Embrace Slow Travel: The Key to a Meaningful Vacation Experience
3 min read
There is a growing emphasis on living a slow-paced life to counter the rising stress at work and home. The effect of this emphasis is also seen in how people are choosing to travel and take vacations today, giving rise to slow travel.This type of travel lets people disconnect from a busy schedule and escape to somewhere quiet and serene.For Gurgaon-based Rumela Sen (32), slow travelling is like meditation. “My experience with slow travelling has been awakening. It has helped me connect with myself. My husband and I experienced slow travel for the first time in Munnar in 2019. Back then, I didn’t even know that this form of vacation was called slow travel.”
WHAT IS SLOW TRAVEL
It refers to a mindful approach to travelling that emphasises focusing on experiences, local interactions, minimising environmental impact and creating connections with destinations rather than rushing through multiple locations.
AN EMERGING TRAVEL TREND
Factors like environmental awareness, remote work flexibility, and a desire for more meaningful travel experiences have led many travellers to opt for slow travel. “In 2025, the focus is shifting from fast-paced, checklist-style trips to a more intentional way of exploring the world,” says Sangram Ghorpade, CEO, Joy-N-Crew.Rajeev Kale, president and country head, Thomas Cook (India) Limited, shares, “We are seeing a surge in demand for extended stays in locations that offer both work and leisure opportunities.”
BENEFITS OF SLOW TRAVEL
Rumela Sen in Manali (left)/Dr Juhi Agarwal in Leh Ladakh (right)
Experts state that slow travel enhances personal well-being and reduces stress caused by the chaos of everyday life.For Rumela, who has travelled across India and various parts of Europe, slow travel has been lifechanging. She says, “Slow travel gave my life meaning when I was going through a rough patch — it made me happy and helped me heal.”Juhi Agarwal, an avid slow traveller, says that slow travel helped her become more mindful of the world around her. “Slow travel enables me to connect with different people. I once met a woman in Prague at a public space. She took me to her favourite cafe, where I learned more about her life experiences. Such incidents become memories for a lifetime,” shares Juhi.Besides mental well-being, Ghorpade adds, “Slow travel also supports sustainability by minimising carbon footprints and reducing overtourism in popular destinations.”
Post-pandemic, I started travelling during the off-season and especially to places less explored by tourists. It allows me to relax and experience the place at my own pace
Dr Juhi Agarwal, a slow traveller
HOW TO PRACTICE IT
Juhi, who has travelled to Poland, Italy, Berlin and more, prefers spending around 10 days at just one destination. She says, “I started slow travelling after the Covid-19 pandemic with my husband. We love to explore one place thoroughly, get to know the local culture, connect with the locals, and savour the local cuisine.”
EXPERT TIPS
- Research your destinations of interest thoroughly
- Explore one destination at a time instead of hopping from one place to another
- Stay at that destination for a longer period
- Immerse yourself in local culture. Attend cultural events, try regional cuisine and connect with local residents
- Use public transport, cycle or walk to explore cities
- Keep the itinerary light and leave room for spontaneity
- Learn the basics of the local language
