Slow sophistication

Deliberately leisurely journeys are the ultimate antidote to the frantic rush of modern life. Now a new generation of immersive experiences is changing the way we travel.

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By Leanne Clancey

But with all that has changed in the world over the past few years, newfound priorities have shifted the ways that many people choose to travel. A discernible move away from the frantic energy that fuelled pre-pandemic vacation trends has led to a proliferation of niche operators specialising in a slower style of travel, ranging from unhurried river cruises and luxe sleeper train journeys to exclusive homestays and hands-on paddock-to-plate experiences. By embracing the old-world glamour of train travel, for example, or appreciating longer and more immersive stays in single destinations, a growing number of travellers are trading a box-ticking mentality for a deeper sense of connection to new places and people.

So, what exactly is slow travel? Rather than a strict prescription, this type of travel is a mindset that can be categorised into two key notions: the first being flight-free travel—swapping carbon-heavy plane journeys for modes of transport that are not just gentler on the environment (think trains and vessels) but also pleasure-filled experiences in themselves. The second concept is about how we relate to the places we visit and the attitude we bring. Rather than skimming through a well-worn hitlist of over-touristed sights, slow holidays encourage taking the time to connect with locals and understand a destination’s culture, food and lifestyle in ways that go beyond a transactional tourist-host dynamic.

London-based Imogen Lepere, author of two books on ethical travel and a reporter of slow travel experiences for publications including The Financial Times and Conde Nast Traveller, says a conscious travel mindset offers numerous benefits. “For me, slow travel provides a far deeper understanding of a host culture than just seeing the sights,” Lepere explains. “Slow travel facilitates meaningful interactions with locals, which I think should always feel like an exchange rather than one-way traffic.”

She adds that when you travel with a slow mindset, the exchange becomes less self-regarding and more reciprocal. “Travelling slowly provides many more opportunities to give back than other forms of travel, which ultimately makes the experience far more meaningful,” she suggests. “Sure, you are there to immerse yourself in a new culture, but you can also bring ideas from your own through music, food, conversation… This can be really expansive for locals, particularly if you’re visiting a remote region where few people have had the opportunity to travel overseas.”

Cat Jones, founder of bespoke tour operator Byway, agrees: “Travelling by train, boat and bike, we slow down to appreciate lesser-known locations, bypass touristy hotspots and feel like we’re discovering the world on our terms.” Specialising in flight-free holiday packages away from the usual tourism trails, Byway has gained traction since launching in 2020 by showcasing the joy of slow travel while taking the hassle out of no-fly travel logistics.

Jones believes the pandemic years helped people understand the impact of supporting local and that has extended to travel preferences in support of local economies rather than contributing further to the issues that come with heavy visitation.

The argument for flight-free travel can be compelling when you crunch the carbon offset numbers. “You could get the train from London to Edinburgh and back five times and your carbon footprint would still be lower than if you flew there,” Jones points out. “Giving up meat for a year saves 2.7 tonnes of carbon while giving up one return flight from London to Bangkok saves 3.3 tonnes.”

In a 2022 user survey by US-based travel agency network Virtuoso, 74 per cent of respondents stated they were willing to pay more to travel sustainably if they know where the money is going and agreed that travelling sustainably enhances their holiday experience. This extended to seeking out companies and experiences that focus on “preserving natural and cultural heritage”, in alignment with the slow travel ethos.

Jones adds that, beyond the social and environmental benefits, flight-free travel is often “more interesting and less stressful”. Rather than getting from A to B as quickly and simply as possible, flight-free travel encourages you to customise a multi-stop adventure, gliding through places that planes cannot access and serving up vistas you would normally miss, with more legroom to boot. Additionally, check-in and security processes tend to be quicker at train stations and boat terminals than at airports.

Train travel, in particular, has experienced exceptional growth in the past few years. “We are past the era of fast, frequent travel and guilt-free consumption,” explains Gary Franklin, from luxury hospitality operator Belmond, which owns the Venice Simplon-Orient Express. “Today’s discerning travellers are looking for meaningful, slowerpaced, sustainable and immersive experiences and train travel is arguably the most romantic and charming way to reach [your chosen] destination.”

Bookings on the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express (whose dining experience comes via French chef Jean Imbert of Plaza Athénée fame) and Royal Scotsman luxury trains are up 20 per cent and 35 percent respectively on pre-pandemic figures, says Franklin. Meanwhile, Belmond’s British Pullman—which features the 1950s-era Cygnus carriage delightfully redesigned by filmmaker Wes Anderson—has grown its clientele by a whopping 40 per cent.

In Europe, the iconic Orient Express (unrelated to the Venice Simplon-Orient-Express), which debuted in 1883 for journeys from Paris to Istanbul, is set to launch a new service taking in 14 Italian regions next year. The joint venture by France’s state rail company SNCF, hospitality group Accor and Italian property investment company Arsenale focuses on exploring lesser-known parts of the country. Featuring mid-century-inspired interiors by Milan-based design firm Dimorestudio (whose client list includes Dior, Fendi and Hermes), the La Dolce Vita service will also offer international journeys from Rome to Istanbul, Paris and Split—with bespoke excursions such as truffle hunting in Piedmont available along the way.

According to social media giant Pinterest, the search terms “train trip aesthetic” and “train quotes travel” rose by 205 and 285 per cent respectively in the past year. “Train bragging” has also become part of the platform’s lexicon thanks to users flaunting images of their exotic rail adventures.

Around the world it appears a rail renaissance is taking shape, with new tech-enabled trains promising experiences that range from super-comfortable to ultra-luxurious. This includes sleeper trains, which are increasingly billed as a climate-friendly alternative to shorthaul flights for both business and leisure travellers. Later this year Austrian national rail operator OBB will roll out 33 next-gen NightJet sleeper trains to elevate comfort for those connecting to the European railway hub of Zurich Hauptbahnhof. Recent upgrades have also raised standards and shortened travel times between Oslo and Stockholm, with five services now running each day.

On the water, meanwhile, Orient Express will launch its first cruise in 2026 having commissioned a 220m sailing yacht from Chantiers de L’Atlantique with capacity for up to 120 passengers. The wind and LNG-powered vessel is set to join a new strand of hotel-yacht hybrids taking to the seas over the next couple of years, with luxury resort groups such as Four Seasons and Aman also investing in floating sanctuaries that deliver high-end hospitality with a greater degree of structure than a private charter.

In this exciting new era of travel, the nostalgic gilded-age charm of trains and boats is being reimagined with a modern, green, techforward edge—offering travellers the best of both worlds.

London Symphony Orchestra

The enigmatic LSO and multi-award-winning conductor Sir Simon Rattle—in his final season as music director—will join Melbourne’s own symphony orchestra for a one-night program of unmissable performances this May. For the first time in nine years, Hamer Hall will be filled with the musical alchemy of three signature pieces: John Adam’s Harmonielehre, a symphonic performance of a 114-strong orchestra; Debussy’s La Mer, a masterpiece exploring Greek myth; and Ravel’s Daphnis et Chloé Suite No.2 Arts Centre Melbourne, 5 May. mso.com.au

Hotels & Retreats AURORA SPA & BATHHOUSE

Part of Sorrento’s revamped Continental Hotel, the new Aurora Spa & Bathhouse offers countless inspired ways to soak and recharge. Start by submerging in magnesium-enriched pools (designed to detoxify the body through transdermal absorption), experience the Nordic-inspired chill of the glacial mist room, then retreat into the warmth of the sauna (the largest in the southern hemisphere). The menu also includes various traditional and revolutionary spa treatments, including sensory showers and halotherapy rooms for soothing tense joints or muscles. 23 Constitution Hill Road, Sorrento. auroraspa.com.au

Fashion ZAMPATTI: POWERHOUSE

Four years in the making, this international-exclusive exhibition charts the five-decade-long career of late Sydney fashion icon Carla Zampatti—from her debut collection in 1965 until her death in 2021. Celebrating the Italian-born designer’s trailblazing career, the retrospective focuses on rare and archival pieces including more than 100 outfits and personal items, as well as video and audio installations of intimate conversations between family, close friends, clients and industry contemporaries. A must-see for fashion lovers, the exhibition renders the life and legacy of Zampatti’s career in remarkable detail. Powerhouse, Sydney, until 11 June. maas.museum

Don Quixote

To mark its 60th anniversary this year, The Australian Ballet will present a lively adaptation of Don Quixote for Melbourne and Sydney audiences this autumn. Inspired by Rudolf Nureyev and Robert Helpmann’s 1973 film and adapted for the stage, this wildly spirited piece will employ the film’s lush aesthetics to immerse audiences in multisensory beauty. Brimming with contagious energy, the performance promises a true stage spectacular with a generous dose of Spanish verve. Playing 15-25 March at Arts Centre Melbourne and 8-25 April at Sydney Opera House. australianballet.com.au

Hotels & Retreats CAPELLA SYDNEY

Opening this month, Capella Sydney marks the first Australian outing for the Singapore-based Capella Hotel Group. Set in the heritage-listed former Department of Education building a short stroll from Sydney Opera House, the hotel houses 192 generously sized rooms and suites across eight levels. Ground-floor restaurant Brasserie 1930 (helmed by Brent Savage and Nick Hildebrandt of Bentley and Monopole fame) will serve modern takes on brasserie classics, while guests can also enjoy the cocktail-focused lounge bar, art-filled culture spaces and immersive health spa. Sandstone Precinct, Sydney. capellahotels.com/sydneyau

Biennial

Curated by Samoan artist and curator Dr Léuli Eshrāghi, the 9th TarraWarra Biennial will feature an exhibition of newly commissioned works from 15 artists and artist groups examining concepts of past, present and future. Titled ua usiusi fa’ava’asavil (a Samoan proverb that translates to “the canoe obeys the wind”), the exhibition looks at traditional celestial navigation practices and the interconnectedness of the various lands, waters and humans that make up what is now recognised as Australia.

TarraWarra Museum of Art, Healesville. 1 April-16 July. twma.com.au

ANDY WARHOL & PHOTOGRAPHY

Audiences will be offered a revealing glimpse into the life and mind of Andy Warhol in a new exhibition at the Art Gallery of South Australia. The iconic artist’s career-long obsession with photography is put on display in the strikingly candid retrospective, demonstrating the power of the image in shaping both his public persona and self-image. The exhibition captures the atmosphere of Warhol’s 1960s heyday, exploring the dynamic between sexuality, fame and perception via his art, self-portraits and penchant for photographing his celebrity contemporaries. AGSA, Adelaide. 3 March-14 May. agsa.sa.gov.au

Food & Drink

Mirazur Beyond Borders

Three-Michelin-starred Côte d’Azur fine diner Mirazur, which took out top spot at the World’s 50 Best Restaurants awards in 2019, lands in Sydney this March for an unprecedented three-week popup. Part of a program that will see chef-owner Mauro Colagreco and his team travel to multiple cities around the world seeking new inspiration, the residency at Pier One’s The Gantry will present Australian diners with a rare chance to experience the Italian-Argentine chef’s culinary magic through a multi-course tasting menu designed around meticulously sourced Australian produce. The Gantry, Sydney. 10-31 March. chefworldtour.com

Petermen

Acclaimed chef and sustainable seafood champion Josh Nyland and wife Julie Nyland are set to open their fourth venue, this time on Sydney’s lower north shore. Focusing on ethical produce from both land and water, Petermen will offer a more casual, flexible alternative to the pair’s two-hat flagship, Saint Peter in Paddington (which is set to relocate to Paddington’s Grand National Hotel later this year). Sunday brunch and a share-friendly à la carte menu will feature at the 60-seater, along with bar seating for walk-ins. St Leonards, Sydney. petermen.com.au

Goddess

Opening this April, ACMI presents the world premiere of Goddess: Power, Glamour, Rebellion, an immersive exhibition saluting the formidable and revolutionary leading ladies of film. Charting over 120 years of moving image history, Goddess examines the changing representations of femininity over time, and the provocative on- and off-screen moments that have shaped our screen culture. A compelling chronicle of cinema archives, Goddess features video installations and interactive experiences alongside never-before-seen costumes and other cinematic treasures including garments worn by the likes of Mae West and Marilyn Monroe. ACMI, Melbourne. 5 April-1 October. acmi.net.au

Food & Drink

L’ENCLUME AT BATHERS’ PAVILION

Pioneering restaurant L’Enclume is set to decamp from northern England to Sydney this winter for a five-week residency at the Bathers’ Pavilion on Balmoral Beach. After scoring three Michelin stars in 2022, chef Simon Rogan will bring select members of his home team along for the excursion, applying his visionary paddock-to-plate ethos to Aussie ingredients for an eight-course degustation. With places for only 80 attendees per sitting, this will be one of the year's most in-demand bookings. Bathers’ Pavilion, Balmoral. 19 July-20 August. batherspavilion.com.au

& Drink THE TERRACE

The Terrace at Melbourne’s Royal Botanic Gardens has undergone an impressive transformation under the stewardship of new operator Darling Group (Top Paddock, Higher Ground, Stringers), delivering an all-new destination cafe with those same lakeside views. The licenced cafe’s Med-leaning allday menu features a range of classic brunch dishes and produce-driven lunch selections alongside seasonal takeaway and picnic-ready options. Botanical-inspired interiors by design studio Technē bring the outdoors in, while the leafy outdoor terrace demands a leisurely spritz. The Terrace, Melbourne (via Gate A at Alexandra Ave & Anderson St). theterrace.melbourne