In a world where speed is often favored over quality of experience, travel is no exception to this trend.
Our thirst for discovery keeps pace with our hectic lives. Express forty-eight-hour escapades in major European cities are becoming increasingly common.
Many travelers aim to see as much as possible in as little time as possible. With a tendency to “check off” places:
Check off cities or regions we’ve been to.
Check off the sites we’ve visited, generally among the so-called “must-sees”.
But should we think of a trip as a series of objectives to be achieved?
It’s a radically different mindset that’s associated with “slow tourism”.
Travelling from a slow perspective means seeking out the need to slow down, to fully immerse oneself in a place, and to experience each moment in a more meaningful way. Taking our time therefore fundamentally changes the way we approach exploration. For us, it brings enormous benefits. And it allows us to fully rediscover the pleasure of travel.
We share all the benefits of slow tourism with you! And if you’d like to refresh your memory on what we mean by slow tourism or slow travel, check out our article dedicated to the concept.
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Laquelle de nos boucles itinérantes, slow et bas carbone vous fera craquer ?
Travelling slowly allows you to go beyond the classic tourist spots and really connect with a destination.
Photo Credit : Getty Images
Here, we don’t necessarily have a very precise plan: just the desire to take the pulse of a place, a region, a culture. We simply take the time to soak up an atmosphere, a different environment.
Strolling through neighborhoods, chatting with locals, noticing the little details of everyday life, you discover the very essence of a place: the attractive smell of a local dish emanating from a window, lively exchanges between merchants, the gentle sound of the waves…
These “banal” moments often become the most lasting memories. It’s not just a question of ticking all the boxes on your list of must-see monuments, but of feeling and experiencing a culture to the full.
Take a breath, observe and create memories that last a lifetime.
Slow tourism gives meaning to every step
Choosing to travel “slow” means opting for slower modes of transport.
Photo Credit : Getty Images
Putting aside the plane, we also get around like the locals, using public transport.
And the journey begins as soon as you step outside your front door! Taking the train and watching the scenery go by, walking from village to village or navigating a river all provide an authentic feeling. By moving away from strict timetables and predefined itineraries, every detour becomes an opportunity, every unforeseen event a discovery.
It’s not so much the destination that’s important, but the journey and what it brings.
Slow tourism puts the path back at the heart of the travel experience – every journey, every stop is an opportunity for discovery. Geography comes to life before your eyes, and you’ll find that sometimes you can ask existential questions like: why is that border there in the first place?
Reconnect with yourself and others
Travelling at a slower pace offers a real break from the stresses of everyday life. We take the time to listen to our desires, observe our surroundings and enjoy the present moment without rushing.
Photo Credit : George Pak – Pexels
In short, we do a bit of everything we don’t usually have the privilege of doing in our modern lives. Slow tourism also favors an essential and transformative element of travel: encounters!
By adopting a less constrained mode of discovery, by using local transport (and not a rental car where we stay “between ourselves”), opportunities for authentic encounters increase: locals will be more inclined to exchange with a traveler who is living the moment to the full, rather than with a tourist in a hurry.
And what’s more, you’ll be able to disconnect for all or part of your stay. Putting aside your phone and news alerts for a certain number of hours a day (or whole days) is also part of slow travel. There’s no better way to be in the moment. And the same goes for the pressure to capture every moment. Less in a hurry to document every detail, you’re more present to what’s actually happening. And if you keep your phone, it’s only to capture those precious moments!
Fewer (but memorable) photos, but more memories and experiences to keep to yourself and share.
Slow tourism: welcome spontaneity!
An over-planned trip leaves little room for the unexpected and can be a source of stress.
Photo Credit : Getty Images
If we want to do too much, we often end up with a very (too) ambitious program, and we become a little fixated on the hour-by-hour passage of time.
By slowing down, you gain something. We open ourselves up to the unexpected, because we keep our plans “modifiable” and flexible: we accept a spontaneous invitation, we stop off at a place that attracts us, we extend a stay where we feel good. Letting go turns every change of plan into a precious opportunity, making every trip a unique adventure.
And if ever there’s a train or bus delay, or an event we hadn’t anticipated: we breathe and put things into perspective. And letting yourself be carried along by your desires in the moment makes slow tourism the best way to make discoveries. You can unearth hidden treasures: a little-known alleyway, a local market, a café off the beaten track.
We get away from the lists and the places where everyone’s crowding in and discover in the original sense of the word: we “discover” little-known places that we’re “seeing” for the first time.
Who hasn’t discovered a magical place simply because they got lost along the way?
We bet you remember it if you’ve ever done it.
Travelling more sustainably
Slow tourism is also an ecological choice, inviting us to rethink the way we discover the world.
Photo Credit : amirphoto – Getty Images
Favoring the train is an excellent alternative for traveling long distances. In Europe, we are fortunate to have well-developed rail networks, enabling us to explore the continent comfortably and with far less impact than flying.
And for shorter distances, why not take your bike? Many regions have developed specially adapted areas, such as greenways and signposted cycle routes.
Beyond transportation, this also means choosing eco-responsible accommodation, restaurants that favor short-distance travel and activities that respect biodiversity.
We also take our time with each choice. Where we stay, where we eat. And we support local actors and producers, a positive contribution to tourism.
Slow tourism or the art of travelling differently
More than just a trend, slow tourism is a way of rediscovering the pleasure of travel.
It allows us to prioritize quality over quantity, to live each experience to the full, and to return not only enriched, but also truly rested.
Photo Credit : Getty Images
Traveling slowly also means traveling in harmony with one’s values, savoring every moment and making travel a source of balance and well-being.
For us, it’s a truly different way of traveling, combining the pleasure of discovery and authentic experiences with a concern for the planet.
These are really different travel experiences where without leaving for a long time, we live a lot of remarkable experiences. These are rich and exciting journeys, and once you’ve had a taste of them, you’ll be convinced. Our customers can testify to that.
And you, would you be ready to slow down and travel differently? Discover our tips on our Instagram publication dedicated to this subject : Instagram Post
And don’t hesitate to contact us to recommend a “slow” trip that’s well worth the detour!
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