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Slow travel is the only way to travel

1/16/2013

45 Comments

 
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     It’s sad, but most travelers have the wrong outlook on travel, which tends to make their experiences suffer. It seems to be a popular consensus nowadays, that travel is all about “how many countries and sites you can visit, as fast as you can.” This is not what travel is really about and traveling at lightning speed certainly doesn’t count towards having rich, memorable, life-altering experiences. I often talk about how true travel is a powerful, life-changing force and slow travel is the best way to experience it! It can be easy (especially for short-term travelers) to lose track of the reason for travel and to get caught up in a site-seeing frenzy.

     Travel is most powerful when you open up every part of yourself, and accept whatever the hell the world decides to throw at you. This changing force is most powerful when you thrust yourself into situations that require you to endure life outside of your normal everyday box, where you must fight your judgements and grow to overcome your ego. One of the best ways is to submerge yourself into the culture of a place far away from your everyday norm. Part of opening yourself up to change is accepting the awkward and the uncomfortable and the scary, so you then are left with nothing else except yourself. Once you get to this raw state of being, your outlook is much more gentle and you’re much more vulnerable, taking in everything around you for what it really is (and not what you expect). With this vulnerability comes a childlike sense of wonder, curiosity and a need to meet and befriend people, and to grow into a fresh, wiser version of yourself.
     While I believe slow travel is the best way to experience the world, it isn’t exactly for everyone. For example: if you’re only able to get away for a week every year, then you may want to plan your trip at faster pace, I suppose. But really, slow travel works for any type of traveler, whether you’re a digital nomad, a short or longterm traveler. Generally, people’s perception is that travel is super expensive, but that’s not the case. Slow travel is actually cheaper. For example: if you plan on traveling for three months continuously, then renting an apartment will tremendously cut down on your costs, as you won’t be moving from one place to another, accumulating all of those transportation costs, or staying in pricey hotels/hostels.
     The next time you’re traveling, I hope you will remember to stop; literally stop, close your eyes, breathe deep and slowly open them again. Allow yourself to see the world in a whole new way. Take one slow step, after another. Travel at a slower pace, with a renewed being, relaxed and perceptive to the world. Allow yourself to become moldable, absorbing every detail, from the culture to the people. With slow travel, you will be able to create more meaningful memories, influence personal growth and see in new dimensions, as well as save yourself money.
(Photo by Trey Ratcliff)
45 Comments
JR@TheDriftersBlog link
1/16/2013 01:08:40 am

I'm with you on this one, Brandon. I try not to laugh when I hear "travelers" listing off countries like a grocery list. Whenever people ask me how many countries I've been to, I just say, "A lot." Knowing 'how many' and 'which specific ones' isn't the important thing at all.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:01:12 pm

haha! I can completely relate with that!

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Evan link
1/16/2013 01:45:23 am

While I whole-heartedly agree with you, I'll never regret my post-university first (and certainly not the last) 2 month fling through Europe. We spend more nights sleeping on trains than I care to mention, covering nearly every country from Scotland to Greece and back again, getting to know selected places and people then moving on. It took me a month to recover after, but it gave me a great overall view of great places to visit on following trips.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:03:05 pm

You had an experience that not many people get to live. I love talking to fellow travelers. What was your favorite part of that adventure?

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Jessica link
1/16/2013 04:56:08 am

I agree 100%. I'm lucky to live abroad right now, so that's reallllly slow travel! It's a great learning experience, and so much richer than just checking off a list of cool countries.

What a lovely post.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:04:54 pm

Where are you staying? That would make for really slow travel if you are living abroad. haha

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Jess @UsedYorkCity link
1/16/2013 09:07:30 pm

My work schedule hasn't allowed me super slow travel, however, I try to slow it down and spend more time getting to know one place whenever I do travel, rather than hop from city to city.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:06:17 pm

What are some of your favorite travel destinations?

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Freddie link
1/17/2013 12:06:59 pm

It is indeed the best way to travel. It reminds me of my European trips where I toured 5 countries in 17 days and the other one was 5 countries in two weeks. I can't believe I did that but one thing sure ~ very tiring! I have no plan of doing it again for sure. It is not advisable.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:09:08 pm

What countries did you visit in a two week span?

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Bex link
1/17/2013 06:29:20 pm

Agree 100%. The best trip I ever did was in 2005, a passenger on a container ship across the Atlantic to the Caribbean and the danger of Costa Rica. That took 5 weeks!
Thanks for a quality blog.
Bex
www.leavingcairo.com

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:10:23 pm

Your trip sounds awesome! Is the link in the comment your website? It's beautiful!

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Denny link
1/18/2013 04:38:39 am

I definitely share the same view. My experiences of living abroad have truly been enriching, especially when travelling solo. However, I also understand that it's not feasible for everyone who have work or family commitments.
An awesome blog. I look forward to reading more.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:13:32 pm

Thank you. Having certain obligations does make it difficult to travel or live abroad. However, if your family loves to holiday, that would be perfect for everyone to take a journey.

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Britany Robinson link
1/18/2013 05:15:58 am

I'm just discovering how much I really enjoy slow travel. I've rented an apartment in Medellin for a month and its been great getting to know the city rather than seeing the main and attractions and moving on.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:14:52 pm

I like being able to stay in one place for a month or so. I like to really dig in and take in a city's culture, and lifestyle completely.

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Jherson Jaya link
1/18/2013 08:27:00 am

i agree with you that slow travel is the real travel experience. its actuslly the definition of backpacking. i am not just so sure if it is for everyone. happy travels :-)

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:16:29 pm

Do you like to do quick travels? Traveling and visiting cities quickly is fun at times. I just don't like every trip to happen so fast. Sometimes, it's nice to slow things down a bit.

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Simon Livingston link
1/19/2013 07:35:52 am

Exactly right Brandon. For those that go on a 'gap year', if you don't find yourself in one country for at least 6 months, then you're not doing it right!!

Four recent years have passed now permanently on the road for me and I've done just 7 countries, but I remember on my first backpacking trip of under a year, hitting over a dozen.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:21:03 pm

There comes a time in one's life when slowing things down and enjoying what the country has to offer is more important than how many countries you can visit in a short amount of time. I think I am in this time in regards to my life.

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Diane link
1/19/2013 08:05:06 am

Spot on! I hate it when travellers treat travelling like some sort of contest, basically missing the whole point of travel. :)

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:17:48 pm

Exactly. There are times when visiting cities need to happen quickly. :)

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Eugenia
1/28/2013 08:48:59 pm

A few years ago, my husband an I were in Miami, and decided to make a cruise tour to Bahamas. It was our first (and last) experience in a cruise ship, because everything was so fast that we thougt: we weren't in Bahamas.
P.S: sorry for my bad english :)

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:19:07 pm

You took a cruise to the Bahamas, and didn't even get a chance to see it? That sounds terrible.

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Bennett link
2/14/2013 04:28:13 pm

Slow and steady wins the race, as Aesop used to say...
It's not for everyone but it's just another way people can think about travelling, but you can't stop people just wanting to tick off a list of as many countries as possible.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:22:34 pm

That's right. The story of the tortoise and the hare comes to mind.

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Arlys link
2/18/2013 10:02:08 pm

Slow is the only way to travel. Lived in Europe for a couple of years and hitch hiked my way into the most interesting places off the beaten track. Met the most generous, kindest, gracious people. Every moment spent over 2 years was memorable.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:23:57 pm

Where are you staying now? Are you still living abroad?

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Dan link
3/3/2013 01:23:06 pm

Hi Brandon,Great blog and amazing photographs. I agree with most of what you say about traveling, however, I must disagree about slow travel being the ONLY way to see the world. I contend that HOW one travels is infinitely more important that HOW FAST one travels. I agree with you that opening yourself up, getting off the beaten path and communing with locals is the best way to experience other cultures, but this can be done whether you are in a spot for 2 days or 20 days. You'll probably have more of these experiences if you are traveling fro 20 days, but you can still have these types of quality experiences in a shorter visit. Whenever I travel I always rent apartments instead of hotels regardless of my length of stay - which usually puts me in contact with at least one local. I also focus my time hanging out in local areas where I am more likely to have these experiences instead of checking off "must see" tourist sites from a guide book. I believe you can see pretty much all the “must see" sites of any city in 3 days to a week and have some meaningful experiences with the locals and then move on. Spending a month or more in one spot increases your chances to have more of these meaningful experiences, but doesn’t lessen the ones had in a shorter period of time. That said, I admire your guts and determination to make nomadic travel your way of life. Keep it up and keep the good writing and photography coming!

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:26:30 pm

Thank you! What you are saying is true however, it makes it kind of difficult to experience each place in full if you are only in a spot for 24-48 hours. I like the idea of renting apartments instead of hotels. :)

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Jenna link
3/7/2013 01:28:41 pm

I completely agree although I know for some people who have very little time off from work, they may not see the value in traveling slowly because they want to see more...and that's understandable. When I don't travel slowly, I just feel like it wasn't enough and I have to go back. I have been writing about this very topic recently in a series of posts partly because slow travel is also a hell of a lot better for the destinations, too, and this is more important now that the number of tourists worldwide is increasing fast.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:29:15 pm

It is good to see that we are on the same page. :) Your writing will certainly be a help others.

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Rino
3/8/2013 04:19:04 pm

I am with you on this... I love travelling and like to spend as much time as possible I can in one place.. It's not about quantity.. It's quality.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:30:39 pm

That's right. Quality always trumps quantity. :)

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Jessica J. Hill link
5/8/2013 04:02:40 pm

Well said. There really is no better way to travel. "Allow yourself to become moldable, absorbing every detail, from the culture to the people," is perfect advice. I've been living and traveling around Asia for nearly 18 months and the experiences I've had are completely unrivaled because I traveled slow, and kept my mind open to the wonderful possibilities this world presents.

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:31:52 pm

I love your comment. Allow yourself to be moldable, so true!

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Singapore to Kuala Lumpur link
6/11/2013 06:48:08 pm

Frequently visiting the great info is visible in this website that to using the great info is visible in this blog. Thanks a lot for providing the great info is visible in this blog that to sharing the great technology in this website.

Reply
Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:34:43 pm

Thank you! You are most welcome. I try to post material that will really be beneficial to my readers :)

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kay dougherty link
6/25/2013 03:40:06 am

I prefer slow(er) travel but don't believe there's only one right way for people to experience travel. If time is short and a person chooses fast travel that's their decision and only means they aren't making your decision that they are "losing track of the real reason to travel". People have such different interests, budgets, family and work commitments, etc. that they have to make the travel choices that they feel are best for them. I don't think it has to mean that they're on a senseless sight-seeing frenzy - it's just another way to travel. I've been to some places briefly but knew I would want to go back and then did so and stayed longer. Different strokes for different folks! :)

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:36:37 pm

You are accurate. There are many different things that prevent one from slower type travel.

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Daniel Roy link
6/28/2013 01:50:44 pm

Hey Brandon! Great article! I think you really captured the essence of Slow Travel, and the reasons why it's great. You're especially right about the costs... It irritates me when I see articles in glossy travel magazines that list Slow Travel options that cost a FORTUNE, like traveling slow is only for the rich and idle...

One point where I disagree with you is that Slow Travel is only for those who have time. I actually wrote a blog post discussing this on my blog... So if you'll forgive the cheap plug:

http://www.thewayofslowtravel.com/2013/06/26/quick-and-slow

Happy Trails!

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:38:18 pm

Thank you! I know. Seeing material like that in magazines and on the internet get under my skin. That information is so far from the truth.

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Hotel in London link
12/9/2013 12:27:27 pm

It seems to be a popular consensus nowadays, that travel is all about “how many countries and sites you can visit, as fast as you can.” - this hits me real hard. I really love to travel but so little time so I tend to travel fast and hop into places in short span of time. I am traveling to London this week, will try to enjoy and experience the place as much as I could, not trying to hasten everything. haven't decided which hotel to stay yet. any recommendation if you know will be very much appreciated

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Brandon Elijah Scott link
1/18/2014 11:40:09 pm

How long did you get to stay in London? Do you feel you stayed long enough or would you like to return for a longer stay?

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sam link
7/21/2018 05:26:45 am

<a href="https://youtubeog.com">og youtube</a>

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