How to travel slowly and why you should

Travelling full-time was becoming an increasingly popular way of life. Then a pandemic exploded across the globe. Countries closed their borders and those that didn’t were likely to be requesting PCR tests and expensive quarantining measures. It suddenly felt like there was no choice but for all travellers to either travel slowly or to head back ‘home’ if this was even possible.

However, being forced to travel slowly was not a bad thing. The difference between the typical fast-paced travel-life style and slow traveling is simply slowing down and travelling less often. Therefore, you are able to dive deep into a new culture entirely different from your own and have a truly authentic travel experience. To slowly travel means each new place we come across can be intimately explored. Of course for those short on time to travel, to travel slowly is more difficult but for long term travellers, it is important to adopt a slower-paced travel lifestyle. Read on to discover how to travel slowly and why it is important.

How to travel slowly

To travel slowly simply spend longer in each new place

Let’s try and change the travel habit of spending only a few days to a week in the capitals and most popular cities of a country before swiftly moving on to the next. For example, just as there is more to Australia than only Sydney, there is more to Scotland than just Edinburgh!

Slowly explore the Scottish Highlands

Within one country, cultures and landscapes can vary hugely from one end to the other. There is absolutely no need for constant country hopping. We need to move away from the travel trend of ‘I’ve been to this number of countries’. Who actually cares? Travelling is about the experiences gained and not the number of countries you have successfully ‘ticked off’.

Perhaps start in the North and slowly travel your way towards the south. For example, in Australia, you could go from the bright lights of Sydney on the South Eastern coast to vastly different landscapes in the Northern territory.

Suggestions for slow travel train trips –

Trans-Siberian Railroad Journeys (trans-siberian-travel.com)

7 Reasons to Take the Train from New York to New Orleans

The Indian Pacific Train: Sydney to Perth – Tourism Australia

Top travel tip – places like Australia can be expensive so check out housesitting opportunities to cut down on travel expenses. This way you can still discover the country at a slower pace rather than only being able to have a brief visit. Why not go from house sitting in Syndey to house sitting in Perth!?

Why should we slowly travel?

1. Slow travel is better for the environment

The most crucial reason why you should travel slowly is to lessen your impact on the planet. You could choose to go to the country closest to you and continually explore the world this way in a slow manner. This will help to cut down on flights and constant travel emissions.

For example, I headed to England from Scotland by train. I house sat in a couple of cities while slowly moving towards London. From there I caught the Eurostar to Paris where I spent around 2 weeks. Following this, I headed to Lille by train for a six week house sit. Nothing has felt rushed and still I have been able to travel and experience new areas.

Flights

According to an article by Transport and Environment, the aviation industry is responsible for about 5% of global warming. Cutting down on flights as much as possible or all together will greatly contribute to you having a greener footprint.

5 tips for reducing your ‘flight foot print’ –

1. No short haul flights
2. Choose flights with bio-fuel
3. Bring your own food/drinks
4. Fly economy
5. Offset emissions
6. Choose the option with the least change overs

Number 6 may seem confusing. Imagine you see a low price with 3 layovers so you think this 36-hour journey option beats the 20-hour expensive option. However, about half of the carbon emissions produced from each flight are caused during takeoff and landing. Therefore, it is important to pick the option with the least layovers. A huge benefit of slow travel is that you are able to check ticket prices for various dates.

Although, if you insist on flying everywhere you selfish human then hop aboard the Hogwarts Express and attend Madame Hooch’s flying lessons to learn how to fly the sustainable way. Buy a broomstick made from sustainable materials to take that extra green step!

Cars

For example, driving alone on a medium-sized petrol car produces around 190g of CO2 for every kilometre travelled.

5 tips for reducing your ‘car footprint’ –

• share the journey with friends rather than each travelling separately.
• Use an electric car.
• Purchase better fuel – ‘super’ and ‘premium’ fuel is often better for the environement as it improves efficiency.
• Take your own food/drinks to prevent purchasing plastic covered items along the way and to reduce waste.
• Wear layers rather than constantly having the heating on.
• Open windows to reduce the use of a/c.

Trains, buses, barge cruises, bicycles, skateboards, scooters and feet are by far the more eco-friendly options. Unbelievably there are even eco cruises so there are plenty of options available. Be careful not to book a ‘typical’ cruise experience as these have an astonishingly negative impact on the environment. Read about the impact here.

Other ways in which slowly travelling can help to lower your carbon footprint –

1. You have time to research where to eat. Choose places that use local ingredients and perhaps try a meat-free establishment!
2. There is more time for mindful shopping. You can take your time to discover sustianable shops and markets.
3. You don’t have to grab food on the go. Instead, you can take the time to make food where ever you are staying to reduce waste.
4. There is time to walk/cycle/scoot around rather than taking transport or driving everywhere.

2. Slow travelling provides the opportunity to become culturally immersed

Travelling slowly allows you the opportunity to deeply immerse yourself within the place you are discovering. No longer do you have to be the erratic looking tourist rushing from one popular site to another. Instead, slow travel now has provided you with the benefit of experiencing new cultures. You now have time to do more than just capture the typical ‘selfie’ at the Eiffel tower. You can get to know locals and spend an evening or 2 enjoying apéro together while learning about the French culture.

Ways to immerse yourself –

• Participate in classes run by locals based on their culture – language, food, dance.
• Learn about the local customs and respect them
• Find out about local events, for example, in Lille, France where I am currently staying, there are Sunday tango evenings at the Vieille Bourse where a local book market is held during the day with frequent games of chess.
• Surround yourself with the language – frequent cafes, restaurants, bars or simply wander the area.

3. You have time to give back to the community

Most often travellers do not consider the positive impact their visit could have. Slowly travelling means you are able to help the community in some way. Rather than just taking, you are able to give back through slow tourism. Before heading off on your full-time travel adventures, check out ways in which you can assist some areas you are interested in visiting. This way, you can make sure you are heading to places where you can make a contribution.

Simple ways to give back –

• Taking part in a local beach clean.
• Buying at the local market.
• Attending a language class
• Trying out a cookery session or food tour
• Helping out in a local conservation project
• Eat at local restaurants/cafes/streetfood stands
• Drink at local bars
• Stay in local accomodation

There will be ways specific to each place on how you can help out so have an in-depth google search to find out! Knowing I was going to be spending 6 weeks in Lille, I found an opportunity for volunteering with their refugee project. However, unfortunately in France, most things are not open in August so all opportunities I came across, even English classes were not available. This is why I strongly suggest looking beforehand. However, due to Covid, it was easiest at the time for me to come to France. In ‘normal’ circumstances (whatever they are!), put volunteering/local projects at the front of your mind when making decisions on where to go.

Vital things not to do!

Remember that your visit can also leave a negative impact. We should always be mindful of how we are impacting the local area and environment.

1. The most basic rule is to not litter because this endangers animals, makes the area look unwelcoming and leaves the locals having to clean up afer you.
2. When it comes to booking local activities, absolutely make sure you research how ethical they are! Be 1000% sure beyond a doubt that they are following ethical guidelines. For example, learn why you should be an elephant-freindly traveller.
3. Don’t go around touching all the statues/flowers/wildlife etc. This leads to eroding, and disturbance of nature and wildlife.
4. Do not stay in big hotel chains – give your money to locals who will appreciate your visit more and will give your stay a more personal touch.
5. Do not eat in chains such as Mcdonals, Burgerking, Weatherspoons etc. Eating locally will give you a far more unique experience. Go somewhere you can’t go when back home.

4. Relationships have a chance to develop

Travellers frequently meet like-minded people while travelling and strike up friendships but rarely do they have time to grow. This is simply because digital nomads are always on the move. This leaves little time for developing friendships. However, embracing slow travel means there’s time for relationships to flourish. Rather than spending a few weeks in one area, slow things down and stay for at least a few months.

Possible connections –

• You may make suitable work connections that further your job opportunities.
• Others might inform you of digital-nomad friendly places to work at.
• You may come across a partner in crime to accompany you on future adventures.
• There will be time to develop deep connections with fellow like-minded travellers and even locals.
• You may come across volunteering opportunities through people you meet.

Although, the downside to flourishing relationships is that you both eventually will inevitably move on. However, you have now built foundations for strong future friendships. The brilliance of this is that you slowly start to gather friends from around the world. This likely provides you with free accommodation and tour guides in many places around the globe. Or at the very least, you have people you can meet up with on future travels.

5. Improved mental health

With frequently having to become accustomed to new places, the full-time travel life can at times feel lonely. Therefore, slow travel is the perfect opportunity to lessen the loneliness by forming connections with others. People back home do not always understand the desire for this lifestyle choice so friendships with more like-minded people is a blessing. You can develop a community to which you can reach out to at any time of need. You all understand the highs and lows of travel so there is no one better to share these experiences with as well as a bowl of melted cheese!

The benefits of slow travel on your mental health –

• Less constant organising and moving about.
• No longer always having to check on visa requirements
• Not constantly booking transport and accommodation
• A lot more free time to relax and to make friends.
• Time to make healthy nutritious meals
• Able to fit in exercise
• Time to do absolutley nothing!
• There is plenty of time for a good work/life balance

Rather than constantly feeling that you have to get out and explore due to being in new places so often, you can instead slow down and take time to truly relax. This will have endless benefits for your mental health. You can take time to truly appreciate the wonderful opportunities that the privilege of being able to travel brings you.

6. Travel slowly and you will save money

Travelling slowly means you have a lot more flexibility in comparison with a typical fast-paced travelling lifestyle. You will now have much more freedom with dates, this can save you a lot of money.

How does it save you money? –

• You save money by travelling less.
• Being flexible means you are able to select the cheapest transport options at the cheapest times.
• You can look into getting a job locally by staying long-term for 6 months to a year.
• Staying in the same place for a long period of time can drastically reduce the price. Sites like Airbnb offer enticing discounts on monthly stays. The longer you stay the more you save.
• Your flexibility means you have the pick of all house sitting and job/volunteering opportunities around the globe. You will have far more options available to you by being open to how long your stay in each area is.

Taking each of these reasons into account, travelling slowly is clearly a beneficial way of life for travellers. Anyway, with constant Covid testing and quarantining measures alone, now is absolutely the time to adopt a slow travel method. You will have more time, friendships will flourish, your mental health will benefit, and you can save money! More importantly, the less harm is brought to the planet too! There really is no downside.

After all, the tortoise raced the hare and won! So remember, slow and steady wins the race.