How To Embrace Slow Travel

The concept of slow travel has become increasingly popular on social media this year, with more and more people wanting to try it. Instead of rushing around and cramming in all the sites in a weekend, the idea is to really take your time and immerse yourself in a new area so you can experience it properly. It’s not just about collecting photographs for Instagram.

This is in stark contrast to fast travel, which involves full itineraries and hopping quickly between cities. This type of approach might seem like it’s achieving more, but many people find themselves exhausted by the time that they return home. Often, going to bed after a long stint of fast travel is the best way to recover, and it doesn’t feel like a proper break from work. 

So how can you embrace slow travel?

Adopt the right mindset

The first place to start is with your mindset. Many people experience a fear of missing out if they go to a particular location but don’t do everything that they’re supposed to do there. You want to scrub this from your mind and approach the idea of travel differently.

When you’re traveling, you’re looking for enjoyment in the moment-to-moment experience. You’re not just looking to tick boxes just because somebody else has gone somewhere.

Many people transform FOMO into JOMO, or the joy of missing out.

Plan fewer destinations and longer stays

Practically speaking, this means planning fewer destinations and longer stays. You’re not just looking to stay in to book a hotel for two days in one city before moving on to the next. Instead, you’re looking for the RV park you can use for a month or the city hotel that will give you a place to work while you explore your surroundings. 

When you do this, you give yourself so much more time. You also have an opportunity to explore locally owned spots where you can live in a destination instead of just feeling like you’re visiting.

Build a balanced schedule

Slow travel also means building a balanced schedule. You don’t need to fill every hour of the day with some sort of activity or sightseeing adventure. In fact, many people who practice slow travel actually limit their structured activities. This gives them more time for spontaneous things like resting, market visits, or walks. It also allows them to meet and talk to people who live nearby and discover how they live their lives. This relationship-forming activity is often the most memorable aspect of slow travel vacations and breaks.

Travel like a local

Finally, slow travel incorporates the idea that you should travel like a local. For example, you could walk to places or take a bicycle. You could also use public transport. When you use slow modes of travel like this, it immerses you more in the environment and allows you to see more of it. You get a real feel for what an area is like because you’re able to see what’s going on. For example, you might see posters for festivals or events, or form connections with people you meet at the local cafe.

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Becky

Meet the award-nominated UK lifestyle blogger behind Spirited Puddle Jumper – a mum of three living in South East London! Becky shares the real ups and downs of family life, parenting tips, and lifestyle inspiration, proving that being a mum doesn’t mean you stop being fun or having other interests! Follow along for honest insights into UK family life and opinions on a whole range of topics, from travel and food, to beauty reviews, home and DIY, business and health and wellness.