Slow Travel: How to Get the Most Out of Your Travel Experience

[@AnimaLibera]

Nice summary. I've been a slow traveler for a long time. I have visited 35 countries in most of which I spent more than a month at a time. I have also lived in four countries. As Ian said: if you want to learn anything about a country and its people, you need to spend some time there. The longer you stay, the more you become one of them and the more you feel at home. Speaking the language of your host country makes for an even more profound experience. If money is an issue, you can become a house-sitter and save the money you would normally spend on accommodation. Getting to know all these countries has been a great experience throughout and I don't see myself stopping anytime soon.

[@henokmulatu2314]

Wow your voice and its calmness is amazing! That's what made me subscribe Ian. 🥰🥰

[@iancfrancis]

@@henokmulatu2314 Thank you 🙏 and thanks for subscribing!

[@Saundra-cg2bl]

Thank you for this video. I am a minimalist which gives me the freedom to pick up and go. At 65, slow travel, meeting locals, & gaining experiences are where it’s at for me.

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks for your comment! I have another video on books for travelers and one is “Goodbye Things” on Japanese minimalism. Having less lets us do a lot more. Safe travels!

[@thypher4378]

Beautiful video, and great commentary about integration with the local people and culture.

[@iancfrancis]

Thank you!

[@Carlaqayt]

W vid G

[@rafacanseco]

it is insane that this channel has only 246 suscribers.The video quality is top tier, congrats! i'm about to start slow traveling with no defined return date. Thank for the inspiration.

[@iancfrancis]

@@rafacanseco Thank you! Have a great trip!

[@CoreyTube2012]

I wish I could hit the like button more than once! I'd hit it 10 times for this video - great job! We spent 3 months in Vietnam & Thailand, with a couple weeks in Cambodia in 2023 - and we're going back for 5 months in 2025 (adding India and Nepal). I miss the feeling I felt in Thailand - there's something in the air - the peacefulness and happiness is palpable! You conveyed some powerful feelings! "It's your world. Make yourself at home" ...beautifully done.

[@iancfrancis]

Thank you! Your words are very encouraging, I hope to make more videos like this soon. Thailand is such a nice place, it’s definitely on our revisit list as well. I have a friend who taught English there for two years and she thinks about going back every day haha. That's awesome, India and Nepal, I’m jealous! Safe travels!

[@slavensimunovic319]

Amazing advice from a well seasoned explorer!!! Keep sharing your journey!

[@iancfrancis]

Thank you! Will do!

[@walternyc]

Great message on a perfectly edited video. It deserves many more views!. As a sometimes slow traveler, or doing project work oversees the biggest drawback is that I always end up missing the friendships I make along the way. My Thai, Nepalese, Mongolian ... friends. Even the acquaintances, the lady that serves me the late in the morning or the one that has the best fruit in the market. It takes discipline to just enjoy the moments without attachment.

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks for the encouraging words! I agree, one of the lessons of travel is recognizing impermanence and enjoying the time you do have with the great people you meet along the way.. still, saying goodbye never gets any easier.

[@vedransimunovic8576]

I like it ... keep up in same style

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks, I'm excited to make more!

[@joannemberube]

Loved this! At 64 and 68, we are just beginning our travels outside of 🇨🇦 🇺🇸 so it tempting to move quickly. However, I love the idea of slow travel. “It’s your world. Make yourself at home.” Powerful!

[@iancfrancis]

Thank you! That’s awesome!! Yeah, sometimes (especially in the beginning) it's like an all-you-can-eat buffet where you want to take in everything but there's only so much you can digest at a time. You take in too much and then you have to take a nap😅. Slow travel makes it much more sustainable for the long-term traveler to avoid burnout and bring a positive mindset day in and day out. Safe travels!!

[@patriciafrancis8024]

Love it great content and videos ❤️

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks so much!!

[@rod6523]

Beautifully done. Inspiring. It’s always about people and bringing the world closer together. At age 75, having globally travelled at a faster pace, I’m convinced more than ever of the virtues of “slow travel”. Much thanks for making this video !

[@iancfrancis]

@@rod6523 thank you! I’m glad you liked it! 🙏

[@PapaBradAbides]

This has to be one of the best traveling blogs I came across so far and I'm glad I found you because this is really authentic. The retirement blogs that come across are not what I'm looking for they're interesting but they're usually couples. I really enjoyed this Thank you

[@iancfrancis]

Thank you, I’m glad you liked it! I will be making more videos like this in the future.

[@melanie3500]

This is beautiful! I love your vibe!❤

[@iancfrancis]

Thank you! 🙏❤️

[@forgehive]

😊 it's pretty nice ! On fire man! My wife and I have been travelling for a long period and we're a kind of nomads to find the best match for both of us. Carry on in this way ❤

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks man! That's awesome, keep it up! I've met lots of expats who traveled somewhere not intending to stay for long but fell in love with it and never left.

[@Andrepetrinii]

Amazing

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks!

[@Aneezer]

Anyone's lucky to get some wisdom from Ian! Super impressed with the consistently beautiful footage you've managed to get across the globe

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks Anisa!

[@avibongo]

Great message, wonderful story telling and videography. Thank you.

[@iancfrancis]

I’m glad you liked it, thank you!

[@sarbajitsarkar5254]

❤ such a beautiful real video. Keep going man.

[@iancfrancis]

Thank you, I really appreciate that!

[@johndemetriades3758]

Beautifully made video Ian! Well done. I really resonated with the fact of staying longer in a place in order to become more of a local eventually. Hence why I find myself visiting certain countries like Italy and Spain repeatedly; I have connected with their people so much - it almost feels like home now 😁

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks! That's awesome, yeah I love revisiting places. There seems to be a compound effect in appreciation for a place when you revisit it as you get older and have an updated perspective, especially when you learn some of the language and can dig deeper into the culture and how they think there. That and walking familiar streets without a map is such a great feeling. Safe travels!

[@yogainthealps5503]

Really good stuff ! I can relate to it as someone who spend 3 months in New Zealand in the same place (Wanaka). People thought I'm weird ! But it just felt like home and I didn't feel the need to go anywhere else. Hope your channel will grow quickly thanks to this great content. Keep it up.

[@iancfrancis]

Thank you! It's a unique feeling to be content with a place and not having to rush anywhere else, and it's not that common to do so people always think it's a little strange haha. Rewarding though!

[@diannelake580]

Love your approach. Very respectful.

[@iancfrancis]

Thank you, I apprecieate you saying that.

[@trayavlon]

I like this.

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks you!

[@voncilledemesa2075]

Absolutely loved this video! I’m definitely interested in slower travel and slow travel once I semi-retire in 5 years. My husband and I have increased our stays from 7 days to 10 with the hopes of doing 2 weeks then 3 weeks then a month. Travel Goals ✈️

[@iancfrancis]

Thank you! That’s awesome, it’s great to have travel goals! Even going from 7 days to 10 days can make a huge difference! Safe travels!

[@callumbreach2796]

This is honestly such a cool video. I appreciate you putting in time and effort to produce such an inspiring piece. About to embark on a long term travel adventure and this made me even more excited and motivated to explore some of the many beautiful landscapes and cultures this world has to offer! Thank you my man.

[@iancfrancis]

Thank you! I’m glad you could get something out of it, I’m excited for you! If you haven’t already read “Vagabonding” by Rolf Potts, it’s such a great guide for long-term world travelers, and one of my favorites, I highly recommend it. Safe travels!

[@heindewilde]

This video is incredible man, from the cinematography to the sound design. Keep going!

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks man!! I really appreciate it. More videos coming soon!

[@mayamartin7359]

Thank you for your wisdom! 🙏🏼 in about a year I’m taking my will-be-8yo daughter slow traveling (worldschooling!). Planning to travel by ship, train, and bus, and stay 1-3mos in each country. I don’t know when we will return to the US. Just returning to my own roots as I lived in Asia and traveled in Europe age 2-5 but I was too young to remember much. This is a valuable perspective!

[@iancfrancis]

That’s awesome! I was very lucky to travel a lot with my grandfather growing up and those memories are so valuable. Travel is the best education. Safe travels!

[@travelwithjamrell]

Beautiful video! I love the vibe of your channel and I am getting into slow travel. You just got a sub from me. Can’t wait to see more of your videos! 😁

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks, I really appreciate that! I'm looking forward to posting more soon!

[@Trip-codeis_TRIP777C]

If you buy Railcard with Trip, you will get a discount

[@DanaFrancis-l4j]

Beautiful! Great topic and great advice!

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks! Glad you enjoyed it!

[@MelissaBergIllustration]

Is this all your own photography? It’s beautiful, great editing too. My husband and I have retired early and my son is graduating high school in a year. We are thinking of selling what we own, including our home here in the US, and start traveling. We are researching so many options, including buying a small vacation home somewhere like Italy to use as a home base and then traveling Europe from there. The idea of slow travel is very appealing to us. We have never been outside the US, other than cruises, but like you say, that sort of travel feels shallow. I’m going to subscribe, I really vibe with your perspective. I hope you continue making videos, you deserve more subscribers. May the algorithms favor you. I will look, but I hope you have or plan to make videos about how to plan a slow travel itinerary. Like is it better to rent an apartment? Stay in a hotel? How far ahead do you book things before leaving a place? Does that all depend on the country? Thanks so much ☺️

[@iancfrancis]

Thanks! Yes, I film everything myself. That’s great to hear your planning on traveling long term, and thanks for all of the suggestions for future topics to cover! When traveling in Europe long term just make sure you’re familiar with the Schengen Area and its regulations. Safe travels!