Slow Down: Soft Travel Prioritizes Relaxation And Immersion On Vacation

Let’s face it, this year has been stressful and those seeking a quiet getaway vacation can consider the new trend, “soft travel.” This trend prioritizes relaxation and immersion, rather than the frantic sightseeing of other more usual approaches. By doing so, soft travel offers a more rejuvenating experience to travelers.

The new vacation trend of ‘soft travel’ emerges

According to a recent survey, 92 percent of Americans find modern travel nerve-wracking and often exhausting. Meanwhile, 66 percent feel daunted at creating a vacation itinerary.

Moreover, 25 percent of US travelers are at their most anxious when returning from vacation, probably dreading the work that has piled up in their absence.

These statistics highlight the need for a less stressful approach to travel, most importantly during the holidays, when the stress of having a perfect vacation can be overwhelming.

How to embrace the trend

Yulia Saf, CEO and Founder of Miss Tourist, has shared insights into how to embrace the soft travel trend while on vacation as follows:

– Make a stop in a single, quiet vacation destination

Instead of getting stressed out by planning multiple stops on your journey, rather choose one beautiful and peaceful location for your entire vacation. One perfect example is the charming town of Ærøskøbing on the Danish island of Ærø, which has been dubbed the “fairytale town” due to its picturesque beauty.

Here, travelers can spend their time exploring the streets with their colorful 18th-century houses, while taking time out to relax in cozy cafés or enjoy people-watching from a bench in the town square. With no pressure to see everything, or go anywhere else, the goal is to settle into the gentle pace of the fairytale setting to truly unwind.

– Book home-like accommodations

Another aspect of soft travel is to book accommodations via platforms such as VRBO and Airbnb, choosing homes with kitchens and living spaces in residential areas. As a great example, rent an apartment in the Marais district of Paris to live like a local, while shopping at nearby markets and cooking your own meal with fresh French ingredients.

– Embrace unplanned days

Rather than rushing out of bed in the morning to keep up with the schedule of daily itineraries, enjoy the luxury of completely unstructured time. For example, in Rome resist the urge to visit the most iconic tourist sites, while choosing a charming neighborhood like Trastevere and spending your days with no set plans.

Explore the cobblestone streets of the city, find a quiet café to relax and read a book, or spend time people-watching in a peaceful piazza like Piazza di Santa Maria. This way you can let the day go by naturally while keeping up the energy levels. The soft travel trend is to experience the rhythm of local life while relaxing rather than rushing around the tourist attractions.

– Immerse yourself in low-key community activities

Seek out quieter and more relaxed local experiences. For example, when visiting Tokyo in December, consider visiting a local temple for a peaceful Joya no Kane bell-ringing ceremony on New Year’s Eve. Reportedly, many temples like Zojoji Temple welcome visitors to participate in this reflective tradition.

Alternatively, take a tranquil winter stroll through Tokyo’s illuminated Rikugien gardens, renowned for beautiful evening light-ups in late autumn and early winter. Both these relaxing experiences offer a calm and peaceful way to immerse yourself in local culture without the crowds at large events.

– Set specific ‘connected’ hours

We all like to be connected but while on a soft travel vacation, limit your online time to one hour in the morning and one hour in the evening. Meanwhile, outside of this time, keep your phone in airplane mode. However, if you are concerned about emergencies, ensure you leave contact details of your accommodations with your family and friends.

– Travel by train with scenic views

In recent years, train travel has come back in popularity and some rail journeys take passengers through beautiful scenery. For example, catch the Glacier Express from St. Moritz to Zermatt instead of driving or flying. While making the journey part of the vacation, hop off for an overnight stay in a scenic small town.

Yulia Saf added:

The holiday season is an ideal time to try soft travel and give yourself a needed break. Many of us rush through the year, and our vacations often follow the same pattern. Soft travel offers a way to change this.

By applying these ideas to your holiday plans, you can turn your trip from a list of sights into a restful experience. Spend a week in a rental in a small town, take walks through neighborhoods, or enjoy an afternoon nap. Soft travel focuses on quality, not quantity.

 Remember, the aim of your holiday isn’t to see everything or follow a strict schedule. It’s to return home feeling rested and connected to the place you’ve visited. This season, allow yourself to slow down and be present. After all, isn’t that what a vacation is supposed to be about?

Take the time to experience soft travel during the holidays or the New Year 2025. Take a tip from Simon & Garfunkel, slow down and feel groovy!