Marguerite Hanley, a Californian living in Amsterdam, is a traveler who has realized the importance of reflecting on our actions in light of global events such as COVID-19 and human impact on habitats. She has decided to postpone her ambitious honeymoon in Africa to focus on visiting a few conservation-supporting camps in Botswana. Hanley believes in the concept of slow travel, which advocates for sustainable and local experiences, similar to the slow food movement that promotes organic and artisanal traditions. The enduring appeal of walking the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage route in Spain has been attracting more travelers for various reasons in recent times. These reasons include seeking solace in social distancing, avoiding flight-shaming, taking a meditative break, or exercising caution due to the pandemic. This type of mindful travel involves visiting fewer places and moving at a slower pace, whether by car, train, bike, foot, or canoe. According to Kyle Kowalski, the founder of Sloww, slow travel focuses on the how rather than the what of travel. Instead of a packed itinerary, slow travel encourages intentionally choosing to do less in order to experience more. Instead of hurrying through activities, slow travel is about finding a balance and a comfortable pace, allowing for flexibility and spontaneity. The pandemic has inadvertently slowed down the lives of many individuals, leading to a surge in the slow travel movement. Witnessing the environmental benefits of decreased travel during the pandemic, Julia Douglas from Los Angeles has chosen to walk instead of taking an Uber whenever possible. She recently opted for an eight-hour train ride from New York City to Buffalo, New York, rather than flying, in an effort to contribute to the reduction of pollution observed when air travel came to a halt. Although commuter train ridership has declined, there has been a resurgence in long-distance train travel. Amtrak Vacations, a company that offers travel packages including train rides, hotels, and excursions, has reported a 47 percent increase in bookings compared to 2019. In Europe, the European Union has designated 2021 as the European Year of Rail to promote sustainable transportation, leading to a revival of long-distance train travel. Night train networks have become popular again, and a new startup called Midnight Trains is planning to launch luxury sleeper cars on routes from Paris to over 10 cities starting in 2024. The pandemic has allowed for more flexibility in travel, with work-from-anywhere policies enabling people to extend their trips. This has been reflected in the increase of stays of 28 days or more on Airbnb by 10 percent in the first quarter of 2021 compared to 2019, and a 550 percent growth in bookings of 21 days or more on Exclusive Resorts in 2021 compared to 2019. The current travel requirements, such as testing and entry applications, are causing delays in travel. Before, travelers would visit multiple countries on one trip, but now they are opting for single-country safaris due to COVID testing and flight issues. Getting a COVID test before returning to the US is a necessary inconvenience. Some travel companies are advising clients to add extra days at the end of their trip to manage testing requirements before their flight home. Besides logistical challenges, other factors are also slowing down travel. Travellers who have been feeling overwhelmed by the coronavirus pandemic for over a year are finding comfort in the calming appeal of exploring Norway. Up Norway, a bespoke travel company, is offering 28-day stays in remote areas of the country, focusing on the Norwegian concept of "kos," which represents peace, harmony, and gratitude experienced through slow travel and appreciation of culture and natural beauty. This experience is a departure from the typical rushed sightseeing trips to popular tourist destinations in Europe and Asia. Denise Ambrusko-Maida, a travel adviser, notes that people are now seeking to avoid crowded tourist hot spots and instead are looking for more meaningful travel experiences. Rebecca Werner, a travel adviser from Chicago, recently arranged a train trip for a family of four to Glacier National Park. The family, fans of the show "The Queen's Gambit," wanted to spend quality time together, enjoy the scenery, and play chess on the train. For these travelers, pursuing personal interests has become more important than checking items off a bucket list. David Demers, from Naples, Florida, is planning two month-long trips to Israel and the Mediterranean with a focus on history, theatre, food, and art. Demers, who recently sold his health care company, believes that the pandemic has taught us to slow down and focus on what truly matters. Sojrn, a travel company, now offers month-long trips with educational themes like philosophy in Athens, wine in Italy, or Spanish language in Colombia. Travellers choose to stay in local apartments and take part in weekly dinners and events, allowing for plenty of free time to work and explore. Cara Wright from Apple Valley, Minnesota, is avoiding overplanning and will be working for a nonprofit while in Italy in October with Sojrn. Donna Hetrick, a potter from Pittsburgh, is focused on minimizing her environmental impact by opting for slow travel. She plans to spend several months biking in Africa starting in 2022 with TDA Global Cycling instead of taking a short safari, in order to reduce her carbon footprint and truly immerse herself in the culture of the place she is visiting. “When you’re riding a bike, you are more accessible to people,” she explained. Slow tourism, which prioritizes sustainable practices such as exploring lesser-known areas, connecting with local communities, and supporting locally owned businesses, is seen as a solution to overtourism issues like overcrowding in places like Dubrovnik. According to Martha Honey, slow tourism is more sustainable because visitors tend to stay longer and disperse throughout a destination. This approach benefits both the traveler, who can engage more deeply with a place, and the destination itself. Honey credits the recent emphasis on buying local during the pandemic for popularizing slow travel principles, describing it as less disruptive and more economically advantageous. According to a recent survey by Flywire, a payment-processing service, the majority of travelers are opting for uncrowded destinations like Alaska and Montana this summer. Responsible Travel has introduced an 11-week trip around the world by train and cargo ship for eco-conscious explorers who want to minimize their impact. This journey allows travelers to experience the connections between countries in terms of culture and environment. For those who prefer a slower pace, human-powered travel options like hiking, biking, and paddling provide a closer connection to nature and the details often missed at faster speeds. Kristi Growdon, a personal golf trainer from Seattle, emphasized the benefits of cycling over driving, stating that it allows you to see things you wouldn't otherwise notice. She recently went on a cycling trip to Utah with VBT Bicycling Vacations, a company that has seen high demand for their domestic departures this year. Additionally, the Maine Island Trail Association reported a 23 percent increase in membership last year, as more people seek access to trail information for the route across over 200 undeveloped islands along the Maine coast. Michael Daugherty, co-owner of Sea Kayak Stonington, highlighted the unique experience of sea kayaking in the intertidal zone, where small boats can go where other boats cannot. Daugherty, who runs the business with his wife Rebecca, also mentioned their 2020 illustrated book "Upwest & Downeast," which documents their 625-mile paddle along the Maine coast. On a 55-day trip, the author felt that the pace was not slow enough for their liking. Tour operators are now offering more relaxed vacation packages to cater to this trend. Backroads, an active travel company, has introduced a new division called Dolce Tempo, which offers a less ambitious pace for travelers. The company has already sold out nearly all of its 2021 trips and plans to add 100 new Dolce Tempo departures in 2022, both domestically and internationally. For example, there will be trips to Scandinavia, England, and along the Danube River. While it typically takes about 5 1/2 hours to drive from Denver to Moab, Utah, riders of the Rocky Mountaineer train can now cover the route in two days, including an overnight stay in Glenwood Springs, Colorado, starting in August. The popular Rockies to the Red Rocks route has increased capacity and extended its season to Nov 19 due to high demand. The new Aquarius Trail Hut System in southern Utah features five backcountry huts made from recycled shipping containers and powered by solar energy along a 190-mile biking route from Brian Head Peak to Escalante. Cyclists can enjoy scenic views in Dixie National Forest and Bryce Canyon National Park. Jared Fisher, owner of Escape Adventures, created the system over five years to make bike-packing more accessible by providing food and bedding, simplifying gear and planning for cyclists. Fisher, a passionate bike-packer, has cycled across the United States three times. He finds joy in the sense of freedom and peacefulness that comes with traveling by bike, as he loves being immersed in nature and experiencing it with all his senses.