If you love traveling a lot, you may often find yourself excited about new destinations and sometimes feel overwhelmed by the number of options. This results from rushing from one place to another without truly immersing yourself in each location. But have you tried the art of slow travel, related to the practice of responsible tourism?
Below is a guide about what is slow travel, how to benefit from it and tips to practice it effectively.
When Did the Slow Travel Movement Start
Slow travel is a movement that emphasizes connection. This can be related to culture, locals, music or food. The main idea is that travel or trips should have an emotional impact and be more educational in the present and future. All this while it remains beneficial and sustainable to the environment and local culture.
The slow travel movement dates back to the 1980s, specifically 1986 when the slow food movement emerged. The movement was of Italian origin and aimed to preserve local farming, regional cuisine, and traditional cooking practices.
Residents realized the rise in tourism activities is affecting their way of life, particularly eating habits. Bigger fast-food restaurants were starting to rise in major cities, resulting in low profits for family-owned businesses.
The slow food movement brought businesses back to traditional roots by encouraging the use of local ingredients and recipes, stimulating local economies. This is when the idea of slow travel came in.
What are the Benefits of Slow Travel
Slow travel is beneficial to both travelers and the visited community. It brings back the original reasons people used to travel in the past. Firstly, slow travel prevents burnout. This often arises from attempting to experience and see almost everything you planned for your trip within a short period. Thos also prevents people from doing rush activities such as workcation.
Traveling slowly can be more economical compared to the normal tourist excursions. Homestay opportunities and local Airbnb can help you save money you could otherwise spend on 4-5-star hotels. Moreover, chain restaurants don’t offer the same experience and charm that a local spot would.
You will not experience life-changing opportunities if you sink your head deep inside the tourist guidebook. Slow travel allows you to connect with the locals, learn the local language, try local cuisines and engage in local activities, which are reasons why people travel.
How to Embrace the Slow Travel Mindset
Do you want to start traveling slowly but don’t know how to do it? Here is how to shift your mindset and get started. Start by living like the locals. Try to learn something from every person you meet at your destination, gathering insights on places to relax, places to learn about the local culture and nice places to eat.
Don’t plan everything. Avoid making a strict to-do list or any list at all. It is hard to try new things and experience happenstance or surprise when you have your minutes planned. Let the rhythm of the day dictate what you should do.
How to Put Slow Travel into Practice
Always remember that the trip is for you and not for the tour guide. Therefore, try something adventurous once in a while instead of doing everything the tour guide is telling you. Start with a simple road trip to understand the principles of slow travel.
Catalonia Hotels & Resorts
Looking for a place to lay your head? Welcome to Catalonia Hotels & Resorts in the heart of Catalonia, where luxury meets genuine experiences. The hotels offer comfort and luxury to ensure every stay is marked by an incredible experience.
The hotels can be found in more than 25 different locations, including Spain, Amsterdam, Brussels, Porto, Santo Domingo, Berlin, resorts in Mexico and in the Dominican Republic. The hotels are strategically located for easy access within the city, offering convenience and accessibility to guests.
By adopting a new mindset, traveling will again have meaning. Create beautiful memories by indulging in local culture and trying new languages. As you plan your next trip, consider slow travel and remember there is always time for another trip.