Kinfolk Travel: Slower Ways to See the World

by John Burns

Explore the art of mindful travel with Kinfolk, the pioneers in “slow living,” their philosophy of simplicity, authenticity, intentionality and community. With nearly 450,000 copies in print, the Kinfolk series has applied this philosophy to entertaining ( The Kinfolk Table ), interior design ( The Kinfolk Home ), and living with nature ( The Kinfolk Garden ). Now they have turned their attention to “slow travel,” offering readers a road map for planning trips that foster meaningful connections with local people and authentic experiences of local culture.

Go museum hopping in Tasmania, or birdwatching in London. Explore the burgeoning fashion community in Dakar. Take a bicycle tour through Idaho, or a train trip from Oslo to Bergen. Drawing on the magazine’s global community of writers and photographers, Kinfolk Travel takes readers to over 20 location across five continents, with travel tips from locals, stunning images, and thoughtful essays.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction, Coffee Table Books

352 pages, Hardcover

Published November 3, 2021

Reviews

[Richard Bakare · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book addresses how travel, when done right, functions as an extension of daily living. When we travel slowly, we move our existing hobbies and routines to new locals. Giving them fresh life and us a new perspective on traditions and life itself. Whether it’s running, coffee, live music, fine dining, or everything in between; you’re bound to find a part of your own life expressed in this book but seen through different eyes in far off places.

The stops along the way are a collection of well known and the obscure. At the time I read this book, the Pandemic is in version 3.0 of its seemingly never ending life. But in the hopeful after, there will be a renewed map opened to us for exploration, encompassing many of the trips inspired by the stories in this book. The entries in it jettison the traditional travel magazines eat, play, stay narrative. Instead you get real everyday human experiences from locals. Descriptions of life that you can almost smell and taste.

The book also presents a great overall question about travel as a concept. Which is, how do we find authentic and engaging experiences in a world where “Instagrammability” and mass consumption prevail? The answer, as I mentioned earlier, is to take your life abroad. To see how it is enhanced or changed by language barriers, local customs, regional foods, and more. We learn about how we connect to a place and how what place is about in the broader sense. To really do this, we have to travel slooowly.

[Robin · Rating 2 out of 5]

In this book, slow travel means a focused area, no flying if possible, and no trips filled minute by minute. First section, urban, includes two-page stories by locals, or people who have traveled repeatedly to that city, followed by lots of pictures, and then additional things to see in that area. My favorite, for this section was Baltimore bookstores, written by author D. Watkins, and the bookshops mentioned are Atomic Books, Book Thing of Baltimore, Kelmscott Bookshop, Charm City Books, Greedy Reads, Ivy Bookshop, Red Emma’s, and Bookstore Next Door. Section 2 is about adventure things to do, and includes, after each two-page section and pictures, other places in the world to do that sort of adventure. Section 3 is on transit as travel—ferries, bikes, sailing, car camping, etc. and each of those sections ends with where to stay, where to eat, and tips. Coffee table book, so heavy and oversized. A mini-vacation to read.

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great book for armchair traveling.

[Emma Morris]

who would’ve ever thought that you can read your coffee table books

[ea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like eating a ripe mango on a summer's day this book was so incredibly satisfying! Reading it on my Kobo was also a treat because I could truly enjoy the writing without being overwhelmed by the weight of a coffee table book - 10/10 recommend. New trips added to my to-do list: Checking out the art scene in Tasmania, traversing the Alps via cable car, cruising on a canal boat in the UK, and road-tripping through the UAE.

[Ștefania Ioana Chiorean · Rating 5 out of 5]

I did not have high expectations from this book - the Table edition about food was a bit underwhelming but ohI loved this edition. The categories and the proposed patch or exploration themes were super on the spot, diverse, interesting, and approachable. To my surprise I already did the one in Armenia by pure coincidence - not by car but by bus and to fill time with some hiking outside Yerevan.

Definitely a lovely read.

[yipeng · Rating 3 out of 5]

This travel book delved into more obscure places and activities that I would have never considered, which is what made for an interesting read. Did I ever think about road-tripping in Albania? Nope, but now it’s something that I’ve filed in the back of my mind. The beautiful photos are also worth lingering on.

[Nan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Focusing more on how than where to travel, this coffee table sized book highlights 25 experiences from around the world that encourage slowing down and connecting. A great volume for finding new destinations or reconfigurating your own travel plans into something full of discovery and authenticity. Actual rating: 3.75

[Acipa]

Hi, if you have this book and based in Indonesia, and want to sale/preloved this book, I’d love to buy it. Please reach me thru personal message. Thank you.

[Bethany Starin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely beautiful. Aesthetically stunning.

[Alexandria Blaelock · Rating 4 out of 5]

Beautiful photos and short insightful essays.

[Julia Brough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful photography. Thoughtful essays. Inspiring adventures.

[Dayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Travel writing was mixed quality. Photos and layout were gorgeous. Best section was the last one. Essays also not bad.

[Allyria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great design. Interesting way to travel from my armchair.