The Benefits of Slow Travel: A Better Way to Explore the World

In a world where fast-paced travel and short vacations dominate, there’s a growing movement towards a different approach: slow travel. Military families have made this type of travel mainstream. This method isn’t just about ticking off tourist spots or snapping the perfect Instagram shot. It’s about immersing oneself in a culture, living like a local, and truly understanding the nuances of a new place. Here’s a comprehensive look at the benefits of slow travel and why it might be the best way to explore the world.

Table of Contents

• What is Slow Travel?
• Why Choose Slow Travel?
• How to Make Slow Travel Possible
• The Benefits of Slow Travel
• Our Experience as a Military Family
• Conclusion
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The Benefits of Slow Travel

Slow travel means staying in one place for an extended period, usually at least six months. Unlike traditional tourism or backpacking, it allows for deeper cultural immersion and a more meaningful experience. This approach allows one to form genuine connections, learn the language, and understand local customs.

Why Choose Slow Travel?

Cost-Effectiveness:
Contrary to what one might think, slow travel can be more affordable. Long-term stays often come with discounts. For instance, staying in an Airbnb for a month can be significantly cheaper per night than a week-long stay. Additionally, long-term renting an apartment, as in Kos, Greece, can save a substantial amount compared to short-term rentals in cities like Los Angeles or New York. Remember, you can always join the military, too. Both my kids did it. Now, they are traveling on Uncle Sam’s dime, too.

Deeper Cultural Immersion:
Staying in one place allows travelers to move beyond the tourist facade and engage with the local way of life. From learning how to use local amenities (like the unique pedal-operated sinks in Italy) to understanding cultural nuances, slow travel provides a richer, more authentic experience. For example, it took several minutes to figure out how to flush a toilet in Italy due to a completely new pedal system.

Reduced Stress:
Traveling slowly means less packing, fewer flights, and a more relaxed pace. There’s no rush to see everything in a short time. Instead, there’s time to explore at leisure, visit nearby cities on day trips, and enjoy the simple pleasures of daily life in a new place.

Building a Life Abroad:
One of the most rewarding aspects of slow travel is the opportunity to create a temporary home. This includes making friends, joining local activities, and finding a favorite café. It allows for a more fulfilling and connected experience. For example, when living in Kos, Greece, it was easy to take buses to nearby regions and explore the local culture.

How to Make Slow Travel Possible

Financial Preparation:

Saving money before embarking on slow travel is crucial. Working for a few years, cutting unnecessary expenses, and saving diligently can provide the necessary financial cushion.

Working Abroad:

Finding ways to earn money while traveling is essential. Many slow travelers work online as digital nomads, offering the freedom to move and work from anywhere. Others negotiate remote work agreements with their current employers, allowing them to maintain their job while living abroad.

One of the main benefits of slow travel is the potential for significant cost savings, especially if you can work for an American company and get paid in US dollars. This financial advantage allows you to live more comfortably than locals in many destinations.

You can stretch your budget further by earning in a stronger currency and spending in a country with a lower cost of living. This allows for better housing, dining, and leisure opportunities. For instance, digital nomads often find that their dollar goes much further in countries like Thailand, Mexico, and Portugal compared to the United States​

Visas and Legalities:

Understanding visa requirements and exploring options like student visas, work holiday visas, or even dual citizenship can facilitate long-term stays. Each country has different rules, so thorough research and early application are key. One way to navigate this is by taking advantage of student visas or work holiday visas, which allow extended stays in countries like Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea.

Getting visas as a member of the U.S. military involves several streamlined processes managed by the government. Due to their service status, military members often benefit from expedited or simplified visa applications. The government ensures all necessary documents, such as orders, passports, and proof of military service, are prepared and submitted according to the destination country’s guidelines. Regularly check for updates or changes in visa regulations to avoid last-minute complications.

Creative Living Arrangements:

Military housing abroad provides a unique and supportive living environment for service members and their overseas families. These housing options, managed by the government, often include base housing and off-base accommodations. On-base housing offers a sense of community and convenience, with access to amenities like schools, medical facilities, and recreational centers. Off-base housing, typically secured through government contracts, allows families to experience local culture while benefiting from support services.

The decision to live on or off base often depends on the location, and we have options. In Germany, we lived on base because housing was very expensive. We purchased a house in Virginia and lived in it for four years. However, in South Korea, we chose to live in beautiful high-rise apartments both times.

The Benefits of Slow Travel

Overcoming the Honeymoon Phase:

Living in a place for an extended period helps move beyond the initial excitement and allows travelers to experience the location’s beauty and challenges. This balanced perspective is more genuine and rewarding. For example, the initial thrill of being in a new place might fade, but the deeper understanding and connection to the local community grow over time.

Personal Growth:

Slow travel encourages stepping out of comfort zones, adapting to new environments, and learning new skills. Whether it’s mastering a new language or navigating public transportation, these experiences contribute to personal development.

Authentic Connections:

Spending more time in one place fosters deeper relationships with locals. These connections can lead to unique insights, friendships, and a sense of belonging that short-term tourism rarely provides. For instance, making friends and building a community takes time, but the effort leads to meaningful relationships that enrich the travel experience.

A Broader Perspective:

Living abroad opens eyes to different ways of life and can challenge preconceived notions. It highlights the diversity of human experience and fosters greater empathy and understanding. For instance, spending time in different countries reveals the subtleties and complexities of daily life that short visits often miss.

True Cultural Immersion:

It takes time to get integrated into a new place. Short visits often only scratch the surface, bombarding you with information and not allowing you to adopt the local way of life. Slow travel, however, gives you the time to settle in and truly experience the culture. This method reduces stress, as the pace is slower and more manageable. You don’t have to pack up constantly and can take the time to visit and see whatever interests you. The benefits of slow travel include the ability to live like a local and gain a deeper appreciation for the culture. This leads to creating a life, making friends, and learning more about the local language, food, and culture.

Our Experience as a Military Family

As an obvious foreigner in most places, my lifestyle naturally aligns with the principles of slow travel. As a black female in my 50s, married to Steven, a career officer in the United States military, we usually stay in a new destination for 2-3 years. This allows us to thoroughly immerse ourselves in the home city while offering the flexibility to explore as much or as little as we want. We can easily visit new cities or even countries in the region using affordable transportation options. This lifestyle enriches our cultural experiences and provides a deeper, more meaningful connection to the places we temporarily call home.

Military life hasn’t been my only slow travel experience. My entire life has been one of slow travel. College life was slow, and I have traveled to visit my kids stationed abroad, exploring the country and other countries. I was also privileged to travel to the UK to study at Oxford, which enabled me to travel all around the UK, Wales, Scotland, Italy, and France.

Conclusion

Slow travel isn’t just a way to see the world; it’s a way to live in it. It offers a more meaningful, immersive, and often more affordable way to experience new places. I’ve learned not to chase peace in new places—but to bring it with me instead. By slowing down, embracing local cultures, and finding creative ways to make it work, anyone can enjoy the profound benefits of this travel approach. So, if you’re looking for a more enriching way to explore, consider trying slow travel. It might just change your life.

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