The joy of solo slow travel

livemint.com:

In the age of shiny Instagram feeds, hopping from one exotic destination to another has become the norm. It’s rarely about savouring experiences but ticking off a checklist of sights and destinations. In fact, social media-inspired travel itineraries offer nothing but temporary validation on platforms like Instagram, Facebook and YouTube.

Yet, many continue to follow them for the fear of missing out. But then there are people who seek a different kind of holiday, where slowness is all they want and a state of mindfulness is what they seek. India is full of destinations, away from the tourist circuit, which offer opportunities to embrace slow travel and unique ways to experience and embrace local culture and cuisine.

Here’s a list of places to visit if you’re planning a trip by yourself or with a loved one. Away from the noisy party circuit, Kaiā shows the quiet side of Goa. Situated along the pristine white sands of Ashwem beach (a nesting site for Olive Ridley turtles) and across from the small, white-washed Holy Cross Chapel, this 10-room boutique hotel, which also has a four-bedroom villa and a spa, encourages visitors to escape from the humdrum of everyday life.

When you are not at the beach, you can indulge in sound healing meditation, handpan music and canvas painting. The builders have used bamboo, rattan and jute to create that perfect beachy vibes-meet-minimalism feel. You can also sign up for power yoga and cocktail-making workshops.