We live in a busy world where we always try to make every second count. But this mindset can put a lot of pressure on us during our downtime when we’re supposed to relax.
Especially when traveling, we often obsess with fitting in as much as possible. The result? We become stressed and exhausted, and all the joy of exploring a new place disappears.
Slow traveling has become a transformative way of exploring new and familiar places. As the name suggests, it helps us make the most of our time and take stock of every moment.
Slow travel prioritizes quality over quantity. This results in a more enriching, fulfilling, and fun adventure. But knowing just how to put the brakes on a fast lifestyle can be difficult.
With that in mind, below, you will find easy and effective ways of making the most of your next traveling adventure. You’ll discover why slow travel is the right speed for your next holiday and learn simple tricks for making every second away matter.
Slow travel: the history and benefits of a relaxing trip
Slow traveling is a movement that is said to have started back in the 1980s in Italy when the fast-food culture was on the rise. Local businesses fought back, striving to highlight the magic and appeal of authentic Italian cuisine.
Since then, many countries have adopted this movement. And as it turns out, it has become the cure for stressful trips. Slow travel simply focuses on connecting with a locality and immersing yourself in the experience.
Rather than visiting several places, eating in food chains, and being predictable, you’re encouraged to spend longer in one place. This can yield you lots of benefits, including:
- More authentic experiences: Spending longer in one place allows more time to immerse yourself. You can learn new traditions and cultures and find exciting places off the beaten track.
- Less stress: Travelers have more time to enjoy themselves by staying in fewer places. They don’t have to book multiple accommodations or spend free time organizing connecting flights.
- Focus on sustainability: By spending more time and money in one place, you’re helping support the local economy, businesses, and more.
- Positive environmental impact: Slow travel can help reduce emissions, as you’ll spend less time traveling from place to place. You can also opt for eco-friendly transport, such as rail and by sea.
Three ways to slow down your next travel adventure
Vacations are precious, and many people want to make the most of them. But the stress begins when you start booking flights, accommodation, and packing.
So, how can you slow down your travel plans and ensure you’re taking the proper measures to enjoy your trip? Below are simple but effective ways of ensuring your upcoming trip is smooth, slow, and satisfying:
1. Change your mindset to live like a local
A fundamental aspect of slow travel is that it aims to expose you to local culture. And this can be done by changing our mindset and actively trying to “live like a local.”
One of the best ways to do this is to spend longer amounts of time in fewer places. This way, you can enjoy the atmosphere, engage in local customs and traditions, and more.
Because slow travel prioritizes quality over quantity, try to shop like a local. Avoid food chains and shops you may have back home. Instead, opt for local restaurants and visit markets run by local artists and designers. You’ll support local businesses and enjoy unique foods you otherwise would never come in contact with.
Another huge part of slow travel is leaving space in your schedule for the unexpected. You will undoubtedly discover a plethora of “hidden gems” on your trip. Leaving some free time to explore these things will help you manage stress and ensure that you make the most of every opportunity.
2. Opt for eco-friendly travel choices
In the past, travelers thought the best way to enjoy a holiday was to get to their destination as quickly as possible. But this trend is changing.
As we learn more about climate change, more travelers are trying to find ways to reduce their impact. A survey in 2023 found that up to 80% of travelers believe sustainable travel is important. Slow travel is all about reducing our impact on the environment, so it’s a natural winning combination.
So, how do you practice slow travel in this way? Well, rather than flying directly to a place, you might take a shorter flight and go some of the journey by rail or sea. Travelers will be able to enjoy more of the surrounding scenery and countryside this way. They will also see sights that fast-travel tourists otherwise miss out on.
Not only can these changes help you explore more of your host country, but they will also reduce emissions from your trip. By opting for eco-friendly travel options, you’re reducing your carbon footprint. Best of all, you’ll help spread your spending outside tourist hotspots. This helps support local economies that may not receive much attention from the travel industry.
3. Stay connected with family and friends while traveling
An often overlooked part of relaxing travel is staying in touch with friends and family back home. Not only can you share all about your fantastic trip as it happens, but it gives everyone peace of mind that you’re safe and sound.
However, knowing how your smartphone can connect to local networks overseas can be difficult. And this can cause a lot of anxiety and uncertainty—something slow travel aims to prevent. An easy solution to this worry is using an eSIM.
eSIMs are virtual SIM cards that are revolutionizing connectivity in travel. They can help you easily switch to a local network when abroad, allowing you to stay in touch with your family while avoiding expensive roaming costs.
Best of all, eSIMs can be set up before your trip, allowing you to focus on other aspects of your planning. The only thing you need to do is research the best provider.
Nord Security’s latest app, Saily, is one of the most promising services. By reading feedback in this Saily review, you can see how helpful this eSIM provider can be for trips. From coverage in over 150 countries to 24/7 support and a user-friendly app, you can rest assured that your smartphone will work wherever you fly.
Taking a slow approach to travel
The simple truth is that everyone can benefit from slow travel. You’ll ultimately have a better time by taking a more relaxed approach. You can enjoy new cultures and appreciate your host country and its people better.
As this article has shown, slow travel is easy to implement here and now. By changing your mindset and planning more effectively, you can reduce your stress and have the best trip possible.
Don’t worry about missing out on different towns and cities. Appreciate the smaller things; you will have a much more enriching experience.
Amanda O’Brien is the creator and editor of The Boutique Adventurer. She has visited 80 countries and is a member of the British Guild of Travel Writers as well as the IFTWTA. She is passionate about wine had has just completed Level 3 of the WSET. Born in Australia, she lives in London.