By: Heather Keys
Slow travel is a philosophy that emphasizes connection to local people, cultures, food, and environments, allowing wanderers to take in their surroundings more leisurely.
It’s about embracing the quality of a journey over the number of sights seen or activities done.
You’ll spend more time in fewer places, have a deeper engagement with the culture of your destination, and connect more with the people around you.
Rather than rushing from place to place or planning your itinerary to the minute, take a breath and embrace the art of slow travel!
History of Slow Travel
Slow travel is a relatively recent term, but the concept itself has a long history, dating back to when travel was by nature slow—undertaken by foot, horseback, or sailing ship. Advances in technology (such as mass air travel) combined with consumer culture significantly accelerated the pace of travel, and it became possible to quickly and cheaply move across continents, leading to a boom in mass tourism.
But with mass tourism came a variety of problems, such as environmental damage, cultural homogenization, and negative impacts on local communities. These challenges have led many people to seek alternatives, and slow travel has emerged as a response to mass tourism’s fast-paced and often superficial nature.
The slow travel movement grew alongside the broader “slow movement,” which began with the slow food movement in Italy in the 1980s as a reaction against fast food and fast life. The slow movement advocates for a cultural shift towards slowing down life’s pace and prioritizing quality over quantity in all aspects of life.
The growing awareness of environmental sustainability, a desire for authentic cultural experiences, and the rise of remote work have all contributed to the popularity of slow travel in recent years.
Benefits of Slow Travel
There are many benefits to slow travel, both for the individual traveler and the destination they’re visiting. Let’s have a look:
Benefits for the Traveler
- Deeper Cultural Understanding: Slow travel allows you to immerse yourself in your destination’s culture and lifestyle in a way that’s not usually possible with a fast-paced journey. You can learn a bit of the language, try local foods, make new friends, and gain a deeper appreciation for the place and its people.
- Reduced Stress: Traditional vacations can often be more stressful than relaxing, with packed itineraries, time pressures, and constant moving from place to place. In contrast, slow travel allows for a more relaxed pace, with time to rest and reflect.
- Economic Efficiency: While counterintuitive, slow travel can be more cost-effective than fast travel. Staying in one place for a longer time can lead to deals on accommodation (like monthly rates at an apartment instead of nightly rates at a hotel). You might also save money on transportation costs.
- Improved Sustainability: By taking local transport, staying in locally-owned accommodations, and eating local food, you can reduce your carbon footprint and contribute to the local economy more than if you were fast traveling.
- More Meaningful Experiences: Instead of rushing to see all the main tourist attractions, you can take the time to explore lesser-known spots and have spontaneous experiences. These unique, unscripted moments often end up being the most memorable parts of a trip.
Benefits for the Destination
- Economic Benefits: Slow travelers are more likely to support local businesses, like restaurants, markets, and guesthouses, rather than international chains. This can have a significant positive impact on the local economy.
- Cultural Preservation: By seeking out authentic cultural experiences, slow travelers can help support traditions and customs that might otherwise be lost in the face of mass tourism and globalization.
- Environmental Sustainability: Slow travel can be less damaging to the environment than mass tourism. By staying in one place longer and using local transportation, slow travelers reduce their carbon emissions. They’re also often more respectful of natural and cultural sites.
- Social Sustainability: Slow travel is more socially sustainable than mass tourism, which can sometimes lead to overcrowding and strain on local resources. Slow travelers are likely to have more meaningful interactions with locals, leading to greater understanding and respect between cultures.
- Positive Image Building: Slow travelers, due to their deeper engagement with the destination, can contribute to building a positive and more nuanced image of the place, moving beyond stereotypes or single narratives. They can be better ambassadors for the places they visit, sharing their comprehensive experiences and knowledge.
Planning for Slow Travel
Ready to try slow travel? Here are a few ways to get started!
Choose Your Destination Carefully: Select a place where you’d like to really immerse yourself. You could choose based on a culture you’re interested in, a language you want to learn, a natural environment you want to explore, or a place with historical significance that intrigues you.
Plan for Longer Stays: Instead of trying to fit in multiple destinations, choose one or two places and plan to stay in each for an extended period. This could range from several days to several weeks or more.
Do Your Research: Get to know your destination before you go. Learn about its history, culture, customs, and language. Research local attractions and look for lesser-known spots that might be off the beaten path.
Be Flexible: Leave room in your itinerary for spontaneity. Don’t try to schedule every moment of every day. Allow yourself to discover new places, meet new people, and have unexpected experiences.
Pack Light: The lighter your luggage, the easier it is to move around. Remember, the idea is to live like a local, not a tourist. You may need fewer things than you think.
Choose Local: Whenever possible, choose local options. Stay in locally-owned accommodations, eat at local restaurants, and shop at local markets. Not only does this support the local economy, but it also gives you a more authentic experience.
Use Public Transportation: Buses, trains, bikes, and your own two feet can often be the best way to get around. They’re more sustainable than taxis or rental cars and provide a better feel for the place.
Learn the Language: Even if you can’t become fluent, learning a few basic phrases in the local language can greatly enrich your experience. It also shows respect for the local culture.
Engage with Locals: Strike up conversations, ask questions, and make friends. Locals can provide insights and tips you won’t find in any guidebook.
Respect the Environment and Culture: Always respect local customs, traditions, and rules. Leave no trace when exploring natural areas, and always ask for permission before photographing people.
Remember, slow travel is less about doing and more about experiencing. Enjoy the journey, take the time to soak in your surroundings, and savor every moment!
About the Author
Heather is a freelance writer who loves exploring the intersection of travel and history. Read her other articles on Frayed Passport here.
Featured image by Spencer Davis on Pexels.