‘It was more than a journey, it was an immersion’: readers’ favourite slow travel adventures | Slow travel

A cruise along the Rhône in Provence

One of my most memorable travel experiences was drifting down the Rhône from Lyon to Avignon. Instead of rushing through France, I chose to embrace the slower pace of a river cruise, allowing the beauty of Provence to unfold gradually. As we glided past vineyards and lavender fields, I could almost taste the crisp rosé waiting for me in Tain-l’Hermitage, where I stopped to savour local wines and cheeses. The medieval villages along the way felt like stepping back in time. Each moment on deck, with the cicadas singing and the sun setting over the water, deepened my connection to the soul of France. It was more than a journey: it was an immersion in the heart of Provence.
Aimee Sandler

Sunset ferry bliss in Istanbul

The best way to get a sight, taste and feel for Istanbul is to use the public ferries that crisscross the Bosphorus, connecting the city’s two sides – one in Europe, the other in Asia. At about £1.50 for a 30-minute trip, they’re a bargain. Sit outside if you can, on a simple wooden bench, grab a freshly brewed tea from a tea boy, ideally with a piece of simit (sesame seed bread), and enjoy the views as the vessels chug along. For me, the best one is from Eminönü, near the Golden Horn, to Üsküdar, ideally around dusk, with the Blue Mosque and city skyline silhouetted against a fiery sunset.
Gayle

Natural highs on a Northumberland boat ride

The best slow boat trip, hands down, has to be Serenity’s Sunset Cruise in Northumberland, where you get to see the sunset while sailing around a beautiful part of the coast, near Bamburgh. If you’re as lucky as we were you’ll also see wildlife, such as seals and the local pod of dolphins – which chose to follow and play around the boat as we sailed. Breathtaking!
Alex Louise

Port to port by train in Sicily

Palermo to Messina by rail is a timeless way to view the incredible coastline of northern Sicily. Take a train from Palermo Centrale and make sure to stop off (about halfway) for…