What You Need To Know About Slow Travel And Mindfulness

Slow travel - a trend of travel that has been conquering more and more fans every year.

I like to define it precisely as way to lead the traveler to have a real immersion in the destination of their visit. Including on that: unique experiences, focused on the quality of the destination and not on the number of places you will meet. But actually what is slow travel and where did this movement come from?

This is a proposal created inspired by Slow Food, a movement that was born in Italy, as a form of protest against the opening of a McDonald's shop in Piazza di Spagna in Rome. The action advocates, among other things, a quieter diet, with the care of savoring the meal, identifying each ingredient and experiencing the moment.

It is in this same path that follows Slow Travel. The idea is that each trip is more than just knowing places. It is to connect with each destination, to experience the local cuisine, to observe the routine of the natives, to perceive the contours and movements that make up the landscape. It is a way of being more mindful about your experience while traveling somewhere.

Looking forward to know a bit more on how to be part of this movement? I’ve prepared some small advices for you bellow:

Less is more

The idea here is to get away from that list that you just have several items and need to tick them off as fast as possible. That kind of list where you know several cities at once. With a leaner route, it is possible to take better advantage of what each destination has to offer. And actually enjoy the moments in each place way more.

Public transportation

A way to spend less and walk around like a local is to use public transport. Especially if you are visiting countries in Europe, this is a great option as they are much more efficient than you can imagine. Not to mention, is also more environmentally friendly.

Forget the hotels

Instead of staying in hotels, a good alternative is to rent an apartment or do some couchsurfing, in a way that you have more the feeling of experiencing that place like a local resident. So, in addition to having more freedom, you can shop in the local markets and cook whenever you want.

The plan is to have no plan

You do not need to have an all-set script of what you will do on each day of the trip. Leave the guide aside and have a day off with no commitments. Worth staying in a park listening to music or reading a book, go out of your way or just rest. Take a moment to do things at your own pace without the pressure to explore everything at once.

New friendships

Be open to new friendships. Want a better way to know more about a place than talking to locals? Forget the cell phone a bit and look at the people around you. A smile can be the beginning of a pleasant conversation.

Local food as its best

Go to local restaurants, especially those who prefer ingredients from the region and portray the best in that culture. Escape from the establishments that are near the most visited postcards, as they are usually expensive and unappetizing. You will be surprised on how many delicious dishes you can find.

I invite you all so that in the next travel, you seek to live the chosen journey with freedom, time and especially presence. Remember to contemplate and not just see. Have attentive and curious eyes to the new, like those of a child when you see everything for the first time.

Travel a little lighter, connect a little deeper.