Americans aren’t afraid of danger on vacation — they’re afraid of disconnection and stillness. As solo travel company Flash Pack launches ‘The — Pause’, a new collection of wellbeing-inspired itineraries designed to help travelers unplug and reconnect, new research reveals just how difficult switching off has become.
A nationwide survey commissioned by Flash Pack found that for younger Americans, going without their phone now feels more extreme than traditional adventure sports. Nearly a quarter (23%) of adults aged 18–24 say spending four consecutive days without their phone would push them most outside their comfort zone — even more than white-water rafting.
Key Findings Show:
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Among adults aged 45–54, more than a quarter say spending a full day with no plans, no agenda and nothing to do would be the most difficult part of vacation, highlighting how unfamiliar true rest has become.
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Nearly a quarter (23%) of adults aged 35–44 say what scares them most about slowing down is “not being productive”.
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Over a quarter (26%) say their phone is one of their biggest daily stressors — rising to 38% among adults aged 35–44.
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While 65% say they use their phone less on vacation than at home, only 12% say they could comfortably go a full day without checking it, highlighting how difficult it remains to truly switch off.
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65% admit there are factors that make them nervous about slowing down on vacation, including fears of missing out, not being productive or feeling bored.
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44% chose friendship and social connection compared to just 27% who chose luxury and pampering. Nearly half (47%) say their most restorative vacations are those where they feel part of a group rather than isolated.
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Six in 10 (60%) say they want to feel mentally refreshed when they return from a trip, while half (50%) want to feel emotionally recharged, 48% want to feel less stressed and 40% want to feel calmer — highlighting how travel is shifting from entertainment toward restoration.
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Over half say they would find a wellness trip specifically designed around building social connections appealing.
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93% of respondents identified friendship and social connection, stillness and rest, and digital detox among the most important contributors to their wellbeing while traveling.
The findings underscore the cultural shift behind The — Pause, Flash Pack’s new collection created specifically for solo travelers in their 30s, 40s and 50s. Designed as an antidote to burnout and digital overload, the trips prioritize presence, nature, and meaningful human connection over optimization, rigid routines or self-improvement checklists.
“We are excited to introduce a new kind of travel experience,” said Lee Thompson, Co-Founder at Flash Pack. “Since launching in 2014, we’ve encouraged travelers to step outside their comfort zones and face new challenges. Now we’re asking travelers to take on something different – and arguably harder – which is to pause. We want people to slow down and reconnect with what really matters.”
The collection includes four itineraries across destinations including Colombia, Ecuador, South Africa and Spain, blending nature, gentle ritual and shared experiences — from sunrise breathwork and forest immersion to sound baths, slow safaris and mindful, phone-free candlelit dinners. Because restoration rarely happens when we’re half-present, guests are invited at key moments to step away from their phones, creating space for deeper conversation, sharper awareness and uninterrupted connection. It’s not a ban — it’s an invitation.
Since 2014, Flash Pack has redefined solo travel for adults in their 30s, 40s and 50s, creating more than 170,000 friendships through 70+ boutique small-group adventures designed for people at a similar life stage. Recognizing the growing link between friendship, social connection and wellbeing, this new collection moves beyond traditional wellness travel, offering journeys focused on reset, transformation and reconnection with both self and others.
The new collection will launch with four distinct itineraries including:
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Colombia: Island Renewal (5 days | From $3,140 per person): A castaway-style escape that begins in vibrant Cartagena before moving by private boat to a secluded Caribbean island reserved exclusively for Flash Pack. Days unfold barefoot and unhurried – sunrise ocean yoga, mangrove kayaking and hands-on conservation, a playful Caribbean dance session, and an exclusive floating sunset sound bath where guests lie weightless in the sea as live instruments echo across the water. Designed to quiet the noise and deepen presence, this island journey blends simplicity, salt air and shared experience in a way that feels both grounding and joyful.
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Ecuador: Amazon Awakening (8 days | From $3,140 per person): A deep-forest immersion that begins in historic Quito before travelling by light aircraft and river to a remote, indigenous-owned ecolodge in Achuar territory -exclusive and private to Flash Pack. Guests kayak in search of pink river dolphins, meditate beneath sacred kapok trees, forage medicinal plants with Achuar guides, take part in traditional steam baths and spend a night in the Sharamentsa community, gaining rare insight into a worldview shaped by nature and spirit. It’s an experience designed to re-tune the senses and offer perspective that lingers long after returning home.
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South Africa: Sense Safari (6 days | From $2,019 per person): Set within a 940-hectare private reserve on the edge of Greater Kruger National Park, this exclusive safari lodge invites guests to slow down and reawaken their senses. Expect sunrise breathwork to Africa’s dawn chorus, sensory bush walks, sound healing, plant-based wilderness feasts and slow safaris in private vehicles. Unique experiences include a specialist-led sound safari, traditional African dance, open-fire cooking and stargazing beneath vast African skies. Nature becomes both backdrop and teacher in a journey that balances stillness with quiet awe.
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Spain: Nature’s Reset (5 days | From $2,375 per person): Set in a beautifully restored 19th-century farmhouse deep within protected parkland in the Sierra de Mariola mountains, this intimate retreat is exclusive to the group. Expect daily yoga and meditation in a forest dome, expert-led breathwork, a sensory nine-course blindfold dinner, immersive gong baths, guided mountain hikes and three included massage or energy treatments. Nourishing macrobiotic meals and candlelit wine tastings create space for relaxed, like-minded conversation. The result is a nervous-system reset that feels restorative without being prescriptive.
