Here at Original Travel, we're big believers in the benefits of slow travel. We define this as travelling by modes of transport other than plane or car - such as train, horse, walking, biking, boating and more; or simply taking your time with your travels, whatever form they come in. As well as giving you a chance to appreciate and connect with your surroundings - which you simply can't do when flying or driving - slow travel is better for the environment, meaning you can enjoy your getaways guilt-free. Read on to discover our favourite slow travel destinations…
1. Digital detox in the Grenadines
2. Wellness in Portugal's Douro Valley
3. Explore the tea hills in Sri Lanka
4. Cruise the Nile aboard the Steam Ship Sudan
5. Walking safari in Zambia
6. Experience a liveaboard in Indonesia
7. Laidback life in Australia
Digital Detox in the Grenadines
Live out your castaway fantasies with a week on the island of Petit St Vincent. Where better to truly disconnect from the outside world than on a private island, only accessible by boat? Surrounded by two miles of soft white sand, this tropical haven is the southernmost island in the chain of the Grenadines. Petit St Vincent is renowned for being one of the best private islands in the world, and the idyllic Balinese-style spa is the perfect place to properly unwind. Spend your days swimming and kayaking in the warm Caribbean Sea, cruising around the surrounding islands and indulging in fresh seafood dinners.
Wellness in Portugal's Douro Valley
Next up on our list of favourite slow travel destinations is a pampering stay in a 19th-century quinta (wine estate) in the Douro Valley. This is the perfect spot for balancing wellness with indulgence. Enjoy outdoor yoga sessions, vineyard visits and a private tour of nearby Porto by day, and autumnal feasts and spa treatments come nightfall. The food here is locally sourced and remains true to the region’s heritage, ideal for replenishing your energy levels. At the same time, the spa offers ultimate forms of relaxation, with underwater sound therapy, an indoor pool and an array of treatments.
Image by Gunnar Knechtel/LAIF REA
Explore the tea hills in Sri Lanka
In search of a getaway that offers the perfect balance of adventure and relaxation? Head into Sri Lanka’s lush tea hills for a multi-day walk, staying in lovely local lodges. Take a walk at your own pace, breathing in the fresh air as you stroll through picturesque tea gardens accompanied by birdsong. Private villas are set among miles of lush greenery, and the scenery is enough to instil a deep feeling of peace and quiet. With your luggage transferred between stops, you can unburden yourself and leave all distractions behind as you explore this incredible landscape.
Cruise the Nile aboard the Steam Ship Sudan
Slow travel destinations don’t get more iconic than a Nile cruise aboard the legendary Steam Ship Sudan. Constructed by Thomas Cook in the 1900s, the ship combines an authentic atmosphere with modern comforts. Watch the banks of the Nile drift past as you dine on deck, and explore ancient pyramids and temples on land as you stop off at intriguing archaeological sites, including the Philae Temple, the Pyramids of Giza and Tutankhamun’s tomb. The experience is a journey back in time and you’ll follow in the footsteps of famous novelists (such as Agatha Christie), who have navigated the Nile aboard the steamboat.
Image by boby
Walking safari in Zambia
Forget the concept of a breakneck-paced 'Ferrari safari' on an epic slow travel adventure in Zambia; walking and paddling your way around, spotting incredible wildlife as you go. Whether you go truly wild while tracking big game on walking safaris in South Luangwa National Park or prefer to canoe your way down the Lower Zambezi, you’ll view game and birds from a whole new perspective. Even better, you’ll be guided by passionate experts every step (or paddle stroke) of the way.
Experience a liveaboard in Indonesia
Boats are brilliant, and those that sail between islands in the incredible Indonesian archipelago are even more so – a no-brainer as one of our top slow travel destinations. On a slow travel adventure in Indonesia, you can experience the treasures of multiple islands, including Sumbawa, Komodo, Flores and Alor, and the magical marine world beneath the waves on snorkelling and diving escapades, all while enjoying the sweet, slow pace of life on a liveaboard boat.
Image by Michele Westmorland/Getty Images
Laidback life in Australia
Australia lends itself to the slow-paced way of things. With its laidback, beach-bum persona, you'll quickly adopt the slower pace of life that Oz is known for. For a different outlook on this vast destination (fun fact: Australia is 300 miles wider than the moon), take one of the country's famous long-distance trains or your own two feet to explore one or more of the Great Walks of Australia. Trek your way through Queensland and sink into beach life; watch out for whales as you hike from cape-to-cape near Perth in Western Australia; get wild in Tasmania, where you can reward successful daily hikes with evening meals made with delicious local produce; or combine two wonderfully slow activities in South Australia with easy hikes along the Murray River Walk interspersed with nights aboard a houseboat.
Written by Hannah Whitehall | Header image by Rhiannon Taylor
