“Even if you spend a month in a place, you will not be able to experience everything it has to offer. So you choose experiences that truly resonate with you, stay present in those moments, and try to connect
deeply with the people and the place, allowing it to transform something within you.”
This is how Shivya Nath describes slow travel, a way of life she has practised for nearly 13 years.
In 2011, at just 23, Nath quit her 9-to-5 corporate job with a dream: to travel the world. By 2013, she had sold most of her belongings, given up a permanent home, and begun living nomadically, out of just two bags.
More than a decade later, her lifestyle continues to spark both curiosity and scepticism. How does she afford it? Is slow travel only for the privileged? What about visas, work, and stability? These are questions she continues to encounter.
In a conversation with CNN-News18, Nath breaks down the financial realities, practical logistics, and mindset shifts behind her life on the road.
What Is Slow Travel?
Nath says that slow travel is often misunderstood as simply spending more time in a place. In reality, she says, it has less to do with duration and more to do with intention. Even with weeks in a destination, it is possible to rush through experiences without truly engaging with them.
She describes slow travel as a conscious choice to accept that you cannot see everything, and instead focus on what truly resonates. It is about being present, walking through neighbourhoods, connecting with people, and absorbing everyday life, rather than chasing checklists. In many ways, it acts as a counter to the constant rush of modern living.
Is Slow Travel Expensive?
Contrary to popular belief, Nath says slow travel does not always cost more. In fact, staying longer in one place often brings down expenses significantly. Renting a place for a month or more is usually far cheaper per day than short hotel stays.
Accommodation is one of the biggest expenses in travel, but slow travel helps reduce this significantly. She explains that spending more time allows travellers to move beyond expensive tourist spots and discover local markets, neighbourhood cafés, and everyday experiences that cost much less.
“I think when you stay longer in places, you also tend to look beyond the tourist path. So instead of going to places, you know, that are very much geared towards tourists and therefore tend to be more expensive, you would then have the time and ability to find, you know, for example, local markets, local experiences, places where locals really hang out. And so in that sense, your travels will be more affordable as well,” Nath says
This approach not only lowers costs but also allows her to experience destinations more authentically, away from tourist-heavy areas.
Her days often involve simple activities like walking, cycling, or spending time in nature; experiences that are not only more meaningful but also inexpensive or free.
How She Earns While Travelling
“I wear a bunch of different hats,” Nath answered when asked about her means of earning a living as she travels. For her, travel is not a break from work; it is an integral part of it.
To sustain her lifestyle, Nath has built multiple income streams around storytelling and sustainability.
She works as a travel storyteller through her blog, newsletter, and social media platforms, while also collaborating with tourism boards and travel brands that focus on responsible travel.
Her projects, storytelling, and assignments are often rooted in the places she visits.
She is also the author of The Shooting Star, a national bestseller that has sold over 20,000 copies.
In addition, she runs courses and workshops for aspiring travel creators, teaching them how to build sustainable careers.
Her work extends further into consulting through her initiative, Climate Conscious Travel, where she focuses on storytelling and research at the intersection of climate and tourism.
“I have designed my life in a way that I’m always travelling, whether that means spending a few months or even a couple of years in one place before moving on. But wherever I am, I’m constantly on the lookout for stories,” Nath says.
Nath, who has been freelancing for the past 15 years, says managing work across constantly changing time zones requires a strong sense of discipline and self-motivation to sustain this lifestyle. “Sometimes I have deadlines, but most of the time I have to create them myself to achieve what I’ve set out to do,” she says.
Currently based in Berlin, she continues to travel across regions for work while spending extended periods in each location. Managing work across time zones, she says, requires discipline and self-motivation. Without a fixed routine or boss, she has had to build her own structure, driven largely by her passion for the life she has chosen.
The Visa Reality With An Indian Passport
Navigating visas remains one of the most complex aspects of long-term travel, especially with an Indian passport. Nath acknowledges that while rules are slowly improving, they still require careful planning.
Her approach involves choosing destinations that allow stays of three to six months and then moving within nearby regions to extend her time abroad.
She also balances her international travel with longer stays within India, where visa restrictions are not a concern. This mix allows her to maintain flexibility while continuing her slow travel lifestyle.
Living a nomadic life comes with its own set of logistical challenges. Nath manages financial transactions, documentation, and identity requirements across countries while constantly adapting to new systems.
Rather than following a rigid structure, she relies on flexibility and ongoing research to navigate these aspects, ensuring that her finances and paperwork remain in order wherever she is.
Myths And Mistakes That Make You Miss Slow Travel
According to Nath, the biggest misconception is that slow travel is defined by time. She believes it is primarily a mindset that can be adopted even during short trips.
“Slow travel is really about shifting from FOMO ( the fear of missing out) to JOMO (the joy of missing out). Instead of trying to see and do everything, you focus on being fully present in one experience, letting it stay with you, rather than constantly rushing to the next,” Nath says.
She adds that many first-time travellers fall into the trap of trying to replicate what they see on social media. They overpack their itineraries, focus on ticking off locations, and prioritise photos over genuine experiences.
This often leads to exhaustion rather than fulfilment, defeating the very purpose of travel.
How To Start Slow Travel (Without Quitting Your Job)
For those looking to try slow travel, Nath suggests starting small and close to home. A short trip to a nearby destination can be enough to begin experimenting with a slower, more intentional approach.
Instead of following a strict itinerary, she recommends leaving room for spontaneity—engaging with locals, exploring at a relaxed pace, and simply observing. Even spending a few uninterrupted hours watching a sunset or journaling can help cultivate a slower, more mindful way of travelling.
“You could carry a journal, jot down your thoughts, and simply observe how your mind shifts when you’re more present, without the urge to rush to the next thing or worry about what you might be missing,” she says.
