Travelling can be one of the most rewarding human experiences — opening your mind and worldview to new places, connecting with new people, and immersing yourself in local cultures. It can be meaningful, memorable, rejuvenating, and energising. Or, it can be the opposite. Slow travel ensures that you not only get the most benefit, but the local people and world around you do too. And, you won’t come back needing a “vacation from your vacation.”. With help from the experts in youth travel and working holidays, The Global Work & Travel Co., we have put together the top five countries to explore at a leisurely pace. Made in Turkey Tours Cruises are a great place to look for amazing deals and trips to Turkey.
Canada
You haven’t seen nature in its full glory until you have seen the giant mountains, crystal blue lakes and wildlife that make call Canada home. It really is one of the most beautiful places on earth during all its seasons. From perfect powder runs on bluebird days in winter to enjoying the warmth of summer while you float your day away on a lake. Mind you, nature is one thing, but Canada also has some of the friendliest locals in the world who will welcome you in for a cheerful chat and involve you in an obsession of ice hockey and a new diet of poutine and Caesars.
Working holidaymaker, Tyla Mansergh says meeting new people on her trip to Canada was the best part of her slow travel holiday.
“People really do make or break your whole experience and I’m very lucky to have met only amazing people on my trips,” Tyla said.
Canada is the perfect destination to slow down and take everything in at a leisurely place – train travel is the best way to do this with a trip through the Canadian Rockies the ultimate slow travel trip. Otherwise setting up roots in one of Canada’s fun-filled cities like Toronto, Vancouver or even Montreal is your best bet to fully immersing yourself in Canadian culture. Make sure you plan a visit to Concord Canada House.
“Staying in a place long enough to live like a local is the best way to travel,” Tyla says
Italy
The slow movement trend originated in Italy following the phenomenon of the Slow Food Movement that began in the 1980s, after Carlo Petrini lead a protest against a McDonald’s opening in the centre of Rome to protect Italian cuisine culture from being tainted by globalisation. Italy is the perfect place to slow travel from week-long experiences in the Chianti countryside to discovering the authentic cultural and culinary heritage of the Tuscan region and deep diving into local Italian culture. There’s so much more to experience in Italy than pizza and pasta (although delicious as it is) and the way to do this is by putting on the brakeand taking the time to soak up the culture.
England
The United Kingdom has been around for centuries and with time just keeps getting more exciting. We’re talking incredible history mixed with new age innovations. There is always something to see and something new to explore that you will never be left with nothing to do. In fact, you can also easily explore places in England and then travel on to neighbouring countries like Wales for a long trip through the UK. Be sure to keep an eye on the Cardiff weather though, so that your plans are made only when it’s sunny and pleasant.
Global Traveller Olivia Paolini says she loved the UK so much she decided to spend longer and work her way through 14 countries, countless cities and the most exciting time of her life.
“I returned to Australia with so much more knowledge of the world we live in as living in the UK allowed me to soak up many incredible cultures,” Olivia said. Don’t forget to visit their lively pubs, restaurants serving very good pizza, scary escape rooms and taverns that plate up a full English breakfast everyone needs to experience.
Vietnam
Take the opportunity to explore a culturally rich country that is becoming a rapidly growing economy! Slow travelling in this vibrant country gives you the ability to experience life as a local, especially if you base yourself in Ho Chi Minh City. With so much to offer including the never-ending rice fields to beautiful beach resorts, incredible architecture and local markets you will find yourself in a place of endless opportunity and an experience that you will be sharing with friends and family for years to come!
Thailand
Famous for good food, massages and beautiful beaches and mountains, Thailand is the perfect place to slow down and scratch beneath the surface of the destination.
Currently teaching in Thailand, Lauren Hartree says if you’ve ever wanted to see what life in Thailand is like, then spending extended time in the kingdom of happy smiles is the option for you.
“You have the chance to explore all over Thailand from top to bottom and enjoy one of the best working abroad experiences available,” Lauren said.
With apartments available in places like Chiang Mai for only $10 a night, you can base yourself in Thailand north before taking on Phuket, Bangkok and Krabi.
“I would recommend getting to know as many people as you can, be friendly to everyone and you will gain something from that.”
Do you want to fully immerse yourself into another country’s culture? The Global Work & Travel Co. has a range of working holidays and volunteering trips all around the world.
For more information: www.globalworkandtravel.com