Lesli's Lists: Great journeys of the world - sloooowly

by Lesli Heron

‘Slow travel’ – the art of the authentic, all-consuming ‘classic’ journey when we linger with travel letting the journey unfold. A travel experience where the journey is as much a part of the pleasure as the destination itself, connecting with other lands and other peoples. Marco Polo, perhaps the first ‘tourist’ set the stage for great journeys and an adventurous spirit. Below are some ideas for ‘slow travel’ to get you started.

Hike England Coast to Coast -one of the world’s 10 best hikes—an epic adventure!
Absorb the astounding scope of England’s history on this memorable trek, voted as one of the ten best long-distance hikes in the world. You won’t want to miss a single moment as you pass over famous fells of the Lake District, and through three national parks, verdant meadows, and storybook villages.

Route 66
Take a ride through historic Route 66 beginning at the lakefront city of Chicago. Get a taste of the Old West in Oklahoma City, kick up your heels in Albuquerque and indulge in all the glitz and glamour of Las Vegas and Hollywood. Marvel at the awe-inspiring landscapes of the Grand Canyon and take in all the scenic vistas along the way.

The indescribable magic of the Copper Canyon
Located in Mexico’s Sierra Madre Mountains, Copper Canyon is four times larger than the Grand Canyon and is the homeland of the cave-dwelling Tarahumara Indians, the world’s greatest long-distance runners. The area is accessed by one of the world’s most spectacular train rides.

Norway’s Fjords - The world’s most beautiful voyage
Discover the beauty of Norway’s coastline where every season provides an ever-changing backdrop to a journey of matchless wonder. Stare down the mighty fjords and glaciers in the land of the midnight sun.

The Silk Road
Journey through the fascinating heart of Central Asia where over 3,000 years of history and tradition, breathtaking landscapes of desert, mountain, and steppe, and glorious ancient cities are home to the warmest people in the world. Follow the famous Silk Road route from Beijing to Tashkent via Tash Rabat, Bishkek, Samarlesli’skand and Bukhara to the heartlands of Kyrgyzstan and exotic Uzbekistan. Let the legends of the Silk Road come to life as you tread this ancient trading route that linked the mighty civilizations of the East and the West.

Camino de Santiago
This European pilgrimage route has been taken by pilgrims to Santiago for more than one thousand years seeking spiritual enlightenment, adventure, freedom and the camaraderie of the road. Declared Cultural Heritage of Mankind by UNESCO The Way of St. James, or Camino de Santiago is the most important pilgrim- age route in Medieval Europe. Encounter the religious and histori- cal roots of Europe, an interior transformational path, and walk at the speed of other centuries, it is a Pilgrimage.

The Ring of Kerry
This most spectacular mountain road is situated in the south west corner of Ireland. Over the centuries it has been the inspiration of poets and writers because of its magnificent coastal scenery and rugged storm bashed coasts. It’s a road that takes you through 10,000 years of dramatic history. It’s a road that takes you from deep forest to the crashing waters of the Atlantic. It’s a road through rugged, majestic landscapes: where wild stag roam and where tumbling waterfalls crash into crystal streams teeming with wild salmon.

Trans-Siberian Railway
For lovers of travel and lovers of railways alike this ‘great journey’ is an incredible passing panorama across a vast and dramatic land- scape. Travel across the breadth of China, Mongolia and Russia on board the Trans-Siberian railway is a must for sheer distance, intrigue and personal satisfaction. There is no other train journey quite like it.

The mighty Mekong River
The Mekong River is the lifeblood of South East Asia. Discover the diversity of this exciting river experiencing ancient cities, sacred cultures and spectacular scenery. Let the waterways introduce you to river life in rural villages and bustling cities while you discover Asia’s historical treasures in Cambodia and Vietnam.