The deceleration of travel

As I mentioned before, I’ve always had some of this in me. But in April 2022, it really burst out of me.

The separation from my wife a few months earlier was one of the reasons why my life had taken a completely new direction.

I had my own apartment again and used the time to find myself and consciously perceive my life.

Then came a day in April 2022 when I wasn’t feeling well. I was mentally exhausted, physically drained and somehow nothing made any sense.

However, a simple thought suddenly formed in my head as a solution.

Break out, you need a change of air.

I’ve always wanted to go to Milan for a long time, so I thought:

Just do it.

So I took some time off, looked for a small hotel online, packed a few things and spontaneously set off on my own. As soon as I got there, I thought to myself as I enjoyed the passing scenery: “Time out from everyday life at last”.

In Milan itself, after a relaxed trip, I enjoyed a wonderful long weekend, saw many beautiful places and talked to interesting people.

And that was almost not targeted.

I just let myself drift wherever my steps took me.

One day I even walked over 40,000 steps, which I only noticed in this quantity in the evening.

I visited a beautiful cemetery, for example, and just sat on a bench in the sunshine and listened to the birds. Experience consciously and travel mindfully.

And simply spontaneously and at a slower pace.

This time in Milan gave me a lot and I came back a different person.

It also made me realize once again how important this conscious experience is.

Why is slow travel becoming increasingly popular?

In my opinion, “slow travel” is becoming increasingly popular because it allows travelers to connect more deeply with the places and cultures they visit.

In contrast to conventional travel, which is often characterized by a hectic pace and a long list of sights, slow travel is still a niche that promotes slower, more conscious exploration.

This fulfills various needs of anyone who wants to travel consciously today.

This turns a fleeting memory into a much more lasting one.

I think of these events today in similar constellations or I use moments when I need peace and quiet to think back to some of these places.

In addition to this conscious exploration, authenticity is also important.

I think many people long to get to know the “real” life in a place instead of just visiting the tourist destinations.

Slow travel as a form of travel means immersing yourself in local traditions, getting in touch with the locals and understanding their way of life.

This leads to a richer and more meaningful travel experience and, as happened to me several times, you will also come to new insights about yourself on your itinerary.

Another important aspect is slowing down. Take a breather and relax.

In a world that is often characterized by speed and stress, many travellers are looking for ways to relax and enjoy the moment.

For me, slow travel promotes a relaxed approach in which time is not the decisive factor.

You can simply decide spontaneously to stay longer in one place, explore the surroundings and take time for little things that you would otherwise have overlooked because of all the hustle and bustle.

Sustainability also plays a decisive role in the increasing popularity of Slow Travel.

More and more people are aware of the impact of mass tourism on the environment and the local community.

In addition, travelers often support local businesses and thus contribute to the economic stability of the regions they visit. Enjoy the local specialties in exactly the same way as the locals do.

In summary, I can say that slow travel meets my needs for authenticity, deceleration and sustainability and is therefore, in my opinion, rightly becoming an increasingly popular form of travel.

I have found my personal version of this for my travel inspiration.

Imagine being able to shape your experiences more consciously and create a deeper connection to the places and people you visit.

What exactly is “slow travel”?

“Slow travel” is a travel concept that focuses on the conscious, slow and sustainable exploration of places.

It’s about slowing down the pace of the trip and yourself, taking time for experiences and taking in the culture, the people and the surroundings more intensively.

This philosophy stands in contrast to hectic trips, where many sights are visited in a short space of time.

The philosophy of “Slow Travel

The philosophy of “slow travel” revolves around mindfulness, sustainability and immersion in the local culture.

Slow movement

Instead of fast means of transportation such as planes or high-speed trains, environmentally friendly alternatives such as bicycles, trains or footpaths are being used.

I’ve been walking in a lot of places myself for a while now and I’m extending my routes and circles further and further. I’m outside every day anyway because it gives me the balance of getting some fresh air.

I combine the familiar with the new and explore my new surroundings.

There are so many beautiful motifs and impressions and sometimes it’s just good to take a deep breath in the silence of nature and just listen to your own inner voices and thoughts.

Deeper connection to culture

Let yourself drift and be inspired to stay longer in one place to connect with the locals.

It is very rewarding to understand local customs and gain authentic experiences, be it through special courses or places, markets and festivals.

Sustainability

Slow Travel values environmentally friendly practices that both minimize the carbon footprint and support the local economy.

This can include choosing organic restaurants, local stores and sustainable accommodation.

Mindfulness and slowing down

I think it’s essential to see traveling not just as a series of destinations, but as an opportunity to enjoy the moment and engage with your surroundings.

The journey brings just as much knowledge as the destination itself, if not even more.

The distinction from other forms of travel

“Slow travel is very different from package tours or hectic city trips.

Package tours / travel groups

Package tours often offer pre-planned, standardized programs that leave little room for individual experiences.

Travelers move in groups and have little contact with the local culture.

This concept of guided tours was never really my thing.

I can understand when people want to be guided by a certain line.

But I myself was always too much of a free spirit for this kind of travel.

I just love discovering off the beaten track.

City trips / Sightseeing

City trips, on the other hand, often focus on seeing lots of sights in a short space of time, without the opportunity to really experience the city.

This type doesn’t really appeal to me either.

Everyone probably does this to some extent when they visit a city. But I prefer to pick a few destinations and do them the way I want to. Instead of working through as many destinations as possible without realizing it.

And when I feel so comfortable in a place and have discovered so many interesting things, I think that’s absolutely important and right.

I may not be able to achieve another goal as a result, but that’s completely fine.

Quality is more important than quantity.

What matters to me is the experience, not running from destination to destination.

Simply put, it’s perfectly fine to sit next to a beautiful fountain all day.

As long as you feel comfortable there, that one well can be a much more interesting and conscious experience than 10 other destinations combined.

“Slow travel” is simply about traveling to fewer destinations and experiencing them more intensively.

It’s not about working through a to-do list, but about feeling and understanding a place.

The niche destinations: 3 examples of hidden treasures

At this point, I’ll just show you 3 examples of different kinds. To give you an impression of how I determine destinations that are suitable for my kind of slow travel when I get the travel bug.

Badonviller, France – Nature, history & tranquillity in Lorraine

Badonviller is a small, charming town in the Département Meurthe-et-Moselle, close to the Vosges mountains.

I have already described how I got there in my article about Donon.

Sometimes it’s enough to look at the map and simply go to a place that speaks to you directly.

You will often be rewarded for it. Just follow your intuition and find the essence of travel for yourself.

I had no great expectations, but when I stood on the shores of Lac de Pierre-Percée, surrounded by silence, I knew that this was exactly what I needed.

It is a perfect destination for slow travel because it is far away from mass tourism and offers a mixture of nature, history and rural life.

What makes Badonviller special?

• Surrounded by dense forests, rolling hills and clear lakes, perfect for hiking & cycling.

• Characterized by an eventful history – especially by the battles that took place here during the First World War.

• A very relaxed atmosphere, ideal for anyone who wants to enjoy nature and tranquillity.

Slow travel experiences in Badonviller

Pure nature:

• Lac de Pierre-Percée – A picturesque reservoir with hiking trails and quiet places to relax.

• Vosges foothills – perfect for slow hiking and discovering hidden paths.

Culture & Tradition:

• Festival de la Saint Maurice (September) – A traditional festival with music, food and regional products.

• Pottery workshops – The region has a long tradition of ceramics and there are opportunities to get creative yourself.

Culinary delights:

• Small, family-run auberges where you can try local specialties such as quiche Lorraine or game dishes.

Perfect for you if you like to travel off the beaten track, love nature and are interested in French village culture and history.

Santa Maria del Focallo, Italy – Wide beaches & Mediterranean serenity

Santa Maria del Focallo is a real insider tip in Sicily. Located near Ispica and Pozzallo, it is a place for all those who want to experience the original southern Italy.

Santa Maria del Focallo helped me through a difficult personal phase.

The long walks along the endless beaches without hotel castles and the view of the grottos gave me a lot of peace and quiet here at what felt like the southernmost end of our well-known continent of Europe.

Personally, I had the feeling of literally leaving everything behind me in this one place and only having the endless expanse of the sea in front of me.

What makes Santa Maria del Focallo special?

• Miles of sandy beaches without hotel castles and private beaches, ideal for long walks and relaxing days by the sea.

• An untouched corner of Sicily, without large hotel complexes or mass tourism.

• The proximity to the baroque towns of Modica, Noto and Ragusa, perfect for day trips.

Slow travel experiences in Santa Maria del Focallo:

Nature & Sea:

• Kitesurfing & windsurfing – a top spot for water sports thanks to the steady winds.

• Visit olive groves and wineries – local producers often invite you to tastings.

Culture & festivals:

• Sagra del Pesce (August) – A traditional fish festival with freshly caught seafood and Sicilian music.

• Baroque tour through Modica & Noto – Stroll through the impressive old towns with their architecture.

Culinary delights:

• Modican chocolate – Santa Maria del Focallo is close to Modica, where you can taste the famous cold-processed chocolate that I deliberately praised in such detail in my article on Modica.

• Arancini & granita – classics of Sicilian cuisine, perfect for hot summer days. Even fast food can become slow food.

Perfect for you if you are looking for a relaxed beach vacation without mass tourism, paired with Sicilian culture and cuisine.

Schopfheim, Germany – Black Forest idyll with history

Schopfheim is located in the southern Black Forest and is one of the oldest towns in the region.

It is an ideal destination for slow tourism because it offers an authentic blend of nature, history and enjoyment.

For me, Schopfheim stands for balance during my many stays.

I worked in Basel for a long time and I was able to balance out the stress of my job perfectly here.

You simply leave the hotel and walk across country into the Black Forest.

And don’t worry, you won’t get lost, despite the magic of the Black Forest.

What makes Schopfheim special?

• Medieval old town with charming half-timbered houses.
• Perfect starting point for hikes in the Black Forest.
• Close proximity to Switzerland – day trips to Basel or the Rhine Valley are possible.

Slow travel experiences in Schopfheim:

Nature & relaxation:

• Hikes to the Rötteln castle ruins – one of the largest castle ruins in South Baden, with a great view.
• Black Forest Panorama Trail – A hiking trail with spectacular views over the Rhine Valley.

Culture & Tradition:

• Schopfheim Carnival (February/March) – One of the most famous carnival parades in Baden, with colorful costumes.
• Heimatmuseum Schopfheim – Exciting insights into the history and rural life of the Black Forest.

Culinary delights:

• Badische Weinstuben & Brauereien – Perfect for cozy evenings with regional specialties.

• Black Forest gateau – A classic that you can enjoy in one of the small cafés.

Perfect for you if you want to experience the original Baden & the Black Forest, with hikes, regional cuisine and living tradition. Feel free to share your tips for mindful travel.

Mindfulness: the journey as an inner experience

Integrating mindfulness into everyday travel can be a transformative experience that not only enriches the outer framework of the trip, but also changes the inner perspective.

Here are some ways you can incorporate mindfulness into your travels:

Meditation and breathing exercises

No matter where you are, a short meditation or breathing exercise can help you to arrive in the moment.

Find a quiet place, be it on the beach, in the park or in your hotel room, and dedicate a few minutes to silence.

Close your eyes, breathe in and out deeply and let your thoughts pass by without paying too much attention to them.

This practice can help you to reduce stress and create a deeper connection to your surroundings.

Consciously experience nature

Go on a journey of discovery in nature and take time to appreciate the little things.

Listen to the chirping of birds, feel the textures of leaves and stones under your fingers and observe the colors and shapes around you.

Try to activate every sense: What do you hear? What do you smell? What do you taste?

By sharpening your senses, you can perceive the beauty of nature more intensely and experience the journey as a deeper experience.

Enjoy the moment

To consciously enjoy the moment, you can incorporate small rituals into your everyday travel routine.

For example, sit down in a special place, take time for a cup of tea or coffee and reflect on your experiences of the day.

Pause and ask yourself what you enjoyed, what you experienced, what you saw or what you learned.

Keeping a mindful travel diary doesn’t just help me to consciously experience moments when I’m out and about.

Even months later, I look back and immediately remember the smell of the pine trees in Santa Maria del Focallo.

It’s also one of the reasons why I started this blog almost a year ago.

Not just to take you with me and let you share my experiences and adventures, which I am very happy to do.

It’s also about taking myself back there and exploring my horizons again and again.

Slow travel and personal growth

“Slow Travel” is not just a form of travel, but also a philosophy that enables you to experience and live more consciously and intensively.

By taking the time to really get to know the places and people you visit, you can build deeper connections.

This way of traveling promotes your awareness, your inner peace and serenity and, in my personal experience, creates a much longer-lasting recovery effect.

Practical tips for your own path as a “slow traveler”

Travel time and planning

Choose the low season

Travel off-peak to avoid crowded tourist destinations and enjoy more authentic experiences.

This enables more intensive contact with the local culture.

Stay longer

Plan to spend at least a week at a destination so that you can explore the surroundings at your leisure and not constantly rush from place to place.

This gives you a much better sense of the place, the atmosphere and the lifestyle of the region.

Means of transportation

If possible, use local public transportation or the bicycle.

These means of transportation not only offer a better opportunity to enjoy the scenery, but also allow for spontaneous stops and encounters.

Explore on foot

Discover new towns and villages on foot. I always take a lot of steps on vacation and do so in a completely relaxed manner.

For example, you can discover hidden corners and local stores that you might miss by car or bus.

The topic of accommodation

Choose local accommodation

Opt for small guesthouses, bed-and-breakfasts or vacation apartments instead of large hotels.

These often offer a more personalized service and the opportunity to get in touch with the hosts.

Exchange house

Think about swapping a house or apartment with someone.

This can not only be inexpensive, but also offers the chance to immerse yourself in the life of the locals.

This way, you can easily find fantastic accommodation far away from mass tourism.

Flexibility and spontaneity

Be open to change

Always be prepared to adjust your plans. If you are enthusiastic about a place, stay longer, or if you have received a tip from a local, follow it.

It is often the unexpected encounters that make your trip unforgettable.

This has happened to me more than once, which is why I often ask the locals directly on my travels and look for spots where the locals go.

One of my best tips. What the locals like and the places they go to are worth it.

Don’t forget that these people may or may not have it every day and consciously choose to eat there.

Just like you go to restaurants at home where you like the food. Just try it out.

Visit local events

Find out about local events, markets and festivals.

These opportunities not only offer insights into the culture, but also the chance to make contact with locals.

And don’t be shy. You will meet a lot of open-minded people who are happy when you take an interest in them and their culture.

Contact with locals

Learn the language

Learning a few basic phrases in the local language can work wonders.

It shows respect and opens doors to conversations with locals.

Time and again, I experience the kindness.

If a person with a different mother tongue realizes that you are making an effort to communicate with them in their language, which you don’t speak perfectly, they will often meet you halfway.

Imagine that someone you don’t know is communicating with you in your language because of you.

That’s an honor and, in my experience, it rarely remains unforgotten.
And you always get valuable tips when someone tells you about their adventures.

Eating in company

Food is an excellent way to get in touch with people.

Try to eat in local restaurants or take part in cooking classes.

The best stories and tips often come from the chefs or other guests.

Respect for the local culture

Accept what you see

Sometimes places, events or habits in faraway places can seem very strange to you, which are completely normal for the local people and unfamiliar to you.

None of us have to be do-gooders and a culture shock can be very practical.

So don’t judge everything you see and hear. Get to the bottom of things before you make judgments.

If you take a relaxed approach to things, it will add a lot more spice to your vacation and also provide a laugh or two.

Be open to other approaches

The consequence of the first point.

Look at how others do certain everyday things. Also how they cook and how they live.

Each of us can learn great things through such approaches that can improve our own quality of life.

The second point is that the whole thing can even lead to a win-win situation if you and the others learn from each other.

My conclusion: The art of slow travel – your next adventure is already waiting

Three places, three completely different atmospheres – and yet they have one thing in common for me: deceleration, authenticity and unforgettable experiences.

But slow travel doesn’t mean that you have to travel to the other side of the world.

It’s about the experience, not the distance.

Sometimes it’s enough to simply change your perspective – a weekend in a small village, a walk through a nature reserve, a day at the lake without haste and without a plan.

So, when was the last time you took the time to really discover a place?

Perhaps your next slow travel adventure is waiting right on your doorstep as an alternative to your everyday life.

The journey can be short. It just has to be outside your comfort zone.

This even reduces your ecological footprint.

I wish you every success in finding your own path of travel and adventure.

Have fun traveling and discovering

Florian