Take your time: travel slow
Have you ever heard of 'slow travel'? Slow travel is exactly what its name says. With slow travel you take things down a gear, without checking off as many highlights as possible. The goal is to have the most authentic experience while traveling by meeting exceptional people and discovering other cultures.
Make your trip a really good trip and never return exhausted again. With slow travel, you slow down to experience a place at a relaxed pace. With the growing pressure in daily life, this phenomenon is becoming increasingly popular for a reason. Wondering what it means exactly and how you can do it? We'll explain it to you!
What is slow travel?
Slow travel is exactly what the name says: travelling slowly. You take at least a few days to experience a place. This makes you less in a hurry and you are less afraid of missing things. Travel is not a competition: the number of famous sights you have ticked off does not determine whether your trip is successful. When you travel at a relaxed pace, you enjoy the moment more. Discover local cuisines, visit local communities and dare to open yourself up to unknown experiences.
Why slow travel?
Many travellers experience their trips as stressful and come home exhausted, while your holiday is meant to allow you to recharge from your busy daily life. By consciously choosing less on your schedule, you get the chance to really relax and have an authentic experience. Are you enjoying the morning sun on a terrace? No worries about your daily schedule because you also have time tomorrow.
Tips for your slow travel
Do you think slow travel is for you? We give tips on how to travel slower.
Stay in one place for several days
When you stay in one place for several days, you avoid stress about whether you have enough time. Therefore, stay in the same place for at least three days. It will give you time to feel more at home. Would you rather go to that one local market instead of travelling on to the next place? Then stay an extra day. From now on, let yourself be guided by your own interests and preferences.
Avoid to-do lists of famous landmarks
Forget the tourist highlights that everyone says you shouldn't miss. Travel is not about quantity but about quality. Stroll aimlessly through the streets of an unknown town. Admire quaint houses, sip coffee in the town square, or read a book in the park. Start a conversation with a local and learn about the daily life at your destination. This way you experience a trip that can’t be found in any travel guide.
Travel in the early or late season
Experiencing your journey in peace is easier when it is less crowded around you. Therefore, travel in the early or late season and avoid crowds of tourists. You will be able can enjoy the benefits of slow travel even more. A nice side effect: by staying away from the busy high season, you avoid high prices. So, your travel budget also gets a boost!
Volunteer
Do you want to give more meaning to your journey in addition to travelling slower? A good way to do this is volunteering. In this way, you do your bit for people, animals or nature. It gives you satisfaction and means you stay in one place longer.
We want to inspire not only you, but also the travel industry to work together on more sustainable travel. Curious about what Transavia is doing to make your trip more sustainable? Check out our sustainability page!