Luxury travel is without a watch and internet. 10 places on Earth where you can turn on "monk mode"

I remember how every vacation spent in the countryside had something special about it. After two days, I stopped looking at my watch , I didn't check the news, I didn't even know what day of the week it was. The sun woke me up and I went to bed when the last streak of light was fading on the horizon. I didn't know then that this rhythm of life would one day become fashionable. But even then I felt that it was the only way to truly relax.

Today, this natural rhythm is returning as a desirable luxury . In an overstimulated world, more and more people are seeking to travel to places that offer the opposite: peace, quiet, isolation – and above all, life without a ticking clock .

Holidays without a watch – a new definition of wellness

Places that deliberately abandon the measurement of time are springing up all over the world – from monasteries in the Himalayas to ascetic communities in the USA .

At the luxurious Kamalaya Resort in Thailand, the daily schedule is set by the body, not the clock. At the Twin Oaks community in Virginia, residents live at their own pace and the needs of the community.

The same thing is happening in Europe – in Tuscany, the Alps and the Spanish hills, more and more places are popping up that are consciously giving up watches, screens and Wi-Fi. Guests often say that after a few days, they start sleeping better, eating more mindfully and experiencing a deep, previously unknown peace.

Why is it worth traveling to slow places?

From a psychological perspective, living without time pressure has very specific benefits. The level of cortisol – the stress hormone – drops, the mind calms down, and the body goes into regeneration mode. In such conditions, it is also easier to achieve the so-called flow state, or a state of complete immersion in the present moment.

What was once associated with monasteries is now becoming part of a luxury lifestyle. High-class travelers are no longer looking only for marble spas and lavish buffets. They increasingly want something that is hard to find: peace, quiet, true disconnection.

10 Places in the World Where You Can Relax

Considering current travel trends and the upcoming holiday season, I decided to ask ChatGPT to recommend 10 unique places in the world – perfect for a summer break , a deep reset and an escape from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. The results?

The top spot went to the exclusive NIHI Sumba resort in Indonesia, which has won numerous prestigious awards, including the title of the world's best hotel according to "Travel + Leisure". The resort combines comfort with local culture and social involvement through the Sumba Foundation.

Second place goes to the luxurious Tierra Patagonia Hotel, located on the edge of Torres del Paine National Park , a UNESCO World Heritage Site. The property blends harmoniously into the Patagonian landscape and offers panoramic views of the mountains, lakes and steppe. Guests can enjoy a wide range of trekking, guided tours and relax in the ecologically designed spa.

The podium is closed by a hotel located in the Italian Umbria. Eremito offers spiritual peace in the style of an old monastery – without internet, in minimalist rooms, with vegetarian cuisine and space for contemplation.

10 Places in the World Where You Can Relax - List

1. NIHI Sumba, Indonesia

2. Tierra Patagonia Hotel & Spa, Chile

3. Eremito, Umbria, Italy

4. Esalen Institute, Big Sur, USA

5. Holy Isle, Scotland

6. ÖÖD Mirror House, Estonia

7.Sidemen Valley, Bali

8. Uvita, Costa Rica

9. Blue Lagoon, Iceland

10. Wolgan Valley, Australia