At a time when always-on lifestyles lead to burnout, a new form of luxury is taking centre stage: slow travel. Defined by a deeper, more mindful approach to exploring the world, slow travel favours quality over quantity and lingering longer in one place rather than rushing to tick off your to-do list.
“It takes a particular sort of slowness to notice things. The more you hurry and stress, the more you miss the magic, and care less about what you are seeing and feeling,” says Antoinette Turner, GM of Flight Centre South Africa. “This is the essence of the slow travel movement, which pushes back against a world that demands constant motion.”
Citing Rome as an example, she says: “Instead of whizzing from the Colosseum to the Sistine Chapel, and the Trevi Fountain in one day, slow travel invites you to take extended time exploring lesser-known regions and truly be in those places. It means taking time to slow down your steps. To sip a coffee made by a barista who’s name you’ve taken the time to learn. To deliberately notice tastes, colours and sounds, and not take your itinerary too seriously.”
According to Skift’s 2025 Travel Outlook report, slow travel isn’t just another trend. It’s the future of luxury travel, officially dubbing 2025 ‘the year of long getaways.’ Their research notes a continued increase in the average length of holidays, with 76.2% of survey respondents preferring single-country trips.
Turner and her team of travel experts highlight abundant evidence to suggest we’re going through an evolution in how people want to experience the world. “Presence, comfort, and care have become more valuable than a good deal – as has travelling in a way that leaves you feeling enriched, not exhausted,” she adds. “In fact, Flight Centre’s latest survey shows that 80% of our global travellers prefer less crowds. Slow travel is all about time, space and intention.”
In a world that moves quickly and demands efficiency, slow travel is proving to be the ultimate rebellion. Here’s a list of destinations to reclaim a sense presence and find joy in the journey:
Dubai, UAE
Dubai is a something-for-everyone destination, where you can skydive, ski, shop, and sip sundowners on the beach all in one day, but there’s no need to. This sprawling metropolis is best explored with intention to fully appreciate it all.
“Just eight hours away, Dubai is a well-connected single-trip destination where South African travellers can stay longer to wring all the richness from their Dubai Pass,” says Turner.
For South Africans yearning for a bit more than glitzy skyscrapers, and bustling shopping malls, Bur Dubai provides a glimpse into the soul of old Dubai.
“Tucked along Dubai Creek, this historic quarter reveals the city’s humble beginnings as a fishing and pearling village,” Turner explains. “It’s a wonderful place to slow down, and let your thoughts stretch out through its winding alleys, traditional souks, and wind-tower houses. Most visitors don’t even know Bur Dubai exists!”
Northern Cape, South Africa
Aligning with the slow travel movement is astro-tourism, a form of travel focused on the night sky – and its celestial wonders.
Turner highlights how South Africa’s Northern Cape is leading the way: “This previously overlooked province is brimming with quiet roads, star-spangled skies and after-dark experiences where you can reconnect with the cosmos,” she explains.
“At the ultra-luxurious Tswalu Kalahari, guests can bed down under the heavens on raised sleep-out platforms. Resting beneath the Korannaberg Mountains, this destination stands as South Africa’s largest privately protected reserve and is home to rare nocturnal species like the aardvark and pangolin.”
Stellenbosch, South Africa
South Africa is also embracing the slow travel movement, as seen in Stellenbosch’s Stay and Play Winter campaign, which encourages visitors to ‘kuier’ a little longer in the Cape Winelands.
“In winter, Stellenbosch becomes a place where time seems to slow, offering an alternative to the faster-paced Cape Town lifestyle. As the second oldest town in the country, you can peel away the layers of its local history and really take the time to immerse yourself in the town’s culture, cuisine, wine, art, and nature,” says Turner.
Kyoto, Japan
“With the Japanese yen at its weakest in decades, there’s never been a better time for South Africans to explore Japan. It’s more accessible than ever,” says Turner, who pinpoints Kyoto as a destination to embrace slow travel.
“Kyoto has its modern, fast-paced side, but I recommend experiencing it the way it’s meant to be: thoughtfully and intentionally,” she adds. “I personally love how beautifully it has preserved its culture and history. Think hidden temples, bamboo groves, and intimate tea ceremonies.”
She recommends staying in a ryokan (traditional inn) and sampling multi-course kaiseki dinners to experience true Japanese hospitality.
As the world pushes forward, Turner emphasises that travel is becoming less about reaching destinations and more about embracing the journey.
“Slow travel reflects a growing shift in what people consider to be ‘luxury’: more time, more space, and genuine connection. By choosing to slow down, immerse deeply, and savour every moment, travellers are not only creating more meaningful experiences but also fostering a more sustainable and mindful approach to seeing the world,” she concludes.
FLIGHT CENTRE TRAVEL GROUP SOUTH AFRICA
Flight Centre Travel Group (FCTG) SA is part of Flight Centre Travel Group, an Australia-based international travel company listed on the Australian Stock Exchange, with a market cap of AU$2.66 billion and a current share price of AU$12.12 as of 23 June 2025. FCTG with three leading brands: Flight Centre, Corporate Traveller and FCM, of which Corporate Traveller and FCM are proud level 1 BBBEE Contributors. FCTG SA is wholly owned and has been recognised as one of Deloitte’s Best Companies to Work for in South Africa for over a decade.