I may dream of disconnecting from all things electronic, but fly into a panic when wifi goes down or more frequently, can’t find my phone. And I know I’m not alone.

But there’s a persistent fantasy that I will one day deliberately land in some remote (and beautiful) location where there is no wifi, no television, no internet–and no clocks. I would be with my soulmate and days could be spent exploring terrain, foods, customs, each other, and a different rhythm of life. We would have no problem disconnecting from the noise of modern existence.

Imagine falling to sleep at night under all the stars that are lost to city lights and pollution. That is disconnecting of a different kind.

This idea came up last week as I was pondering remote possibilities for an off-the-grid vacation–where only light bulbs and fans would be acceptable. Theoretically speaking.  I imagined that a remote oil rig somewhere might be interesting (for one night), but knew there had to be more suitable destinations.

But the idea did get me to thinking about off-the-electronic-grid vacations,  where one (or two) might unplug, rewind and reset.  Listed below are just a few of the possibilities I found:

Punta Placer, Oaxaca, Mexico

Forget about cell phones ringing at Punta Placer. Stay in a   beachfront  and palm covered bungalow just outside the tiny seaside   fishing village of San Agustinillo on the southern Pacific coast. You’ll   find no television and the luxury of air conditioning comes from ocean breezes. No boredom here, though. You can swim with protected sea turtles, hike through the Oaxaca rain forest and even melt under skilled hands with an aromatherapy massage. While not a 5-star resort, you will enjoy home-cooked Mexican food, rustling coconut trees, a margarita or two, deck chairs,  and some spectacular sunsets. Clocks and watches optional.

Amankora, Bhutan

Imagine, by whatever means necessary, you land in remote Bhutan between India and the remote Tibetan Plateau. You might not expect to find a luxury resort, where you can totally unplug and get away from all of life’s noise. Imagine meditating in a 7th century Buddhist monastery or climbing, even part way, up Himalayan mountains that peak at 22,000 feet. You might also want to try archery or white water rafting through deep river valleys surrounded by blue pines and ending the day relaxing in the hotel spa’s steam room

There are several fine resorts and hotels in this last remaining Buddhist kingdom of Bhutan. Unplugging should be easy. Watches and clocks are irrelevant.

Ultima Thule Lodge, Chitina, Alaska

Want to get really serious about disconnecting from the world as we know it? If so, you will need to hop on a bush plane to get to Ultima Thule Lodge in remote Alaska, because the nearest road is 100 miles away.

The beautiful log-sided lodge sits next to the 13 million-acre Wrangell-St. Elias National Park–the largest protected land mass on earth– and is completely out of cell phone range. There is, however, a single computer in the lodge with a dial up modem that we might want to try just for nostalgia’s sake. Remember the sound?

Reviews for this surprisingly luxurious lodge are amazing. “The most amazing place you will ever visit,” says TripAdvisor. One of “the Best Wilderness lodges,” says Mens Journal and a “once in a lifetime” adventure  according to Travel & Leisure Magazine. The hiking description from Ultima Thule Lodge website is pretty exciting:

Glacial runoff thunders down from the mountain in a massive waterfall. Vast clouds of vapor glitter in the sunlight. You watch as the glacier calves a huge, jagged shard of ice, and it drops down into the valley below, crashing into the Chitina river.

Behind you, the two-seater Piper Super Cub waits silently, it’s steel propeller glinting in the sun, it’s massive, rubbery bush-wheels perfectly suited for a landing at the top of the world.

Oh, and did I mention Northern Lights? They see them here. And given the very remote location, a watch might come in handy.

Little Palm Island Resort & Spa, Key West, Florida

This is another resort that will require boat, helicopter or sea plane for arrival. A perfect setting for Gilligan’s Island, this remote key has white sandy beaches, lots of iguanas and a multitude of colorful fish species that might be seen while snorkeling while snorkeling at nearby Dive Looe Key National Marine Sanctuary.

The thatched bungalow rooms at this treasured resort have no telephones, televisions or alarm clocks (and no guests under the age of 16). They do, however, have chilled champagne awaiting your arrival. I explored booking a room for most any period this summer and found no vacancy. And given that Little Palm Island Resort and Spa has long been a favorite getaway for high profile celebrities, presidents and savvy travelers. The wise traveler, however, would be smart to book well in advance–and the unwise one during hurricane season.

The resort offers gourmet dining (both in room and in restaurant), a world class spa and guest lodging that entices one to stay more than a single night. From their website:

Our thirty Florida Keys suites, nestled two apiece in thatched-roof bungalows, are so silent and peaceful, it’s like you’re living alone in the lap of luxury.  Island Escape Suite, Island Elegance Suite, Island Romance Suite and Island Grand Suite guest quarters are housed in thatched roof bungalows, with custom-made king-sized beds with romantic butterfly netting, so plush some guests never want to leave.

I confess to never having visited the Florida Keys, but a reservation and disconnecting at this resort could lure me there from San Diego!

In conclusion….

This is a topic I will likely keep exploring. There is a secret terror lurking inside me that fears being unconnected. There is also part of my soul, though, that wants nothing more than to bury the phone, ipad, and laptop for a week to test my survival skills. And that is challenge enough!

Do you have any off-the-grid vacation suggestions?

The post The Luxury of Disconnecting appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

Investors are moving back into the San Diego real estate market with impatient wallets. And luxury real estate investors are no exception.

They are seeking well-priced foreclosures, pre-negotiated short sales and most favored of all: Real estate investments with income streams.

So-called bargains in sub-marginal areas may not be the wisest real estate investment move anywhere. Perceived bargains in outlying markets may be nothing of the sort, and we persistently advise our clients to stay with blue chip real estate investments especially in volatile economic times.

We just received a whisper from La Costa Resort and Spa in balmy Carlsbad, California that buyers of their Villas will receive up to $125,000 at closing for leasing their properties back to them for two years. And of course, there is always the option of using their condos too.

This is a very limited offer, as only 10 La Costa Resort Villas whole-ownership, luxury condominiums remain. Each is fully furnished (just pack a toothbrush) with designer decor and high-end amenities throughout, and is located on the grounds of the world-class La Costa Resort and Spa.

Low out-of-pocket expenses enable resort ownership for minimal cost.

One-bedroom luxury condos start at $594,825, while two-bedroom units list for up to $1,033,000. With 75% financing, buyers can claim ownership with considerably low out-of-pocket expenses of up to $125,000. Plus, La Costa management will also waive monthly fees for two years to save La Costa Villa buyers even more.

A bonus of complimentary Villas Signature La Costa Sports Membership, valued at $16,500, is also included.

If you are interested in this exceptional value, please call Mike or Roberta Murphy for additional information at 760-402-9101 or 760-402-9102. We are including some luxury spa treatments for our buyers as well.

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by Roberta Murphy

More and more people from around the world are choosing to spend at least part of their lives in coastal Costa Rica–and more than a few decide there just might be no better place to spend the rest of their lives.

Why?

1. A warm climate, beaches, mountains, jungles–and breathtaking biodiversity. The people and government of Costa Rica are committed to preserving Costa Rica’s clean air, beautiful beaches and precious flora and fauna.

2. Costa Rica has one of the oldest and most stable democratic governments in the Americas. In fact, this peace loving nation has twice won the Nobel Prize for its peacekeeping efforts.

3. Costa Rica is a peaceful nation and has no standing army; it was disbanded in 1949.

4. The people are generally fond of foreigners and welcome them to Costa Rica. American’s included.

5. The cost of living is very reasonable–especially once one owns a home in Costa Rica. Taxes on a $500,000 home, for example, may run only $500 per year.

6. Good medical and dental care is not only widely available, but are also very reasonable. Many travel here for cosmetic procedures that cost a fraction of what might be charged in Europe or the U.S. And what a lovely place in which to recover!

7. Costa Rica has a highly educated population. The government currently spends around 27 percent of its budget on education. The literacy rate in Costa Rica is at 93 percent.

8. Costa Rica is only about the size of West Virginia, but has wonderful coastlines with 132 miles along the Atlantic, and 631 miles of prime Pacific beaches (especially in Guanacaste) and coastline. The interior is graced with farmland, mountains and jungles.

The reason for my recent keen interest in Costa Rica is that we will have been selected to help represent the Azulera developers in the sale of the long-awaited and luxurious Hyatt condos and resort village that are being developed along the breathtaking Guanacaste coast.

But details of that venture will come–sooner rather than later. Say tuned!

The post Dreaming of Costa Rica Luxury Real Estate…. appeared first on Luxury Home Digest.

I have staked out early mornings as time for myself and dedicated it to yoga at the Chopra Center in Carlsbad.

No real estate clients, no family, no phones, no intrusions. That slice of time belongs to me. Six mornings a week, in the cool, quiet hours before dawn, I arise, shower and head down the hill to the La Costa Resort and Spa for an hour or so of yoga and meditation. It is more than the ritual; it is the place.

Behind La Costas gated entry is the healing and energizing haven that has become dear to my heart: The Chopra Center. Seven days a week, the center holds early morning yoga and meditiation classes that are also repeated as evening classes certain days of the week.

In addition to a menu of treatments, the center also dedicates about three weeks of each month to their Perfect Health program. Designed by Deepak Chopra MD and David Simon, MD, this weeklong program is keyed to individual needs and includes:

• Primordial Sound Meditation
• Daily yoga classes
• Daily Group Meditation
• Customized Ayurvedic massage treatments
• Nutritional plans and guidance
• Panchakarma Detox and cleansing therapies
• Mind-Body medical consultation
• To to rest, rejuvenate and be a friend to your Self.
• Grounding, a more recent addition to their menu for health.

I have had the opportunity to meet a number of Perfect Health participants. Most said the experience was one of the most powerful ones of their lives. One dentist said it was the best thing he had ever done for himself. Another woman said it had saved her from an unwanted surgery.

Other participants here come for training and certification so that they, too, can guide others to a more perfect health.

All are well-loved programs!

For additional information, visit the Chopra website or call 888 736 6895.

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