Unplug your PC, DVD and PDA, and rejoin the human race.

I RECENTLY MADE AN AIRLINE RESERVATION, RESERVED A RENTAL CAR AND booked a hotel room without ever leaving the chair in front of my computer and without ever speaking a word—except for that time when I deleted a nearly completed online reservation form and had to start all over, but that was just one word, and it was directed to the computer. Organizing my trip was easy, convenient and, apart from the computer-form-deletion incident, hassle-free. In a matter of just a few minutes, I was able to arrange my whole trip.

A couple of weeks later, before I left for the airport, I got an automated weather update, downloaded my airline boarding pass and received notification on my cell phone of my airline departure gate. Very slick.

At the airport, I presented my driver’s license to a security screening officer and then again, along with my boarding pass, to a gate agent. On the plane, I indicated my choice of beverage to a flight attendant, and at my destination, I showed my license once more—this time to a guy in a booth at the rental car lot exit.

Other than those four human interactions—if you can call them that—I had no other personal exchanges until the following morning, when I showed up for my appointment. For my entire day of travel, I was either in motion or captivated by technology: televisions in the airport, laptop on the airplane, cell phone in between.

In retrospect, it wasn’t so much that I was captivated by technology as I was held captive by it. Certainly, technology facilitates travel and lends efficiency to our trips. I sure wouldn’t want to give it up, but too much technology can make travel less interesting. I was in easy strike-up-a-conversation distance of dozens of people during my journey, yet I never really chatted with any one of them. Now I’m sorry I didn’t.

Schmoozing can be a wonderful side benefit of travel. Sure, I’ve encountered the obnoxious airplane seatmate, but I’ve also met my share of interesting people: the Nevada gold miner, the Antarctic biologist, the Iowa meat-processing manager and—for some reason, my most memorable chat—the Las Vegas exotic dancer.

Talking with these people was entertaining, enlightening and fun. And never once did I wish I were watching television, listening to voicemail or checking online for messages.

When I travel now, I travel unplugged.

Finding the Escape button.

Technology can be a real asset to travelers, but it can also displace human interaction. To get some advice on preventing your electronic gizmos from overtaking your life while on the road, I checked in with Dr. Larry Rosen, author of TechnoStress: Coping with Technology @Work @Home @Play. He suggested these tips:

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terry riley is a psychologist (appliedpsychology.com) and internationally recognized authority on understanding, managing and influencing business travel behavior. His is also the author of Travel Can be Murder, C.H.A.R.M. School and The Complete Travel Diet. Email Terry at editor@executivetravelmag.com.