It's a dilemma for travelers across the globe. Do you squeeze in as much as you possibly can? Or, do you slow down and experience a destination more deeply?

Striking the right balance between sightseeing and immersing yourself in local culture can make or break a trip. Explore slow travel and see if this type of travel is what you've been craving for more meaningful experiences.

What Is Slow Travel?

Slow travel is all about connection. It’s about seeing and experiencing a place at a pace that allows you to process those sights and experiences. Ultimately, according to Condé Nast Traveler, “It comes down to how you engage with the world as you move through it.”

Slow travel is the antithesis of our everyday hectic lives, where we go from one meeting to the next, scarfing down a quick meal between school activities, and wondering where the week (month? year?) has gone. It’s the opposite of “regular” travel. In other words, it bucks the trend of getting to our destination as quickly and conveniently as possible, only to leave it immediately to get to the next site and the next and the next.

Think of it in terms of the slow food movement. In the backlash against fast food some 40 years ago, we came to see “slow food” as a healthier, more authentic way to eat. We didn’t think much of “slow food” at all — it was just regular food — until we were faced with the alternative, and then we weren’t sure how much we liked it.

Today slow travel is one way we can move through the world in a healthier, more authentic way.

Examples of Slow Travel

No two travel experts can actually agree on a specific definition of slow travel. However, there are plenty of examples that can paint the picture for you and inspire your next trip.

Nothing-cation

When you’re feeling burned out from everyday life, a nothing-cation where you avoid activity and plans as much as possible can feel like a breath of fresh air. Read books for fun, watch movies for hours on end, order out instead of cooking, stare off into the distance, listen to the rain.

FOMO — the fear of missing out — doesn't seem to be a deterrent from taking a nothing-cation. More than 60% of the travelers in an Expedia survey said that doing nothing was their favorite part of their trip and that they thought it was time well-spent.

Home base

Booking a vacation rental is a good option for someone who wants a nothing-cation or who wants to do something but not too much. When you get the itch to get out and explore a bit, you can use the vacation house as a home base. Take the bus, bike, or walk to that museum you want to leisurely peruse, then return “home” for the night. The next day, you can meander in the other direction, but only if the mood strikes you.

In addition to giving yourself a chance to breathe, you’re reducing your environmental footprint by staying in one spot for a bit longer. We like this option for when you want some relaxation while still getting out and about for new experiences.

Road trip

Road trips are great for slow travel because you’re in control of your pace. When you fly or use public transportation, you’re at the mercy of someone else’s schedule. Not so when you’re behind the wheel.

For the ultimate in slow travel road trips, don’t book hotels along your route. Don’t even commit to a route in the first place. Choose a direction and start driving. If something catches your attention, stop to take a look. Let serendipity be your guide.

Embrace small towns along the way. They tend to be less touristy and give you a better glimpse at “real life.”

Farm stay

The opposite of a nothing-cation, doing a farm stay involves a bit of physical labor. Farm stays involve working at a ranch, farm, or orchard in exchange for room and board. It can be a good way to get to know the land and build personal connections with other people. It’s also a great option for budget-friendly travel.

Lest you be concerned that the only thing you’ll see on your trip is the inside of a barn, many of the organizations that host farm stays only ask that you work part of the day. You have the rest of your time to explore at your leisure.

Barge cruise

Just about any cruise can be turned into slow travel, but a barge cruise truly fits the bill. Particularly in Europe, barge cruises are most common on rivers and canals, and compared to a typical river cruise, they cover less distance at slower speeds.

Traveling on smaller waterways gives you time to get off the boat and explore if you choose. We’ve even seen some barge cruises that have bicycles on board. This is by design so, while the barge is going through one lock, you can hop off and ride down the path to meet it at the next.

Barge cruises also typically have fewer passengers, daily schedules are more flexible, and when you’re on shore, you visit less-populated areas. Getting away from the typical cruise ports and tourist cities gives you a chance to travel differently and at your own speed.

Trekking

Much like road trips, trekking allows you to move 100% at your own pace, as fast or slow as your own two feet can carry you. If you want to try trekking for your slow travel experience, consider a multi-day backpacking trip, or simply book a cabin or room in a park lodge and take short hikes throughout your stay.

We love this option for its ability to put you at the heart of nature and because it’s so accessible. It’s a realistic option for most travelers, no matter your fitness level, whether you want to hike in mountains or desert, or have a month to travel or just a long weekend.

Adult gap year

If staying in one place is what appeals to you about slow travel, but you still want to be active and engaged, try a study abroad program or take an adult gap year. These types of opportunities allow you to really tap into the growth mindset and learn about your destination’s culture.

One note of caution, however. Studying abroad, whether formally with a school or on your own as part of a gap year, can quickly stray away from the idea of slow. Find balance between your slow travel itinerary and your growth goals. Make time for breaks and self-reflection, and allow yourself the opportunity to follow your curiosity, even if it’s not on the syllabus.

Train ride

Some of my favorite memories of visiting Scotland for the first time weren’t of the castles and haggis, but of the train ride I took north from England to get there. I had nothing to do but watch the landscape rumble by, write in my journal, and let the experience soak in.

Train travel is the definition of “It’s all about the journey, not the destination.” This isn’t about getting from Point A to Point B. Book a berth on a train and let the ride itself be the trip.

Let yourself get bored. You might be surprised where your mind goes when you do. The lack of busy activity and the freedom to let your mind wander are how we come up with new ideas. It’s why we come home with fresh perspectives and a better understanding of ourselves and our place in the world. There are other ways to stay entertained if we just take the time to notice them.

Which Slow Trip Fits Your Travel Style?

Still not sure which style fits your next trip? Here are a few quick ways to match your priorities to a slow travel style.

How to Plan a Slow Trip

Choose a destination that rewards lingering

This doesn’t mean that you automatically book a cabin in the woods, although you might enjoy that. Slow travel, says AARP, “encourages visitors to go beyond the most popular, fast-paced destinations.” Pick a rental house instead of a hotel in the city center — somewhere you can cook your own meals, read on the couch, or set up a jigsaw puzzle on the kitchen table.

Or choose a single neighborhood instead of running all over a city like New York or Chicago, and really get to know it: walk to the same café each morning, shop the secondhand stores down the street, hang out in the plain old municipal park instead of the one in the guidebook. Wherever you land, make sure it gives you room to breathe.

Book the anchor

Guidebooks, packing apps, and influencers touting the next best thing all make us feel like we need to plan more. But slow travel actually rewards planning less.

Lock in your lodging and your arrival and departure logistics, then leave the rest open. That flexibility means if you wake up wanting to rest, you can rest — and if you wake up wanting to move, you'll still have a few ideas ready to go.

Pick a few "maybe" activities

Resist the urge to build a schedule. Give yourself a handful of options for each day, but don't worry about maximizing or optimizing anything. The goal isn't to see every sight or make the most of every hour.

Remember, too, that travel is never all or nothing. A slowed-down trip this year doesn't mean you can't go back to adventure travel later. Spending the first few days doing nothing could easily transition into a few active days at the end.

Immerse locally once you arrive

One advantage of slow travel is the chance to actually immerse yourself in a destination. Standing still gives you the time to dive into a culture instead of just passing through it.

Look for ways to join in everyday local life — shop at a farmer's market, or ask the person at the front desk where they'd grab lunch with a friend. You'll probably get a recommendation you'd never find in a guidebook. Airbnb experiences are another good way to get an insider's take on where you're visiting.

Set a digital detox window

Unplugging from technology can help you settle into the slower pace that leaves you actually feeling refreshed. Consider making a digital detox part of your trip, even if it's just for a window each day rather than the whole vacation.

Turn off email notifications, stay off social media, swap a video game for a board game, or spend an afternoon people-watching in the park. Less screen time tends to mean less stress, better sleep, and more presence with your surroundings, which is really the point of slow travel in the first place.

Leave at least one day fully free

Coming to a full stop after a long stretch in the rat race can feel unsettling. A recent survey conducted by Talker Research for Margaritaville Vacation Club found that that 55% of respondents struggled to relax on vacation. The odds are good you will experience some restless moments. Those are the perfect times to take a breath and sit with the discomfort instead of filling it.

That discomfort fades faster than you'd expect. With time, you can retrain your nervous system to be okay with the stillness, and you might end up doing something you never would have planned otherwise.

Get travel insurance before you go

A loose itinerary doesn't lower your risk of a canceled flight, a lost bag, or getting sick or hurt far from home. If anything, spontaneous plans and longer stays make coverage more valuable, not less. It's one thing about your trip worth locking down before you go, even when everything else stays open.

Look for a plan that fits how you're actually traveling — trip cancellation and interruption coverage if your loose plans change, and medical coverage if you're heading somewhere abroad where your regular health insurance won't follow you.

Slow Travel FAQs

Is slow travel more expensive or cheaper than a typical trip?

It depends on the style, but slow travel often costs less overall. Staying in one rental instead of several hotels, cooking some of your own meals, and skipping the cost of packing every day with paid tours and attractions can add up to real savings — even if you're gone for longer.

How long does a trip need to be to count as slow travel?

There's no minimum. A long weekend spent entirely in one neighborhood is slow travel just as much as a multi-month gap year is. What matters is the pace and the open itinerary, not the number of days on the calendar.

When is the best time of year for slow travel?

Shoulder season — generally late spring and early fall in North America and Europe — pairs especially well with slow travel, since smaller crowds and lower prices make it easier to stay flexible and linger without a strict plan.

Can you slow travel with kids or as a family?

Yes, and it can actually be easier than a packed sightseeing itinerary. A home base with a kitchen, an open schedule, and low-pressure days tend to suit kids better than a new hotel and a new must-see attraction every day.

Do you have to work remotely to travel slowly?

No. While remote work has made extended slow travel more common, the core idea — choosing depth over a packed schedule — works just as well on a standard week or two of vacation time.

How is slow travel different from just going somewhere off the beaten path?

They can overlap, but they're not the same thing. Off-the-beaten-path travel is about where you go. Sow travel is about how you move through wherever you land, whether that's a quiet village or a major city like Paris.

Is Slow Travel Right for You?

If you answer yes to any of these questions, then slow travel might be for you.

• Are you afraid that if you aren’t doing something, you’re wasting time? Do you consider action the same thing as being productive?
• Do you feel burned out by work, family obligations, or life in general? Are you constantly exhausted or lack motivation? Do you find it difficult to enjoy activities that you used to look forward to?
• Do you come home from vacations feeling more tired than before you left?
• Do you feel overwhelmed or unsure about a major decision? Maybe you’re considering a career change or you’re trying to figure out the next step in a relationship.
• Do you want to travel in a more sustainable way, having less of an environmental impact?
• Are you energized by meaningful connections with people rather than surface-level conversations?
• Do you want to explore the people you’re traveling with as much as the destination?
• Do you enjoy immersive travel experiences?

Protect Your Peace of Mind

The mindfulness of slow travel can help us roll with the punches when the unexpected happens during a trip. Unfortunately, it won’t help you get your money back if you have to cancel your trip or pay for medical care if you get sick or hurt while traveling. That’s where travel insurance comes in. Find the right protection for your getaway, even if it’s just a nothing-cation. Get a quick quote online by answering a few simple questions about your trip, or talk to one of our licensed agents today.