Slow Travel After 60: Embrace the Art of Traveling Deeper
These days, everyone’s talking about slow travel, the art of traveling intentionally, the wonders of moving at your own pace, and the joy of truly soaking in a destination.
But what does slow travel really mean, especially for those of us in our 60s and beyond?
As someone who has worked in the travel industry for years curating tours, advising travelers, and journeying alongside clients, I’ve come to see slow travel as more than a trend. It’s a mindset, a lifestyle, and honestly, a gift we give ourselves at this stage of life.
What Slow Travel Really Means After 60
When you reach our age, life naturally slows down whether we want it to or not. Our bodies change, our energy levels shift, and our priorities evolve. And that’s perfectly fine!
Slow travel is about honoring that rhythm. It means cutting your coat according to your size and recognizing that what we did easily at 30 or 40 doesn’t have to be the same at 60, 70, or beyond.
Remember when it was nothing to pack at midnight, dash through airports, and sprint to make tight connections? We could take long, multi-stop flights just to save a few dollars. Those days were fun, but they don’t fit every season of life.
Planning with Intention (and Less Stress)
For me, slow travel begins long before I get on a plane.
I give myself at least two months to plan. I know where I’m going, what I want to do, and I make sure everything is in order: passport, visas, vaccinations, and medications. There’s no rushing to the pharmacy or travel booking sites at the last minute.
As I share in my checklist for senior travelers, having your documents and health preparations done well in advance makes travel so much smoother.
Even packing becomes a more thoughtful process. I try to pack early, though there’s usually a little last-minute scramble. Old habits die hard!
The point is: no stress. No rushing. Just deliberate, mindful preparation that lets the journey start smoothly.
Taking It Easy Along the Way
When traveling internationally, I might even consider an overnight stop in a connecting country just to rest and reset before continuing. Or I’ll choose a direct flight, like my usual 11-hour route from New York to Accra, Ghana.
I’d rather arrive rested than spend hours changing planes and running through terminals.
And when I land, I don’t rush off the plane. I take my time. I breathe. I move through immigration and customs at my own pace.
Once I reach the hotel, my host family’s house, or my short-term rental, I spend the first day or two simply regrouping. Long flights, especially international ones, take a toll. A little time to rest, stretch, and adjust makes all the difference.
Staying Longer, Going Deeper
Slow travel isn’t about how far you go; it’s about how deeply you experience each place.
When I visit Ghana, for example, I don’t try to see everything. There’s no need to jump from city to city, packing and unpacking every two days. Instead, I choose one city as my base. I take a few day trips, but I always return to the same cozy home away from home.
This gives me time to settle in, chat with locals, explore a market or art gallery without rushing, and savor a meal.
If you love art, spend several days visiting museums, studios, and cultural centers. If food is your thing, try a different restaurant each day and discover the flavors that make a region unique.
That’s the beauty of slow travel. You create space for connection, discovery, and rest.
Why Slow Travel Works So Well After 60
At our age, traveling slowly just makes sense. It’s kinder to our bodies and minds. It reduces stress and increases joy.
You’ll return home refreshed instead of exhausted, and with no need for a “vacation from your vacation.”
Slow travel gives you the time to experience places more fully, meet people more meaningfully, and enjoy life more deeply.
We’re still adventurous, still curious, and still full of life, just wiser about how we spend our time and energy.
So, here’s to traveling at our own pace, savoring the journey, and finding joy in every moment.
Happy slow travels, friends!
