Travel doesn’t always have to be fast-paced and busy. Taking it slow can be just as enjoyable, if not more fun, because you get the chance to immerse yourself in a place and get to know it on a different level.
It also encourages you to be a more independent traveler – one who wants to experience a country like a local, rather than hopping on a tour bus.
If the idea of slow travel appeals to you, here’s how to embrace it:
1. Choose one location
We don’t always get the time we’d like to go away, so it’s tempting to try and see as many places as possible. You know, tick them off the bucket list. But is that really going to be memorable?
Slow travel would suggest you just focus on one place and use whatever time you have there to create interesting memories. In fact, it’s best described as a change of attitude not about how many places you see, but how you experience them.
2. Ditch the list of must-sees
Similarity, ditch your huge list of must-see attractions and have a priority for each day. As Sloww reminds us, this means one priority. It’s intentionally singular. Why do you travel? What are your favourite things to do? Prioritise the attractions and activities that appeal to you, and don’t worry too much about trying to do everything that’s recommended.
Seasoned journalist and traveller, Ben Groundwater, penned a special series for 1cover called “The One Thing”. It’s useful as a starting point for research because you’ll learn the one thing he thinks is important to know about a country. For example, in Spain, it’s book the La Sagrada Familia ahead of time – don’t waste your time in the long queue.
3. Walk everywhere
One of the easiest ways to embrace a slower pace of travel is to realize how many places you can walk – especially around cities. Not only will it keep you active, but you see a different perspective when you walk through streets, taking the time to look around you. If you fancy taking a different route, try it. If a café takes your fancy, stop and pause for a bit.
4. Don’t be afraid
Of course, a lot of this will involve getting rid of the fear of the unknown. There’s a slight familiarity about a hop-on hop-off bus with audio descriptions available in every language, or hanging around the same tourist traps with other people who don’t live nearby.
But one of the benefits of slow travel is how it allows you to push beyond your comfort zone and do things differently. You won’t look back, and you certainly won’t find yourself on a tour bus again.
5. Ask the locals
If you’re stuck with where to start, try and pick up a conversation with locals. Most people are happy to make suggestions – and their ideas will be better than any guidebook.
It’s always a good idea to have a few phases in the local language (e.g. hello, please, thank you, where is, do you speak English) to show you’re trying.
Is slow travel something you’d try? Or is it something you’ve embraced for years? Do you have any suggestions for somebody new to this travel attitude? Share your thoughts with us.