Silent travel: life-changing or just another wellness fad?

Silence is hard to come by, especially if you live in the city. Whether it’s the thumping, thumping bass coming from your neighbor’s speaker or another catfight howling outside your window, finding a moment of peace and quiet often seems out of reach. Even when you find yourself in an unexpected moment of silence, it’s tempting to fill the void with the latest episode of your favorite podcast. But what if you’re looking to escape these distractions? Enter the silent journey.

Recent years have seen an explosion of secluded retreats, offering guests the chance to completely cut themselves off from the outside world. The benefits seem enticing: reduced stress levels, improved concentration and better sleep are among the many potential draws. In a world where a TikTok trend encouraging “quiet walking” (or walking around without headphones while paying attention to your surroundings) went viral late last year, it’s beginning to see why these retreats are booming .