Why Choose To Slow Travel At Least Once In Your Life

We’ve all been there, trying to fit as many activities and attractions as possible into our itinerary and wanting to see everything in just a few days. But to be honest, and even though I’ve also traveled this way when I’ve only had 4-5 days in a place, it’s never really been my way of traveling, as I’ve always tried to spend at least a few weeks in my destination, adopting the “slow travel” method before it became trendy. So what is slow travel and why should you try it at least once? Read on!

Save it for later!

What is slow travel?

If you look up the origins of the slow tourism movement, you’ll find that it all started with another movement called slow food in Italy in 1986, which aimed to fight the growing spread of junk food and fast-food, wishing that everyone would return to healthier eating habits and choose traditional restaurants instead of the big fast-food chains.

Since this movement, other projects saw the light of day, like slow travel!

Like its counterpart, slow travel advocates a more complete immersion in the destination country by living as close as possible to the locals, meeting its inhabitants and making a real connection, while putting aside visiting all the must-sees of a city before moving on to another.

This way of traveling is also less stressful, less tiring and less polluting, because you stay in one place for longer. Here, quality over quantity is prioritized, and it’s also a way of seeing the places you visit from a different, more authentic and immersive angle.

The benefits of slow travel

As someone who loves to learn more about a culture and its people, I can say without a doubt than slow travel has many advantages and no disadvantages (at least, I haven’t found any so far)! Here they are:

1. You don’t have to rush to see everything

With slow tourism, you can forget the pressure of having to wake up early to stick to your schedule and fit 4 attractions/activities into a single day. You can simply “take it slow” and appreciate your surroundings, while also doing one of my favorite things when I slow travel: nothing!

For me, enjoying a destination also means doing what you’d do at home: relaxing in front of the TV, spending hours at the beach reading a book, or sunbathing in a park in the middle of the day, for example, without feeling guilty about having wasted a day of your planning seeing nothing new.

On the other hand, I don’t understand people who take a picture of a monument or a place before moving on, often forgetting to really see and admire what’s in front of them.

The beauty of travel also lies in pausing for a moment and contemplating the world around us. So remember to take your time and enjoy the moment.

2. Connection & authenticity

Choosing this method of travel is also a way to feel more deeply connected to the people you meet along the way; as you really take the time to get to know the local people in front of you. One of the best way to meet a city’s local: the local markets and street food stalls.

When I arrive in a city and know I’m going to spend some time there, the first thing I do is head for a nearby market or small restaurant/cafe. Once I’ve found my favorite or a nice address, I just go there several times a week: that’s how you build relationships with the locals, easy, right? As they see you more and more, they’ll recognize you as a regular customer and you’ll end up getting closer, especially if you strike up a conversation and ask them questions about their lives.

Connections with the locals are what make your trip more authentic too, as you’ll quickly feel like one of them and that this place is your home.

Plus, people are curious by nature, so it’s often easier than you think to create a bond with a stranger.

3. Better understanding of the local culture

If you’re moving constantly, you’re unlikely to truly appreciate the country’s people and culture on a deeper level. By contrast, slow travel allows you to immerse yourself more deeply by interacting with locals, learning the language better and participating in community life.

Your experiences will be all the more meaningful, and you’ll learn more not only about the people with whom you share your life, but also about yourself!

4. Lower costs

Taking different means of transport (flight, train, bus…) to travel from one city to another can really have an impact on your budget, and that’s where slow travel is different because choosing it will actually help you save money.

And when I talk about saving money, I’m not talking about a few bucks here and there, but rather hundreds or thousands (depending on your destination), especially if you choose to cook yourself (when there’s no street food), house-sit or travel during low season and enjoy better deals on accommodation.

5. Sustainable travel

Are you a fervent supporter of sustainable travel and would love to reduce your environmental footprint? Well, there’s no better choice than slow tourism then.

As I’ve previously mentioned, the simple act of not taking flights and opting for eco-friendly buses or simply walking will considerably reduce the impact you would otherwise have on the planet.

It also gets you closer to nature, because you’ll have more time to explore nearby hiking trails, parks as well as the fauna and flora of the place you’re visiting.

6. More off-the-beaten-path experiences

Staying longer in a place also means you’ll discover hidden gems, often recommended by locals, that are still unspoilt and perfectly preserved, making your journey even more unique and unforgettable.

As you’ll have plenty of time to explore the place you’re in, chances are you’ll end up knowing it like the back of your hand and feeling like a local by the end of your trip.

7. The opportunity to try out various activities

Another great advantage of slow travel is that the range of activities it opens up to you is pretty much infinite because, let’s be honest, if you’re rushing from city to city, you probably won’t get the opportunity to experience as many local activities as you would if you stayed longer.

Whether you want to try out all the local markets, shop fresh ingredients and cook for yourself, take cooking classes, go on bike trips, exercise in a local park, spend a day at the library or do all the hikes in the areas, and so on, with slow travel, time is on your side, your travel schedule doesn’t need to be packed and you can take it one day at a time.

8. Less stressful and less tiring

Traveling can be quite stressful, even more so when you’re planning to visit 3 different cities in 10 days (I know the feeling, I’ve been there). Between changing of cities or countries, planning, sometimes late transportation, check-ins and check-outs and finding places to eat, your trip can quicky turn into a headache rather than a peaceful vacation.

On the contrary, slow tourism is not only less stressful, but also less tiring! You can sleep in, go about your day, and have plenty of time to recharge your batteries if you decide to spend an entire day rafting or kayaking, for example.

9. Better memories

The more you travel without taking the time to appreciate your surroundings, the more tired you feel and the more likely you are to remember your trip only through the photos you take.

But by choosing to slow travel, you’ll not only create connections with locals, you’ll also enjoy the moment more deeply, allowing you to make meaningful and lifelong memories, not just photos, that will make fun and interesting stories to share when you return from your trip.

How to start to slow travel

1. Choose a destination with less tourists or travel off season

One thing’s for sure, choosing a destination where you’re likely to encounter crowds of tourists may not be the best solution if you decide to try the slow travel method.

Your best bet is not only to opt for somewhere a little less well-known, but also to travel during the off season, which will bring you many benefits, such as less tourists of course, but that’s not all – better prices, more relaxing stay, free room upgrades…

Also, choose your destination based on your preferences and where you’re sure to spend a relaxing, stress-free vacation: prioritize nature for outdoor enthusiasts, the seaside for the ocean lovers…, but don’t leave out big cities or capitals if they’re more to your taste.

2. Inform yourself about the country and its culture before you leave

Not jumping into the unknown, and having at least a little information about a place before arriving is always a good idea.

If only to avoid any mishaps, learning about the country’s customs and tradition is beneficial, and is also a way of respecting its people. The locals will be all the more grateful too!

3. Set a budget and duration

As with any trip, you should consider setting a budget to avoid splurging too much, but also to avoid returning from your vacation with an empty account.

And don’t forget to always have an emergency fund in case of unplanned expenses, and to take out a travel insurance!

Regarding the duration of your trip, in my humble opinion, I’d say that to really enjoy the benefits of slow travel, you should go away for at least 2 weeks, or months if you get the chance.

4. Always be flexible

Whether I’m traveling for months or weeks, I tend to plan very little, mainly flights and accommodation, because planning your trip down to the second is the exact opposite of the slow travel mindset.

You really have to go with the flow. The most important thing is to be spontaneous and not fall into old habits, such as having to see a particular attraction at a particular time on a particular day.

Embrace your surroundings and savor your time and your encounters: that’s what it’s all about. Remember that slow travel isn’t about the number of destinations you’ve visited, but the quality time you’ve spent in each one.

5. Make a list of relaxing activities you’d like to do

What are the things you love to do but never have the time or energy to do at home? Exploring cafes, sleeping in, read, practice yoga…?

Whatever they are, make a list of all the activities you’d like to finally do, it’ll make you even more look forward to arrive at your destination, unpack your bags and enjoy your hobbies at your own pace.

6. Stay where the locals stay

Staying right in the city center may be the best choice if you’re short on time and want to be as close as possible to the main attractions, but if you do have the time, I’d strongly recommend finding out where the locals stay as they’re not always living right in the center, especially if you know the costs will be higher and there’ll be a lot more traffic and noise too.

So if your goal is to relax and get to know the locals more easily, consider choosing your accommodation out of town, where life will be more tranquil. Opt also for guesthouses or homestays raher than hotels for a deeper immersion and connection with the locals.

7. Enjoy local food

Learning more about a culture is also about tasting its food. You can’t really get more authentic than by trying every local dish, visiting local markets and smelling all the different flavors spread out on the stalls.

Plus, by buying directly from the local farmer, you’re stimulating the economy of the place where you live. Let’s not forget that’s it’s also a great way to save money and meet new people.

8. Participate in local events

Don’t want to miss out on the life of the community and would love to join in on the local fun? Participate in festivals, workshops and other local events organized by the people. You’ll usually find events advertised on banners around town or directly on the city’s website.

By doing so, not only will you learn more about the culture, but you’ll also feel like you belong.

9. Explore and get lost

Since you have plenty of time to wander around the city, my best advice is to explore aimlessly and get lost (safely, of course). Because as I’ve already said many times before, and since I’m a fan of this kind of exploration, getting lost is more often than not the best way to find spectacular hidden spots you’d never have found otherwise.

10. Do nothing

I’ve saved the best for last, haven’t I? Doing nothing and enjoying it is probably the best advice I can actually give you if you want to start your adventure into the world of slow travel.

Simply soaking up where you are, admiring the scenery and forgetting your worries for a second sounds like a great idea for a self-care day, doesn’t it?

And don’t forget that the idea of doing nothing varies from person to person: lazing on the beach, reading a book, catching up on TV shows… The most important thing is to pace yourself and simply take the time to live.

And as A.A. Milne once said: “Don’t underestimate the value of doing nothing, of just going along, listening to all the thing you can’t hear, and not bothering.”

In short, slow travel is more than just a trend for some, it’s a mindset or philosophy that invites you to slow down, to immerse yourself even more deeply in the culture of the place you’re visiting while taking the time to enjoy the small pleasures of life.

Want a stress-free vacation? Here are My 50 Best Travel Tips To Make Your Trip A Breeze!