The Art of Slow Travel: Why Rushing Your Vacation Ruins Your Vibe

There is a familiar experience many travelers can relate to called “trying to see everything”. I’m sure many of you have sat down before leaving for vacation and made a detailed itinerary for each day you are there… I know I have. 

• 7am wake-up

• Tour at 9

• Lunch reservation at 12

• Museum at 2

• Sunset spot at 6

• Dinner at 8

• Back to the hotel exhausted

But I’ve come to learn that your vacation should not feel like a to-do list. You travelled all that way to slow down but somehow come home feeling like you need another vacation? That doesn’t seem right.

What is Slow Travel?

Travel doesn’t have to be trying to fit in as many sightseeing activities and tours and restaurants as humanly possible. On the contrary, it also doesn’t necessarily have to be staying somewhere for a month, having absolutely no plans, and traveling slowly between destinations. Slow travel simply means changing your relationship with time while you are there. The three main principles to focus on while experiencing slow travel include:

1. Less rushing

2. More presence

3. Deeper experiences

The importance of slow travel is not to have no plans or no itinerary. It is to be conscious of where you are, how you move, what you eat, and who is around you. The goal of slow travel is to fully experience everything you do, without worrying about what will come next.

Why Rushing Ruins the Experience

When your itinerary is full, there is no room for spontaneity. Spontaneous moments, especially on vacation, often end up being some of the best ones. When you are rushing, you are physically in one place but mentally thinking about the next. You spend more time getting places and squeezing meals in than actually enjoying them. You’re constantly checking the time and returning back to your accommodation feeling like you need to recover. Slow travel allows you to really experience each stop, moment, and meal and soak it into your memories to hold onto forever.

The Luxury of Doing Nothing

Doing nothing isn’t wasting your vacation… it is the vacation. There is an art to the act of doing nothing. Imagine waking up slowly with the sounds of nature chirping around you. You spend some waking moments in the sun practicing intentional movement and gently waking up your body. Maybe you have a coffee and read by the pool before taking a relaxing yoga class followed by a nourishing breakfast. Later in the day, with no strict plans to hold you accountable, you allow your tired body to rest and take a nap. After waking up naturally, you go for a spontaneous swim in the ocean where you meet some amazing people that you later watch the sunset and have dinner with. Post dinner, you wander around aimlessly with your new friends and realize you probably would never have met them if you kept yourself on a tight and busy schedule… 

Here are a few simple guidelines you can follow to ease yourself into the slow travel lifestyle:

• Stay longer, visit fewer places

• Leave white space in your itinerary

• Walk whenever you can

• Eat where you are

• Put your phone away

• Leave room for spontaneity

  
  
  
  

Slow Travel, Wellness, and Productivity

Get the idea that your vacation has to be “productive” out of your head. You don't need to see every landmark, try every restaurant, or take hundreds of photos. Your vacation doesn’t need to be anything. You just need to be. Be present. Be conscious. Be intentional. 

Slowing down on vacation creates room for things that leave more of an impact such as yoga, meditation, rest, movement, journaling, mindful meals, etc. You might come to realize that the best place to explore somewhere new is to begin by being completely still. Perhaps the actual luxury isn’t seeing more. It’s having enough time to notice what you’re seeing. 

Ready to Slow Down?

Escape the packed itinerary and give yourself room to breathe, move, rest, and simply be. Discover Serenity Eco Guest House and experience a slower way to travel. Surrounded by nature, nourishing food, and friendly people, there is no better way to start your slow travel journey than here. Starting September 1st, they are also offering a free Unlimited Yoga Pass to anyone who books a room for 3 days or more, making it even more irresistible. Book your stay here or contact the property below! 

Email: info@serenitybali.com

WhatsApp: +62 811-3888-472