What is slow travel and why should you try it in the Murmansk region?

If you plan to travel on the principle of "catch everything at once", but returning from trips, you feel more tired than rested, you will like the concept of slow travel. It is not difficult to move quickly between cities now, but in order to immerse yourself in the atmosphere of a new place — with its traditions, rhythm and specifics of life, unique features of local residents — it is better to slow down on the contrary. Slow travel is one of the components of slow movement (from English — "slow movement"). Slow movement arose in the 80s of the last century in Rome as a protest against the opening of McDonald's outlets — Italians were alien to the concept of reckless consumption "on the go". Its proponents urge you to be attentive to any experience — whether it's eating, doing work, or visiting new places on your travels. It is not enough just to walk for a few hours along the central streets, look at the city through the phone screen, taking hundreds of photos for social networks, and go to one of the central restaurants designed for tourists. So you don't know what the city breathes and what its real face looks like.

The approach of slow travel is not to move from place to place, turning your vacation into a kaleidoscope of superficial impressions, but to concentrate on one direction and try to get to know it to the maximum.

1. Decide on the destination and devote the entire time of your trip to this place — preferably at least a week. For example, in the Murmansk region, you can stop at such destinations as Teriberka, Rybachy, Khibiny Mountain range or even Terskiy Bereg. 2. Go to your chosen location at any time of the year. 3. Read about the culture of the local population in advance — so you will learn about local customs and traditions, and understand what kind of communication ethics you should adhere to. 4. Do not stay in a hyped hotel with crowds of tourists, rent a remote house. So you will be more immersed in the atmosphere of solitude with yourself and nature. 5. Communicate more with the locals-find out how these people live. You can even adopt some of their habits for a while. 6. Let the daily routine be non-tourist. If you run in the morning-do it on a trip, cook yourself breakfast, set aside time to read books, settle in your personal space. You will feel at home in a new place. 7. Don't make long lists of attractions — don't rush to see everything. It is better to get acquainted with fewer places, but learn more about them and feel their value and beauty without fuss. And more about the sights — do not walk only in the center, visit residential areas and suburbs, wander more through non-obvious back streets — this is where real life lies. 8. Find out from residents where they prefer to relax, what cafes and restaurants they like — and go to try the local cuisine. 9. Cook. Explore small shops with vegetables and fruits, try the delicacies that the region is famous for (venison, scallops, crab, sea urchin and much more). You can also attend cooking classes, where you will learn how to prepare national and Arctic dishes. 10. Walk a lot, rent a bike, use public transport. Although, taxi drivers can tell a lot about the life of the city! 11. Do not contact the guides, take a walk around the city with someone from the local-he will show you what you will not find yourself. For example, he will tell you about secret bars where there are no tourists, show you cozy streets hidden from the majority, advise establishments where delicious dishes of national cuisine are prepared. You can make friends with a random passerby or use services that organize walks with local people — for example, Tripster or Localie. 12. Do not buy banal souvenirs, take something special with you. Let the item be inconspicuous, but it will remind you of some important event on the trip or of a new acquaintance. it can be an author's postcard, a vintage decoration, a beautiful stone from a walk on the seashore or a book. look for your own ways to add to this list. Everyone has their own slow travel, there are no clear rules. you do what's right for you.

Savings. This is one of the most pleasant factors, in addition to emotions and valuable experience. It is much cheaper to live as a native than as a tourist. Rest. Slow travel will allow you to avoid emotional burnout, which is often visited after "running" through several locations in a short time. Travel in the style of slow will help you change the situation without stress, get inspired and restore your strength. Emotions from communication. Meet the locals. this will allow you to learn more about the new place and make new friends. Awareness. Slow travel increases the level of awareness — immersion in the environment will help you get to know and understand another culture more deeply. In this way, your understanding of the world will expand, and when you return home, you will be able to look at your hometown differently. You will also be able to look at yourself in a new way — a full-fledged life in a different environment will certainly open up something unexpected in you.

hiking. in addition to traveling to authentic places, you can go hiking, moving without haste and enjoying the views and beauty of nature. this can be a route of tens of kilometers with visits to natural sites and architectural structures. life in the country. you can settle in a picturesque little village and experience the beauty and complexity of village life. and you can stay in eco-hotels. The experience of the farmer. Why not go to the collection of cloudberries and cranberries, and maybe fishing, live in a small house and spend time doing useful work on the ground? It can be volunteering or just an experience for the soul, without obligations. Road trip. Many supporters of slow travel prefer not to travel by plane, because a fast flight erases the feeling of a huge distance — and you will see much less interesting places. So a road trip would also be a great idea. On the way to your destination, you will be able to visit different cities and villages, which will allow you to experience the diversity of life. Original source: russia.travel