Are You a Slow Traveler?

[SarahS]

Do you stay in vacation rentals or home exchanges instead of hotels? Do you take the train rather than fly, or walk rather than drive? Do you prefer to sightsee at a leisurely pace rather than race from one major tourist attraction to another?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, you may be a slow traveler! Share your slow travel experiences and questions here.

[LSKahn]

Oh, heck, I have done 33 home exchanges. Now staying for a month in one location is really slow travel. Home exchanges are also very inexpensive. I have home exchanged in the US, Canada and Western Europe. I have my first home exchange in Australia coming up for 2008!

13 of my exchanges have been in Western Europe. I was, by the way widely traveled in Western Europe before starting to exchange.

The main expense for home exchanges is airfare, but, of course, you work that out way ahead of time. You also generally have a few days in hotels driving around. For a month in Austria and Hungary, I spent exactly 4 nights in hotels.

Certainly the cheapest way to travel. You need to be satisfied seeing a small area of wherever you are intensely. Fine with me.

[Host Bonjour]

I definitely do NOT knock myself out, but I do prioritize and I don't sweat it if I don't see everything because I would have already made sure I saw what was most important to me on a particular trip.

I definitely always try to walk, say, in a city center as driving is usually never an option and not all the mass transit is user friendly. The Paris metro for me, is a snap, but it wasn't always. And in Paris, I feel at home. The U/S-Bahn in Munich I really only had to take because our Gasthaus was out in the Bavarian countryside. Can't stand the tube but London is big so prefer to stay above ground and perhaps take a bus. Plus by walking, that's how one stumbles onto the unexpected surprises, small streets and alleys, or a market etc. Or you may have come upon a great monument you weren't aware you were headed for and have your breath taken away! When I'd gotten of the metro to "find" the Eiffel Tower, I kept looking up, thinking I'd just see it. Kind of what we do here in Manhattan for reference. Well, I was wandering around, thinking someone sent me on a wild goose chase and I walked up the stairs of the Trocadero and BAM! There it is and I lose my breath - quite literally, because I wasn't expecting to see it THERE. And I'd been waiting to see it in person forever! Ditto Sydney Opera House etc.

My innkeeper, when I arrived in Sydney, and SO BADLY wanted to go to sleep, she said NO, take a shower and I will map out a walk for you. Turned out to be a glorious walk down through a Victorian section, past the naval yard, into the Royal Botanical Gardens and voila - there are that infamous Harbour Bridge and magnificent Opera House.

In Roma, I had things I wanted to see, and if you ever went back and saw some of my posts, you'd know a particular thing didn't work out so well at the Vatican; so I just moved on to something else. It's a great walking city.

What's even better is when you enter some cities that have pedestrian only zones; usually small but always worth checking out. And I decided with Venice, while I did do the #1 Vaporetto ride to check out the canal by water (kinda made me nuts as it was too full) and did go to St Marks Place, the Dogges Palace and looked out over the sea, I must admit that seeing a plastic sign hanging on the Rialto made me kinda sad and the rest of the Grand Canal had too much of a Disney feel to me; and I say that because I crossed the Lake in Epcot and arrived near the Italy pavillion where there are gondolas and so it seemed the same in Venice. So to get INTO Venice I decided to fade back further and further into the smaller Calle's and explore there, what was more like everyday life and come across interesting shops here and there. Much more interesting and, surprising to the locals when they spoke Italian and I could answer the employee's question that she asked of her boss re: my purcahse. I love it when they don't expect it!!

In Hong Kong, they have a metor but you've got the take the Star Ferry across the harbor from Hong Kong Island to Kowloon. It's cheap but it's a great experience to see both sides of the harbour from the boat - great vistas all around.

I say, plan a few of your *musts* and then let the rest sort of roll out in front of you - be open to suggestions from fellow travelers or locals - you're bound to be sitting next to some of them at a cafe or on the train - and just do something spontaneous or, not too very planned. That's why I always pass along my "get a home cafe" when you're away in Europe (or Tapas Bar or whatever "fits" for where you are in the world) so that the workers will get to know you and then you have "local friends" who will not only give you a better serving of coffee, wine or beer, but local info as well. It's a great connection for the not-to-tied-down traveler who's open to ideas and suggestions. Not EVERYTHING is in the guidebooks!

I love trains - they are so relaxing and oh so "old movie" and give you time to recharge your batteries, and maybe strike up a conversation. Just remember to stock your day bag with food & water in case there isn't a food car on your train. My 7 hours spent on a train from Milano to Ventimiglia en route to Monaco were the hungriest I've ever had until my friendly local Italian businessman turned tour guide from San Remo gave me a raisin bun he'd had in his brief case - think I stuffed in all at once. Again, speaking Italian helped here as he described to me everything we were seeing which was quite a scenic ride. So BRING FOOD on those train rides!!!

I guess I don't like crowds, don't like being pushed and rushed, although sometimes it can't be avoided. And a lot of the time, I don't worry if I missed something because if I love a place then I always figure, I'll be coming back so I'll see it next time 'round. And I know I will There's still time and hopefully the dollar will make a comeback someday! lol

So I say, don't rush or you might end up missing everything - by going to fast to see everything, the end result is a blur, seen maybe through a camera lense, and then again home at pictures but while there, you didn't have time to gaze at things, meander, marvel and ponder over things. Oh what's that? It's the "Drive By Vacation" Not recommended for the folks who like a schedule, but rather the types who just like to go where the wind blows, but with a few scheduled stops along the way

After all, I came to this website more than a decade ago as an *Independent Traveler* looking for help planning my Aussie/NZ trip, seeing as it was such a huge trip to undertake. Here I came for help and here I stayed to help. And I've been *Independent Traveling* both ways, ever since Loving every minute of it Wouldn't want it any other way.

[edsml]

I have always been a slow traveler, for example, my first visit to Italy I rented an apartment in Firenze for one month and studied Italian every day before traveling around the country. I had the luxury of time on that trip, but even with just one week, I once rented a car in France and only drove the coast of Normandy.

But I had to write because I couldn't believe you missed one of the best modes of slow travel-- sailboats! It is now my favorite method of travel. You combine your transportation and lodging. Not only is it economical and ecological (what could be better than wind power?), but it's also historical-- this is the way people traveled for centuries and coastlines are where they settled. Say you wanted to visit the Amalfi coast. Surely you would visit Capri, but taking the ferry means you have to leave the island by 5:30 p.m. or take your bags and book a hotel (and have you ever tried to park a car in Positano? I even had trouble with a motorino!). On a sailboat, you just drop anchor for a couple of days.

I take six or seven people with me twice a year; my next trip is Greece this June. You can see pictures of my trips at sailingtrips.googlepages.

edsml

[LSKahn]

If you ever have room for volunteer crew for some of your slow sails, I am sure there be a long line of volunteers!

[edsml]

Well actually, I usually do. I have a group of friends that I invite, but they can't all make every trip. Also, on my very first trip some 12 years ago, I didn't know the others, yet I'm still friends with most of them. I've found that the type of people who are interested in this type of adventure travel are the type of people I want to have along. For example, you figured it out-- you mentioned "volunteer crew", which is exactly right-- we do it ourselves, not just to save money, but to be part of the adventure. I'll put an option on my website to be part of me e-mail list. Thanks,

Edsml

[janicejan]

There are times when I prefer to travel through trains, specially when I'm with my friends, because there are a lot of enjoyable sights to see, it is like a historical ride where in you can view lots mesmerizing scenes, like great canyons, the fresh breeze of outside air, also me and my friends or family members prefer to rent a house because its far more cheaper than hotel accommodations.

[RichardNika]

We rarely have the opportunity to "slow-travel" but there have been two such interludes within the last few years. In Sept. '06 one of my daughters and I stayed a week in a "casa particular," a rented room-and-bath in a private apartment in Old Havana, right where the Prado and Malecon meet. We visited a couple of beaches but mainly just wandered around the city, looking at stuff and talking to people, soaking it all in. I wrote about the experience here, I think under the title "A Week in Havana."

In July 2010 my wife and I went to southern Patagonia to see the solar eclipse. Afterwards, we spent a full week in a sweet little hotel in Buenos Aires' Palermo district. The week was supposed to have been broken up by a two-night one-day trip to Iguazu Falls, but the bus drivers went on strike. So, we spent a week in one place, got to know the neighborhood streets and shops really well, and found a great little restaurant. We did a lot of sightseeing - by foot, bus, subway and even a same-day boat trip to Colonia, Uruguay - but always left from and came back to the same place and the same nice folks who ran and worked the place. I'll be sending in a trip report on that one soon.

As I write this I'm spending six days visiting cousins in California's wine country (Rohnert Park and Cotati) The weather is glorious and I'm taking lots of long walks. This is, indeed, the way to travel, if you can take the time to do it.

[jocap]

Richard, that sounds wonderful!
The slowest we go is on a narrow boat on the canal system....you only go at 4mph, so it's the lazy way to travel.....every lunch and evening is a pub stop....a walk along the bank now and then, a game with the dog.....Or cook up something easy in the boat. It can take a week to go not a great distance in peace and quiet....then the pick-up car has you back at base in an hour, and you shake your head at the pace of life!
Jo.

[LSKahn]

Oh, heck, I just did slow travel again: I did a one week home exchange in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I don't always go to the other side of the world. We spent 3 days at a place called Brookgreen Gardens. I had never heard of it and spent almost half of my time there. Now that is really sloooow travel. Of course, we did a madcap very long day trip to Charleston as well. Traffic from Myrtle Beach to Charleston is very slow due to all the traffic lights!. My next slow trip will be Istanbul in August 2011. There is even another tenative slow trip home exchange in 2012, but nothing is firm yet.

[RichardNika]

Istanbul sounds good! We were there in '06 but had only 3 days there. At least a week will allow time to not just sightsee, but to walk both sides of the city, explore the markets, take the public boats up the Bosphorus and explore a village or two, and develop techniques of shooing away the carpet peddlers. If you have time for a major side trip, make it Cappadocia.

My wife's going back to Turkey with a friend in May, and I'm thinking of a slow visit to Liverpool, where I have a friend I can stay with. I'd stop in London each way and catch a train to avoid a costly London hotel stay. Then there's an old classmate with an olive farm in the south of France....

[sanntick]

I am not a slow traveler. I travel at a very fast pace, and love going through per destination in a day. Also I love traveling between two destination at night time if the journey is a long one. This saves a day, and I can sleep in the bus, car, flight or train whatever.

[LSKahn]

Actually my next home exchange will be in Ottawa, Canada, before I go to Turkey. Insofar as sanntick is concerned, no thanks. A destination a day? You go home totally exhausted and need another vacation to recover.

[Host Bonjour]

Over the course of many, many years of working on these message boards, I have found that people travel in all sorts of different ways because the truth is, one size or SPEED fits all. A lot of folks like to be quick moving because maybe they don't get a lot of time off work, or maybe all they could afford was one week of travel and not more. In that case, I'd be running around too and if packed light, see as much as I could see depending upon my circumstances. It may not be for everyone, but then again, everyone has all sorts of different factors when planning a trip and making choices.

For me, going to Disney World is what requires a vacation because one is constantly running around (yes, even as an adult - it's DISNEY!) and it becomes exhausting. I nearly fainted on one trip. Solution? Booking a hotel you can get to by monorail or boat. Then you can go back to the room for a little recharge and let the fun resume. And my last time coming back from Disney? Our flight home got in late and I started full time CPA review classes the next morning. Exhausted but all worth it. I ran all around Europe on another time, visited many countries, came home and went to work the next day. Again, EXHAUSTED, but sooo worth it.
Other trips, I have gone slow. Things were different, places I visited were different and I was able to slow down a bit. There's always the inevitable jet lag, and I've crossed date lines - really weird when all that flying is done!

But is the traveling worth it all! Yes, Yes, Yes.................anyway you can get it - do it! So if you want to go fast, go fast - it could be a great, fun ride. The only time I suggest changes is when anyone posts an itinerary, their time line and wants feedback on their schedule. If not asked, I say - go for it!

[LSKahn]

Ah, Disney. You pay all that money to stand in line (although the lines are shorter with the advance reservations). If I never go again, it will be too soon.

Different strokes for different folks is right.

[jocap]

If I ever return to the Caribbean....and that's a big "IF", I'm afraid....I'll fly out, which takes around 10 hours....then I'll cruise SLOWLY all the way back.....and take around 5 or 6 days doing it.
Jo.

[francisco]

slow is my way to go.edsml has it right ....just drop anchor

[travellover22]

I always try to be a slow traveler! When possible I stay in home shares and condo/house rentals to maximize my stay and prefer ground transportation to see more of the country or area as opposed to a quick flight. In Bali, I took the local bus system around the whole island and it was great! Met some really interesting people along the way and stayed with some very kind and generous families!

If anyone ever has the time to travel at a slower pace to take in more of the culture and surrounding area I highly recommend it!

[RichardNika]

I spent 3 days in Bali in '83, in Ubud. I'll never forget it. By a most fortuitous coincidence, those 3 days (I had not known this in advance) coincided with the 3 days and nights of their annual temple festival. I had free 4 hour performances every night. Hope to return some day!