Slow travel might just be the smartest way to plan a holiday right now.
Vacation Fatigue: Millions have returned home from their “dream vacations exhausted.” Eight cities in 10 days. Three tours before lunch.
The good news?
There’s a better way to do it. And the world has finally caught on:
- Spa mornings instead of 7am tour buses
- Sailing afternoons instead of taxi queues
- Sundowners instead of rooftop check-ins
Learn exactly how to plan a relaxed holiday itinerary that will have you feeling rejuvenated when you arrive back home.
In this guide:
- Why Slow Travel Is Taking Over
- The 3-Part Slow Itinerary Framework
- Spa Days: Anchoring Your Mornings
- Sailing Afternoons: Letting The Water Set The Pace
- Sundowners: The Perfect End To A Slow Day
Why Slow Travel Is Taking Over
Slow travel is no longer just a trend. It’s becoming a movement.
Latest research revealed that 78% of luxury travellers from the UK see wellness as a top priority when travelling. Further research found that out of that percentage 59% want to slow down when travelling. Huge stats.
Why the shift?
Travelers are exhausted. Most people who travel want to unplug, recharge, and truly experience their vacation rather than rushing through it. TripIt’s research for their 2025 data shows 98% of leisure travelers want to unplug when they travel.
That’s basically everyone.
So let me guess. Thinking about going on vacation but not quite sure how to relax once you get there? You’re in luck. Places like Mexico’s Baja peninsula have become hotspots for the relaxation-centric vacation. Reviewing what to do in Cabo San Lucas you’ll notice plenty of outdoor adventures like easy sailing trips, snorkeling, sunset tours, and spa-centric resorts. If you want to enjoy outdoor adventure activities and actual down time, Cabo is the place to do it.
That’s the sweet spot.
The 3-Part Slow Itinerary Framework
Here is a five-step formula for a relaxed holiday. Guaranteed. The one travellers follow who return feeling rested:
- Morning: Spa, stretch, slow breakfast
- Afternoon: One activity on the water (sailing, swimming, snorkelling)
- Evening: Sundowners somewhere with a view
That’s it. One thing in each block. Not three.
The most common mistake travelers make is over-scheduling. They plan a 9am spa treatment, an 11am tour, a 2pm boat excursion, a 5pm cooking class — and then complain they need a vacation from their vacation.
A slow itinerary exhales. You’ve got time to take a nap, linger over lunch or lounge by the water for an hour. That whitespace is intentional.
Spa Days: Anchoring Your Mornings
The mornings are sacred during a slow holiday. This is where you make or break your day.
Spa-focused mornings work because they:
- Help you reset from travel fatigue
- Force you to slow down before the day kicks in
- Pair perfectly with a long, lazy breakfast afterwards
It doesn’t mean you have to sign up for a day spa package. 60-minutes of massage time will do, or a steam or soak in a thermal pool. The idea is to begin your day relaxed — not racing to catch a tour bus.
A few easy spa morning ideas:
- A 60 minute back massage at your hotel spa
- A morning yoga or stretch class by the pool
- A solo soak in a hot tub or thermal pool
- A facial followed by a slow breakfast
Bonus Tip: Schedule spa treatments for the first couple days of your trip. It REALLY helps with beating jet lag and starting your vacation at the relaxed pace you’re going for. Wellness travel is a $651 billion industry these days so there’s never been more options.
Sailing Afternoons: Letting The Water Set The Pace
Afternoons belong in the water. Nothing says slow travel like sailing.
Here’s why sailing works so well on a relaxed holiday:
- You can’t rush a sailboat
- The pace is dictated by the wind, not your schedule
- There’s nowhere to be except where the boat takes you
That’s the magic of it.
Whether aboard a private catamaran, sunset boat to yourself, or half-day group cruise, sailing requires you to do absolutely nothing for several hours. Swim, snorkel, eat, read, nap or stare at the horizon.
What To Look For In A Slow Sailing Trip
Not all boat trips are “slow.” Some involve blasting techno music, crammed decks and hustle-bustle hurry. Skip those trips. Look for:
- A small group or private charter
- A 3-4 hour duration (not a full day)
- One or two swim stops — not five
- A relaxed crew who lets you set the pace
Keep it mellow but spice things up with just a hint of adventure. Combine your lazy sailing afternoons with some gentle activities on land such as snorkelling or paddleboarding.
Sundowners: The Perfect End To A Slow Day
Sundowners might be the single most underrated part of a slow holiday.
A sundowner is simply a beverage (or mocktail) enjoyed anywhere with a view of the sunset. However, the power is in the ritual of it — the pause, the observation, the being-unplugged.
Why sundowners are such a perfect slow travel ritual:
- They force you to pause at the same time each evening
- They give your day a natural “soft close”
- They naturally lead into a slow dinner
The numbers support the digital detox trend as well. Google searches for “digital detox” getaways increased more than 300% in 2024 from 2023, and the sundowner is one of the simplest ways to schedule phone-free time into your day.
Finding The Right Sundowner Spot
A great sundowner spot has 3x things:
- A clear view of the sunset
- A relaxed atmosphere (no loud DJ sets)
- A simple menu with a few good drinks
Doesn’t have to be swanky. A beach bar with plastic chairs works. Rooftop with discreet bartender works. Spot matters less than ceremony.
Bringing It All Together
A slow holiday doesn’t mean not doing anything. It means doing less, but doing it better. Spa mornings, sailing afternoons, sundowners at night — balanced with good white space in between.
To quickly recap:
- Plan one thing per time block, not three
- Anchor mornings with a spa or wellness ritual
- Use sailing afternoons to slow your pace down
- Close every day with a proper sundowner moment
- Leave plenty of room for naps and long meals
That’s the idea….you want to arrive home refreshed, not worn out. Plan your trip around that fact and everything else falls into place.
