In an era where trips often feel like a race against the clock, slow travel is a refreshing alternative. It’s about immersing yourself in the moment, not ticking off attractions. Slow holidays allow you to connect deeply with a destination — and with yourself. Here are some international itineraries perfect for forgetting the time altogether.
Japan’s Countryside
While Tokyo hums with neon energy, rural Japan offers a completely different kind of experience. In places like Takayama or the Kiso Valley, life moves to the sound of temple bells and the rustle of wind through cedar trees.
Walking along centuries-old trails like the Nakasendo Way, you’ll pass tea houses, wooden villages, and untouched forests. Each day is unhurried, ending with an onsen soak and a quiet dinner of seasonal dishes — proof that slowness can be as enriching as it is restorative.
New Zealand
New Zealand’s beauty is often shown in action-packed footage, but it’s also perfect for slow exploration. On the South Island, routes like the West Coast drive are best enjoyed at a relaxed pace, stopping to walk through rainforests, sit by glacial lakes, or watch seals laze on the rocks.
The charm lies in staying put — perhaps in a small coastal town — and letting each day unfold naturally. Whether you’re wandering vineyards, kayaking in Abel Tasman, or watching the stars in Tekapo, the country rewards those who take their time.
Morocco
Beyond the rush of Marrakech’s medina, Morocco has places where time stretches out. In the Atlas Mountains, traditional Berber villages are connected by mule paths, and days are measured by cups of mint tea rather than minutes.
On the Atlantic coast, towns like Essaouira offer a blend of sea breeze, art galleries, and fishing boats unloading their catch. Watching the sunset over the ramparts is not an activity you can schedule — it’s an experience you sink into.
Madagascar
Madagascar is a place that resists being rushed. Its landscapes shift from rainforest to baobab-dotted plains, and its rhythms are set by the sun, the tides, and the seasons. On the coast, the beaches are long, quiet, and wild — ideal for long walks or simply watching the changing colours of the water.
Exploring the island means more than sightseeing; it’s about slowing down to watch lemurs leap through the trees, sharing a meal of freshly grilled fish with locals, or sailing along the coast in a traditional pirogue. Staying at a VOIhotels Resort in Madagascar puts you right at the edge of these experiences, where days blend seamlessly into one another.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica’s motto, pura vida, is an invitation to slow down. In the Nicoya Peninsula, you can spend mornings walking empty beaches, afternoons in the shade of palm trees, and evenings listening to the rainforest come alive.
Wildlife encounters happen at their own pace here — from watching sea turtles nest to spotting toucans in the treetops. The reward is a rhythm of life that makes every moment feel more vivid.
Choosing a slow holiday isn’t about doing less; it’s about giving each experience the time it deserves. Because in the end, the best journeys aren’t measured in hours or miles — they’re measured in how deeply you lived them.
