Satisfying Slow Travel

VACATIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE relaxing and rejuvenating, but between rushing from one place to another, checking things off your bucket list and navigating crowded hot spots, it’s all too easy to come home feeling depleted. Enter slow travel, an approach that seeks to mitigate some of the challenges of conventional travel. What is slow travel, exactly? It’s not just about spending an extended period of time in one location, says Erin Hynes, the Canadian travel writer behind pinatravels.org, and host of the Curious Tourism podcast. Rather, slow travel is about embracing the quality, rather than quantity, of experiences, no matter the length of your holiday. “You want to immerse yourself in a place, getting to know its rhythms, learning about it and connecting with the local culture,” Hynes says. “It’s less about ticking attractions off a list and more about taking in your surroundings.” An added bonus? Slow travel is ideal for buying local and experimenting with lower-carbon modes of transportation. Both can help lower your trip’s environmental footprint. Here’s how slow travel can offer a more relaxing alternative to conventional modes of travel and make you a more sustainable traveller, too.

A MINDFUL WAY TO EXPLORE

For Hynes, slow travel is about taking a more intentional and mindful approach to every aspect of your trip, from the itinerary to the places you stay to the foods you eat. “That way, you aren’t rushing through your trip and [can] get to know the places you visit better,” she says. You don’t have to extend the length of your holiday to get into a slow-travel mindset. Without the pressure to see and do as much as possible, you have the flexibility to linger in cafés, stroll through parks and let curiosity be your day-to-day guide. It can also deepen your relationship with members of the local community. When Hynes travelled to Bhalil, Morocco, in 2023, she chose a homestay (a type of lodging in a private house) with just three guest rooms. She shared meals, walks, stories and laughter with the friendly hosts. “Spending so much time with a Bhalil [local] gave me insight into Moroccan culture that I otherwise would never have experienced,” Hynes says. “By the time I left, I had two new friends who I plan to visit again.”

HOW SLOW TRAVEL SUPPORTS SUSTAINABILITY

According to Our World in Data’s 2023 report on transportation’s environmental impact, short-haul flights generate more emissions per kilometre than long-haul ones — so sticking to one region rather than flying between several destinations can lower your carbon footprint. Consider getting around by foot, bike, train and public transit once you’re on the ground; you’ll decrease your emissions and experience life more like a local. With time to explore markets and small eateries, you’ll also have more opportunities to eat seasonally and locally, a win for sustainability (and your taste buds).

SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES WHILE TRAVELLING

Ultimately, “the goal ... is to have a positive impact on the places we visit,” Hynes says. “It can help reduce the effects of over-tourism, support local and Indigenous communities, protect natural resources and wildlife and lead to the building of essential infrastructure.”

Hynes suggests putting intention into where and how you spend your money. “Instead of going to a chain coffee shop, support a local café. Instead of booking a chain hotel, stay in a family-owned hotel or bed and breakfast. Hire guides who are local to the region you’re visiting, so you have the chance to learn from a local.”

Since many slow-travel practices are focused on fostering meaningful interactions and in-depth experiences, it also means you’re more likely to return home feeling refreshed and energized.

Isn’t that what vacations are all about? CAA