One thing I’d like to embrace this year is slow travel. Slow travel, also known as slow tourism, is a way of traveling that values time and experience over distance and speed. It encourages taking a slower pace and embracing the local culture, food, and customs.
Slow travel can offer many benefits for your mental, physical, and emotional well-being, including reduced stress, improved mood, and a more meaningful connection to the places you visit. Here are 3 easy ways you can be a slow traveller this summer.
1) Take Longer Trips Since the pandemic, I haven’t had the opportunity to travel as often as I’d like. It’s made me more mindful of planning future vacations, which is why I’d like to prioritize taking longer trips. It gives you the opportunity to explore a single destination and avoid over-scheduled itineraries.
You can appreciate and absorb the local culture and customs without feeling rushed or overwhelmed. While it is true that slow travel may seem like it costs more time and money, the reality is that slow travel can actually be more cost-effective and sustainable in the long run.
By spending more time at each destination, you’ll be able to save on transportation costs, accommodation costs, and food costs. You’ll be able to experience local attractions and activities, which means you can take advantage of discounts and promotions that are only available when you spend more time in one place.
2) Shorter Itineraries When trip planning, many of us are excited to squeeze in every single activity there is to enjoy, however, a long itinerary can lead to stress and potentially cost money. By shortening our itineraries, it can lead to a more authentic and immersive travel experience because we can actually explore our destination.
By slowing down your travel pace, you are also reducing your carbon footprint and help support sustainable, responsible tourism practices. Slow travel can help you avoid some of the costs and inconvenience associated with rushing from one place to another.
You’ll be able to avoid the need to pay for expensive high-speed travel options, and avoid the time and energy spent on checking in and out of multiple accommodations, which can be especially challenging when traveling with kids.
3) Plan a Slow Day For those who are unable to stay on a longer trip, consider planning at least one slow day during your travels. It’s a great way to recharge and rejuvenate during a fast-paced vacation. This can include exploring local areas such as parks, beaches, nature trails, and local shops.
I typically like planning my slow days on the last day of vacation. I prefer this because there’s no added stress of rushing to another tourist area, attraction, or worrying about having enough time to make it to the airport.
A slow day can also help you create a more meaningful travel experience, which can be more valuable in the long run than simply checking off a list of attractions. By taking time to immerse yourself in local cultures and customs, you’ll be able to create lasting memories and connections that can’t be found in a rushed itinerary.
In conclusion, slow travel can help you create more meaningful travel experiences, reduce stress, and connect with local cultures and customs. It’s a great way to slow down and savor the beauty and pleasures of life. What do you think about slow travel? I’d love to hear your thoughts.
RELATED POST: Sustainable Travel by Holly Tuppen
Your tips for embracing a slower pace and fully immersing ourselves in the travel experience are so valuable. It’s a wonderful reminder to savor each moment, connect with the local culture, and create meaningful memories. Thanks for sharing these insightful suggestions and encouraging us to make the most out of our summer travels!
Candice x
theblogsocial.com
Enjoying the present moment is something we all need more of these days! With summer here, I hope it reminds us all to take a moment to savour our experiences. Thank you for reading Candice!
I think slow travel is probably closer to how I like to spend time when vacationing than trying to do too much; I tend to pick one place a day to visit and just soak it all in. I don’t generally like rushing around so this was a perfect read for me (I didn’t know it had a name)!
That’s great Molly! It’s such a great way to authentically enjoy your travels. Thank you for reading!
Great tips! I appreciate slower days when travelling especially if I’ve had some days with packed itineraries. Thanks for sharing.
Yes! You definitely appreciate the slower days towards the end of your trip. Thank you for reading Jodie!
I’m usually a “slow” traveller. I really enjoy just existing in the place(s) I’m visiting. My travel companions, on the other hand… They’ll take some convincing!
That’s wonderful to hear, it’s nice to immerse yourself in the moment. I can agree with you on the travel companions haha! Thank you for reading!
These sound like simple ideas to help improve your travelling, taking your time to really explore a place. I can’t wait to book a holiday. Thank you for sharing.
Lauren
Me too, I’m excited for a summer vacation! Thank you for reading Lauren!
great suggestions here! I plan to keep this in mind this summer, especially during our week long vacation at the beach in a few weeks.
That sounds like a perfect opportunity! Thank you for reading B!
These are great ideas. One thing we like to do is have time to just wander without a set plan.
Yes, it’s such a great way to explore without worrying about a schedule! Thank you for reading!
This is a new concept for me but after reading your views, it totally makes sense. Afterall, a vacation is supposed to be relaxing but instead we focus on visiting every place suggested on a tourist brochure. Thank you so much for sharing your unique idea. I will definitely try this on my next solo trip. 🙂
That’s wonderful Ranjana! I hope your next trip is filled with unique and authentic experiences. Thank you for reading!
I’m not sure if I can ever be a slow traveller, I’m someone who likes to cram in so much on a trip! x
Lucy | http://www.lucymary.co.uk
There’s nothing wrong with that! As long as you’re having fun. Thank you for reading Lucy!
I’m not good at “slow” to be honest, I like to cram as much in as possible so this would be a real struggle for me! I only really have a 4 day city break to York booked for this Summer so far.
As long as you enjoy yourself, that’s all that matters! I hope you have a great trip. Thank you for reading Jenny!
Somw good points here. I agree with shorter itineraries, there’s always so much more to see than the main tourist attractions and slow travelling really let’s you soak up the vibes of a place. Thanks for sharing.
Absolutely, it gives you the opportunity to experience your destination from a more authentic place. Thank you for reading!