When we travel, we often try to see as much as humanly possible in a very short amount of time. I’ve lost count of the times I’ve seen travellers – usually from the US but not always – post on Reddit and in Facebook groups about how they have seven days ‘to see Europe‘ and want to cram in as many countries as they can.
I’ve even travelled like this myself, taking the bus from Krakow, to Prague, to Budapest, to Bratislava, barely stopping to take a breath.
Slow travel takes a different approach. When you embrace slow travel, you stay in one place for longer and deliberately choose a slower pace, giving yourself time to really get to know a place.
Even though you may not get to tick as many places off your list, you’ll often find that when you make the conscious decision to stay put for longer, you get far more out of the trip, and experience your destination in a much deeper way.
How to Slow Travel: 4 Ways to Experience a Destination Properly
Back when I was speeding around Europe’s best party cities, I still much preferred slow travel.
It didn’t take long before I slowed right down and got a job volunteering in a hostel, as I’d done the previous year when I lived in Cambodia and worked in a beach bar.
However, it’s not always possible to just pick somewhere we like and stay there.
Most people are racing through itineraries because they have jobs that they need to get back to, or families that they need to take care of. In this article, I’m going to share four tips on how you can travel slowly and experience a destination deeply, even if you’re on limited time.
Are you ready? Then let’s get into it.
4 Slow Travel Tips
1. Explore a region by bike
Cycling is a great fit for slow travel. You can cover enough ground to see a few places, while still moving slowly enough to notice what’s around you.
It’s easier to pass through small villages you’d normally drive straight past, and if you spot a nice viewpoint, coffee shop, or anything else worth stopping for, you can just stop!
If you want to include a bit of cycling in your trip without making it the entire focus of your trip, many places offer bike and e-bike rental, allowing you to get out on the open roads for a day without the commitment of a full-blown cycling holiday (I did this in Favignana and it was a great way to explore the island!).
Alternatively, if you do want to plan a cycling trip but aren’t sure where to start, there are companies like Happycyclingholidays that offer cycling holidays around Europe with planned routes and support, making organising the trip a lot less daunting.
2. Stay in one place for longer
A destination feels very different after a few weeks than it does after two nights.
It doesn’t take long to get to know which local bakery is the best, and where to get a decent cup of coffee, but when you give yourself time to form these small routines, you’ll start feeling less like a tourist and more like a local.
Staying in a neighbourhood Airbnb or small family guesthouse works well for this (but be sure to do your research about the ethical issues associated with Airbnb and try to choose your stay responsibly).
It’s also worth mentioning that you also don’t need to plan something for every single day. Visiting museums or popular attractions can be nice, but sometimes an afternoon reading in a local park or wandering without a plan is just as rewarding (and much less tiring!).
3. Walk!
This is one of the easiest changes you can make to the way you travel.
Rather than rely on Uber to get you from A to B in a new city, try walking! Of course, this is only for those who are able (and bear in mind that European cities often have cobblestone that some travellers may struggle with), but if you are able, walking is a great way to explore a city while saving money at the same time.
When you walk, you’re free to explore the pretty corners and hidden alleyways that you never would have noticed otherwise, and it’s also the best way to discover local boutiques, rustic tavernas, and colourful street art (is it obvious that these things are exactly what I travel for?).
4. Choose the bus, train, or boat more often
The way you travel from one place to another also makes a difference.
The aforementioned US travellers often talk about flying from Paris, to Barcelona, to Rome, all within a single week, but while taking a short flight may save time, it really isn’t the best (or most environmentally-friendly) way to travel.
I always tell people that it’s much better to explore one country or region, and make use of regional trains and local buses.
Taking a train through the Swiss Alps is just as much about the journey as the destination. You’ll get to see magnificent landscapes, travel alongside local people, and discover small towns and villages along the way.
Train and bus travel may not always be the fastest option, but that’s the point! With slow travel, the journey does not need to be over as quickly as possible. Sometimes a long train ride ends up being one of the best parts of the trip.
Final Thoughts
You don’t need to miss out on anything to travel more slowly. The idea that slow travel is less desirable than cramming seven cities into the same amount of days is incomprehensible to me, and I will die on the hill that choosing one or two places and staying there for longer will always be a much richer experience.
If you’re unsure where to start, pick one idea from this list and try it on your next trip. Hire a bike for the day, stay a few nights longer than you normally would, or take the train instead of the short-haul flight. You don’t need to make huge changes to make a trip feel less hectic.
Slow travel won’t suit every trip, and sometimes you really do just have a long weekend and an equally long list of things you want to see.
However, if you often come home from a holiday more tired than when you left, it’s worth a go. You’ll see less, but you’ll remember more of it.
That’s all I’ve got for today, but as always, if you have any questions then don’t hesitate to leave them in the comments section below!
Until next time,
XOXO
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