The pace of modern life can influence the way you behave and your perception of how much time you have to appreciate and enjoy new surroundings.
A hectic travel schedule can easily mean that you don’t really give yourself the chance to stop and soak up the atmosphere and culture of a place before picking up your suitcase and moving on again.
Here are some very good reasons why you might want to slow the pace of your travel itinerary down.
Quality over quantity
Rushing between different attractions and constantly being conscious of the time you have available can easily lead you to miss out on some more meaningful cultural experiences.
When you slow things down you give yourself a much greater opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture and get to see the country as it really is for those that live in it, rather than a more sanitized tourist version.
When you focus on quality over quantity and take in three destinations, rather than six, for instance, you will most likely enjoy a far more meaningful experience because you are not so rushed.
Feel more relaxed
As well as taking a trip in order to enjoy new sights and adventures you also want to feel refreshed and energized when you return home, which is less likely if you are following a hectic schedule.
Slow travel should prove more beneficial to your physical and mental wellbeing because you are likely to be more relaxed when you are not trying to keep up with a packed itinerary.
Make a difference
Another good reason for taking your time is that you are more likely to contribute to the local economy when you take the time to properly explore an area.
Hopping around frequently tends to benefit the hotel chains and prime tourist attractions, whereas shopping and eating more locally as a result of giving yourself more time should put some welcome money into the local economy.
Slow travel can be more environmentally-friendly
There is a growing awareness amongst travelers of the need for us all to try and reduce our carbon footprint for the sake of the planet.
It stands to reason that if you are hopping around between lots of different destinations using buses, cars, or planes, that is likely to contribute to higher levels of pollution.
One of the benefits of slow travel and taking the time to meander around at a much more sedate pace by walking or cycling, for example, you will be doing your bit for the environment while enjoying a more in-depth travel experience.
It is a simple equation that tends to work from an eco-friendly perspective, the slower your mode of transport you use the less of an impact it is likely to have on the environment.
Slow travel allows you to become much more a part of the local life that you are seeking to explore and that can lead to some unique travel memories that will stay with you forever.
