New Tour Company Bans Cellphones

How long could you bear to be apart from your cell phone?

If the answer is days or even weeks (gasp), then Off The Grid may be just the tour company for you.

The newly launched tour operator asks travelers to banish their cellphones, not even using them for photographs while on vacation, according to Associated Press.

"When you're somewhere new, there's a lot to soak up, a lot to see, a lot of cool, interesting people to meet. Your phone can distract you," Off The Grid founder Zach Beattie said, according to Associated Press.

The company's trips, which range from seven to ten days and visit such places as Portugal, Spain, Peru, Mexico and Croatia, are designed to be unplugged and social. Off The Grid's website proclaims "Disconnect from your phone and reconnect with the world" and invites travelers to join a group of "inspiring people for a transformational travel experience."

Off The Grid says it organizes offline trips so that participants can focus on being fully present in a vibrant city.

"Whether it's Lisbon, Prague, or Barcelona, every Off The Grid retreat is designed around our mission: unplug and explore. Join a wine tour, do some evening yoga, or take an afternoon to yourself," states the website. "A digital detox can be life-changing. You can write, read, and think without any distraction or disruption. In 10 days you'll notice improved focus, better sleep, and deeper conversation. You'll feel more connected to your work, your relationships, and yourself."

Don't you feel relaxed already just reading that?

If the mere thought of putting so much distance between yourself and your cell phone induces anxiety, however, not to fear. Off The Grid's ban is entirely voluntary. (Though who would want to be that one person on the trip sneaking a peek at their phone when it is so very frowned upon).

"We want it to be volunteer," Beattie told Associated Press. "We're not collecting phones and throwing them in a locked trunk. It's held by you but put in a pouch, and you state your intentions for the week," whether that's checking your social media once or twice a day or a total blackout."

Tour participants are also allowed to bring regular cameras, but even that may not be entirely necessary, as the company provides a photographer for each tour and once the trip ends, participants are able to use those photos for social media posting galore.

The big question is, can you make it through the trip and enjoy the unique moments it presents, without instantly having to share those moments on social media?

"I think it's interesting and challenging to say, 'Can I enjoy this moment without a camera? Can I soak up this memory and have it be part of me without instantly sharing with someone else in order for the moment to be real?'" Beattie said.

Tour prices range from $1,500 to $1,650 and include accommodations in hostels, some meals, ground transportation and at least three excursions and a handful of social events. Prices do not include airfare.

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