Slow Travel is a way of travelling that allows you to connect – with the culture, people and their way of life. At TOMA & COE, we help you do just that through our bespoke, guided tours and trips.
Slow Travel is a mindset. An extension of the Slow Food movement which started in Italy, it emphasises a connection to local people, their culture, food and music. But what does that mean?
Essentially, it means not having a tick list of ‘must sees’. Yes, they can be part of your holiday, but slow travel is about experiencing an emotional impact. Consideration of the local communities and environment are other essential elements. Combine monuments with local experiences, just don’t try and cram them all into one trip.
Take your time… and let us be your guides to the Spain you never knew.
Stay For Longer
The longer the stay, the greater the connection. It’s also better for the environment – as you spend more time in one place, you reduce the negative impact of travel. You become accustomed to the culture, people, food and landscape. You explore and get to know the intricacies of your holiday destination.
At Toma & Coe, we can arrange luxury accommodation which offers you privacy and the chance to involve yourself in local surroundings and activities.
Slow Travel Fosters Connections
If you don’t know the local language, this can be a daunting prospect. This is where Toma & Coe comes in. We can introduce you to restaurants where they serve authentic dishes and the atmosphere is true to the area. We know where you can experience local trades, such as lace making, olive oil production or viticulture. Want to visit the food market then prepare a dish under the tutelage of a local cook? We can organise all this and more for you.
When you experience Slow Travel, you get to know the people in the destination you’re travelling to; that’s when beautiful things happen.
Reduce Your Carbon Footprint
We’re fans of sustainable travel. By slowing down and exploring in depth, you’ll make less of an impact on the environment. Rather than a private transfer, take the train to your destination and watch the town and countryside unfurl before you.
Spain also hosts some incredible train journeys, from Mr Henderson’s Railway to the luxury El Transcantábrico Gran Lujo. Enjoy beautiful destinations in a more sustainable manner and let us be your guides.
Experience the Destination from a Different Perspective
Get to know your holiday destination from a local perspective. At Toma & Coe, we create bespoke tours to suit you. Whether they are private tours, foodie tours, wine tours or luxury tours to walking holidays, activity holidays and more.
Our private Andalucia guides promise to show you parts of each town and city you would never be able to find on your own. At a slower pace than your average tour, you get to delve into the secret places tourists don’t usually get to see. We share our passion for Andalucia with you every step of the way.
Visit During Low-season
This isn’t always possible, especially if you have children. However, a low-season trip is beneficial in so many ways.
Firstly, there’s no jostling with peak season tourists. Secondly, you’ll experience the destination as somewhere people, live, work and play, not simply a tourist destination. All this helps you connect with the area’s intrinsic spirit.
Time for Self-reflection
“Having heard the term Camino Magic, which refers to the unexplained good fortune, synchronicity, and connections along the path, I realized that much of that would not have been apparent without the magician – Manni Coe. On our recent trek on the Camino Mozarabe, he imbued the journey with incredible insights, cultural knowledge, and guidance – all with humor, patience, and good spirit. I can’t imagine embarking on such a pilgrimage without Manni.” 5* review, May 2022
Travelling is not only about new adventures but offers a chance for contemplation and self-reflection. As you slow down, you have time to relax with your thoughts.
What better way than to undertake the Camino de Santiago pilgrimage. At Toma & Coe we offer you the opportunity to undertake a journey of physical and emotional enlightenment with fellow pilgrims or group of friends.
The Benefits of Slow Travel
However you want to Slow Travel, there are numerous benefits. Instead of trying to fit in every sightseeing opportunity on your list, this way of travel encourages time for rest. Save energy and recharge your batteries.
You get to know the best local spots off the beaten path, enjoy the area’s natural beauty rather than rush from one historical site to another and truly immerse yourself.
If you’d like to know more about Slow Travel experiences, please feel free to contact us here.
