Slow Travel in Greece

Are you a Slow Traveller? Meet Miriam Schreiner & the Slow Trail Travel

Wildlife Borneo

Are you a Slow Traveller?

Thinking about planning your next trip in Asia and need some valuable travel tips through a local’s eyes?

Meet Miriam, the founder of the Slow Trail Travel specializing in Slow trips in Australia, Africa, and Asia.

Get inspired and plan your next Slow Travel experience in Asia now!

The Slow Trail Travel

Miriam Schreiner grew up in Münster, in the North-West of Germany and was from an early age interested in languages and desired to study abroad.

Miriam studied Regional Science Netherlands-Germany in Münster and Nijmegen, in the Netherlands. 

When the time came for her to do an internship, Miriam decided to start an adventure by doing an internship abroad, far away from Germany and the Netherlands. 

Where to? To South Africa, in Cape Town!

‘’I aim to inspire people to travel slower, getting to know one area more consciously, immersing themselves into the country and culture, getting to know the locals.’’

Miriam Schreiner

Miriam lined up an internship at a Dutch company organising weddings in South Africa and explored amazing locations, connected with the locals and got acquainted with their traditions. 

Few years later she met her Australian born husband and they decided to live and work in Bangkok, Thailand. 

Miriam worked for a Destination Management Company and travelled to Cambodia, Vietnam, Malaysia, Indonesia, Singapore and Myanmar.

The times in Bangkok were exciting and their new adventure was meant to start over again in Melbourne, Australia some years later.

Life Lovers Greece had the chance to interview Miriam, and explore together the paths of the Slow Travel movement in Australia, Africa, and Asia, get to know her next plans in Tourism Management, and her insightful glimpse into the life of a world traveler: 

Meet Miriam Schreiner!

Enjoy reading!


Sydney Slow travel

LLG: What motivated you to start up the Slow Travel Trail and what is the mission behind it?

I have worked in tourism for over 15 years, having worked especially with group tours throughout Africa and Asia, and started to feel that there must be a better way to travel.

Many tours cover as many countries and places as possible, often stopping at dedicated tourist places serving tourist-friendly food, offering the same things people would get at home. 

Everything has to be as quick as possible, as cheap as possible so you can go 5 times a year, not having gotten to know the people or what the countries had to offer.

Especially with COVID now slowing everything down, I felt more than ever that it’s time to travel more consciously again. 

Stepping away from mass tourism to a slower pace where you take the time to get to know one region properly rather than rushing through as many places as possible.

I read up on the slow food, slow living and slow travelling movements and it just resonated with me. 

I also think you shouldn’t come home more exhausted than when you left. 

You should travel and rest, returning home refreshed, having taken something from the culture you just visited for your life at home.

 Hopefully, you feel enriched instead of exhausting travelling slowly.

LLG: Which are the criteria for you when choosing a place to stay?

I only write about places I know and that have fascinated me. 

I am from Europe, have lived in Australia, Africa and Asia – so this is what I write about. 

I think it’s important to combine the highlights people have heard about with a local experience they would have never found themselves.

South Africa or the Southern African countries are stunning, with such diverse cultures and landscapes. 

I love nature and therefore Africa is a prime region to write about. There are so many unique experiences to be had.

I am trying to inspire people to get to know the beauty of the country and give tips for some Must-Visit spots as well as local tips. 

I usually like to get local friends or companies I love and know to give their tips, so visitors can see the destination through the local’s eyes.

Going forward I am preparing slow travel itineraries for Asia since it’s such a diverse region with many different countries and cultures. 

There should be something for everyone. 

I have lived and worked in Thailand for 4 years and have travelled the region extensively privately and for work, I feel like I can help visitors to make their trip more special, getting to know more than just sitting in a beach resort, not getting out experiencing the country.

General criteria for me are:

1. Less is more – fewer destinations
2. Quality over Quantity – rather spend more on one special trip instead of 5 cheap and quick ones
3. Go local – support local stores, restaurants and accommodation
4. Be truly interested in your destination
5. Make the journey your destination

LLG: Which are the threats that Slow Travel can overcome and grow even in hard times like this (corona crisis, climate change)?

I would like to believe that the COVID crisis has shifted people’s consciousness about the value of time a little. 

Being taken out of the usual rat race, realising that there are different ways to do their jobs and leading their lives.

I think it made people also re-think globalisation a bit, a shift back to appreciating local living more. 

Eating locally sourced food, buying locally produced clothes and discovering one place properly instead of rushing through many.

I think there is no better time than now to promote Slow Travel to dial back from mass tourism, avoiding the pollution of the environment and destroying the traditional life of local communities. 

Slow Travel promotes a more sustainable and healthier way to get to know a place more deeply – no matter if it is in your own country or further away.

LLG: Are you optimistic about next year's travelling possibilities, or do you think that the travel restrictions discouraged people from travelling?

I am 100% optimistic that people will return to travel. 

I already see it with friends having travel businesses getting a lot of requests already for travel in 2022. 

The restrictions will ease and people will travel again. I do not doubt it. I think now is the time to shift peoples minds to a better way of travelling. 

I think it will be an interesting and exciting time for the travel industry having the best chances now to take a better, more sustainable path.

LLG: Can you suggest two ultimate Australian Slow Travel destinations and/or holidays/activities?

Since Australia is such a huge place I think road trips are the best way to explore the stunning coastal and inland towns and landscapes. 

I have recently written two blog posts for road tripping New South Wales – between Sydney and Byron Bay as well as The Great Ocean Road in the South, in Victoria.

Both areas are great to do with campervans giving you the flexibility to go as slow as you like, spending as much time as you like in one place.

 There are always great hiking trails in the different areas, you can explore waterfalls, stunning coastline and enjoy the small little towns.

 Most of the rural little towns and villages in NSW and Victoria very much promote local businesses, local produce and offer some lovely experiences.

And for real Slow Travellers – Katoomba in the Blue Mountains close to Sydney is an official Cittaslow – a slow city!

If you are longing for more Slow Travel tips in AfricaAsiaAustralia, and Europe, or wish Miriam to plan for you a special itinerary in Asia, contact with the Slow Trail Travel here!

Travel Slow, Live Sustainable, and Love your Life!

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