Do you feel as though when you travel, you’re always on the go? Maybe you arrive home and just feel like you haven’t been able to relax at all. Either way, when you are abroad, it can be difficult to take things slow. After all, you may find that you have so many places to see, and so many things to do. If this sounds like you, you’ll benefit from reading this guide.
Quality over Quantity
When traveling, you may be tempted to plan as many activities as possible. You may find that you zap from one hotspot to another so you can tick off as many things as you can. If you want to help yourself, then one thing you can do is pick a handful of highlights so you can make sure that you are making the most out of your time in the country, without overwhelming yourself.
Build in Downtime
It’s so important that you build blocks of time into your itinerary so you can relax. Whether you go for brunch on the square, or whether you people-watch in a cafe, you can rest assured knowing that you have the chance to wind down. If you do not build some downtime into your schedule then you may find that things end up being too hectic and that you end up overcommitting to activities.
Travel in the Low Season
Sometimes you can’t avoid the busiest times of the year. That being said, if you can travel during the low season as much as possible then this will work to your advantage. You will have more space to take things slowly and you can also feel confident knowing that you don’t have to deal with the hustle and bustle of busy crowds either.
Go Local
One huge advantage of slow travel is that you have more time to connect with those around you. Staying in accommodation that is locally owned, and eating at restaurants will bring you way closer to the destination and it will also give you the chance to learn about the culture through those who live there. Try to go away for a bit longer as well, so you can wander through some of the local markets, try some fresh produce and even visit some landmarks. Little things like this can help you to absorb the vibe of the city. If possible, you also need to make sure that you enroll in a cooking class or two. Things like this help you to understand the culture more and they also allow you to immerse yourself into the various culinary traditions of the country you’re visiting.
See Things in a New Way
Another thing you can do is try and see things in a new light. It may be that you choose to cycle around a local town instead of taking the bus, or that you opt for a boat ride over taking a taxi. Little things like this can still get you from A to B, but they allow you to absorb the country and the sights in a completely new way.