Slow Travel Guide: What it is, the Benefits & the Best Slow Travel Companies
We have all heard the phrase, “Stop and smell the roses.” But how often do we actually live by these words in our day-to-day, much less when we’re traveling? Well, now we do. Welcome to the movement of slow travel.
What is slow travel?
A form of traveling that usually lasts over a more extended period, the slow travel lifestyle is all about taking a moment to literally stop and smell the roses, to savor the place you’re in, and to explore the world at your own pace. It is a way of more deeply experiencing a destination, minus the hustle and bustle, because you allow yourself to actually take a breath.
Slow travel lets you venture off the beaten path and get to know the roots of a place inside out. From the popular tourist centers filled with iconic structures to that family-owned restaurant in the back corner street where you ate the best meal of your life, you get to see it all; and because you’re taking the time to dig deep into the facets of the destination, you’re also making true connections with the local people and hopefully leaving a place better than you found it. With 83% of traveling remote workers spending an average of 3 months or longer in one spot, the slow travel movement is only getting bigger.
3 benefits of embracing slow travel
1. Really (really) get to know a city
Have you ever taken a week-long trip and realized just as the end was rolling around you finally felt like you had your footing? When you’re living out your day-to-day activities in a new destination for an extended time, whether shopping at the corner grocery store or popping into your local bar for a quick glass of wine, this once-foreign place starts to feel like home. Of course, the longer you stay, the more time you have for exploration. Pretty soon, your Google Maps app will be a thing of the past.
2. Make connections with the locals
When you take the time to immerse yourself in a new place, you get to know the people and culture in a much deeper way. You have the opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, get local recs for places to check out (goodbye tourist traps), learn about customs, and probably make some new friends. Locals in many places are super welcoming and open to sharing their stories or giving advice. Worst case scenario, you put yourself out there, and nothing happens. Best case scenario, you come away with some crazy stories and amazing new besties.
3. Feel rejuvenated and relish in the small moments
We are in a culture and time that emphasizes speed -- gotta get this done, need to get here, hurry up and go, go, go. We zoom through the world and, usually, our travels, often missing the small details, and we return more tired because so much is packed into such a short time. Life can be hectic enough; travel should be rejuvenating and fun. We are over the rushing. Sleep in if you want. Spend a day lounging around a café. There is time for it all. Slow travel takes the stress out of squeezing 500 things into a few days, and with ample time to explore a place, you can feel settled in a day-to-day flow and find the small moments of joy you would probably overlook when hustling from one place to the next.
We’re reader-supported. When you book through links on our site, we may earn a commission (at no extra cost to you). These are websites we’ve heavily researched and stand behind. You can read through our full affiliate disclosure here.
3 best slow travel companies for 2024
1. Best slow travel company for digital nomads: Remote Year
Through their 1, 4, and 12-month journeys, Remote Year offers participants the opportunity to bring their remote job, join a crew of other remote workers, and live in a new city each month. Remote Year provides a supportive community of like-minded people and an all-inclusive package that covers accommodation, workspace, community events and activities, and more. Their 1-month trips have an extra week extension option, while their 4 and 12-month trips include surprise destinations. And with digital and local events happening worldwide, you can stay connected to your fellow travelers even when you aren’t on the road.
Price: 1 month starting at $2,700 ($1,535 for the highest membership tier)
2. Best slow travel company with a focus on fitness: SurfYogaBeer
Their typical week-long adventures push you out of your comfort zone and provide bucket-list experiences you’ll share around the dinner table for years to come. Now, SurfYogaBeer has also added an annual 3-week-long SYB Remote to their lineup every January in Playa Maderas, Nicaragua. Taking it a bit slower than the craze of the week-long trips, Remote days are filled with family meals, coworking sessions, and beach hangs. When you’re not typing away on your laptop, you’re joining group workouts led by top fitness instructors, hitting the waves, flowing through some yoga, and watching sunsets with a beer or two in hand. You will return home high on the vibes and ready to conquer the rest of the year.
Price: starting at $3,450 —> Use code SITESEE for $100 off!
3. Best slow travel company for flexible remote workers: Outsite
For those that don’t necessarily want to join a big group and prefer to do their own thing, Outsite is the way to go. As a global network of coliving spaces, they offer a variety of accommodation options around the world that you can book for as long (or as short) as you want. You are on your own schedule. They cater to remote workers, with a dedicated workspace in every room and reliable WiFi in all locations. Plus, we can’t forget the community aspect you don’t get when booking a hotel or Airbnb. Outsite encourages slow travel, highlights sustainability in their model, and embraces the idea of guests becoming “temporary residents” of the local area. With 49 current locations, and more opening all the time, Outsite has the perfect temp home for everyone.
Price: varies based on booking length and location
Slow travel - common FAQs
Why is slow travel so popular?
Slow travel is becoming increasingly popular with the rise of remote work and people seeking meaningful experiences and connections while on vacation. It also helps save money, is beneficial for the environment and local economies, and can be a healthier and more rewarding experience, as travelers can prioritize relaxation, exploration, and connection over rushing from place to place.
How can I embrace slow travel?
A slow travel lifestyle is often easier to accomplish when the trip is longer, and as such, it has been a favorite of digital nomads for quite some time. However, even if your job doesn’t allow remote work, you can still experience a slow travel lifestyle. By staying in one place for the length of your trip instead of hopping between destinations, you are embracing a sort of slow travel. Do your best to chat with locals, ask for hidden gems, stay in Airbnb’s over hotels, and use local companies versus corporations if you book tours. One great hack is to leave gaps in your planning and make it up as you go along with recommendations from locals of places to see and things to do.
Why is slow travel important?
Slow travel encourages travelers to explore their destination in a more meaningful and conscious way. By taking the time to get to know the culture, the people, and the environment of a place, travelers are more likely to have a better understanding and appreciation of the destination. Slow travel also emphasizes the importance of sustainability and being mindful of the impact of tourism on a place, helping to ensure a better future for the environment and the people who live there.