A Guide to Slow Travel

Slow travel was developed from the concept of the slow food movement. Slow food started in the 1980s with aims to advocate and preserve local cuisine, local farming and traditional food preparation methods in protest to McDonald’s opening up in Rome. 

What is slow travel?

Slow travel is travel emphasized on making connections between the traveler and raw local culture. It is using all senses to experience and connect with local people, local nature, music, and more. It is mentally going slow and physically going at a slower pace than traditional tourist methods, to allow yourself to soak up your surroundings. Not to be confused with not doing any activities that involve physical speed, like biking. 

Traveling can be the most exciting, tiring, memorable and wildest moments of your life. For many city-residents, traveling is an escape, or for others it can give you a sense of belonging at the same time. Sometimes, we come home from a holiday exhausted compared to when we left for the trip and that is where slow travel comes in. 

Slow travel is both a reminder and a practice to really soak in and melt yourself into your surroundings instead of trying to make it to the next location at a certain time. In addition, it is sustainable because they both are about the journey and not the destination. It’s about quality over quantity, focusing on value and mindfulness. 

What are the benefits?

There are various benefits to slow travel and here are the main ones!

1. Sustainable 

Generally speaking, slow travel is less harmful for the environment as you focus less on multiple different destinations in the shortest amount of time. In addition, as you focus on building a connection with local people, you are indirectly supporting them as well. Your presence is a small way of showing you are interested and want to be there. Slow travel might encourage you to buy from smaller and local stores, directly supporting locals and contributing to a circular economy.

2. Simple

Slow travel is almost by definition simple. You are taking a break from a hectic life, or any other stresses you’re experiencing. There’s no expectations for what speed you should travel and you’re allowing yourself to breathe. 

Stronger connection to the place you're visiting

Slow travel in itself focuses on connection and so you will build a stronger connection to the place you’re visiting through this practice. 

3. Rewarding 

It’s not a question that every trip is rewarding. However, slow travel allows you to go more in depth! The feeling when you overcome language barriers, learn something new about nature, or become inspired by your environment is something else! If you’re trying out slow travel for the first time, you might be asking if you’re doing it right or put in more effort than you need. However, the feeling of being relaxed is ultimately the goal and that's what’s really rewarding. 

4. You can do it anywhere 

Since slow travel is a practice and about the journey, it can be done anywhere. Europe is already a perfect spot! What’s most popular is to spend at least one week away somewhere, in a campspace, or a rental home. If you have a campervan, this is a perfect way to travel slow and explore new places! Try to be sustainable with your accommodation choices as well, if you want to learn how you can have a look at our article!

How to do it? 

Accommodation

The best way to travel slowly is to find accommodation in locations outside bigger cities where you can experience the local culture. This is where you can truly connect with locals, experience the more unique sides to a country and find beautiful nature spots that not many tourists have been to! Read further to see what campspaces you should visit where you can travel slow!

Food

With slow food in mind as well, connect with the local community by supporting smaller restaurants and locally run food businesses! Taste the flavors of fresh products grown with care and love from the people of the area. 

Transportation 

Trains are the best slow travel transportation method promising a comfortable, scenic, and efficient travel experience for you. If you want to know more about how to travel in an eco-friendly way and also enjoy the journey, we have made it easier for you to find what sustainable getaway methods works for you.

Campspaces where you can travel slow 

At a campspace you can meet the most welcoming and inspiring hosts and people! Their sustainable lifestyle will give you an idea of how to enjoy your time in their environment. 

Dennis’s campspace in Pembrokeshire, Wales

Dance on the hills and admire the little streams! By the Preselli hills and Pembrokeshire Coast National Park, you can enjoy wild-swimming in the quarry pool or visit the local pubs. There are multiple opportunities, just make sure to fully soak up your environment!

Robert’s campspace in North Brabant, NL

Want to explore where sand meets trees? By the dunes and a national park, the campspace is located in and near nature where you can observe animals, swim in natural pools and simply enjoy what the area has to offer. 

Tim’s campspace in Flanders, Belgium

Need to relax in the peaceful forest and hear the songbirds sing? A complete off-grid experience, you’ll find it difficult not to relax here. Considered a “Small paradise”, you’ll be located by a large pond in the midst of greenery!

Marieke’s camspspace in Zeeland, Netherlands

Want to surround yourself with fruits and berries? Sleep in a food forest where you can wake up and pop a raspberry in your mouth. Explore the colorful nature, fruit trees, berry bushes, herbs and wild grasses! 

We have a wide range of options to fulfill your slow travel needs because your relaxing weekend awaits!