Slow travel by bike and on foot

Carl Honoré is a man after our own heart. In his book 'In Praise of Slowness', he comments on the frantic pace of life which is now so prevalent in the Western World. The speed-obsessed society we live in doesn't do much for our health, nor our quality of life. Interestingly, he even argues that it is detrimental to our productivity levels - despite the assumptions we may make otherwise.

Notably though, there is a backlash to this perpetual 'fast-forward' state of play we seem to be stuck in - the slow movement. He defines this as "a cultural revolution against the notion that faster is always better. The slow philosophy is not about doing everything at a snail’s pace. It’s about seeking to do everything at the right speed. Savoring the hours and minutes rather than just counting them."

Cycling tours inspired by the concept of slow travel

Here at The Carter Company, we are all about slow travel. Our European biking vacations and UK walking tours are very much inspired by the idea that if you take the time to slow down, you start to engage with the world around you with a fresh perspective. Suddenly you start to notice the subtle smells that perfume the countryside air, you spot the rare flowers you might otherwise miss, you hear the call of the sparrowhawks circling high above. The beauty is in the details! Our itineraries go easy on distance and stick to flat terrain, so that you can focus on enjoying the process itself of travelling, rather than it being just a means to an end - which it so often is these days. This also means we factor in plenty of time to allow you to stop and sample local produce; to sit on the grass and taking a moment to feel the earth beneath you. Choosing to travel with this mindset is often a big eye-opener. Many of our customers report back to us at the end of their walking tours or cycling holidays that they discovered hidden gems they would never have encountered otherwise; that they met and got to know real locals who shared their top tips for the best things to see and do in the area; that they were leaving feeling like they had got to know the real, authentic Britain or Europe, not the one that the busloads of tourists encounter.

The Carter Company team invite you to take Carl Honoré's lead, and "embrace your inner tortoise". You'll be joining a growing army. His TED talk entitled 'In Praise of Slowness has already been viewed by 1,138,382 people. His book is published in 30 languages and has been a bestseller in many countries.

For more information on easy cycling holidays in the UK and gentle biking vacations in Europe - a speciality of ours - check out our page dedicated to the theme of cycling for softies.