The art of getting lost - before we travel again, let's remember how to go off-grid 50 best self-catering stays in Ireland - here's a holiday home for every price pointįorget hygge – this summer could see the Nordic concept of ‘friluftsliv’ blossom in Ireland.Forget Center Parcs - Ireland's new forest retreat gives cabin fever a whole new meaning.A solar-charged battery is provided for power, and rainwater is harvested, in keeping with the sustainable approach. There are towels, cookware, fuel and utensils, but you’ll need to bring meals or cook food on the small gas burner or barbecue. They come with a queen-size bed, stove, loo, shower, small cooker and fridge. The cabins are minimal and chic, rather than luxury layovers. Guests should read up on what to expect before booking, he adds. “There are so many studies out there linking habit-checking your phone to the disruption of a special moment you could have had.” “We’re addicted to checking our phones,” as Parkinson says. Oh, and there’s a conscious lack of Wi-Fi, with guests encouraged to leave their phones in a “detox box” inside as they arrive. The cosy cabins are less than 40 sq m in size, hidden away in nature, eco-friendly and inspired by Japanese and Scandinavian design - from log-burning stoves to picture windows and uncluttered interiors. The concept, which began in Belgium, sees guests “book blind”, receiving the secret locations of their boltholes two weeks before travel. So says Matthew Parkinson, the man responsible for bringing Slow Cabins to Ireland this summer. We’re trying to change people’s mindset to take a moment out and sort of get to know each other.”
It’s not something you’d prescribe in the future for being extremely stressed or burnt out. ‘We’re not trying to save the world with Slow Cabins.