The benefits of slow travel
In the past, I’ve been a backpacker (and still do occasionally take short backpacking-style side trips), I’ve done traditional vacations staying in hotels, and I also spent 8 years living in Berlin, Germany, as an expat. Every style of travel has its time and place, and one’s life circumstances will often dictate which one you choose – for example, if you have a stationary job that requires you to report to an office regularly. Not everyone has the freedom to work remotely, or to take a gap year or sabbatical. But I am a firm believer in the philosophy “where there’s a will, there’s a way.” I would have never gone anywhere if I didn’t prioritize travel and constantly look for ways to make this nomadic life possible. And the most helpful way to keep this lifestyle going, to keep it sustainable, is by slowing down.
First of all, let’s define what is meant by slow travel. When I refer to slow travel, it generally means staying in each location for a minimum of at least four weeks. Long enough that you no longer feel like you are in “vacation mode,” and go beyond scratching the surface of what a place has to offer.
Finding the rhythm that works best for you may take some trial and error. I personally like to stick to slow travel about 90 percent of the time. Spending longer stretches of time in lower-cost destinations keeps my spending on track so that I can afford the occasional shorter visit to an expensive city like London or Rome. I have found that it’s a bit risky to commit to a very long stay in an unfamiliar place, so one month is usually the sweet spot. If you find yourself in a boring or underwhelming city, it’s not for too long, and you have the next location to look forward to. However, if it’s a place you really love, then you may want to maximize your tourist visa time there or even look at digital nomad or temporary residency visas – just be prepared for a lot of bureaucratic paperwork and fees. And be certain that you aren’t going to have itchy feet again in 2 or 3 months – ask yourself if it’s really worth it.
Save money and your sanity
When you establish a temporary home base, instead of constantly moving from place to place, it means fewer stressful travel days. You aren’t constantly packing and unpacking, feeling pressure to see everything around a city before moving on, no matter how tired you are. Besides that, the more complex your itinerary is, the more work involved keeping track of all your upcoming reservations and coordinating transportation. Moving slower and reducing the number of flights or long-distance train or bus trips you take is also a way to lower your costs as a full-time traveler, as well as being better for the environment.
Being constantly on the move can be exhausting, and everyone needs downtime. Just because a person is nomadic doesn’t mean they don’t still crave some stability and normality. Most of us, especially the older we get, need healthy routines in our life – work and/or studies, exercise, a balanced diet, a regular sleep regimen. Changing cities, countries, and time zones frequently makes it hard to stay on track, and can quickly lead to burnout.
Staying stationary for awhile in a monthly rental with a kitchen gives you the opportunity to save significantly on food costs. Part of the travel experience is, of course, trying the local food, finding new favorite cafes and restaurants. But exploring the supermarkets can also be an adventure. And it’s far easier to stick to a budget and eat healthily when you prepare the majority of your own meals.
Slow travel to have a sense of home
Another obvious benefit is the opportunity to dig a little deeper into the local way of life. If you spend a few months somewhere, you will likely get to experience some of their holidays, observe a change of seasons, get to know the best markets, parks, coffee shops, etc. You could enroll in a language course, join a gym or yoga studio, take dance or cooking classes. I believe that establishing favorite places that feel familiar and homey are essential for rebalancing one’s self from time to time. Chasing new adventures all the time is like chasing any other kind of dopamine high – great for short term satisfaction, but not sustainable. That’s not to say that you can’t still enjoy occasional day trips or short breaks from your temporary home base – it’s great when you only have to take a backpack and still get the stimulation of a different environment for awhile. It all boils down to your energy level and motivation.
Finally, living like the locals do – even if it is still somewhat transient – gives you an opportunity to learn more about what you value in a permanent home, and possibly find the ideal place for you to plant roots later down the road. Not everyone can be – or wants to be – nomadic for the entirety of their lives, and that’s totally fine. Our life circumstances can change at any time, so it makes sense to find a place (or at least a few options) where you wouldn’t mind settling if and when the time comes.
