The Art of Slow Travel

Instead of rushing through a long list of must-see destinations, we are all for the newest travel trend called Slow Travel, which encourages you to focus on connection to the local people, cultures, food and music of the places you visit.

Today we are going to dive into this new travel trend, covering the following topics and leaving you with a suggested list of Slow Travel destinations!

• What exactly is Slow Travel?
• When did Slow Travel become trendy?
• Why is Slow Travel so important?
• How do I begin to Slow Travel?

The focus of slow travel is connection—to locals, their cultures, their food, and their music. It is predicated on the notion that a trip should be educational and emotionally affecting both now and in the future while being environmentally and locally sustainable.

By moving away from materialistic and consumerist luxury and toward meaningful experiences and moments, one can indulge in the art of Slow travel.

When did Slow Travel become trendy?

After the pandemic, people are indulging in ‘revenge travel’ and are rushing to the ‘most touristy’ or instagrammable places. However, you don’t fully experience the quality of travel, often have a ‘travel burnout’ and miss out on the richness of the local culture of where you are visiting.

Moreover, some places are suffering from over-tourism which can cause harm to the environment and local communities. Out of this, emerged a new travel trend called Slow Travel and it is here to stay!

Why is Slow Travel so important?

Not only is slow travel good for you, it is also better for the environment. By staying in small, independent accommodation with the aim of immersing yourself in the local culture, you actually learn more about the reality of the community and have way less of an impact than if you stay at a huge five-star hotel.

How do I begin to Slow Travel?

We here at Good.travel launched as a way to help travelers like you find and book more sustainable and purposeful hotels. We offer a range of conscious accommodations that will surely help you prioritize slow travel, be more eco-conscious and immerse yourself in the local community. Here are a few of our top suggestions:

Vivood Landscape Hotel, Spain

VIVOOD in Spain is the perfect place to enjoy your senses and to get away from routine life. This adult-only hotel (over 16 years), is surrounded by a native nature area just 17 km from the beach in Benidorm. Designed under the concept of "the luxury of evasion", VIVOOD is the place to enjoy the authenticity of nature and slow travel. 

Hotel Quinta da Serra respects nature, through biodiversity, agriculture, gardens and a forest area, being one of the very few zero-carbon hotels in Portugal. The agricultural products are used to prepare meals, ensuring guests are served food with the best quality and flavor. The gardens and organic agriculture allow guests to enjoy an immersive experience with nature, namely by collecting fruits and vegetables which will later be used in their meals, or by touching the tallest tree in the island of Madeira.

Lyra Hotel Plitvice, Croatia

This hotel in Croatia is just a 15-minute drive from Plitvice Lakes National Park and the ideal place to practice the art of Slow Travel. Here, the food is sourced locally supporting farmers and bakers from around the region. And, the hotel also partners with a women's group offering their unique souvenirs and providing guided tours around the village. The hotel and the villagers all work together to create a brighter future for their community and welcome you with open arms!

The Art of Slow Travel is clearly becoming more popular among conscious travelers. Click here to browse our entire selection of sustainable hotels all around the world.

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