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Slow Travel Planning – How to Design Your Trip

• November 2, 2021

There are not a lot of things that I think I’m really good at. I can’t think of much, even as I’m saying it, but there are two things that I am confident about:

• I know how to plan a slow trip, and
• I know a lot about Bulgaria

(The second thing is neither here nor there, it’s just something I know.)

Adulting, having my life together, being tidy, all not things I’m good at, but this…

I’ve got this.

Okay, so I should actually say we , because my darling husband likes things even slower than I do. If it was up to him there would be a minimum of one nap every day, but there isn’t.

So rest easy if you hate napping, (me too) or if you like it, because there will be time to both nap and explore!

What should a slow trip be like?

A slow travel plan should be a loose DIY guide to having meaningful experiences on your trip.

Think of it as a minimalist blueprint for your slow travels.

If you are wondering more about the basics of slow travel (what does it mean? etc.) take a look at this guide.

Throughout this post I am going to act as though your itinerary is a piece of paper, but it’s not necessary.

If you have a good memory you may not need to write anything down, or maybe you prefer to use an app.

Anything goes!

Further down, I will add an actual document, if you prefer to be more specific in your plans.

How to Design Your Slow Travel Itinerary

I will assume at this point that you already have flights booked and are operating with somewhat of a schedule.

If you don’t, consider allowing flight deals to choose a location for you. I usually try to choose flights and then plan a trip because it saves the most money and is the most spontaneous.

(Here are my best tips to finding a great deal on flights.)

Make Time for Your Big Plans

Slow travel is all about finding authentic and meaningful travel experiences instead of checking a bunch of boxes on your list, but that doesn’t mean you don’t have a list at all! 

When you add a location to your dream travel list, whether mentally or physically, there will be reasons that it sparked your interest.

So, what are those reasons? Ask yourself, “Why did I choose this destination originally?” 

Jot down your must-sees and if they aren’t all in the same city, make a note of where they are.

Next, if your main attractions are things that have opening hours, like a museum or castle, check online for the opening hours.

Make sure you do this , because sometimes things will be closed on random days.

We have been disappointed more than once by not checking, and then finding out we left something to the end of our trip that was actually closed on a Tuesday! 

I tend to front load our vacations now , with the things that we really want to see. Not that we cram them in, but I always leave empty days towards the end of the trip.

This way we can either relax even more, or we have some insurance time if something doesn’t work out when we planned.

Highly recommend, because this will also allow you to bump an activity to later if you stumble on something else you want to do.

It’s always a good idea to have that contingency plan, because in less structured parts of the world, things can definitely be closed without notice.

This is also how I handle any fast travel portions of our itinerary.

Not to be hypocritical, but sometimes checking boxes is the most efficient and pleasant way to see things if they are either: Extremely expensive , or extremely crowded .

I would never plan a whole trip that way, but for short stays in very touristy cities, it can make sense.

For example, we put Venice at the beginning of our last trip so that we could relax more in the second part.

Next, check for anything that needs to be booked in advance, because those will be the only hard plans in your itinerary.

Now that you have all of these firm plans down, let’s make our “schedule” more enriching!

Follow Your Interests

Take some time to consider your passions and interests. Now choose a few things that you like to do anywhere .

What is “your thing?”

I am really into architecture and street art. No matter where I’m going, I will enjoy seeing both of those things.

So it makes sense to look into a self-guided street art walk, or searching for the most interesting buildings in the area.

If you like rock-climbing, or wine-tasting, see how you can work those into your itinerary.

Find Some Off-beat Ideas

Be open-minded to new experiences and search in Reddit for ideas.

You can search both the r/Travel sub, and the country specific subreddit for your destinations.

After you search in the travel sub, pose the question, “what is the most unique or authentic thing you did in ______.”

In the local forum ask for some local hangouts, quiet restaurants, or for the sights, activities, and areas that tourists overlook.

You could also do a search in r/digitalnomads (a group for people who work abroad) to see if anyone has mentioned cool experiences at your destination.

If there are a lot of results for the location you are searching “hidden gems” is a great search term to narrow things down.

Pinterest 

I used to despise Pinterest, I just didn’t get the point.

It also used to be that every single pin was either broken, or linked to spam.

I am happy to tell you that is no longer the case , and if you give Pinterest a chance, you may find something new!

Pinterest is now super popular with bloggers, and fresh content is constantly being added.

This means that bloggers are going further off the beaten path and creating pins from their experiences.

Browsing won’t be very productive, but their search function is actually really good , and the more specific you are, the better.

Search “hidden gems Barcelona” or “Hot Springs in the Rocky Mountains” and you WILL find some great results.

I have only recently been using YouTube to feed my travel itch, but if you know how to search you can actually find some great quiet spots.

Be specific and open in your search terms at the same time, for example, search “ village ( country )” and see what comes up.

(Specific being “village” but open because I won’t dictate a region or anything else about the village.)

You could also search “ abandoned ( country )” or whatever else you think would float your boat.

“ Secret ” is also another great search term, “secret beach Portugal ” “secret lake Slovenia” “secret Barcelona.”

You may be surprised at what you find!

Bonus : You get to watch a fun travel vlog to get you pumped for your trip!

I think this works so well because the information isn’t written down anywhere, it’s just in the video, so you will find different results than you would by performing a Google search.

Now that you have some great ideas, add them to your plan!

Be flexible.

Now what we aren’t going to do, is schedule all of these ideas.

We are going to resist the urge to plan everything and instead, take a “choose your own adventure” approach to each day.

• Our original list of must-haves
• Our list of ideas
• We know where everything is

That’s almost everything we need to know to have a great trip!

I say almost because it is also a good idea to…

Figure Out Transportation

Without a doubt, researching transportation is my least favourite part of trip planning (slow or otherwise.)

I would love to figure it out when we get there, and I have tried to do that before, but there are a few problems with this strategy:

• Wifi can be less than reliable at your destination
• Information may be difficult to find and you waste valuable holiday time
• You may find out there is NO public transport to one or more of the item’s on your travel plan, and you will have to scramble to figure out an alternative like hiring a guide or renting a car

We have dealt with all of the above , and it is information better covered in the comfort of your home when you have lots of time to figure it out.

Central and Nearby Transportation

In many cases you can quickly find out that there are easy public transport links by metro or bus and that will cover most of your movements.

(If you can’t walk, that is.)

For the sights and activities that are in the centre , you don’t really need to worry about it. You can cover it on foot, or worst-case scenario : hire a cab. 

For transport to rural activities or ones further from the centre , Google maps has pretty good public transportation directions, so check those first and it may be easily sorted.

Transportation Between Cities

To move between cities, Rome2Rio is a great website and app that will tell you how to get anywhere !

Use it to check schedules and make notes of the transit companies you will need to book through.

No need to actually reserve anything yet, or put it on your itinerary, unless there are few times available. 

When There Are No Options

Finally, if you can’t find transportation on any of these tools, search and/or ask in Trip Advisor forums.

As a last resort, see if you can book a tour , either private or small group.

I have had good luck finding facebook pages for small, locally owned tour companies.

If you don’t like the tour options and you are comfortable driving, then look into car rentals, which you may want to book in advance.

Choosing Accommodation 

To book or not to book.

In an ideal slow travel plan, you wouldn’t need to book any accommodation for your trip ahead of time, besides the initial day or two. 

If you are travelling:

• In the off season, 
• To a place that isn’t very touristy,  and  
• You don’t plan to stay in one city the whole time

Then that is the trifecta! I would say feel free to leave your accommodation open.  

• Are going to a busy place at a busy time (or either really)
• Want the same accommodation for the whole trip , or
• You just aren’t comfortable booking as you go

Then book ahead. 

Also, make sure that your destination is truly not touristy, and not that it isn’t touristy as far as you know.  

When we went to Montenegro for the first time, we knew nobody else who had ever been, so we thought that it would be fine in summer without booking ahead.

People from North America may not go there often, but the regional tourism scene is bumping and we drove around for HOURS not being able to get a room!

Not an experience I would care to repeat , and in summer I would always book ahead.

Choosing Your Ideal Accommodation

Although budget ranks high on the list of priorities when we choose accommodation, we are also trying to enjoy every part of the journey and take everything in.

Therefore, it should be a balance between the budget and the wishlist.  

When you think about your upcoming trip, you probably have a picture in your mind:

Something with a view?

A Soviet apartment block?

A place near the beach? 

Try not to compromise too much on your vision, because where you stay does have an impact on how you feel about a location.

If you are visiting a destination where everything you want to see is in the old town, and you picture yourself strolling through the cobbled streets every morning:

Don’t book a modern hostel in the suburbs just because it’s cheaper. 

In some really expensive cities, the center may not be in the budget, but get as close as you can if that’s where you want to be.

Alternatively, do some research and find a similar charming neighbourhood.

You will LOVE being able to enjoy the aesthetic out of your apartment window on a quiet evening (or a jet-lagged early morning!)

It’s worth remembering that while accommodation in the best locations will be more expensive, you will also save time and money , by getting around on foot.

(As well as be a little greener!)

Especially when you are travelling with kids, simple is always better.

Whether you want to be in the city center or not, do make sure that your location is walkable to as many things on your list as possible.

(Or at least good transit links.)

It may seem a little wasteful, but if you are travelling somewhere affordable, consider booking an apartment or room for your whole trip , and then plan a day or two away once you are there.

This way all of your plans can be flexible , but you have a place to stay if you change your mind or can’t get last minute accommodation.

For a longer trip especially, (a month or more) sometimes this works best.

An added bonus to having a “home base,” is that you can leave some of your extra luggage and move around lighter (if you haven’t packed extremely light to begin with!)

We almost never take tours, it’s just not our thing and we prefer to explore on our own.

There are exceptions of course!

You may need a tour to gain access to an area off limits to the public.

An extreme example being something like Chernobyl, but it could be that you want additional access to a popular attraction.

Sometimes tours will get you into more areas of a castle or museum.

Consider taking a tour if you want to visit an extremely busy attraction :

You may be able to get access while it is closed, or skip the line.

If we were to ever go back to Versailles, it would definitely be worth the money for a tour to jump the hours long queue!  

It’s worth performing a quick search to see if there is anything unique that you can do on a tour.

I recently discovered Sofia Retro Tours , and they offer Soviet tours in a retro car. They even offer a 24 hour tour to a village where you can stay overnight and learn to cook Bulgarian foods!

Maybe tours aren’t always the contrived claustrophobic experience that I picture!

Unless you need to, don’t pre-book your tours.

If you are concerned about availability, just reach out and ask how soon you need to book in advance.

It is usually more expensive to book from home before you go, and you will not be aware of all the options that you would have in person.

It’s always a good idea to wait and ask at your accommodation when you arrive about the best way to do or see a particular thing. 

Ideally, see what tours are free or by donation, and on a “show up” basis.

A lot of cities have a free walking tour of the city center, and you may find other options of interest.

I will always take a “show up” tour over a booked tour, it’s just so convenient!

Whenever possible choose a small group tour, and try to keep to a few hours.

Skip the massive full-day bus experiences.

Tours in a bus are annoying because not only do they guarantee that the sights are crowded (hello, we ARE the crowd) but you are at the mercy of whatever attitude your fellow bus people have.

I once took a HIGHLY unpleasant day tour from Albufeira to Gibraltar. So much so that I will have a hard time even going back to Gibraltar because the other tourists were rude and grumpy and soured the whole experience.

Plan For Cultural Highlights

What quintessential experiences are you hoping to have on your trip?

When you think of the country or city, what comes to mind? 

Sitting by the ocean with a walled city behind you having salt cod and wine?

Strolling past a cafe to the sound of accordion music?

Eating at a busy street market with scooters honking as they zip by?

It’s a small thing, but planning to have the experience that you picture is totally worth doing.

You don’t need to actually pencil it all in and choose a time and spot to make it happen, but keep it in the back of your mind. 

“When I picture going to  __________. I picture_____________” 

Think about food, drink, music, dance, smells, sounds, and sights that will create the experience that you are looking forward to.

When you are at your destination, be intentional about creating it for yourself.

Don’t feel silly about finding the perfect spot to have tea and crumpets. It’s easy to go home and say that the trip wasn’t what you expected.

Some of it can be made to live up to your expectations if you seek out the experience that you are really after.

This is actually another reason that I prefer an apartment to a hotel or a private room.

I often picture myself living in a place. I imagine the view from the windows, having a meal on the rickety balcony, or listening to the sounds of the city through the open window.

Ah. Sounds nice doesn’t it?

Experiences

I wouldn’t usually plan paid experiences ahead of time.

They are something that I like to find when we have arrived.

Since we have lots of open time, we can seize the opportunities as they arise.

If there is something that you KNOW you want to do, like stomping grapes or fishing , then go ahead and do the research to see how it can be done.

Ideally there will be a few places and vendors so that you can choose one on an open day.

If you have to schedule and book ahead, or just feel more comfortable doing that, of course you can do that!

The reason we try to have as much open time as possible , is so that we can always change our plans and add new activities, sights, or even cities, when we discover them.

I for one, would WAY rather find things to do that naturally capture our interest, over sticking to activities we picked ahead of time on the limited information we had from our internet searches.

Discover Places Via Google Earth and Maps

I am the queen of finding places to see through random visual searches of Google Maps and Google Earth.

When I am planning from home, I usually try to find somewhere to go that would be off the beaten path.

I will search for the general area that we are travelling to, and then search outwards for any interesting little towns or geographical features.

Look for villages, beaches, parks (either national parks or within the city,) islands, lakes, etc. Anything that makes you say “What is THAT?”

Then Google search them and scroll through images and wikis to see if they would be fun to visit.

This is a good way to find places that are interesting but not on any “best of” lists.

Once you have arrived and have some free time, this is something you can do locally as well.

If you are into the outdoors, AllTrails is a great site and app that has – you guessed it — all the trails!

Discover new hikes and walks of all skill levels, anywhere in the world!

If you are planning to hike in a foreign country, just be sure to also educate yourself on the dangers. Make sure there aren’t large predators to be worried about, and look up any poisonous friends you may encounter. (Perhaps not actually a good idea, because I didn’t especially enjoy our hike once I knew there could be snakes and killer bees, but I’m sure it is worse to be unprepared!)

Leave a Lot of Time Open

I’m sure that you’ve gathered already that the whole point is to keep as much time as possible, flexible and open.

Have more days in your trip than you have plans for , that is the best rule of thumb.

Don’t worry about being bored, I promise that you will discover more things on offer when you are actually at your destination than you will ever read about beforehand!

Find a Grocery Store

Do search for at least one grocery store or market in the area that you will be staying before you go .

(Unless you are solo and/or aren’t planning to make any of your own meals.)

It can be time consuming to figure out the right word for “market” or “groceries” and to actually locate what you are looking for on the map.

If wifi is spotty that complicates things further. If you are trying to look while still at the arrivals hall in the airport, when everyone is cranky, even worse!

It’s just a nice thing to know ahead of time for when you arrive and either realize you have forgotten something, or just really need some snacks. 

Maybe it’s the jet lag, but I have found grocery stores incredibly hard to find on Google Maps a few times (mostly where there is a bigger language barrier and you can’t simply search the english words, as I mentioned.)

At least at home you can search at a leisurely pace, and ask somewhere if you can’t find anything.

Of course if you forget, you can always try to remember to ask your host when you check in.

I do find that their version of “5-10 minutes walk” is not that reliable, and they may not know the actual closest spot.

Keep Your Pre-trip Anxiety in Check

I know it can be nerve wracking to feel like you are showing up without a plan, but if you have followed this guide and are armed with the opening times of everything and have the must-have’s scheduled , there is no need to stress!

You WILL have time for everything that you make a priority.

You WILL have a place to sleep.

(If you chose not to book ahead, the absolute worst case scenario is finding yourself a bit further away than ideal. In the off season you will not be without a roof!)

You WILL have an amazing time discovering things as you go!

Consider a Hop On Hop Off

I realize that this is literally the opposite of slow travel , since Hop On Hop Off Buses are designed for tourists to see everything as efficiently as possible, but hear me out!

If you are going to a major tourist centre that has this option, you most likely want to see the attractions that are on these routes.

Visiting these big ticket stops can totally be amazing and a great experience, but they will be touristy no matter what .

Therefore they also won’t be the most authentic experience, no matter what.  

So in my opinion, one of the better ways to relax and enjoy the experience is to:

• Accept the direct transportation
• Enjoy the guided narrative through the city
• Be efficient seeing the big sights

By taking the tour you can reduce the stress of finding your way to all of these attractions on your own.

Also, it is technically still “public transportation” and sustainable in it’s own way.

(Definitely beats a cab or uber.)

At the end of the day it will definitely free up your time to then proceed with having your slow , intentional travel experiences elsewhere.

They are a particularly good option for small kids in a centre that isn’t very accessible for strollers.

If you are unfamiliar with Hop On Hop Off, know that you are still completely on your own schedule.

You simply get off at a stop and catch the next bus when you are done.

To get the best value, you will want to plan ahead for a whole day or possibly two using the bus.

It will not be worth it to decide in the afternoon that you want the bus because they can be pricey.

Don’t Be Scared to Change Your Plans

I hope this is a theme that you are picking up.

There is no reason to be married to an itinerary or a schedule you have in your head.

A million things can happen that make you WANT to change your plans, so don’t feel the need to stick to plan A.

You could arrive somewhere and realize that it isn’t for you AT ALL . Unfortunately it happens (for me, that was Rome.)

If it happens to you :

• Get out of town and find something in nature to do
• Find totally different activities
• Switch locations altogether  

You could find that a place is too hot to reasonably see something at midday.

Maybe you realize that you just don’t care about going up the Eiffel Tower enough to actually wait in line with a thousand people.

Maybe you don’t want to leave the apartment for the fourth straight day of rain.

All of that is okay!

This is your hard earned vacation, there is no need to do anything because you feel like you should , or even because it’s already paid for.

We’ve bailed on non-refundable activities because it was going to be windy and -27C.

The way I see it, we paid for the opportunity to back out when it was clearly going to be unpleasant.

It has taken a long time but I am getting over my weird guilt complex, and if that’s you, you can too!

Bring Printed Documents and Pre-loaded Maps

Hi, it’s your friendly neighbourhood old person, here to tell you that for peace of mind, some things are better off printed!

Jason hates it, but I always bring printed proof of onward and return travel.

(Thanks to some bad border control experiences)

I also bring a printed sheet of our first day’s accommodation so that we have the address, name, and phone number, in case our phones are dead.

(Sometimes also necessary for border control – the accommodation details, not dead phones.)

I also save the location of our first stay on the map so that I can use it offline .

We also usually download offline maps, not necessarily before we leave, but you will want them if you are outside of the city (especially if you are driving.)

Sample Slow Travel Itinerary

Here is a printable slow trip itinerary that I made based off of these tips!

You can either print and fill if you’re a paper person, or add text boxes over the Google doc.

If you’re planning your first ever slow travel experience , I hope you will let me know, and keep in touch with all of the hidden gems that you discovered along the way!

If this is always how you flow on your travels, what are your best tips?

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Ditch the Crowds: 20 Slow Travel Gems Where Tourists Fear to Tread

Posted: May 16, 2024 | Last updated: May 16, 2024

Ever felt like travel guides were more about pushing pricey hotspots than offering genuine getaways? If the thought of crowded tourist traps triggers your anxiety more than your interest, we’ve got a lineup that’s right up your alley. Why rush through vacation just to need another?

#1. Astoria, Oregon

Swap the bustling city for Astoria’s serene views, where the Columbia River meets the Pacific. This historic town is a haven for affordable seafood and rich maritime history without the price tag of more popular coastal cities. Enjoy the slower pace and soak in the expansive vistas.

#2. Beaufort, North Carolina

Escape to Beaufort for a taste of Southern charm with fewer crowds and lower costs. This hidden gem offers easy access to pristine beaches and wild horse sightings without the commercial fluff. Perfect for a tranquil retreat that lets you connect with nature on a budget.

#3. Marfa, Texas

Marfa provides a quirky arts scene set against a desert backdrop, ideal for those looking to dodge the typical tourist experience. Its minimalist aesthetic is a clear canvas for thinking and unwinding. Plus, its affordability will have you wondering why you ever vacationed in big cities.

#4. Ely, Minnesota

Nestled in the boundary waters of northern Minnesota, Ely is an entryway to vast wilderness perfect for thoughtful exploration. Kayak, hike, or simply meditate by the water without breaking the bank. It’s where nature’s beauty and budget-friendly meet.

#5. Bisbee, Arizona

Step into the time capsule that is Bisbee, a mining town turned artist colony. Wandering through its hilly streets offers eclectic art and history, minus the expensive frills. It’s history, culture, and charm, all wrapped in an affordable package.

#6. Harpers Ferry, West Virginia

Harpers Ferry offers more than just a lesson in Civil War history. It’s a picturesque village where the Potomac and Shenandoah rivers meet, offering stunning views and serene walks at a pace that soothes the soul—and the wallet.

#7. Pella, Iowa

Pella’s Dutch heritage shines through its architecture, tulip festivals, and unique windmills. A trip here offers a European vibe without the costly flight overseas. It’s a cultural escape in the heart of the Midwest.

#8. Mendocino, California

Forget the expensive Napa tours and head to Mendocino, where rugged coastlines meet redwood forests. Wine tasting here is just as good and often cheaper, with less hustle to cloud your relaxation.

#9. Lanesboro, Minnesota

Lanesboro, the bed and breakfast capital of Minnesota, offers gentle bike trails and a thriving arts scene. It’s the antidote to fast-paced city life, perfect for a restorative weekend away without the lavish expense.

#10. Taos, New Mexico

Delve into the rich cultural tapestry of Taos, where Native American and Spanish influences converge. It’s a hotspot for artists and dreamers, offering inspiring landscapes and a friendly price tag.

#11. Abingdon, Virginia

Historic Abingdon is known for its arts scene and the Virginia Creeper Trail. Experience Appalachian culture without the hustle of more crowded mountain towns.

#12. Chincoteague, Virginia

For wildlife enthusiasts, Chincoteague is unmatched with its wild ponies and migratory bird pathways. It’s an unspoiled sanctuary that’s as wallet-friendly as it is beautiful.

#13. Yellow Springs, Ohio

This vibrant, artsy village invites slow walkers and deep thinkers to enjoy its laid-back vibe and creative community. It’s a place where your dollar—and your day—extends further.

#14. Galesburg, Illinois

In Galesburg, you can enjoy the charm of a small town with the cultural perks of a city. Literary festivals and historical sites abound, all at a cost that’s reassuringly low.

#15. Lake Charles, Louisiana

Avoid the New Orleans crowds and prices by visiting Lake Charles. It offers rich Cajun culture, scenic wetlands, and an authentic Mardi Gras experience at a fraction of the cost.

#16. Cooke City, Montana

Adjacent to Yellowstone but without the flood of tourists, Cooke City is a quiet mountain town perfect for wildlife watching and hiking. It’s your backdoor to adventure on a dime.

#17. Vero Beach, Florida

Skip the crowded Florida hotspots and unwind in Vero Beach. Its less commercial, more contemplative atmosphere offers a peaceful beach experience without the premium price.

#18. Walla Walla, Washington

Walla Walla is a treat for wine lovers looking for a laid-back vibe without the Napa markup. The local wine scene is robust and the community welcoming, making for a soothing escape.

#19. Hilo, Hawaii

Experience the lush landscapes and volcanic wonders of Hilo without the resort markup. It’s Hawaii at a slower, more authentic pace, allowing for a deeper connection to the island’s natural beauty.

#20. Leadville, Colorado

At over 10,000 feet, Leadville is a high-altitude escape from the mainstream. Mining history and spectacular mountain views come without the Aspen price tag.

Cut the Fluff, Find Your Path

These 20 destinations offer more than just a break from the usual—they provide a way to travel that aligns with your values of prudence, simplicity, and authenticity. Remember, the best journeys offer reflection and connection, not just souvenirs. Choose wisely, travel slowly, and enjoy discovering places where your anxiety and budget can both take a backseat.

Timeless Taste: 20 Boomer Superfoods That Are Making a Comeback

Discover the forgotten superfoods of the boomer generation! From liver to sardines, these nutritional powerhouses are making a comeback. Join us as we rediscover these classic ingredients and their health benefits. Let’s dive into the world of boomer superfoods together! Timeless Taste: 20 Boomer Superfoods That Are Making a Comeback

21 Everyday Grocery Items That Are Loaded With Chemicals

Grocery shopping can seem like a science experiment, with many products packed with artificial additives instead of nutrients. While convenient and tempting, have you considered what’s really in these items? 21 Everyday Grocery Items That Are Loaded With Chemicals

18 Must-Eat Foods for a Longer Life

In the quest for a longer life, certain foods can make a big difference. From everyday staples to exotic finds, these options span various budgets and might surprise you. Who knew the secret to longevity could be right in your pantry or at the grocery store? 18 Must-Eat Foods for a Longer Life

22 Cheap Foods Only Americans Love

In America, where creativity knows no bounds in the kitchen, some foods are both cheap and uniquely American, raising eyebrows in curiosity. Let’s explore these budget-friendly eats that have become staples in the American diet, for better or worse. 22 Cheap Foods Only Americans Love

20 Places Where You Can Enjoy an Old-Fashioned Life

Escape to places where time stands still and tradition thrives! From cozy American towns to serene countryside getaways worldwide, these destinations offer a break from the chaos of modern life. Whether you’re seeking a simpler lifestyle or a nostalgic retreat, these spots promise affordability and undeniable charm. 20 Places Where You Can Enjoy an Old-Fashioned Life

The post Ditch the Crowds: 20 Slow Travel Gems Where Tourists Fear to Tread first appeared on elpasoNY.com .

Featured Image Credit: Shutterstock / NDAB Creativity.

For transparency, this content was partly developed with AI assistance and carefully curated by an experienced editor to be informative and ensure accuracy.

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Representing pace in tourism mobilities: staycations, Slow Travel and The Amazing Race.

2009, Journal of Tourism and Cultural Change

This article examines the way popular representations of tourism make sense of pace within the context of Western modernity and asks how certain ethical and ideological values come to be associated with speed, slowness or stillness. In the typical story of modernity, speed is commonly associated with positive values such as 'freedom' and 'progress', while slowness and stillness are often seen as marginal or undesirable modes of mobility. The analysis presented suggests that paying attention to pace and the way pace is socially encoded in media contexts reveals a more complicated narrative of mobility and modernity. The article draws on an analysis of media representations of three popular modes of tourism - the 'staycation', a neologism invented to describe vacationing at home; Slow Travel; an emerging social movement that advocates travelling slowly and locally; and the television programme The Amazing Race - to argue that the way pace is socially encoded in these representations is central not only to a more nuanced story of modernity, but also to a 'politics of mobility'.

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Bringing together scholars from the areas of tourism, leisure and cultural studies, eco-humanities and tourism management, this book examines the emerging phenomenon of slow tourism. The book explores the range of travel experiences that are part of growing consumer concerns with quality leisure time, environmental and cultural sustainability, as well as the embodied experience of place. Slow tourism encapsulates a range of lifestyle practices, mobilities and ethics that are connected to social movements such as slow food and cities, as well as specialist sectors such as ecotourism and voluntourism. The slow experience of temporality can evoke and incite different ways of being and moving, as well as different logics of desire that value travel experiences as forms of knowledge. Slow travel practices reflect a range of ethical-political positions that have yet to be critically explored in the academic literature despite the growth of industry discourse.

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Mexico tightens travel rules on Peruvians in a show of visa diplomacy to slow migration to US

Peruvian Julia Paredes, left in white hat, listens to instructions from a Border Patrol agent with others seeking asylum as they wait to be processed after crossing the border with Mexico nearby, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Boulevard, Calif. Mexico has begun requiring visas for Peruvians in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country. The move follows identical ones for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians, effectively eliminating the option of flying to a Mexican city near the U.S. border. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Julia Paredes, right, of Peru, gets a hug from volunteer Karen Parker, after crossing the border with Mexico nearby, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Boulevard, Calif. Mexico has begun requiring visas for Peruvians in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country. The move follows identical ones for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians, effectively eliminating the option of flying to a Mexican city near the U.S. border. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

A Border Patrol agent instructs a group of people seeking asylum, including Peruvians, as they are transported for processing after crossing the border with Mexico nearby, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Boulevard, Calif. Mexico has begun requiring visas for Peruvians in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country. The move follows identical ones for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians, effectively eliminating the option of flying to a Mexican city near the U.S. border. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

People seeking asylum walk through a field of wildflowers as they wait to be processed after crossing the border with Mexico nearby, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Boulevard, Calif. Mexico has begun requiring visas for Peruvians in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country. The move follows identical ones for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians, effectively eliminating the option of flying to a Mexican city near the U.S. border. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Peruvian Julia Paredes, center in white hat, listens to instructions from a Border Patrol agent with others seeking asylum as they wait to be processed after crossing the border with Mexico nearby, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Boulevard, Calif. Mexico has begun requiring visas for Peruvians in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country. The move follows identical ones for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians, effectively eliminating the option of flying to a Mexican city near the U.S. border. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

Men seeking asylum, including Peruvians, line up as they wait to be processed after crossing the border with Mexico nearby, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Boulevard, Calif. Mexico has begun requiring visas for Peruvians in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country. The move follows identical ones for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians, effectively eliminating the option of flying to a Mexican city near the U.S. border. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

People seeking asylum keep warm near a fire as they wait to be processed, after crossing the border with Mexico nearby, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Boulevard, Calif. Mexico has begun requiring visas for Peruvians in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country. The move follows identical ones for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians, effectively eliminating the option of flying to a Mexican city near the U.S. border. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

People seeking asylum, including a group from Peru, walk behind a Border Patrol agent towards a van to be processed after crossing the border with Mexico nearby, Thursday, April 25, 2024, in Boulevard, Calif. Mexico has begun requiring visas for Peruvians in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country. The move follows identical ones for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians, effectively eliminating the option of flying to a Mexican city near the U.S. border. (AP Photo/Gregory Bull)

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BOULEVARD, Calif. (AP) — Julia Paredes believed her move to the United States might be now or never. Mexico was days from requiring visas for Peruvian visitors. If she didn’t act quickly, she would have to make a far more perilous, surreptitious journey over land to settle with her sister in Dallas.

Mexico began requiring visas for Peruvians on Monday in response to a major influx of migrants from the South American country, after identical moves for Venezuelans, Ecuadorians and Brazilians. It effectively eliminated the option of flying to a Mexican city near the U.S. border, as Paredes, 45, did just before it was too late.

“I had to treat it as a emergency,” said Paredes, who worked serving lunch to miners in Arequipa, Peru, and borrowed money to fly to Mexico’s Tijuana, across from San Diego. Last month smugglers guided her through a remote opening in the border wall to a dirt lot in California, where she and about 100 migrants from around the world shivered over campfires after a morning drizzle and waited for overwhelmed Border Patrol agents to drive them to a station for processing.

Senior U.S. officials, speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting of top diplomats from about 20 countries in the Western hemisphere this week in Guatemala, applauded Mexico’s crackdown on air travel from Peru and called visa requirements an important tool to jointly confront illegal migration.

For critics, shutting down air travel only encourages more dangerous choices. Illegal migration by Venezuelans plummeted after Mexico imposed visa requirements in January 2022, but the lull was short-lived. Last year Venezuelans made up nearly two-thirds of the record-high 520,000 migrants who walked through the Darien Gap, the notorious jungle spanning parts of Panama and Colombia.

More than 25,000 Chinese traversed the Darien last year. They generally fly to Ecuador, a country known for few travel restrictions, and cross the U.S. border illegally in San Diego to seek asylum. With an immigration court backlog topping 3 million cases, it takes years to decide such claims, during which time people can obtain work permits and establish roots.

“People are going to come no matter what,” said Miguel Yaranga, 22, who flew from Lima, Peru’s capital, to Tijuana and was released by the Border Patrol Sunday at a San Diego bus stop. He had orders to appear in immigration court in New York in February 2025, which puzzled him because he said he told agents he would settle with his sister on the other side of the country, in Bakersfield, California.

Jeremy MacGillivray, deputy chief of the Mexico mission of the U.N.'s International Organization for Migration, predicts that Peruvian migration will drop “at least at the beginning” and bounce back as people shift to walking through the Darien Gap and to Central America and Mexico.

Mexico said last month that it would require visas for Peruvians for the first time since 2012 in response to a “substantial increase” in illegal migration. Large-scale Peruvian migration to Mexico began in 2022; Peruvians were stopped in the country an average of 2,160 times a month from January to March of this year, up from a monthly average of 544 times for all of 2023.

Peruvians also began showing up at the U.S. border in 2022. The U.S. Border Patrol arrested Peruvians an average of about 5,300 times a month last year before falling to a monthly average of 3,400 from January through March, amid a broad immigration crackdown by Mexico .

Peru immediately reciprocated Mexico’s visa requirement but changed course after a backlash from the country’s tourism industry. Peru noted in its reversal that it is part of a regional economic bloc that includes Mexico, Chile and Colombia.

Adam Isacson, an analyst at the Washington Office on Latin America, said Peru’s membership with Mexico in the Pacific Alliance allowed its citizens visa-free travel longer than other countries.

It is unclear if Colombia, also a major source of migration , will be next, but Isacson said Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador is in a “lovefest” with his Colombian counterpart, Gustavo Petro, while his relations with Peru’s government are more strained.

Colombians are consistently near the top nationalities of migrants arriving at Tijuana’s airport. Many find hotels before a guide takes them to boulder-strewn mountains east of the city, where they cross through openings in the border wall and then walk toward dirt lots that the Border Patrol has identified as waiting stations.

Bryan Ramírez, 25, of Colombia, reached U.S. soil with his girlfriend last month, only two days after leaving Bogota for Cancun, Mexico, and continuing on another flight to Tijuana. He waited alongside others overnight for Border Patrol agents to pick him up as cold rain and high winds whipped over the crackle of high-voltage power lines.

The group waiting near Boulevard, a small, loosely defined rural town, included several Peruvians who said they came for economic opportunity and to escape violence and political crises.

Peruvians can still avoid the Darien jungle by flying to El Salvador, which introduced visa-free travel for them in December in reciprocation for a similar move by Peru’s government. But they would still have to travel over land through Mexico, where many are robbed or kidnapped.

Ecuadoreans, who have needed visas to enter Mexico since September 2021, can also fly to El Salvador, but not all do. Oscar Palacios, 42, said he walked through Darien because he couldn’t afford to fly.

Palacios, who left his wife and year-old child in Ecuador with plans to support them financially from the U.S., said it took him two weeks to travel from his home near the violent city of Esmeralda to Mexico’s border with Guatemala. It then took him two months to cross Mexico because immigration authorities turned him around three times and bused him back to the southern part of the country. He said he was robbed repeatedly.

Palacios finally reached Tijuana and, after three nights in a hotel, crossed into the U.S. A Border Patrol agent spotted him with migrants from Turkey and Brazil and drove them to the dirt lot to wait for a van or bus to take them to a station for processing. Looking back on the journey, Palacios said he would rather cross Darien Gap 100 times than Mexico even once.

Associated Press writer Christopher Sherman in Mexico City contributed.

36 Hours on Minorca

By Yasmin Fahr May 16, 2024

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By Yasmin Fahr Photographs by Emilio Parra Doiztua

Yasmin Fahr, a cookbook author, lives on Minorca part time.

Minorca, one of Spain’s Balearic Islands, sparkles with the same blue-green waters as its more touristy neighbors, Ibiza and Majorca. A UNESCO Biosphere Reserve since 1993, Minorca offers a quieter and wilder retreat, thanks to residents who have protected the island from further urbanization and development. Still, megayachts and crowds are descending: In 2021, the international gallery Hauser & Wirth opened a 16,000-square-foot arts center , intended to lure wealthy collectors, on an islet near the capital. Despite the encroaching threat of overtourism , Minorca sticks to its “poc a poc,” or “little by little,” way of life, in which siestas are long and opening hours are more of a suggestion. The island also brims with creativity, wildlife and rich history: Just last year, its prehistoric structures became a UNESCO World Heritage site .

Recommendations

• Camí de Cavalls is a painstakingly restored centuries-old horse path that circles the entire island and can be traveled by foot, horse or mountain bike.
• Cala Pregonda , a stunning northern beach, is accessible only by boat or a 40-minute walk, with beautiful views.
• Pedreres de s’Hostal is a quarry that has been transformed into a public space and garden by Lithica , a nonprofit foundation; it also hosts concerts during the summer months.
• S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park , a quiet marine preserve, offers hiking and bird watching.
• Paddle Tour Menorca provides tours of caves that may include snorkeling to spot colorful fish during the daytime, or at sunset, paddling out to enjoy a cold beer.
• Cala Mitjana is a beach in the south, popular for its white sand and rocky areas for sunbathing.
• Cales Coves is a swimming area where you can see burial caves from the prehistoric Talayotic civilization carved into the cliff walls.
• Algaiarens is a sandy beach where you can relax in the sun or go for a hike on the Camí de Cavalls.
• Museu de Menorca , housed in a former convent, tells the history of the island, including its Talayotic culture and various periods of occupation.
• LÔAC is a contemporary art museum that features Spanish artists in a former schoolhouse in the town of Alaior.
• Trébol , a relaxed restaurant in a picturesque port, serves fresh, local seafood.
• Sa Punta offers seasonal cuisine with a panoramic view of the water.
• Pintarroja is a lively waterfront spot to enjoy items from the grill.
• Can Padet is a cafe with pastries and gelato, as well as a charming window bar for sitting.
• Hola Ola , a beach bar, is perfect for sunset watching with a mojito.
• Molí d’es Racó serves a variety of Spanish cuisine in Es Mercadal, a town in Minorca’s center. Reservations recommended during the high season.
• El Romero is an elegant restaurant that sources local fish and vegetables.
• Island Mood features locally made items, including books, plant pots and vintage maps to bring Minorca home with you.
• Lucera is an artists’ workshop where you can peruse colorful ceramics handmade by a father-and-son team.
• Fausto has a collection of casual, modern clothing in earthy tones.
• Kiniria sells handbags made with sustainable leather.
• Carmen Cocoon offers handmade jewelry in an intimate shop with a beautiful flower display.
• Ses Orenetes is a charming homeware shop with beach blankets, linens and ceramics.
• Sent S’illa sells a thoughtful selection of women’s clothing, shoes and bags.
• Menorca Experimental is a seasonal hotel in a 19th-century farmhouse with 43 designer rooms, an 85-foot-long infinity pool, and a popular restaurant and bar. Rooms in May start from 216 euros, about $234.
• Llucasaldent Gran , another seasonal hotel, encompasses almost 250 acres where you can see grazing animals, grapevines and olive trees. Guests can tour the grounds on complimentary mountain bikes. Rooms in May start at around €252.
• Cristine Bedfor is a boutique hotel with impeccable interiors. A small pool and a lush garden provide respite from the summer heat. Rooms in May start at €215.
• For short-term rentals , the capital, Mahón, and its surrounding area are convenient for exploring the island, though availability varies with the season. Camper vans are also popular on the island.
• The best way to see the island is by renting a car . Taxis are readily available, but ride-hailing apps such as Uber and Lyft are not. There is also a bus service with routes around the island (subject to the season), with single tickets (from €1.35, cash only), available on board.

Avid bird watchers gravitate to the trails in S’Albufera des Grau Natural Park , a more than 1,200-acre protected marine reserve on the island’s eastern side, to spot birds of prey like osprey, protected red kites and booted eagles, and the spectacled or Sardinian warbler, depending on the time of year. You can spot sea turtles and land tortoises in the reserve as well as elsewhere on the island. The three main trails range in difficulty level and the duration of the walk (from 40 minutes to one hour). Free entry.

Museu de Menorca

In Mahón, the island’s capital, which has a large natural harbor, start by visiting the Museu de Menorca (4 euros, or about $4.33; opening times vary by season). The museum goes all the way from the prehistoric Talayotic civilization to the story of La Menorquina , a ice cream manufacturer founded in 1940 that still sells its desserts in stores. Afterward, visit the Gin Xoriguer distillery, whose recipe dates back to the early 1700s. Find prints of 18th-century maps and copies of Apunt , a local guidebook for cultural happenings, at Island Mood , a store full of Minorcan souvenirs. Meander along the sloping streets to one of the oldest opera houses in Spain, Teatre Principal de Maó , built in 1829. It’s surrounded by stores like Lucera , which specializes in colorful handmade ceramics.

Stroll Cales Fonts, a picturesque port lined with boats swaying in lapping green waters, before dinner. Stop at Fausto for modern clothing with earthy tones and clean lines. There are several options for dinner: Trébol , open since 1969 and with a rustic interior and casual outdoor seating, serves local products like Mahón mussels in white wine (€16) and grilled Minorcan prawns (€35). Sa Punta , slightly more formal, offers panoramic views of the water and has a thoughtful, seasonal menu that includes eggplant croquettes (€9.50) and bread made with Xeixa wheat, an ancient grain grown on the island (€3.50). For a more lively, summery vibe, share plates of oysters (€5.50), scallops (€20) and steak a la plancha (€22), at Pintarroja . (Note that many businesses on Minorca are open seasonally.)

Stroll Cales Fonts, a picturesque port lined with boats.

Slip into a beekeeping suit at Son Felip , a regenerative and organic farm in the north of the island, that includes open fields, forests, coastline and a 2,000-year-old olive tree. Xec, the agricultural director — and bee whisperer — explains the curious nature of these hard-working insects and offers a tasting of the farm’s award-winning honey before securing everyone in their bee suits to visit the hives and see the production firsthand. As he said on a recent tour, if you stay calm, then the bees will be calm — it’s time to use your yogic breathing. This two-and-a-half-hour apiculture workshop (€45) is limited to a small group and subject to time changes depending on the season, so it’s best to contact the farm ahead. Son Felip also offers farm tours, horseback riding and overnight stays.

The fish market in Ciutadella

Get lost in Ciutadella, Minorca’s capital until 1722, a town of colorful buildings, labyrinth-like cobbled streets and former palaces. Pop out onto the Contramurada, a road built atop the moat that once encircled the medieval walled center. The Minorca Cathedral (€7.20), which was constructed and restored over centuries, still marks the opening and closing of the wall gates by ringing its bell. Ciutadella is full of artisan shops: Visit Carmen Cocoon for handmade jewelry and Kiniria for leather handbags . Pick up a beach blanket at the homeware store Ses Orenetes and shop for a breezy dress at Sent S’illa . Then head to the orange-tree-studded Plaza de la Libertad, a square with a lively fish market, butcher shops and a farmers’ market. Savor a coffee at Can Padet (€1.70) and pick up some of Minorca’s best goat cheese at the Cas Ferrer de Sa Font stand.

Much is closed on the island from around 2 to 5 p.m., give or take an hour, depending on the day, season or the store owner’s whim, so it is the perfect time to visit Algaiarens Beach . There are no lounge chairs or stands for water or food, so bring whatever you’d like. To hike instead, find a red-and-white signpost near the parking lot closest to the beach; it marks the Camí de Cavalls , a 115-mile walking route that circles the island. The path, a centuries-old horse trail, has been meticulously restored to allow hikers and mountain bikers to freely experience the environmental diversity of the island. Take a one-and-a-half-hour (round-trip) hike west to Cala Morell, a cove, turning around when you hit a parking lot. A tip: If you go through a gate, always close it behind you, as it’s to protect the animals.

In Minorca’s restaurants, stores and hotels, you’ll most likely notice a sand-colored stone used for arched walkways, ceilings or walls. The stone, called marés, is found on the island. Peer into the vast depth of one of Minorca’s preserved stone quarries, Pedreres de s’Hostal , in Ciutadella. After the quarry, which dates back to the 19th century, ceased operations in the 1990s, it was at risk of being filled with rubbish. Today it is protected by the nonprofit foundation Lithica , which uses the space for concerts and other cultural events on summer evenings. The quarry area, more than 18 acres, includes gardens and mazes that are open to the public. It is recommended to book ahead, especially during the high summer season, as admission and parking are limited (€7).

End the day with a dreamy sunset paddle tour in Cala Morell, which has blue-green water perfect for snorkeling, a small beach and platforms for sunbathing and swimming. The two-hour trip with Paddle Tour Menorca (€45) includes visits to caves and ends on paddle boards on the tranquil sea, watching the sun dip into the ocean, complete with a cold beer (or water). All levels welcome, but availability is subject to the wind and season. If it’s too breezy, then head to Hola Ola , a cocktail bar about an eight-minute drive from Ciutadella’s center, which is perfectly positioned for sunset viewing. Sip a mojito made with a local gin (€9) or a refreshing beer like a Minorca-brewed Grahame Pearce or a Rosa Blanca , from Majorca (both €3.70).

Hola Ola is a beach bar that is perfectly positioned for mojitos at sunset.

For art lovers, there are galleries sprinkled throughout Minorca, like Etesian in Ciutadella or the luxe Hauser & Wirth on Isla del Rey near Mahón’s harbor. In the hilly, historic town of Alaior, LÔAC (€5), a contemporary art museum in a former schoolhouse, shows works by prominent Modern and contemporary Spanish artists, like Joan Miró and Jaume Plensa. The museum’s opening times vary with the seasons, as is the case on much of the island, so it is best to check the website before your visit.

Cales Coves

Relax by the sea, as little is open on Sundays. Minorca is windy, so choose a beach that is not facing into the gusts (the website and app Windy is helpful). In the north, Cala Pregonda is a stunning beach with golden sand, distinctive rock formations and clear waters for snorkeling or swimming. It requires an approximately 40-minute uncovered walk to reach, unless you come in by boat. In the south, Cala Mitjana offers a short walk to a white-sand beach with rocky ledges for sunbathing. Or view the burial caves of the Talayotic civilization dug into the cliffs at Cales Coves , also in the south, with rocky inlets for swimming and sunbathing. For a traditional Spanish lunch, make reservations at Molí d’es Racó in the town of Es Mercadal if you’re heading to Pregonda or Mitjana , or enjoy local fish or vegetables at El Romero in Mahón.

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