Life goes by fast — travel shouldn’t
It’s a busy world out there. We’re used to the hustle and bustle of our various realities, rarely taking time to ourselves to enjoy what life has to offer.
While the world is generally fast-paced, hectic and unpredictable — our travels shouldn’t be.
Most of us use travel to escape the everyday and experience something different for short or long periods of time. This is where we introduce you to an emerging trend: Slow travel. While the term has been tossed around for a while, it has steadily gained traction as the new way to see the world and is one of the biggest travel trends of 2019 according to industry experts.
But what exactly is slow travel?
The idea is a few prolonged, in-depth experiences rather than rushing through with no time to enjoy what’s out there and the surrounding culture. Slow travel is about choosing experiences over simply seeing the sights, engaging with locals and truly getting to know a place for what it is versus what you usually see as a tourist.
Below are four places to start your search according to travel experts that will help you kick back, relax and truly take in your next destination.
One of the most sought-after aspects of slow travel is connecting with locals and truly immersing yourself in all the culture the destination has to offer. One of the best ways to accomplish this is by staying in an accommodation off the beaten path. This quaint, elegant apartment available on Booking.com is in the idyllic seaside town of Sitges. Here, guests can take in more than just the beautiful sights and beaches, but also connect to the culture infused in the people and cuisine in this small town. Staying here gives travellers the ability to settle down while also easily being able to travel to the bustling city of Barcelona as desired.
The Rockwall Train, British Columbia
This one is for nature lovers, adventure seekers and those that want to challenge themselves in new ways. One of the best ways to truly immerse yourself in nature is hiking, with one of the most beautiful trails being in British Columbia. Enjoy some of the most incredible waterfalls Canada has to offer as you walk along the breathtaking path. The highlight of this journey is Floe Lake, which is only accessible on foot. Surrounded by an alpine larch forest, this is the perfect place to camp out for the night and reconnect with nature. Take in each moment and enjoy the lake’s glacial blue waters throughout this unique travel experience.
Few experiences encompass the idea of “slow travel†as perfectly as sailing. Cruise around the “Out Islands†of the Bahamas with The Moorings’ recommended itinerary. Sailing allows travellers to island hop between the 365 islands that make up the region, which is an intimate oasis with laid-back charm. Meet the locals at Black Point Settlement who will make you feel right at home in their quaint little town where you can enjoy Bahamian cuisine and admire the handwoven palm leave baskets made by the settlement women. Be sure to stop by Staniel Cay to spend time with the world-famous swimming pigs.
For extreme relaxation, enjoy an all-inclusive crewed experience, so you won’t have to worry about a thing throughout your well-deserved vacation. This option means having an experienced captain at the helm to take you where you want go, while a professional chef prepares scrumptious gourmet meals using local ingredients.
Away from the hustle and bustle of the world-famous falls is Niagara region and one of the best preserved 19 th -century towns in North America—Niagara-on-the-Lake. If you’re looking for small town charm and good ol’ Canadian hospitality, this area is a must visit. Forget restaurant chains and big-name hotels, the region is filled with darling B&B’s, family run restaurants with local fare, award-winning local wineries, unique boutique shopping and of course, stunning Lake Ontario views. Whether you’re strolling down the area’s historic district watching a horse-drawn carriage pass by or bike riding through the lush green vines of Niagara region’s 88 wineries, it’s easy to see why life is slowly savored when you’re in the region, just like a great glass of Niagara wine.
These days, ‘doing’ outweighs ‘going,’ and according to Booking.com research, in 2019 we will see travellers looking to get more authentic experiences that will help ease the burden of our ever-so-stressful lives. One of these destinations may be the perfect place to start.
