Slow Travel

The morning in Muskoka was still. Mist lay over the lake, a boat slowly made its way across the water, and apart from the soft lapping of the waves, there was nothing to be heard. No schedule awaited, no appointment pressed. In moments like these, we understand why we prefer to travel slowly these days. And why we love slow travel so much.

Years ago, we wanted to see as much as possible. One route followed another, sights lined up one after another, and in the end, our heads were full of impressions. Yet, we were often left with a feeling of superficiality. We had plenty of pictures, but hardly any real connection.

 

 

In Burgundy, everything changed. We spent a week on a houseboat. The river remained the same, but with each passing day we noticed more. On the second morning, the lock keeper greeted us with a short nod. Later, he told us about winter on the canal. In a small café, we got the recipe for a quiche that had just come fresh from the oven. None of this was in a guidebook. It all happened because we didn't have to move on.

Slow travel begins where moving on is no longer the focus.

 

 

Time changes perspectives

Forty kilometers on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road can be driven quickly. We decided to spend a whole day there. Instead of just stopping at the viewpoint, we sat down in the grass, waited until the fog lifted, and watched cows grazing in the pasture. One bus after another came and went. In the late afternoon, peace returned. Only then did the landscape reveal a different side.

Patience reveals details that remain invisible when driving by.

Those seeking such experiences will find them in our overview of
Slow Travel in Bavaria – conscious travel instead of just being on the go many examples of what it feels like to stay instead of just passing through.

We experienced something similar in eastern Canada. Forests and lakes initially appear uniform. However, those who stay in one place for several days notice differences in the light, hear different birdsong, and strike up conversations with neighbors. This is precisely the kind of travel we describe in our Canada travel tips for connoisseurs and delve deeper into them in Overview of Eastern Canada.

Encounters need space

We only intended to watch the grape harvest in Germany. What started as a short visit turned into half a day in the fields. Hands turned purple, conversations revolved around the weather, the harvest, and family. In the evening, we sat together at the table. Such moments are hard to plan; they simply happen when the calendar isn't ticking away in the background.

This form of being on the move also shapes our Culinary tours in GermanyIt's not about a list of specialties, but about the people who stand behind their products.

Anyone wondering what truly makes a trip a connoisseur's experience will find some insights in What are trips for connoisseurs?.

 

 

Peace and quiet as part of slow travel

Relaxation isn't limited to the beach. We once spent an afternoon at the spa of a small wellness hotel in the Chiemgau region, without a watch, without a plan. Through the windows, we could see the lake; outside, the mountains were bathed in the evening light. No one announced any activities, no one rushed us to the next appointment. Silence wasn't a lack, but rather a state of being.

 

 

Wellness is part of it

Such places alter our perception of time. Staying for several days fosters a sense of familiarity. You know the way to breakfast, you know when the sauna area is empty, you notice how the light shifts across the water. It is precisely this kind of immersion that we describe in our overview of Wellness in Germany.

In Austria, too, we experienced how much tranquility depends on its surroundings. Nestled among mountains, meadows, and small villages, a different atmosphere arises than in large resorts with constant change. You can find impressions of this in Wellness in Austria.

Those who are looking for warm water rather than a hotel and want to know which type of spa stay is right for them will find what they need in Spa holiday – Which type suits you? find.

Traveling slowly in such moments doesn't mean doing nothing. It means not having to move on.

 

 

Being on the move can be part of slow travel.

The journey is often seen as a necessary step, but it can already be part of the experience. A train ride through changing landscapes creates a different transition than a fast flight. Similarly, the perception changes when traveling on foot or gliding on water.

Such paths give the day a different structure. They demand patience, but reward you with impressions that are easily lost in rapid change.

Anyone wishing to apply this attitude to Germany as a whole will find suggestions in Experience Guide Slow Travel Germany.

 

 

Not every journey follows this idea.

A weekend in a big city requires different decisions. Business trips are governed by fixed schedules. Some vacations thrive on variety and pace. There's nothing wrong with that.

Slow travel is not a moral imperative. It's a matter of personal preference.

 

 

What has changed for us

We used to ask what we should see. Now we consider what truly interests us. Instead of constantly driving on, we often stay longer. We consciously leave free time between scheduled appointments.

In Bavaria, for example, this might mean staying in a valley for several days. Canada invites you not only to photograph a lake, but also to go out again in the morning when the light is different. In Germany, it might mean lingering longer at a market instead of moving on immediately.

Such decisions shape our travels more than any tourist attraction.

Whether Slow Travel suits you

Perhaps you recognize yourself in this. Perhaps you're looking for more speed and variety. Both are legitimate.

Those who want to experience as much as possible in a short time will find little to enjoy in this style of travel. However, if you enjoy immersing yourself in a country and its people, and don't feel the need to control everything, you'll discover a different quality of travel.

You can find further examples of this attitude in our topics on Wellness worldwide, Pleasure Travel as well as on our regional slow travel pages.

Slow travel doesn't begin with a definition. It begins with the decision to stay.

 

 

Do you know this?

• Slow Travel Blog
• Art and culture travel
• Canada travel tips for connoisseurs
• Accommodation in Quebec City for Slow Travellers: discover hidden corners

 

Source: Slow Travel – personal experience with slow travel. We financed some of these trips ourselves. For others, we were invited by destinations. We are very grateful for this. However, our opinions remain, as always, our own.

Text Slow Travel: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Photos: © Copyright Monika Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline
Videos: © Copyright Petar Fuchs and TravelWorldOnline