You have probably heard of slow travel or slow movement before. It’s been a trend since some years ago, and it’s gaining ground. Many people around the world are joining this travel style and making it more popular. But do you really know what slow travel is or how to put it into practice? In this article, we will give you some insights into this interesting mode of travel, keep reading!
What is slow travel?
First of all, let’s talk about the slow movement. This trend started back in 1986 in Italy, as a protest against the opening of a McDonald’s in Rome and everything related to fast food and fast way of living. They were trying to get back to sustainable, local, organic, and whole foods (SLOW).
However, this initiative became a whole new way of living, emphasizing the connection we have with our food, our people, and our environment. It is now applied to every aspect of our society, including, of course, travel. So, let us go back to our question, what is slow travel?
Well, in keeping with the philosophy of the movement, we can say it is a way of travel where you will connect with others and with yourself. You will enjoy new experiences and learn about new cultures, meet new people, and take part in their way of living. Simplicity and flexibility when traveling will allow you to take back home memories instead of just hundreds of photos from places that you won’t remember later. It’s about enjoying not only the destination but also the journey. That is slow travel.
But don’t be fooled! Slow travel does not mean that you need to actually go slowly, or stay a month at one destination. Although it is always better to stay as much as possible in every place, there is no minimum time for slow travel. It is a mindset, and the only thing needed is to just change our attitude towards travel.
What are the benefits of Slow Travel?
At this point, you may already know or at least imagine what the benefits of slow travel are. Stronger connections, intimate cultural encounters, exploring the soul of each place, and really getting to know the local culture, are some of them. There are also other benefits: quieter trips, more flexible itineraries, and free time to lay back and relax. Obviously, traveling “slowly” also brings benefits to local economies and the environment as it promotes eco-friendly alternatives to traditional mass tourism transportation.
Slow travel in Peru
Now, if you think that slow travel is your way to go, you are probably wondering if Peru is the right destination for it. Well, let me tell you that it is! Anywhere can be the right place for slow travel because it is a mindset and not a destination. There are plenty of off-the-beaten-path routes, authentic experiences, and exciting cultures to discover in Peru. You can get some ideas for your next trip here: Off-the-beaten-path-Cusco: 5 Unique Experiences You Can Not Miss
Some people think that this way of traveling implies putting on your backpack and wandering aimlessly or traveling without using technology. And it can be! But there is more than one way to do it. You can travel by yourself or follow a travel agency itinerary. They both can be slow, the most important thing is what you focus on during your travels Are you rushing from one place to another just to cross out a new country or site on your list? Or are you trying to learn and discover the world by traveling? That’s what makes the real difference.
How to slow travel?
If you are just packing and ready to go, here are some tips and recommendations for putting this into practice.
#1 Like a local
Whether it is eating, traveling, or living, try to do it like a local. You will not only discover the authenticity of a place and its people but also support local economies and bring benefits to some places where mass tourism never reaches. Next time you are in a new destination, don’t go to the usual food chain restaurant. Try to eat at a local restaurant, and you will discover the real flavors and history of that city. You will be surprised to learn how much history and culture are related to food!
#2 Take your time
Whether you are spending 5 days or a month, try to spare time to take a walk or peacefully enjoy at least some areas of your travel destination. Wandering around on foot and meeting locals is a great way to get to know a place. Also, it gives you time to meaningfully enjoy the destination you are traveling, avoiding tourist burnouts.
#3 Connect
We already said this, but connection is something we lose all the time because we feel “connected” with technology. Technology is not bad at all, but it is also important to connect with people, our family, and ourselves. And this is what slow travel aims to do.
Of course, slow travel may not be for everyone, but it doesn’t mean that we can’t adapt our way of traveling and be more conscious. Next time we are traveling, try to slow down a bit.
Happy traveling!
Sources:
https://www.sloww.co/slow-living-201/
