but they don't seem particularly interested in joining the global society. It may be for the best. Zapatistas aside, most who come into contact with the Lacandón people express admiration for their careful respect for nature and for each other.
(image via Instagram)
Florida Keys, Florida
Posh meets rustic in unique ways here on Little Palm Island. The resort is located on a private island that can only be reached by seaplane or boat from Little Torch Key. The bungalows are beautiful, well-lit affairs with British Colonial touches, but you will find that a television is absent. Any phone you may come across connects only to the front desk. Wi-Fi is only available in the Great Room, and while it is free, you'll probably be too busy with snorkeling and kiteboarding lessons to use it.
(image via Flickr)
China
Considered by many to be the most remote place in the world, there are many reasons you'll unplug once you get here. Firstly, the place is so vast and beautiful that you'll be too busy gawking at the scenery. The other is that every time China tries to build any kind of infrastructure here, the earth itself seems to move against them. Mudslides and avalanches have blocked attempts to connect this region with the world, at least as far as communications technology goes.
(image via Instagram)
Costa Rica
Finca Bellavista is one of our favorite places in the world to stay in a treehouse, but it's far from being a resort. Finca Bellavista is a collection of treehouses in the Costa Rican rainforest where a community of people live on the edge of civilization and work to preserve the mountains and rainforests. There aren't a ton of amenities—these people have elected to lead a relatively simple life. Accommodations actually involve sharing the homes of the residents. Part of the fun here is seeing the rivers, waterfalls, rainforest, and wildlife, all while being more or less forced to unplug.
(image via Instagram)
South Africa
Limpopo is the northernmost province of South Africa. The area is relatively rural, and the residents have used that to their advantage. This is a wonderful place to see wildlife. Rehabilitation centers and endangered species nature reserves are everywhere, offering you a chance to see creatures that you don't come across every day, like cheetahs, monkeys, and maybe the odd hippo.
(image via Flickr)
Wyoming
Of course, if you want to see wildlife you don't have to go all the way to Africa. Yellowstone National Park is right here in America, and it's full of the wildlife and scenery that make America unique. Old Faithful is here, of course, along with less-dramatic hot springs, and all sorts of wolves, elk, bison, and more. There's no better way to disconnect than to go to the middle of nowhere, and you'd be hard-pressed to find a more majestic "nowhere" than this.
(image via Flickr)
Tucson, Arizona
Tanque Verde Ranch is located in the Arizona desert, near Tucson. Part dude ranch, part resort, Tanque Verde focuses on the simple life—though not necessarily a slow one. It offers traditional resort experiences like a spa, swimming pool, and hiking opportunities, but there's also horse riding for all experience levels, as well as team penning. From "Desert Garden" to "Mountain Vista," lodging is located in groups across the 6,000-acre ranch, but you won't find TVs. In fact, if you request the staff to do so, they'll turn off the Wi-Fi in your room.
(image via Flickr)
This is probably the most extreme version of "getting away from it all" possible. The ice and snow of Antarctica are something to behold, and, of course, the Aurora Australis is breathtaking if you go at the right time of year. The one mitigating factor is that you will more than likely be on a cruise, so there will still be people around. On the other hand, if there's anywhere left in the world where you won't get a cell signal, this is probably it.
(image via Flickr)
