Slower Travel...why now?

I think we all have a moment when travel stops being about going somewhere and starts being about how we experience it.

For me, that moment happened early — on my first trip to Italy at 18 — and it quietly shaped the way I’ve travelled ever since.

Travel had been part of my life before that. There were family holidays, road trips with carefully packed snacks, and even international travel as a teenager. But Italy was different. I travelled with family to see family, and suddenly travel wasn’t just movement or escape — it was personal.

I was excited, but I was also scared. Being so far from home, navigating another culture, and stepping into something unfamiliar pushed me well outside my comfort zone. Looking back now, I can see how important that experience was. It gave me confidence, perspective, and a deep connection — not just to Italy, but to travel itself.

That journey became the foundation for everything that followed.

Now, in my mid-50s, I experience travel very differently. With age comes awareness. I notice more. I appreciate more. I’m less interested in rushing and far more interested in being somewhere.

I’ve always been a slow traveller — and that’s not the same as being lazy or disengaged. For me, slow travel means spending time in a place rather than ticking off highlights. It means returning to the same café, walking the same street at a different time of day, and allowing a destination to reveal itself gradually.

It’s more about the memories than the photos — even though I love photography. What stays with me longest is how a place felt, not how much of it I managed to see.

As women, especially at this stage of life, there is often a lot of change happening — physically, emotionally, and personally. Many of us are navigating new rhythms, shifting priorities, and a deeper need to take care of ourselves. Travel, when done thoughtfully, can be a powerful way to support that.

This is where women-only travel comes in — and it’s important to say what it isn’t. It’s not about being single. Many women choose to travel without their partners for all kinds of reasons. Women-only travel is about creating space where women feel comfortable, supported, and free to travel in a way that suits them — without explanation or compromise.

For me, slower travel allows room to calm both the mind and the body, while still feeding my passion for learning, exploring, and trying new things. I’m not a risk-taker — you won’t find me signing waivers or chasing adrenaline — but I am curious. I enjoy discovery. And when needed, I can still move at a faster pace. Slower travel isn’t about limitation; it’s about intention.

Food and wine play an important role too. These days, it’s about quality rather than quantity — understanding where things come from, savouring them, and enjoying them without rush. I also travel with a budget in mind. Comfort and safety matter to me, but I don’t need luxury at every turn. That said, the occasional indulgence — a beautiful hotel, a special meal — is a joy when chosen thoughtfully.

This is the kind of travel I want to share with other women. Travel that’s a little more off the beaten path. Journeys that allow for longer stays, deeper connections, and space to simply be — without pressure to see everything or do it all.
Italy lends itself naturally to this way of travelling. Its daily rhythms, its emphasis on living well, and its appreciation for everyday moments make it the perfect place to slow down without feeling like you’re missing out.

Slower travel isn’t about doing less.
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It’s about experiencing more — with care, intention, and support — especially during times of change.