Travel the brave way; the rise of the conscious slow traveller

We’re the first to bang the (ancient) drum encouraging daily-ish habits to help combat the fast pace of today's life. Whilst a morning meditation can do wonders for how you engage in your day and a challenging workout no doubt brings your energy to the next level, even the most well-crafted routines can’t hold us forever. Every now and then, we need a moment to step outside of it all.

Travel has a beautiful, balancing way of giving us a much-needed break whilst also expanding our life’s rich experience. Stepping beyond our front yard gifts us with new horizons, unexpected encounters, the joy of ‘no plans for today’ days. But in a world that encourages us to consume more - more experiences, more destinations, more snapshots - we risk missing the benefits a circuit breaker can bring. A checklist of sights. An itinerary of things to do. Getting from A to B. A race against time, rather than surrendering to it. 

Could it be that the call to bring a counter balance to the exhilarating pace of life with a slower way to live can also be applied to the way we travel and holiday? Enter the conscious, slow and intentional traveller - an approach which brings a wealth of holistic benefits. 

The Forager’s Cabin

Ancient wanderers 

The urge to wander is ancient. We may view travel as a thoroughly modern privilege, and yet our love for exploring has deep roots in our ancestral history. While we didn’t always travel for leisure, movement and discovery was intrinsic to survival and connection. As nomads we wandered in search of water, food and easier climates. Later, we travelled to seek riches to sell or for spiritual discovery. Ingrained within us is an adaptive spirit - one which gives us itchy feet for new landscapes. 

The fact that travel is now accessible to so many is a shift we shouldn’t take for granted. It allows us to reclaim an ancient part of ourselves - the wanderer, the seeker, the explorer - but with the added joy of doing it not out of necessity, but out of curiosity, pleasure and wonder. 

Thanks to our ancestral experiences of exploration, our modern brains are wired to seek new experiences. This ‘newness’ keeps us alert, engaged, and even improves neuroplasticity. Stepping away from daily life also challenges our worldview, increasing empathy and understanding.

Rest+Wild Yorkshire

The brave way to travel 

Whilst travel no doubt brings a wealth of benefits to our lives, the ways we move through the world inevitably leave a mark. The fact that we can book a flight by the click of a button and be on that plane the next day is a wonder in itself, but this ease of travel may cause us to spend less time thinking about how we tread upon the planet as we explore it. 

When we pause to consider the ripple effects - over-tourism, carbon emissions, the health of local communities - we begin to consider our destinations and ways to travel more thoughtfully. 

Swapping the Insta-must see for a hidden gem makes room for richer experiences. Making a slower journey on different modes of transport a part of it all, lets the land unfold at a gentler pace. Supporting local, sustainable businesses once you arrive connects you to the heart of a place, not just the postcard version of it. In travelling this way, we give back to the places that give to us.

Llangollen Shacks

Where you stay matters 

In the same way we reconsider how we get to a place, we can also rethink how we connect to it. Choosing stays that allow you to easily embrace the slow rhythm of nature and doing things at your own pace transforms a get-away into a get-all-you-really-need. 

That’s where Kip Hideaways comes in. A curated collection of handpicked retreats scattered across the UK, Kip offers sanctuaries for the soul. From treehouses nestled in quiet woods to coastal cabins that let you breathe in rhythm with the waves, Kip invites us to slow down, tune in, and travel differently.

A sense of mindful travel is woven into every detail of a Kip Hideaway, from the eco-conscious materials used in the design of the spaces, to the curated local experiences that allow you to engage deeply with the surrounding environment and community. 

In an era of noise, these beautiful boltholes become a balm. Designed with sustainability, comfort and style in mind, Kip’s philosophy mirrors the Brave way to travel -  intentional, meaningful, deeply connected to place. They remind us that the best kind of travel doesn’t rush, it roots. 

To travel the Brave way is not just to explore new landscapes, but to rediscover old rhythms — of nature, of self, of stillness. The question is, where will your next journey take you? 

Top tips for mindful travel: 

• Linger Longer - take your time to pause, look around and soak in your surroundings. Let yourself belong even for a little while, not just pass through.

• Stay Thoughtfully - Opt for independent hideaways that care for the land they’re rooted in. Places like Kip Hideaways help you choose sustainability, craftsmanship, and connection to nature. 

• Eat and Shop Local - Support nearby growers, makers and food spots. Not only does this nourish the community you’re visiting, it’s also the most delicious way to experience the culture.

• Take the Scenic Route - Walk, cycle or hop on that slow train — not just to lower your impact, but to reconnect with the journey itself. 

Travel With Presence - Loosen up on the itinerary - give yourself room to follow a whim, have a long conversation, sit in stillness and just be.