5 blissful off-the-grid getaways

Galloping over bare desert hills or dining by candlelight beside a mystical Arizona Creek are both sure-fire ways to leave your daily stresses behind.

So visit these remote, off-the-grid destinations to effectively disconnect from the modern world and enjoy a revitalizing getaway.

The Gobi Desert, Mongolia

Mongolia is one of the most sparsely populated countries in the world, with only 4.3 people per square mile; combined with the vast openness of the harsh terrain, you can’t get much more off the grid than here. The Gobi Desert stretches across the south, while most of the country spans a plateau elevated over 1,000 metres above sea level. Take a camel trek across the desert steppes (seemingly endless grasslands) and 30-metre-high sand dunes. Or explore on horseback (horses outnumber humans in Mongolia), galloping over bare desert hills, waist-high swaying grass, through canyons and along red-rock cliffs. The Mongol people are one of the world’s oldest and last surviving nomadic cultures, herding livestock as they navigate the land in search of better pastures, and living in traditional tents known as gers. For the ultimate Mongolian travel experience, set up camp at My Mongolia Eco Ger, and gather around the fire after dark for possibly the world’s best stargazing.

Arizona, USA

It’s easy to unplug and reconnect with nature in a desert landscape as mystical and still as in Arizona. The town of Sedona is known for its spiritual vortexes – swirling energy centres dotted around the red rock canyons and dusty, scorched plains – that aid healing and self-discovery. Harness this spiritual energy while staying at L’Auberge De Sedona, a divine spa retreat where the bedrooms have balconies just above the forest canopy in view of the mountains. You can also have an al fresco, candlelit dinner right beside Oak Creek, with a decking dining area built at the water’s edge.

Alaska, USA

If you really want to get away from it all, head out into the Alaskan wilderness. With glaciers, fjords, tundra plains and waterfalls thundering over glacially-carved cliffs, the grandeur of the scenery is astonishing. Though this state covers over a million square kilometres, there are only 500,000 permanent residents, so you’re likely to spot more wildlife than people. Take a guided tour through the Tongass National Park to see brown bears salmon fishing in the rivers, wolves, eagles and Sitka black-tailed deer. You can also catch a glimpse of humpback whales spouting columns of sea spray into the air, or go on a rafting or kayaking expedition for an adrenaline boost. Stay at Alaska’s Capital Inn B&B for proximity to glaciers, salmon rivers and the ancient Tongass Forest.

Somerset Village, Bermuda

A tiny island in the North Atlantic Ocean where the beaches are tinted pink by sand mixed with coral, Bermuda is an unusual place. Though it’s been embraced by the wealthy thanks to its tax haven status, it hasn’t attracted attention as a destination for the rich and famous. Thus, it’s still relatively untouristy and low-key and is mostly known for the local Bermuda shorts uniform and the mystery of the Bermuda Triangle. Flashy or fashionable hotels aren’t a thing here, nor are neon lights or advertising billboards (they’re banned), which feels strange in such a paradisiacal place but certainly refreshing. Stay just a one minute walk from the beach at Cambridge Beaches Resort and Spa.

Scottish Highlands, Scotland

Take to the Scottish Highlands to get off the grid, with beautiful, barren landscapes, rarely any phone signal and networks of peaceful hiking trails to follow around the glens (the Scottish word for valleys) and munros (mountains). In terms of a place to stay, Fonab Castle Hotel is escapism in the form of a turreted, sandstone fortress on the banks of Loch Faskally. Guests can walk along the water’s edge, hike to the nearest pub or just curl up by the fire in the hotel’s own Malt Whisky Bar. The decor is in keeping with its history as a hideaway for Scottish nobility, with tartan carpets, chandeliers and wood panelling. And for added relaxation, head to the spa with indoor pool, jacuzzi, sauna and luxury beauty treatments.