Soaking up the experience with slow travel

Travelling offers the exciting opportunity to create memories as you learn about different ways of life.

In recent years, more and more travellers have decided to embrace travelling in a manner that is more intentional and immersive.

Also known as mindful travel, slow travel entails finding authentic and meaningful travel experiences. A slow traveller prioritizes immersion and experience over a jam-packed itinerary and multiple tourist attractions.

Picture: Sourced / Sage Friedman

Slow travel comes with a number of advantages, including an overall fuller and richer experience. It also involves staying at destinations for relatively longer.

Here are just a few ways in which you can embrace slow travel:

Resist the urge to overplan

Planning is great. However, slow travel will require you to be slightly flexible in order to tap into some of the exciting adventures that await. Instead of having a tight itinerary, leave some room for a bit of spontaneity as this will allow you to immerse yourself in enjoyable experiences.

Learn the local language

Take some time out to learn the basics of the language spoken at your destination. This will enrich your travel experience.

Human connection is an important part of slow travel, and communicating with people in their language will help you to connect better.

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Explore the culture through food

Food is an important part of any memorable travel experience. Instead of only dining at touristy establishments, make it a point to seek out establishments where the locals dine. Be willing and open to taste different meals and to try out new things. In doing so, you will be able to explore the destination’s cuisine a little deeper as you learn more about the culture and people.

Be willing to break out of your comfort zone

Slow travel will also require you to be open-minded as some of your comfort limits may be pushed.

Unlike a tourist experience, an authentic travel experience may wind up with you immersing yourself in the lives of locals and doing some interesting things for the first time. Taking your safety into account, it is beneficial to break out of your comfort zone whenever the opportunity presents itself.

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