Life at half the speed: Rediscovering the joy of slow travel

Before we get into the where and how, it is vital to understand how the slow tourism movement has evolved. Essentially, it is an ethos that has grown in recent decades as a response to mass tourism. But, really, the concept of going slow started with slow food. Back in the 1980s, a group of influential Italian gastronomes took umbrage against a McDonald's opening in Rome and since then, the mindset has flourished.

Slow travel can apply to getaways of all shapes and sizes. It can be anything from a relaxed weekend break in the British countryside, exploring the local footpaths and pubs, to a three-month slow trip around Southeast Asia, as long as the goal is to take things slowly. Not sure where to begin? Here are some great sustainably stylish destinations to have on your radar. 

As far as slow travel destinations go, Costa Rica is one of the top. You could even say that this country invented the concept of mindful travel and ecotourism. Costa Rica’s national motto, pura vida, translates as ‘the pure life’, yet locals know it means far more. It's a philosophy of unhurried appreciation, of walking with the sun and letting the rainforest dictate your day. No rushing from A to B. No endless to-do list. Just life unfolding in its beautiful and magical way.

Base yourself in the Guanacaste Province to enjoy a holiday on the Gulf of Papagayo, one of the most exclusive and recognised areas in Costa Rica. Here mornings begin with the distant rustle of howler monkeys and the crashing sound of the ocean, gently marking the passing of time. Days here are beautifully unscripted: a paddleboard across glassy turquoise water, a sail to hidden coves where the only company is pelicans and the occasional dolphin. 

Just south, holidays in Tamarindo offer a different kind of slowness. This relaxed surf town has never lost its bohemian soul. Locals rise early to greet the waves, then linger over smoothie bowls in open-air cafes shaded by palms. Spend an afternoon drifting through the estuaries of Las Baulas National Park, spotting herons and crocodiles in the mangroves, or simply watch the sunset ignite the horizon from a beachside hammock, cocktail in hand.

Across the Nicoya Peninsula, Tambor Beach is a hidden pocket of calm where horses still wander along the shoreline and fishing boats paint lazy arcs across the bay. If you are looking for a tranquil holiday, it's the place to be. It’s a place for morning yoga on the sand, for unhurried swims in the gentle surf and for dinners that stretch long into the night over grilled snapper and the sound of cicadas. 

Forget the cruise ship rush, Aruba is best enjoyed if you stay put and slow down. Check into one of Aruba's beachfront resorts, but resist the urge to rush between sunloungers and sunset cocktails. Instead, wander beyond the resort strip and find a local haunt to enjoy fresh fish tacos and domino games under the shade of the divi-divi trees. Embrace slow travel and hire a bike to follow the coastal path towards Arikok National Park to witness the island’s raw beauty. Admire the cactus-studded plains and limestone cliffs before pausing for a swim in Conchi, a hidden natural pool carved into volcanic rock. Before heading back, carry on your route to the island’s northernmost point to watch the sunset at the famous California Lighthouse. In Aruba, slow travel isn’t about doing nothing, but doing everything slowly, feeling the wind off the sea, tasting the salt in the air and most importantly, living in the moment.

On the surface, the bustle of Thailand may not seem an obvious choice for a slow vacation but it is quickly becoming one of the top slow travel destinations. One of the top spots offering a pocket of calm are the resorts on Coconut Island (Koh Maphrao) in the Andaman Sea, off Phuket. Mornings begin with the sound of longtail boats gliding past and breakfast of tropical fruit under the palms, followed by a cycle or kayak along mangrove trails where herons pick their way through the shallows. 

Take a long-tail back to the mainland for an unhurried wander through Phuket Old Town, where faded Sino-Portuguese façades hide coffee shops and spice-scented noodle houses. Immerse yourself in the gentle hum of daily life and be ready to return by dusk to watch the sun melt into the sea, dining on grilled snapper and coconut curry by lantern light on the sand. On Coconut Island, slow travel means surrendering to island time, letting the tides, not the clock, decide the day.

When it comes to low-impact travel, a holiday in Menorca offers a real treat for lovers of slow travel. It is often referred to as the Balearic Island that time forgot. In Menorca, days unfold softly. Start your day by diving into the turquoise waters at Cala Marcarella, one of the top beaches, followed by a slow ramble through wildflower fields on the Camí de Cavalls. Savour local flavours with an unhurried lunch of sobrasada and Menorcan cheese, beneath the shelter of a fig tree. Here, the smell of rosemary drifts through the salty air and the sea is always in sight. Take time to explore ancient Talaiots and wonder at how life has evolved over the centuries. As the sun dips, wander through Ciutadella’s cobbled lanes, where golden light spills across ancient sandstone walls. Menorca is home to endless treasures, best enjoyed at a snail’s pace.

Imagine jetting off to a secluded island, where time stands still and nothing but nature’s rhythms guide your day. On a Cape Verde holiday, this is exactly what life feels like. Floating off the coast of West Africa, Cape Verde offers a beguiling blend of Creole culture, volcanic drama and a rhythm all its own. For a real slow travel experience, in Santo Antão, travellers swap cars for cobbled mule paths that wind through terraced valleys and past sugarcane groves.

In São Vicente, mornings drift by to the lilting sound of morna music, best enjoyed with a strong local coffee in Mindelo’s sunlit squares. On Sal, slow travel takes the form of sea and salt with the vast white tipped ocean tempting lovers of watersports and lazy swims. Boa Vista offers slow travellers a heavy dose of natural beauty with dunes rolling towards untouched beaches where sea turtles nest and time seems to dissolve into the horizon.

If you are looking for unhurried bliss, nothing comes close to a holiday in the Maldives. Here, luxury experiential travel finds its purest form with days defined by the tide, the sky and the rustle of palms. Choose a resort that champions sustainability and get involved with local conservation programmes for important causes such as coral restoration or whale shark conservation. Alternatively, discovering island-grown foods and enjoying a dinner on the shores offers the kind of stillness that feels transformative. Life here is a far cry from the hustle and bustle of Western cities. Drift between sea and spa, snorkel over reefs teeming with technicolour fish or simply watch the horizon fade into itself. The Maldives is a destination that reminds you of the greatest luxury of all, time, and here, there is no rush to spend it. The art of slow travel is very much alive in this mindful destination.