Slow travel has changed the way many people explore the world. Rather than rushing from one attraction to the next, more travellers are choosing to stay longer, connect with local communities and experience destinations beyond the popular highlights.

We completely understand the appeal. Having travelled extensively and spent 15 months living on the small Indonesian island of Gili Air, we've discovered that some of our most memorable island holidays have come from places with fewer crowds, more opportunities to connect with local people and the freedom to get off the beaten track.

Whether you're looking to escape the crowds, travel more sustainably or simply enjoy a more relaxed holiday, we believe small islands offer some of the best slow travel experiences in the world.

Watching your dog race across the sand for the first time is one of those travel memories you'll never forget. We still remember our first beach adventure with our own dog; charging through the waves, enthusiastically digging holes in the sand and enjoying the freedom of somewhere new. A beach holiday can be just as exciting for them as it is for you.

While a day by the sea may seem effortless, beaches come with their own challenges. Hot sand, strong currents, unfamiliar wildlife, sunburn (for your dog, not just you!), and even drinking seawater can quickly turn a fun day out into an unexpected trip to the vet.

Fortunately, a little planning before you leave home goes a long way. Whether you're driving a few hours or setting off on a long-distance road trip, preparing your dog for the journey is just as important as planning your time at the beach.

From finding a genuinely dog-friendly beach and choosing the right place to stay to knowing what to pack, these practical tips will help keep your four-legged travel companion safe, comfortable and happy throughout your holiday.

I saw a photo years ago of an ethereal shrine in the sea that looked as if it were floating.

It was Itsukushima Shrine, home to Japan's famous floating torii gate and one of the country's most iconic views.

That image stayed with me for years, until one day I found myself standing in front of it, wondering how something so familiar could feel so unreal.

Located on Miyajima Island, just off the coast of Hiroshima, this UNESCO World Heritage Site is one of Japan's most popular day trips. But when we were planning our Japan itinerary from Osaka, we decided not to do what most visitors do.

Deciding to stay overnight on Miyajima Island completely changed our experience.

We wanted more than a photograph. We wanted to immerse ourselves in the island and experience a side of Miyajima that many day-trippers never get to see. Spending the night at a traditional ryokan became one of the highlights of our entire Japan trip.

This guide covers everything you need to know about visiting Miyajima Island from Hiroshima, including Itsukushima Shrine, the famous floating torii gate, tide timings, and why staying overnight completely transforms the experience.

Taipei surprised us.

For a busy capital known for night markets, neon lights and the Taipei 101 skyline, we found something we did not expect at all: green spaces filled with birdsong, wildlife, and places that made us slow our pace without trying.

One of the biggest surprises was how easy it is to escape into the mountains at Maokong, just a short MRT ride and gondola trip from the city.

Between sightseeing, eating our way through street food stalls and wandering busy streets, we discovered quiet corners where squirrels darted through the grass, koi carp glided beneath lily pads and hillside tea houses looked out over the city skyline.

If you’re looking for peaceful things to do in Taipei beyond shopping and skyscrapers, these were the places we actually visited to step back from the noise and reset.

There’s something wonderfully freeing about a road trip. Windows down, snacks within arm’s reach, your favourite playlist on repeat, and an open road stretching ahead. Whether you're crossing a large state, exploring a new country, or simply taking the scenic route to your next destination, road trips have a way of creating memories.

But let's be honest, even the most exciting adventure can hit a few dull patches. Endless highways, traffic jams, and hours between attractions can sometimes leave both drivers and passengers feeling restless.

The good news? A little planning goes a long way. There are plenty of ways to keep the journey just as enjoyable as the destination. Feet Do Travel share ways to help you keep the boredom at bay on a long-distance road trip 

When we travel, we seek out the unusual things to do. Taipei was no different.

We are not always looking for the postcard-perfect views everyone else has; we are hunting for the offbeat, the unexpected, and the delightfully weird. Whether it is an unusual attraction or simply an experience that makes us laugh, finding places that sit outside the typical tourist trail is always part of the adventure.

Taipei is the perfect city for travellers looking for something different. You can visit the world's first cat café, drink bubble tea in its birthplace, hunt for street art, discover hidden speakeasies and, if you really want to, eat dessert from a miniature toilet bowl.

If you are looking for unusual things to do in Taipei, hidden gems in Taipei, or simply a different side of the city beyond the famous attractions, Feet Do Travel share some of our favourite discoveries.

After Osaka, we were ready for our next Japan adventure. 

Himeji Castle is considered Japan’s most iconic and one of the best day trips from Osaka. Hiroshima stands as one of Japan’s most historically significant cities, known worldwide as the site of the 1945 atomic bombing.

Because both cities sit directly on Japan’s Tokaido-Sanyo bullet train line, we thought it would be easy to combine them into a single journey. We were right.

Our plan was simple: visit Himeji and Hiroshima from Osaka by shinkansen, continue to Miyajima, and stay overnight. However, if you are short on time, this route can also work as an ambitious (and very long) day trip.

From Japan’s most famous castle to one of its most thought-provoking cities, without further ado, Feet Do Travel share our journey through Himeji and Hiroshima by bullet train.

​Kyoto is famous for its historic temples, but sometimes the best travel memories come from simply following your stomach. That is exactly what happened at Nishiki Market, nicknamed “Kyoto’s Kitchen”; it is a vibrant covered food street packed with over 100 vendors.

We loved it so much, we ended up visiting twice.

If you enjoy grazing on street food, eating your way through Nishiki Market is one of the best culinary experiences in Kyoto. Think crisp, tempura-fried, fresh-on-the-spot, buttery wagyu skewers, and sweet, bean-filled taiyaki desserts around every corner.

If you are wondering whether Nishiki Market is worth visiting, what foods to try, where to sample local sake, or the best restaurants to hit nearby, this Feet Do Travel guide covers everything we discovered from exploring Kyoto's ultimate food market.

Like millions of adults and children around the world, Sy grew up with Nintendo.

Super Mario was (and still is) the undisputed favourite. Every console, from SNES through Wii to Switch, came with one non-negotiable: a Mario game.

If you grew up playing Nintendo, visiting Kyoto adds a completely different layer to your Japan trip. So when we found ourselves in Kyoto, adding a Nintendo Kyoto experience to our itinerary was not even a question.

We were going to the Nintendo Store.

What we did not expect was to walk straight into a slice of gaming history, one that explains why Kyoto is one of the best places in Japan for Nintendo fans, Super Mario lovers, and gaming travellers.

Because Kyoto is not just temples and geishas, it is the birthplace of Nintendo. And it is where Super Mario was imagined.

Planning a Japan trip? Save this guide for your Nintendo and Super Mario bucket list, and let Feet Do Travel show you how to channel your inner child with a visit to the Nintendo Store, Kyoto.

Travel trends come and go, but one style of travel needs to stay: slow travel.

For years, many of us treated travel like a race against time. A few nights here, a quick flight there, or a road trip packed so tightly there was barely time to stop for a coffee without checking the clock. Seeing as much as possible felt productive, almost like proof we were making the most of the trip.

But eventually, many travellers start asking a different question: Did I actually experience that place, or just pass through it?

That is where slow travel comes in.

Slow travel is about discovering a destination beyond the tourist trail. It is not about how far you go, but how deeply you connect with a place. Instead of rushing from landmark to landmark, it is about staying longer, noticing more, and leaving space for the moments that never make it onto an itinerary.

You do not need months abroad or a completely unplanned trip to do it. Even a short break feels richer when you slow the pace.

If you are curious about travelling more meaningfully, Feet Do Travel shares four simple ways to experience the beauty of slow travel.