Why Slow Travel Changed the Way I See the World

The older I get, the less interested I become in checking countries off a list. Instead, I want to know what a place feels like when I stop trying to rush through it. That’s why slow travel has completely changed the way I see the world.

There was a time when I believed successful travel meant seeing as much as possible. I wanted to visit every famous landmark, sample every local specialty, and return home with a camera full of proof that I had been there.

Over the years, however, something shifted. My work in international development had already taught me that meaningful change doesn’t happen overnight. Then my travels began teaching me the same lesson. Communities reveal themselves slowly. Relationships take time. Culture cannot be understood through a checklist.

Learning to Stay Longer

One of the biggest changes I’ve made is staying in destinations for weeks or even months instead of days. Living in Portugal, walking across Spain on the Camino de Santiago, spending time in Ghana, Kenya, Uzbekistan, and so many other places has shown me that every destination has layers.

The first layer belongs to tourists.

The second belongs to locals.

The third only appears after you’ve slowed down enough to notice it.

That’s where the real stories begin.

Slow Travel Creates Better Conversations

Some of my favorite travel memories didn’t happen inside museums or famous monuments. They happened while chatting with café owners, sitting beside strangers on trains, wandering neighborhood markets, or sharing meals with people whose lives look very different from my own.

Those conversations have shaped me far more than any sightseeing itinerary ever could.

As someone who has spent more than twenty years working internationally, I’ve learned that listening is often more valuable than speaking. Slow travel gives us the space to do exactly that.

Seeing Places Beyond the Postcard

When you stay longer, you experience ordinary life. You learn which bakery locals actually visit. You discover neighborhood parks instead of crowded attractions. You notice the rhythms of a city after commuters head home and visitors disappear.

Those moments rarely make travel brochures, but they often become the memories I treasure most.

Why Slow Travel Feels More Sustainable

Slow travel also aligns closely with my work in sustainable development. Spending more time in fewer places often means supporting locally owned businesses, reducing unnecessary transportation, and contributing more meaningfully to local economies.

Instead of racing from city to city, I have the opportunity to become part of a community, even if only temporarily.

That approach feels more respectful to both the places I visit and the people who call them home.

It’s Also Better for Me

I’ll admit something else.

Slow travel is simply less exhausting.

I don’t enjoy returning home feeling like I need another vacation. I enjoy mornings at neighborhood cafés, long walks without an itinerary, conversations that happen naturally, and leaving room for unexpected discoveries.

Some of my favorite experiences have happened because I wasn’t rushing to the next attraction.

Planning a Slower Journey

If you’ve ever felt overwhelmed trying to squeeze an entire destination into a few days, consider slowing down. You don’t have to travel full-time to embrace slow travel. Even adding an extra day or two to your itinerary can completely change your experience.

If you’re planning a European adventure, I recommend exploring destinations beyond the major tourist hubs and giving yourself time to simply exist there.

You may discover that the best part of your trip wasn’t something you planned at all.

Continue the Journey

If you enjoy thoughtful, culture-focused travel, you might also like these articles on DG Speaks:

Looking for experiences during your travels? Browse activities through our GetYourGuide travel partner. Need accommodations? Compare hotels through Booking.com before your next trip.

Slow travel has reminded me that the world isn’t something to conquer. It’s something to experience. The longer I travel, the more I realize that my favorite destinations aren’t necessarily the most famous ones. They’re the places that gave me enough time to feel at home, even if only for a little while.