The Road Less Travelled
When someone probes the question, what are your dream destinations? It typically follows with a line-up of continents and countries, then boiling down to multiple states, cities or the country-side, voilà, your bucket list. Crafted from an insatiable need for adventure and imaginable experiences reflected in the lives of those lucky enough to capture tales of their endeavours, bucket lists have become sheer manifestos of personal development and self-care. Today, that list is increasingly shaped by a desire for slow luxury travel—an intentional, immersive way of exploring the world that prioritises meaningful connection over hurried checklists.
And, looking at the latest trends for travel eccentrics, there is a surge in conceptualising experiences into connection and advocating for comfort, keeping you on the narrow road to finding balance between calendar tasks and debilitating your introspective needs.
Therefore tuning in to more spirited endeavours, luxury travellers are redirecting exclusive escapes, off the beaten path, in hopes to rediscover authenticity and culture. Granted the chaos of city life, many of us find ourselves trapped in the surge of abominable traffic, asking ourselves, how did we battle through a pandemic, only to find our way back into rush hour.
Fear Not, the Fear of Missing Out
So, here is the deal, if there is one fear factor you are looking to quash, this is your moment to not miss out the experience and reassess your bucket list (if you have one), to incorporate a more reflective mode of travel. Given raw-grappling travel content aesthetics, it is fair to say, it makes a pretty compelling argument to tread down the path less travelled.
Miyama Kayabuki No Sato, Japan
Pass bustling towns and just about ninety minutes away from the heart of Kyoto is Miyama Kayabuki No Sato, a charming pastoral valley, comfortably tucked away from the relentless pace of the city-life. Some of us may agree that summer is the season for a vacation, contrary to the longer nights of winter. Nonetheless, it goes with the exception of experiencing the beguiling thatched villages of Miyama, where families gather in the spirit of a whimsical winter to build snowmans and light up snow lanterns to usher in the wintertide.
Credit: The Official Travel Guide Kyoto Miyama
It is a bewitching scenery, almost fairytale-like, right at the centre of warmly-lit, snow-capped villages and the quiet glow of the lanterns lingering in the midnight air. The snow lantern festival of Miyama itself, is a seasonal embrace, to opt for leisure, inviting you to reflect, reset and enjoy the evening light as you craft the perfect snowman.
Credit: The Official Travel Guide Kyoto Miyama
Complimentary to its picturesque terrain, Miyama houses Saika Gallery and Cafe, a humble abode courting a diverse range of Japanese artistry and a lovely cafe serving minimal delicacies exclusive to locale favourites. It is a tempting offer, savouring homemade treats and sipping earthy brewed coffee against the backdrop of a mountainous panoramic view.
Jeju Island, Korea
Netflix graced us with a tear-jerking, coming of age story of love, loss and breaking generational trauma, debilitating the unique connection between tangerines and life’s fragility. Be that as it may, one of the more prominent highlights of the show respectively features the courageous labour of the haenyeo, a cultural trade passed down from generations of women.
Bestowed by UNESCO as Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity, and given their distinct art and skill, the slow traveller has the rare opportunity to discover the unparalleled practice of survival and the philosophy these women live by, as a community. Jeju Island now bids an overture in dedication to the lives of these women, in a providential getaway to the Haenyeo-themed Villages.
Within this coastal stretch, the avenue offers haenyeo diving lessons and a momentous experience to unwind at the bulteok, a corner of sanctuary where the haenyeo exchange tales of traditions.
Perhaps less introspective than sunbathing on a beach, this remarkable destination nonetheless provides an inescapable opportunity to forge a deeper connection to Jeju’s oceanic livelihood. What begins as a scenic exploration soon transforms into something far more immersive. Even more compelling is how this journey unfolds at the table, offering an intimate window into the island’s culinary traditions—where dining becomes not merely an act of sustenance, but a powerful extension of place, culture, and community.
Detailing the culture’s choice of aquatic harvest, local chefs offer an expertly range of fresh and deliciously curated seafood cuisine. It pays reverence to the resilience of the women who gather it, amplifying their true zest for life!
Ahmedabad, India
Credit: Gujarat Tourism
The intricate art of weaving is but the oldest form of human practice which essentially dictates the philosophy of art and how its complexity and relevance continues to impact society today. For instance, textile art holds influential connotations of female empowerment in the lives of prominent feminists. Similarly, and perhaps more communally, it resonates deeply within the cultural fabric of Ahmedabad, India. In both cases, textile traditions serve as a medium of identity, resistance, and storytelling.
Credit: Calico Museum of Textiles
Teeming thick in cultural opulence, unapologetic for its imperial intricacy in textile art and ornamental architecture, this populous heritage makes for the perfect artisanal escape. The Calico Museum is therefore, a fated experience to explore the expansive culture that amalgamated the livelihood of south asian artists. Once preserved under the stewardship of Sarabhai Foundation, the museum termed ‘The Retreat’ exhibits the craftsmanship’s story of religious omnipotence and South-Asian inspired traditions.
Credit: Calico Museum of Textiles
And adjacent to such beautiful intricacy, rests a remarkable collection of monumental artefacts, some dating as far back as the 8th century!
Credit: Ticati
A day endorsed by centuries of artistic brilliance is sufficient to work up an appetite for knowledge and a trip down the culinary avenue. Where mastery authenticity meets the regal grandeur steps of the Taj Skyline, Ahmedabad offers a sublime finish for the slow traveller to indulge in a tasteful dining experience. Featuring renowned Gujarati and global infused flavours prepared by world class talents, their repertoire for gourmet delicacies is palpable of Indian ancestral recipes.
Gaya Island, Sabah
There is an enveloping commitment for travellers to prioritise their itinerary to fit conservative focused excursions, in respect to destinations breeding nostalgic warmth and profound historic association. Notably, and reflective of Malaysia’s prevailing biodiversity paradise, is Borneo, Sabah.
Credit: Gaya Islands Resort
Located just off the coast of Borneo, enveloped by a luscious rainforest and the breathtaking silhouette view of Mount Kinabalu, sits Gaya Island, a protected sanctuary and evolving luxury retreat. An accustomed treat to a vacation by the beach is imminent in this case, and one in particular, is the beachfront resort, Gaya Island Resort, a hidden natural utopia.
This eco-luxury escape is exemplary to Sabahan culture, with beautiful tranquil beaches, deliciously ideal to inherit that tropical tan or if you are feeling just a tad adventurous, you could explore their 7 Wonders of Gaya programme. For the slow but mindful traveller, it offers a wonderful and potentially transformative balance of mind and body. Moreover, the overall experience is elevated by its immersion in verdurous greenery and stunning vistas.
Credit: The Wise Traveller
As an added bonus, there’s the lovely yet exclusive Tavajun Bay—just a short boat ride away from the resort—where you can alternatively indulge in a personalised gourmet picnic basket by the beach. The kind of downtime transcendent to the ordinary, a serene interlude that lets you disconnect, indulge in artisanal treats and relish nature’s purest canvas.
