A 9-to-5 work week can be brutal. Deadlines, phone calls, notifications and alarms, never-ending email chains and countless cups of caffeine to keep up with it all. That’s just an average 40-hour work week.
What about the executives and entrepreneurs who add up to 20 additional hours to their schedule?
To make matters more complicated, a grueling schedule often means that workers are tied to their handheld devices and laptops—constantly plugged in to technological chatter.
Hard work deserves a serious vacation—one where you can unplug from technology and lose yourself in a euphoric surrounding, devoid of concrete buildings, conference tables and taxi cabs.
If the idea of this place is raising your eyebrow in curiosity, allow me to introduce you to a piece of heaven on earth.
Stashed away off the eastern coast of the Baja Peninsula is Loreto, Mexico, home of the Villa del Palmar, a luxury destination resort. The Islands of Loreto cater to everyone who wants to unplug from the whirlwind of cellphones or Macbooks chiming with Twitter notifications and calendar reminders.
In short, the islands of Loreto are a quiet-as-kept getaway spot that will force you to disconnect from the tech frenzy and reconnect with peace of mind and sense of self. Loreto literally disconnects your Wi-Fi signal. The islands are so remote that it’s almost impossible to plug in to technology unless you’re at the resort’s conference area.
No more Facebook idling. No more texts. In fact, the selfies of you on the island won’t even make it to Instagram. The award-winning destination (Travel Weekly) wants you to unplug and unwind—and they mean it.
Now, before you get nervous about losing a Wi-Fi signal for days, think about the scenery Loreto offers. The crystal blue water is surreal and the temperature is near perfect. The sand is supple. The air is clean—no faint smells of exhaust fumes, fast food or hot asphalt from miles of endless traffic.
In fact, the only thing that reminds you that you’re still on earth are the mountains, which seem to separate earth from sky. Loreto is the place that ushers you into tranquility and makes you reconsider going back home. The island boasts colorful wildlife, including hundreds of species of fish and endless square feet of land designed to tune in with the nature and tune out the distractions.
You’ll forget about the boardroom when you step out on your balcony overlooking the beach and breathtaking views.
The Islands of Loreto and the Villa del Palmar go beyond the iconic sombrero and green, white and red Mexican flag.
In fact, Loreto is immersed in rich history, including the Mision de Loreto, the mission-style church constructed in 1697 and the second largest National Marine Park.
No longer does one have to watch a getaway commercial with envy.
Catch a few rounds of golf on the 7,400-yard Res Jones-designed Danzante Bay golf course. Pamper yourself at the Sabila Spa and Wellness Center with a state-of-the-art massage.
Give Facebook updates a rest and kick back at one of the five swimming pools on the resort. Party hard with the resort’s themed events occurring each night.
There’s a cocktail party with complimentary drinks and appetizers, Latin Night (with a mix of Latin-inspired flavors, music, colors and dance), Karaoke Night, Mexican Night (traditional Mexican dances, colors and cuisine), Danzante Disco (with music by the house DJ and cocktails) and Universe Night (with oldies but goodies and blast-from-the-past fun).
If your idea of a vacation is getting adventurous, then take a hike—literally. Grab a bottled water and go mountain biking or grab your waterproof camera and enjoy life down under with PADI-certified scuba diving lessons. Experience first-hand why Loreto has been deemed the “Aquarium of the World.”
There’s even more magic to this island, such as its ability to produce its own water and sustain it for at least three weeks.
The beauty of Loreto is that it’s a short plane ride from California’s LAX airport. Pack your bags and fill them with plenty of comfortable clothes and sunscreen, because you’re going to need it.
Originally appeared via my column on Commdiginews.
