Offline is the New Luxury
Remember the days when not having Wifi at an accommodation or destination was a downside? Those days are no more, my friends.
Today we are actively seeking holidays and retreats where we can truly disconnect from the world, where we don’t need to check our email, Facebook, Instagram, X, Slack, Teams….well, you get the point.
Going offline is a chance to finally, truly, be present, to unwind, disconnect, and launch ourselves into the real adventure of life, not a facsimile viewed through a black mirror.
You might as well leave your cellphone at home when booking one of these getaways, because it will be of as much use as a paperweight.
Tiny Cabin in the Wild
What if you could spend a couple of days surrounded by towering trees and adjacent to a pristine lake, but still be catered to at the end of the day? In Haliburton Highlands, Winterdance offers a three-day, two-night guided hike to remote cabins (seasonal) tucked into backwoods of Haliburton Highlands, while taking care of all your meals. Sleep in a cozy tiny cabin by night and then explore hundreds of acres of wilderness by day.
Put Down the Phone:
Adventure is at your fingertips with this experience! Explore the area on foot or paddle the nearby lake by canoe.
Pine Brae Forest Retreat
Deep in the wilds of Lanark County you’ll find two remote and minimalist cabins tucked away on a 100-acre parcel of rolling highland terrain. Pine Brae Eco Resort’s cabins offer stunning views of the rugged countryside and are accessed by a hiking trail, to give you more bang for your nature buck. These folks don’t offer any wifi and you won’t find much cellular service here either! This is the perfect forced disconnect for those of us who may struggle going offline voluntarily.
Put Down the Phone:
Make the short drive to Murphys Point Provincial Park for hiking, cycling, or swimming on Otty Lake. Stop for a bite to eat at CC’s on the Rideau in Rideau Ferry.
Remote and Off-Grid
Algonquin Eco-Lodge is a winner of the Ontario Tourism Sustainable Tourism Award and is 100 per cent off-grid, thanks to their micro-hydro system. With a location nestled in the wilds of Haliburton Highlands, the lodge is in Algonquin Park territory, with all the beauty that area provides. You can walk, cycle or ski to the lodge from your vehicle, and you really can’t get much more remote than this!
Put Down the Phone:
Lounge in their carbon neutral hot tub and wood-fired sauna outdoors in the wilds of Algonquin.
Soak Up the Sun Bed and Breakfast
The incredible part of staying in the Pine Studio Waterfront Cottage at Sunny Rock Bed and Breakfast is that it allows you privacy in your own space, while still giving you the chance to connect with your welcoming hosts. Be sure to ask about their wifi detox, then pack a book and let the beauty of #MyHaliburtonHighlands inspire your creative side and take you far away from it all.
Put the Phone Down:
Leave your phone behind for a day trip to either Minden or Haliburton and experience small town charm without feeling the urge to preserve it in photos.
Rugged and Remote in the Ottawa Valley
Immersion in nature starts as soon as you arrive at Deacon Escarpment. Park the car and hit the trail to wander your way to your own secluded cabin (transportation is available if a hike isn’t your thing), watch the sun set and the moon rise over Golden Lake, and snuggle up in front of your propane fireplace. There is cellular service here, but no wifi.
Put Down the Phone:
You won't be bored here as you explore 30-kilometres of trails and experience a temperate forest featuring an oak savanah, ponds, and marshes.
Tiny and Cozy
Tuck into one of Cabinscape's remote, tiny cabins and you will feel like you're a world away from it all, with nothing but beautiful, rugged landscapes to fill your sights. The remoteness of these cozy tiny cabins makes the likelihood of having fabulous reception pretty slim but you won’t miss scrolling through Instagram while you’re gazing on Instagrammable views from your deck.
With 20 cabins found in stunning beautiful wild places in Haliburton Highlands, Lanark County, and Calabogie, you can choose your very own wilderness adventure.
Put Down the Phone:
Build a bonfire in the outdoor firepit and watch the stars appear one by one to experience a night sky whose blackness will put your phone screen to shame.
