Digital Detox in the Ardennes: A lifetime without Screentime
Digital Detox in the Ardennes – How I simply forgot my phone in my holiday home
In a world where a screen is constantly glowing, a message popping up, or the next meeting is waiting, it feels almost radical to be unreachable for a while. And honestly, I'd just had enough. Enough of the endless scrolling, enough of the constant noise. So we booked a weekend in the Ardennes, in a holiday home in Xhoffraix – and my phone just stayed there. On the kitchen table. And that was a good thing.
Arriving is the first step
Xhoffraix is quietly nestled between forests and meadows. As soon as I arrived, I felt this soothing stillness – just a touch of wind in the trees and birdsong. No signal static, no text messages ringing. And I quickly realized: I didn't want to be online anymore.
I snuggled up on the sofa with a book while the fire crackled in the fireplace. Finally, reading again – properly reading. Not between appointments or while waiting for the next bus, but in a way that immerses you completely. Chapter after chapter. And suddenly, I was in the middle of it.
Walk, breathe, just be
Nature there has its own unique way of grounding you. The paths around Xhoffraix invite you to clear your head. No destination, no pace – just walk, look, breathe.
A real highlight was the hike around Burg Reinhardstein. The path there leads through enchanting forests, along a small river, until the castle suddenly rises from the trees. Almost surreally quiet – and yet so powerful. No noise, no hustle and bustle. Just forest, history, and the feeling of being far away.
It wasn't a spectacular tour. But that was precisely what made it so beautiful.
Offline and still everything there
Our vacation home had everything you could wish for: a sauna, a whirlpool with a view of the countryside, cozy rooms – pure comfort. Yes, there was Wi-Fi. But that didn't matter at all. I just didn't feel like being online.
My boyfriend brought his analog camera instead. No filters, no thousands of attempts at the "perfect shot." Just point, shoot, and move on. Now we're eagerly awaiting the developed pictures – very old-school. And somehow, that feels exactly right right now.
A slow day in Malmedy
We spent a day in Malmedy. It's not a huge town, but it's perfect for strolling and drinking coffee. We just went with the flow – no plan, no to-do list. Just a bit of city air and sunshine on our faces.
Before the weekend, we had picked up a few tips on Casapilot – deliberately beforehand, because screen time was taboo during the trip. That's how we discovered the restaurant La Charbonnade, where you grill directly at your table. Just from the description, it was a hit – and that's exactly what it was. Good food, a cozy atmosphere, a glass of wine... and just another really nice evening, offline.
Disconnected? Perfect!
By the way: In some areas around Xhoffraix, the reception was really bad. In the past, that would probably have annoyed me – but this time it was just right. No need to constantly check my phone. No updates, no stress. Just peace and quiet. And real time for ourselves.
Conclusion: This is what real relaxation feels like
Digital detox isn't a sacrifice. It's a gift. The Ardennes are the perfect place for it: quiet, green, cozy—but without having to give up anything.
I didn't miss anything. Quite the opposite: I felt what it was like to truly switch off. And when we finally left the house, my phone was still on the kitchen table.
Did I miss it? Not for a second.
Would I do it again? Absolutely.
Just do it. Switch off. And notice how good it feels.