Many modern vacationers are applying slow travel trends to their upcoming trips. When I travel, my personal preference is to dive into the local scene focusing more on experiences than counting how many sights to see. Why? Because when you try to fit in as many attractions and historical sites as possible, you are rushing through destinations instead of delving deep enough into a few to soak them in.
I like taking part in local rituals and routines and connecting with the place through events, food and culture. Spend more time doing less things.
I call this “slow travel.” It involves focusing on fewer places in depth, focusing on quality over quantity. There are several ways to embrace and enjoy the slow travel concept. It’s all about getting to know one place well! Taking the time to learn about and enjoy the slow travel concept can greatly boost your vacationing experience. No matter where your next destination may be, there is always something to gain from slow travel around the world.
The slow travel movement encourages vacationers to take the time to look around, observe and discover, be present in the moment free of outside thoughts. That’s an integral way to take pleasure from your travel(s).
Have your plan A attractions in mind but don’t purchase non-refundable tickets in advance. Beautiful day out? Skip the all day museum. Rainy or cold day? Great day for the museum or cultural attraction. Spent a few days in a row running around? Take a train and spend the next day in a small town in the countryside.
Don’t overbook your trip with “must-sees” or “must-do’s” unless they really excite you. Just because others may say, “you have to go here” or “you can’t miss this” doesn’t mean you should abide and miss out on potential gems they did not discover. Embrace slow travel trends by taking the time to enjoy the locations you are most interested in. In Paris, I gave up a full day in the Louvre to just enjoy cafe’s, window shopping and a stop in a much smaller, but spectacular Rodin Museum. The weather was just too nice and I was in Paris!
If you want to go visit a tourist attraction, do so because you want to; not because you read that it’s popular.
Choose Top Slow Travel Destinations
Before you embark on your journey, it is essential to research slow travel destinations. These types of trips allow you to relax and reconnect. Of course, there might be less going on during these vacations. However, that’s what they are popular for. For example, European countries are popular slow travel destinations. This is because there are plentiful vacation rentals, efficient public transportation systems, and historic attractions are relatively close together. This gives you more time to soak in the atmosphere of each site. Remember that slow travel is mindset, not a destination. However, research can elevate your experience to the next level.
Eliminate Complex Itineraries
One of the largest pitfalls when traveling to new places is following a strict, rigid itinerary. Developing an itinerary seems like the logical thing to do, especially on important family vacations. With a complex plan in place, you can effectively squeeze as much into your vacation as possible. Only one problem. Planning out every aspect of your day tends to cause a phenomenon known as traveler burnout. When you do not have the freedom to choose what to do, your trip can appear more like a chore than a vacation. Keep open times in order to try new things and be spontaneous. Ask locals, servers, or bartenders for recommendations on the best things to see in town. Often, the best sites are not the top ones listed on the top travel sites.
Avoid Whirlwind Tours
While visiting a destination or region, I suggest avoiding whirlwind tours because chances are, you’re rushing through it all. You’re missing out on the spontaneity; the enjoyable experience of taking your time to stop and smell the roses. Slow travel embraces enjoying yourself, relaxing, and making your trip as enjoyable as possible. Even worse, you will be throwing away valuable days getting from location 1 to location 2 to location 3 with luggage. Dealing with checkout times and check-in times can make for unexciting and wasted days.
Take A Road Trip
Taking a spontaneous road trip is one of the best slow travel theories. A good road trip encourages you to slow down, take in the scenery, and enjoy the ride. Consider a relaxing road trip with no hard destination in mind.
Freely traveling your destination provides you the greatest understanding of what each location has to offer. Most popular tourist cities have local establishments that allow you to rent a daily car or scooter incredibly inexpensive if you are flying.
Take a slow-paced, enjoyable road trip as you implement slow travel strategies into your next trip.
Go To The Markets
I love interacting and observing the locals at markets. Using the slow travel concept, designate yourself time to browse and shop at local markets. Try the foods destinations are most known for, ask questions, and meet new people. Eat the street food, soak in the scene and wander aimlessly. People watch, have a picnic in the park, see a local band, attend a festival. See the local sports team.
Keep your options open- most cities have same day deep discounts on theaters and music events. Check out the local entertainment guides to see what is happening the week you are there. You might catch a spectacular show at a community theatre or see a local band. Both inexpensive entertainment options!
Leave Time To Relax
Following the best destination slow travel strategies, you increase the relaxation you experience throughout your trip. At the end of the day, relaxation is an integral part of your vacation. Following slow travel practices ensures this aspect does not go overlooked. By relaxing, you won’t be following a rigid, strict schedule, even while you’re having fun, it can be stressful to follow.
It’s all about having a mindset that whatever happens is just part of the experience; let those experiences also come to you.
Rather than doing a 10-day London, Paris and Amsterdam trip, for example, I suggest staying longer in two countries. It will give you the chance to see some more of England or France. Get out into the countryside and see some villages.
Take a trip up to Liverpool to soak in some Beatles heritage. Go to wineries in France. Following the art of slow travel, take the time to relax, and soak up what each destination has to offer.
Start Stumbling
Start stumbling across hidden gems and attractions as you embark on your slow travel journey. Travel should emphasize freedom. The ability to do and see whatever you choose. You eliminate that freedom if you stick to a rigid schedule. Stumble into places! Ask locals for their favorite restaurants. Don’t get me wrong, during your research you will see some things that get you very excited and you should plan on doing it. Don’t just pack it in all day, everyday because then you may miss out on some local surprises.
Becoming a Knowledgeable Resource of an Area – AKA Being A Local – Is One of My Favorite Parts of Travel
I enjoy staying with locals with AirBnb’s. I ride the public transportation routes to where I want to go each day. Next, I try to find out where the locals go eat. I like to go to their market(s) or grocery store.Staying and Spending your time Around Locals Is MUCH Less Expensive than booking accommodations in the tourist districts. This is a key value travel vs budget travel difference. Gift shops galore, overpriced restaurants and crowds are why I stay away from the tourist areas. I would rather travel to the congested area when seeing an attraction or museum that excites me. Transportation costs may get pricey in those areas…Staying elsewhere eliminates that $$ factor.
Create Memorable Experiences
Slow Travel has created some memorable memories for me on my trips. For example, instead of booking my day solid on a day we were going to an Edmonton Oilers game that evening (as we enjoy Sabres hockey games too), we walked around the downtown area right next to the arena and ran into the Senior VP of Communications for the Edmonton Oilers. We told him we came all the way from Florida to see the Oilers and he told us he would give us a behind the scenes Oilers experience before the game. He was elated that we came all the way from South Florida and he told us he got engaged to his wife in Florida. Then, he showed us an exclusive look at Wayne Gretzky memorabilia inside the arena and showed us the team’s executive offices. He even tried to get us to meet Wayne Gretzky but he was in a meeting at the time. None of this happens if we had a full day of plans in advance.
Walk The City
On another day we just wanted to walk the city and see some nice neighborhoods. We opened the local newspaper after breakfast to find that Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau was holding a town hall meeting in Edmonton the very next day. Very rare to see the person in charge of the country speak to its citizens in a relaxed setting! We had planned to go a hockey game that night but said this was once-in-a-lifetime and it was good we did not get our hockey tickets in advance. Speaking of hockey, check out our updated guide on seeing a Buffalo Sabres game in 2021. We always buy our tickets at the last minute so we can keep our options open for something better.
Keep Free Days
Following the slow travel methodology encourages to keep some days of your trip free and open. When you plan tours, sightseeing, and attractions back-to-back, you will find yourself rushing through your trip. Slow travel ensures you take in all each site has to offer. By having that day open up to attend this town hall meeting at the local university, we got there early to wait in line. We happened to be first on line! Additionally, you’ll be open to many more things to do in Winnipeg or wherever your slow travel destination is.
As we waited hours to get in I met a girl I eventually dated for a while and shared an amazing day there. Prime Minister Trudeau found out from one of his aides that we were first in line to see him and were the only Americans in the crowd of 1000 people. He came over to us afterwards and took pictures with us and was genuinely touched we chose him over the beloved Oilers that night. Hearing all of the concerns and issues of the citizens of Edmonton and the answers from Trudeau was the best experience a traveler can encounter in this way.
On my visit to Glendale, AZ I kept one day free to roam around. I heard about a local market and it was a beautiful day to do the Peoria Farmers Market. It was an unexpected prickly pear chai tea, vegan eggnog macarons, pitted dates that tasted like dessert, chocolate and fruit bowl with peanut butter and coconut kind of day. No need to run all day, just soak it all in.
Opt For Slower Forms Of Transportation
At the same time, think about opting for slower, more peaceful, quaint, and scenic forms of transportation. This trend has especially become popular throughout Canada and the United States. Here, tourists are increasingly opting for scenic, picturesque train travel itineraries compared to airplanes. Other slower forms of travel, such as by bicycle, walking, or river cruise have additionally become popular. In fact, you may even want to consider planning a roadtrip travel itinerary. Indeed, opt for slower forms of transportation to immerse yourself in true slow travel experiences.
Embrace Slow Travel
Slow travel enables you to be surprised and discover off the beaten path activities and not be as much of a tourist. Follow these tactics during all the best travel experiences in the US. You can come across more authentic neighborhoods, meet and create friendships and find where the best restaurants and shops are for locals. By staying longer in an area, it will feel more like a home than a vacation destination. You won’t be rushing activities nor living with a rigid schedule. Get to know a place.
Relax, have fun, and don’t rush things during your trip. Stop and sense all that is around you. Surprises have been some of my favorite parts of previous travels.
Don’t be concerned with “checking off all the boxes”. Your best memories will be the people you meet and things you did not plan. You can always go back one day!
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