At 60, I Finally Learned How to Travel Slowly
For most of my life, I travelled the way many working professionals do. Every holiday was squeezed into annual leave. Every itinerary was packed from morning to night. If I had two weeks off, I wanted to see as much as possible. Usually within 14 days, we’d cover ten places.
I travelled extensively over the years and was fortunate enough to visit many countries, but looking back, much of it feels like a blur. We were constantly moving, catching flights, checking schedules, and rushing to the next destination before we had fully experienced the one we were in. At the time, I thought that was simply how travel worked.
Yet throughout my travels, I often met people who seemed to approach travel very differently. Some would spend weeks or even months in one destination. I remember always wondering how they could stay in one place for so long without getting bored.
As I approached retirement, I became increasingly curious about the idea of slowing down. Then I came across Retire & Reset, a travel company offering month-long slow travel stays for retirees and active adults across Asia. The concept was simple: spend 30 days in one destination, live more like a local, and explore at your own pace while being part of a small community of like-minded travellers.
I’d travelled widely but always in too much of a rush.
Something about it immediately appealed to me. Perhaps it was because I was about to turn 60. Perhaps it was because I finally had the time. Or perhaps it was because I had spent so many years wondering what it would be like to stay in one place for an entire month. Whatever the reason, I decided to find out for myself.
The Joy of Staying Put
The stay in Da Nang, Vietnam, became the first time in my life that I had spent 30 days in a single destination. And surprisingly, by the end of the month, I wasn’t ready to leave. The biggest difference wasn’t what I did. It was how I felt.
On a typical holiday, I often feel pressure to make every day count. There’s always another attraction to visit, another restaurant to try, or another landmark to tick off the list.
In Da Nang, that pressure simply disappeared. I didn’t need to plan five or six activities every day. I didn’t need to rush. Instead, I found myself enjoying something I rarely experienced while travelling: a sense of routine.
The beautiful beach at Da Nang where I would walk each morning.
Most mornings started at 5.30am with a walk to the beach and a swim alongside the locals. Afterwards, I’d head to my favourite fish noodle shop for breakfast before stopping for a coffee on the way home.
What began as a simple routine quickly became one of my favourite parts of the day.
When you spend only a few days in a destination, you see the highlights. When you spend a month there, you begin to notice the details. I started recognising familiar faces, learning when the afternoon breeze arrived, and discovering my favourite cafés and walking routes.
Instead of feeling like a tourist passing through, I felt connected to the place.
Discovering the Real Vietnam
One of the things I appreciated most about the Retire & Reset experience was having a local host. Through her, we were introduced to parts of Vietnam that I would never have discovered on my own. She took us to local markets, introduced us to homemade fish sauce made by local families, and helped us connect with everyday life beyond the usual tourist trail.
Our local host, Linh, who diligently looked after us for 30 days.
One of my favourite discoveries was a small fish noodle stall at a local market. I loved it so much that I went back almost every day. Many mornings I looked around and realised I was probably the only foreigner eating there.
That simple experience brought me so much joy. Not because it was extraordinary, but because it felt authentic. It felt like everyday life.
Another memorable experience was squid fishing, something I never would have organised myself. It reminded me that when you stay somewhere longer and remain open to new experiences, unexpected opportunities often find you.
The People Made the Difference
While Vietnam left a lasting impression, the people I met became one of the most important parts of the journey. Having travelled solo before, I was familiar with meeting people on the road. The difference is that those connections are often brief. You meet someone, spend a day together, and then one of you moves on.
Enjoying iced coffee with Paula, a retired grandmother from Canada.
This experience was different. We spent 30 days together, sharing breakfasts, coffees, beach walks, dinners, and countless conversations. Over time, strangers became friends. One of the people I became particularly close to was Paula, a great-grandmother from Canada who was taking her very first solo overseas trip and first visit to Asia.
We bonded over our shared love of coffee and spent many afternoons exploring local cafés together. In the evenings, we’d often walk along the beach and talk about life.
I admired her courage enormously. At 70 years old, she was doing something many people never have the confidence to do at any age. Watching her embrace new experiences reminded me that there is no age limit on adventure.
The finale of a cooking class in Hoi An with Paula and other retirees.
By the end of the month, it felt less like travelling with a group of people and more like being part of a small community.
What I Learned About Retirement
Perhaps the most unexpected part of the experience was what it taught me about retirement. As someone preparing for this next stage of life, I found myself learning just as much from my fellow guests as I did from Vietnam itself.
Among the group were retirees from Australia, Canada, and the United States. We all came from different backgrounds, but we shared many of the same questions about what comes next. Through countless conversations, I gained valuable insights into how others were approaching retirement and the opportunities that come with it.
Dinner and engaging conversations with the other guests.
Before this trip, retirement often felt like something sitting somewhere on the horizon. Spending a month with people already living it helped me see it differently. Their stories showed me that retirement doesn’t have to mean slowing down. It can be a time of curiosity, adventure, friendship, learning, and personal growth.
For the first time, I found myself thinking less about what I would be leaving behind and more about what I might be moving towards.
A Different Way to Travel
By the end of the month, I realised this journey had given me something much more valuable than a holiday. It had given me perspective.
For decades, I thought travel was about seeing as many places as possible. After spending 30 days in Da Nang, I realised it can also be about staying still long enough to truly experience a place, build meaningful relationships, and embrace the rhythm of everyday life.
My month in Da Nang taught me to slow down and enjoy life.
Looking back, I’m grateful that Retire & Reset gave me the opportunity to experience travel in a completely different way.
Because at 60, I finally learned how to travel slowly.
And in many ways, I learned a little more about how I want to live as well.
Images: © Janet Low
