Instead of rushing through your European bucket list in the matter of a few weeks or even days (gasp), wouldn’t it be better to actually remember your trip when you get home?
Being a slow traveller is not about checking tourist sights off your bucket list, it is pretty much the opposite.
A slow traveller has a desire for meaningful and authentic travel, which usually means trading quantity for quality.
Being A Slow Traveller
In such a fast-paced world, how is it possible to slow down?
Won’t I be missing out on too many opportunities? If you are reading this, you have probably heard of the buzzword ‘slow travel’.
In the last decade, more and more information has been shared about what it means to travel slowly.
My definition of slow travel is the purposeful act of slowly traveling through or experiencing a certain place to have meaningful opportunities.
By opportunities I mean, appreciating the local culture, supporting the local economy, making connections with locals, and so much more.
I consider slow travel to be all about quality over quantity, essentially the opposite of over-tourism.
By slowing down, it is easier to not only appreciate the things around you but to be a responsible traveller at the places you visit!
Though amazingly, there is a spotlight being shown on this form of travel, it has not just been invented.
Many world explorers have also been slow travellers, just without the official name.
Two Types Of Slow Travellers
Generally, there are two types of slow travellers. One kind is focusing on taking a slow journey. This is based on alternative forms of transport.
The way you travel from one place to another will vary depending on what you choose.
Going in a car versus a train will be different. Going on a bicycle versus walking will be different.
Each of these transports will give a different perspective to a slow traveller.
They will most likely meet different people, have different opportunities come up, see different sights, and learn different things.
Some slow travellers will spend months in a country or region and still feel like they have not covered everything.
The second kind of slow traveller is one that is location focussed.
This means that they might have taken a faster form of transport to get to the destination, but will be staying there for a while.
This form of slow travel is based on full immersion into the local life around them.
Of course, a slow traveller does not have to choose between taking a slow journey or being location focussed. It could be a combination of both!
Either way, both have a common theme; relaxing and enjoying the experience and taking things slowly.
There are not many pressures and lots of unscheduled time for an unexpected adventure.
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21 Ways To Be A Slow Traveller
#1 Consider Different Forms Of Transport
There are so many alternatives for flying that might seem outdated but can be really interesting and a lot of fun.
You might have to dig a little deeper to find these hidden gems but they are definitely there.
Did you know that you can take a ferry from Ireland all the way across the English Channel to France?
Some ferries cross the Adriatic sea from Italy to Albania and the Black Sea from Bulgaria to Georgia!
Though Tripadvisor can be used to discover a particular destination’s sights and restaurants, I suggest using the forum part to find information on alternative transport options.
#2 Make Connections With Locals
One of the easiest ways to get to know the locals is through being open to interacting with people.
One of my favourite ways is to give a compliment and follow up with a question to spark a conversation.
Unless you are an extrovert by nature, it can be difficult to strike up conversations with strangers.
The only solution is to try your best to make a connection.
If you are wanting to get connect with locals, get into the local food scene and support the local economy, you should read my guide on finding the most authentic food experiences.
#3 Discover Slow Travel Books
If you want a deep dive into the slow travel movement, there are some great resources out there.
As a nice starter book, I highly recommend Slow Travel: Escape the Grind and Explore the World by Jennifer M. Sparks.
Find my full guide on slow travel books and resources here!
#4 Look For Local Eats
Whenever you can, avoid large chain restaurants, especially international ones. Try to avoid places in tourist areas like the main town squares in Europe.
If a restaurant has pictures of their food outside, that means they are probably catering to tourists.
Instead, walk a few blocks away and you will probably be able to find something more authentic.
Do some research on where you are so you can try some traditional foods.
Make sure to try the street food from local vendors and seek out the places where you see locals eating.
#5 Consider Focusing On Fewer Destinations
By narrowing down the places you want to see, you will be able to spend more time truly experiencing the places you do visit.
Eliminating unnecessarily long bus rides, endless train journeys, long flight connections, and the inevitable jet lag will help you to beat travel fatigue and have meaningful travel memories to look back on.
#6 Learn From Local Museums
Even if you are not that into history, you should still try to find a museum that tells the local history.
This can help break down any stereotypes that someone has about a place.
What you know about a place could be wrong. Sometimes the true story is not in ‘first world’ history books.
As an example, the Republic of Ireland was colonised by the British. Many people do not know the horrific acts that were done to the Irish people throughout hundreds of years.
This is an example of what is left out of most textbooks and why it is important to visit museums that tell the story of the locals.
#7 Leave Unscheduled Time In Your Itinerary
This is pretty self-explanatory. If you have an itinerary at all, make sure to not overburden it.
Trying to fit too much into one day can cause stress and unnecessary worrying.
Instead, try letting the day lead you so you can be open to unexpected adventures.
#8 Book Alternative Accommodation
There are so many alternatives to hotels now that you have to check out!
Homestay is great for finding local families to stay with at an affordable price.
You get to feel right at home when you arrive and it’s perfect for short or long term stays.
TrustedHousesitters helps you stay in wonderful places for free by house sitting and caring for cute pets.
They have more house and pet sits than all other housesitting websites in the world combined.
Plus, you can even find unique and amazing accommodation that would normally be hundreds per night!
I also love to volunteer in exchange for free food and accommodation.
My favourite way to slow travel is through a volunteering platform called Workaway!
It gives you an automatic in with the locals because you are literally staying with them.
You are bound to get amazing recommendations and probably some delicious meals.
I highly recommend signing up for it if you want to be immersed into a culture.
#9 Think Outside The Box
Some tourist traps are unavoidable, especially if you love history!
Turning down the Colosseum would be a shame for the sole reason of it being overcrowded.
Instead, try to think outside of the box to find unique ways to see any large tourist sights without the crowds.
Some of my favourite ways are to travel in the offseason for a destination and try to visit the tourist sight at unpopular times of the day.
If a selfie stick crowd is unavoidable, you can alleviate some pressure by making sure that it is the only thing scheduled for that day.
#10 Get Local Recommendations
This goes far beyond only asking the tourist information office where you should eat dinner!
I mean local recommendations for everything. Need to get your hair done? Ask a local. Need directions? Ask a local.
It might seem crazy to ask someone on the street for a recommendation, but you can.
It might take you out of your comfort zone, but that is kind of the point.
If you are stuck and cannot find someone to ask, I suggest typing in ‘local food’ to Tripadvisor.
This will bring up restaurants that have reviews mentioning places with local food!
#11 Wake Up Early
I know this is a big ask… Some people are simply not cut out to be a morning person and I am one of those!
Waking up early does have its perks though.
Usually, tourists do not get up at the same time that they would in normal life. They are on vacation right?
It can be worth it though to see the city streets while everyone is still sleeping or experience rush hour as the locals make their way to work.
#12 Learn From Slow Travel Podcasts
I love that there is a different way to learn about slow travel besides text on a screen.
It can be amazing to have words come alive when someone is speaking them.
Hearing the passion that someone has for traveling slowly is so evident in their voice.
#13 Consider Staying More Locally
With environmental concerns and especially the COVID worldwide pandemic, exploring locally has become more of a reality, even for avid international travel lovers.
Oftentimes we ignore places right in our backyard for more exotic, Instagram worthy destinations.
Those beautiful places that are usually neglected by those living nearby might be someone else’s dream travel place though.
It is all about your perspective. It is good to remember that slow travel does not require you to enter another country.
#14 Connect With Nature
This might seem obvious or like a no brainer to some, but I will say it anyway.
Get outside and enjoy the fresh air and beautiful views, it does wonders for the soul.
I know nature is not everyone’s thing, but I still urge you to give it a try even if it is only an urban green space.
My favourite is checking out national parks or nature reserves.
Some can be far off the tourist path like Gougane Barra National Forest Park, County Cork, Ireland (A lot of locals don’t even know it exists).
#15 Try The Local Brands
Deciding to save money by not going out to eat for every meal? That is not only a good choice to save money but to experience a whole other side to local life.
Try to shop for food at local stores instead of big chain supermarkets.
This means you probably will not be tempted to buy international brands that you recognise from home.
Yes, I see you. Put down the Hershey’s chocolate please!
I am not saying this just because there are so many better alternatives to Hershey’s, but because you can support the local brands while expanding your taste buds.
Also, trying local dishes from restaurants is different from what is sold in local shops. You might find some amazing treats!
#16 Stop & Notice The Small Details
Do not rush. Make sure to stop when you feel like it. Let your curiosity for the world around you be alive and well!
Sometimes I think we are programmed to ignore these desires because they are considered frivolous or a time-waster.
Yet for some reason, remembering the small details of a place is one of my favourite parts of travel.
#17 Make Sure To Reflect
After all of the unique opportunities that come with slowing down, you are bound to have learned a thing or two.
I can not emphasise enough how important it is to process what you have experienced and how you have grown because of it.
Journaling is one of the best ways to make sense of the world around and record how you feel at the moment.
Personally, I love doing this because I can look back to that moment and read my own words about it.
#18 Revisit The Same Places
If you have a good thing, why let it go?
There’s an idea that you have to cover a lot of ground on your holiday since you might not ever return to this particular place.
But let’s be real, the grass is not always greener.
If you find a good place to eat or an adorable bookshop, why not keep returning?
Plus, if you return to the same cafe over and over, you are more likely to meet friendly locals, strike up an interesting conversation, possibly receive some extra perks, who knows!
#19 Take Time To Relax
What is the point of travel if you are not enjoying it?!
Seriously, if you go on a holiday and return more tired than when you left… something is wrong.
Taking time to get away from everyday routine is supposed to relax you, so remember to make that a priority.
#20 Be Intentional About Immersing Yourself
The process of slowing down does not happen overnight!
Speaking from a western perspective, going fast is ingrained into us, like a lingering habit that tends to pop back up just when you think you are doing well.
This just means that we have to be intentional. Even though I write about slow travel, I also have to purposefully tell myself to let go of my reservations and worries and focus on immersing myself in local life.
#21 Read Other Slow Travel Blogs
As slow travel becomes more and more popular, more bloggers are writing about it.
There are some unique perspectives to check out and even location-specific slow travel guides.
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