“Slow Travel is a mindset …..a lifestyle, just like slow fashion.”
First of all, apologies for being a MIA, but can you guess why I am writing about travel, today? Well, it is that time of the year when my family and I would start planning for a vacation. The Christmas and New Year break is usually the most easy one, to plan for a good long holiday.
However, this year has been an exception, in every aspect of life. Due to the pandemic, the whole world have sort of slowed down. Zoom meetings in Pjs to netflixing to movie marathons. Well some lost jobs, and some still figuring out , what to do with life? I do not want to remind you, of all the negative impacts corona year (I think we can call #2020 Corona year, right? 😉 got into our lives, but I do feel, how about counting blessing and reminding ourselves that we didn’t do that bad, right?
What is Slow Travel?
A mindful and conscious way to travel in order to rejuvenate, relax but also educate about the location you visit, while remaining ethical and sustainable in your choices. Slow Travel rejects the traditional notion of tourism and allows the traveler to slow down.
Why would I opt for Staycation or Slow Fashion even after this Pandemic is over?
The environmental impact of flying is detrimental. Let me just remind you that flights produce greenhouse gases (mainly carbon dioxide)from burning fuel, contribution immensely to global warming. Aviation contributes approximately 2% of the world’s global carbon emissions according to IATA ( International Air Transport Association). In simplest words, taking off uses more fuel than cruising. Here are few reasons why I would opt for #SlowTravel no matter what:
SLOW TRAVEL SAVES MONEY
Vacations can be very expensive. Especially, if you haven’t travelled for a long time (read, entire year 2020). I am suggestive of slow travel instead of fast travel. For me fast travel is very similar to fast fashion. It is not just detrimental to the environment, it may give instant gratification but isn’t good in the long run. Try to plan for a trip nearby, where you could go by train or car or a speed boat or a bus may be?
If we talk of accommodation, a quick trip to a place with an itinery may look organized but “quick” always means expensive. A longer stay in a guesthouse, or may be opting for AirBnb will be far more economical than a 5-star hotel. Eating in a local restaurant will enrich the experience of tasting the local cuisine, don’t you think?
SLOW TRAVEL IS BETTER FOR THE PLANET
Every time that you pay the airfare, you are incurred a cost of increasing the carbon footprint. By travelling by air, you are contributing to the pollution aviation industry is giving out. We need to take a call. Choose to quench our wander lust and allow our travel bug stay happy as well as be sensitive to climate crisis. It is a global responsibility to take steps.
SLOW TRAVEL TO ENHANCE KNOWLEDGE OF THE CULTURE
By visiting the flee market and shopping from the local artisans, you are not just contributing to the local economy. The taste of local cuisine, the sort of music in that location, the linguistic beauty of the language spoken, knowledge of the culture and tradition are just few of the amazing take-aways of slow traveling. I already feel so excite with the idea of travelling to a beautiful location, soon, by car. Imagine, I have much higher chances of meeting local population, allowing me to deeply connect with the place, right?
I certainly believe that slow travel is a win-win for all of us. The easiest and authentic way to travel and learn. Explore and discover the newness of life, at large. WOW!
I indeed have many more reasons why, I would now want to explore the deserts, mountains, beaches and countryside places in my country. A weekend getaway to a nearby beach, which I have never been to.. trekking and doing some adventure sports, or simply lazy around with my girls, are surely on my list. I will keep you updated. Hoping 2021 will be better. What do you think?
