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103 Travel Idioms And Phrases (Meaning & Examples)

August 3, 2020 by Wes

Are you looking for some useful travel idioms to improve your English?

If so, you are in the right place.

In this post, we are going to look at 103 different travel idioms and how to use them.

Let’s get started…

1. Float One’s Boat

• Meaning : to make someone happy, excited or interested in something.
• Use In A Sentence : I don’t really want to go to Europe, but whatever floats your boat.

2. To Jump Ship

• Meaning : to suddenly stop doing something.
• Use In A Sentence : Joe was doing well on the project until he suddenly jumped ship without telling anyone.

3. One’s Train Of Thought

• Meaning : a person’s pattern of thoughts or sequence of thoughts on a matter.
• Use In A Sentence : I was making great progress until Mary came into my room and then I lost my train of thought.

4. To Step It Up A Gear

• Meaning : to work on something more effectively or with more energy than previously.
• Use In A Sentence : If you want this business to grow, you need to step it up a gear and start advertising.

5. Right Up One’s Alley

• Meaning : if something is up one’s alley it means it is something that appeals to them.
• Use In A Sentence : I didn’t like that movie, but I think it would be right up Amy’s alley. She likes romantic movies.

6. Just The Ticket

• Meaning : exactly what is needed or wanted.
• Use In A Sentence : That ham and cheese sandwich was just the ticket for lunch. I feel so much better now that I ate something.

7. A Mile A Minute

• Meaning : very fast.
• Use In A Sentence : I can’t keep up with Keith. He walks a mile a minute.

8. Bad News Travels Fast

• Meaning : bad news travels fast because people like to talk about these sorts of things.
• Use In A Sentence : How does everyone know that I got in trouble at school? Bad news travels fast I guess.

9. To Travel Light

• Meaning : to travel with very little luggage or baggage.
• Use In A Sentence : I always try to travel light because I hate having to check in my luggage at the airport.

10. To Go Off The Beaten Track

• Meaning : to travel to a place that isn’t well known or visited often by others.
• Use In A Sentence : I wanted to visit this lake on top of the mountain. It a little bit off the beaten track, but I heard it is beautiful.

11. Neck Of The Woods

• Meaning : an area or neighborhood nearby.
• Use In A Sentence : Hello Tom, tomorrow I am going to be up in your neck of the woods. Would you like to grab a cup of coffee ?

12. To Be Running On Fumes

• Meaning : to continue to do something even though one is extremely tired or lacking energy/enthusiasm.
• Use In A Sentence : We were running on fumes by the time we walked into our hotel room, but it was totally worth the trip up the mountain.

13. To Cover One’s Tracks

• Meaning : to hide one’s trail or footprints so as not to be followed.
• Use In A Sentence : We need to be careful to cover our tracks because I don’t want Mom finding out that we came up here.

14. To Lose Track Of Someone Or Something

• Meaning : to forget about someone/something. To misplace something. To lose contact with a person or friend.
• Use In A Sentence : I’ve lost track of how many times we’ve traveled to Europe.

15. To Be On Track

• Meaning : to do something as scheduled or planned.
• Use In A Sentence : If we can get to New Mexico by tonight, we will be right on track to get to Las Vegas by Wednesday.

16. To Have A One-Track Mind

• Meaning : to be fixated about one particular topic.
• Use In A Sentence : Fred has a one-track mind. All he ever talks about is sports.

17. To Go Off The Rails

• Meaning : used to describe a person that starts to behave strangely or uncontrollably.
• Use In A Sentence : I don’t know what happen to grandma. She started to go off the rails when she turned 65 years old.

18. At A Good Clip

• Meaning : quick or at a fast pace.
• Use In A Sentence : Wow we climbed that mountain at a good clip. It is only 11:30.

19. A Redeye Flight

• Meaning : a late-night flight. Usually, one that leaves really late at night and arrives early the next morning.
• Use In A Sentence : George caught a redeye flight from California to New York.

20. To Fly By The Seat Of One’s Pants

• Meaning : to rely on your judgment to do something that you have never done before.
• Use In A Sentence : Rather than sit down and think about something. Mary likes to fly by the seat of her pants and figure it out as she goes.

21. To Fly Under The Radar

• Meaning : to do something without being noticed.
• Use In A Sentence : Mark is a quiet person. He likes to fly under the radar and hope that nobody notices him.

22. Road Trip

• Meaning : a trip taken by car.
• Use In A Sentence : My wife and I hope to go on a road trip around the country before we are 30 years old.

23. To Be At A Crossroads

• Meaning : to be at a point where a decision has to be made.
• Use In A Sentence : After graduating from school, I am at a crossroads. I want to make the best decision for my future.

24. To Circle The Wagons

• Meaning : to become defensive.
• Use In A Sentence : Don’t circle your wagons. I am not accusing you of anything. I am just trying to find out what happened so that we can prevent it from happening again.

25. To Be In The Driver’s Seat

• Meaning : to be in control of a situation; to be in charge.
• Use In A Sentence : The company seems to be doing better ever since Jeff has been in the driver’s seat.

26. To Be In The Same Boat

• Meaning : to be in the same situation or problem as somebody else.
• Use In A Sentence : John and Mary are in the same boat. They both don’t like their jobs, but they are too afraid to quit.

27. To Jump/Leap/Climb On The Bandwagon

• Meaning : to start to follow something after it has become popular.
• Use In A Sentence : A few years ago, no one liked the Patriots. Now that they are winning, it seems like everyone is jumping on the bandwagon.

28. To Put The Brakes On Someone Or Something

• Meaning : to slow down or to stop some progress.
• Use In A Sentence : I don’t know why Jim decided to put the brakes on his business idea. I thought it had great potential.

29. That Ship Has Sailed

• Meaning : the opportunity has already passed; a missed opportunity.
• Use In A Sentence : Do you think there is still a chance that you could work for Greg? No, I am afraid that ship has sailed.

30. Backseat Driver

• Meaning : a passenger who tries to tell the driver how to drive. It can also refer to someone who always likes to take control of a situation.
• Use In A Sentence : Don’t be a backseat driver. I know how to drive.

31. Cool One’s Jets

• Meaning : to calm oneself down.
• Use In A Sentence : You need to take a moment and cool your jets. You aren’t thinking rationally right now.

32. Fall Off The Wagon

• Meaning : to return to practicing a damaging behavior. Examples: drinking, overeating, drub abuse, being lazy, etc.
• Use In A Sentence : Well it seems like Jerry has fallen off the wagon again. He doesn’t seem motivated to do anything.

33. A Country Mile

• Meaning : a long distance.
• Use In A Sentence : After the car ran out of gas, we had to walk a country mile to the nearest gas station.

34. A Fork In The Road

• Use In A Sentence : I am at a fork in the road. I can continue my schooling or I can start my own business. What do you think I should do?

35. To Hit A Roadblock

• Meaning : something has prevents you from making progress.
• Use In A Sentence : Dave was making good progress on the project, but it seems like he has hit some kind of roadblock.

36. To Hit The Road / To Hit The Trail

• Meaning : to leave. To start your trip.
• Use In A Sentence : Well, I guess we should hit the road if we want to get there before noon.

37. To Jump The Track

• Meaning : to suddenly change from one thought or activity to another.
• Use In A Sentence : It just wasn’t working for us so we decided to jump the track and try something different.

38. To Put The Pedal To The Metal

• Meaning : to drive as fast as you can.
• Use In A Sentence : Put the pedal to the metal or else we are going to be late.

39. Rocky Road

• Meaning : a difficult period of time.
• Use In A Sentence : Jack has been going down a rocky road ever since his move to LA.

40. Smooth Sailing

• Meaning : to make progress easily with little to no difficulty.
• Use In A Sentence : Initially, it was difficult to learn the new system. However, not it is nothing but smooth sailing for everyone.

41. Sunday Driver

• Meaning : an extremely slow driver. Someone who is driving slow to enjoy the view.
• Use In A Sentence : Sorry I am late. I got stuck behind some Sunday driver who didn’t want to let anyone pass.

42. The Jet Set

• Meaning : a group of rich people who like to travel the world.
• Use In A Sentence : His dream to join the jet-set came true after he was able to retire early.

43. A Wheel Within A Wheel

• Meaning : used to describe a situation or problem that is extremely complicated.
• Use In A Sentence : I can’t figure out this new computer system. It is really a wheel within a wheel . Can you help me?

44. To Throw Someone Under The Bus

• Meaning : to avoid blame or trouble for something by allowing someone else to take responsibility.
• Use In A Sentence : Mark always seems to throw me under the bus when something goes wrong.

45. A Tight Ship

• Meaning : A very well organized group of people.
• Use In A Sentence : I like working for Steve. He runs a tight ship.

46. To Miss The Boat/Bus

• Meaning : to miss out on something. To fail to take advantage of an opportunity.
• Use In A Sentence : You need to act fast or else you will miss the boat.

47. To Rock The Boat

• Meaning : to do something that will cause problems for others.
• Use In A Sentence : I don’t want to be difficult and rock the boat, but I can’t come into work tomorrow.

48. To Paddle One’s Own Canoe

• Meaning : to be independent.
• Use In A Sentence : Now that you are an adult, you are expected to paddle your own canoe. You can’t rely on your parents to make every decision for you.

49. To Drive Someone Up A Wall

• Meaning : to annoy or to irritate someone.
• Use In A Sentence : I don’t know about you, but every time she talks about work it drives me up a wall .

50. Hit The Beach

• Meaning : to go to the beach.
• Use In A Sentence : Do you have any plans for this weekend? If the weather is nice I would like to hit the beach before it starts to cool off.

51. Highways And Byways

• Meaning : major and minor roadways.
• Use In A Sentence : Mary spent the summer traveling all the highways and byways out West.

52. On The Home Stretch

• Meaning : the last part of a long journey.
• Use In A Sentence : We are on the home stretch. We have about 30 minutes before we get to our destination.

53. To Have Itchy Feet

• Meaning : used to describe a person who has the desire to travel.
• Use In A Sentence : Every time I go to the airport it gives me itchy feet to go somewhere new.

54. To Make One’s Way Back To Something

• Meaning : to slowly work one’s way back to something.
• Use In A Sentence : It was raining cats and dogs, but I slowly made my way back to the farm.

55. To Take Someone For A Ride

• Meaning : to deceive someone.
• Use In A Sentence : I can’t believe I let Joe take me for a ride like that. I should have known he wasn’t telling me the truth.

56. Road Rage

• Meaning : angry or violent behavior caused by stress from driving.
• Use In A Sentence : A driver who hit two people in a road rage attack has been arrested.

57. To Get The Show On The Road

• Meaning : to get things started. To start the journey. To begin to work.
• Use In A Sentence : Well, I guess we better get the show on the road if we want to be there before noon.

58. To Sail Close To The Wind

• Meaning : to do something that is risky or dangerous.
• Use In A Sentence : You are going to get yourself in trouble one day if you keep sailing close to the wind.

59. To Live Out Of A Suitcase

• Meaning : to briefly stay in several locations. Never staying in the same place long enough to unpack your bags.
• Use In A Sentence : I am tired of living out of a suitcase. I miss being at home.

60. To Hitch Your Wagon To A Star

• Meaning : to set high goals; to aim high.
• Use In A Sentence : My parents always encouraged me to hitch my wagon to a star and aim high in life. That is the reason I am where I am today.

61. Wheels Fell Off

• Meaning : slang for when an unexpected problem arises.
• Use In A Sentence : Everything was going as planned until the wheels fells off and we had to abort the mission.

62. Road Hog

• Meaning : a driver who takes up too much space making it difficult for others to pass.
• Use In A Sentence : This guy is a road hog. I can’t pass him.

63. To Send Flying

• Meaning : to cause something to be scattered about.
• Use In A Sentence : I quickly turned the corner and bumped into Mrs. Smith and sent all her books flying.

64. To Cross The Bridge When You Get To It

• Meaning : to address the problem when/if it happens, not before.
• Use In A Sentence : I am nervous that if Jack gets sick we will have to cancel our vacation. Well, we will cross that bridge when we get to it, but let’s not worry about it right now.

Additional Reading: 11 Useful Bridge Idioms – Meaning & Examples

65. All Hands On Deck

• Meaning : everyone needs to help with a certain task.
• Use In A Sentence : We only had half an hour before Mom and Dad are going to be here, it is all hands on deck . We need everybody’s help.

66. Bump In The Road

• Meaning : a problem that arises and slows down progress. Usually only temporary.
• Use In A Sentence : We hit a bump in the road when the materials were delayed 4 days, but in the end, we finished the project on time.

67. To Burn One’s Bridges

• Meaning : to do something that can’t be undone. Usually, it refers to leaving a situation (like a job) in an unfavorable way that you are no longer welcome back or you can no longer return. Opposite of building bridges .
• Use In A Sentence : Not only did he quit his job, but he started to work for our biggest competitor. He certainly burned his bridges. I hope it works out for him because he will never be able to work for us again.

68. To Give The Green Light To Someone

• Meaning : to give someone permission to do something.
• Use In A Sentence : Tom gave me the green light to tell the staff about the company’s upcoming projects.

69. To Go The Extra Mile

• Meaning : to do more than the necessary or to do more than expected to get something done.
• Use In A Sentence : Joe went the extra mile to make everything was perfect so that his wife would enjoy the trip.

70. To Be In One’s Wheelhouse

• Meaning : To be in one’s comfort zone or to match their abilities.
• Use In A Sentence : You need to get out of your wheelhouse and go meet new people.

71. Just Around The Corner

• Meaning : used to describe something that is going to happen very soon.
• Use In A Sentence : Our trip to the Bahamas is just around the corner. I can’t wait.

72. Light At The End Of The Tunnel

• Meaning : there is hope that a difficult situation is going to end very soon.
• Use In A Sentence : Now that the government is going to sit down and talk about it. There is finally light at the end of the tunnel that this situation will get better.

73. To Lower The Boom

• Meaning : to punish someone one. To put a stop to something someone is doing.
• Use In A Sentence : Mrs. Johnson lowered the boom on Jimmy and Byron for misbehaving during class.

74. To Be Off One’s Trolley

• Meaning : (slang) used to describe someone who is acting crazy or insane.
• Use In A Sentence : You must be off your trolley if you think you can get all that work done before Monday.

75. On The Fly

• Meaning : to do something quickly without much thought or planning in advance.
• Use In A Sentence : George just got up there and gave a speech on the fly.

76. Turn The Corner

• Meaning : to begin to see improvement in a difficult situation. 
• Use In A Sentence : After two days in the hospital, the doctor said that Jane has finally begun to turn the corner. He thinks she will be able to leave the hospital tomorrow.

77. Train Wreck

• Meaning : a major failure or complete disaster. It can also be used to describe a person whose life is in a complete mess.
• Use In A Sentence : The trip to the West coasts turned out to be a train wreck. Nothing went as planned.

78. Where The Rubber Meets The Road

• Meaning : a crucial test. The point where one’s efforts are put to the test.
• Use In A Sentence : This is where the rubber meets the road. Depending on how people react, we will know whether it was a good idea or not.

79. Walk The Plank

• Meaning : used to describe the action of forcing someone to accept the consequences of something.
• Use In A Sentence : Once we find the person who did this they will most certainly have to walk the plank.

80. Don’t Put The Cart Before The Horse

• Meaning : it is a nice way to tell someone to do things in the right order.
• Use In A Sentence : Don’t put the cart before the horse. First, look for a job that you like. After you have a job then you can start thinking about how you plan on spending your money.

81. To Spin One’s Wheels

• Meaning : to waste one’s time on something without seeing much progress.
• Use In A Sentence : Sam is just spinning his wheels. He isn’t getting anywhere in this job. He needs to look for something better.

82. To Take The High Road

• Meaning : to take a more ethical approach. An approach that is least likely to offend or upset others.
• Use In A Sentence : Even though Megan treated Paul bad at work. Paul decided to take the high road and not return the same treatment to her.

83. To Take The Wind Out Of Someone’s Sails

• Meaning : to discourage someone.
• Use In A Sentence : Brian was making great progress on the project until Mark came by and started to pick at the imperfections. He really took the wind out of Brian’s sails.

84. On A Wing And A Prayer

• Meaning : there is very little chance of success.
• Use In A Sentence : When we decided to quit our jobs and start this company we did it on a wing and a prayer.

85. Puddle Jumper

• Meaning : a small airplane that only travels short distances
• Use In A Sentence : Once we arrive on the island, we are going to hop on a puddle jumper and it will take us the rest of the way.

86. Fifth Wheel or Third Wheel

• Meaning : an unwanted extra person.
• Use In A Sentence : Jim was the only person without a date. He felt like a fifth wheel so he left early.

87. To Desert/Leave A Sinking Ship

• Meaning : to leave a situation in which one knows failure is imminent and it is better to leave before it is too late.
• Use In A Sentence : I hate to be the one who deserts a sinking ship, but I need to think about my future.

88. Any Port In A Storm

• Meaning : when in a difficult situation any solution is a good solution even though one may not like it.
• Use In A Sentence : Adam didn’t want to move back in with his parents, but after quitting his job he can’t afford a new place. Any port in a storm, I guess.

89. To Get One’s Wings

• Meaning : to get a pilot’s license.
• Use In A Sentence : John was over the moon to finally get his wings.

90. In Full Flight

• Meaning : to flee as quickly as possible.
• Use In A Sentence : The thieves left the scene in full flight, but eventually, the police caught them.

91. To Hit The Ground Running

• Meaning : to start an activity with a lot of energy and enthusiasm. To begin at full speed.
• Use In A Sentence : Today is a new day. We need to forget about what happened yesterday and we need to hit the ground running.

92. To Have Your Feet On The Ground

• Meaning : to remain calm in a difficult situation. To think practically in a stressful situation.
• Use In A Sentence : When he lost his job Joe really showed that he had his feet on the ground by not panicking and making wise decisions.

93. One’s Old Stomping Grounds

• Meaning : a favorite place where a person likes to go to often.
• Use In A Sentence : After talking for a little bit, we all went back to our old stomping grounds, our favorite restaurant where we used to hang out every Friday.

94. Pit Stop

• Meaning : a short break during a road trip to get food, refuel or rest up a bit before continuing.
• Use In A Sentence : Do you think we could take a pit stop? I really need to use the bathroom.

95. To Hitch A Ride

• Meaning : to ask for a free ride. To go somewhere in somebody else’s car.
• Use In A Sentence : Instead of taking the bus, I am just going to hitch a ride with Steve.

96. Make Headway

• Meaning : to make progress.
• Use In A Sentence : After working hard for several months, we are finally making headway and it looks like it will be done before the deadline.

97. To Part Ways

• Meaning : to go in different directions.
• Use In A Sentence : After working together for 15 years we decided to part ways and start our own separate companies.

98. To Pull Up Stakes

• Meaning : to pack up and leave a campsite.
• Use In A Sentence : It started to rain and it didn’t look like it was going to stop. So we decided to pull up stakes and start to move down the mountain.

99. To Set Up Camp

• Meaning : to prepare an area to sleep outside.
• Use In A Sentence : We need to set up camp before it gets dark. 

100. Tire Kicker

• Meaning : a person who appears to be interesting in buying something, but in the end, does not buy it. They tend to waste a lot of time.
• Use In A Sentence: I think he is just a tire kicker. He has no interest in buying that car.

101. To Walk It Off

• Meaning : to walk around in an attempt to feel better. Usually after an injury.
• Use In A Sentence : I tried to walk it off, but I think I seriously hurt my ankle this time.

102. Without A Hitch

• Meaning : to have no problems.
• Use In A Sentence : how was your trip? Perfect, everything went off without a hitch.

103. Clear Sailing

• Meaning : used to describe a situation that is free from obstacles or problems; easy going.
• Use In A Sentence : Now that we have the new part, it is clear sailing from here on out.

There you have it! 103 Travel Idioms! Which one is your favorite? Please share your thoughts in the comments below.

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28 Beautiful Travel Words that Describe Wanderlust Perfectly

Describe your travels with these unique and beautiful travel words from different languages around the world.

I love travelling and I love languages, so imagine my excitement when I came across a treasure trove of travel words and wanderlust synonyms that describe how we feel before, during, and after we travel. 

Just like a photo can’t fully capture what it feels like to stand on the edge of a fjord , neither can ‘wanderlust’ fully express how we feel when we crave our next adventure. These travel words are literary gems which have been gathered from languages around the world. From Japanese to Swedish , Latin to Greek , travel brochures of the future will be peppered with travel words like of resfeber , livsnjutare, and coddiwomple .

Wanderlust meaning

As you’ll see in the list below, every language has its own variation of how it explains and defines what wanderlust is. In English, wanderlust means to have a strong desire for or impulse to travel, wander and explore the world.

Learn a language from home

During these times it can be bittersweet to think about travelling when we have to stay at home and practice social distancing, let this list of wanderlust-filled words inspire you to a learn a language from home and prepare yourself for your next trip. Being travel fluent is the best way to enrich your travel experiences.

Without further ado, here are 28 beautiful travel words you should slip into your vocabulary. When you’re done, take and look at this collection of inspirational travel quotes . I’d love to hear which ones are your favourites in the comment section below.

1. Resfeber  (n.)

Origin: Swedish

Definition: The meaning of resfeber refers to the restless race of the traveller’s heart before the journey begins when anxiety and anticipation are tangled together.

It’s that moment just after you buy your plane tickets and excitement and fear floods in all at once, creating a mixture of emotions that make you feel anxious or physically ill.

For more inspiration, don’t miss my guide to cool gifts for language learners and the best travel accessories and travel gadgets here.

2. Sonder (v.)

Origin: Unknown

Definition: The realisation that each passerby is living a life as complex as your own.

The full definition, taken from The Dictionary of Obscure Sorrows reads:

[Sonder is] the realization that each random passerby is living a life as vivid and complex as your own—populated with their own ambitions, friends, routines, worries, and inherited craziness—an epic story that continues invisibly around you like an anthill sprawling deep underground, with elaborate passageways to thousands of other lives that you’ll never know existed, in which you might appear only once, as an extra sipping coffee in the background, as a blur of traffic passing on the highway, as a lighted window at dusk.

I often feel this way when I pass groups of strangers, speaking a language that is completely foreign to me, and realise just how incredibly big the world is. We all have a life that is full of different connections, memories and possibilities. That’s sonder.

The internet suggests this may not be a real word, either way, the concept is beautiful.

3. Solivagant (adj.)

Origin: Latin

Definition: Wandering alone. A solitary adventurer who travels or wanders the globe.

Not all those who wander are lost, but all those who wander alone are definitely solivagants . From the Latin word solivagus , meaning lonely or solitary, solivagant describes anyone who enjoys meandering around new countries, alone, in order to take it all in.

4. Fernweh (n.)

Origin: German

Definition: This German word,means an ache to get away and travel to a distant place, a feeling  even stronger than wanderlust. If wanderlust wasn’t poetic enough for you, allow me to present fernweh , a German word that literally translates to “distance-sickness.”

While someone with wanderlust might sit at home and happily fantasise about all the places they might visit, someone with fernweh would feel a deeper sense of longing, a sort of homesickness but for foreign lands.  For me, it’s wanting to be back in Rome . Fernweh is one of most those beautiful untranslatable words I’ve ever come across.

Carry this beautiful word with you with my Fernweh T-Shirt available in men’s and ladies styles and black or white. Buy it here.

5. Sehnsucht (n.)

Definition: A wistful longing and yearning in the heart for travels past and future.

One author translated it as the “ inconsolable longing in the human heart for we know not what .” Another compared it to “ a longing for a far-off country, but not one which we could identify.”

When you return from travelling and wish you could do it all over again and experience every moment like it was the first.

6. Eleutheromania (n.)

Origin: Greek

Definition: An intense and irresistible desire for freedom.

We all want to be free, and travelling shows us how the freedom in the lives of others that is different from our own. Eleutheromania describes a person who has a strong desire and obsession for freedom.

7. Cockaigne (n.)

Origin: French , Middle French

Definition: An imaginary land of luxury and idleness.

Every destination seem like a wonderland or cockaigne before you set foot there and see it for yourself.

The term c ockaigne ” comes from the Middle French phrase pais de cocaigne, which literally means “the land of plenty.” The word was first popularised in a 13th-century French poem that is known in English as “The Land of Cockaigne.”

8. Quaquaversal (adj.)

Definition: Moving or happening in every direction instantaneously.

This perfectly describes my state when I’m in a new place and want to see and do everything at once.

9. Dérive (n)

Origin: French

Definition: A spontaneous and unplanned journey where the traveller leaves their life behind allows themselves to be guided by the landscape and architecture.

Literally translated as “drift”,  dérive is the idea that even if you drift you will end up on the right path. This could describe life in general, but it also describes small journeys. When you’re wandering through a new city and you just happen to wander on a path that takes you to great discoveries.

10. Ecophobia (n.)

Origin: English

Definition: This word came into English word via Greek and means a fear or dislike of one’s home.

I don’t dislike my home, but recently I can’t stop thinking about going back to Lofoten, Norway.

11. Numinous (adj.)

Definition: A powerful feeling of both fear and fascination, of being in awe and overwhelmed by what is before you.

Originally, this word refers to having a strong religious or spiritual quality; but it can also be used to describe how you feel when you see things that are so beautiful that you realise how wonderful the world is and the small part you play in it.   Hiking Trolltunga was a numinous moment for me.

12. Schwellenangst (n.)

Definition: Fear of crossing a threshold to begin a new chapter.

From s chwelle (“threshold”) and a ngst (“anxiety”), this word explains that feeling you get before deciding to set out on a new journey. Argh! Did I make the right decision?

13. Strikhedonia (n.)

Definition: The pleasure of being able to say “to hell with it”.

Another personal favourite word on this list. Not only is it the joy I feel, but the freedom to be able to say “to hell with it” and book that next trip and embark on your next adventure.

14. Vagary (v.)

Definition: A whimsical or roaming journey.

From Latin, vagārī meaning “ to roam”, is an unpredictable idea, desire or action to travelling without knowing the destination, and not caring.

15. Livsnjutare (n)

Definition: Literally meaning, “enjoyer of life”, this describes a person who loves life deeply and lives it to the extreme.

If you’re reading this, that’s probably you!  Need more inspiration?

16. Commuovere (v.)

Origin: Italian

Definition: To stir, to touch, to move to tears.

Just like the euphoric emotions I felt whilst whale watching.

17. Sturmfrei (adj.)

Definition: The freedom of being alone and being able to do what you want.

Literally translating to “stormfree”, this describes the freedom of not being watched by others and being alone in a place where you have the freedom and ability to do what you want.

Another great German word. Travelling solo can be especially rewarding because you have complete control. No compromises, no one else to please. Just you and the big wide world.

18. Saudade (n.)

Origin: Portuguese

Definition: This Portuguese word describes the emotional state of nostalgia and longing for someone or something distant. S audade  was once described as “the love that remains” after someone is gone.

Saudade  is the recollection of feelings, experiences, places, or events that brought excitement and happiness but now triggers the senses and makes one live again.

19. Yūgen (n.)

Origin: Japanese

Definition: A profound and mysterious sense of the beauty of the universe.

An awareness of the Universe that triggers emotional responses too deep and powerful for words.

20. Acatalepsy (n.)

Definition: The impossibility of comprehending the universe.

Henry Miller said “ One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things. ” Do we ever really understand the world and what we see on our  travels,  and how they mould us? Sometimes, if at all, it takes time to discover how these things change our lives.

21. Trouvaille (n.)

Definition: A chance encounter with something wonderful.

Whether it’s stumbling across a hidden back street, a quaint cafe, or connecting with a local, trouvaille describes those magical moments we experience in our journeys. 

22. Hygge (n.)

Origin: Danish

Definition: Pronounced hue-guh , hygge describes the warm feeling you get while enjoying the company of great friends and all life has to offer.

Hygge is the conscious appreciation of recognising everything you have and enjoying to the present moment.

23. Onism (n.)

Definition: The world is a big place as not everyone will get to see it. Onism describes understanding that we’ll never get to see it all. It’s the frustration of being stuck in just one body that can only inhabit one place at a time. I felt this way before going to Copenhagen !

Similar to the Swedish word ‘resfeber’, onism describes the feeling of knowing that you’ll never be able to see it all. They say that the more you travel, the harder it gets to stay in one place.

24. Novaturient (adj.)

Definition: A desire to change and alter your life.

This was exactly how I felt when I quit my job and moved to Rome . There was this strong urge that pulled me towards my dream of pursuing a life of speaking Italian and travelling. I knew I  wouldn’t be living my life if I didn’t go.

25. Yoko meshi (n.)

Definition: This untranslatable gem describes the stress of speaking a foreign language .

The Japanese word ‘meshi’ literally means ‘boiled rice’ and ‘yoko’ means ‘horizontal,’ together it means ‘a meal eaten sideways.’ The Japanese have created a beautiful way of describing the unique kind of stress you experience when speaking a foreign language. Furthermore, ‘yoko’ also references the fact that Japanese is normally written vertically, whereas most foreign languages are written horizontally. Clever, right?

Related: 69 Wonderful Japanese Expressions That Will Brighten Your Day

26. Selcouth (adj.)

Origin: Old English

Definition: When everything you see and experience is unfamiliar and strange, yet you find it marvellous anyway.

It’s that feeling you get when you travel to a foreign land and food, culture, customs, or language, is strange and different to everything you’ve experienced before, yet you love it and find it fascinating.

27. Eudaimonia (n.)

Definition: A state of being happy whilst travelling and everything feels great.

That intense excitement and appreciation when you travel and everything feels great. Seeing the Northern Lights was one of the best experiences of my life, a feeling I won’t forget.

28. Coddiwomple (v.)

Origin: English slang

Definition: To travel purposefully towards an unknown destination.

A brilliant word, coddiwomple is when you have a vague idea of your destination within a care for how long it takes to arrive. A great example is when you go hiking, you know you’ll eventually reach the summit, but every part of the trail along the way is just as beautiful.    Like the time I hiked Norway’s Trolltunga.

If you enjoyed these words, then let wordsmiths Stephen King, Mark Twain and the Dalai Lama transport you around the world with these inspirational travel quotes or start using some of the beautiful untranslatable words from other languages.

Want to know more about learning languages? Start here!

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• 7 Reasons Why You Should Go on a Language Holiday
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• 42 beautiful Inspirational Quotes for Language Learners
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• 78 FREE Dictionaries to Learn a Language Fast [Free eBook Download]
• 22 KEY Travel Phrases That Will Transform Your Travels [Free Guide]

Over to you!

Which one of these travel words do you identify with the most? What others would you add? Let me know using the comments section below or join me on social media to start a conversation.

Thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed this post.

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Michele creates language learning guides and courses for travel. What separates her from other instructors is her ability to explain complex grammar in a no-nonsense, straightforward manner using her unique 80/20 method. Get her free guide 9 reasons you’re not fluent…YET & how to fix it! Planning a trip? Learn the local language with her 80/20 method for less than the cost of eating at a tourist trap restaurant Start learning today!

Italian Cognates & Loanwords: 17 Rules to Expand Your Vocabulary + FREE PDF

124 inspirational travel quotes that’ll make you want to travel in 2022, 12 comments.

Amazing list! One word I’d add is the Dutch word “gezellig” or “gezelligheid” – similarly to hygge, it describes a feeling of warmth/comfort/coziness/quaintness in certain settings or around certain people.

Thank you so much for sharing this Heba. So interesting to learn that Dutch has a similar word :)

This is such a fun article! Love these words and phrases!

Glad to hear it! Thank you so much, Eric :)

So many of these describe me or my feelings about seeing the world. But, if I had to pick one, the one that best describes how I choose my destinations would be “selcouth”. I so want to be a stranger in a strange land. To have my belief that there is no such thing as “normal” affirmed again and again and over again.

What a beautiful word. Thanks for sharing, Janet :)

Thanks Michele what a wonderful list of inspirational words. It nearly made me cry as I realised that I suffer from acute eleutheromania! ha

Thanks Juliana :) I’m so glad you enjoyed this list. Eleutheromania? I know how you feel hehe

Unique list i must say – If you want to add one more word than check this !

In Hindi language (India) traveler called as “Musafir”

thanks Niraj :)

Thanks for sharing this! Really enjoyed it a lot ❤

Thanks Donah, I’m so glad you enjoyed it ;)

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Fast Travel vs. Slow Travel: Which is Better?

By sue bedford.

When international backpacking first emerged in the 1970s, it was vastly different than it is now.  The lack of touristic infrastructure resulted in many travellers sleeping on the porches of bemused locals, waiting weeks for freight vessels to ferry them across waters, and learning how to say “No, thank you, I don’t want any partially-developed duck fetus” in Tagalog (or the regional equivalent). Travellers moved at a slower pace and were more immersed in their host culture.

Currently, many economies depend on the influx of young tourists.

Budget travel has therefore become extremely accessible; backpackers are catered to regarding accommodation, transportation and cuisine. Many hostels boast similar characteristics irrespective of where they are located—brightly coloured décor and Bob Marley music are as ubiquitous in Amsterdam as they are in Oaxaca.

Likewise, coach buses predominately aimed at tourists follow the backpacker trail in South America and Southeast Asia, and nearly every backpacker neighbourhood has an Irish pub as well as a trendy café serving coffee and pizza.

The author enjoying the view. (Photo: Sue Bedford)

This has led to a duality in countries that boast a high concentration of backpackers—what the locals engage with on a daily basis is extremely different from what travellers experience. Thailand is a prime example: if a backpacker were to visit only Khao San Road, Koh Phi Phi and Haad Rin in Koh Phangan during Full Moon week, then their impression of the country would be starkly different than that of most of its citizens.

This duality, in conjunction with the increasing popularity of travel-related top lists (e.g. top five haunted castles in which to see a ghost, top three romantic cities in which to fall in love, top seven sacred temples in which to achieve inner peace), has given rise to the contemporary notion of “doing” a region. “Doing” refers to the act of rushing from attraction to attraction in order to check off the highlights in as many countries or areas as possible. This is most prevalent with travellers in Europe, Southeast Asia and Latin America.

Utilizing touristic infrastructure by following the backpacker trail to “do” as many places as is feasible can be summarized as the modern phenomena of fast travel.

There are obvious benefits to this approach, like being able to sample a wide variety of cultural and natural wonders in a finite amount of time; indulging in familiar comforts (e.g. Bob Marley and pizza) in order to stave off homesickness; and not feeling as though you’ve overdosed on one specific place.

Yet fast travel also has its drawbacks. Adhering to the backpacker trail may result in fewer surprises as your experiences will be similar to those of everybody else (and match what is predicted in the guidebook). As previously mentioned, it filters your interaction with your surroundings and renders it distinctly unlike that of the locals.

Furthermore, going in with set expectations of what an area’s highlights are can occasionally blind you to nuances you would have discovered with an otherwise wholly open and non-anticipatory mind. The biggest hindrance to fast travel is that it robs you of the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in another culture and soak up the detail, atmosphere and understanding that are easily missed while on a whirlwind tour.

Contrarily, slow travel is more akin to how backpackers in the 1970s experienced the world.

It involves narrowing your focus to a precise place, seeking out smaller or off-the-touristic-radar sights and communities, and taking in what the area has to offer on a greater multitude of planes. Slow travel generally includes more interaction with locals as well as frequent instances wherein you are the only Westerner on the bus/in the market/in the village/etc.

The advantage to this mode of travel is obtaining a deeper comprehension and appreciation of the sociocultural, political, philosophical, historical and natural elements of your host nation. Meanwhile, the drawbacks include a sense of isolation, as you are consciously removing yourself from the backpacker trail; greater challenges when it comes to accommodation, transportation, cuisine and (typically) communication as a whole; and the notion that you are “missing out” by investing your time and energy into just one place.

Fast and slow travel are both enjoyable, stimulating and rewarding methodologies of backpacking.

When deciding which one to implement on your next adventure, it is crucial to consider what you want to get out of your trip, and what initially motivated you to select your destination(s). If you are going for an extended period of time, consider experimenting with both fast and slow travel to discover which is better suited to you.

Fast travel tips

• Read about where you are going ahead of time so that you understand the significance when you arrive.
• Make a list of what you want to see/experience in order of importance.
• Research the logistics, such as methods of transport and required visas.
• Create a detailed itinerary and do your best to adhere to it (with a couple of flexible days scheduled in just in case).
• Compare the top lists from a variety of guidebooks and online sources.
• Take overnight buses/trains to save days (be sure to bring earplugs, an eye mask and a hoodie).
• Be prepared for the possibility of a burn out, and be realistic with yourself regarding how long you can sustain a quick pace.

Slow travel tips

– Read about where you are going ahead of time so that you understand the significance when you arrive.

– Read novels or watch movies that the country or region is famous for.

– Comb through your guidebook carefully and pursue undertakings that are listed as off the beaten path or that receive little written attention. For example: one of my most exhilarating experiences abroad was staying at a traditional Dayak longhouse in Borneo, and I did so based on a mere half-paragraph of information in my guidebook.

– Attempt to learn at least a few phrases in the local language. Numbers are helpful when bargaining.

– Consider hitchhiking or Couch Surfing to become acquainted with locals.

– Be open to whatever opportunities present themselves; be flexible.

Sue Bedford

Sue is an indie traveller who has trekked, motorcycled, wandered, bussed, hitchhiked, boated, tuk-tuk’ed and stumbled through more than 50 countries to date. Her travelogue "It's Only the Himalayas and Other Tales of Miscalculation from an Overconfident Backpacker" is available from Brindle & Glass at Amazon and other online retailers.

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What is Slow Travel? And How to Do It

27. Oct. 2021

Is it just us, or is travel, and the desire to travel, everywhere? Travel has become a ubiquitous part of life for so many people, particularly now that technology has made it seem much more accessible. Take a look online. Instagram is full of travel-focused accounts showcasing the world’s most beautiful places. YouTube gives adrenaline-junkies a perfect platform to share their adventures. Airbnb provides stunning, photo-ready accommodations accessible at every price point. One study even showed that people were more likely to travel somewhere if they thought it would result in an increase in their social media following and engagement .

Seeing travel as a way to keep up with trends and become more popular online can actually stop you from experiencing the true benefits of getting out of your own bubble. The people who are leaving behind slow travel in favor of quick trips to stunning and inspiring places rack up more “likes”, so it can feel like we’re missing out if our own experiences don’t stack up against theirs.

Talk about FOMO.

If you find yourself making an extensive list of the places around the world that you want to check off of your bucket list, it may be time to take a step back and think about the reason behind your desire to travel. What do you want out of your travels? A fast and furious tour seeing ‘everything there is to see’, changing locations every 2-3 days? Or do you want to feel like a local, spending leisurely days strolling off the beaten path? If you’re craving a more authentic experience, one that leaves you with a feeling that you truly got to know the places, people and cultures that you’ve encountered on your travels it could be time to s l o w down. Learn more about this lifestyle by reading our guide on how to become a digital nomad .

Join a community of like-valued professionals on a work and travel program

What is Slow Travel?

Slow travel is an approach to travel that emphasizes connection: to local people, cultures, food and music. It relies on the idea that a trip is meant to educate and have an emotional impact, in the present moment and for the future, while remaining sustainable for local communities and the environment.

Heard of the slow food movement ? It originated in Italy in 1986 and aimed to preserve regional cuisine, local farming and traditional cooking methods through education of tourists and local residents. People were realizing that increased tourism was changing the way that people were eating, bringing larger, chain-based restaurants to major cities and taking away profits from family-owned establishments. The slow food movement worked to draw business back to traditional restaurants by touting the benefits of using regionally-sourced ingredients and stimulating local economies.

Different industry, same concept. Where travel is considered, a “slow” mindset urges tourists to take a step back from their to-do lists and Instagram-worthy photo ops and simply embrace what the local community has to offer. Instead of making sure you hit the “hot spots” outlined in a travel guide, focus on things that locals do everyday, things that excite them and give them joy. The impact that these connections have on you will last a lot longer than the memories that you have of racing from tourist attraction to tourist attraction.

This is not just a way to travel, it’s a mindset. It’s the outlook that the quality of your experience is more important than the quantity of your experiences when you travel.

You can wake up without plans for the day, unsure of the adventures that await you, but with the knowledge that what you’ll experience will mean so much more than a post to social media could convey.

Many travelers like to use the phrase “there’s always another trip” to convey that it’s impossible to see or do everything within a city in a short amount of time. It’s okay to save some of the sights for another visit. Instead of racing to do it all, indulge in experience-based activities.

When you visit a museum, give yourself enough time to fully immerse yourself in its artworks. Ponder the meaning behind a painting, or imagine the artist’s thoughts as he or she sculpted an object from clay or stone. Lose yourself in the meaning behind the duality of identity in Frida Kahlo’s self-portraits. Absorb and analyze the cultural impact of Salvador Dalí’s surrealist works. Remember: you don’t need to visit every wing or exhibit - you can always come back.

What other impactful local activities could you only experience if you were traveling slowly? Imagine learning how to create handmade beads from a local artisan, heading out with a resident fishing crew to reel in the day’s catch or getting to know the proper intricacies of drinking mate from a born-and-raised Argentinian.

You want to find something on this trip that leaves a fingerprint on your soul. Whether it be an evening spent wandering through a local park, a day pondering artistic intention in a museum or an afternoon white water rafting in the mountains, Whether it be an evening spent wandering through a local park, a day pondering artistic intention in a museum in Paris, an afternoon white water rafting in the mountains or going on a day trip from Mexico City , you’ll search for an adventure that will make you feel something.

Benefits of Slow Travel

Slow travel has many benefits for the traveler and the community that they’re visiting. In a way, it’s a return to the reasons that people had traveled in the past, for a cultural experience or a chance to lose themselves in a new place without the need to document every moment. Here are a few  reasons you should consider travelling slowly:

Prevent “tourist burnout”

Have you ever left a trip more tired than when you arrived? That’s a little thing that travelers call “tourist burnout”. Trying to see or experience as many things as possible within a short period of time can be exhausting, and actually leave you with a negative view of your time on the road as a whole.

Ditch your typical frenetic mentality and slip into the pace of the local culture. Instead of thinking of your trip as a list of as a checklist, reframe it as an opportunity for growth, education and development . That to-do list that you created doesn’t need to be fully completed in order for your travels to have been successful. You can always head back to that destination later to see what you missed!

Traveling slowly can be a more inexpensive option than a typical tourist jaunt. Chain hotels and big-name restaurants tend to be  pricier, and they don’t offer the type of charm or experience that a local spot would. Beyond the places that you’ll visit during the day, you can save money on the space where you’ll lay your head at night. Seeking out local Airbnb options or even homestay opportunities could be the key to a connected, life-changing experience on your next trip. If you have a kitchen in your accommodations, bonus! You won’t have to eat out quite so often (though you may be tempted to with all of that amazing cuisine), and you can find regional ingredients with which to make a culturally-relevant meal with your own two hands.

Make connections

We’re going to let you in on a secret: you won’t meet anyone who has the ability to change your life if your head is stuck inside of a tourist guide. Look up and look around. Learn a bit of the local language before you arrive so that you can engage in brief conversation with shop owners. A short conversation with a man working at a bakery could turn into an opportunity to learn how to make your own bread and, later, a traditional meal with his family where you can make even more connections. You never know what could happen when you take the time to slow down and get to know the people in the city that you’re traveling in.

Break out of your comfort zone

This way of travelling isn’t always simple, planned or easy. It requires a certain level of confidence that things will work out, or that you will be able to figure them out along the way. There will be moments during your experience that scare you, but these are the moments that can teach you a lesson that you could carry with you for the rest of your life. You may need to overcome language barriers and differences in cultural customs. These experiences will make you a more knowledgeable traveler and give you global perspective. Unlike a tourist experience, where translated tours abound and Yelp  directs you to a place where you’d most likely enjoy the food, a more authentic experience could end up with you tasting a scorpion for the first time in China. You’ll also leave little to no negative impact on the local community because you won’t be working with exploitative tour operators. That’s what will make it one of your best trips ever.

How to Slow Travel

All it takes is a shift in perspective and mindset to get started. Here are a few tips for turning your next trip into a more authentic experience:

Live like a local

Talk to the people that you meet when you arrive at your destination and find out their favorite places to eat, relax, and learn. They know this city better than you do, so take their advice and run with it. That little hole-in-the-wall cantina might have the best guacamole that you’ve ever had.

Don’t try to see everything on your list or, better yet, don’t make a list at all

Leave a few things up to chance  for once. When every minute is planned to a tee, you don’t leave room for surprise or happenstance. When you wake up on the first day of your travels, surrender to whatever the world has in store for you and live without fear of missing out.

Get ready to grow

Traveling is not the time to seek out the ordinary. Embrace the feelings of discomfort and use your trip  as a chance to grow and learn more about how people around the world. Haggle in a local market. Say ‘yes’ to an opportunity that you never would in your normal life. Arrange a homestay where you’ll have to socialize with locals around the kitchen table on a daily basis. Whatever you do, don’t hold yourself back because of worry or discomfort.

Bring it on home

Finally, the idea of slow travel doesn’t have to just apply to ‘other’ places. Once you have  grasped this mentality, implement it in a place that you are familiar with, perhaps even your hometown. Have you been too caught up in everyday tasks and responsibilities to notice the little things? Do you frequent new, hip restaurants or do you try out places that have been around for generations? Is it a priority for you to make new connections within this city, or are you content with the relationships that you already have?

Think of yourself as a tourist within your own city. This could be your chance to make your hometown feel new again, and create an emotional connection to this place that has felt too stagnant or comfortable for so long.

It may not be for everyone or all types of trips (we don’t  blame you if you want to climb Machu Picchu or take a photo in front of the Eiffel Tower), but it is achievable. It doesn’t take any extra effort or resources to do, just a change of mindset and an openness to its possibilities.

With that subtle switch, travel again takes on a meaning. It can create memories that are more lasting than fleeting in an instantaneous world absorbed with the FOMO-inducing landscape of social media. As you consider your next travel experience, think about what you could take away from it if you implemented a slow travel mindset and remember, “there’s always another trip”.

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Make Travel Truly Transformational

15 Reasons to Travel Slowly + 10 Tips on How to Do It!

Do you want to travel slowly? Or are you just curious about what slow travel is? Fast travel can be stressful and exhausting, but slow travel has the power to transform . Read our slow travel guide to find out why you should try travelling slowly and get tips on how to do it.

What’s in our guide to travelling slowly?

As full-time travellers, sometimes we travel slowly, sometimes we travel fast. When Stephen’s yoga teaching schedule is in full swing, there are times when we have to be in a new city every weekend.

Fast travel is stressful, exhausting, and soul destroying.

That’s why, when our schedule is our own, we slow down as much as possible. We book a place and stay for a week or more. Or we rent bicycles and move from place to place at 15 km per hour.

Our days of leisurely travel remind us why we started travelling in the first place. These are the moments we live for — and the ones we will remember for the rest of our lives.

If you want travel to be truly transformational try travelling slowly.

If you want to become a slow traveler, read on for our top…

15 Reasons to Travel Slowly + 10 Slow Travel Tips

Get More from Your Travels Grab our 63 tips for a truly transformational trip , our guide to eco-travel and our tips on being a greener traveller .

What is Slow Travel?

Why people travel too fast.

We meet a lot of people when we travel and, naturally, the conversation turns towards where they’ve been and where they’re going during their travels.

It usually goes something like this:

Us: So, where were you before this? Traveller: Well, we started in Paris, then flew to Rome, Amsterdam, London, Venice, and now we’re here. Us: Oh wow, how long have you been travelling? Traveller: 10 days. Us: [Silence as we nod slowly, trying not to let the shock and dismay show on our faces.]

It’s no mystery as to why people do this to themselves. Many feel that this trip to Europe or Asia or America is once-in-a-lifetime. If they don’t see it ALL now, they never will.

First of all, that’s just not true. Most of us, as long as we make travel a priority in our lives, will get to see more of the world than we think.

Second, if it is your only chance to travel, do you really want to spend the whole time rushing from place to place, never really seeing anything? Do you want to be so focussed on the next destination, the next experience, that you forget to enjoy the moment you’re in?

One of my favourite novelists puts it this way:

We residents sometimes pity you poor tourists not a little—handed about like a parcel of goods from Venice to Florence, from Florence to Rome, living herded together in pensions or hotels, quite unconscious of anything that is outside Baedeker, their one anxiety to get ‘done’ or ‘through’ and go on somewhere else. The result is, they mix up towns, rivers, palaces in one inextricable whirl. E.M. Forster, A Room with a View

This style of travel, where tourists see everything but absorb nothing, is the antithesis of slow travel. And it’s becoming increasingly common.

In our Instagram world, most people only spend as long in a place as it takes to get the perfect shot, then it’s on to the next sight without ever stopping to appreciate or understand what they’ve just seen.

So what is slow travel?

There’s no single definition of slow travel — and you don’t need a long vacation to try it. You can travel slowly for a weekend, a week, or take years — it’s up to you.

More than anything, slow travel is a way of thinking about travel that prioritizes immersion and experience over sights and tourist attractions. It’s a preference for sinking your teeth into the culture, rather than following the guidebook blindly.

Slow travel gives you the chance to learn not only about the culture you’re visiting, but about yourself as well.

Done right, travelling slowly has the power to transform your life.

Why Travel Slowly?

1. travel slowly to save money.

Not only is slow travel better (at least we think so), it’s cheaper!

First, slow travel helps you save on transportation costs, often the biggest travel expense. Accommodation can also be cheaper because you can avoid booking big chain hotels that are usually right next touristy attractions. Instead, stay further out to experience more local life at cheaper prices.

Slow travel also helps you save on food. You’ll have time to explore local restaurants and avoid the tourist traps that charge more for less.

2. Travel Slowly to Save Time

If you just have a short break it might seem smart to travel faster, packing as many places in as you can. But the flipside is, whe you travel quickly, you waste a ton of time in the act of travelling. Transferring to and from the airport, sitting on trains and busses, checking in and out of hotels, queuing up for attractions and tickets…

All of this time could be spent relaxing and absorbing a new culture.

3. Travel Slowly to Save Energy

Have you ever needed a vacation from your vacation? We’ve been there, trust us!

If you pack every minute of your itinerary with a different activity or sight, you’ll be exhausted by the end of each day. Pile a week or two of busy days on top of each other and, by the time you get home, you’ll need a week off to recover.

Travelling slowly gives you time to sleep in, take a nap in the afternoon, or just sit sipping coffee while the world goes by.

Slow travel gives you time to relax — and isn’t that what a vacation is really for?

4. Travel Slowly to Save the Planet

Airplanes suck (and not just because they treat you like cattle). Planes are extremely destructive to the planet — and they’re my least favourite thing about our travel lifestyle.

If you can take a train or bus to reach your destination, definitely do it, even if it takes longer. And if you have to fly to get there, don’t compound the problem by taking a lot of short hop flights during your trip.

Overland travel, by bus or train, will help decrease the environmental impact of your trip.

Staying in homestays, apartments, or small hotels, which is easier if you are travelling slowly, also reduces your impact, since these places tend to be more eco-friendly and less wasteful than big hotel chains.

5. Slow Travel Helps you Avoid Tourist Crowds

One of the biggest bonuses of slowing down your travels is getting away from other tourists!

On a slow trip you’ll have time to explore off-the-beaten track places and destinations. And when you do choose to visit the big sights, like the Sistine Chapel or the Louvre, you can choose a day and time when crowds are thinner. You’ll avoid the queues and have more time to spend in a staring contest with the Mona Lisa!

6. Make a Bigger Impact

This is one of our favourite things about slow travel. Fast travellers book their hotels for proximity to the biggest sights, and these hotels usually belong to international conglomerates.

When you travel slowly, you are more likely to stay in independently owned accommodation, like a family Airbnb or an out-of-the-way homestay. This means your travel money makes its way directly into the local economy and benefits local people.

7. Connect with People

When you choose to stay in locally owned accommodation, you’ll have contact with locals (the hotel owners) from the second you arrive. We’ve had amazing, enlightening conversations over dinner or coffee with our hosts around the world.

They are also able to recommend independent drivers, restaurants, and other attractions — you might be the only tourist there! Locals are naturally curious about a tourist who manages to find their favourite haunts, so don’t be afraid to strike up a conversation and learn what it’s really like to live in a destination.

8. Connect with the Culture

You’ve heard the expression “going native”, right? OK, it probably has racist origins, and it can be used in a derogatory sense. But we’re not ashamed to adapt to foreign cultures.

Staying in one place a little longer lets us learn all the similarities and wonderful differences between our culture and the one we’re living in. We are happy to adopt aspects of the local culture that seem better than how we do it back home.

9. Connect with Yourself

Not every moment of your slow trip will be spent partying with the locals. Perhaps our very favourite aspect of slow travel is that it gives you time to absorb what you’ve experienced.

Instead of seeing a bunch of stuff back to back to back, you’ll have time in between experiences to consider them, contemplate, and decide what they mean to you. As you learn more about the world, these slow reflective moments will teach you more about yourself, too.

10. You’ll See More Travelling Slowly

This one sounds counter-intuitive. How will you see more if you’re moving around less? Well, what we mean is, you’ll see more of your destination and less of the airports, train stations, busses, trains, and taxis.

Travelling quickly often means taking long journeys between places — all you’ll remember is the tarmac flashing by outside your bus window. With slow travel, you might tick less off your bucket list, but can go deeper in one place, allowing yourself to follow the unexpected twists and turns of a slow journey.

11. Slow Travel is Where Adventure Lives

When you have time to follow intriguing pathways, duck down twisting alleyways, or say yes to unexpected offers, something incredible happens — your holiday turns into an adventure!

We’ve been invited into stranger’s homes for coffee, taken on hikes in incredible hidden places, and found beaches that only locals know about.

The world is full of hidden marvels and when you slow down you have a chance to discover them.

12. You’ll Make More Lasting Memories

Some itineraries are so jam-packed that there’s no time so sit back and absorb the experiences. When we don’t have time to think, our brains don’t have a chance to make permanent memories. One sight or city pushes the memories from the last place out of your mind.

(I think that’s why people take selfies at iconic places. It helps us remember places that we didn’t really experience at the time.)

When you get home after a period of fast travel, the trip might seem hazy, like a dream, each memory indistinct. When you slow down, you give your brain more time to form complete memories, and you’ll be able to call up the scents, colours, and feeling you had for years to come.

13. You’ll Learn to Live with Less

If you take a longer trip and travel slowly, you might just start to realize an important truth.

You don’t need all the gadgets, gizmos and tchotchkes you have at home. When you’re out in the world with just what you can fit in your suitcase, you start to realize that it is more than enough.

You might find a sudden urge to declutter, minimize, and downsize when you get back home.

14. Travel Slowly to be Happier

Modern life tends to prioritize being busy over being happy. We rush from here to there, every moment of the day scheduled to the last second, until we fall into bed, exhausted.

(That’s exactly how most people travel, too.)

Travelling slowly is a great way to prime you for living more slowly when you get back home. We hope you’ll realize that the most valuable moments on your trip were the slow, silent moments — and start to build those into your regular life, as well.

Once you do that, you’ll make room for happiness to grow.

15. Travel Slowly to Change Your Life

If we believed the glossy marketing in travel magazines and on billboards, it’s the grand (expensive) travel experiences that change you. We’ve found the opposite to be true. The big experiences and sights, shared with hundreds of other tourists, are interesting enough. But there’s nothing transformational about wrestling 100 other tourists for your chance to glimpse the Mona Lisa.

Wandering down a quite alleyway, sipping espresso in a cozy cafe, hiking up a peak, cycling the outskirts of a busy city… these moments make travel special.

The moments when it’s just you and your sense of adventure, are the moments that tug at your heart, feed your soul, and call on you to transform into the person you’ve always wanted to be.

How to Travel Slowly — 10 Tips to Change the Way you Travel

1. plan to not plan.

Whether you’ve got two weeks or two months, it’s easy to let travel planning take over your life. Before our big bike trip, I spent hours with a map, planning our exact route, what sights we would see, and where we would stay. It only took about 24 hours before the plan was shot and were winging it.

It’s hilarious when I think about it now, but what a waste of time!

Travelling slowly means leaving the moment-by-moment plan far behind and letting the world take you where it wants you to go.

So for your next trip, plan the bare outlines of your journey, and let the blanks fill themselves in as you travel.

2. Don’t Fly

Sure, you might need to fly to get to the country or region you want to visit (if you don’t need to, don’t!). But from there, use only ground transportation, preferably busses and trains.

You don’t usually have to book ground transport ahead of time, so it’s far easier to change your plans on the spur of the moment.

Ground transportation is also more efficient, better for the environment, and allows you to actually see the place you’ve come so far to visit.

3. Rent a Room in an Apartment

If you really want to become part of local life, rent a room in an Airbnb apartment. No, don’t rent a whole apartment — get a room in someone else’s house. If you find a good one, you’ll get a chance to chat with your host, or maybe even share a meal, and learn about what life is like from their point of view.

4. Try Housesitting

If you really want to “try on” somebody else’s life, housesitting is the perfect way to do it. We have experienced what it’s like to be an expat in Hanoi, Brno, Brighton, Casablanca, Riga, and lots of other places around the world. Housesitting is brilliant, too, because it’s free accommodation (woohoo!) and if you’re lucky, you’ll get a fluffy pet to keep you company.

We recommend TrustedHousesitters to find your next house sitting gig.

5. Make Time to do Nothing

For some of us, doing nothing sounds like heaven. For others, it’s the worst punishment ever. If you’re in the second category, I suggest you deliberately schedule “nothing” time into your travel calendar. But don’t worry about being bored. Doing nothing in a strange place is the quickest route to adventure that we’ve ever found.

6. Learn a Few Words in the Local Language

Since you’ll be travelling slowly, you can take a little time to learn a few words of the local language.

Start with “hello” and “thank you”. Then work you way up to “how are you?”, “what’s your name?”, and other phrases of small talk. Even if that’s all you can say, it’s worth it to see the expressions of delight on local’s faces when you actually adress them in their own language.

7. Get Lost

Wander wander wander. If we have one rule for slow travel, this is it. Put down your map, people, and just go!

The “do nothing” time you built in your schedule is the perfect time to wander. Keep your eyes open, observe the people, the buildings, and the life around you.

Once you’ve had enough wandering for the day, pull out your smart phone and use your favourite map app to get unlost.

8. Take a Tour

We used to think that tours were only for fast travellers or travellers who didn’t know what they were doing. Now, we realize that good tours are like your backstage pass to a destination!

A good guide will open doors that are usually not accessible to tourists. Of course, you want to avoid big group tours that chug you from place to place in a giant, smelly bus. Look for small group tours with companies who focus on independent-style travel. These types of tours can reveal facets of your destination that you would never experience on your own.

For independent and transformational small group tours, we love Intrepid .

9. Try a Cycle Tour

Cycle touring is not for everyone, obviously, but if you’ve ever felt the sheer joy of hopping on a bike, we highly encourage you to try a cycle tour.

If it’s your first time travelling by bike, we recommend joining a short multi-day tour. That way, everything is provided for you, you’ll have all the right gear, and a guide who can show you the ropes.

I don’t think it will take long for you to discover the indescribable joy of travelling by bike — our favourite method of slow travel.

If you want to get out on a bike anywhere in Asia, we recommend Grasshopper Adventures .

(Related: Read Jane’s post The Truth About Cycle Touring to see if it’s right for you) →

10. Book a Retreat

If you really want to make your slow travels transformational, a retreat is a good option. You can spend your entire trip on a retreat, or just dedicate a few days of a longer trip to a retreat.

Many retreats include yoga, others teach you about nutrition or cooking, while still others focus on your mental wellbeing and include lots of massages! Whatever style you choose, a retreat will give you vital time to slow down, peel away the busy-ness of life, and remember who you are and what makes you happy.

If you’re looking for a retreat, you’ll find a great selection on BookRetreats .

So, are you ready to try to travel slowly? Can you let go of your guidebook, your minute-by-minute plans, and your checklists and just let yourself slip into the local lifestyle? Where will you slow travel to next?

♥   Happy transformational travels, Jane & Stephen

We’re not going to lie, it takes a LOT of work to create travel guides like this. But it’s easy to help us out! If you book or buy something using one of our personal links in this post, we’ll earn a small fee at no extra cost to you. Of course, we would never recommend anything we didn’t 100% believe in! Huge thanks in advance! –S&J

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Hi, I'm Jane, founder and chief blogger on My Five Acres. I've lived in six countries and have camped, biked, trekked, kayaked, and explored in 50! At My Five Acres, our mission is to inspire you to live your most adventurous life and help you to travel more and more mindfully.

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Slow Travel: Embracing a More Mindful Journey

Slow travel is a great way to explore. Check out this guide on the benefits of slow travel and learn more about different ways to slow travel the world.

Ever since the advent of mass travel, people have pondered how to get more out of their travel experiences. Being able to hop on a plane or train to get to a new city or new country saved people a lot of time since they were able to get to their destination faster. It also took away some of the things that make travel so special and life-changing. Individuals were able to travel more frequently but generally stayed for shorter periods. They could travel across a continent in a few hours but missed out on all of the local cultural exchanges in between. 

This, combined with the obvious issue of sustainability and environmental degradation, has made the idea of slow travel become much more appealing to many people. This approach to travel has an emphasis on connecting with people and local cultures while immersing yourself in the everyday life of the destination. It’s a much more sustainable way of traveling, and it puts much less pressure on limited resources than other forms of travel. 

Slow it down with Let’s Roam .

Here at Let’s Roam, we welcome every opportunity to slow things down a bit and enjoy the precious time we have with friends and family. We hope that everyone has the opportunity to do the same. To help, we’ve compiled a collection of fantastic resources to help you turn every ordinary day into something extraordinary. With hundreds of app-based scavenger hunts , virtual games, and travel guides on the Let’s Roam Explorer blog , we’ve got everything you need for a fantastic adventure!

Learning the Art of Slow Travel

Perfecting the art of slow travel can help you have a richer travel experience than you ever thought possible. It can give you a deeper understanding of the world around you and the role that you play in it. To help you get started on this journey, we’ve compiled a list of burning questions regarding the slow travel movement.

Disclaimer : I’ve been a digital nomad/slow traveler for the past two and a half years, and I was freelancing for the first year and a half. For the last year, I’ve been holding a full-time job, working as a freelance writer, and traveling full-time. This includes both slow travel and a faster form of travel depending on the destinations I was visiting. This article incorporates both my slow travel experiences as well as those of my friends who have followed a similar path. 

What is slow travel?

In its simplest form, slow travel just means staying in each place for longer periods. This is often considered upwards of ten days. The more complex definition describes slow travel as something that “emphasizes connection to local people, cultures, food, and music. It relies on the idea that a trip is meant to educate and have an emotional impact, while remaining sustainable for local communities and the environment.” According to the Journal of Travel Research , during slow travel, “the traveler’s main goals are relaxation, self-reflection, escape, novelty seeking, engagement, and discovery.”

Slow travelers usually visit fewer destinations and spend more time in each one focusing on experience-based activities. Cultural interactions and outdoor activities tend to be more important to them than sightseeing and to-do lists full of tourist attractions. There is also a genuine desire to understand the nuances of each destination and make conscious decisions about their travel experience. In a nutshell, it is valuing quality over quantity when it comes to travel. It’s the polar opposite of organized tours that pack in a full schedule of sightseeing as you zoom from place to place. As the name suggests, it means traveling at a slower pace and absorbing the sounds, smells, and tastes all around you. 

The slow travel movement is often connected with the slow food movement which began in Italy back in the 1980s when a group of activists came together to protest a McDonald’s opening near the Spanish Steps—one of Rome’s most popular heritage sites. The purpose of the movement was to protect regional traditions and values. It also put emphasis on quality food over fast food and the slower pace of life that Italians are proud of. It has also become synonymous with sustainability, wellness, and self-care.

Is the slow travel movement a new “trend”?

Absolutely not. Slow travel is actually where we started! Before the invention of planes, trains, and automobiles, people mostly traveled on foot or with the aid of animals for thousands of years. The trend for fast travel is actually a recent phenomenon. To put it into perspective, cross-country road trips were still being done in covered wagons 150 years ago. This meant that their journeys were much, much slower, taking months or even years to cross continents rather than a matter of hours. 

In saying that, there’s been a renewed interest in traveling slowly in order to attain a richer travel experience. While much of the current slow travel trend is attributed to the COVID-19 pandemic, there’s been an emerging movement to a kinder approach to travel for many years in terms of the environment and local communities.

The biggest change is actually the number of people that could travel slowly increased exponentially when remote working became more widely available. Many people jumped at the chance to go back to some of their favorite countries and learn more about them. Sadly, as more and more companies are expecting their employees to work in the office, the number of people from the United States that are currently traveling may decrease. Without a doubt though, this “new” form of travel is definitely here to stay!

What are the benefits of slow travel?

To be honest, the list is endless! On a personal level, slow travel is much, much easier to do long-term. As great as it sounds to travel full time, there is always a risk of getting burnout. Think about how exhausted you feel after a two-week vacation where you’re hopping from place to place. Now multiply that feeling by like 100. Only then can you can get an idea of how tiring it is to do this long-term while working remotely.  

It can also save you a lot of money. When you travel slowly, you generally cut down significantly on transportation costs as you are flying, bussing, and driving much less. You’re also usually able to get better deals on accommodation if you’re willing to commit to staying for at least a week. The prices drop even more if you plan on staying a month. Many digital nomads choose to stay in destinations for at least a month at a time because of this.

On a broader level, slow travel is so much better for the environment. As many of us already know, the environmental impacts of travel are substantial. Much of this is due to air travel and single-use plastic consumption at a destination. When you travel slowly, you usually reduce the number of flights that you take. You also often rely more on going to grocery stores and cooking at home than say, grabbing a quick meal at McDonald’s, which also helps reduce the amount of non-recyclable garbage that you produce. 

Slow travel also tends to help the local economy much more than staying in places for a short time. Slow travelers generally spend more money at local shops, restaurants, homestays, and guest houses. They also spend less at international fast-food chains or branded hotels. Rather than going into the coffers of a big international corporation, it will instead end up in the bank accounts of local people.

What are the cons of slow travel?

One of the biggest problems with traveling slowly is that it can get lonely sometimes, especially if you’re a solo traveler. Imagine moving to a new city every few weeks and trying to develop a social life. You sit in cafes and restaurants watching other people with their friends and family, and you may find yourself second-guessing your travel choices.  

Traveling quickly can often make it easy to forget that you are lonely as you’re focused on getting from place to place, organizing your travel plans, etc. When you travel slowly, you have a lot more downtime to reflect. You may find yourself feeling a bit out of your comfort zone if it’s your first time traveling alone for an extended period of time. You really need to be comfortable being by yourself or with just one or two other people. 

What are the different types of slow travel?

 Slow tourism is traveling at your own pace in a way that is meaningful to you. 

Just like the fact that people travel for a wide array of reasons, people also do slow travel for different reasons. Some of the most common reasons that people may choose to do slow travel include spiritual tourism, culinary tourism, volunteer tourism , or simply remote work options.

Different budgets impact the way that people travel. People who are traveling on a shoestring may choose to volunteer in hostels in exchange for free accommodation or rent inexpensive Airbnbs or vacation rentals. They also tend to go to free events or find ways to make their money stretch as long as possible while still enjoying cultural experiences. People with a larger budget can choose to stay in better quality accommodation or even to use a hotel as their home base. They also tend to take advantage of the services offered by tour operators. These local experts can facilitate unique activities that may be off-limits to others. 

Is slow travel the same as digital nomading?

In many cases, yes. Every digital nomad has a slightly different lifestyle based on the way that they earn money, the passport that they hold, and their own preferences. However, by and large, most digital nomads are also slow travelers. They live in apartments, go grocery shopping, attend cultural events, and generally live a pretty similar lifestyle to many of their local counterparts. 

I personally straddle the gap between extreme travelers and digital nomads. I will often travel to off-the-beaten-path countries like Iraq, Afghanistan, Pakistan, Sudan, etc. for a few weeks. Then I relax a bit, get caught up on work, and try to be as stress-free as possible for a while. This was the pattern that I followed for several months in 2021 and 2022. During this time, Istanbul and Cairo as bases between trips. This was a very different experience than someone slow traveling through Mexico or digital nomading in Bali.  However, it shows just how versatile this lifestyle is.

Meanwhile, I am friends with travel bloggers and vloggers who will rent a place for a month and get as much work done as possible. They will then spend a few weeks traveling through a country. I also know people who will stay in destinations for months at a time. They’ll fully immerse themselves in the culture by taking language classes and attending local Couchsurfing or Meet-Up events. The great thing about slow traveling is that you can shape it however works best for you!

Is slow travel the same as sustainable travel?

Yes and no. There’s definitely a lot of overlap between slow travel and sustainable travel. They aren’t always the same, though. Slow travelers and sustainable travels tend to place value on the same things. While slow travel is almost always sustainable, sustainable travel isn’t always slow. 

What type of slow travel is best?

This really depends on you and what you want to get out of your slow travel experience. If you’re traveling for a short amount of time (less than a month), you may want to base yourself in a few different cities across Europe or Asia. This gives you time to get to know your local cafes and bars. You may even start to recognize the people who work at your local grocery store. If you stay a little bit longer, you may even be able to know exactly where everything you need is located in the grocery store which is a big win!

If you’re planning on slow traveling for a few months and aren’t going to be working at the same time, you may want to consider joining a volunteer project or taking cooking or language classes. In certain destinations, you can even take part in spiritual retreats, yoga teacher training courses, and dance classes. Doing an activity allows you to meet more local people as well as other foreigners. In turn, this gives you more of a chance to develop more of a social life and a routine in destinations. By the end of it, you may find that you’ve learned an incredible amount about everyday life in a particular destination. This is particularly true when you think about what you would have experienced otherwise.

Is this possible to do long term?

Definitely! Many people have been doing it for years! If you’re able to work remotely and have a lot of time on your hands, you can always slow travel and combine it with short trips. This could mean basing yourself in Bangkok for three months, then taking advantage of the multitude of cheap flights on offer around Southeast Asia. 

If you’re planning to hop between destinations, make sure to download the Let’s Roam app before you go! Here, you can access hundreds of scavenger hunts, art walks, ghost hunts, and pub crawls for destinations worldwide. This is a great way to get to know a new place and have a great time doing it!

I did this for four years while I was based in Hong Kong. I feel like I kind of got the best of both worlds. I got an in-depth look at life in Hong Kong and China. Meanwhile, I got a taste of Japan, South Korea, and many Southeast Asian countries. While I was definitely considered an ex-pat instead of a slow traveler, the same strategy is used by many long-term slow travelers. They can work their way around the world one region at a time. In a way, it’s kind of like being back in college. You have your major. Then you have all your electives that help you shape your education into exactly what you want. 

Where can I find more information on slow travel?

Tons of social media channels provide insight into what it’s really like to slow travel and what new experiences lie in store for you. These may be influencers, travel bloggers, van lifers, conscious travelers, travel companies, or really anyone who has an interest in the slow travel movement. They can help you mentally unpack the art of slow travel and decide whether or not it is right for you. This will give you a deeper understanding of the pros and cons of slow travel. It can also show how to make slow travel a reality for you based on your unique circumstances. 

Is this the end to bucket list travel?

It doesn’t have to be! Bucket list travel has been a driving force behind people rushing to certain destinations. However, the slow travel movement is certainly not the end of it. There just needs to be a slight change in focus. Rather than having a long list of tourist attractions, restaurants, or shops that you want to visit because you saw a photo of them on Instagram, try to prioritize having authentic experiences. Instead of going to the top-ranked places on Trip Advisor, go to the local food joint around the corner from your Airbnb. Skip the fancy clubs and go to the dive bars full of old men wearing sweater vests. After two decades of travel, I guarantee you these experiences are the things that you’ll remember for the rest of your life. 

Are you ready to roam?

We hope that this article on slow travel has shown you the benefits of traveling more slowly and sustainably and that it has inspired you to try it for yourself on your next trip. As always, we would love to hear your feedback, and please let us know if there’s anything we may have missed!

If you want to read more information on slow travel, digital nomading , or any of the destinations listed above, make sure to head over to the Let’s Roam Explorer blog . This blog features hundreds of destination guides, must-see lists, and travel articles that can help you make travel planning much easier. Our team writes all of our blogs, and they’re full of first-hand travel tips that can save you time and money. Before you head out the door, make sure to download the Let’s Roam app . Here, you’ll have access to all of our fun-filled, app-based scavenger as well as great user-generated information. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Slow travel simply means spending a lot of time in one place while immersing yourself in cultural experiences and everyday life. It’s generally more sustainable and fulfilling than other types of travel.

Many digital nomads are slow traveling their way across continents. They often spend one time getting to know a country or region before moving on to the next one.

You can slow travel even if you only have ten vacation days a year . You simply need to pick a destination that you really want to get to know. Check out the Let’s Roam Explorer blog for inspiration!

Honestly, there isn’t much of a difference! Slow travel and digital nomading are actually very similar. Most digital nomads are also considered slow travelers.

If you want to learn more information, check out the Let’s Roam Explorer blog . Here, you can find hundreds of areas on different forms of travel, interesting destinations, and much, much more!

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What Does Slow Travel Mean? (And How To Do It)

The first time I traveled on my own, I was 19 and studying abroad in the Netherlands. Every weekend was a mad dash to see a different city in 48 hours, and to experience as much of each city as possible — no museum, cathedral, park, or touristy attraction left unturned. 😵‍💫

“That breakneck speed, while a great tool to check destinations off a list, was no way to truly experience a destination.”

Spring break was the maddest dash of all, encompassing four cities in nine days and about half as much sleep as I should’ve gotten. Barcelona to Rome to Florence to Venice, then back in time for an 8 a.m. class on Monday.

I was beyond lucky to have had that experience, learning how to travel on my own, how to figure out a new city’s public transportation, and how to manage my time and budget. But that rapid pace began to set the tone for future trips I’d plan. A week in France? Make it two nights in every city. Three days to travel the whole of Ireland? No problem. 

That breakneck speed, while a great tool to check destinations off a list, was no way to truly experience a destination . During the weekdays while abroad in the Netherlands, I absorbed characteristics of the culture: The 10 a.m. coffee break everyone seemed to take, the food folks would eat for lunch, the way no one drew their shades at night. But the quick trips were something different. Sure, I checked Prague off my list — but I couldn’t even tell you how to say “thank you” in Czech, which sort of makes you question what the purpose of travel is in the first place.

“‘Slow travel’ presents an alternative to the see-every-country ethos.”

“Slow travel” presents an alternative to the see-every-country ethos. It tells us to accept that we won’t experience the entire world in one lifetime, and presents more sustainable travel options. 

What is slow travel?

Like slow living , slow travel comes from the mother of all “slow” movements: Italian political activist Carlo Petrini’s International Slow Food movement, founded in 1989. 

“At its core, I think slow travel is about intentionality and connection,” says Gi Shieh , a slow travel content creator. “It’s about spending more time at a destination to immerse yourself fully in the beauty and uniqueness of the land and its people.”

“Simply put, traveling slowly means staying for longer in one place.”

Simply put, traveling slowly means staying for longer in one place. Say you have nine days to travel — instead of hopping to three different cities or countries, consider spending all nine days at one destination, really getting to know the area.

Slow travel might also look like choosing destinations more off the beaten path, avoiding over-toured spots. According to CNN, some of 2023’s worst destinations for overtourism included Amsterdam, Phuket, and Venice, but some less traveled, alternative destinations might include the Netherlands’ Utrecht, Thailand’s Chiang Mai, or Italy’s Tuscan countryside.

Take the opportunity to connect with local people at your destinations. Stay in smaller bed-and-breakfasts, dine in small, locally owned restaurants, and chat with shop owners. 

“In general, move around less — and when you move, move slower.”

And when choosing transportation methods, you’ll want to think about the most sustainable options. When possible, replace planes with trains; or car rides with bikes and walks. In general, move around less — and when you move, move slower. It might take a few more hours to get from point A to point B, and that’s kind of the well, point. You’ll understand the landscape of a country from your train window, or the way the wind smells while you’re riding a bike. 

“Slow travel also means taking the time to note all the little details that make a place beautiful,” says Shieh, who also runs a blog on slow travel and sustainable fashion. “Like, how the Mediterranean sun hits the laundry drying on a balcony in the south of Italy or the specific cadence of honks of Vietnamese motorbikes during rush hour in Hanoi.”

What are the benefits of slow travel?

Besides lowering the carbon footprint of your trip, traveling slowly gives you a more mindful connection to the place you’re visiting. You likely won’t remember the time spent waiting in line to enter a popular sightseeing destination, but you will hang onto the conversation with a friendly local or the way you felt after a long, leisurely lunch.

“Traveling slowly gives you a more mindful connection to the place you’re visiting.”

Less time spent on planes or tour buses zipping around to new spots means more time (and money) to spend at restaurants that cook with local ingredients or wandering a town and picking up a handmade trinket that catches your eye. And when you choose less heavily toured destinations, it takes pressure off of over-toured spots with thinly stretched resources, like Hawaii or Bali.

Tips on traveling more slowly

1. plan to take some extra time..

“Unfortunately, in today’s society, it’s hard to step away for an extended period of time,” says Shieh, noting that travel itself is a luxury. “It’s important to acknowledge that slow travel is a huge privilege,” she says. “I feel so lucky to be able to experience the world at a slower, more intentional pace, and not everybody has the opportunity to do so!”

“If you only have a short travel window of a few days, use it to explore destinations closer to home that don’t require a flight.”

Not everyone has two weeks or more to spend leisurely roaming a foreign country, but that doesn’t mean you can’t still travel more slowly. Plan trips many months in advance and for as long as you feel comfortable — maybe a six-day trip becomes a nine-day one that you spend in just one place. And if you only have a short travel window of a few days, use it to explore destinations closer to home that don’t require a flight.

And while traveling, “don’t overpack your itinerary,” says Lauren Fremont, executive director of the Winegrowers of Dry Creek Valley , a small wine region known for slow travel and sustainable practices. “Leave room for unexpected delights and meaningful connections. That’s where the magic happens.”

2. Do your research.

“Think about going beyond the pictures you’ll take for social media.” – Matilda Reuter Engle, proprietor of Middleburg Hospitality

With a little extra time and planning, slow travel becomes a lot more feasible. Do your research on destinations, rather than just heading out where you’ve seen others go. Think about what you want to learn and experience during a trip, says Matilda Reuter Engle, proprietor of Middleburg Hospitality , which is focused on preserving historical traditions via hospitality in Virginia Piedmont. “Think about going beyond the pictures you’ll take for social media,” she says. “Identify the lifestyles, history, and ancestral traditions that ignite your curiosity.” 

If you’ve planned for a bit more time, consider stacking destinations relatively close to each other to make your travel more sustainable. For example, instead of spending a week in a European country this year and a week in a different European country next year, try doing the entire two-week trip in one go.

3. Stay at B&Bs or small hotels.

Once you have your destination, look for small business accommodations. Bed-and-breakfasts are fantastic — usually independently run, they pretty much hand you the opportunity to engage with the owners and the local community.

Choose small hotels over larger ones, especially all-inclusives that tend to use resources like food and water inefficiently. Of course, there are exceptions to this rule — some hotels have fantastic sustainability practices, but finding those involves, again, lots of time and research.

“If you go the Airbnb route, consider renting a room in house rather than an entire place to yourself.”

If you go the Airbnb route, consider renting a room in house rather than an entire place to yourself. Your host should have a wealth of information about exploring the area like a local, and staying with residents helps minimize your impact on the area’s housing stock.

4. Find ways to connect with the culture.

Along with accommodations that prioritize sustainability, Fremont looks for “experiences that showcase the region’s unique history, food, and traditions,” she says. “It’s about seeking authenticity and supporting businesses that share our ethos.”

“Maybe you join a fishing crew for the day and get to eat your catch, or your do a cheese tasting at the farm where it’s made.”

Read up on tours and activities that immerse you in the local culture — maybe you join a fishing crew for the day and get to eat your catch, or you do a cheese tasting right at the farm where it’s made, or you take a cycling tour from town to town.

“Go with the intention of honoring diverse ways of life, and stepping away from the fast-paced, technological world so many of us reside in on a daily basis,” says Engle. And if language is a barrier, Shieh offers that Facebook events and expat forums can be particularly helpful.

5. Ease yourself into it.

“Try not to put too much pressure on yourself to change your travel habits right off the bat,” says Shieh. If your travel history has looked anything like mine, that pedal-to-the-metal mindset won’t change overnight. 

“If your travel history has looked anything like mine, that pedal-to-the-metal mindset won’t change overnight.”

Maybe you start by bringing more intentionality into your domestic trips. If you’re traveling for a wedding, consider spending the week before or after exploring the area. Perhaps next year you spend a week somewhere you would’ve typically spent a few days, or you replace one or two flights with train rides. And then take it from there.

“We have an entire lifetime to travel.” – Gi Shieh, a slow travel content creator

“We often feel this pressure to see it all while we’re young,” says Shieh, “but actually we have an entire lifetime to travel.” Something that helped me feel better about doing and seeing less while traveling? No matter how fast you travel, you’ll never see, let alone experience, the entire world.

“By spacing your travels out over the course of a few years or even a few decades, it removes some of the pressure and allows you to fully settle into the experience that is happening right now,” says Shieh.

Make peace with not seeing the whole green earth, and it will allow you to make deeper connections in the places you do. 😌

Natalie Gale is a Boston-based freelance journalist. When she’s not writing about art, food, or sustainability, you can find her biking to the farmers’ market, baking, sewing, or planning her next Halloween costume. Say hi on Instagram !

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Travel vs Trip – Difference

What is the difference between Travel and Trip?

These two words frequently confuse learners of English.

A quick explanation that is valid for most situations is the following:

Travel – a verb (the action) Trip – a noun

Susan’s husband isn’t in town at the moment; he is on a business trip . He travels to many different countries. Susan met her husband on a trip to the Bahamas.

Travel – to go from one place to another Trip – a journey that is often for a short period of time.

NOTE: There are some exceptions to the general rule above.

Travel can also be a noun when it refers to the act of traveling.

• Travel is difficult in that part of the country since there are no paved roads.
• Travel broadens your mind.

Sometimes Travel appears in plural form and in that case is normally preceded by a possessive adjective (my travels, his travels etc.)

• She has had many adventures in her travels .
• I have never seen any as strange as that in all of my travels .

Trip can also be a verb though it has a completely different meaning. To Trip – to accidentally stumble and almost fall while walking or running, usually after catching your foot on something.

• He didn’t see the cat and he tripped up.

Trip vs. Journey

A trip usually refers to traveling to a place and returning back to where you started. A journey usually implies traveling from one place to another (not necessarily returning to where you started). It sometimes refers to the length of time taken to go from one place to another.

• They went on a journey through South America that lasted 6 months.
• It is a three-day journey by train.

Some more uses of the word Trip

A day trip usually refers to a tourist activity that occupies your entire day. A business trip is when you travel for business reasons. A round trip means to travel somewhere and return to place of original, there and back (= a return trip)

Summary Chart

What is the best trip you have ever had?

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The Ultimate Guide to Slow Travel

Art & Culture

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Kelsie Colclough | Live the World

July 4, 2022

Slow travel to discover true wanderlust.

Slow travel is becoming more and more popular. We think it’s the future of travel. Our Ultimate Guide to Slow Travel is all about embracing this immersive travel trend. We’re not here to judge other ways of travelling. Heck, more people travelling is a good thing any way you can! But, if you’re curious about how to slow travel then our guide is just what you need.

Find the best activities for you on our map!

Trust us - travelling slowly is exactly what you need to do to fall in love with your next travel destination. We’re not about judging how people travel, only to show you that there’s another option! We’ve put together our Ultimate Guide to cut down all those myths about slow travel, tell you why we love it so much, and tell you how to slow travel to get you started!

Say bon voyage to the tourist crowds and join us on an in-depth journey. Keep reading to have all your questions answered, plus the best slow travel destinations recommendations and sustainable travel tips! Our ultimate guide is everything you need to begin your journey down the slow travel rabbit hole…

The slow travel basics

These are the questions we get all the time about slow travel; What is slow travel and how do I do it? The meaning of the word “slow travel” can seem obvious once you first see it, but we’re here to share all the info you need to really dig in and get your journey started.

What is slow travel?

Slow travel is a way of travelling that gets to the heart of why we love the journey. Go at your own pace to discover authentic experiences as you get off the beaten track and discover local gems. The slow traveler explores their dream destinations at their own pace, avoids the traps of mass tourism, and enjoys a rich travel experience. Keep reading to get all the info you need on the art of slow travel!

Where did slow travel come from?

Slow travel is a branch of the slow movement. You’ve probably seen the slow fashion movement that pushes against mass production of clothes in fast fashion. Maybe our foodie friends know slow food restaurants, which focus on local and seasonal dishes for authentic experiences rather than mass produced meals. Slow travel originates from the “slow food movement”, which got its start in Italy as a protest against McDonald’s.

Some define slow travel as public transport or taking months to explore one place. None of those definitions are exactly wrong, but they miss out on what makes slow travel so great. Whether you’re enjoying a 2 day city break or taking a road trip across Europe, any trip can become a slow travel trip as long as you stick to the intention and our top tips.

Who goes slow traveling?

You might have gone on a slow travel-like trip without even realising. Backpacking, camping, and hyper focused city trips all fall under the beautiful umbrella of slow travel. The slow travel movement is an accessible movement for all from students on a budget, luxury travellers, and retirees. No two slow travellers look alike! Slow travel has nothing to do with age or your income. It’s all about what experience you want out of traveling.

Since you can really customise a slow travel trip and delve in deep to a local culture, we find that slow travel is the best option for many solo travellers and those interested in getting a full and authentic experience of their destination.

Are slow travel and sustainable travel the same thing?

Eco conscious travel or sustainable travel does have some overlap with slow travel. But they’re not exactly the same thing. By moving away from mass tourism and into more sustainable practices, slow travel is by its nature more eco-friendly than other trips. Unlike the usual sustainable travel tips though, slow travel has its own mentality.

While sustainable travel focuses on the effect that trips have on the environment, slow travel looks more inward. All those busy trips, crowded places, and wanderlust social media posts can have a negative effect on our mental health. In slowing the pace and taking things one step at a time, slow travel is (in our opinion!) a better experience for all involved - you and the planet!

Can slow travel be luxurious?

You can absolutely make slow travel trips on a higher budget. We know there’s this myth that slow travel is all about backpacking and while that type of thing does fall under slow travel, that’s not all it's about. Taste local expensive food, stay at luxury Airbnbs, and discover the best of the local culture on a luxury budget that’s right for you.

Our top 5 reasons to travel slowly!

Now you know what slow travel is all about. But have we convinced you to plan your next trip in the slow travel way? We’ve got all the reasons why you should hop onto the slow travel movement right here to get you thinking.

You support the local economy

Hey, big spenders! There’s just something nice about going to your local market and actually meeting the sellers. Slow is that, but on an even bigger scale. Major travel companies do have a habit of pushing you to major tourist spots and always giving you popular itineraries. We’re not saying that’s a bad option if that’s what you want from your travels, but slow travel gives you a local and authentic option.

By travelling slowly, you’ll probably be spending more time in one place. Dive in deep to the local scene to discover hidden gems, restaurants, and local events. You’ll be giving your hard-earned cash to smaller businesses and local artisans who need the money a fair bit more than your average top 100 travel company.

Slow travel can keep your budget low

We all want to travel more often! Slow travel helps to keep your travel costs down by focusing on one place and its surrounding area. You don't need a bunch of flights or train tickets to get the most out of your journey. Of course, if you’ve got a higher budget there’s plenty of slow travel destinations, hotels, and things to do for you as well!

Many digital nomads (those who work remotely while travelling) are often slow travellers. Taking a slower pace by spending more time in one area before moving onto your next destination keeps your transport costs much lower. And, of course, you get all the benefits of seeing the most of your next travel destination.

Slow travel can help the environment

Slow travel trips can involve public transport or some other sustainable way of travelling. Public releases way less emissions than the average plane! Slow travel can be done via the plane too, so long as you take your time at the destination, search for hidden gems, and keep your focus on the local culture.

You meet new people

Yes, you will meet new people however you travel! But we’ve found the slow travel community to be super welcoming. As you join in on sustainable travel groups and hunt down the best local things to in your area, you’ll find yourself surrounded by people who share the same mindset. You’re not just one in a crowd of tourists - you become an explorer ready to find the next gem.

Of course, if you’re hunting down authentic experiences there’s nothing better than getting tips from locals. Mass tourism might bring in the money, but it can have backlash. But you’re actually here for an authentic trip, in our experience, locals are way more friendly once you express that especially in places where tourism has had some downsides.

Remember why you love to travel

Have you ever been stuck in the airport wishing you were back in bed? Have you ever arrived at a destination you thought was beautiful on social media, but you arrive and there’s just a queue of people taking photos?

Slow travel gets to the core of why we fell in love with travelling in the first place.

Not to sound like a boomer, but when you travel just for travel's sake then it loses a lot of its magic. The local food that just melts in your mouth. Discovering the amazing places and hidden gems no one tells you about. Relax in the forest, up a mountain, or even in the Roman ruins inside a city park! Slow travel is about having a truly immersive travel experience. Escape your normal life and totally immerse yourself in the sights, sounds and smells of a new place, of a new culture.

Whatever you love about travelling, slow travel will dial it up to 11 . So what are the types of slow travel journeys and where should you go? Here are our top recommendations!

The types of slow travel journeys

Slow travel is more of a mindset than a pigeon hole category, but there are some holiday types that fall naturally into this type of travel. Road trips, backpacking, cycling journeys, and camping, can all be types of slow travel trips.

So long as you’re seeking out authentic experiences and taking your time, you can make any journey into a slow travel one. But here are some of our favourite easy slow travel trip types to give you some ideas.

Hop in your car and drive wherever you want! Road trips are an easy way of getting the group together and getting around to your dream destinations. Take a road trip across Europe, America, and more. Driving might not seem sustainable at first glance, but it’s better than taking the plane to each stop! Make sure to stop along the way at the best local places! Along the road, you’re sure to find a hidden gem or two.

Backpacking

Nothing is slower and more beautiful than getting around on foot. Take your time climbing to the mountain top and enjoy the view! Is there anything more authentic than Mother Nature? Feel the rocky cliffs and rivers beneath your feet on a slow travel backpacking trip. You can go backpacking almost anywhere. Some countries, like Thailand and Sri Lanka, have seen a major increase in the number of backpackers paying them a visit. We actually recommend visiting a less popular country for backpacking to avoid crowds and have the least touristy experience possible.

A solid choice for any traveller! Pitch up a tent and sleep under the stars surrounded by nature. Camping is a great choice as sites tend to be not far off great slow travel attractions. It’s good to take it slow sometimes and just enjoy your time with family and friends! Use your tent as a starting point on your adventure as you make your way to the national parks or nearby cities. We actually think camping is an underrated option, especially when there’s more options than you’d expect in the camping world.

Campsites are one of the most sustainable places to stay on your holiday, but to really max out those slow travel points we’ve found Pitchup to be super handy to find campsites in Europe that use renewable energy .

Get on your bike and get peddling! Why wait for your flight or get stuck in the crowd, when you can peddle past them all? Explore your next destination on wheels. You’ll cycle through national parks, to castles, ruins, and make your way through the cities. Some countries are a lot better for cycling trips than others, so keep reading to find the best slow travel destinations!

Train Trips

Follow the tracks across the country, across continents even! On the train, you can travel affordably and sustainably across country borders. You’ll be literally travelling more slowly and taking more time to enjoy the journey as well as the destination. Europe is a super popular destination for train journeys. Check out our slow travel destinations below to get some ideas going…

Our top slow travel destinations

You can slow travel anywhere in the world. But at Live the World we absolutely love Europe for slow travel beginners. Here are our top slow travel destinations in Europe, plus the best things to do for each country. Take your pick!

Netherlands

Known for its windmills and tulips, the Netherlands is one of the most beautiful countries in Europe. SUP your way across the canals of Amsterdam, hike the beaches of the less travelled but unique Frisian Islands, or even pick out plastic as you sail across the rivers. The Netherlands is the perfect destination for a cycling trip, a city day trip, and more.

Amsterdam is the major tourist attraction, but other cities have great activities to offer too. Check out our map to find the best slow travel places to go!

The heart of Europe! Belgium is an underrated destination full of hidden gems and gorgeous city trips. Belgium has some of the prettiest castles and nature reserves you’d never know if you didn’t see it for yourself. A perfect pick for a road trip through Europe and city breaks, Belgium is one of our top slow travel destinations.

Follow our 2 day itinerary in Brussels for a slow travel experience in Belgium’s capital!

Czech Republic

Backpack in the Czech Republic to enjoy a central European location with gorgeous mountains on its border like Sněžka. Take a city break in Prague to uncover hidden gems in its castle, local markets, and so much more. Prague is the #1 stop in the Czech Republic, but there’s great places across the country too like the beautiful city of Czechy Krumlov.

Our top tips on how to travel slowly

After racking our brains and hunting down the top experts in the eco-travel field, we’ve got all the best slow travel tips just for you. From ditching the packed itineraries to bamboo cutlery, these are the top tips from experts. Read even more tips on how to travel sustainably here.

1 . Buy local

This top tip came up no matter who we asked! So often, tourists will stroll by all the local and independent shops and gather at only the major centres. Of course, you’re helping out the locals this way. But you’re also keeping your carbon footprint low, by reducing all the miles goods have to travel when you shop locally. We’ve found some surprises at farmers markets, from gorgeous flowers in Prague to handmade wooden clogs in the Netherlands. Check out our map to find local trading posts!

2 . Do what you can, when you can

When you’re trying to do right by the environment and yourself, it’s easy to get a bit depressed about climate change. We spoke to Coren Munday, founder of bamboo cutlery company SeaForYourselfco , to get her perspective on slow travel. Coren, like so many of us travellers, was shocked by all the plastic she saw on the beach. When you’re in that situation, what can you do about it?

Coren let us know that, in the true spirit of slow travel, it’s best to focus on the here and now. Do what you can! Whether that’s picking up some plastic bottles as you backpack, swapping to bamboo cutlery, or simply taking a bag with you when you travel so you don’t leave your rubbish behind. Every little bit helps!

3 . Electric Detox

OK, hear us out. We know how handy our gadgets can be when you’re in a whole new world. Our friends at IndieCampers let us know how important taking some time off can be, though. Take a break from your phone and social media! I actually tried this out on a recent trip to Nottingham. It was weird going without my laptop and phone most of the time, and sometimes I did have to use my phone just to get directions. If, like me, you’re not quite ready to go cold turkey then just turn off your notifications and enjoy a stress-free day without refreshing your email inbox!

4 . Give back

The mindset of slow travel doesn’t start and end with just one person. You can spread the mindset of slow travel by giving back as you go. We don’t just mean money, though supporting local artists and events does go a long way. We mean supporting the local culture and community. Whether that’s chatting to the locals in their language when you can, supporting local businesses, or volunteering on projects around the world, you can travel in a way that isn’t all take. Sometimes we need to give back too!

5 . Take it slow - literally

We’ve said it before and we’ll say it again. Slow travel doesn’t just mean sticking to the train. But! We’d be lying if we didn’t include this top tip. After all, public transport is one of the best ways to get around depending on where you go.

The main thing is not to rush about from place to place. If you’re in a rush, then you’re not enjoying the journey. You could be in the most beautiful place in the world, but if you’ve been jostled about by the tourist crowd, honked at in traffic, and need to go to the next activity in an hour, then it doesn’t seem that pretty. It’s important to take things at your own pace, so you can really enjoy your experiences.

Everything you need to pack for a slow travel journey

Alright, you’ve picked your destination and you basically now have a degree in slow travel. You’re ready to go. But what are the essentials to pack for a slow travel trip? Of course, having an umbrella, jacket, and spare bag for waste, are always needed. We’ve put together a list of the best things to bring!

While you’re out exploring, you’re sure to find beautiful places and hidden gems. Get your phone camera or DSLR ready for your best shot. Slow travel is all about taking your time and enjoying the moment. What’s more slow travel than capturing the moment forever on film? The big thing to remember is the intention. If you get caught up just taking photos to show people later, then you’re not enjoying the trip anymore. Use your camera to help you remember what you love later - don’t make the camera the star of the trip.

2 . Portable phone charger

Sometimes you’ll be out hiking and your phone will run out of battery and, next thing you know, you’re following a random sign to the nearest village in the hopes of getting directions. Don’t be like me. Learn from all the mistakes of trekkers before you and bring along a portable phone charger to save yourself the stress. Perfect too for group campaign trips and city day trips. You’ll never regret bringing one of these guys along.

3 . Cross body bag

Nearly every traveller under the sun has one of these for a reason. Keep an eye on your most important belongings without lugging around a massive bag as you go. Crossbody bags are a great pick for day trips in the city and hikes too (easy access to snacks!). You can get ‘em second hand, but sometimes you just want to splash out and get something nice. For a more luxury budget with a slow fashion heart, check out STOW .

4 . A notepad

Here’s a tip from me. When you’re in the pub, you’re not going to remember all the recommendations locals give you. And they give you plenty. Use the note app on your phone or go back to basics with pen and paper, to keep track of the ever growing list of things to do in the local area. You can also double up your notepad as a travelling journal. Look back on those memories years from now!

5 . A map or guide

Having an actual map or guide is handy if you have poor connection. But we don’t just mean that. Use our map and guide to find things to do near you that are recommended by locals. Dive in deep on your slow travel trip and find activities to fit your interests, not just the “top ten essentials to do” that you’ll find on every blog list. Keep reading to find our top things to do wherever you go for the best slow travel trip ever! ‍

The best things to do on a slow travel trip

So, you banished your former ideas about travel and you’ve got our travel guide at the ready. But what do slow travelers do on their trips? We’re finishing up our ultimate guide to slow travel with some ideas to get your trip planning started.

1 . Take a hike

Hiking is booming and for good reason! Slow things down by travelling on foot. You never know what you’ll find. We’ve seen hikes marked by artsy sculptures, a walking trail through a witchy village, or go for a classic woodland trail. Whatever flavour of hike you pick, you’ll be enjoying the local nature and taking a breath of fresh air.

You can always find a good hike at the nearest national park, but we recommend using our map to find the best hikes and tips to make your trek the best one yet. You can find some good walks not too far from the city too!

2 . Explore the markets

We will keep on banging this drum. There’s no point going to a city just to explore the major shops. Sure, you’ll find some goodies there but you’re not really picking up the local vibe. Head on down to the local market to meet the artisans, the farmers, and so much more. Blend in with the local crowd!

3 . Find hidden gems

A slow travel trip is best when it includes a hidden place or two. Keep your eyes peeled for those places by asking the locals and checking out hidden gems on our map in Belgium, the Czech Republic, the Netherlands, and more to come soon! What we love about hidden gems is that they can be anything from a 19th century castle in the Netherlands to an alleyway covered in amazing street art.

4 . Taste it!

Don’t forget to taste the local food and try out the beer and wine. Take a brewery tour, book a wine tasting, and discover local spots on our map! We’ve found amazing local food trucks, rooftop bars, and even little wineries across our favourite destinations.

While you’ll always find plenty of cafes and restaurants in the city centre, they’re usually not the most authentic. Sometimes they’re good, sometimes they’re tourist traps! Wander out a little further to find the best options in the city.

5 . Go sailing!

OK, this one depends where you are but if you’re near a lake or river then you can’t go wrong by renting a boat. Sail out onto the waters and feel that sea - or river! - breeze. Want to be even more active? You can always go canoeing or grab a SUP board. SUP is basically stand-up paddle boarding! We’ve even found SUP rentals in the canals of the Netherlands.

6 . Bring your bike

Join the locals on the wheels. Slow down your travels by taking yourself from place to place. Sustainable, convenient, and a great thing to do, biking is one activity you have to add to your slow travel checklist. Cycle your way across nature reserves, past the cities, or even follow along a local ice skating route.

Our slow travel book recs

Need further reading? Want some more inspiration? We’re not here to give you homework, but you don’t have to take our word for it on how great slow travel is. Delve in deeper into the slow travel movement and community alongside these writers, backpackers, trekkers, and more. Discover new destinations and tips in their pages, then go out and explore for yourself!

The Art of Slow Travel by Bhavana Gesota

Read the true story and personal experiences of passionate slow traveller Bhavana Gesota. When I was reading this book, I was amazed by how deeply Gesota experienced each place she visited. But this book doesn’t just focus on the places. The Art of Slow Travel is one of the best travel books you can read as it actually goes into the internal journey we go on when we travel.

Slow Travel: A Movement by Penny Watson

This is your basic introduction to slow travel. Best for inspiration rather than a how-to guide, this book might not have all the answers you need to understand slow travel but it will pull you in and leave you wanting more. Discover beautiful places, tips, and tour company recommendations. We recommend Watson’s books for beginners to slow travel! Thanks to its fairly recent publication in 2019 and iconic photos, this book always ranks highly and our booklist would not be complete without it.

The Idle Traveller: The Art of Slow Travel by Dan Kieran

This book is essentially a longish essay on why you should slow travel. Reflect on why we should travel and if we have lost that purpose… Keiran’s book is best for those interested in the mindset of slow travel and the philosophy behind it. Some of the best parts of the book are Keiran’s adventures and anecdotes from his travels across the UK and Europe. More limited in location than The Art of Slow Travel by Bhavana Gesota, but still an interesting read.

Fancy embracing the slow travel way on your next trip? Check out our map for 100s of local, authentic activities that’ll perfectly fit a slower style. Find the best activities for you on our map! Psst! Try selecting Green Horizons and Local Trading Posts for some of our slow travel faves…

If your chosen slow travel destination isn’t there yet, don’t worry, we’re working on it! Follow our socials to be the first to know when we launch a new destination. In the meantime, happy (slow) travelling!

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• Cambridge Dictionary +Plus

Meaning of travel in English

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travel verb ( MAKE JOURNEY )

• I like to travel but, then again, I'm very fond of my home .
• It's often quicker to travel across country and avoid the major roads altogether .
• Passengers without proper documentation will not be allowed to travel.
• The elderly travel free on public transport .
• We like to travel in the autumn when there are fewer tourists .
• The tragedy is that cultures don't always travel well, and few immigrant groups can sustain their culture over the long term .
• around Robin Hood's barn idiom
• communication
• public transport
• super-commuting
• transoceanic
• well travelled

You can also find related words, phrases, and synonyms in the topics:

travel verb ( MOVE )

• The objects travel in elliptical orbits .
• In 1947, a pilot flying over the Cascades saw nine metallic flying objects travelling at an estimated 1,200 miles per hour .
• The elevator travelled smoothly upward .
• White light separates out into its component wavelengths when travelling through a prism .
• As the material travels through the winding machine , excess liquid is squeezed out by rollers .
• Lead dust travels easily from hands to mouth and can't be seen .
• body English
• kinetic energy
• repair to somewhere

travel verb ( BREAK RULE )

• goaltending
• granny shot
• half-court press
• reverse dribble

travel noun ( ACTIVITY )

• They offer a 10 percent discount on rail travel for students .
• The price includes travel and accommodation but meals are extra .
• His work provided him with the opportunity for a lot of foreign travel.
• The popular myth is that air travel is more dangerous than travel by car or bus .
• Passes are available for one month's unlimited travel within Europe .
• break-journey
• circumnavigation

travel noun ( MOVEMENT OF OBJECT )

• It can be difficult to predict the travel of smoke from smouldering fires .
• The travel of the bullets and blood spatter showed that he was lying on the ground on his side when he was shot .
• This seemed to prove that light has a finite speed of travel.
• Striking the ball when the clubhead is already past the lowest point of its travel gives a slight overspin.
• The actuator then rotates its output shaft to the extremes of its travel.
• bring someone on
• go the distance idiom
• non-competitor
• park the bus idiom
• play big idiom
• step/move up a gear idiom

travel | American Dictionary

Travel | business english, examples of travel, collocations with travel.

These are words often used in combination with travel .

Click on a collocation to see more examples of it.

Translations of travel

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Word of the Day

at the coalface

doing the work involved in a job, in real working conditions, rather than planning or talking about it

Fakes and forgeries (Things that are not what they seem to be)

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• travel (MAKE JOURNEY)
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