Slow Travel: What Is This Exciting New Phenomenon? And How To Do It Right

Slow Travel: What Is This Exciting New Phenomenon? And How To Do It Right

Is it just us, or does everyone seems to be catching flights, not feelings, this summer? After a 2-year hiatus, travel has made its come back. Besides, is there anything more satisfying than the sensation of balmy sand beneath your toes? Or wandering the paved streets of Paris absorbing centuries of history? We don't think so.
However, 2022 international travel looks slightly different from the pre-COVID-19 Pandemic version. Thanks to more flexible work schedules and remote working arrangements, travel has decreased its pace and is taking on a slower and more mindful approach.

What is the Slow Travel Movement?

Also known as Slow Tourism, the focus is on connecting with fewer places for longer periods of time. In the past, we may have tried to squeeze 8 destinations into a 3-week vacation, whereas the Slow Travel Movement encourages us to pick 1 or 2 and do them thoroughly. 
It could be renting an Airbnb for 3 weeks in Costa Rica and working remotely from there whilst exploring the stunning beaches and local sights after hours. The entire point of the Slow Travel Movement is to stop rushing and focus on slowing down and absorbing the cultural experience and present moment of where you are.
It's all about mindset. 

 

Benefits of Slow Travel

Hands up if you're constantly busy being busy? Our lives have become so go-go-go all the time that when it comes to taking time out and going on a holiday, we forget that the point is to adopt a slower pace. Slow Travel lets us connect to our roots and reflect internally on our lives. Plus, it's much better for the environment because - fewer resources go to commuting from one destination to another.  

 

How to ace the Slow Travel Experience

Visit fewer destinations for more days

We're so used to galavanting around Europe, ticking off iconic sights like it's a to-do list. When you slow down and take time to appreciate a travel destination without rushing and immerse yourself in the culture, the food, the people, and the undiscovered sights, you will feel much more connected to the place. Each part of the world has something remarkable and unique. Slow Travel allows you to explore those hidden gems and helps avoid the dreaded 'I need a holiday from my holiday' vibe when you get back home.

 

Slow Travel is more cost-effective

Travel expenses are one of the biggest costs when it comes to travel. Whether that be flights, train travel, busses or car rental - all those transportation costs add up. When you slow down and travel more consciously, exploring one region in more detail and not hop, skip and jump from Paris to Madrid, you save money on transportation. And if you stay in a home type accommodation (compared to a hotel), having kitchen facilities will also reduce costs because you can cook some of your meals at home.

 

Focus on building relationships

A massive part of travel is the humans you meet along the way. But it's not possible to build special connections if you're only staying in a place for one or two nights. When you Slow Travel, we guarantee you’ll meet many fascinating characters. Maybe it’s your local barista or your Airbnb host that turns into a lifelong friend.


With an easing of COVID-19 restrictions and less stringent international  entry requirements, travel is finally starting to pick up again. With the slower pace of life - it's no surprise that the way we travel also reflects this desire for authentic experiences both for international and domestic travel.


Are you ready to become a Slow Traveler?


Let us know in the comments below.
 
As always, love the Easy Clothes team xx

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