Humans have been travelling since, well, forever, but the practice has shifted considerably in recent decades. Now that taking a trip is so affordable, many of us are jetting off to new destinations multiple times a year, with the aim of soaking up the culture of different lands. Or at least that’s the idea. In practice, many of us fall into the trap of “fast travel,” whereby we race around the biggest attractions, snap a few photos, and then return home, usually more tired than when we left. It was in reaction to this approach that the ‘slow travel’ movement arrived. Born out of the ‘slow food’ movement, it emphasizes a different way to travel, one that allows travellers to really enjoy the delights of their chosen spot, rather than simply rush through it. Below, we offer some essential tips on how you can master the art.

Avoid the Tourist Hotspots

Now, it’d be wrong to say that all tourist spots are bad, because that’s just not the case. But it is true that in some areas, the tourist spots are a bit of a shambles, and promote a way of travel that is inconsistent with slow travel. If there’s an attraction that you want to see, then for sure, venture into the area and see it. But once you’ve got what you came for, it’s worthwhile heading somewhere else. The food, bars, and general atmosphere in the hyper-tourist zones will not reflect local life. It’ll be an experience, but not one that’s memorable for all the right reasons.

Speak with the Locals

When you travel to a destination, you’re not just waving goodbye to your home for a little while, you’re heading into someone else’s home. There’s been a negative reaction to tourists in some quarters, and it’s not because they’re there – that would be strange – but because they walk around without interacting with the locals whatsoever. So make an effort. It promotes good relations between the insiders and outsiders, and additionally, you’ll also find that your trip is improved. The locals can give you recommendations that no-one else can!

What Do You Want To Do?

There’s a long list of “must see” attractions in the world’s most popular tourist destinations. But the term is misleading. They’re only “must see” if you have a genuine interest in whatever the attraction is showcasing. Let’s take, say, New York. You’ll have many people telling you that you have to go to the Metropolitan Museum of Art, but what if you find art galleries boring? It’ll be a waste of an afternoon. Instead, think about the things that actually interest you. You don’t have to do things just because everyone else seems to be doing it.

Nomad Jobs

To travel slowly requires time. But if you’ve got a full-time job in your home city, then time might be in short supply. To master the art of slow travel, then, you might need to look at switching up your jobs. In the modern age, there are plenty of digital nomad jobs available, which allow you to work from anywhere. Could you move to a freelance position, or become a remote worker with your current employers? If you can, you’ll be able to find housing and explore a region at your leisure. You could find an HDB flat for rent in Singapore, for instance, and make the most of the low-budget travel options to explore the country surrounding areas. The longer you’re able to spend in an area, the slow you’re able to travel – and the better you get to know it.

Learn the Language

They say that if you can speak Spanish, you can travel South America twice on the same trip. If you can’t, you’ll only travel it once. While it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to become fluent in the language of every country you visit, it’s worthwhile knowing the basics – and maybe just a little bit more – if you plan on spending more than a few weeks there. Language is closely tied to the culture; if you can understand what’s being said, then you can gain a deeper understanding of the culture. It is tricky to learn a language, of course, but it’s nowhere near as difficult as some people think!

Getting Around

It’s a cliche to say that it’s the journey that’s important, not the destination, but it’s only a cliche because it’s true. When it comes to moving around, it’s worthwhile taking steps to make it a fun part of your journey, rather than a purely practical issue. You’ll have more fun if you prioritize getting the most out of your trip rather than simply trying to get from point A to point B as quickly as possible. Instead of taking internal flights, take a train or hitchhike, if it’s safe. It’ll take longer of course, but you’ll learn something along the way.

Out of Your Comfort Zone

You can travel the whole world and only eat McDonald’s, if you want. But let’s just call that for what it is, which is awful. While you might not always know what’s on the menu, you won’t know if you like it until you try it. Step outside of your comfort zone!

Put Down The Selfie Stick

It’s possible that in a few decades, people are going to look back at the 2010s and think we were all a bit strange. Why are we so obsessed with taking photos of everything? It’s one thing to capture a moment, another thing entirely to capture absolutely every moment on camera! The issue with selfie-sticks is that it puts you at the centre of your thoughts, when in reality you’d get more out of the moment if your focus was on whatever’s in the background, be it a scenic view, ancient monument, or other spectacles. You know that you’ve been there; you don’t need to show-off to the entire world. (though it is nice to take a photo or two!).

And the Guidebook

The guidebook has some uses, there’s no doubt about that. But the bulk of the use comes from practical concerns, such as what number you should dial in an emergency, areas to avoid, and other useful information. When it comes to having a good time, it has very little to say. When it comes to slow-travel, it’s about carving out your experience, not following in the footsteps of everyone else. So don’t let whoever wrote the guidebook walk you through your experience; carve it out for yourself.

Local Events

Slow-travel is all about getting to know the culture of wherever you’re visiting in a new, intimate way. One of the best ways to do this is to attend a local event. There’s no greater way to understand a culture than by seeing how it celebrates, honours, mourns, and so on – it can tell you virtually everything you’d care to know. Before travelling, read up on any upcoming events that are open to the public.

Enjoy Every Second

Travelling isn’t always a box of chocolates. But often, we have unrealistic expectations. We want everything to be perfect, to be as if we’re walking into a dream. Life isn’t like that! There’s good and bad in every place. When you’re travelling slowly, enjoy everything. You might not instinctively enjoy the big crowds you’ll find in a large city, but that’s what life is like there. If you accept everything as it is, you’ll find it easier to enjoy all the small, beautiful moments when they arrive.