Can Physicians Ever Switch Off? Five Places to Disconnect

For many physicians, the possibility of responding to a medical emergency does not end when the workday is over. Whether boarding a flight, attending a concert, or taking a long-awaited vacation, the familiar question, “Is there a doctor in the house?” can arise at any time. Some destinations, however, offer a greater chance to truly disconnect. For example, remote islands, sparsely populated regions, and secluded natural retreats are among the places where the likelihood of being called upon in a medical emergency is relatively low, allowing physicians to unwind, recharge, and enjoy a degree of anonymity. The following five destinations — one on each continent — combine breathtaking landscapes with the rare opportunity for physicians to truly disconnect, where the only pulse they’re likely to notice is their own. The Faroe Islands: A Remote Escape in the North Atlantic The Faroe Islands, a remote volcanic archipelago of 18 islands in the North Atlantic between Iceland, Norway, and the UK, offer one of Europe’s most remote escapes, surrounded by hundreds of kilometers of open ocean. The island features sheer sea cliffs, rolling green mountains, and iconic waterfalls that plunge directly into the ocean. The landscape is ideal for hiking along old sheep paths, watching puffins on coastal rocks, and spotting whales in the surrounding waters. Stunning small villages with traditional turf-roofed houses welcome visitors with a strong sense of community, offering a slower pace of life amid fjords, mountains, and remarkable tranquility. Bhutan: A Retreat in the Himalayas In Bhutan, nestled in the Himalayas between India and China, the sense of disconnection is both physical and mental. The country measures its progress through Gross National Happiness rather than gross domestic product, a philosophy reflected in its slower pace of life and the close relationship between its people and the natural environment. Here, disconnecting does not mean getting lost; it means stepping away from the demands of everyday life. Bhutan is known for its mist-covered mountains, dense forests — making it one of the world’s greenest countries — and crystal clear rivers. The country’s peaceful, spiritual atmosphere is deeply influenced by Buddhism. Prayer flags, monasteries, and stupas are woven into everyday life, creating an atmosphere of tranquility and reverence. The presence of monks reinforces the close connection between spirituality and nature. Bhutan’s long-standing isolation has helped preserve its traditions and cultural identity while supporting a development model that limits tourism and prioritizes environmental conservation. It is a destination where an unhurried pace of life allows the outside world to fade into the background. Botswana: A Journey Into Southern Africa Polish journalist Ryszard Kapuściński once wrote that anyone who sets foot in Africa is marked by the experience and eventually returns. From the Sahara Desert and the Congo rainforest to the Okavango Delta, the continent offers extraordinary landscapes unlike anywhere else in the world. Within this rich tapestry, Botswana remains one of Africa’s best-preserved destinations. The landlocked country borders Namibia, South Africa, and Zimbabwe and lies just south of Zambia. The Kalahari Desert, home to the San people, exists alongside the Okavango Delta and Chobe National Park, which is renowned for supporting one of Africa’s largest elephant populations. Botswana is also home to the “Big Five” — elephant, lion, leopard, rhinoceros, and African buffalo — the iconic wildlife that draws visitors from around the world. In Botswana, anonymity comes naturally amid the vast wilderness. Nature and wildlife take center stage. Alaska: North America’s Last Great Wilderness Alaska does not invite visitors to turn their backs on the world. Instead, it invites them to lose their sense of scale, making them feel like tiny specks within its vast landscapes. Located in the far northwest of North America, Alaska is one of the planet’s last great wildernesses. Although it is part of the US, it is separated from the contiguous US by Canada and retains a sense of remoteness that makes it an ideal destination for unwinding. As summer arrives and the ice recedes, glaciers flow toward the sea, while mountains, boreal forests, lakes, and tundra come alive. Summer is the best time to explore places such as Denali National Park and Kenai Fjords National Park, where glaciers, the ocean, and mountains converge in a single landscape. It is also the ideal season for spotting wildlife, including bears catching salmon, moose, bald eagles, humpback whales, orcas, seals, and puffins. Rotorua: New Zealand’s Geothermal Heart Rotorua encourages visitors to connect with a world shaped by the Earth’s ancient geothermal forces. In Rotorua, silence does not mean complete stillness. Instead, it is accompanied by the constant hiss of steam, bubbling mud pools, and heat rising from beneath the earth. Rotorua is one of the world’s best-known geothermal regions. Erupting geysers, bubbling mud pools, steaming fumaroles, and natural hot springs shape the landscape. Equally distinctive is the region’s rich Māori cultural heritage, reflected in its traditional villages, intricate wood carvings, cultural performances, ceremonies, and experiences such as hāngī — the traditional Māori method of cooking food underground using geothermal heat. Beyond its geothermal landscape, the region is also home to lakes, forests, and scenic trails, from Lake Rotorua to the walking and cycling paths that wind through the towering California redwoods of Whakarewarewa Forest. Visitors can kayak, hike, cycle, or simply pause to watch the landscape change from moment to moment.