From Sightseeing To Stillness: Why Slow Travel And Hostels Are The New Travel Luxury
There was a time when travel meant ticking landmarks off a list, snapping selfies in front of monuments, and rushing from one itinerary checkpoint to another. But a quiet shift is underway, one that's replacing 'how much did you see?" with 'how deeply did you feel?"
Enter the era of slow travel, a rising movement where young adults, especially Gen Z and millennials, are choosing depth over distance. Think reading in a hammock while it rains outside, hiking misty trails at your own pace, or simply doing nothing at all without guilt. The journey now is less about covering ground and more about grounding oneself.
At the centre of this transformation is the hostel culture, reimagined not as just affordable accommodation, but as a canvas for connection and culture. 'Hostels are no longer just about beds; they're about bonfire nights, book corners, chai sessions with strangers-turned-friends, and the freedom to just be," says Pranav Dangi, CEO & Founder of Hosteller.
With cosy lounges, reading nooks, nature-view balconies, and community events, hostels have become sanctuaries for travellers seeking stillness over speed. During the monsoons, this culture comes alive in ways no checklist ever could. Picture sipping coffee in a hillside hostel as rain dances on the windows, or sharing stories with fellow travellers around a crackling fire. It's not about seeing everything, it's about feeling something real.
With communal lounges, reading nooks, and scenic balconies, hostels offer an inviting setting for travellers to unwind, share stories, or simply soak in their surroundings. During the monsoons, this culture blooms. From hillside hostels drenched in mist to shared treks through dew-covered forests, these stays transform a trip into a sensory escape. 'When you pause and let the rain slow you down, that's when the real travel begins," Dangi shares.
There's a psychological comfort that hostels provide, a rare blend of solitude and social connection. 'More young travelers are now choosing hostels because they offer something most hotels don't: human connection and creative freedom," Dangi notes. This isn't about five-star indulgence, but about making meaningful memories.
As Dangi explains, 'More young travelers are now choosing hostels because they offer something most hotels don't: human connection and creative freedom." Whether it's journaling in silence, jamming on a rooftop at sunset, or going on impromptu treks, hostels now enable more than travel; they enable presence.
What's unfolding is not a fleeting trend but a redefinition of what it means to wander. In this new rhythm of travel, hostels are no longer pit stops; they're places to pause, reflect, and reconnect.
view comments
First Published:
July 28, 2025, 15:30 IST
Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
News18
3 hours ago
- News18
Farah Khan Takes Cook Dilip To Maldives On His First Foreign Trip, Internet Applauds
Farah Khan takes her cook Dilip on his first international trip to the Maldives. Fans call it wholesome and applaud her sweet gesture. Farah Khan, the celebrated choreographer and filmmaker, has won hearts once again not with a dance move or a film, but with a heartwarming gesture for her cook, Dilip. Known for her entertaining celebrity cooking vlogs, Farah has now taken Dilip on his first-ever foreign trip, and the internet is loving every bit of it. In her latest vlog, Farah documents the entire journey, starting from Dilip receiving his passport. His excitement is palpable as he informs Farah about the long-awaited document. Without hesitation, she decides to take him along on her Maldives vacation, accompanied by two crew members. Once they arrive, Farah introduces her manager, Kalp, only to be surprised when Dilip also introduces his own manager, who's booked nothing short of luxury. From private water villas to premium activities, Dilip's team ensured he traveled in style. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Farah Khan Kunder (@farahkhankunder) The fun only gets better. Dilip undergoes a blonde hair makeover, which leaves Farah stunned and mildly irritated. Still, the two share great camaraderie as they enjoy thrilling watersports like banana boat rides and jet skiing. They even visit Maafushi Island, experiencing its rich culture and scenic beauty. A particularly memorable moment comes when Farah joins locals for a traditional Maldivian dance, showing her fun-loving and inclusive nature. Dilip and Farah also spend time learning how to cook authentic Maldivian Chicken Curry at a local's home. Their trip coincides with Eid celebrations, adding more joy to the experience. They also explore an 'Indian street market' in the Maldives, making the trip even more relatable for viewers. The vlog quickly went viral, with netizens flooding the comments with praise for Farah's humility and generosity. 'Mad respect," wrote one user, while another commented, 'Boss goals!" The sweet gesture struck a chord with fans who lauded her for treating her staff like family. On the work front, Farah Khan is expected to return to direction soon. Her last film was the 2014 hit Happy New Year, starring Shah Rukh Khan. First Published: July 30, 2025, 23:08 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Prince Harry, Meghan Markle's Rs 1,162 Crore Montecito Mansion Marked In Tsunami Warning Zone
Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Montecito mansion is in a tsunami advisory zone after an 8.8 earthquake off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, affecting California's coast. Prince Harry and Meghan Markle's Montecito mansion has been included in a tsunami advisory zone after a powerful 8.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Russia's Kamchatka Peninsula, Daily Mail reported. The Sussexes live in the upscale town of Montecito, Santa Barbara County, with their children Prince Archie, 6, and Princess Lilibet, 4. Their $14 million home came under the advisory issued by the US National Tsunami Warning Center late Tuesday night, according to the newspaper. The alert covered large parts of California's coast, including Santa Barbara, and warned residents to stay away from beaches and avoid entering the sea. Authorities said the risk 'may continue for several hours after the initial wave". The quake, one of the most powerful ever recorded, sent tsunami waves as high as 12 feet across the Pacific, triggering evacuation orders from Hawaii to Japan. Almost two million people in Japan were told to move to higher ground. According to the Daily Mail report, the quake struck near Petropavlovsk in Russia's sparsely populated Far East and was the strongest since the 2011 Japan quake and tsunami. While the epicentre was far from dense population centres, the tsunami risk extended all the way to the US West Coast. The report said the first waves began reaching Hawaii and California by Wednesday morning. In Hawaii, sirens rang out overnight, and residents were seen fleeing to higher ground, causing long traffic jams. The Galapagos Islands off Ecuador also shut schools and tourist areas as a precaution. This is not the first time Harry and Meghan's Montecito home has faced a natural disaster threat. Back in January, Daily Mail reported that their residence came under a similar evacuation watch during California's wildfires. At the time, authorities warned residents in their area to prepare for possible evacuation as fires spread near Los Angeles. The couple moved to California in January 2020 after stepping back from royal duties. Montecito is home to several A-list celebrities and has seen a rise in climate-related alerts in recent years. While the tsunami advisory has since been downgraded in several regions, officials in the US and Japan have warned of possible aftershocks and urged continued caution. view comments First Published: July 30, 2025, 22:57 IST Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
News18
4 hours ago
- News18
Thomas Cook India net profit stays flat at Rs 73.4 crore in April-June
Last Updated: Mumbai, Jul 30 (PTI) Omni-channel travel company Thomas Cook India Group's consolidated net profit stayed flat at Rs 73.4 crore in the quarter ended June 2025 compared to the same period of the previous financial year. The company's net profit stood at Rs 73.01 crore during the corresponding period of the previous fiscal, Thomas Cook India said in a regulatory filing. Revenue from operations of the company grew by 14.34 per cent during the quarter under review at Rs 2,407.96 crore as against Rs 2,105.94 crore registered in the same period of the previous fiscal. 'Despite the recent geopolitical events this quarter, that disrupted the travel ecosystem both in India and globally, I am happy to announce that the Thomas Cook India Group reported a PBT growth of 18 per cent for Q1 FY26 at Rs 1,284 Mn, excluding the effect of a one-time expense," Thomas Cook (India) Managing Director and CEO Mahesh Iyer said. Total income from operations grew by 15 per cent y-o-y and 21 per cent on a sequential basis, he said. 'This was driven by strong performances across Travel Services, Hospitality (Sterling Holidays), our DMS companies and DEI. Looking ahead, the Group continues to stay focused on technology and improved customer experience. Given the unpredictable external environment, and its potential impact on travel sentiment, we remain cautiously optimistic as we move into the festive season ahead," he added. Shares of the company on Wednesday closed at Rs 166.70, down by 1.51 per cent, on BSE. PTI SM HVA view comments First Published: Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
