It’s how you travel that makes the difference, not where. You can have a slow and relaxing holiday anywhere, if you have the right mind-set. You may associate a particular destination with a hectic pace, but there is always a way to escape the busy city streets. If you find it difficult to switch off and adapt a slower pace than those around you, try seeking out the calmest places in the city and avoiding major tourist sights.
It’s all too easy to get sucked into the mentality of rushing around and ticking off everything in the guidebook if you are surrounded by people doing just that. Instead, seek out parks, gardens, beaches or forests within the city limits. Once you are surrounded by nature, rather than concrete, you’ll find it easier to slow down. This is a great option for your first day in a city, if you’re looking to set the pace for the rest of your trip. Hire a bike and seek out a place that makes you feel calm, allowing yourself to feel content with the journey itself, or the time to relax when you arrive.
An important decision before you even leave home is to decide where to stay. To make it easier to take your trip at a slower pace, opt for self-catered accommodation and choose a location out of the city centre, in a residential neighbourhood. If you feel more at home and less on holiday, you’ll find it easier to adopt a slower pace to your travels. You can visit independent cafes, bars and restaurants where the locals hang out, perhaps even chatting to people to get to know the city from the point of view of someone who lives there.
Remember, ‘quality over quantity’ is the mantra of a slow traveller.