Everyone loves to travel, whether it’s somewhere close to you or another country that is miles away. But just like everything else in the world, travelling is becoming more environmentally and socially conscious. No longer are people just visiting abroad for the sun or beaches; travellers want to immerse themselves and truly appreciate the beauty and the local people of these countries. The easiest answer to this demand for more purposeful and meaningful travel is slow travel.
Slow travel is the art of more meaningful travel where travellers spend more time in fewer places, quality over quantity, if you will. It also includes many other principles such as choosing more sustainable transport and living like a local. In essence, all of these principles and ways of travelling deepen the overlap of the travelling experience and help you add meaning to your trips.
So, you know what slow travel is, and you want to try it out for yourself but have no idea where to start. Well, not to worry, this article aims to cover 4 slow travel tips that you can take around the world with you so you can start travelling with the environment in mind, more ethically and truly enjoy travelling as it’s supposed to be, a learning experience.
Spend time in fewer places
Many people, when travelling, make the mistake of hopping from place to place. Whilst this is a great way to see as much of the world as possible, it does not let you truly get to know the place that you are visiting.
This is where travelers should abandon their checklists and schedules of must-see tourist spots, and instead explore each destination with an open mind. This could look like walking in a direction and stumbling upon a quaint village or a beautiful hidden spot, or asking locals where they love to go whilst visiting a local cafe. This is how you can find true hidden gems and create a unique experience like no other, something that you cannot find on TikTok or Instagram.
Exploring as this may take longer; however, this is a key component of slow travel, spending longer in each place that you travel to.
Choose slower transportation
The use of transportation is a key part of slow travel. How you choose to travel to a destination and move around when you are there are key factors of slow travel. When travelling around a country, skip internal flights to reduce carbon emissions and see more of the country that you are travelling around. Not only is this usually less expensive, but it is much better for the environment and gives you time to sit and think about your travel rather than rushing to the airport every few days.
Where possible, try to travel on foot or by bike around your destination rather than getting taxis or Ubers. Not only does this give you a chance to see the surrounding area and even stumble upon a hidden gem, but it also gives you a chance to keep fit.
Live like a local
Many travellers tend to go abroad and eat at chain restaurants and Western restaurants such as McDonald’s and KFC. Not only does this mean that you do not get to taste the local food and explore the world through taste, but it also means that you are not supporting local restaurants and the local people who rely on tourism to survive.
Instead of going to chain restaurants, head to local food markets for fresh ingredients and dine at local independent cafes and restaurants. Not only will you get the chance to taste amazing local food, but you will get a unique local experience like no other.
Engage with the local community
Learning the language is not just useful when in another country, but it also helps to show respect to the locals and their culture. Memorising even a few simple local phrases can help to open doors to genuine human connection, which not only makes your overall experience better but also can help you to discover things about the area and local people that you wouldn’t have before.
When travelling, a great way to engage with the local community is to participate in cultural workshops, traditional events or community projects, where you can create and give back to the local community in a way that can have a long-lasting effect.
Final thoughts
Just like you would remember to pack an SPF lip balm or lip gloss, you should remember to travel slowly, not only to enhance your overall experience but also to help you be environmentally and socially conscious. So, why not try out slow travel the next time you travel abroad and explore a location and all that it has to offer most truly.
Darcy Fowler has dedicated a lot of time to travelling around countries in Europe and Asia. She is determined to provide interesting and insightful content with the hope of inspiring others to broaden their horizons. Darcy has a big ambition to establish herself in the world of home travel blogging.
