Travelling as if I was a local: the beauty of slow and mindful travel
- Laura Seeling
Travelling as if I was a local
I don’t know about you, but when I travel, I don’t like following a strict itinerary that plans every breath I take each day. My favorite way of traveling is slow — doing everything at my own pace, deciding what I want to do in the moment, and especially visiting local spots instead of overly touristic ones.
Don’t get me wrong, I love iconic landmarks and popular attractions. But there’s something special about starting your day in a new country, finding a café where locals grab their morning coffee, and just sitting there — watching people head to work, listening to conversations, and getting a glimpse of what it actually feels like to live there. That quiet sense of belonging, even if it’s temporary, is what truly makes me fall in love with a place.
Of course, I know I’m lucky. As a digital nomad, I have the privilege to travel slowly and stay longer. Not everyone can take the time to wander small streets or get lost in the landscapes of a new country. But I’ve learned that traveling this way feels lighter — less like ticking boxes, and more like actually living somewhere new, even if it’s only for a while.
Maybe that’s part of why I travel like this. As a creative who always dreams of living a thousand different lives, this is the closest I can get — slipping into a new rhythm, imagining what it would be like to have a life there, even just for a short time.
That’s why when I imagine my dream trips, I picture them in that same pace — like exploring Japan’s hidden restaurants where no one speaks English, yet the food is unforgettable. Or biking through Copenhagen’s streets with no destination in mind, just watching people’s routines, the fashion, the culture, and all the small details that make life there feel so real.
Connecting with locals
One of my favorite things about traveling is connecting with the people who actually live there. I love observing how they think, how they dress, how they spend their days — and of course, asking for tips. Because honestly, who better to recommend something than someone who’s known the place their whole life?
Nowadays, social media is full of travel recommendations, and I do rely on them sometimes. It’s amazing how much real travelers share online — but I’ve also been misled by overly hyped spots that didn’t live up to the photos. That’s why I’ve learned that asking locals directly is still the best way to find the real gems.
Some of my favorite memories come from spontaneous conversations — like chatting with a barista who told me about a beach only locals go to, or meeting another traveler who became a lifelong friend. Travel connections can be intense, sometimes brief, but always meaningful. And when you take the time to learn even a few words of the local language, it can open doors you didn’t know existed. People truly appreciate it when you make the effort to meet them halfway.
And sometimes, traveling means reuniting with friends I’ve met throughout the years — people from different countries who’ve become part of my story. Sitting together after months or years apart, talking for hours, laughing, catching up, and not worrying about time… that’s a kind of happiness you can’t really plan for. It’s one of the most grounding parts of traveling — it reminds me that no matter where I go, there are pieces of home scattered all over the world.
Hidden gems
If there’s one thing slow travel has taught me, it’s that the best moments are often unplanned. Over the years, I’ve discovered countless hidden gems — sometimes through TikTok, but more often through conversations with locals or simple curiosity. There’s something magical about walking without a plan, turning into a random alley, and stumbling upon a tiny bakery, a quiet park, or a bookstore with a cat sleeping in the window.
Unplanned moments often become the ones you remember most. Sometimes, the best way to explore a new city is simply to wander. Of course, always stay safe — but let curiosity guide you a little. You never know what’s waiting at the end of a side street.
Making a routine as a digital nomad
One of the reasons I love slow travel so much is because it allows me to create a routine — something that keeps me grounded no matter where I am. At home, I love waking up early, grabbing an overly sweet iced coffee, diving into work, having lunch, and then heading to the gym or a Pilates session in the afternoon.
So when I’m abroad, I try to keep that rhythm — but with a twist. I get to explore new cafés, find local gyms, and maybe join a local pilates studio. That mix of familiarity and discovery is what makes it special.
I know many people travel to escape their routines, and I like to do that sometimes too. But for me, keeping some structure makes me feel more balanced. It’s like I get to experience a new country and keep a bit of home with me. Even if I’m only staying somewhere for a few weeks, I love finding my little rituals — my morning sweet treat spot, my go-to grocery store, my favorite sunset walk. They help me feel like I’m not just passing through, but actually living there, even if for a short time.
Cultural immersion through food
If I had to pick one favorite part of traveling, it would definitely be food. As a foodie, there’s nothing better than trying new dishes in new places. I love exploring local flavors, learning when and how dishes are eaten, and discovering what foods are tied to celebrations or traditions.
I also enjoy ordering foods I already know — just to see how they’re made differently elsewhere. Maybe it’s a pasta dish in Italy that tastes richer, or a croissant in Paris that ruins all other croissants forever. And sometimes, the best meals come from pure instinct — like walking past an intimate restaurant and deciding to go in, only to have one of the best meals of your life. Those are the moments that make me love travel even more.
The rush of social media when travelling
Social media has completely changed the way people travel. Every day, we see hundreds of videos showing “must-visit” spots and “hidden gems” that, ironically, are no longer hidden. And while that can be inspiring, it also creates pressure — the feeling that you need to see everything before your trip ends.
But when you rush to fit it all in, you miss what’s right in front of you: the smell of fresh bread from a nearby bakery, the sound of a local musician, or a conversation that could’ve made your day. Those little things are what make traveling so magical.
I’ve learned to give myself permission to slow down. To have rest days. To not feel guilty for doing “nothing.” Sometimes, the best travel memories come from the moments you didn’t plan. And even if I don’t manage to see it all — maybe I never will — I know I enjoyed each second of my trip the way I wanted to.
Lessons learned
Everyone travels differently — we all find what works for us. When I was a kid, I used to travel with my parents, and they’d wake me up at dawn to do a thousand things in one day. I’d end up so exhausted that I couldn’t enjoy half of it. But this is what worked for them, on a tight time-frame.
Then I discovered slow travel — staying in Airbnbs for a month, getting discounts for longer stays, and actually living like a local. It changed everything. It gave me peace of mind, but also a deeper awareness of how people live, think, and connect across cultures.
The more I travel this way, the more I realize that the best trips aren’t about how many places you visit, but how deeply you connect with the ones you do. Maybe that’s what traveling as a local really means — not just blending in, but slowing down enough to see, taste, and feel a place as if you belonged there, even if just for a little while.