I often hear people’s accounts of their round the world adventure, and am always surprised when they talk of their 6, 8 or 10 flights and destinations. So these people visit 8,6,or 10 cities, have a look around, do some day trips, maybe even a side-trip or two, and then catch a flight to the next point on their itinerary.

I think what makes a great experience is not always the destination or sight, but often it is more about the journey. Potentially, the journey is where you meet ”real” locals, see the unusual, and sometimes chose to change your plans. So I thought I would briefly contemplate the “better” ways to really see the world, following my theory of  “LOW and SLOW” as the most potentially interesting ways to travel.

1. Walk, Hike – Feet on the ground, and around 5-8km per hour, means you really do get to experience and interact with locals, as well as being right in the middle of all the sights and smells of where ever you are! Unfortunately, this is not usually the only form of transport for a round the world trip. But walk whenever you can, it is the ultimate way to experience.
2. Cycling - Next slowest, and close to the ground, cycling is interactive with environments, and gives you the ability to pick up all the sights and sounds going on around you, but also means you can cover more distance, and carry a bit more. Definitely a better option than walking for smaller transit
3. Boat – Ferry’s can be a great way to commute with locals, and generally the slower they are the better the interaction, and more scenic and enjoyable the journey. However, even high speed ferries will often be the cheap option for locals to get around islands and coastal areas, so they are still “authentic.
4. Motor bike & car – A rental, loan or owned vehicle has some advantages and disadvantages in how well you can see an area. Having your own vehicle gives you the freedom to go and stop as you please, as well as make changes to plans quickly and easily. But you can miss things when you zip pass them, and often restricts your exposure to local people.
5. Bus - Bus is getting a bit higher of the ground, and a bit faster, and as a result, you do definitely loose some of the interaction with the local environment that makes long term travel such an exhilarating experience. Buses are going to be a necessity for extended travel, and a far better option that flying, but should be restricted to transport between venues, and as little as possible where sightseeing is possible. It is, however, a good way to meet and talk with other travellers. Sometimes the feedback from others doing the same thing as you, can give you tips and ideas you may not have known about.
6. Train – Faster than buses, and as a result, generally you see less. They can be useful to travel and sleep at the same time, but only when you are prepared to miss the area you are passing through. On occasions, scenic trains can get you into areas that you otherwise would not access, and these are the exception to my rule.
7. Plane – You sure don’t see much from most planes, and I think they should be used as little as possible. A fair distance flight is probably a good idea to start your trip, so you can really feel you have gotten away, but after that, try and limit plane travel. If you have plenty of cash, the odd scenic flight is different (Everest, Nepal, and Bungles Bungles, Australia spring to mind)

In short, try to use a descending scale of time on each mode of transport. If you do 80% method 1, and 1% on method 7, you will have a far more enlightening travel experience than if you reverse the order, and spend most of your holiday on a plane.

Enjoy you travel experience, think “LOW and SLOW”