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Along with green travel, which involves reducing the environmental impact of our trips, came another interesting and related trend for those wishing to get the most out of their journeys without “buying a package deal”: slow travel.

What is slow travel? Well, simply taking things slow as we travel (what else!). You may be wondering about its benefits and you will find it interesting that there are several good reasons why slow travel is becoming a trend:

1. Slowing down allows you to savour each moment. You will smell the roses, you will really taste the food, you will enjoy the wine… You will find yourself discovering unknown places instead of jumping from one tourist site to the next.
2. If you stay at a place for a long period (meaning more than one week) and you take the time to get to know local people, you will find your trip more rewarding than just a touristic voyage. In slow travel you dedicate time to making new friends and you try to experience the local daily life.
3. Taking the time to DO everything as if you were at your hometown (cooking, cleaning, groceries…) also cuts some expenses. No restaurant meals everyday (maybe just a few to try out the local cuisine), no room service, just you living your regular life in a different, exciting new place, as if you were starting a new life there.
4. Taking things slow is less stressful than rushing from one site to the next and packing/unpacking every two to three days. Slow travel is the best way to relax your body and mind.

Home exchange seems bound to slow travel, as it allows for longer stays, getting immersed in the local community, and experiencing life in a different place that is also a home. In a way, the home exchange community has been exploring slow travel for a while now, with options such as long-term and permanent exchanges becoming more popular… But that’s for really slow travellers.