The Art of Slow Travel: See the World and Savor the Journey On a Budget

by Bhavana Gesota

In a world obsessed with speed and checklist tourism, The Art of Slow Travel [updated in December 2025] invites you to reclaim the joy of wandering with intention.

Drawing on her years of living in nine countries and traveling across five continents, Bhavana Gesota, a former software technology professional turned artist and meditator, shows how slowing down can transform not just your trips, but your life. Through personal stories, practical strategies, and deeply lived insight, she guides you toward a way of traveling that prioritizes meaning over mileage.

Inside, you’ll discover:

The Philosophy of Slow Travel
Discover what slow travel truly is through the author’s own experiences and the wisdom of fellow slow travelers—exploring how conscious, unhurried journeys lead to richer encounters, greater sustainability, and a more mindful relationship with the world.

Planning With Purpose
From choosing destinations that suit your interests to budgeting, finding affordable flights, overland routes, digital minimalism, voluntourism, staying safe, and money-wise, this guide walks you step-by-step through planning a journey that supports depth rather than haste.

Cultural Immersion
Explore practical ways to form genuine connections—meeting locals, navigating unfamiliar cultures, learning languages, and embracing the spontaneity that slow travel makes possible.

Personal Stories That Inspire
Enjoy honest, humorous, and insightful anecdotes that illuminate the joys and challenges of exploring the world at your own pace.

Perfect for adventurers, solo explorers, digital nomads, and anyone yearning for deeper, more meaningful experiences, The Art of Slow Travel shows you how to break free from the rush, savor the journey, and see the world through new eyes.

Get the book now—your most rewarding adventure begins here.

Genres: Travel, Nonfiction

225 pages, Paperback

Published March 16, 2021

About the author

Bhavana Gesota is a former technology veteran who traded corporate life for mountain trails and contemplation in search of meaning. Over the last thirty years, she has lived in nine countries, worked in seven of them, and traveled to thirty-three more over five continents.
She enjoys a slow life and believes that the best journeys are measured in moments and not miles.

Reviews

[Stephen Franks · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book and would encourage anyone contemplating travelling for extended periods to live amongst the indigenous populations of the world to snap up a copy!
Bhavana Gesota is well-travelled and has mastered the art of ‘slow-travelling’ which she defines as being “an offbeat, slow and responsible manner of travel in which everyday life unfolds within the framework of a different culture.” The author doesn’t just visit a place she absorbs it.
The book is set out in easy-to-read chapters and takes the would-be slow traveller through the process of decision-making before you depart, to travelling on a budget, renting accommodation, eating, surviving, staying safe and ‘fitting in’ to your new environs. The book is packed with useful references and is an invaluable guide to not only how to make the most out of your worldly travels, but also how to give back to the society in which you choose to settle (temporarily).
Throughout the reams of good, pragmatic advice, the author shares anecdotes to reinforce her points and I found these not only made what could have been a very ‘dry’ subject really interesting, but they also served as evidence of the efficacy of the tips she shares with her readers. Some of her stories are sad, some happy, but they are all compelling and add so much more to this book. It is not just a traveller’s guide; it is also a testament to one woman’s mission to experience as much as she possibly can within one lifetime.
There is the odd typo, but in general the book is well-thought out and edited. However, the most compelling reason to read this book is that it is a wonderful motivator to all of us who harbour even a hint of wanderlust. I have travelled the world and I am sure that if I had read this book (so many years ago), my travels would have been a good deal ‘slower’ and definitely more rewarding.
This book is original, captivating and extremely useful which is why I have no hesitation in awarding it a five-star rating.

[Gerald Yeung · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I love the cover. But as I dove in, I fell even deeper in love with the book. Part memoir, part travel guide, the Art of Slow Travel is your ultimate companion for all things travel.

The author is a successful techie-turned-entrepreneur who threw caution to the wind and embarked on a life traveling globally. This book captures her wisdom from years of living and traveling abroad. Each chapter starts off with a person anecdote before going into the practical advices. As a travel author myself, I can relate to her experiences and felt I was with her in many of these adventures.

What really separated this book from others in the genre is its emphasis on conscious slow travel. In the delirium of going on vacation, we often forget that we share the social responsibility to the destination and to our planet. This book reinforces this message and is something we all should aspire to in our travels.

[Cynthia Henderson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an amazing guide that teaches you how to “take it easy” when you travel, without investing valuable time and draining your energy on planning excessively.
It inculcates the wonderful idea of connecting with divinity by enjoying the moment and feeling the essence of each place. It also encourages the idea of how wonderful is to travel and experience each culture to its full potential, and it also teaches you about finances.
The book is also very well written and impeccable. Absolutely recommended!

[E.M. Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you’re planning a trip this is a must have book! The author details her trips around the world and provides useful information on the do’s and don’ts of traveling. I found this book to not only being an enjoyable read, but also a great checklist for traveling. I enjoy learning about other cultures and I enjoyed how the author provides words and their meanings from her home country of India. Great book!

[La Fonceur · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is quite helpful in planning a long trip to a new country. Some essential suggestions have been shared in the book, which can be very useful for a new slow traveler. I liked the resources shared at the end of each chapter. These are quite useful and can be relied upon. I came to know about the card to the vaccination requirements of countries I did not know before. This book does not talk about the fancy aspects of travel but about the real things that need to be taken into consideration for mindful, safe, and stress-free travel. Whenever I plan my next trip, I will use the resources and tips derived from this book. A must-read travel guide!

[Jessica Foley Griesbach · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need to travel slow

This book is your one stop shop for slow travel; the author has thought of everything! I personally love all her travel stories and the numerous tips throughout the book. It inspired me to want to slow down, really experience the culture, and consider my carbon footprint while doing it. I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves to travel or wants to get started!

[Toni Kanzler · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you need to REALLY experience traveling

Love this book! The author not only gives you all the info and practical tips to travel slow on just about any income, but she points out times to reflect on the info, to journal some thoughts and plans. There are caution signs and lists to prepare. Everything you need. It’s made me think I might actually be able to do this!

[Alexis Gerst · Rating 5 out of 5]

Perfect Slow Travel for Beginners Guide!

I was drawn to this book by dreams of slow travel and remote work. The author clearly lays out how to begin to plan and execute your slow travel dreams in a very practical, how-to manner. If you want to travel the world at your own pace, this book is a MUST read!

[Mark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Where was this book when I moved to Thailand!?

I wish I could give this book more than 5 stars. So many of the lessons and tools I learned the hard way are in this book. This is the best guide I have read yet, period. For those thinking of taking an extended trip, read this book, heed it's advice and DO IT. Some things just can't be put to words. You just have to go.

[Kristina · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very mild, easy-going book that feels like a cozy yet insightful conversation with the good old friend who appears to be a seasoned traveler.

Her mindful approach and the concept of “connection” with a place changed my perspective and way of traveling.

Additionally, Bhavana gives good financial tips for travel planning and a looot of checklists.

[Katherine Pendergast · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Slow Travel

This is a really great book, I have been looking for a book like this for awhile. I love to travel and I'm always searching for new resources and ideas to keep cost down!

[Natalie Breuner · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very profound and equally applicable insights on slow travel! Sometimes I felt the narrator voice was a little repetitive or could be developed/edited more. But overall glad I read this quick read! Highlighted so many helpful tips, quotes, and thought-provoking passages which also sparked conversation with my partner on our own slow travel journey. Thank you for this book!

[Maria Isabel Chang · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thank you Bhavana for writing this book! I absolutely enjoyed it and saved all the useful travel tips as well as the packing lists. Although I am in a stage of my life where fast traveling is what fulfills and suits me better, I do want to experience slow travel in the future - especially after reading this book. In addition, it is always a pleasure when the name of my home country gets mentioned in books I am reading, a great bonus on this book was not only reading her anecdotes in Guatemala but getting to know that the author spent some time in my hometown, Quetzaltenango, was a nice surprise and it warmed my heart.

[Kathleen Brock · Rating 5 out of 5]

Motivated to travel the world!

This book is a must for all travelers. It covers all you could imagine from A to Z on traveling! Great insight and knowledge. Thank you for putting this book out there!
Very helpful!

[Pierre Dalcourt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Out of all travel guides, The Art of Slow Travel charts a unique path: instead of telling you all about the various things you can do in one specific place, it talks about how you can travel anywhere—in a slower, more thoughtful, Zen, ecological, and budget-friendly manner. It's how to roam the earth as if you are a resident of each place you settle in, instead of rushing through and checking as many items off of your bucket list as you can.

Written with lots of heart, the book is packed with hard-earned insights gleaned from the author's decades of traveling and living in dozens of countries. If you will be gone for months or years, should you sell or rent out your old place? What should you pack for where you are going? What's the best way to get your travel visas? Or the cheapest places to get cash? When should you use credit or prepaid debit cards instead? How about insurance on your car rentals? What hidden airline perks may you be missing out on, like free hotel or food vouchers? (And wouldn't you like to know if you should learn a few swear words to bond with the locals?) And so much more.

The book abundantly captures the many charms of slow travel—traveling by train, falling in love with new places and new people, sampling new cuisines, and experiencing new traditions. But all that goes up must come down: the solo traveler must sometimes also endure loneliness; the longing for their old friends, the comfort foods and the cozy home they've left behind; and having to say goodbye to locals or other travelers they've bonded with as they move on to their next destination. There can be culture clashes—how do lefties manage in India if the left hand there is considered "permanently dirty"?? Interestingly, well-meaning travelers may inadvertently warp the local economy by overtipping, in much the same way that we can alter the ecological balance of wildlife by overfeeding them.

COVID-19's impact on traveling is touched upon. There is also much eco-friendly advice for the conscious traveler, such as packing not only your refillable bottles, but also your reusable straw, reusable containers for leftovers, reusable bags for shopping, etc. There is advice on offsetting your carbon footprint, with tips on how to avoid sneaky companies that "greenwash" their not-so-eco-friendly offerings by dishonestly tacking on "green", "sustainable", "fair trade" or other buzzwords.

Tons of useful apps, sites, checklists, and other resources round out the book. I had no idea, for instance, that I could use Maps.me to fetch maps for offline use, which is handy if you don't have a data plan or will be out of reach of cell towers. The downside is that these resources may slowly get out of date as the years go by unless new editions keep the book up to date.

Rating: 5 out of 5.

[Terry Lister · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent book to show " how to". Many people dream of taking time off and seeing the world but fear holds them back. Fear of the unknown.  How will they do this and that? What dangers are out there? These are the type of questions in their minds.

As a slow solo traveler since 2014, l know how important it is to plan and to gather information before and during the trip. This book either provides the answer to all one's questions or shows where the answer is. Even as a male solo slow traveler l found little to argue with in this book. So everyone can be by taking this book as their guide.
Some people prefer the "6 cities in 10 days" trip. And for them that is how they wish to experience the world. They will find some use for this book. But the true audience is that crowd who are quite happy to feel the place that they are going to. This is for those that are quite comfortable sitting in the main park in the town for a couple of hours and watching life unfold before them. I have done this many times. This book is for those who ensure that they have only planned a small part of the day with the situation filling the rest.
There is useful information throughout with a helpful chapter by chapter layout that is easy to follow and even easier to understand. One important point that can't be expressed enough is this travel requires one to be open to the local people to learn their history, culture and customs.
So be open, put personal scorning aside and enjoy what this lovely book can do for you when you have the great experiences that await you.

I highly recommend this book. I am convinced that everyone reading this book will have their lives changed to some degree should they put the ideas expressed into action.

[Clark Wilkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

Have a dream of living in another country but the fear of something bad happening or the equal fear of it not being fun? There’s nothing like having someone who has done it before to lay out the path for you. “The Art of Slow Travel: See the World and Savor the Journey”, details the author’s experience abroad in places like Italy, Turkey, Mexico, Germany, Greece, Guatemala, Peru and Denmark and her planning to get there, from SIM cards before leaving to health insurance when you arrive. There is page after page of things I wouldn’t have thought of. In this easy-to-read, step by step, how to book, the planning checklists include preparations for leaving; mail, packing, banking, the type of electric wall sockets in your chosen country, to how to find and use internet services, best service providers, tips for negotiating with landlords, spotting rent scams, secure travel safety, language translator apps, rental car collision insurance, ATM’s, PayPal, cybersecurity, even including accurately forecasting expenses before you leave, including local and seasonal fluctuations, and how to link up with other Americans/expats while doing it all cheaply. Now is the time to start planning to travel the world post-pandemia to build a life you love at your own pace and style!

I was ready to write this review by page 90 and still had 130 pages to go. I was amazed at how much information it had and how important it was to have. Have confidence you will be prepared. This is an Amazon Best Seller with rankings of #1, #2, and #6 in three travel categories.

You will not regret buying this book.

[Christy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful tips for newbies-- covers all the bases for traveling abroad long term:
If you've dreamt of traveling abroad long term but don't know where to start, this book gives you all the advice and resources to do it. She covers topics such as how to get great deals on flights, exactly what to pack for minimalism and length of travel, how to save space in your bags, pitfalls, and even putting your stuff into storage and setting up a remote mailbox.

She even covers what types of insurance to get, and what you might already have coverage on. She discusses ways to save money by getting medical check ups and procedures done overseas, commonly referred to as "medical tourism." This book preemptively covers important issues that you don't even know you might face while traveling!

I enjoyed her personal experiences and all the seasoned advice. She makes it sound easy, by addressing what stops most people from traveling, and how to get past those issues. I never thought of it like this, but anyone with the ability to work remotely can do this, and even save tons of money by living in cheap countries. This is a must-have book if you are seriously considering living abroad for awhile.

[Mehrnaz Zarrieneh · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Slow travel is an informative book for any reader. I felt all the steps & processes that Bhavana went through her slow travel around the world. Although, I am not a good traveler and I simply get tired & cranky after one day of traveling with airlines, booking hotels & renting a car ahead of time; per Bhavana the real fun starts after arriving at the first destination. As she describes, slow travel is a few fixed plans, more time & space for serendipity means doing less is more. Experience in local flavors & culture at your own pace & live your life on a slow road. It isn’t about seeing everything but experiencing the soul of a place. I believe this book is a good roadmap for any traveler no matter the destination, and how long the travel is for. I recommend this book to everyone because there is something for every kind of traveler in this book.

[(a)lyss(a) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a thoughtful and thorough book!

This is a captivating read! Gesota shares her experiences traveling and what slow traveling means to her. It's much more in depth and helpful than I expected! Gesota shares things to think about before traveling, how to manage your life at home when you travel, how to be sustainable and support the local economy when traveling, and more!

This book is a part memoir, part guide. It helps make a practical idea out of the desire to travel and explore life around the globe. Gesota emphasizes the importance of self reflection and understanding the privilege of traveling.

A thoughtful read!

[Aldo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Amazing book for people who like to make the most out of traveling and making special connections with places

[Geraldine Winters · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Art of Slow Travel: See the World and Savor the Journey by Bhavana Gesota is a phenomenal guide not just for slow travel, but for the soul. The numerous tips are outstanding, and all aspects of a journey are covered. For example, joining expat groups on Facebook for information gathering on your destination, notifying your bank of your travels so your credit cards are not blocked, and how to communicate with family are only some of the great pointers. Through extensive research and personal experience, the author has provided an invaluable database to include the names of apps and other resources to ease your journey. I also enjoyed the author’s overall message the why behind slow traveling and the true meaning behind it, of what it truly represents for your mind and spirit. An excellent guide and well recommended.

[Seth Hobbs · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great book for people wondering about foreign travel. Tons of different topics are covered, from landlord/rental issues, to currency, etc. There is also a nice personal touch from the author, who can give many anecdotes and interesting stories from their travels abroad. It is a book that many folks would find helpful, whether they plan to start traveling right now, or in the near future. It may be a bit slow in a couple of places, but most of the information is great.

[Cherryls Books · Rating 2 out of 5]

It reads and presents more like a text book than a flowing personal memoir, for the most part. A mix between thoughts on slow travel and travel tips for longer term travellers. Lots of headings and subheadings presenting lists and categories of points, rather than long flowing accounts or personal travel stories - small snippets instead. Gesota gives her first hand experiences and thoughts around what it means to travel slower, with tips and reflections from her own travels.

[Yvonne Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite what I expected but informative

[Nick Smucker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Helpful, inspiring, and fun read.

[Renae Tripp · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good book. It had a lot of helpful advice. While I am not sure if long term travel is for me, it gives you a good idea of what it is about.