Living outdoors: Our philosophy of disconnection and nature
The 21st century paradox: Connected to everything, disconnected from ourselves
We live in the age of hyperconnectivity. Our phones connect us with anyone on the planet in a matter of seconds, social media offers us a constant stream of information and stimuli, and our diaries are full of meetings, commitments and pending tasks. We are, literally, connected to everything. And, paradoxically, we have never been so disconnected from ourselves, from nature and from the present moment.
Science confirms it: prolonged exposure to screens and digital hyperconnectivity generate chronic stress, disrupt sleep, reduce concentration and impoverish interpersonal relationships.
At El Riad de l'Empordà, we have made this reality our reason for being. Our philosophy is simple and radical at once: living outdoors as an antidote to the indoor life of screens. Reconnecting with nature, with the body, with the senses and with the people we love as a path to authentic wellbeing.
The garden as a therapeutic space
Our 2,000 m² Mediterranean garden is not just a green space. It is a therapeutic space designed with the conviction that nature has the power to heal, restore and regenerate.
The sound of water is the first thing you perceive when you arrive at El Riad de l'Empordà. Our natural pool, with its four water outlets that create a gentle cascade effect, generates a constant, rhythmic sound that acts as an anchor for the present.
The shade of the hackberry trees is the second gift of our garden. The centuries-old hackberry trees that populate El Riad de l'Empordà offer generous, cool shade, perfect for a restorative nap, a reading session or simply sitting and doing nothing.
The scents of the garden act as a constant natural aromatherapy. Rosemary, thyme, lavender and other aromatic plants release their essential oils into the air, creating a complex, ever-changing perfume that varies with the hours of the day and the seasons of the year.
The light of the Empordà is an element that artists and painters have celebrated for centuries. The light of the Alt Empordà has a special quality, filtered by the tramontane and reflected by the proximity of the Mediterranean, making it clear, intense and ever-changing.
The tramontane: The wind that heals
The tramontane is the characteristic wind of the Empordà, a north wind that blows with force and that, for the uninitiated, might seem a nuisance. But the people of the Empordà know that the tramontane is a gift. It cleans the sky, purifies the air, cools summer nights and creates a landscape of unique light and colours.
Activities for reconnection: Our wellness programme
Yoga and chi-kung sessions in the garden: Our garden is the perfect setting for a morning yoga practice, when the light is soft and the air fresh, or for a chi-kung session at sunset.
Massages and wellness treatments: We offer a menu of treatments including Japanese Kobido facial massage, foot reflexology, energy treatments and general relaxation massage.
Forest bathing in the Albera: Mindful walks through the cork oak forests of the Serra de l'Albera, following the Japanese practice of Shinrin-yoku (forest bathing).
Stargazing nights: The sky of the Empordà, far from light pollution, is a spectacle in itself.
Mindful cooking workshops: Learning to cook with seasonal, local produce, following nature's rhythm and respecting the ingredients, is a form of active meditation.
Digital disconnection: A choice, not an imposition
At El Riad de l'Empordà, we do not impose digital disconnection. We have Wi-Fi throughout the property and a Smart TV in the communal living room. But what we do offer is an environment where digital disconnection is natural and desired, where the beauty of the garden, the quality of the light and the richness of shared experiences make the phone stay in your pocket spontaneously.
Many of our guests tell us that, for the first time in years, they spent hours without looking at their phone. That they had long, deep conversations with the people they love. That they returned home feeling, literally, renewed. This is what we offer at El Riad de l'Empordà: not an escape from the world, but a return to yourself.
Come and live the outdoors
Our philosophy of living outdoors is an invitation to reclaim what modern life has gradually taken from us: time, calm, connection with nature and with the people we love. At El Riad de l'Empordà, every corner of the garden, every room, every shared meal is an opportunity to practise this philosophy. Come and discover it. We look forward to welcoming you.