Slow travel involves connecting with the local people.
“Slow travel isn’t just about taking your time in the places that you visit,” says Christa Adams. “It’s also about immersing yourself in them with the intention of having a more meaningful experience off the main tourist paths.”
Adams, whose travel blog often addresses the issue of slow travel, adds, “It involves spending more time getting to know a destination rather than checking sites off your bucket list. Take Rome, for example. Instead of rushing from the Colosseum to Vatican City to the Trevi Fountain in just a few days, slow travel invites you to spend a couple of extra days exploring lesser-known attractions as well as the iconic sites. It means taking time to enjoy a coffee while people watching, savoring local cuisine, strolling through curious neighborhoods and not taking your itinerary too seriously.”
Slow travel often means savoring local cuisine.
Yves Marceau, vice president of product for G Adventures, says, “We see slow travel as way to dive deeper into a destination to find authenticity and connection as opposed to made-for-tourist experiences. The slow travel experience can come in many forms, like choosing one spot and unpacking once, staying for a longer amount of time and experiencing day-to-day life as a local would. But it can also mean slowing down the pace of a short trip, and taking your time to explore, connect and learn about the people and their lives in the destination you are visiting.”
The general consensus is that this style of travel took root a few years before the pandemic started and has skyrocketed since then. According to those in the travel industry, slow travel can be experienced virtually anywhere in the world. “Italy springs to mind first – possibly because of the Slow Food connection – but honestly, it can and should be attempted everywhere and anywhere that a traveler is interested in visiting,” adds Marceau. “While some destinations might make it easier to participate in a homestay or take a local cooking class, there are also ways to bring the slow travel philosophy to any trip. Step one is be curious and connect with the destination.”
Guests can savor the rich tapestry of Northern California.
Perched on a dramatic bluff overlooking the Pacific, The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay is a slow travel haven where guests can savor the rich tapestry of Northern California with a distinctly local touch. At The Ritz-Carlton Half Moon Bay guests can sample fine wines from vintners along the coast, craft smores over an open fire on their private terrace, rejuvenate themselves at the spa, or tee off on two championship golf courses. This beach resort feels like its own universe, embracing slow travel against a beautiful backdrop.
Unwind over a gourmet meal at The Charleston Place.
Things move slowly in Charleston — in the best way. Maybe it’s the heat, maybe it’s the southern hospitality or maybe it’s the cobblestone streets that force visitors to pause and look where they’re going. Whatever it is, the city is a slow travel treat. With a Lobby lovingly nicknamed “Charleston’s Living Room,” The Charleston Place is perhaps the best location to be when embracing slow southern travel. The hotel is conveniently located in the heart of Charleston’s historic district and is home to cozy guest rooms, an incredible spa, four culinary outlets, and endless guest experiences.
Slow travel can involve visiting the Scottish National Gallery.
“It’s not the destination, it’s the journey,” goes the old adage. It may be a cliché, but in Scotland there’s no truer statement. Getting from A to B is not a chore to be done as quickly as possible. Rather, it’s a chance for travelers to relax and reflect as gorgeous landscapes pass before their eyes. Rail journeys such as The Belmond Royal Scotsman, a luxury train that snakes across the Scottish Highlands, is a great option for guests to relax, de-stress and reflect upon the passing countryside. Alternatively, Midsummer in the Northern Isles is a period of never-ending days known as the white nights in Orkney and the simmer dim in Shetland, which gives visitors the chance to explore more of the islands than any other time of the year, without being pressured for time.
Experience the Aruba Effect on One happy island.
Slow Travel Aruba
In Aruba travelers can take the time to be spontaneous, relax and appreciate the beauty of each moment resulting in a more enjoyable travel experience. After practicing these slow travel exercises in Aruba, visitors leave the One happy island with a long-lasting feeling of warmth and happiness known as The Aruba Effect. Aruba is filled with the peaceful solace you need to slow things down and reground your relationships surrounded by breathtaking paradise. Slow travel activities include relaxing on some of the best white sandy beaches in the Caribbean, indulging in the island’s fine cuisine, exploring the natural beauty of Aruba’s wildlife and rejuvenating with the island’s spas. The story of Aruba is told on the faces of the diverse and friendly people. Experience the culture in the artwork on the walls of San Nicolas, atop the weather-worn patina on the homes of southern coastal towns and in the ringing of the steel drums that mark the beginnings of Bonbini festival.
Christa Adams concludes, “The best way to practice slow travel is to not feel rushed when exploring a new place and always remembering to take a break and just look around. You never know what you might discover.”
