The Benefits of Slow Travel
Why I love to Travel Slowly
For me, the decision to travel slowly comes from answering the basic question of quantity or quality? My impression is that slow travel is uncommon for Americans that do travel. With so little paid vacation days, about 15 according to CNBC, the goal is to get “there” and see/do as much as possible while there. These are the fast paced vacations, such as a vacation to Europe where you visit 4 countries in one trip. Believe me, I get it. My husband, a very active person, loves itineraries that are filled to the brim with activities. He receives a deep satisfaction from collapsing into bed every night knowing he maximized his day.
However, since my life is already harried (high-five to all my fellow accountants and parents out there!), vacation is an opportunity to rest and reset. One of my favorite activities on vacation is to meander through sleepy streets or stopping in cafes to people watch. I even love sleeping in on vacation, since I am more a sunset person. So how do my hubby and I not kill each other while traveling together? We find compromise in slow travel. Is that even possible? Yes, because slow travel gives you time. Time to recover from jet lag, time to make mistakes, time to change your mind, time to meet locals, and even time to have adventure packed days.
The Benefits of Slow Travel
You will notice that most of my travel guides are taken at a leisurely to moderate pace. I always try to spend at least 2 nights in each location. For international travel, I always leave a day to get over jet lag. Yes, this may mean that cities, states, and countries have to be visited more than once to really “see it all,” but that’s OK. If we know how to budget, then time is all we need.
- Flexibility
- Room for Error
- Create Lasting Memories
Flexibility
One of the biggest benefits to traveling slowly is being able to have a flexible schedule. Say you’re in Barcelona and hear about the most wonderful wine bar by the beach that cannot be missed. If you have a flexible schedule, then you may make the decision to go, leave the Sagrada Familia for another day. To me, that extra flexibility is like “winging it” with a safety net. Opening yourself to opportunities that may come about, but having a plan in mind if they don’t. One time we took a trip to the UK, partly to see The Open, a golf tournament. Turns out bad weather pushed the tournament out a day, and they had to sell last minute tickets for only £10 ($12). Which we of course, purchased. We got that opportunity by having flexibility!
A flexible schedule also gives you time to get over jet lag. Jet lag can completely ruin a vacation, making you feel so tired that you can’t enjoy anything! Having an extra day to just chill and get your body on the right schedule, can really give you a leg up. Even if the rest of your vacation is a fast-paced one.
Room for Error
Traveling is not all rainbows and butterflies, sometimes the unexpected happens and things go wrong. Sometimes, you miss the train or get on the wrong train. Or you may miss an important connecting flight. With so many logistics in play when on vacation, the more time you can give yourself the better.
Driving in the UK was one of the toughest things I have ever done. I was constantly getting off on the wrong exit of one of the zillion roundabouts and going in the wrong direction. Though I managed to stay on the “right” side of the road, the left side, a drive that should have taken 4 hours ended up taking 6. When we got to the Chatsworth House, it was already closing! My itinerary had no room for error, and I ended up having to skip one of the other sites. Though it ended up being alright, it was definitely a lesson learned the hard way.
Creating Lasting Memories
If you are busy rushing from activity to activity, sometimes you will forget to stop and take a breath and absorb what is around you. Travelers who come back with the best stories, are the ones who took the time to make them. Moments of magic found on the train from London to Edinburgh. Peaceful silence in Bryce Canyon National Park. Watching wild kangaroos hop through the Australian outback. Memories that happened when I stopped and took the time to notice them.
Further, travel is so much more than seeing only the highlights a destination has to offer. Slow travel gives you the time to really explore a culture and become part of the community. Allowing you to make friends and build connections across the globe. For example, in Cuba we took the time to sit and talk with our Airbnb host and other also staying in the Airbnb. Just sitting there enjoying drinks and the night air. So simple, yet one of my most memorable nights of the trip. I was overwhelmed over the kindness and generosity of the people. It’s something I will never forget.
Exploration and adventure is more meaningful than checking countries off a list. So next time you decide to travel, try slow travel.
Have you ever tried slow travel? Let me know in the comments!
