Slow Travel Summer Destinations

Slow travel is a rising trend that encourages you to step back from a rushed schedule of photo opportunities and tourist hotspots and to further immerse yourself within the true culture of your destination.
Paul Sullivan, slow travel expert and the founding editor of Slow Travel Berlin described the qualities of a slow traveller when speaking to Grantourismo , saying, “The ideal slow traveller is the person who gets their experiences from locals and local culture as opposed to guidebooks”.
When you practise slow travel, you are quite literally doing the opposite of mainstream tourism, by slowing things down and taking the time to get to know all of the little things which make each place its own. This could be anything from booking on to a nature and wildlife tour to learn more about the plants and animals living in the location or taking a bicycle to dinner rather than a taxi where you face the risk of missing the off-beat path. By making these ‘slow travel’ adjustments to your travel habits, you will find yourself more present in the moment and leaving with a far deeper understanding of the place you have visited.
Slow travel is proving to be increasingly popular and online searches have increased by a staggering 50% over the past year alone. This trend is growing on social media too, inspiring a new generation of travellers to implement mindful and immersive practices into their adventures. The #slowtravel on TikTok has 68M views, and there are over 1M different posts on Instagram using hashtags on the topic of slow travel.

Famous for delicious food, beautiful architecture and so much more, Europe is a treasure trove for tourism and a great place to embark on your slow travel journey. When looking into the best destinations for slow travel in Europe, Italy reigned supreme and was followed by Spain, Germany, Norway and France, all scoring highly to complete the top five.

Next in the ranking as the second-best slow travel hotspot of Europe, with an impressive overall slow travel score of 79.4 out of 100, is Spain. Each month, an average of 1,830 online searches are made by aspiring travellers looking for terms related to slow travelling in Spain, proving this destination is a popular one. In 2022, Spain's Tourism Board even launched a #SlowTravelSpain campaign encouraging the end of harmful impacts on communities and the environment from tourism.
Hiking and cycling are great ways to practise this and with 171 cycling tours in Spain and an incredible 866 hiking trails to explore, such as passing through famous windmills of Consuegr and even exploring the small towns and villages untouched by mass tourism. With 477 wildlife tours to choose from there is plenty to see and learn, you might even be lucky enough to see the breathtaking view of the “pink carpet” in Andalusia’s Doñana National Park, created by colonies of flamingos when they feed.
Spain also has 500 spectacular lakes, including Lago Azul in Burgos, which may appear small, but is attached to the biggest underwater cave in Spain given the nickname “Everest” as parts of the cave are still unmapped and even undiscovered.
Of the 83,377 mountains in Spain, only eight are higher than 1,500m. The Picos de Europa is a mountainous national park located in the north of Spain and is one of the least known and most underrated areas of the country. Culture Trip dubbed them a “natural sanctuary” and “the perfect place to get away from everything and relax”; very fitting for a slow travel trip. To top it all off, Spain has 684 outdoor activities on offer, leaving little room to get bored, and little reason to visit the common tourist spots!

With an overall score of 62.7, Norway is the fourth-best slow-travel hotspot in Europe. The topic of slow travel in Norway receives an average of 4,380 monthly online searches, proving the high demand for a trendy trip in this location.
Norway has the most mountains of all European countries analysed, with an astounding 161,650 to admire. The second-largest city in Norway, Bergen has even been nicknamed ‘the city of seven mountains’ because of the seven mountains that surround it, making it a great place for any slow-travelling mountaineers to explore! Of the 161,650 mountains in Norway, only six are higher than 1,500m, perfect for any slow travellers in search of some adventure.
Norway also has 245 nature and wildlife tours, with Loften being especially notable for an abundance of fish in the sea, and incredible wildlife all around. Here you can find tours on electric-powered ships to reduce harmful impact and protect the nature you are admiring, which is precisely what slow travelling is all about. There are 20,000 lakes in Norway, perfect for an invigorating kayaking adventure in the summer months or a refreshing dip when the weather is cooler.
Norway is ideal for hikers too, having 329 different trails to choose from. Guided hikes are available in some locations for beginners, which is also a great way to interact with locals and learn even more about the path under your feet. Norway hosts big cycling events, such as the Arctic Race, however, if a more casual cycle is your style, there are 21 cycling tours available so be sure to rent a bike and experience the culture - it is the locals’ favourite way to get around! There is plenty of opportunity for outdoor activities too, and while you don't want to be rushed around on a schedule, it is great to book in and have a hands-on experience of how the locals enjoy their free time, there is an impressive 329 activities to choose from after all.

Visiting a lake can be a very enriching experience, especially while practising slow travel methods. Slowing down and taking time to fully appreciate the lakes, whether it is the tranquillity of the flowing water, the picturesque views of shimmering lakes, the encounters with wildlife in and above the water, or going for a refreshing swim, there is always something to learn at the lake, slowing things down as you connect with the nature.
At Club Med, we have a variety of extraordinary resorts for those on lakes and mountain holidays , where you can maximise your experience, taking full advantage of our wide range of water sports on offer, such as canoeing and waterskiing!
We have found the top ten lakes in the world, as slow travel doesn't always have to mean staying away from popular locations. It is still great to include touristy places in your slow travel itinerary while taking a different approach. Such as visiting during off-peak hours, striking up conversations with locals and taking your time to observe and absorb.

The second-best lake in the world is Switzerlands’ Lake Geneva, with an overall score of 90 out of 100. On TikTok, this lake currently boasts 105,600,000 views proving its great popularity and with 5,130 excellent reviews on TripAdvisor, Lake Geneva is a firm favourite! There are 239 attractions to choose from as well, and Lake Geneva has 308 restaurants within a 3-mile radius, with some even on the lake, the perfect setting for a romantic getaway.

Coming in fourth place in the ranking is Lake Annecy in France, with an overall score of 81 out of 100. Lake Annecy is also known as the cleanest lake in Europe and with 2,500,000 TikTok views and 5,479 excellent TripAdvisor reviews, these efforts are not going unnoticed. You’ll find 561 restaurants within a three-mile radius of the lake and 89 attractions so your day will be filled with fun.

Across the world there are so many locations with tons of opportunities to learn and experience the local culture, discovering the hidden gems of the world for yourself. That's why we at Club Med have revealed the best countries in the world for slow travel, by looking at a number of factors, including a number of lakes and mountains, cycling tours and more. The USA came out on top, with Spain, Italy, Canada and Australia completing the top 5.

Spain follows as the second-best country in the world for slow travelling, with a score of 72 out of 100 and an average of 1,830 monthly online searches made covering the topic of slow travel in Spain. With 171 cycling tours and an incredible 866 hiking trails to explore, Spain is perfect for active travellers looking to admire the breathtaking scenery. There are 684 different outdoor activities to take advantage of and 477 wildlife and nature tours, so no stone will be left unturned in Spain.
Italy is the world's third-best country for slow travelling, with an overall score of 71 out of 100. Italy's 145 cycling tours offer a fantastic way to leisurely explore its captivating countryside and the 1,000 hiking trails offer great alternative routes for adventurers who prefer to travel by foot. The country's 42,536 mountains provide breathtaking backdrops and with 24 higher than 1,500m, a great challenge awaits for the daring.

If you're seeking an unforgettable slow travel experience, surrounded by breathtaking natural wonders, the Alps should be at the top of your list. Surrounded by majestic mountains, such as Mont Blanc and Matterhorn, you can leisurely explore all that they have to offer and admire their beauty. Nestled amidst the mountains, you will also find the Alpine lakes where you can immerse yourself in their tranquillity.
Club Med has great options for those looking to stay in the Alps this summer, with prices starting from £965 at the Peisey-Vallandry resort, each resort offers luxurious settings for a stay in the mountains to remember. Walks and outdoor activities to reconnect with nature, a timeless escape with strolls through village streets, a wellness retreat with a unique spa and yoga facilities, sharing fun times and enjoying delicious local cuisine.