Do you find yourself returning back from a holiday even more exhausted from when you left? Do you try and fit as many countries into your itinerary that you forget where you’ve been?

If you answered yes to any of those questions, chances are you’re not a slow traveller. But that’s okay, neither were we a few years ago!

We’ve compiled all our favourite tips and tricks that helped us slow down when travelling on the road. Next time you’re travelling, keep this post bookmarked as it will make a world of a difference.

1. Live like a local.

Skip the tourist traps and explore like a local. Gone are the days where we tick off ‘bucket list’ activities like our everyday grocery haul. Instead, venture off the beaten path and explore new and exciting locations.

2. Eat like a local.

Similar to tip number 1, why not live like a local by shopping at local markets in order to cook for yourself? That, or you could get to know the locals and end up being invited over for dinner! (Stay safe please). Some of our fondest travel memories are the ones where we get invited to community dinners or events.

3. Give back to the community.

Be an ambassador for your home country and aim to give back to the community as much as you can while travelling. You can do that by shopping local, eating local, volunteering (make sure it’s ethical otherwise you might be doing more harm than good), stay at a Slow Stay that’s managed by a local rather than a large hotel, and to be conscious of your eco-footprint. That’s just to name a few ideas.

4. Pack light.

Less time waiting at airports for your bag to arrive, no more lugging around excessively heavy travel backpacks, and minimalism equal less stress. Need we say more?

5. Use Slow Stays.

Slow Stays and slow travel go hand in hand. If you want to travel slow, then we recommend basing yourself in accommodation that allows you to do exactly that. With Slow Stays, we can help you find the most immersive stays in the world. We’re passionate about sourcing properties that offer a unique, sustainable experience that encompasses a sense of belonging within the community. Check out our Instagram to find your next Slow Stay.

6. Less = more.

When planning a holiday, there’s a certain desire to want to tick off as many countries and experiences as possible. Once you’re there, you may as well do as much as possible, right? With the introduction of slow travel, we can try and put an end to that. Rather than a never-ending checklist of countries and ‘bucket list’ experiences to tick off, try limiting what you do and see. For example, travel to France and base yourself at a Slow Stay in a small country town in order to really immerse yourself at that destination. You can stay for as little or as long as you want, but having less to do will create more experiences and lifelong memories because you’re forming real connections with the area and locals. Do less, experience more.

7. Live in the moment.

There’s no denying that being so attached to technology can act as a barrier to the relaxation, local immersion, memorable experiences we’re seeking when we’re travelling. Live in the moment when you travel, go unplugged.

8. There are no rules.

We really wanted to add this one in here. For all our readers out there, even though we’ve listed some helpful tips in order to learn the art of slow travel, we can’t stress enough that slow travel has no rules. You’re in control of your own holiday. If you want to visit more than one country or bring a standard 25 kg suitcase, you go ahead and do exactly that. Slow travel is what you want to define it a.

Let us know in the comments if these tips have helped you! Do you have anything else we should add?