The Rise of Slow Travel: Why Rushing is So Last Season

Remember when travel used to be a break? A chance to switch off, unwind, maybe even read a book that wasn’t a self-help guide on maximising your productivity? Well, somewhere along the way, someone decided that travelling had to be a high-intensity sport. The itinerary became a military operation, packed with bucket-list ticks, whirlwind city stops, and just enough sleep to avoid a complete breakdown. Enter: slow travel, the antidote to the madness.

Slow travel isn’t just about taking a holiday at a leisurely pace. It’s a rebellion against the culture of rushing, an act of defiance in a world that glorifies speed. Why sprint through a city just to say you’ve been when you could actually absorb it? There’s something almost radical about spending an entire morning people-watching in a café rather than frantically Googling “top ten must-sees in 24 hours.” And it’s not just about time—it’s about presence, about being where you are rather than planning the next thing before you’ve even finished the current one.

The rise of slow travel is the inevitable backlash against our addiction to efficiency. Everything in modern life is about doing more in less time, from same-day deliveries to five-minute workouts that promise to replace an hour at the gym. Travel was supposed to be the escape from all that, but somehow, it became a race to tick off experiences as if they were items on a shopping list. Fast travel, as we’ll call it, is the equivalent of inhaling your food instead of tasting it. It’s exhausting, unsatisfying, and ultimately leaves you wondering why you need a holiday to recover from your holiday. Slow travel, in contrast, is about taking a deep breath and sinking into the experience, unhurried and unrestricted.

With slow travel, you get to linger. And lingering, it turns out, is highly underrated. You rent a small flat in a neighbourhood instead of dashing through hotels. You shop at the local market and learn how to say “just a little, please” in the local language. You spend your evenings strolling, rather than elbowing your way through yet another packed tourist attraction. You start recognising faces—your barista, the old man who always sits on the same bench, the neighbour who politely nods at your terrible attempt at their language. Suddenly, you’re not just passing through. You belong, even if only for a while.

There’s also the small detail of sustainability. The planet can only take so many fly-in, fly-out mini-breaks before it stages a protest. Slow travel often means fewer flights, longer stays, and more local businesses benefiting from your presence. Less frantic moving around, more meaningful engagement. It’s better for the planet and for sanity levels alike. Plus, let’s face it—do you really need to post a rushed selfie at every major landmark? Imagine instead a slower, richer experience where you can actually savour the moment, unfiltered and unhurried.

Slow travel comes in many forms, but it always follows the same philosophy: take your time, immerse yourself, and let the journey unfold naturally. One way to do this is by embarking on a scenic train journey—think winding through the Swiss Alps, rolling through the Scottish Highlands, or meandering along Japan’s coastal railways. Trains force you to slow down and enjoy the landscapes unfolding outside your window. The rhythmic clatter of the tracks, the gradual shifts in scenery, and the uninterrupted time to read, reflect, or simply stare out the window in deep thought—this is the magic of train travel.

For those drawn to the water, a canal boat trip is the perfect antidote to the fast-paced world. Whether it’s cruising along the canals of France or floating through the English countryside, life slows to a gentle rhythm, with plenty of time to stop in charming villages along the way. You moor up when you feel like it, cycle into town for supplies, and chat with locals at the pub, all while letting the world drift by at a dreamlike pace.

Another great approach is spending a few weeks in a single location rather than hopping from one city to the next. A long-term stay in a rural Italian village, a cosy cottage in the Lake District, or a small town in New England allows you to settle in, shop at the local markets, and become part of the community. You get to know the best bakery, the quirks of the local shopkeepers, and even the rhythm of daily life, which changes far more than you’d expect. This kind of deep travel rewards you with connections and a sense of belonging that’s impossible to replicate in a two-day whirlwind tour.

Walking holidays offer another way to embrace slow travel—whether it’s the Camino de Santiago, a ramble through the Cotswolds, or a trek through Patagonia, moving at a walking pace connects you to the land in a way no other mode of transport can. Each footstep deepens your experience of the place, forcing you to notice the way the light hits the fields at dusk, the scent of the trees in early morning, and the intricate details of ancient stone walls and quiet village squares. It’s travel in its purest form—moving through the world at the speed of thought.

For food lovers, slow travel could mean an immersive culinary experience, from vineyard-hopping in Portugal to taking cooking classes in Thailand. Instead of rushing through meals, you savour every bite, learn about local traditions, and, most importantly, eat like a local. There’s something deeply satisfying about picking fresh produce at a morning market, learning how to prepare it with a local chef, and then sitting down to a long, relaxed meal with new friends. Food tells a story, and when you slow down, you get to listen.

And let’s be honest, travel stories are better when they’re not just a litany of places seen at breakneck speed. No one wants to hear about how many landmarks you covered in three days—they want to hear about that tiny family-run restaurant where the owner kept bringing you dishes you didn’t order because they wanted you to try “the real thing.” Or the time you got completely lost, only to stumble upon the best sunset view you’ve ever seen. Those things happen when you slow down.

If you’re intrigued by the idea of embracing this unhurried approach to travel, several agencies in the UK and USA specialise in crafting such experiences. Here are a few to consider:

Byway Travel Based in the UK, Byway offers personalised, flight-free holidays across the UK and Europe. They focus on overland journeys, arranging accommodations and providing tailored recommendations, all while ensuring you travel at a relaxed pace.

Inntravel Also from the UK, Inntravel specialises in self-guided walking, cycling, and touring holidays. They encourage travellers to explore regions slowly, allowing for a deeper connection with the local culture and landscape.

Black Tomato This US-based luxury travel company offers slow travel experiences that immerse you deeply into your chosen destination. Their itineraries are designed to let you savour each moment, fostering genuine connections with the places you visit.

Tauck An American company with a long-standing reputation, Tauck provides guided tours and cruises that emphasise immersive experiences. Their journeys are crafted to allow ample time for exploration and appreciation of each locale.

Slow Travel Tours A collective of independent, small travel businesses, Slow Travel Tours offers small group tours in Europe. They focus on various interests, from cooking and wine to photography and arts, all conducted at a leisurely pace.

So here’s to embracing travel like a fine meal rather than a fast-food order. Let’s take the scenic route, have long conversations with strangers, and leave room for the unexpected. Because really, what’s the rush?