As an avid traveler, I was eager to see everything, do everything and go everywhere. Hence whirlwind tours such as my ‘Eat, Pray, Love’ inspired Graduation Trip in 2011 where I covered New York, Toronto, New Orleans, San Francisco and LA in three weeks.
Memorable? Yes.
Restful? No.
Meaningful? The jury is still out on that front.
Since my last frenetic campaign across Europe two years ago (five cities, two weeks, frazzled nerves all around), I’ve changed my habits in favour of slow travel. I have a reasonable amount of annual leave and despite their precious nature, my typical trip now lasts at least five days to a week (a full week, gasp!) in a single location.
From Bali to Rome, slow travel allows me to savour each city slowly, sate myself carefully and come back more rested.
Here are ten nifty steps to help you get started on the art of slow travel.
1. Location is everything.
But in a world as vast and diverse as ours, you’re never short of options. The trouble will be deciding.
Want a beach holiday with a bit of everything - sun, sand, ohmmm and shopping? Book your tickets to Bali.
Looking for exotic adventure in a developing country? Head to Myanmar.
Is art, history and culture more your thing? Pretty hard to beat Rome (but I’m biased).
Are you a city slicker who can never get enough? London! New York! Tokyo!
2. Plan loosely
With at least a week (or slightly less) in a single location, you have plenty of time! Make a list of things that you’d like to do, see, try, taste in the location of your choice. Mark out your ‘must dos’ for special attention (i.e. make sure you do them).
Find out the best times to do these things - mornings are normally the best for temple runs while some restaurants only open for business in the evening. Find out if you need a guide for these things and book them.
Then, plan loosely. You don’t need to have an excel sheet with an hourly-break down. A good balance would be one to two major activities per day.
You’ll leave plenty of time to have sleep-ins, long lunches, and wander the city like a local. If you like something and want seconds, you can even go back and get it!
3. Choose your Companions Carefully
There isn’t a right or wrong way to travel, but everyone has their own style and finding someone who gets it is incredibly important.
If you haven’t travelled with this person, it’s best to start that conversation on their travel habits (not just what they like to do, but how they like to do it).
That person who must get up at the crack of dawn and requires all to? Out.
How about the one that must plan every single minute of the trip? Out.
The one that needs to be on the move, always? Out.
The art of slow travel requires company that understands and subscribes to it too. Share this article with them to get the discussion going.
Of course, you don’t have to travel with a plus one. Going solo is a great option too.
4. Where to Stay?
They say home is where the heart is, so go with what you like.
Personally, I like staying slightly out of the center of things - close enough to where all the buzz is, far enough to get a little peace and quiet.
Tip - if you’re doing a trip longer than a week and am planning to AirBnb it, I like to mix it up with a couple nights at a great hotel at the end. One with amazing beds and sheets is an extra nice treat at the end of the trip that’ll make you feel twice as rested (but not cost an arm and a leg).
5. Just Do It
As the folks at Nike will say, just do it! That’s the only way you’ll find out if slow travel is for you.
Bon Voyage!
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