6 Strategies for Pacing Yourself During Urban Vacations
Slowing Down for a Memorable City Trip
December 9, 2019 | Travel & Explore
City trips can be overwhelming with their constant traffic, crowds, and long queues. However, even the busiest cities can offer a more relaxing and memorable experience with a few simple changes to your itinerary. Here's how to slow down during your next city adventure.
1. Create Lasting Memories with Simple Joys
My son and I recently enjoyed a city trip to Paris, making memories that will last a lifetime. One small yet significant moment stands out: we had waffles after visiting the Eiffel Tower. This simple touch transformed a popular tourist attraction into a cherished experience. Don't underestimate the power of incorporating easy, enjoyable moments into your city travels.
2. Prioritize Experience Over Sightseeing
Instead of spending every minute inside popular museums or attractions, step outside and join the locals. Sitting on a bench and watching a man blow enormous bubbles in the park, for example, may become the most valuable portion of your city trip. At the Palace of Versailles, we chose to walk the gardens and have a picnic rather than standing in long lines to enter the palace. This decision resulted in one of the best moments of our trip.
3. Pack a Picnic
A picnic offers a relaxed, enjoyable alternative to the mediocre food and high prices often associated with city dining. Simply pick up some baguettes, cheese, fruits, and other snacks, find a nice spot, and enjoy. The weather may not always cooperate, but even a quick impromptu picnic can provide a welcome break from the fast pace of city life.
4. Stroll While Savoring Ice Cream
Ice cream, especially the artisanal kind, can be a delightful way to slow down and appreciate the atmosphere of a city. Wander the streets, soaking in the sights and sounds, all while treats in hand. Finding the perfect ice cream parlor can become part of the adventure.
5. Quality Time, One-on-One
Traveling in a small group, such as my son and me, can provide a unique bonding experience. Being together without the distractions of daily life allows for deeper conversations and a more meaningful, intimate connection. This quality time can be just as valuable—or even more so—than checking off world-famous landmarks from your list.
6. Keep Mementos Close to Your Heart
I prefer to collect items that bring me joy or can be used rather than mementos that simply accumulate dust. The souvenirs I chose from our Paris trip were items I could eat, wear, or use, such as French macarons, a pocket umbrella, and hoodies for my son and me. Memories and experiences last forever, and they require no storage space.
Our platform founder is an advocate for slow living, finding joy in the simple, cozy, and soulful aspects of life. By adopting a slower pace during city travels, we can cultivate a more authentic and lasting connection with our destinations.
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our founder: The founder of our platform champions simplicity, well-being, and soulful living. Her interests include herbal tea, yoga, and sustainable fashion. She founded the platform to support small businesses and inspire others to live a slower, more purposeful lifestyle.
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- Embrace the philosophy of slow living by supporting sustainable brands and small businesses that promote the enjoyment of simple, cozy, and soulful aspects of life, especially in the home-and-garden sector.
- Cultivate a memorable city trip by prioritizing sustainable, home-garden related items as souvenirs, such as French pottery, seed packets, or reusable shopping bags, which can serve as vivid reminders of the experience while contributing to a more eco-friendly lifestyle.
