Slow Travel is a travel philosophy that emphasizes longer stays in fewer places to allow for a deeper, more engaging experience. It’s about immersing yourself in the local environment, forming meaningful connections with the community, and understanding a place beyond its tourist attractions.
Instead of racing from one landmark to another, slow travelers soak up the essence of the destination, often finding joy in the unexpected and serendipitous moments that occur when you take the time to explore gently.
My first real shot at international exploration came in the form of a scholarship to study abroad in Germany I was 15 and scared out of my mind, but experiencing a destination go from the intimidating unknown to a second home was a transformative and addictive experience.
There was no going back.
After I finished high school, my sole mission was chasing that feeling. I went to the furthest university I could think of (University of Arizona), joined more study abroad programs (Argentina & Mexico), and picked a job after graduation based on the ability to travel.
This is how I ended up in the Human Resources field, where I’ve worked for various companies in destinations around the globe.
In 2022, I made the jump into the tech industry in a remote role and was suddenly faced with more flexibility than I’d ever had in my career. It took me all of two months to decide to sell the majority of my belongings and hit the road full-time. I was nervous about balancing travel with work and, honestly, my sanity. I’d experienced travel burnout before and was not eager to have that be my constant state in life.
This is how I stumbled upon the wonderful world of slow travel.
I didn’t know of its existence at the time, but I settled on a game plan that included spending longer amounts of time in fewer places, usually between one and three months. I figured it was the best way to strike a balance between exploration and something resembling a normal life? What I found, though, was so much more. I was able to create a much deeper connection with each location than if I had stopped by for just a week or two. I enjoyed becoming a local and contributing to society while on the road. I learned the beauty of slow moments.
