Slow travel - a new trend or a return to the roots?

Nowadays, it seems like every week there’s a new trend. Or, even less than a trend - a viral idea that spreads as quickly, as it then dissolves into space. With each single day, the role of social media becomes more prominent, and now it’s Instagram or TikTok that serve as a main search engine while looking for information or travel inspiration.

Now, don’t get me wrong - far be it from me to preach becoming a social media hermit. These modern commodities are here to stay, and there’s not much we can do about it. Even if you yourself abstain from using social media, its influence will reach your life as well.

While social media can definitely build unrealistic expectations when it comes to traveling, there are some interesting ideas gaining traction these days as well.

One of these new trends pertaining to travel is slow, or conscious travel. It’s a notion that proposes a more mindful approach to travelling and encourages more compassion and awareness of the places we visit.

However, one may wonder, it is actually a new idea? Or a return to what travel used to be before the overdraw of information online changed its ways?

What is slow travel?

Slow travel is an approach which promotes traveling in a more conscious, mindful manner. It encourages taking a step back and reimagining what traveling truly is - a privilege and an opportunity to broaden horizons, to bring us all closer. It encompasses all parts of travel: from picking a place to visit, your mode of transportation, how you spend your time during your stay, to what you leave behind.

The art of traveling slow

Let’s start from the beginning. Instead of impulsively buying a plane ticket to an island you saw on your favourite influencer’s feed, or choosing a trip from a travel agency booklet for your summer vacation, try taking a big breath in and out and examine this destination. Is it truly a place you want to visit?

Try doing a little research - talk to your travel-oriented friends, read a blog or find some books about this place. Maybe there’s a podcast which will help you understand it better, or a documentary? Look for inspiration and see if it sparks any joy or curiosity in you. Perhaps you’ll find something beautifully unique about this destination, maybe an endangered animal species, a breathtaking viewpoint, or a museum filled with your favorite artist’s paintings. Maybe it’s a birthplace of an influential person you want to learn more about.

The possibilities to be inspired are endless.

Once you decide on a destination, see what the best way of getting there might be. Personally, I believe that the most sustainable thing we as individuals can do is find balance. And don’t forget that the journey itself might be the most unforgettable thing about your trip! Taking the scenic route by rail might be just what you need to slow down and appreciate the beauty of the region.

Sometimes it’s all about the journey, not the destination.

When you book the trip, use the anticipation of it to learn more about the culture, political situation, or history of your destination. Don’t just base your knowledge on a 60-seconds reel on Instagram, but try to understand the background of the everyday life you’ll be able to experience.

During you stay, there are a number of ways to stay mindful. From choosing to book your accommodation directly from hosts, spending more than just a day in one place, allowing yourself to explore at your own pace, even if it means seeing ‘less’, getting rid of your ‘must-see’ list, to supporting local vendors.

Say yes to experiences, stay curious and respectful, and you’ll see that this trip will stay with you for a long time - it will be uniquely yours.

Inspiration on how to travel slow

Here are some of my favorite ways of slowing down and builiding connection while traveling. Maybe you’ll find some ideas for your next trip:

• Talk to people and ask questions: from restaurant recommendations to sunset spots - people are usually proud to show you what their town has to offer, and will be more than happy to answer your queries;
• Be respectful and kind: there are hundreds of languages in the world, but everyone understands a smile - and sometimes it’s enough to start a conversation;
• Stay curious: I can’t tell you how many interesting things I learned just by asking questions and going places I didn’t know much about; more often than not, people will be happy to tell you a story or explain something, if you’re open and willing to learn;
• Try out local transportation: the best stories come from immersing yourself in local customs - in the vast majority of situations it’s worth sacrificing your comfort;
• Dine outside of the centre: find out where the true food hub is - and let me assure you, it’s almost never at the very centre of town; and don’t be overly afraid of getting sick - most of my disappointments happened when I tried international cuisine at a fancy or hotel restaurant, and never from a food stand on a street;
• Search for inspiration in various sources: don’t just base your itinerary on what you found on instagram or one guidebook; sure, you may find some gems, but you also run the risk of seeing only the most “instagramable” spots and missing out on what may really make your heart skip a beat; there’s nothing wrong with touristic places - they are famous for a reason, but don’t underestimate the joy of missing out on them;
• Read a book or two about your destination: either a history book, fiction or a political piece - just try to understand your destination a little bit more;
• Take your time: there’s no point in cramming an entire country into your 1-week vacation; choose a region, a couple of places you want to visit the most, and focus on that; give yourself time to explore, or space to be able to rearrange your stay ;

What traveling slow means to me

It may seem like a lot - but really, slow travel to me means freedom. It means staying curious and trying to learn more about your destination, instead of focusing on crafting ‘the perfect itinerary’ on paper. I’ve noticed that the more I travel and the older I get, the less it impresses me how many countries I visited or whether or not I saw everything there was to see. There’s no point in that - after all it’s impossible to see and do everything, everywhere. So why not focus on what truly brings us joy?

Slow travel may be a new trend, but to me it means so much more. It feels like a return to old travel stories and experiences I once dreamed of. It’s a way of living, avoiding burnout and trying to be more intentional. It’s the acceptance that there will always be more to do, more to see, more to experience - but I’m perfectly happy doing it at my own pace, without the pressure.

And how about you? Is slow travel something new you wish to hop on? Or a practice you’ve been cultivating your whole life? Let me know, I’m curious to find out!

I truly hope this post inspires you to slow down in your travels. Let me know in the comments what are your ways of slowing down.

It’s a pleasure to connect with you.

With love,

Adriana