Did you know that there are different philosophies about travel? These are approaches that encompass different interests, values and goals. They allow you to experience the world in a new way, provide diversity and countless opportunities for discovery, learning and development. All this by influencing your destinations, itineraries, pace of travel, interactions with places and people – if you want to, of course.
This article is going to be about slow travel, but before I go into more detail on the what of it, let’s quickly look at what other travel philosophies are circulating in the ether.
- Wellness travel – spa, yoga, meditation, fitness. In a nutshell: a self-care retreat that promotes health and well-being through physical, psychological and spiritual activities.
- Eco-tourism – aims to educate travellers about the preservation of the environment. It emphasises conservation efforts. It’s perfect to observe the wildlife in its natural habitat.
- Cultural travel – this one is for those who aim to get a deeper knowledge and understanding of history, art, traditions and customs of different places by visiting local communities, museums and cultural events.
- Backpacking – this is mainly a budget-oriented travel style. It often includes longer trips with just a backpack that contains only the essentials, staying in budget-friendly accommodation, using public transport, and seeking authentic experiences.
- Digital nomadism – blending work and travel? You bet! Grab your laptop, find a good quality of life, connectivity and a supportive community for remote work, and you’re good to go.
- Luxury travel – do you seek pampering and relaxation? Then this one’s for you: premium accommodation, personalised services, exceptional culinary offerings, comfort, exclusivity and high-end experiences.
- Adventure travel – you don’t need to be an adrenaline junkie for this, but if you’re open to adventures and seek physical activities, challenges or excitement, you will like this, as it often involves hiking, biking, mountaineering and other similar activities.
- Voluntourism – combining volunteering with tourism, so you can contribute to social, environmental, wildlife projects. But ensure that these projects are truly ethical and beneficial to everyone!
- Sustainable travel – responsible travelling that preserves natural resources and cultural heritages with minimising the negative impacts of tourism on the environment.
What is Slow Travel?
You’ve probably travelled with a busy list of things to see and ended up spending the whole trip running around. There’s nothing wrong with that, it’s a way of exploring and can be really fun just like an online casino, just be able to keep up with it mentally and physically.
Slow travel is actually the opposite of this. It focuses on deeper experiences by encouraging you to spend more time in a place. In other words, rather than trying to check off as many things as possible in a short time, take the time to get to know the environment, the customs, the local people – in other words, try to live like a local. This will give you a more meaningful and immersive experience, which will not only give you a new perspective on the place, but also help you to understand yourself.
The Key Aspects of Slow Travel
One of the most important factors is to spend weeks or even months in a place, rather than just a few days, which will help you to connect more deeply with local life. So your goal should be to deepen your experience, not how many places you go and how much you see.
Try to live like the locals. This means taking part in everyday activities and events, eating local food – in essence, ‘moving in’, as slow travellers often start to learn the local language. They also have an environmental focus, preferring to travel less frequently but organising more thoughtful and planned trips to reduce their carbon footprint.
They do not have a planned travel programme, which allows them to be fully flexible and explore from their own point of view. This allows them to make random discoveries that foster self-reflection, personal development and deepen their sense of gratitude for the beauty and diversity of this world.
Try out slow travel, if you’d like to escape from the fast-paced nature of modern society and life. Slow travel is all about being present, making conscious choices, and fully appreciating your journey.
Useful Tips for Slow Travel
Like what you’ve read so far and want to experience it for yourself, but don’t know how to get started? Here are a few tips to get you started.
Emphasise spontaneity, but have a basic plan that helps you to make the most of your time. Look for accommodation (hostel, guesthouse, homestays etc.) that does not prevent you from connecting with the local way of life. This will allow you to explore more thoroughly and gain some authentic experiences. This implies to stay longer in one place, instead of trying to cover multiple locations, and you will also get rid of the stress of constant movement.
Staying at an alternative accommodation will also help you to engage more with local people, but you will need to make some effort to meet and converse with them. By doing this, you can get a deeper understanding of the local culture, while opportunities will open up for you to engage in activities you might otherwise miss.
You may also benefit from learning some of the local language, if not more than at least some basic phrases. This can enrich your experience and show your respect for the locals. The latter is also enhanced by eating food whose ingredients are grown and processed locally, as you are supporting the local economy with this.
So the point of slow travel is to focus on deep experiences rather than sightseeing, while remaining open and flexible. Instead of tourist attractions, find things to do that will immerse you in the local culture. If possible, travel in the off-season, as avoiding the crowds also contributes to a more relaxed experience.
