6 Reasons Why We Travel Slowly

In my backpacking Western Europe series, I talked a little about my slow travel philosophy, and I’ve had a few requests to go into more detail on slow travelling. First, what is slow travel? Like slow living, or the slow food movement, slow travel is a cultural response to the hectic pace at which we live our modern lives. Have you ever gone on a trip, long or short, and come home feeling like you need ‘a vacation from your vacation’? It’s a common feeling, and slow travel is the solution.

what is slow travel flower shops in Sternschanze neighborhood in Hamburg, Germany — **Visiting a flower shop in Hamburg, Germany.**

So, What is Slow Travel?

Usually, vacationers run around at a frantic pace, wait in line to experience major attractions, spend loads of money at crowded restaurants — you know the drill. It’s tiring and stressful to travel this way, especially for an extended period of time. Slow travel is a movement in favor of relaxing travel, and experiencing vacation activities with purpose. Like with slow living, slow travel isn’t about giving up things you want to do for less exciting or less interesting things, it just means you adopt a mindset of only doing the things you most want to do, and you experience those fewer things fully.

what is slow travel the river in salzburg austria — **Walking along a river in Salzburg, Austria**

How to Experience Slow Travel:

First, put yourself in a relaxed mindset when planning your vacation days. You don’t need to overfill your days in order to have memorable experiences. What are your favorite things to do when travelling? My favorites are: eating good food, strolling around aimlessly, and being outdoors. So I devote my vacation days to these activities, and don’t pack too much else in. Here are some common, enjoyable ways to travel slowly:

Buy fresh food from local shops and vendors. Especially in Europe, it’s easy to find high-quality produce, bread, fruit, and cheeses from outdoor markets. You can make a nice, healthy meal out of fresh food from vendors or local small shops.
Stop in at cafes or food trucks for small meals throughout the day. Instead of eating a big meal at dinner time, snack here and there. You’re less likely to be tired, overfull, and lethargic this way. Plus. you get to try lots of different, delicious things!
Take in the scenery. Go for a long walk along the city streets, do some window shopping, people-watch, and take it all in. Or sit by the river and watch the boats come in and out. Go bird watching in the forest. Whether you’re travelling in a rural or urban environment, take this time to be mindful and absorb what’s around you.

what is slow travel food truck in berlin germany — **Döner kebab from a food truck in Berlin, Germany**

Read a book. One of the things I loved about travelling internationally was no mindless scrolling on the internet! It’s so refreshing to read instead. I read on the train, in the parks, and at a cafe while slowly sipping an afternoon espresso… see, you get the picture!
Visit a park. We saw some beautiful rivers and forests by tracking down Europe’s best city parks. On a beautiful summer day there’s nothing quite like a stroll under the blue sky and taking in nature. You can even pack a picnic lunch and a bottle of wine if you’d like!
Ditch the to-do list. We don’t over-plan our trips and book every hour, meal, and accommodation in advance. We usually have one or two “can’t miss” things and build the rest of the day spontaneously around those top activities.