In today’s tourism landscape, where everyone seems simply interested in speeding up, taking photos and consuming “check-lists”, an increasingly fascinating alternative is emerging: slow travel.
What reigns supreme is the desire to let a journey take its time, to stay several days in the same place and immerse yourself in the local culture: this is the philosophy that is winning over the most attentive explorers of the planet. The reason? Reduce travel, lower your environmental footprint and gain in well-being.
Why stop longer in fewer places
Flying from city to city is convenient, but economically and environmentally it is “expensive”. Fewer flights means fewer CO₂ emissions. In particular, the ISPRA report shows that reducing just one flight per year can make a difference on an environmental level. With slow travel, you spend maybe 7-10 nights in one place instead of hopping from A to B to C: no stress from hotel changes, no more early morning airport runs. More time to breathe, discover and relax.
Cultural immersion and community support
The beauty of slow travel is the authentic contact with the locals. Sleeping in a village, choosing a family-run hotel instead of a large chain means distributing resources across the area and supporting the local economy. In Italy, “Albergo Diffuso” type solutions are showing positive trends: a tourism model that focuses on quality rather than quantity.
Furthermore, by staying in the same place for longer, you have the opportunity to get to know the local population, participate in guided activities and “consume” wisely: zero kilometer products, real craftsmanship, markets and shops instead of the usual “souvenirs”.
Smart connectivity: eSIM and slow travel
Staying connected is now essential even for slow tourism, but you don’t necessarily have to rely on dozens of different SIM cards. And here the eSIM comes into the picture, particularly useful for extended stays abroad. If you are planning a trip to Japan, for example, an eSIM for Japan allows you to activate a virtual data profile before departure, without physically changing SIM cards (and saving unnecessary plastic).
This solution facilitates logistics and aligns with the principles of waste reduction. In practice: you activate the eSIM before leaving, you arrive and you are connected for the entire stay. Even if you have to move and change area, you will be able to continue browsing without wasting time.
Good habits for planning a slow trip
Because it’s good for you and the planet
What should be the outcome of slow travel? A journey done less quickly. Fewer flights means reducing your carbon footprint. By spending more time in the same place, you are more likely to have a positive impact on the local social and cultural fabric. Staying connected in a smart way means less waste and more efficiency.
Furthermore, from a personal point of view, slowing down should help you also find a more contemplative dimension: enjoy the moment, read a book, chat with a local person, savor the silence or the calmer rhythm of the daily routine in a different context.
Ultimately, slow travel is a great bet: leaving the “tour de force” to embrace “being present”.
