The Value of Time and the meaning of Slow Travel!
The benefits of slowing down to travel better!
If the year 2020 has given us anything, it is the gift of time! For a lot of us, it also meant heartbreak and the disruption of life as we knew it. On the plus side though, it also made us slow down and spend quality time with loved ones. We had time to breathe again and to reconsider our priorities in life! Many of my friends ‘confessed’ during lockdown that they actually enjoyed having more time with their families, not being able to rush to all the usual social and work commitments. Why don’t we try to hang on to the enjoyable parts of having time, once we come out of this pandemic.
Why not slow down?
Wouldn’t it be great to take time again while travelling? To get to know the destination, to enjoy the company of the locals, to eat their food and to explore the area? Wouldn’t it be great to come home after a holiday feeling refreshed and enriched instead of stressed and fatigued, because we chased too many sights in not enough time? There must be a better way!
Stop the chase!
I was there too! I have worked in the tourism industry for more than a decade and travelled a lot for work and leisure. I felt for a while that travel was losing its soul. It didn’t matter anymore what product you offer, it only mattered who owns who in the tourism arena. The money always ended up with the biggest players, not with the people on the ground. Now that COVID-19 hit we have the chance to reset travel. Over the past year, I had to travel slowly, not being able to return to where we used to live. It was a great experience being able to take time, to not chase tourist attractions, but to slip into the life of a local. This is a type of travel that feels more enjoyable and sustainable!
What is Slow Travel?
Slow Travel has its roots in the Slow Food movement, which started in 1986 in Italy as a protest against the opening of Mc Donalds in Rome. The Slow Food movement rejects big-business, soulless chain-food and promotes the preservation of regional cuisine, local farming and traditional cooking methods. From here the idea of slow travel evolved with the same principles – away from the generic masses and back to exploring local living, food and culture.
During my research I found the below definition, which is probably the most precise:
“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.”
While sounding quite scientific, I think this definition best explains the cornerstones of Slow Travel. Researching the Slow Travel community, I found refreshingly that everyone seems to have their own approach and definitions. I like this a lot! I can’t even follow a simple cooking recipe, so I don’t like to be boxed in by minimum stays, forbidden modes of transport or other must-do’s. I don’t think there is a one fits all answer and religious rules of what slow travel has to be
This is the Slow Trail Travel Approach:
1. Less is More!
This applies to a couple of Slow Travel elements. First of all, fewer destinations can make for a more fulfilling travel experience. Don’t pack too many stops into your travel itinerary. It’s exhausting, often more expensive and you are likely to actually see less than when you take your time. The other ‘less is more’ factor is the number of times you travel per year! Especially if you travel far, rather make it one or two big trips a year instead of jetting away every opportunity and long weekend you can get. Apart from it being environmentally more sustainable, you’ll have more time to enjoy your time away.
2. Quality over Quantity!
This just adds to the concept of ‘Less is More’. The less you have to spend on transport between destinations or on too many short trips throughout the year, the more money you can spend on the ground. You can afford more expensive activities, spend money on pampering and the overall quality of your stay. Environmentally sustainable accommodation and activities are often more expensive. Pick the higher quality operator with strong ethics, who works more sustainably. You are most likely have a better experience and outcome for everyone
3. Local is Lekker!
A famous South African slogan, encouraging South Africans to buy local products. The word ‘Lekker’ can be used in any context and means enjoyable as well as delicious. Make this slogan yours while travelling.
Stay away from the generic! Stay in smaller local hotels, experience local hospitality, and get to know your destination. Explore the local crafts and spend your money with the little people. Go and eat in local restaurants, try the street food, check out the local markets – what’s on the menu? Food and travel go hand in hand, just like the Slow Food and Slow Travel movements. If you want to get to know the people and the destination you visit, eat what the locals eat and where the locals eat! People are proud of their heritage and they love to educate their guests. Nothing brings people more together than sharing food! This ensures your money will support the locals and in return, you’ll become part of the community.
4. Be truly interested in your destination!
Make it a point of finding at least one project or tour that is dedicated to uplift the local community, wildlife, or whatever the case may be. There are always companies that aim to solve a problem in the destination you have travelled to. Your input, often as small as just showing interest and paying the price for the tour, goes a long way. It doesn’t matter if you spend the rest of your time lazing by the beach, just pick one good cause to help the local community out. In 99% of the cases, these experiences are the most rewarding ones you won’t forget!
5. Make the journey your destination!
Slow Travel purists would probably disagree, but I think one of the best ways to travel are road trips! I always feel you only understand the lay of the land once you have driven through it. Road trips give you the freedom to stop as much as you want, to get to places that are off the beaten track and to really go at your own pace. You only feel truly like part of the local community when you get cursed at by your fellow drivers. It leaves freedom for errors and exploration, which usually make the best travel stories and fondest memories.
6. Rediscover your own backyard!
It seems a natural default for mankind to look for holidays and experiences as far away as possible, never in your own country! Talking to people who have previously been tourists to your home country, make you realize what you’ve missed and how many amazing things there are to explore! Especially for your shorter getaways – save the travelling time and stay closer by. Over the past year with travel being restricted or even banned, many people were pleasantly surprised exploring their own home countries! Keep it up – support your local tourism and get to know your own backyard!
If this sounds like your kind of travel, follow the Slow Trail to take you to our favourite destinations! Hopefully, you get inspired to get on the road yourself to explore yourself!
Let’s go slow & let’s live more!
Happy Travels & until next time!
