Expat Book Club: The Art of Slow Travel

Our last trip to Northern Vietnam had us in 4 different locations in one week. It was a marathon, one I knew would exhaust us, but I desperately wanted to see the region from many perspectives. It had my family begging for a relaxing vacation the next time around. I got to thinking about traveling to see everything you possibly can vs. taking a relaxing resort vacation when you need a reset from the daily grind. I think your preference has a lot to do with what kind of travel feeds your restorative spirit. Is there a best of both worlds scenario?

When choosing the next book for our Expat Book Club, it felt like a good time to understand travel from a different perspective. The Art of Slow Travel by Behvana Gesota was the perfect fit.

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The Art of Slow Travel is a practical, and heartfelt guide to understanding and planning for slow travel. It blends inspiration, structure, and emotional wisdom—perfect for any traveler seeking deeper understanding without excessive planning or expense. But wait, does this mean I should be wondering offbeat alleyways without an itinerary? Yes and no.

When planning a vacation, most of us cram our itineraries with back-to-back tours, early wake-up calls, and a checklist of “must-sees.” But there’s a growing movement that challenges the idea of doing less to experience more: slow travel. This mindful approach to seeing the world emphasizes quality over quantity, presence over pressure, and connection over consumption. If you’ve ever returned home from a trip feeling like you need another vacation just to recover, slow travel might be the philosophy you’ve been searching for.

What is Slow Travel?

At its core, slow travel is about immersing yourself in a destination rather than rushing through it. It’s less about ticking off landmarks and more about savoring the rhythm of everyday life in the place you’re visiting.

Instead of racing from one tourist attraction to another, slow travelers might spend an afternoon wandering a local neighborhood, chatting with shop owners or fellow travelers, or lingering over a long coffee at a café . It’s about building meaningful connections—with people, culture, food, and the environment—through travel experiences that are authentic and unrushed.

Why Choose Slow Travel Over Busy Itineraries?

It’s easy to get caught up in the “see it all” mindset, but packing your itinerary too tightly often leads to stress and surface-level experiences. I like to think of “slow travel” as the pilates of the travel world, slower and more mindful but just as effective. Here’s why slow travel is often more rewarding than a whirlwind trip:

Deeper Connections: Spending more time in fewer places allows you to connect with locals and understand their culture on a deeper level.
Less Stress: No frantic rushing between attractions, missing connections or stressing about timed events.
Authentic Discovery: Slow travelers often stumble upon hidden gems—a tiny bakery, a street performance, a quiet park—that don’t make the guidebooks.
Sustainability: Fewer flights and less rushing around can mean a smaller environmental footprint, aligning with more eco-conscious travel.

In short, slow travel transforms your trip from a checklist into a story—one that feels rich, personal, and unforgettable. Gesota says “Slow travel is being in a place long enough to experience it without having a strict itinerary. It isn’t about seeing everything but experiencing the soul of a place.”

I have to admit, of all the travel we have done in the past 2 years living in Asia, the only trip that comes close to meeting these standards would be our visit to the Philippines last November. My family was ready to relax and it begs the question, can you still see everything on your list for a certain destination and soak it up without rushing? I think what really needs extra thought is determining what on your must-see, must-do list feels the most authentic to you. Sometimes we end up crossing items off a bucket list because someone said we should, not because of its actual interest to us.

Try a Slow Travel Mentality: Linger, Longer

Many travelers assume that slow travel requires taking months off to wander through Europe or Asia. But you don’t need unlimited time to embrace the mindset. Here’s how you can practice slow travel—even on a short vacation:

Choose Fewer Destinations: Instead of squeezing in three cities in a week, pick one or two and really explore them.
Stay in Local Accommodations: Opt for guesthouses, boutique hotels, or vacation rentals where you can connect with locals and the community.
Walk or Bike Whenever Possible: Skip taxis and public transport sometimes—wandering slowly often leads to unexpected discoveries.
Build in “Nothing Time”: Leave parts of your day unscheduled for spontaneous exploration or pure relaxation.
Eat Like a Local: Rather than rushing through meals, savor them. Ask servers for recommendations, linger over dessert, and get some good people watching in.

Even with just a long weekend, adopting a slower pace lets you feel less like a tourist and more like a participant in the culture you’re visiting.

Slow Travel Can Increase Travel Satisfaction

One of the biggest benefits of slow travel is the lasting sense of fulfillment it creates. Here’s how slowing down enhances your journeys:

Memories Over Milestones: You may not remember every landmark you rushed to see, but you will remember the leisurely afternoon you spent chatting with locals at a small café.
Greater Mindfulness: Slowing down allows you to be present and truly enjoy your surroundings—whether that’s listening to street musicians, watching a sunset, or browsing a local market.
Less Exhaustion, More Joy: Instead of feeling drained at the end of your trip, you return home refreshed and inspired.
More Stories to Tell: A slower pace leads to richer, more personal stories—ones that go beyond “I saw the Eiffel Tower” to “I learned how to bake bread with a Parisian baker.”

Thoughts on Slow Travel

In a world that often glorifies busyness and productivity, slow travel is a refreshing reminder that vacations don’t need to be packed with constant motion to be meaningful. By choosing depth over speed, you not only create more rewarding experiences, but also carry home a sense of calm, connection, and satisfaction that lingers long after the trip ends.

I’m not sure that slow travel is good for every destination or even every traveler, but I believe the principals of a deeper connection over surface level tourist attractions can apply to most situations. We all travel for different reasons, but embracing the slower pace can create the space for you to find exactly what you were looking for.