4 Ways to Start Embracing Slow Travel

If you’refed up with your crazy busy lifestyle and you’re dreaming of escaping for asimple, relaxing getaway, it’s time to embrace slow travel.

Slow travel isn’t new, but it continues to make its way onto the lists of the latest travel trends. Because it embodies a variety of areas including wellness, cultural and environmental impact, transportation methods, and more, it’s becoming more appealing for worn out, overwhelmed individuals who want to help themselves and the planet.

Even if you’ve spent your previous vacations hitting the top 10 sights and crossing destinations off your bucket list, I invite you to consider what slow travel might look like for you.

What would it be like to slow down and enjoy the journey? 

What would it be like to come home from vacation well-rested, feeling nourished, and having learned about a new culture?

In the same ways that you can begin to simplify your home and your life, you, too, can begin to embrace slow travel. 

Here are 4 ways to start embracing slow travel:

1. Be curious - Have an open mind... The first step to embracing slow travel is to adopt the mindset that you can’t see and do it all. 

• Welcome JOMO – the joy of missing out.  There is joy to be found in not trying to do it all.

• Choose quality over quantity and be intentional when planning where you want to go and what activities you want to partake in.

• Think about what it would be like to come home from a vacation refreshed and renewed instead of feeling like you need a vacation from your vacation.

Simplifying and slowing down are all about abundance, not scarcity.  When you think of all that you, others and the planet are gaining, not what you’re giving up, it becomes much easier to embrace and enjoy slow travel.

2. Study it – do your research and learn about what slow travel embodies – then chose one or two areas to focus on first.  Some areas include:

• Sustainability – in transportation, food, products, and more 

• Wellness – slowing down will clear your mind and help you move forward

• Authentic experiences – learn about the community you’re visiting and let them teach you

• Visiting fewer locations – enjoy the journey, but don’t spend your entire trip running from one hot spot to the next, instead, pick a few stops you’re most curious about and stick with just those

• Reducing your carbon footprint – be a conscious consumer, in how you travel, in what you eat and what you purchase

• Venturing off the beaten path – there are hidden gems to be found in every city, state and country-go find them

• Women-only trips – grab your girlfriends or go solo and connect with a new group of women

• Immersing yourself in nature – find a park, search out waterfalls, take a hike…just get out and explore

3. Find a community – find groups and visit businesses that share your core values.  Tourism boards are highlighting ways to slow down and stay longer and businesses continue adopting sustainable practices that align with slow travel.  A few to check out include:

• Citaslow – an “international network of cities where living is good.”

• Alpine Pearls – offering green travel adventures

• Fogo Island Inn – “A stimulating relief from the numbing uniformity of modern times, [this] award-winning Inn is built on the principles of sustainability and respect for nature and culture.”

• Maine Food for Thought – An educational food tour inviting you to “discover how Maine’s people, environment, and economy interact to shape a celebrated food destination."

• Le Monastère – accommodations focused on wellness that welcomes “people of all cultures and beliefs, and [is] proud to operate [its] facilities sustainably.”

4. Share it – Talk about your slow travel experiences

• Sharing the experience can be just as enjoyable as actually going on a trip.  Inspire others to embrace slow travel through your stories.

• Gift experiences instead of things.  It’s no secret that vacations provide happiness and memories.  Encourage friends and family to skip the shopping and go on vacation instead.

• Volunteer to share your experience with local organizations that support slow travel-related activities.  Talk about your adventures at a local non-profit or co-host an evening workshop with a business that values sustainable practices.

Maybe you choose to start slow traveling today in your hometown, by walking or riding your bike to work instead of driving.  Or maybe you plan your next trip to one country instead of three.  Or maybe you make more conscious food choices during your next staycation. 

Whatever you choose, today’s a good day to get started.  Check out my Simple Travel Resources for more ideas then send me a note to let me know how you choose to embrace slow travel.