Become a
slow Traveller
In this crazy world going every day faster, becoming a Slow Traveller is a mindful opportunity to discover the world while having a positive impact.
Let the globe unfold around you, not through the window of a speeding plane, but at a pace allowing cultural nuances, people differences, and places’ history to reveal and dance before your eyes. Slow Travel means to adopt a mindset rather than a checklist. It urges us to escape the frenetic pace of modern tourism, to go beyond the mere destinations and savour the in-between moments.
Join me in exploring the art of slow travel, where each step is an invitation to wander with purpose and connect with heart.
Will you answer the call and discover what could change the way you travel?
In this crazy world going every day faster, becoming a Slow Traveller is a mindful opportunity to discover the world while having a positive impact.
Let the globe unfold around you, not through the window of a speeding plane, but at a pace allowing cultural nuances, people differences, and places’ history to reveal and dance before your eyes.
Slow Travel means to adopt a mindset rather than a checklist. It urges us to escape the frenetic pace of modern tourism, to go beyond the mere destinations and savour the in-between moments.
Join me in exploring the art of slow travel, where each step is an invitation to wander with purpose and connect with heart.
Will you answer the call and discover what could change the way you travel?
To dive deeper
Before we dive in, let me share a bit about myself. I’m not the type who enjoys meticulously planning every detail.
In fact, I’ve had nightmares of overly structured planning haunting my relaxation time in a hammock, nagging me about productivity. To be honest, it’s more frightening to me than your grandma’s creepy puppet.
Why the planning reference?
Well, when you’re constantly mapping out every moment and hitting the usual tourist spots, the world’s magic seems to fade away. We forget to savour the small joys, even in the country of our dreams.
So, why does the idea of becoming a Slow Traveller appeal to me?
The Slow Travel mindset isn’t just a way to plan a trip. Rather, it encompasses an entire philosophy.
This curious path might lead you to be more than a mere visitor. How? Let’s say that you could become a neighbour or friend intimately linked with the places you explore.
Could you picture crafting the perfect guacamole with a local while engaging in card games over a cold beer? Then, imagine sitting in the middle of the street, absorbing the melodies of traditional music while eating local food. Finally, what about sharing stories with an elderly gentleman at a coffee shop terrace, delving into legends and histories passed down through generations?
Slow Travel is about understanding a place’s context and grasping its political, economic, and societal perspectives. It’s about becoming a slow traveller embracing curiosity while uncovering hot springs in the wilderness.
That’s why, I prefer to travel slowly.
Imagine that...
You are diving into a relaxing rhythm that lets you truly absorb the destination sights, sounds, and smells. It’s the antithesis of checking off items on a bucket list, rushing like a mad tourist on a mission.
Now, you can reflect on the mental satisfaction when you reach your destination. Rethink the effort, the rich experiences, and the connections gained along the way.
That’s the journey I want you to join.
An adventure where we let go of the need to be somewhere specific. It’s a world where every piece and detail carries a special flavour to enjoy.
Let’s delve into the Slow Travel universe composed of mindful adventures developed with threads of authentic experiences.
That’s the journey I want you to join. An adventure where we let go of the need to be somewhere specific.
It’s a world where every piece and detail carries a special flavour to enjoy.
Let’s delve into the Slow Travel universe composed of mindful adventures developed with threads of authentic experiences.
Slow Travel meaning
First and foremost, let’s delve into the distinction between tourism and travel. It’s akin to comparing traditional, authentic French cheese to its tasteless industrial counterpart. A lamentable mismatch.
But setting aside my French pride, let’s refocus on the subject.
Nowadays explaining the disparities between these two realms (not the cheese, mind you) has become a challenging task.
It has, I believe, led many to miss the entire point of travelling.
The mindset
Becoming a Slow Traveller, however, isn’t a tangible entity but a mindset to embrace.
You can open this door once you realise that our lives are constantly bombarded with easily accessible, short bursts of dopamine. Then, when applying this awareness to the current travel industry, promoting dream destinations a thousand kilometres away, easily reachable for a week, in exchange for a year of savings, reveals a dissonance.
Thus, the Slow Traveller mindset claims a return to appreciating simplicity and helps us to reject the constant pursuit of easy rewards. Thanks to it, we can fully enjoy the travel opportunity for what it is.
The Slow Traveller vision
Moreover, this travel style involves acknowledging that our world is vibrating with diverse cultures, histories, and traditions.
Simply put, Slow travel is the antithesis of the frenetic pace we’ve grown accustomed to. It represents the possibility of enjoying simple things.
It’s the opportunity to get away from bucket lists built on social media’s retouched landscapes and animal videos. Afterwards, feeling truly happy about what is happening can become a reality. Thus, the accent is on connecting with the present moment. It simply encourages us to step outside our homes and realise that the journey begins right there.
“The real voyage of a slow traveller consists not in seeking new landscapes, but in having new eyes.”
However, the Slow Traveller mindset implies to...
Travelling slowly necessitates the understanding that we can’t possibly explore every nook and cranny of our planet.
Instead, it encourages us to select a few places and deeply connect. What about diving into local cooking, legends, live, playing cards with friends and families, or creating music? Therefore, the Slow Traveller mindset calls us to listen with our hearts and souls rather than merely capturing moments for social media feeds.
Finally, slow travel is about willingly immersing ourselves in new cultures rather than imposing ours.
Travelling slowly necessitates the understanding that we can’t possibly explore every nook and cranny of our planet.
Instead, it encourages us to select a few places and deeply connect. What about diving into local cooking, legends, live, playing cards with friends and families, or creating music?
Therefore, the Slow Traveller mindset calls us to listen with our hearts and souls rather than merely capturing moments for social media feeds.
Finally, slow travel is about willingly immersing ourselves in new cultures rather than imposing ours.
What will be for you the ideal travel style?
A sustainable awareness of our action impacts
Travel has an impact
Given that our modes of transportation contribute to approximately 50% of our travel carbon footprint, the means of transportation you choose to reach your destination matters.
However, it is not about adopting an extreme approach of travelling solely on foot or bike to achieve a 0% carbon footprint. This vision would look like a utopia. In reality, it’s more about taming our insatiable appetite to cover vast distances in the shortest possible time.
So travel and think as a Slow Traveller
Thus, If you want to take the plane, do it (so far, no one is your dad here). Nevertheless, avoid doing it for a few weeks’ journeys only and opt for air travel only when justified by the length of your odyssey.
But let’s be honest. More often than not, our destinations are accessible by more sustainable means like buses or trains, which can also be surprisingly economical (another advantage of slow travel). Embracing this mindset reveals that the journey itself, not just the destination, holds intrinsic value and can unfold as a unique adventure.
Thus, If you want to take the plane, do it (so far, no one is your dad here).
Nevertheless, avoid doing it for a few weeks’ journeys only and opt for air travel only when justified by the length of your odyssey.
But let’s be honest. More often than not, our destinations are accessible by more sustainable means like buses or trains, which can also be surprisingly economical (another advantage of slow travel).
Embracing this mindset reveals that the journey itself, not just the destination, holds intrinsic value and can unfold as a unique adventure.
"On a plane, you lift out of one place and drop into the next without any awareness of the in-betweenness. On a train, the journey starts the second you get on board. I don’t know who is going to enter my story, and the surroundings are part of the adventure "
- Monisha Rajesh
Foster local economy
So, let’s embark on our travels aware of the nuances, recognising that not only do our choices impact the environment, but they also shape the narrative of our journeys.
In essence, it’s an invitation to make every expedition a meaningful, thoughtful exploration. One where the in-between moments become as enchanting as the final destination.
Can Slow Travellers help to avoid money leakage?
Absolutely! Slow Travellers participate in local economies while supporting businesses that align with sustainable practices.
By becoming a Slow Traveller, you are genuinely pushed away from mainstream tourism companies. Instead, what blossom along your way are accommodations managed by local communities, purchases from local markets, and exploring the surroundings through activities guided by locals.
Therefore, the slow travellers’ mindset claims to spend our money where it directly benefits the local population.
These people are often most knowledgeable about their lands. Thus, they understand the importance of sustainable preservation and long-term thinking.
Absolutely! Slow Travellers participate in local economies while supporting businesses that align with sustainable practices.
By becoming a Slow Traveller, you are genuinely pushed away from mainstream tourism companies. Instead, what blossom along your way are accommodations managed by local communities, purchases from local markets, and exploring the surroundings through activities guided by locals.
Therefore, the slow travellers’ mindset claims to spend our money where it directly benefits the local population.
These people are often most knowledgeable about their lands. Thus, they understand the importance of sustainable preservation and long-term thinking.
A Slow Traveller Summary
Why should you try to Slow Travel?
Being a Slow Traveller starts with a mindset that underscores sustainable exploration.
This new path delves into all facets of travel by immersing yourself culturally and channelling our expenditures to support local economies. It’s about avoiding superficial discoveries in quantity in favour of a deeper understanding of a place, its culture, and its history.
The goal is to discover off-the-beaten-path places near to us or away to avoid mass tourism. Hence, it calls us to explore the world as explorers, not mere tourists.
Being a Slow Traveller starts with a mindset that underscores sustainable exploration.
This new path delves into all facets of travel by immersing yourself culturally and channelling our expenditures to support local economies.
It’s about avoiding superficial discoveries in quantity in favour of a deeper understanding of a place, its culture, and its history.
The goal is to discover off-the-beaten-path places near to us or away to avoid mass tourism. Hence, it calls us to explore the world as explorers, not mere tourists.
Venture as a free Slow Traveller
Then, Slow Travel is not merely about the mode of transport or the duration of the journey.
Overall, it is an intentional mindset that aligns with rejecting the frenetic pace of mass production and fast consumption.
Whether you want to venture on a short city break or an extended road trip, any journey can embody the principles of slow travel.
After all, it is more about adhering to the intention of savouring authentic experiences that resonate internally rather than being curated for a social media feed.
Many Slow Travel advantages result from this approach and one of the main is to support local economies and cultivate a deeper connection with the places visited.
The limitations Slow travellers must face
However, by adopting this mentality, we accept certain limitations.
We recognise that the farther we wish to go, the more time we must invest to reach this destination or to stay there. By changing your mindset, you ensure our dream destinations endure for future generations and the inhabitants who call these places home.
The Slow Traveller movement origins
The starting point
The genesis of the slow travel movement found its roots in Italy during the 1980s, emerging from the birth of the slow food movement. In a quintessentially Italian protest, journalist Carlo Petrini contested the arrival of McDonald’s in Rome by distributing steaming bowls of penne pasta to opponents near the iconic Spanish Steps.
Italy said no – but in Italian (which is basically a no with wild hand gestures) to the fast food conquest. Finally, even though McDonald’s established themselves, this culinary defiance laid the foundation for the slow food movement.
The genesis of the slow travel movement found its roots in Italy during the 1980s, emerging from the birth of the slow food movement.
In a quintessentially Italian protest, journalist Carlo Petrini contested the arrival of McDonald’s in Rome by distributing steaming bowls of penne pasta to opponents near the iconic Spanish Steps.
Italy said no – but in Italian (which is basically a no with wild hand gestures) to the fast food conquest. Finally, even though McDonald’s established themselves, this culinary defiance laid the foundation for the slow food movement.
Slow Food & Slow Travel
Born from desires to preserve regional cuisine, local farming, and culinary traditions, the slow food movement evolved beyond the plate.
Moreover, as tourism altered eating habits and diverted profits to chain restaurants, it aimed to redirect business to traditional eateries, supporting regionally sourced ingredients and stimulating local economies.
People turning into Slow Travellers as a reaction to...
The Slow Traveller origins can be seen as a parallel response to the fast-paced culture emerging in the 1980s. Italy’s resistance to the development of fast food marked the beginning of a movement that not only celebrated locally-grown and produced food but also transcended into other aspects of life, including travel.
Hence, the slow movement, encapsulating the desire to decelerate and savour life’s moments, gained momentum through various initiatives. One of the most famous is Geir Berthelsen creation of The World Institute of Slowness in 1999 and Carl Honore’s 2004 book “In Praise Of Slowness: Challenging The Cult Of Speed.”
Meanwhile, the slow movement also served as a counterpoint to the Futurist movement in Italy during the early 20th century. This last one aims to embrace speed, dynamism, and progress. But, in contrast, the slow movement emphasises quality over quantity. It was the rise of a movement urging individuals to advocate a more deliberate and thoughtful approach to life.
The Slow Traveller origins can be seen as a parallel response to the fast-paced culture emerging in the 1980s.
Italy’s resistance to the development of fast food marked the beginning of a movement that not only celebrated locally-grown and produced food but also transcended into other aspects of life, including travel.
Hence, the slow movement, encapsulating the desire to decelerate and savour life’s moments, gained momentum through various initiatives. One of the most famous is Geir Berthelsen’s creation of The World Institute of Slowness in 1999 and Carl Honore’s 2004 book “In Praise Of Slowness: Challenging The Cult Of Speed.”
Meanwhile, the slow movement also served as a counterpoint to the Futurist movement in Italy during the early 20th century.
This last one aims to embrace speed, dynamism, and progress. But, in contrast, the slow movement emphasises quality over quantity.
It was the rise of a movement urging individuals to advocate a more deliberate and thoughtful approach to life.
Slow Travel vs Fast Travel
The illusion of fast travel
Fast travel is driven by an insatiable urge to tick off as many places as possible before considering life fulfilled.
Originally fueled by travel industry hype and the ease of hopping on a plane, this phenomenon gained momentum as international holidays became more accessible to the working class and social media illusions.
Nowadays, plane tickets for 10 to 30 euros allow easy weekend getaways 2000 kilometres away from home.
The difference between holidays & travels
Endless times, I heard people telling me how great their holidays in a given country were.
Whether they stayed in an all-inclusive hotel, did private tours around the most famous places and monuments, or ate a typical local dinner cooked by a chef alongside the swimming pool, the overall pattern was the same.
However, don’t get me wrong. There is nothing inherently wrong with this if it suits your taste.
But let’s face the reality.
You probably haven’t discovered a country but took part in mass tourism, erasing local culture. Were you wandering in crowded places for that Instagram-worthy shot with your best outfit to unintentionally destroy the very essence of the destination?
It is the real question to ask yourself. It may sound slightly drastic, but it’s time to open our eyes. This world is the one we are in.
That is why I believe we must change how we travel.
Endless times, I heard people telling me how great their holidays in a given country were.
Whether they stayed in an all-inclusive hotel, did private tours around the most famous places and monuments, or ate a typical local dinner cooked by a chef alongside the swimming pool, the overall pattern was the same.
However, don’t get me wrong. There is nothing inherently wrong with this if it suits your taste.
But let’s face the reality.
You probably haven’t discovered a country but took part in mass tourism, erasing local culture. Were you wandering in crowded places for that Instagram-worthy shot with your best outfit to unintentionally destroy the very essence of the destination?
It is the real question to ask. It may sound slightly drastic, but it’s time to open our eyes. This world is the one we are in.
That is why I believe we must change how we travel.
A growing mentality and Slow Traveller community
Then, the Slow Travel experience is a middle finger raised in front of the Insta-bloggers.
This travel style emphasises the connection with local people, history, and places over another selfie with one of the world’s seven wonders. Furthermore, it fosters your capacity to pay attention to every detail around you and create memorable memories from scratch.
Finally, it creates opportunities to go off the beaten track to find hidden treasures sustainably during unique travel experiences.
But the Slow Traveller mindset also makes you aware of what is wrong. Then, you quickly realise that the travel industry generates between 8% and 11% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions, the majority from transportation (World Travel & Tourism Council). This number is big enough to be scary, considering that you, dear readers, are sufficiently aware of the impacts of climate change.
Be the change you want to see
Hence, every travel decision we make matters. Becoming a Slow Traveller is a great way to reduce these gas emissions, spreading tourism in less crowded places. To discover places in depth with its culture and history, from local communities traditions and cuisine to local legends and myths. The Last Tourist: Travel Has Lost Its Way (2021), is a recent poignant documentary film about the international tourism phenomenon. It represents the siren call for us to drastically rethink the way we travel.
The growing number of Slow traveller
Fortunately, mentalities are changing and the Slow traveller mindset is becoming more popular.
Being aware of the necessity to impulse changes in the way we perceive travel, a bunch of travellers start to look for more authentic and meaningful experiences beneficial for both sides and sustainable in the long term.
They bring a hope beam to make travel evolve in a new way, gathering sustainable and regenerative tourism and slow travel.
All of them are slightly different in their mindsets but share the same goal to preserve places in the long term while living fulfilling authentic experiences and creating life-lasting memories
How does the tourism industry try to match this new travel way?
Slow Travel trend grows in Businesses
One of the growing trends in the travel industry is the emergence of companies advocating for slow tourism and Slow Travel. These companies offer meticulously crafted guidebook-meets-trip-planning services that go beyond the typical tourist hotspots and drive you off the beaten path. Often, they move with similar values and not only surf a wave of potential new profit. As a result, they do not only plan your entire trip but also tailor it to your tastes while immersing you in the authentic local experience and fostering the local economy.
However, others see an opportunity to grow the even billions they already have. Thus, it has become crucial to differentiate them and not fall under the greenwashing trap.
One of the growing trends in the travel industry is the emergence of companies advocating for slow tourism and Slow Travel.
These companies offer meticulously crafted guidebook-meets-trip-planning services that go beyond the typical tourist hotspots and drive you off the beaten path.
Often, they move with similar values and not only surf a wave of potential new profit. As a result, they do not only plan your entire trip but also tailor it to your tastes while immersing you in the authentic local experience and fostering the local economy.
However, others see an opportunity to grow the even billions they already have. Thus, it has become crucial to differentiate them and not fall under the greenwashing trap.
“In slow travel, patience is your passport, and curiosity is your compass.”
Hotels must adapt to local cultures
Fortunately, this surge in slow tourism isn’t limited to new companies; hotels are also adapting to this shift.
More and more are moving away from conforming to Western holiday cultures to focus on the local aspects of their communities. As a result, you’ll find menus featuring local dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, an increased emphasis on local trips and experiences, and various other initiatives that aim to create an authentic immersion in the unique offerings of a particular country or place. Overall, this is a ticket to dive into cultures while positively impacting destinations.
Therefore, the tourism and hospitality industry has to follow the lead, driven by changes in travellers’ desires and minds.
Fortunately, this surge in slow tourism isn’t limited to new companies; hotels are also adapting to this shift.
More and more are moving away from conforming to Western holiday cultures to focus on the local aspects of their communities.
As a result, you’ll find menus featuring local dishes made from locally sourced ingredients, an increased emphasis on local trips and experiences, and various other initiatives that aim to create an authentic immersion in the unique offerings of a particular country or place.
Overall, this is a ticket to dive into cultures while positively impacting destinations.
Therefore, the tourism and hospitality industry has to follow the lead, driven by changes in travellers’ desires and minds.
First, adopt the mindset
The slow travel experience reveals a nuanced definition extending beyond visiting new places. It encompasses various dimensions and possibilities, from exploring your town to minimising environmentally harmful transportation. Thus, doing so immerses yourself in one place rather than hurriedly hopping between many.
Yet, slow travel is not solely an external pursuit but a mindset. It calls us to suppress our ingrained obsessions with time. By adopting this mentality, we help ourselves see the world gently unfolding so we may truly absorb it.
The slow travel experience reveals a nuanced definition extending beyond visiting new places.
It encompasses various dimensions and possibilities, from exploring your town to minimising environmentally harmful transportation.
Thus, doing so immerses yourself in one place rather than hurriedly hopping between many.
Yet, slow travel is not solely an external pursuit but a mindset. It calls us to suppress our ingrained obsessions with time.
By adopting this mentality, we help ourselves see the world gently unfolding so we may truly absorb it.
Then, connect with heart
Travelling slowly doesn’t necessarily demand a month of vacation.
After all, a stroll through an unfamiliar neighbourhood with only companions at both feet and curiosity, a day spent navigating around a lake trying to fish or to learn about the local legends can effortlessly fall under the Slow Travel umbrella. Anyway, it’s all about the quality of engagement with the world as you traverse it.
Now, listen up, fellow wanderers! The concept and philosophy of a Slow Traveller may vary widely depending on the perspective! However, some universal pointers can guide you on an adventure that immerses you in local culture while prioritising sustainability.
The Slow Travel art is like any art: best learned by diving in. This statement applies even if you stumble along the way. No judgement here; even your cantankerous uncle at family dinner should appreciate your courage to give it a shot.
Travelling slowly doesn’t necessarily demand a month of vacation.
After all, a stroll through an unfamiliar neighbourhood with only companions at both feet and curiosity, a day spent navigating around a lake trying to fish or to learn about the local legends can effortlessly fall under the Slow Travel umbrella.
Anyway, it’s all about the quality of engagement with the world as you traverse it.
Now, listen up, fellow wanderers!
The concept and philosophy of a Slow Traveller may vary widely depending on the perspective! However, some universal pointers can guide you on an adventure that immerses you in local culture while prioritising sustainability.
The Slow Travel art is like any art: best learned by diving in.
This statement applies even if you stumble along the way. No judgement here; even your cantankerous uncle at family dinner should appreciate your courage to give it a shot.
Tips to become a Slow Traveller
Overall, the essence of travelling slowly lies in forging connections with the environment, locals, culture, or fellow travellers. It’s about tucking your preconceptions away and opening up to different viewpoints.
Now, I get it. No one wants a list of rules dictating how to do slow travel. However, if you’re new to this movement and seeking a nudge in the “right” direction, here are some personal tips to get you started:
1 – Embrace Being on the Ground: Opt for trains, buses, hitchhiking, or carpooling instead of planes. “One of the reasons I decided not to travel by plane anymore is that you see one country gradually merging into the next one rather than what you experience when you fly – Edward Genochio.”
2 – Eat Like a Local: Seek local cuisine, pace up and down local markets to discover new flavours, and ask for recommendations.
3 – Learn a new language (you can start with bad words or seduction, it helps believe me).
4 – Spend More Time in One Place: Resist the urge to rush; discover in-depth and savour each location.
5 – Get a little lost (safely, I don’t want to receive a bunch of blame from your parents).
6 – Leave Room for Serendipity: Build flexibility into your itinerary for unexpected discoveries.
7 – Volunteer and Connect: Immerse yourself in the local community and make meaningful contributions.
Overall, the essence of travelling slowly lies in forging connections with the environment, locals, culture, or fellow travellers. It’s about tucking your preconceptions away and opening up to different viewpoints.
Now, I get it. No one wants a list of rules dictating how to do slow travel. However, if you’re new to this movement and seeking a nudge in the “right” direction, here are some personal tips to get you started:
1 – Embrace Being on the Ground
Opt for trains, buses, hitchhiking, or carpooling instead of planes. “One of the reasons I decided not to travel by plane anymore is that you see one country gradually merging into the next one rather than what you experience when you fly – Edward Genochio.”
2 – Eat Like a Local
Seek local cuisine, pace up and down local markets to discover new flavours, and ask for recommendations.
3 – Learn a new language
(you can start with bad words or seduction, it helps believe me).
4 – Spend More Time in One Place
Resist the urge to rush; discover in-depth and savour each location.
5 – Get a little lost
(safely, I don’t want to receive a bunch of blame from your parents).
6 – Leave Room for Serendipity
Build flexibility into your itinerary for unexpected discoveries.
7 – Volunteer and Connect
Immerse yourself in the local community and make meaningful contributions.
Slow Travel Myths & FAQ
Is Slow Travel time-consuming?
One common myth is that Slow Travel requires an abundance of time with a minimum of three weeks. While it encourages a more relaxed pace, it doesn’t necessarily demand months or extensive vacations. As a mindset, it easily fits into shorter trips by prioritising meaningful, sustainable, and immersive experiences over an intense itinerary.
Is being a Slow Traveller expensive?
There’s a misconception that Slow Travel is synonymous with pricey, five-digit adventures for sustainability enthusiasts. The truth is that slowing down can mean saving money without sacrificing quality. By spending more time in one place, you are creating space for savvy budgeting. For instance, opting for affordable transportation modes can make travel slowly accessible to all. After all, it is only one of the many advantages it offers.
Does being a Slow Traveller mean doing nothing?
The image of lasing on the beach all day doesn’t resonate with your idea of adventure? You’re on the right track. Slow Travel is about delving deeper into a destination. It means engaging with local culture, participating in community activities, and truly understanding the places you visit. Think more bodies moving on the rhythm of traditional music and unexpected hiking, less beach bumming.
Is Slow Travel confined to remote corners of the globe?
While Slow Travel certainly encourages exploring off-the-beaten-path destinations, it’s not exclusive to remote locales. Imagine a world where you could only travel where no one has been—boring, right (or fun adventure, you decide)? Slow travel can also enhance popular cities experiences by seeking out authentic experiences, avoiding rushed itineraries, and connecting with locals.
Is Slow Travel only for backpackers? Who's invited to the Slow Travel Party? Who can become a Slow Traveller?
Forget the notion that Slow Travel is reserved for backpackers. Its essence lies in the mindset and approach to exploration, making it inclusive for everyone. Whether you’re a luxury traveller or prefer budget accommodations, the slow travel experience is open for you to truly engage and (re)discover the world.
Does Slow Travel require advanced planning?
I can say that I am the perfect example that this is a myth. Contrary to the belief that Slow Travel necessitates meticulous planning, it can be spontaneous. While some preparation is always beneficial, especially regarding the financial side, travelling slowly encourages flexibility and to catch unexpected opportunities.
Is Slow Travel boring?
Far from it! The unpredictable nature of the concept itself leaves ample room for exciting happenings on your journey. From unexpected meetings to impromptu events, it’s a path filled with adventure and exploration. Forget the idea that slowing down means sacrificing excitement, it brings the unexpected to your doorstep.
What are the advantages of travelling slowly ?
“Ok dude, thanks for the description, but concretely, what are the advantages of travelling slowly over regular travel?” you may think. Well, we could resume them into five different points :
- Low budget
- Quality over Quantity
- Low stress
- Sustainability
- Discover yourself
And if your curiosity isn’t satisfied yet, you have a truly adventurous spirit. Slow travelling possesses numerous advantages, and diving deeper into the why and how allows a better understanding of this opportunity you’ve just discovered.
Nevertheless, it would be a lie to state that travelling is a long and peaceful river. Yes, bad sides and disadvantages exist too, from homesickness to burnout passing by questioning every choice you’ve made. However, don’t panic! Together we can learn how to detect & overcome them to stay mentally healthy.
May your journey be filled with unforgettable moments as you embrace the art of Slow Travel!
Bon voyage!
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