How to Choose a Destination for Slow, Intentional Travel

Travelling intentionally has the power to heal, teach, inspire, challenge, and change us. By starting by looking inwards we can better curate travel experiences which complement us as individuals. Travelling intentionally is about finding places which meet us where we are, and which offer us a richer experience than merely ticking off the 'must-see' sights. 

If you are searching for experiences with meaning, here are several ways to help identify the perfect destination for your next trip:

Choose places based on energy, pace, and personal alignment

Like moths to a flame, we are drawn in to viral online videos of the oft-cited 'famous' destinations and bucket-list itineraries.

Take a step back from the highlight reels and think about the feel of a place and whether that matches up with how you want to feel during your travel experience. Do you want to be enveloped in a lazy destination and lose all concept of time, or do you want to be stimulated with adrenaline and discovery?

Travelling intentionally begins by choosing your destination based on how you want to feel and not what you think you 'ought' to see.

Consider seasonality, local rhythms, and cultural calendars

Once you have identified how you want to feel during your trip, start by thinking of any destinations which align with this feeling. Will your destination be able to serve your intentions no matter the time of year that you visit, or will the weather play into your experience? Are there any local events or festivals which would further enhance your experience, or would you rather avoid busier periods?

Why “less obvious” destinations often create the richest experiences

Slow travel thrives in the secret-spaces. In the places which feel like you have found a diamond in the rough. A place that you want to hide away in your pocket and pull it out again on a rainy day to enjoy quietly when no one is looking. By stepping away from the well-trodden path we can often feel experiences in a more authentic way. Experience a place in the way in which it was meant to be felt. Unpolished, and unapologetically itself.

How to avoid the pressure of “must‑see” lists

When considering whether to take in the 'must-see' sights during your trip, think back to your intentions. Ask yourself, 'does it serve me'? Often in life a yes is a yes, and a maybe is a no. Think on the impact it will have on your travel experience, will you be adding too much into your itinerary? How will that make you feel? Travelling slowly means granting yourself the permission to experience your own version of the world, and not the version which the world tells you to see.