EL AL | Atmosphere

Check-in I Our Guide

From FOMO to Slow-Mo: 7 tips for a more relaxed, slow paced, meaningful vacation FOMO can turn a vacation into a stressful race to cross items off a list, but slow-travel takes a different, more relaxed approach, focusing on the art of prioritizing quality over quantity, and creating meaningful memories over checklists. Here’s our guide to planning the perfect slow-mo trip / By Nava Marton

01 Stay in one place for longer. Instead of arriving somewhere and staying just for a day before moving onto the next city, stay for three or four days so that you really have the time to become familiar with its streets and atmosphere. This way, you get to really experience its specific vibe and rhythm. 02 Leave more room for spontaneity. Leave room in your itinerary for spontaneous experiences. Flexibility is at the core of slow-travel – it lets you go with the flow and change direction when something interesting pops up, rather than being tied to a schedule set three months in advance. 03 Do less but add more purpose. Instead of visiting ten museums, choose three or four and spend real quality time there. Take your time looking at the pictures and take in the whole experience. 04 Use public transport. Instead of taking taxis everywhere, use public transport, talk to locals along the way, ask them for recommendations. The ride will be an experience in itself - not just a

terstock Photo: Shut

way to get to your destination. 05 Make time for meaningful experiences. Experiences such as going to a local cooking or language class will add meaning and depth to your vacation. If you’re staying in the same place for an extended period, you can even try finding a part-time job that can finance your stay – it’s a great way to make real connections within the local community, and even make you feel like a local, instead of a mere tourist passing through. 06 Eat where the locals do. Skip the restaurants recommended by search engines or

the ones you see on Instagram. Look for places where locals come to eat – those little hidden spots where they go to have lunch in the middle of a workday or go out to on the weekends. Through local food, you can deeply connect with the character of a place, and its people. 07 Document your trip authentically. Document your trip at times that feel real and meaningful, and if you’re posting about your travels on social media, tell the story behind the picture. Part of slow travel is also avoiding the urge to take photos and upload everything at once – it’s about focusing on the experience itself, not how it looks.

10 ATMOSPHERE JANUARY 2026