It’s easy to understand why the appeal of slow travel isn’t slowing down. Little makes for a more rewarding and restorative trip than hitting the pause button and taking the time to get to know a place – it certainly beats racing through a city and squeezing in sights with barely a second to breathe. Plus, taking it slow is by far a much more sustainable way to travel.
Tempted? Good, because Sainsbury’s Bank has determined the best destinations for slow travel based on nature, cuisine, relaxation, accommodations and flight price (from the UK). And we wouldn’t want their hard work to go to waste.
Cornwall, the Algarve and Provence take the top spots
The top spot was claimed by Cornwall. Straddling a rocky peninsula in England, there’s spectacular scenery everywhere you look, from rugged coastlines to rolling countryside. For a full immersion into nature, book one of the numerous camping and glamping sites. You won’t regret it.
Tourists who want leisurely travel and leisurely lunches should consider the Algarve. While Portugal’s dramatic south coast ranked second overall, it was rated the highest for cuisine. Fresh seafood, like grilled sardines and oysters, and sun-ripened fruit and vegetables form the basis of most local dishes.
For those wanting to experience quintessential French village life, try Provence, which rounded out the top three. As well as lavender fields, vineyards and farmers’ markets, travellers can explore France’s own Grand Canyon, the Gorges du Verdon (but at their own pace, of course).
Elsewhere on the list, the entire country of Iceland ranked as the ninth-best place overall for slow travel. Take your pick from the mighty Skógafoss waterfall to Heimaey, a town once buried under lava, and everything in between.
Meanwhile, more unusual offerings on the list include Lanzarote, typically known for package holidays, and the cobbled streets of Tallinn, Estonia’s capital.
The best destinations for slow travel
- Cornwall, UK
- Algarve, Portugal
- Provence, France
- Lanzarote, Spain
- Oslo, Norway
- County Mayo, Ireland
- Dubrovnik, Croatia
- Montenegro, The Balkans
- Iceland
- Tallinn, Estonia
Did you see the new ‘beer train’ taking travellers to Oktoberfest this autumn?
Plus: This is the best Nordic city break right now, according to .
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