What exactly does Slow Travel mean? Well, Slow Travel is the complete opposite of mass tourism,
Mass tourism refers to the movement of a large number of organized tourists to popular holiday destinations for recreational purposes. It is characterized by the use of inexpensive package products and mass consumption of which has proven to be increasingly devastating to some of the world’s most popular travel destinations.

For example, in Florence, I see massive numbers come in on tour buses either on special tours or from cruise ships. They clog up the narrow streets (I can’t get my bike through!), they leave trash, they only buy souvenirs that aren’t even made in Italy and don’t even stay long enough to appreciate how magnificent Florence is! They are just passing through to check something off their bucket list.

On the opposite side is slow travel. Small groups, smaller itineraries, more local experiences.

Shopping for local fabrics in Stone Town, Zanzibar

Aren’t most of us looking for real experiences and interaction with locals anyway?

For my safari adventures in Africa, it is all about transporting yourself from one destination to the next with little or no concern for the amount of time it takes to get to the next location. It’s about enjoying the journey itself as much as the destination!

Magical Picnic in Serengeti, Tanzania on our retreat

It’s time to change our mindsets away from the notion of only seeing popular Instagram spots, but instead looking at travel as a meaningful way to immerse yourself into life changing experiences.

Travel is so important for understanding the culture, history, food, language and people of a certain place.
With mass tourism, all one does is spend time with the others they are traveling with. There is not interaction with locals. Not walks off the beaten path to visit an artisan or even have a coffee on a side street, frequented by residents.

When you go slowly, you’re much more likely to have an experience that’s worth remembering!

I hope you will consider a Slow Travel / Small Group Escape for your next travel experience. And hopefully with SOLE!

Journal

Let's Practice Slow Travel!