How to embrace conscious travel: insider tips that feel heiter

Summer invites us to slow down and embrace a new rhythm marked by longer, warmer, and more peaceful days. Whether we spend this season relaxing by the ocean, traveling to distant places, or simply enjoying the art of 'Il dolce far niente' at home, summertime offers a great opportunity to find heiter moments that deepen our inner connection and help us stay grounded in the present—moments that often get overlooked the rest of the year.

From the need to embrace slowness and authentic experiences, conscious travel has emerged as a meaningful alternative for travelers seeking a more relaxed, enriching, and intentional way of exploring. Yet, conscious travel extends beyond personal pleasure, emphasizing the importance of supporting local communities and sustainable practices to minimize the environmental and social impacts of travel.  

Why is a new era of travel emerging?

As we become more aware of our environmental impact and more interested in cultural immersion, a different kind of travel is emerging where the focus is not just on where you go, but on how you experience it. 

We are entering a new era of travel that goes beyond ticking off destinations or hunting the next popular attraction, where the quality of our experiences matters more than the number of places we visit. 

Fostering an emotional connection to a destination and returning to the essence of travel by engaging our senses is crucial to creating more tangible, special, and memorable travel experiences worth treasuring forever.

Conscious travel tips so that your next trip aligns with your values and feels heiter

1. TRAVEL WITH A PURPOSE:

Select your destination based on your values and interests. Having a clear purpose adds a personal dimension to your trip. This opens up countless options for meaningful and quality travel experiences. 

Given that time and budget are often limited, and the environmental impact of travel is increasing, it’s wise to consider your motivations before planning your next adventure. This can help prevent aimless trips and encourage exploring off-the-beaten-path locations.

Nowadays, travel is about customizing your experiences that align with your preferences. Knowing your "why" will make your travels more conscious and enriching.

2. SUPPORT LOCAL COMMUNITIES:

Local communities are at the heart of sustainable and responsible travel. Beyond investing in the local economy, conscious travel supports the preservation of the community's traditions and heritage while promoting cultural awareness.

There are many meaningful ways to connect with locals. From attending cooking workshops and visiting traditional producers of wine, cheese, bread, and oil to investing in artwork from artisans like ceramics, furniture, and other handmade crafts, all while learning about their time-honored production methods.

It is essential to support businesses that collaborate with locals, as this positively influences the community. This approach also benefits travelers, providing opportunities for deeper interactions with residents, which leads to a richer cultural exchange and understanding.  

3. CHOOSE ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATIONS: 

Opting for small, sustainable accommodations encourages eco-friendly travel. These places create ideal environments for thoughtful explorers seeking more than just sightseeing—they strive for spaces meant for relaxation, connection, and renewal, designed to nurture the heart and soul.

Small hotels are destinations in their own right, featuring a limited number of rooms—typically ten or fewer—with a laid-back atmosphere suitable for solo travelers, couples, families, and friends. Often family-owned, these charming hotels provide personalized service and reliable advice, paying close attention to small, meaningful details.

Eco-friendly hotels are often located in rural areas, blending seamlessly with the natural surroundings. They source seasonal ingredients from local farmers, supporting regional agriculture and promoting organic farming, all while minimizing environmental impact and allowing guests to savour the local cuisine.    

About Sensory Travel

At Sensory Travel, we promote a different approach to travel that is rooted in being more intentional about exploring the world through your senses. Sensory Travel is where meaningful experiences intersect with conscious choices. In our boutique studio, we also create inspirational content for design hotels, travel and lifestyle publications, interior design studios, and creatives, showcasing Sensory Travel’s signature aesthetic and sensory-led storytelling.

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Are you interested in more tips on conscious and sustainable travel?

Then download Sensory Travel’s free guide here.

Home - what does that actually mean?

What do you think? Is home a house, a feeling, a place where you once lived, a place where you’ve never lived, perhaps even a community?

Also, how do you know when you are home?

In April this year I moved back to the UK after living in Thailand for almost 8 years.

When I told people I was returning, they would always reference the UK as my home.

“You’re going back home”.

But I didn’t feel like I was going back home.

I was moving to a town that was new to me, in an area I hadn’t lived in for over 20 years but most importantly, I wasn’t the same person I was 8 years ago when I left the UK.

How could I say I was going back home when I didn’t feel like it was my home that I was going to?

People often think that when you return to your home country after living abroad, you just slot right back in, but I didn’t feel that way.

Living abroad changes you.

You change how you act, speak, what you eat, your daily routines and your relationships.

You live life differently.

When I arrived in the UK I didn’t want to just slot right back in. And what was I really slotting back into?

Friendships I had before I left the UK had shifted, understandably. As we all walk new paths and realise that some friends are in our lives for a season. And that’s ok.

The places I used to go to before, felt different, because I was different.

I worked in a different industry and had very different values.

I didn’t slot back into any of my previous UK life. This was a new chapter.

So 3 months in, does the UK feel like home again? I’m pleased to say, yes, it does. 

What I quickly realised was that home isn’t a physical place to me, it’s the feeling of being home that helps me call a place home.

So what does this feeling actually feel like?

It’s the joy in your surroundings.

It’s the familiar smells and sounds.

It’s the same faces, a community.

It’s noticing the small things that you only really notice after the tenth time.

It’s the routines and the barista who knows your coffee order.

For me a routine has been a vital part of the ‘feeling of being home’. I am lucky to live one road away from the coast and enjoy walks along the beach almost everyday - something I did every morning in Thailand. I regularly go to a Crossfit gym not just for fitness but for the community. I journal daily, explore local cafes and enjoy the sunshine as much as I can.

This all helps me to create the feeling of being home.

But there’s been one anchor statement that has helped me in times of doubt and missing (my Thailand) home:  Trust in the process.

You can’t ever be certain how you’ll feel coming home. Even if it’s returning to a house you lived in for 25 years, a new city that you’ve researched endlessly and you're confident it’s your vibe or a place that just sounds exciting.

What we can be certain of is trusting in the process that it’s possible to create the feeling of being home.

It may take one year, one month or maybe just one day, but you’ll get there and if you ever feel like you’ve lost that feeling I’ll leave you with one thought…

Home really is where your heart is, and that is right here, in this moment.

Kat Amey is a Life Coach who helps people ditch conventional ideas of success and create a life that feels uniquely purposeful. Through understanding their values, she helps her clients figure out what success really means to them and then take steps to make it happen. Kat also hosts wellbeing workshops and retreats in the UK.

Main image by Ellie Letch, coffee image by Anna Considine from Studio Gently.

Did you enjoy this piece on finding home? Then you might also like our current “Homecoming Issue” (heiter print issue 2). You can find it here.