Our Newly Preferred Vacation: Slow Travel
After your vacation do you need another vacation?
For such a long time, we believed a “good” holiday meant seeing and doing as much as possible. Seeing as many cities and countries, early and multiple alarm clocks (no snooze button happening), jam packed itineraries, always on the go, zero rest days and never being mindful to take slow days.
But after a transition from in-office work & the classroom (Julia is a teacher), daily commutes being Cape Town are awful, logging bathroom breaks, managers from hell, our bodies began telling us that we needed something different.
With the stress of work, topped with life stresses and health issues, we knew we needed change. We didn’t just need time off from work and a solid vacation, our nervous system needed complete healing.
We know we aren’t the only ones who feel like you need a vacation after your vacation because your vacation very much vacationed?
This is when we learnt more about slow travel and what it entails. It has completely changed our travel style and how we perceive traveling.
What Is Slow Travel and How Can You Do it Too
Anyone can do slow travel. If you have the time and make the time. Slow travel is about diving deeper into a destination over a brief trip. It’s choosing presence and taking in each moment, instead of how “productive” our vacation can be. Real connections with the locals, instead of sticking to yourself.
Rather than rushing through destinations, slow travel is all about:
- Spending more time at one destination
- Planning your daily routine based on your lifestyle
- Being around the local people and building connections with them
- Prioritising down time
- Preparing home cooked meals and fueling your body with real foods
- Days for spontaneity (our favourite)
Slow travel is a form of mindful travel that supports your mental and physical wellbeing, not just your bucket list.
As some of you may know, we’re not the type of travellers to be in a city for a day and hop to the next. To see one city’s highlights in one day, sounds scary to us. We love being surrounded by the locals, interacting with them, getting to hear their stories and over time, building connections that last once you have returned back home.
Sidenote story:
On a recent trip to Bali, we had a big earthquake which was VERY scary. It was completely unexpected and the whole house shook. We called our mom in panic all the way back in South Africa, but she didn’t answer. Our lovely neighbour next door to our accommodation immediately messaged us to ask if we were okay!
Due to our eating plan, we try to stick to our daily goals and make sure to eat enough protein daily. Every few days, we would go next door to her “snoepie” to stock up on our egg supply and really got to know her a little better each time.
We would use Google translate to ask her questions and she’d type answers back. Anyways, long story short – due to having a “neighbourly” relationship with her, and her calming instructions over Whatsapp on what to do during an earthquake, knowing she was looking out for us, made us feel so much more at ease!
How Can You Slow Travel?
Having worked in-office and in the classroom for many years, we understand that not everyone has the opportunity to work remotely and most people have time restraints on how long they can be out of the country for.
For those who follow us on Instagram (@offtwowander), know that we highly advocate for the remote working life – your holidays can be extended, alternate work days with family days and you too can calm your nervous system with slow travel.
Finding an employer that allows you to live the lifestyle that you want to, is the goal! If you are not in this position and want to be, we highly recommend putting your feelers out there for fully remote positions. There are plenty of companies going this route and hiring employees from all over the world.
Just a reminder – we’ve both had in-office roles and after spending time thinking about what we really wanted, when the timing was right, we pivoted careers and now both work fully remote.
You can make the change if you want to – have a look at these hiring sites to find remote roles:
- Workable
- We Work Remotely
- LinkedIn (message the HR manager here)
Slow travel has become the most powerful type of wellness travel.
Staying Connected While Slow Travel
We have you covered!
Don’t worry about connecting to unknown wifi and dealing with slow connection. We use Airalo eSIM to stay connected while travelling, as it is super easy to install and covers so many destinations.
If you have any travel plans, make sure to get your eSIM and use our discount code for $3.00 USD off your first purchase when you use our discount code “OFFTWO7499”.
Keeping you connected with your loved ones where ever you are travelling in the world.
Fast Travel Started To Feel Overwhelming Rather Than Exciting
We used to travel the same way we worked, intensely. Our early careers were driven, ambitious, and very high pressure. Holidays became another thing to “achieve.” But after years of chronic stress, our nervous systems were so dysregulated. We didn’t realise it at the time, we just knew we felt exhausted.
Always dreaming of vacation time at the end of the year for a mere two weeks…
4 Reasons Why Fast-Paced Travel Stopped Working for Us
- Heightened anxiety in busy cities
- Trouble sleeping in constantly changing accommodation
- Decision fatigue from packed itineraries
- Coming back home more exhausted
For those who have had burnout or a life trauma, high stimulation travel isn’t always good for you, it can keep your body in fight or flight mode and always on high alert. We realised we didn’t need more adrenaline, we needed calm.
We have family overseas, so we understand that not all holidays can be slow, as you have to babysit, bond, sightsee and make use of the time that you’re in the country, because time = money, especially if you’re working with Rands…
For those feeling adventurous and have more time to explore South Africa and Africa, get some inspiration from our blogs below.
Perhaps considering a 5 day trip to the Victoria Falls, or a trip up South Africa’s West Coast to Langebaan? I am sure you have heard of Churchhaven and Kraal Baai, two spectacular beaches inside the West Coast National Park. For those who are time restricted, you can base yourself in Langebaan and do day trips from there.
How Slow Travel Helps With Nervous System Regulation
When your nervous system has experienced prolonged stress or trauma over some time, it really craves predictability and safety.
Slow travel naturally creates exactly this. I mean, a white sandy beach, with crystal clear swimmable water – calm mode immediately activated.
Currently envisioning myself in the calm blue ocean waters in Mauritius….
Building Safety with Familiarity
Stop the clenching of the jaw, tense shoulders, and high alert mode. Staying in one location for longer allows your brain and entire body to relax.
Relax mode on: you learn the streets, recognise the coffee barista (they even know your coffee order), you know your transport method and the bus to look out for, the grocery store is mapped in your mind and you can already envision the route.
Your body stops scanning for threat and the repetition becomes regulating.
Daily Routines to Lower Your Stress Levels
Fresh morning walks, the exact same breakfast and coffee spot (Bonzer cafe in Bali for us), sunrise and sunset swims really did it for us! We started our day feeling super fresh and ready to tackle anything.
We found ourselves walking more steps before breakfast while on holiday, than we do back home – winning!
Surround Yourself in Nature to Support Healing
Many of our slow travel destinations involve the outdoors – being in nature, coastal towns, surrounded by mountains and countryside vacations.
Spending time in nature is so good to bring down your cortisol levels, lower blood pressure and a mood booster. Having PCOS and the symptoms that come with it, we need more of this! For us on any beach vacation, daily sea swims or long walks are non-negotiable nervous system medicine.
Less Frequent Movement is Best For Solid Sleep
Fewer transport days mean fewer disruptions. Being able to get that deep sleep will help your body go into repair mode. And when you are in repair mode, you return home truly restored.
We really struggle with our sleep, even in our usual non holiday routines, so we pay special attention to make sure our sleep is prioritized (single beds separated 😅Iykyk, sleep machines, aircon or fan, night time routine of breathwork, dimmed lights and minimal talking).
These are our 4 items that we very much needed to sleep better while vacationing in Bali.
If you are planning on travelling to Bali, we suggest you read about our sleep (or lack of)experience and find more information on our Bali blog posts on our website.
How Slow Travel Changed Our Vacation Experience
Slow travel feels immensely different and soul refreshing. As our return flight date approached, we felt ready and okay knowing that we were coming back home soon.
Ways Slow Travel Made Us Feel Once We Returned Home
- Rested
- Clear-minded
- Emotionally grounded
- Physically well and healthy
- Happy and proud to have stuck to our eating plan while travelling
- Content & grateful about life vs the lives you come across on holiday
Instead of Chasing Experiences, We’ve Learnt To Absorb It All
Having stayed in one small coastal town for the entire month, and an island for 2 weeks, splitting the accommodations by 2 villas. No country hopping. No strict sightseeing agenda.
We swam every morning. Cooked simple meals. Journaled. Walked without any end destination in mind. There was space, and in that space, our nervous systems softened.
We reference Bali a lot in this blog post, main reasons being, it was our first proper slow travel experience, and the moment we realised that slow travel suits us and is what we want from any of our travels going forward.
Bali has definitely become one our most meaningful trips that we have taken to date, precisely because we took our time and were intentional with our movements.
Find out more about us
Read more about our travel stories and the reason behind why we started our travel blog.
What To Keep In Mind When Planning Your Next Slow Travel Vacation
Slow travel doesn’t only mean overseas. It can be a local trip up the west coast too! If you are 3 months into the year and feeling all sorts of burnt out, exhaustion and anxiety, listen to your body. Get some rest.
5 Slow Travel Tips To Help Plan Your Next Vacation:
1. Pick Your Base
Resist the urge to see everything.
Once you have decided on the base and settled in, you can then focus on what you would like to see over your travel days.
If you are up for a little adventure to the next little town, then do just that.
2. Stay a Couple of Nights
Depending on the distance, you need time to recover from driving so many hours (sitting behind trucks). Factor in the travelling time when deciding on your amount of nights away.
The magic often begins once your body realises it doesn’t have to pack again tomorrow.
PS: a few nights at the 12 Apostles Hotel & Spa in Cape Town sounds pretty ideal at this point…
3. Book Accommodation That Works For You
Being surrounded by natural lighting, plenty of space and sounds of the birds chirping in the distance. Your environment matters. Have no “skaam” to message the property to double check the arrangements. Always message the host to make sure that you are heard.
If you are like us, who prefers self catering to cook our own home cooked meals, make sure to confirm with the host about the facilities prior to making the booking.
4. Work Around Simple Rituals
Plan your days with simple, repeatable habits, such as morning walks, journaling, pitstop at your favorite coffee shop and local market visits.
5. Leave Open Days
Don’t schedule every day. Leave open days to decide spontaneously what you FEEL like doing.
Take the days as they come and another thing – the weather in Cape Town is unpredictable so sometimes it’s better to wing it!
With Lauren previously working in the tourism industry, she pretty much nails our itineraries. We break up activity days with rest days and half day activities. Absolutely no way we will be able to do full day activities the whole trip.
For those travelling to Cape Town soon, we have created a 14 Day Cape Town Itinerary that we think is perfectly spaced out with down time, as well as must do and see activities and adventures in Cape Town.
If this is you too, let your nervous system guide your itinerary like we do.
Making Slow Travel Intentional
We used to associate slowing down with wasting time, now we see it as clarity and improving ourselves. Becoming the better versions of ourselves and learning from each and every experience. There are always takeaways from any scenario.
Slow travel isn’t about doing nothing or being lazy it is more about doing what works for you and supports your long-term wellbeing.
For those recovering from work burnout, anxiety, or trauma, this style of travel can be healing in many ways.
If you aren’t able to travel anytime soon, there are other ways to heal from whatever you are going through. We highly recommend going outside your comfort zone by doing sound baths / yoga / pilates / breathwork. Something completely different! Your mind usually goes to the place that other people are going to judge you if you don’t know how to do a pose etc – this is absolutely the opposite!
Everyone starts somewhere, so be kind to yourself and let your body go with the flow! You’ll end up (hopefully) wanting to go back or start this form of exercise when you return home 🙂
Slow travel allows us to return home better than we left and that’s why it’s now our newly preferred vacation. Let’s get saving for our next slow travel vacation!
Translations:
We have used two South African slang words in this article, so here is some English meaning for them.
1.) Skaam: primarily meaning to be shy, embarrassed or ashamed of something.
2.) Snoepie: a corner shop, canteen, candy store or small shop
Do you prefer slow travel like us? In the comment section below, tell us where you are off two next for your slow travel!
FAQ
What is slow travel?
Slow travel is a travel style that focuses on spending more time in one destination rather than rushing between multiple places. It encourages meaningful experiences, building connections with locals, enjoying everyday routines, and prioritising rest and wellbeing over ticking off attractions.
Can you still slow travel if you only have a short holiday?
Yes, slow travel can still work on shorter trips. Instead of visiting multiple destinations, choose one location and explore it at a relaxed pace. Focus on local experiences, nature, and downtime rather than filling every hour with activities.
Why is slow travel becoming more popular?
Many travellers are experiencing burnout from busy work schedules and fast-paced holidays. Slow travel allows people to relax, regulate their nervous system, and enjoy deeper cultural experiences, making travel feel more restorative rather than exhausting.
Is slow travel only for remote workers or digital nomads?
Not at all. While remote workers may find it easier to travel for longer periods, anyone can practice slow travel. Even a weekend getaway can follow slow travel principles by prioritising rest, nature, and meaningful experiences.
Is slow travel more affordable than traditional travel?
It really differs from person to person. Slow travel can often be more affordable because staying longer in one destination reduces transportation costs and allows travellers to cook meals, find local markets, and book longer-term accommodation discounts instead of constantly moving between cities.
What are the benefits of slow travel for mental health?
Slow travel can help reduce stress, improve sleep, and create a sense of calm by removing the pressure of constant movement. Staying in one place longer allows your nervous system to relax, establish routines, and fully enjoy your surroundings.
off two wander
Lauren and Julia are twin sisters from Cape Town, South Africa, sharing their travel adventures & showcasing what South Africa and other countries have to offer. They are passionate about travel, wildlife, conservation, being surrounded by nature & holistic well-being. They are both currently working fully remotely - Lauren is a travel guru - her previous industry, before moving over to digital marketing. Julia is a qualified teacher and is currently working for a digital agency too! Lauren does the travel logistics and web development, where Julia does the travel blogging & finances (if it wasn’t for Julia, Lauren would be on holiday all the time). Their travel blog covers anything from travel tips, guides & to do’s, wine farm spots & them visiting their favourite coffee shops (they are both creatures of habit, so you’ll find them obsessing over the good coffee cafes).
