In a world where everything moves fast, such as emails, flights, and even meals, it’s no surprise that travel has often turned into another race against the clock. We try to fit in as many destinations as possible, rushing from one landmark to the next, hoping to see it all. But lately, there has been a refreshing change. More travelers are embracing slow travel. They choose to spend longer in fewer places to experience them more deeply. It’s not about collecting passport stamps; it’s about connection, presence, and authenticity.
Michael Savage from New Canaan, who has traveled extensively, often talks about how slowing down has changed the way he experiences new places. For him, slow travel isn’t just a style; it’s a mindset.
What Exactly is Slow Travel?
Slow travel doesn’t mean dragging your feet or moving at a snail’s pace. It means intentionally choosing depth over breadth. Instead of trying to squeeze five cities into a week, you might spend that same week in one town, getting to know its rhythms, people, and hidden corners.
This approach allows travelers to truly connect with a place. You might sip coffee at the same café every morning, chat with locals at a market, or explore neighborhoods that tourists often miss. As Michael Savage explains, slow travel is about exchanging checklists for experiences.
The Benefits of Slowing Down
There’s a reason slow travel has become a popular trend. It provides rewards that fast-paced trips simply can’t match:
Deeper Connections: Staying longer in one spot helps you form bonds, even if temporary, with local communities. It’s the difference between being a visitor and feeling like you belong.
Less Stress: Busy itineraries can leave you more tired than inspired. Slow travel means fewer flights, less packing, and more time to simply enjoy.
Sustainability: Spending more time in fewer places lowers your carbon footprint. Supporting local businesses instead of chain hotels or restaurants helps communities thrive.
Personal Growth: Immersing yourself in another culture, even for a short time, broadens your perspective in a way that a quick visit can’t.
Michael from New Canaan has often said that some of his best memories come not from famous landmarks but from small, unplanned moments. These include sharing a meal with a local family or discovering a quiet trail that wasn’t in any guidebook.
Practical Ways to Embrace Slow Travel
Adopting a slow travel style doesn’t need a complete change. It involves simple adjustments to how you plan your trips:
Choose Fewer Destinations: Pick one or two locations instead of five.
Stay in Local Accommodations: Airbnb, guesthouses, or boutique inns often provide more authentic experiences.
Learn the Rhythm: Walk, bike, or use local transport. See the place the way residents do.
Be Flexible: Leave room in your itinerary for spontaneous adventures.
Savor Daily Rituals: Whether it’s morning tea in Kyoto or evening walks in Tuscany, enjoy small, repeated moments that ground you in a place.
Why It Feels Like Luxury
Interestingly, slow travel feels luxurious—not because it’s about five-star resorts but because it gives us the one resource we can’t buy back: time. To linger, to notice, to truly be present—that’s the ultimate indulgence. For people like Michael Savage, who balance busy professional lives, slow travel offers not just a vacation but a reset for the mind and soul.
Traveling slowly is about more than just how long you stay in one place—it’s about the depth of the experience. Whether you’re in a busy European capital or a quiet seaside village, slow travel invites you to be part of the story rather than just an observer. Michael at New Canaan reminds us that adventures don’t have to be fast to be memorable. Sometimes, the best journeys happen when you pause, breathe, and let a place truly sink in.