Less is more. 8 ways slow travel will change your life, for good!

Is vacation high on your list of priorities now? You are not alone. In a recent survey, Harvest Hosts discovered that sixty percent of those studied plan to travel more than they did in 2019 before the pandemic began. The difference is that their priorities and values have changed. Today’s travelers are embracing slow travel, seeking more space, fewer crowds, and more meaningful experiences. Vacation is more of a celebrated occasion than ever before. So if you’re used to returning home from vacation feeling more frazzled than when you began, there is a better way. Planning the perfect vacation sometimes means slowing down the pace.

Don’t think of travel in terms of crossing things off your bucket list. Travel is more meaningful than that. Instead, look at it as an opportunity to enrich your life and explore new cultures, people, and events. Travel is more about adding to your collection of memories than a brag list of places you’ve been to. The new normal in travel is definitely leaning towards slower, more experiential journeys.

The concept of slow travel, or sustainable travel, is not new. Slow travel originates from the slow food movement that began in Italy in the 1980s when Italians protested against the first McDonald’s location slated to open in Rome. The goal of the slow food movement was to promote local products, small businesses, and traditional cooking as an alternative to mass-produced fast food. Similarly, slow travel encourages us to choose more immersive experiences, avoid over-tourism and embrace the local culture wherever we go.

Here are eight ways you can benefit from slow travel.

You’ll relax and recharge

Instead of traveling through a destination and taking some quick photos of it, spend enough time to become a part of it. Immerse yourself in the local culture and get to know the people who live there. Sure, you should visit iconic tourist sites, but make sure to dine at traditional restaurants, enjoy local entertainment, and stroll through the streets of the town too. Slow down and enjoy!

It’s responsible

In these post-pandemic times, travel and tourism will flourish, giving birth to new and lesser-known destinations. Travelers are becoming more mindful of where they go and are seeking destinations that are less crowded with more breathing room. Today’s travelers are opting for smaller, off-the-beaten-path communities where it’s easier to get up close and personal with their surroundings. For example, millions of travelers each year flock to the five tiny fishing villages that make up Italy’s Cinque Terre. Yet often overlooked is the beautiful town of Portovenere, just south of Cinque Terre. This small town on the Italian Riviera has the same romantic charm and breathtaking views as the more famous villages but with fewer crowds. While you’re there you can learn to make pesto from the pros, enjoy wine tasting or take a romantic sunset cruise. Tourists can easily access Cinque Terre via a short ferry ride down the coast. It’s this balance of avoiding over-tourism while contributing to the economy of alternative communities that will keep travel sustainable.

You’ll learn about local culture

Live like a local. Become part of the local community and contribute to their economy. Stay long enough to connect and build relationships with locals. When you travel this way you’ll feel at home, instead of feeling like a tourist. A trip to Fiji, for example, starts off with a “Bula,” a traditional greeting wishing visitors happiness and good health. “Bulanaires” are Fiji’s ambassadors who embody the spirit of true native Fijians and offer visitors advice on making the most of their time on the islands.

You’ll enjoy once-in-a-lifetime experiences

Choose more meaningful experiences. Slow travel means returning home with stories to tell and memories to share. Want some inspiration? Spend a few days at a working farm or dude ranch where guests are invited to take part in ranch activities like riding horseback and caring for farm animals. Pan for gold in Alaska, learn to cook from an Italian Nona in Tuscany or soar in a hot air balloon over the Serengeti during an African safari.

Slow travel is more affordable

Some of the best bargains can be found away from the tourist areas. Restaurants and shops closest to major tourist attractions tend to be pricey and offer less variety. Venture to a nearby neighborhood and you’ll usually find a treasure trove of options for every taste and budget. Ask the concierge at your hotel about other trustworthy locals where they like to eat and shop. Seek out traditional, family-owned restaurants and local artisans. When shopping for souvenirs, look to see where the item is made. Products that look authentic may actually be fake imports.

Slow travel leaves more room to breathe

Expect crowds to be lesser and more controlled. Like it or not, social distancing is here to stay. As restrictions are lifted, rules might be different from place to place, but most people are more thoughtful now about respecting personal space. If you want to avoid overcrowding, opt for small-group private travel over large-group escorted tours. Small group tours usually welcome less than 16 guests at a time and travel by smaller vehicles like mini-busses and vans, instead of full-size coaches. Not only is it more comfortable, but guests enjoy a more intimate and personalized experience, and are able to access unique destinations that larger groups can’t.

More comfort and peace of mind

Consider renting a home or villa or choosing a boutique hotel instead of staying at large resorts. If you like the idea of an adventure trip, but don’t want to sacrifice the comforts of home, try glamping. Slow travel means being open-minded to private accommodations or lodging that’s more intimate with roomier public spaces.

Take your time

Don’t be a love ‘em and leave ‘em, tourist.  Avoid the one-night stay and spend more time in one location. Explore, rather than just see. When visiting the Hawaiian Islands, for example, avoid the urge to stay a couple of days on several different islands, and choose one island as your base instead. Less packing, unpacking, and commuting, means you’ll have more flexibility and time to roam. Slowing down the pace means you’ll return home feeling refreshed and eager to go back again one day.

Slow travel can be life-changing. If you think it sounds boring, think again. With proper planning, your itinerary can be filled with jaw-dropping sites and once-in-a-lifetime experiences. You’ll feel at home in the places you visit and will return with plenty of memories to share.