An interesting perspective on slow travel. Zapala explores the intersection of spiritual personality typing, intentional travel, and the slow travel movement. Slow travel isn’t just about taking your time. It’s about diving deeper into who you are and how you experience the world. This post reveals a fascinating study of how different personality types approach slow travel, each with their own unique rhythm and intention.
As a passionate advocate for intentional, conscious travel, I’ve witnessed firsthand how unconscious habits and unhealthy thought patterns hijack a trip. Too often, travelers return home exhausted instead of rejuvenated, simply because they made decisions out of habit—not from their true selves. In Unpack Your Personality, my debut book, I share practical ways to avoid this unconscious travel malaise and craft getaways that truly nourish you.
Cultural Hype: Instant Gratification vs. Slow, Intentional Travel
Let’s face it: we live in a world addicted to speed and instant gratification. We’re conditioned to believe that doing it all—packing every moment with activity—is the ultimate adventure. But there’s a countercultural wave rising. Slow travel is more than just a fad; it’s a mindset, a movement, and it’s here to stay.
Slow travel isn’t just a technique for exploring new places—it’s a way of being. And I believe the magic starts before you even leave home. Intentional decision-making helps you envision what your slow travel experience will look and feel like. Take me, for example: I still love the thrill of novelty, but now I make sure to schedule moments of stillness. This lets me reflect on what I’ve just experienced, rather than rushing through a destination unaware.
Journal Prompt: Define what slow travel means to you, set your intentions, and watch as your journey becomes a fulfilling detour on the path to self-discovery.
How does personality typing fit into the slow travel movement?
Should you jump on the slow travel bandwagon without knowing your travel archetype? And how does intention really shape your trip? That’s for you to decide. Remember: these ideas are filtered through my lens as an ENTP—take what resonates, and leave the rest!
The Concepts Behind Slow Travel and Intentional Travel
Slow travel is more than just a leisurely pace—it’s intentional, unhurried way of exploring the world, where meaningful experiences and deep cultural immersion take center stage. While this definition highlights the external journey, I also see slow travel as an internal exercise in mindfulness. It’s about purposefully engaging your mind to stay present, to soak in every detail, and to let the destination shape you, not just the other way around.
Let’s be real: slow travel can feel challenging, especially for those who thrive on speed or novelty. I believe every personality type can practice it—but for many, it doesn’t come naturally. That’s where intention-setting comes in.
Pre-trip Intention-Setting is The Secret Foundation Of Slow Travel
It transforms you from a passive tourist into an active observer—of your surroundings, your reactions, and how you show up in the world. When you set intentions, you allow the place, its people, and its culture to become a mirror, reflecting back your true self. It’s the inner, Divine self reflecting your reality. Depending on what you hope to gain, you choose how to interact with your environment—consciously, thoughtfully, and with purpose. This style of travel is more mindful: inner-focused, highly conscious, and worlds apart from the unconscious habits that can leave us overeating, overspending, or disconnected from the very differences we set out to discover.
Slow travel is a journey inward as much as it is a journey outward—and the best trips begin with a clear, honest intention.
Grounded Travelers (ISTJs) may just be the poster child for slow travel has you relish capturing every detail along the way; an excerpt from my debut book; Unpack Your Personality.
Travel Styles: Introverts vs. Extroverts
For introverted travelers—like the Insightful INFJ, Seeking INFP, or Grounded ISTJ—slow travel is often a natural fit. These personalities thrive on reflection and depth. They find comfort in settling into a single place, soaking in its atmosphere, and savoring quiet moments. Activities like forest bathing. or journaling in a cozy café are right up their alley. For them, intention-setting might simply mean scheduling dedicated time for contemplation, letting the benefits of their experiences truly sink in.
Extroverts, on the other hand—such as the Expressive ENFP, Curious ENTP, Harmonious ENFJ, or Playful ESFP—are naturally drawn to novelty, energy, and connection. They may be tempted to move quickly from one adventure to the next. But slow travel offers them a unique opportunity: to engage more deeply with people and cultures, rather than just skimming the surface. By setting an intention to slow down, these travelers can create space for meaningful conversations, spontaneous friendships, and a richer understanding of the world around them.
Introverted or extroverted, slow travel invites you to travel intentionally. Embrace a sense of wonder—tailored to your unique personality.
Inventive travelers (INTJs) follow their hunches and are purveyors of pragmatism: an excerpt from my debut book; Unpack Your Personality.
Planners vs. Spontaneity Seekers: Travel by Nature
For personality types who thrive on meticulous planning—think Insightful INTJs and Dutiful ESTJs—slow travel is all about the art of the itinerary. These travelers delight in carefully curating every detail of their journey, researching each stop, and scheduling with precision. For them, the joy is in the execution: every moment unfolds as intended, and that sense of control brings real satisfaction.
On the other hand, spontaneity seekers—like the Expressive ENFP, Abstract ISFP, and Curious ENTP—find magic in the unknown. They relish unplanned detours and the thrill of unexpected discoveries that slow travel often brings. For these travelers, intention-setting isn’t about sticking to a script—it’s about staying open to adventure, allowing the journey to unfold organically, and letting each surprise enrich the experience.
Whether you’re a planner or a seeker of spontaneity, setting intentions empowers you to travel in a way that’s uniquely yours—deepening every adventure, no matter your style.
Ingenious Travelers (INTPs) are easy-going, intentional and uber-curious about the world around them when they choose to get involved – mystics of truth: an excerpt from my debut book; Unpack Your Personality.
Is It About the Details or the Big Picture?
For some travelers, slow travel is all about the details. Personality types like the Seeking INFP, Grounded ISTJ, Dutiful ESTJ, Active ISTP, Abstract ISFP, and Spirited ESTP tend to immerse themselves in the intricate layers of a destination. They delight in the subtleties—the local customs, hidden cafés, thoughtful hotel interiors, and the nuances of architecture. For them, the magic is in the little things, and a fulfilling vacation is built on these small, meaningful discoveries.
Meanwhile, other travelers are drawn to the big picture. Insightful INFJ, Harmonious ENFJ, Curious ENTP, Ingenious INTP, Expressive ENFP, and Assured ENTJ often seek the broader narrative. They’re inspired by the underlying possibilities, truths, and opportunities a place offers. For them, an enjoyable vacation is about lively discussions, meaningful connections, and truly connecting with the soul of a destination.
Whether you’re captivated by the details or inspired by the big picture, slow travel invites you to experience a place in a way that resonates with your unique personality—making every journey unforgettable.
Spirited Travelers (ESTPs) are energetic movers and shakers, they will never have a dull moment on vacation: an excerpt from my debut book; Unpack Your Personality.
Free-Flow Explorers vs. Goal-Oriented Travelers
Slow travel is a natural match for free-flow explorers—those travel personality types who thrive on spontaneity and open-ended adventures. Think Abstract ISFP, Playful ESFP, Expressive ENFP, Ingenious INTP, and Curious ENTP: these travelers cherish the freedom to wander, discover, and follow their curiosity. They seek options beyond rigid itineraries, preferring imaginative journeys that let them soak up new cultures, perspectives, and unexpected delights. For them, the joy is in the journey itself—letting the flow of the destination guide their path.
On the other hand, goal-oriented travelers—such as Dutiful ESTJ, Grounded ISTJ, Spirited ESTP, and Active ISTP—may find slow travel more of a challenge. Yet, it can also be a powerful opportunity. By embracing longer, intentional stays, these types can achieve personal milestones, reimagine their empires, or transform business trips into leisure adventures. Slow travel becomes a way to accomplish more—not by rushing, but by savoring the experience and making every moment count.
Hope You Found This Perspective on Slow Travel Eye-Opening
No matter your personality type, slow travel invites you to step away from the frantic pace of modern life. To embrace a more intentional, immersive way of experiencing the world. Whether you’re an introvert who loves to linger in museums or an extrovert eager to connect with locals, slow travel offers meaningful experiences on the road less traveled. It empowers you to connect with the world. And, perhaps, discover something new about yourself.
The key is to set self-discovery travel intentions before you plan your getaway.
Ask yourself: Do you want to reap the benefits of slow travel, master a new culinary skill, or do something truly out of the ordinary? Only you can define what brings you vacation bliss. To help you get started, I’ve packed my debut book with a beginner’s guide—a roadmap full of how-tos and inspiration to make your journey unforgettable. Grab the book here.
Slow travel illuminates how different personality types experience the world, and how our unique cognitive abilities shape the way we explore at a slower pace.
Wherever you go, let your journey be intentional, your discoveries meaningful, and your memories lasting.
Discover Spiritual Personality Typing ™️
Nina Zapala, author of Unpack Your Personality Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide. She is a certified MBTI® practitioner, she guides and mentors women on their journeys to discovering their true selves. With over 300 articles to her credit, Nina introduces a groundbreaking personality paradigm. A unique fusion of personality typing and spiritual insight, forged through navigating her own life’s challenges.
Who Is Nina Zapala?
Nina Zapala is the founder of a Spiritual Personality Typing℠, proprietary self-identity paradigm. It connects personality with the physical mind and the spirit mind to help individuals fully embody their true selves. She is the creator of the (un)brand. A new tool for founders to separate from patriarchal tactics; limited, stereotypical, chasing… Instead, the (un)brand. embraces powerful soul fed branding strategies. Enabling Founders to express from Divine design, in Divine timing and take Divinely inspired actions. Unapologetically and Authentically.
With over 300 articles and a decade in branding, communications and strategy, Nina helps women reclaim their identity and purpose on their own terms. She is also the author of Unpack Your Personality Let Your Inner Guide Be Your Travel Guide,
updated: 6.3.2025
