The Rise of Slow Travel: Holidaying at a Different Pace
In a world of constant notifications, back‑to‑back meetings and “always on” culture, more of us are no longer craving more from our holidays. We are craving less: fewer tabs open in our minds, fewer flights, fewer crowds, and more time to breathe.For years, travel has often meant packing as much as possible into a single itinerary: three cities in seven days, sunset here, sunrise there, every moment scheduled. Many travellers are now finding that they come home more exhausted than when they left.
Slow travel offers an alternative.
Rather than racing through a destination, it invites you to:
Spend longer in fewer places
Travel by train, boat or on foot where possible
Swap rigid schedules for gentle structure and spontaneity
Immerse yourself in local rhythms, food and culture
It is less about “how much did you see?” and more about “how did it make you feel?”.
My clients are increasingly asking for:
Stays in nature where Wi‑Fi is limited or intentionally switched off at times
Resorts and lodges that encourage screen‑free spaces
Experiences that make phones feel unnecessary: wild swimming, long hikes, campfires, stargazing
Itineraries with more “white space” for rest rather than constant stimulation
Combining a gentle digital detox with slow travel creates the perfect conditions for genuine restoration
Nature is at the heart of this trend. Whether it is the stillness of a pine forest, the rhythm of waves on a secluded beach, or the sweep of mountain valleys, being outdoors helps quieten mental noise in a way few other settings can.
Clients embracing slow, nature‑based travel often describe:
Sleeping better than they have in years
Feeling their stress levels drop within a day or two
A sense of “coming home to themselves”
Stronger connections with whomever they are travelling with
Pausing to notice the colour of the sky at dusk, the crunch of leaves underfoot, or the sound of birds at dawn becomes part of the holiday itself, rather than just the background to it.
Where possible, travelling more slowly to and within a destination becomes part of the experience:
Scenic rail journeys through mountains, vineyards or along the coast
Multi‑day walking routes broken up with charming inns, country houses or small hotels
Coastal or river journeys by boat, with time to explore ports and harbours rather than rushing through them
These modes of travel naturally lend themselves to reflection, conversation, and looking out of the window rather than into a screen.
The focus of slow travel is not performance or pressure.
Instead, it might include:
Restorative yoga on a deck overlooking water or hills
Guided forest walks or nature bathing
Spa rituals using local ingredients
Simple pleasures like outdoor hot tubs, hammocks, library corners and fire‑warmed lounges
The aim is to return home feeling nourished, not like you kept up with another demanding programme.
