Planning a holiday this summer? Here, we look at the TikTok ‘soft travel’ trend and share some tips for getting started

What is soft travel?

Many of us have been guilty of returning from a holiday and feeling that we need another holiday to recover. The rush to tick off every hotspot on our itinerary, along with the pressure to make every moment count can leave us feeling even more exhausted than when we left.

The latest travel trend, 'soft travel', encourages a different approach. Soft travel is all about slowing down and taking time off to genuinely unwind and relax. Much like the wellbeing trend 'slow living', soft travel is about finding balance, letting go of expectations, listening to your body and focusing on what you actually enjoy, rather than feeling pressure to have what others believe to be the ideal holiday.

Adam Schwab, co-founder and CEO of Luxury Escapes, explains: "Rather than rushing from attraction to attraction, soft travellers are savouring simple pleasures – strolling leisurely through charming neighbourhoods without an agenda, getting lost in local shops, or relaxing at cafes with a good book and coffee.

"This trend is resonating with many people, especially city dwellers because it helps to appease burnout from the over-scheduled, bucket-list-chasing style of travel that many people are tired of. Instead, people are craving authentic, immersive experiences that let them live like locals for a while and be present in the moment."

How to embrace soft travel

Welcome spontaneity

When you’re a planner at heart, going with the flow may not sound appealing. It can be tempting to pre-plan every minute of your holiday and while it’s useful to have a general idea of what you want to do, try to give yourself the freedom to be spontaneous. 

This could mean swapping out social media for a good old-fashioned map and veering off the beaten tourist path or leaving room for recommendations from locals. Locals will often be able to recommend things to do, see, and eat that you won't be able to find when looking online, allowing you to have a much more authentic experience.

Limit screen time

When visiting an unfamiliar place, we often want to snap as many photos as possible to share on social media. However, getting the perfect Instagram shots can cut into valuable holiday time. To avoid needing to carry your phone with you everywhere you go, consider capturing memories with a disposable camera and try to limit screen time where possible to make sure you're staying present with those around you and your new surroundings. It's also a good idea to set boundaries and temporarily remove any work-related apps from your phone to avoid distractions and allow yourself to switch off.  

In her article, 'Making your long-awaited summer holiday less stressful,’ Counsellor Laila Hamade says, "Unrealistic expectations to create amazing memories on holidays can lead to extra stress and disappointment. We live in a society where comparisons are almost the norm, aim to try not to compare your holiday with friends, do this by taking a break from social media and your phone, holidays are perfect to start practising mindfulness, by slowing down and becoming more aware."

Take a stroll

Consider opting for accommodation with everything you need a short gentle stroll away. Not only do you have the opportunity to pause and take in your surroundings but you can also change course according to whichever route or path takes your fancy. If you’re solo travelling, walking is a great opportunity to meet like-minded tourists, so don’t be afraid to make eye contact, share a smile and ask for directions or about interesting things to do, you never know who you might meet along the way.

Listen to your body

With so many different attractions to explore when away, it can be easy to push yourself to exhaustion. Make sure to schedule time to rest and recharge so that you can fully appreciate each destination without feeling overwhelmed. It's important to pace yourself and prioritise the experiences that matter most to you. If you’re travelling with others who get energy from different types of activities, don’t be afraid to share what you need from the experience, if something feels uncomfortable or overwhelming, it’s OK to listen and communicate your needs. 

Ultimately, there really is no one-size-fits-all approach to soft travel, it’s all about what feels right for you.