Love this essay, this is so important! I oftentimes feel that when I get caught in the hyper-consumer/top-things-to-do incessant travel mode I oftentimes feel unfulfilled and disconnected from the places I visit. Soft travel and just slowing down a lot more in general helps bring us back to the real reasons we should travel: exploration and connection.
Absolutely, Emma! Travel is way more than ticking off destinations and attractions from a list. It's what you learn, who you meet and how you grow while you're there, if you give yourself the space to do that.
I swear we are on the same wavelength half the time I read your posts! I just got home from a 5 week trip around Europe and my favorite moments were the unscripted, unscheduled random chats with new friends or moments of self discovery. I definitely didn't travel that slowly, but I also didn't pack my days with a ton of stuff. It was a good shift for me to move into a slower, more intentional pace of travel.
I think you're right, Claire. Several years ago as we were planning a trip to India, we talked about it w. a friend who owned the only (at the time) Indian restaurant in Cancun. Narinder told us--'make sure to stay at 'comfortable' hotels when you're in big cities like Delhi or Calcutta. Don't go for the cheapest. You will have overload from your day, and sometimes you need something a bit more.' It was good advice. Some days after walking through India's crowded sometimes gritty, cities as a tourist, you Do need a place where you know you'll be completely comfortable. We're not wimps by any means, but it probably made our overall journey better--to just take a night off in that 30 days' journey (our visa only allowed that) and literally 'played tourist.' Then back to our regular 2 star haunts.
I totally agree with this, Jeanine. I was only in Mumbai for a few hours before catching a flight and found it so over-stimulating, all I wanted to do was have a shower and a sleep. It's definitely worth booking a comfy hotel sometimes!
Love this essay, this is so important! I oftentimes feel that when I get caught in the hyper-consumer/top-things-to-do incessant travel mode I oftentimes feel unfulfilled and disconnected from the places I visit. Soft travel and just slowing down a lot more in general helps bring us back to the real reasons we should travel: exploration and connection.
Absolutely, Emma! Travel is way more than ticking off destinations and attractions from a list. It's what you learn, who you meet and how you grow while you're there, if you give yourself the space to do that.
Exactly! That’s the beauty of travel and why I think it’s still worth it despite a lot of the social and environmental harm it causes.
I swear we are on the same wavelength half the time I read your posts! I just got home from a 5 week trip around Europe and my favorite moments were the unscripted, unscheduled random chats with new friends or moments of self discovery. I definitely didn't travel that slowly, but I also didn't pack my days with a ton of stuff. It was a good shift for me to move into a slower, more intentional pace of travel.
I love this, Stephanie! Glad you had such a good time. It's those little moments of spontaneity and chance encounters that bring the magic ✨
I think you're right, Claire. Several years ago as we were planning a trip to India, we talked about it w. a friend who owned the only (at the time) Indian restaurant in Cancun. Narinder told us--'make sure to stay at 'comfortable' hotels when you're in big cities like Delhi or Calcutta. Don't go for the cheapest. You will have overload from your day, and sometimes you need something a bit more.' It was good advice. Some days after walking through India's crowded sometimes gritty, cities as a tourist, you Do need a place where you know you'll be completely comfortable. We're not wimps by any means, but it probably made our overall journey better--to just take a night off in that 30 days' journey (our visa only allowed that) and literally 'played tourist.' Then back to our regular 2 star haunts.
I totally agree with this, Jeanine. I was only in Mumbai for a few hours before catching a flight and found it so over-stimulating, all I wanted to do was have a shower and a sleep. It's definitely worth booking a comfy hotel sometimes!
A wonderful article that certainly encapsulates the benefits of slow travel, Claire.
Thank you, Jill! I'm glad you liked it.