Life in the Slow Lane

VACATIONS ARE SUPPOSED TO BE relaxing and rejuvenating, but between rushing from one place to another, checking things off your bucket list and navigating crowded hot spots, it’s all too easy to come home feeling depleted. Enter slow travel, an approach that seeks to mitigate some of the challenges of conventional travel. What is slow travel, exactly? It’s about more than just spending an extended period of time in one location, says Erin Hynes, the Canadian travel writer behind pinatravels.org, and host of the Curious Tourism podcast. “You want to immerse yourself in a place, getting to know its rhythms, learning about it and connecting with the local culture,” Hynes says. An added bonus? Slow travel is ideal for buying local and experimenting with lower-carbon modes of transportation. Both can help lower your trip’s environmental footprint. Here’s how slow travel can offer a more relaxing alternative to conventional modes of travel and make you a more sustainable traveller, too.

A mindful way to explore

For Hynes, slow travel is about taking a more intentional and mindful approach to every aspect of your trip, from the itinerary to the places you stay to the foods you eat. “That way, you aren’t rushing through your trip and [can] get to know the places you visit better,” she says. Without the pressure to see and do as much as possible, slow travel gives you the flexibility to linger in cafés, stroll through parks and let curiosity be your day-to-day guide. It can also deepen your relationship with members of the local community. When Hynes travelled to Bhalil, Morocco, in 2023, she chose a homestay with just three guest rooms. She shared meals, walks, stories and laughter with the friendly hosts. “By the time I left, I had two new friends who I plan to visit again,” she says.

A lighter footprint

According to Our World in Data’s 2023 report on transportation’s environmental impact, short-haul flights generate more emissions per kilometre than long-haul ones — so sticking to one region rather than flying between several destinations can lower your carbon footprint. On the ground, consider getting around by foot, bike, train and public transit rather than private car; you’ll decrease your emissions and experience life more like a local. With time to explore markets and small eateries, you’ll also have more opportunities to eat seasonally and locally, a win for sustainability (and your taste buds).

Show some local love

Ultimately, “the goal ... is to have a positive impact on the places we visit,” Hynes says. “It can help reduce the effects of over-tourism, support local and Indigenous communities, protect natural resources and wildlife and lead to the building of essential infrastructure.” And since many slow travel practices are focused on fostering meaningful interactions and in-depth experiences, it also means you’re more likely to return home feeling refreshed and energized.

Isn’t that what vacations are all about? AMA