How to Slow Travel in Retirement:  Long Stays with Day Trips vs. Guided Tours

Retirement is our golden ticket to embracing the art of slow travel. We savor each destination, immersing ourselves in local life and culture. This time, we set our sights on the Renaissance jewel of Italy, Florence. We wanted to experience the city’s rich history and artistic treasures at our own pace, but also explore the surrounding Tuscan countryside.

The dilemma? Should we base ourselves in Florence for a month and take day trips, or join a guided multi-city tour, like those offered by Table of Contents

1. The Allure of Slow Travel in Retirement
2. Our Florentine Home Base: A Month of Immersion
3. Day Tripping with Viator and Get Your Guide
4. 1. The Allure of Slow Travel in Retirement

   Slow travel is more than just a pace; it’s a philosophy. For us, it’s about connecting with a place, its people, and its culture. We wander through local markets, linger over espresso in charming cafes, and strike up conversations with residents. This unhurried approach allows us to uncover hidden gems and create lasting memories.

   In retirement, we have the luxury of time. We don’t need to rush from one attraction to the next. We can savor each experience, learn a few phrases in the local language, and truly feel like we’ve lived in a place, even for a short time.

   2. Our Florentine Home Base: A Month of Immersion

   We chose to rent an apartment in the heart of Florence’s historic center. This gave us the freedom to create our own routines, cook meals with fresh local ingredients, and explore the city’s labyrinthine streets at our leisure.

   • Insider Tip: Use platforms like Airbnb or VRBO to find charming and more affordable apartments that offer a more authentic experience than hotels.

   Our days were filled with leisurely strolls through the Uffizi Gallery, visits to local artisan workshops, and picnics in the Boboli Gardens. We even took a cooking class to learn how to make authentic Tuscan pasta. When we’re slow traveling and living like locals, we love using EatWith.com to discover authentic culinary experiences. It’s the world’s largest community for unique food adventures led by passionate hosts in over 100 countries. From home-cooked meals in cozy apartments to cooking classes with local chefs, EatWith.com adds a delicious layer of cultural immersion to our travels. 

   Florence offers endless opportunities for exploration, from its iconic Duomo to its vibrant neighborhoods. We took our time, allowing the city to reveal its secrets to us gradually. Our monthly rental discount was 50%.

   3. Day Tripping with Viator and Get Your Guide

   To venture beyond Florence, we turned to Viator and Get Your Guide, two popular platforms for booking day trips and activities. They offered a wide range of options, from guided tours of nearby wineries to excursions to medieval hill towns.

   We opted for a day trip to Siena and San Gimignano, two UNESCO World Heritage sites renowned for their medieval architecture and stunning landscapes. The convenience of having transportation and a knowledgeable guide made the experience stress-free and enjoyable.

   Another highlight was our visit to Cinque Terre, a string of colorful villages perched along the Ligurian coast. We hiked between the villages, savored fresh seafood, and soaked up the sun on picturesque beaches.

   Viator and Get Your Guide made it easy to customize our itinerary and explore the Tuscan countryside at our own pace.

   4. For further exploration, we also joined While the itinerary was well-planned and the accommodations were comfortable, the pace was much faster than our usual slow travel style. We had limited free time in each location and felt rushed at times.

   However, we also enjoyed meeting fellow travelers from around the world.

   5. Comparing the Two Approaches: Pros and Cons

   Day Trips (Viator/Get Your Guide):

   • Pros: Flexibility, control over your itinerary, deeper immersion in a single location, budget-friendly options.
   • Cons: Requires more planning and research, potential for transportation challenges, can feel isolating if traveling solo.

   Multi-City Tour (

5. Pros: Well-organized itinerary, convenient transportation, access to unique experiences, social atmosphere.
6. Cons: Faster pace, less flexibility, less time for independent exploration, can be more expensive.

6. Finding Your Perfect Slow Travel Rhythm

The best approach to slow travel depends on your individual preferences and travel style. If you crave flexibility and independence, basing yourself in one location and taking day trips might be ideal. However, if you prefer a structured itinerary and enjoy the social aspect of group travel, a multi-city tour could be a good fit.

Ultimately, the key is to find a balance that allows you to savor the journey and connect with the destination in a meaningful way.

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