It’s hard to remember a time before digital devices. It feels like a majority of people have a laptop, tablet, smartphone, or some other digital device they rely on a lot.
Sometimes this dependence on digital devices can be excessive, though. If you spend too much time with your digital devices, you could easily lose touch with reality.
When you’re traveling, it’s vital to disconnect from your digital devices. It would be a waste to spend the majority of your time buried in your phone or computer. However, it can be hard to break away from devices, especially if you heavily rely on them.
One solution is to find activities that don’t rely on using your digital devices or require minimal use. Let’s go over five travel activities to help get you away from your digital devices.
Hiking
Hiking is a fantastic activity if you want to get away from digital devices. It’s a great way to explore nature and get some exercise.
You can go hiking by yourself or with a group of people. Either way, it’s an opportunity to enjoy the world around you.
A few hiking trails you might want to have on your radar include:
Kalalau Trail
The Kalalau trail is located in Kauai, Hawaii, and offers stunning views of the island.
The Pacific Crest Trail
This trail goes from California to Washington and is 2,653 miles long.
The John Muir Trail
The John Muir trail is found in California and is 211 miles long.
There are also plenty of shorter trails all around the world.
One thing to keep in mind when hiking is to be aware of your surroundings. If you’re using your phone, you might not notice if there’s a wild animal nearby or if the weather conditions are changing.
Biking
Like hiking, biking is another excellent activity if you want to get away from your digital devices. Biking is a great workout and can be a fun way to explore a new place.
There are different types of biking you can do. For example, you could go mountain biking, which is biking on trails or off-road. Or, you could go road biking, which is biking on paved roads.
Some great places to go biking include:
The Alps
The Alps are a great place for mountain biking. There are trails of all difficulty levels, so you can find one that’s perfect for you.
The Adirondacks
The Adirondacks are located in New York and offer many different biking trails.
The Great Smoky Mountains
The Great Smoky Mountains are located in Tennessee and North Carolina. They have over 800 miles of biking trails.
Before you go biking, it’s important to know your skill level and choose a trail or route that’s appropriate for you. It’s also important to wear the proper safety gear, such as a helmet.
Depending on the type of biking you do, you might need different equipment. For example, mountain biking requires a more durable bike than road biking.
Sightseeing tours
If you’re looking to explore a new place, a great way to do it is by taking a sightseeing tour. There are many different types of sightseeing tours. For example, you could take a walking tour, a bus tour, or even a boat tour.
Now, this activity may involve using your phone to take pictures, but odds are you’ll want to take in the new sights you’re seeing and not want to engage too much with your phones. Alternatively, you could also use a portable camera if you don’t want to be distracted by your phone.
There are tons of great places to take a sightseeing tour. Some popular ones include:
Rome, Italy
Rome is a historic city with plenty of sights to see. A walking tour is a great way to explore all the different areas of the city.
The Grand Canyon
The Grand Canyon is located in Arizona and is one of the seven natural wonders of the world. A bus tour is a great way to see all the different parts of the canyon.
The Great Wall of China
The Great Wall of China is one of the most iconic structures in the world. There are many different sections of the wall you can visit. A boat tour is a great way to see the wall from a different perspective.
Before you go on a sightseeing tour, it’s important to research the different options and choose one that’s right for you. For example, if you’re not comfortable walking long distances, a walking tour might not be the best option for you.
Hot air balloon rides
Hot air balloon rides are a great way to see the world from a different perspective. These rides can be calm, relaxing, exciting, and exhilarating. It all depends on your preference.
Similar to sightseeing tours, you may want to opt to use a portable camera to take pictures instead of using your phone. You will also spend more time taking in the sights than using your phone.
Several great places to go hot air ballooning include:
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Albuquerque is home to the annual International Balloon Fiesta, the largest hot air balloon festival in the world.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Cappadocia is an old region in Turkey. It’s known for its unique landscape, which is full of cliffs, valleys, and mountains.
Sossusvlei, Namibia
Sossusvlei is a desert area in Namibia. It’s home to some of the tallest sand dunes in the world.
Hot air balloon rides are typically safe, but it’s still essential to follow hot air balloon safety precautions. For example, you shouldn’t take a hot air balloon ride if the weather is rainy or windy.
Snorkeling or Scuba Diving
Snorkeling and scuba diving are both great ways to explore the underwater world. These activities are ideal for getting away from your digital devices, as it’s pretty hard to use them when underwater.
Scuba diving has a barrier to entry. If you want to go scuba diving, you’ll need to get certified. This process can take some time.
Snorkeling is generally easier than scuba diving and doesn’t require any certification. However, it’s still important to be aware of your surroundings and follow the safety guidelines.
Some great places you might want to go snorkeling or scuba diving include:
The Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is located in Australia and is the world’s largest coral reef. It’s a great place to see colorful fish and other marine life.
Fiji
Fiji is an island country in the Pacific Ocean. It’s home to many different kinds of coral and fish.
Hawaii
Hawaii is a great place for both snorkeling and scuba diving. There are many different reefs and beaches to explore.
When snorkeling or scuba diving, it’s important to be aware of potential dangers. For example, you should always be aware of dangerous marine life, such as sharks. You should also be careful not to touch anything you’re unfamiliar with, as some marine life can be poisonous.
Final thoughts
There are many great ways to take a digital detox and explore the world. It’s crucial to find an activity that’s right for you. The nice part is some of these activities might be possible to do outside of traveling. For instance, biking is an option in many residential neighborhoods.
Remember, even if you h theseave to use a digital device when traveling, you probably don’t have to use it excessively. You can still put it down and enjoy the moment.
