From cruising the Indonesian archipelago on a private custom-built yacht to travelling through the Peruvian Andes on a five-star sleeper train, slow travel is the latest industry trend—and we’re more than happy to hop on board
One of the biggest travel trends since the world started reopening and Covid-19 restrictions ease is to take longer, more meaningful trips, and fewer weekend dashes to nearby destinations.
Alternative modes of transport are getting their share of the spotlight as travellers embrace the romance of slow travel, be it by luxury sleeper train, on leisurely private charters aboard luxury yachts.
“In the [era] of post-pandemic travel, and as demand for greener alternatives to flying are on the rise, we expect interest in long-distance train journeys will continue to grow," says Arnaud Champenois, senior vice president and global head of brand, marketing and communications for luxury hotel group Belmond.
Here are a few of our top picks.
AMANDIRA, INDONESIA
Island-hopping, but make it Aman with Amandira, the luxury hotel brand’s private yacht. Inspired by the phinisi trading ships of the 20th century, the 52-metre twin-masted Amandira was custom-designed and handcrafted by local artisans using hardwoods found throughout the region.
Translating from Sanskrit as “Peaceful Intrepid”, Amandira moves gently through the Indonesian archipelago, allowing guests to discover its hidden beaches and thriving wildlife.
The five-cabin yacht can be hired at a nightly rate, or—in the spirit of this article’s “take it slow” approach—for the six-night Journey Across the Sea package. The charter begins at Amankila, a resort that stretches across the Lombok Strait coastline beneath Mount Agung. Guests set sail on Amandira for a three-night journey to Amanwana, the only resort on Moyo Island, for two nights of glamping in its over-the-top luxury tents. Situated on the shores of the Flores Sea, Amanwana is home to some of the most biodiverse scuba diving and snorkelling sites in the country.