The Ultimate Slow Travel Guide: Uncovering Beauty In The World

The Art of Slow Travel: The Slow Travel Movement

a mindful approach to travel

If you’re like me, the pandemic forced me to reflect on how I lived and travelled. That helped me move towards a more meaningful way of travelling (and convinced me to start this blog!), so I want to share my slow travel guide with you.

What is the meaning of slow travel?

Slow travel is a philosophy of travelling that emphasises taking the time to fully immerse oneself in the local culture and environment. The slow travel movement focuses on a more intentional, immersive, and sustainable approach to travel rather than rushing through popular tourist destinations. The slow travel experience is about authenticity and mindfulness, and if you are a creative like me, you’ll find it will help turn your travels into inspiration. 

What you will find here:

Here you’ll find a slow travel guide that lays out the core features of the slow travel movement, why it is important, and some tips and tricks for how you can apply this approach to your own travels! If you’re interested in learning more about how slow travel can help you travel more, check out my post How To Afford To Go Travelling (That’s Actually Enjoyable).

How to Travel Slowly: The Slow Travel Guide

Be Mindful

Slow travel is about quality, not quantity. Have you ever been on holiday and had an itinerary that was so packed that by the time you were ready to fly back home you were exhausted and felt like you needed another week off work to recover? The slow travel movement urges us to move away from that type of travel. What’s more it encourages a mindful approach to travel, where travellers are present in the moment and fully engaged with their surroundings.

The goal of slow travel is to gain an experience that is unique to you and helps you grow as a person, not just gain another passport stamp. Slow travel allows for a more relaxed and reflective experience because it gives you time to unwind and connect with oneself and the local environment. That means you leave with a deeper connection and deeper understanding of your new environment. Slow Travel can provide you with the time and space to reflect on their personal values and priorities. Additionally, it helps us to gain a new perspective on your life and relationships.

Here are some ways to practise mindful travel:

1. Take time to appreciate the local scenery (think picnics or people watching from a cafe).
2. Read a local book.
3. Relax or meditate to help you stay present.

Be Engaged

One of the greatest gifts that travel gives us is an opportunity to open our mind to new experiences in addition to new ways of thinking. Slow travel movement encourages authentic experiences. Furthermore, this allows us to gain a deeper understanding of the local culture and history. One of my favourite memories was when I stayed at a shrine in Japan. This experience gave me a deeper connection to the country and it was a unique, once in a lifetime experience I will always cherish.

Here are some ways you can have authentic travel experiences:

1. Learn the language (even if it is just one sentence, it is a way to start a conversation 
2. and meet new people!)
3. Attend local festivals 
4. Buy souvenirs from local artisans
5. Explore historical or cultural sites of significance
6. Try the local food (farmer’s markets are great for this)

Be Sustainable

So now might be the time that I come clean: I am very anti-cars. I’m a huge believer in public transportation and infrastructure. Equally important is considering sustainability in your travels and everyday life. The slow travel movement speaks to me because the slow travel experience involves minimising the impact on the environment. That is why sustainability is so important and why it is included in this slow travel guide.

Some ways that you can practise sustainable travel are:

1. Eat local vegan food (many places have traditional vegan foods that you can try and it supports the local economy and people!)
2. Rent a bike and see the city
3. Travel by train (Europe and Japan are some examples of countries that have amazing infrastructure for this)
4. Choose eco-friendly accommodation

Be Inspired

Like the picturesque movement, the slow travel movement urges travellers to connect with local natural landscapes, architecture, art, and culture. What’s more, this can help you with your artistic process, creativity, and make you feel alive.

Here are some ways that slow travel can help inspire you and spark your creativity:

1. Visit museums and art galleries
2. Go on a photo walk
3. Bring your travel art kit and paint landscapes or city scenes
4. Learn local ways of art-making and story-telling