Slow Travel: The Benefits of Taking it Easy
We’re all familiar with the idea of a whirlwind vacation - packing as much into as little time as possible. What if we took a different approach to travel if we slowed down our pace? It may sound counter-intuitive, but slowing down your pace when you’re on the road can actually allow you to experience more of a particular destination. Let’s explore why slow travel is becoming the preferred way to explore a new place.
The Benefits of Slowing Down
When you switch up your itinerary and take things slower, you give yourself time to really soak in what each place has to offer. You have time to be present without the anxiety that comes from feeling like there’s something else you should be doing or somewhere else you should be going. That doesn’t mean that slow travel means staying in one spot for an entire trip - it just means taking your time when moving between places and allowing yourself enough time to rest and recover in between long flights or train rides.
In addition, slowing down gives us the opportunity to appreciate all the small “mundane” things, like getting coffee at a tiny cafe or trying out the local cuisine at a small market stall. Although these activities aren’t always at the top of everyone’s bucket list, they can provide insight into how locals live their everyday lives and make us feel more connected with our environment while traveling. Plus, while we’re taking it easy, we get plenty of opportunities for spontaneous experiences that wouldn’t be possible if we were rushing from one tourist attraction to another.
How To Do it Right
So now that you’re sold on slow travel - how do you actually go about doing it? My favorite thing to do is ask someone what the most underrated place in their area or neighborhood is whenever I’m talking to the person next to me in a coffee shop or a hotel staff member. This allows me not only to gain insider knowledge about off-the-beaten-path spots but also helps foster connections with locals who can help guide my travels further along my journey. Other tips include taking public transit and walking everywhere - this will not only save money but also help travelers get out into their environments and find those hidden gems that only locals know about! Plus, simply noticing what other people are wearing can often indicate who is local and who isn’t - so don’t hesitate to strike up conversations with strangers!
Slow travel isn’t just about taking your foot off the gas pedal while visiting new places - it’s about developing deeper connections with destinations by exploring them through different lenses than perhaps what was initially planned out in an itinerary before arriving. By giving ourselves permission for spontaneity instead of feeling pressure for productivity during trips, we can open ourselves up for more meaningful experiences abroad! So next time you plan your next adventure - try slowing down your pace and see where it takes you!
