‘Slow Travel’ Might Be The Key To A Better Vacation. Here’s What It Is.

In our busy daily lives, we don’t always have the opportunity to slow down and live at our own pace.Even when we are on vacation, we are eager to visit, experience and sample as much as possible in one or more new destinations.

However, many seasoned travelers recommend another way of traveling around the world: slow travel.But what exactly is slow travel?How do you make the most of this kind of travel?Below, travel experts will break it all down for you.

What exactly is slow travel?

Slow travel focuses on quality, not quantity.Slow travel also means immersing yourself in the local culture.Traditional vacations tend to be about seeing as much as possible in a short amount of time.While there is nothing wrong with this, it can feel very superficial.It can also feel overwhelming and not like the ideal relaxing vacation.

As the name suggests, slow travel usually means slowing down and enjoying every moment rather than rushing to accomplish things on your list.

Slow travel may mean different things to different travelers, but I define it as staying in one place for a longer period of time and getting to know the local culture better.Slow travel is taking the time to make real connections with the locals instead of packing your itinerary to the gills.Slow travel is staying at a Japanese-style ryokan in Kyoto instead of traveling all over Asia.

Slow travel is becoming more and more popular.Data shows a 10% increase in hotel stays in 2023 compared to last year.However, slow travel does not necessarily require a long stay in one place.

You can spend just a few days or a few months slow traveling – it all depends on what level of connection you want to make with your destination, allowing you to get to know the local culture and environment better.

Slow travel is about being fully present in the moment, experiencing the sights, sounds and sensations around you without interruption – letting the experience unfold at its own pace, without expectations.Slow travel does not have a strict definition or certain mandatory elements, such as using slower modes of transportation or staying in a city or country for a certain amount of time, but rather is about the sense of empathy one has as a destination tourist.

What are the benefits of slow travel?

When you travel at a slower, less rushed pace, you naturally immerse yourself in the local culture and place and really try to understand it on a more personal level.

You can talk to more locals and do more “non-traditional” activities than just the things you see on Trip Advisor.Additionally, when you start talking to locals more, they usually want you to have the best experience possible and will show you some of their favorite spots, which naturally leads to a more immersive and personalized experience.

Getting to know the locals and their culture and way of life more intimately and authentically will provide you with rewarding experiences and memories that you will remember long after you return home.You may even develop deep connections and friendships that will make you want to return again in the future.

If you want to really relax and get away from the stress of traveling, slow travel may be for you.You can unpack less, take fewer planes, trains and automobiles, and relax at your destination.

Slow travel is great for practicing foreign language skills because there are more opportunities to have meaningful conversations with locals.

If you’re traveling with kids, slow travel is a great way to introduce them to international travel and learn about cultural differences.When your child plays with other children at the local playground, they will realize that there is not much difference between them and the children of this new country you are visiting.

There’s nothing better than patronizing the same restaurant multiple times, and the waiters and owners will start treating you like a friend, not a tourist looking for a bite to eat.Slow travel also gives your family a chance to focus on doing touristy activities together while also having a family reunion instead of just trying to visit as many museums as possible.

There are practical benefits to this type of travel as well.

Staying in one place longer reduces carbon emissions associated with transportation such as flights and buses.

In addition to less transportation between destinations, slow travel often means fewer car trips within a single destination because there is less activity.Travelers also feel less rushed as they move from place to place, opting instead to use public transportation.You can choose to stay away from the center of the city you are visiting and save money on accommodation at the same time.

Slow travel is usually more cost-effective than traditional travel because you don’t need to do much.It’s also more relaxing because you don’t always have to worry about the next item on your itinerary.

How can you maximize your slow travel experience?

There is no single right way to slow travel, but there are some helpful factors to keep in mind if you want to maximize your slow travel experience.

Your to-do list should be short, or don’t have one at all.Either make a plan to spend most of your time in only a few places or take ad hoc advice from locals.When visiting an attraction or destination, you should make an effort to understand its significance rather than just cross it off your list.In most cases, you will need to spend more time than usual, but you should come away with a deeper understanding.

Resist the temptation to see all the sights and sample all the food in a day or two.This isn’t about rushing through the sights and checking off the boxes.

Spread your travel itinerary over a longer period of time.That way you can go to a cafe in the morning, a museum at noon, and a park in the afternoon and evening to read your favorite book, instead of visiting two museums in the morning, one in the afternoon, a theater show in the evening, and a haunted house in the middle of the night.

Slow travel becomes easier in the age of remote working.For example, staying in a destination for more than a week, spending time walking in little-known neighborhoods, visiting cafes or restaurants several times, and attending sports or cultural events that are important to the local population.

Consider staying at an independent boutique hotel or vacation rental away from the typical tourist attractions and get to know the locals.It’s also possible to enjoy the quiet and relaxation you can’t find in typically crowded areas.

If you live in a destination that lacks a strong public transportation infrastructure, or if you simply want to explore further afield, renting a car allows you to travel at your own pace.

Stop and enjoy the beautiful scenery and don’t be afraid to take detours and deviate from your regular route when traveling.

You can even plan a leisurely road trip as a slow travel.

Today, many travelers are choosing to drive to their destinations instead of flying as part of the slow travel movement, which provides them with greater flexibility to enjoy the journey and the destination.We recommend planning your route and how far you’ll be driving each day, but only booking the first two or three nights to stay flexible if your route or time changes.