Looking for the ideal location for a mobile phone-free vacation? The island of Ulko-Tammio in Finland invites visitors to focus on nature instead of the screens of their mobile devices.
It's hard to imagine these days vacation without a mobile phone, because if we separate from the device, we get the feeling that something is missing. Sad. Mobile phones have become our contact with the world, through them we communicate with friends, consume news and share images of our lives. We manage bank accounts, buy groceries and clothes, and even plane tickets.
Judging by the photos from Instagram, even on vacation, people find it hard to resist the constant handling of mobile devices. However, in order to reduce our dependence on mobile screens at least a little, the Finns decided on a very special tactic. The island of Ulko-Tammio in Finland invites visitors to look at nature instead of looking at mobile phone screens. On an island located in the Gulf of Finland, they believe they are the first in the world to call for the non-use of mobile phones."The island of Ulko-Tammio wants to become a mobile phone-free zone this summer," the island's tourist association wrote in a press release, adding that they want to encourage people to turn off their mobile devices or just leave them at home, stop and they really enjoy the beautiful nature of the island.
The uninhabited island of Ulko-Tammio is part of the national park and is therefore home to many rare species of birds and plants that visitors can spot on nature walks. Participation in the "digital detox" for tourists on Ulko-Tamma is voluntary, which means that no one will punish you if you use a mobile phone, and since the island is covered by a working mobile network, the temptation will always be there.
A holiday without a mobile phone
However, company staff Parks & Wildlife Finland, which manages the island, hopes the campaign will draw tourists away from their mobile devices and encourage them to connect with nature. "Turning off your cell phone, exploring nature and meeting people face-to-face will definitely improve your mood," Sari Castren, a psychologist and research leader at the Finnish Institute for Health and Welfare, said in a press release.
And irony. Islands such as Ulko-Tammio can be accessed via private boats, ferries or water taxis, all of which can be booked using a smartphone.