The Art Of Slow Travel With Food & Travel Creator @jacquitoumbas

At home in Australia, I was always moving. Daughter. Sister. Business owner. Content creator. My life was a constant juggle of expectations and endless to-do lists. But the moment I stepped off the plane in Puglia, everything shifted. No one knew me. I wasn’t defined by my work or my relationships. I could just be.

For the first time in years, I felt free. I wasn’t there to be productive. I wasn’t there to tick anything off a list. I wandered through ancient towns where time seemed to move differently. I sat in sunlit courtyards, drinking espresso without thinking about what came next. I lingered over long lunches that stretched well into the afternoon. Slowly, I noticed the simple joy of being present.

What impacted me most, though, were the people. Chiara and Maria ran the family-owned masseria where I stayed. What started as a simple booking became something much deeper. We shared meals together in their kitchen, laughing late into the night. I learnt about their deep-rooted connection to the land, their traditions, and their way of life. They welcomed me into their world as if I were family, and through them, I came to understand that travel isn’t just about visiting places. It’s about the people who bring those places to life.

That connection shaped everything I do now. When I returned home, I knew I wanted to share that feeling with others, especially those, like me, who were always chasing the next thing. That’s how Savour the Slow was born: a series of intimate retreats designed to offer people the chance to pause, reset, and truly connect. To slow down, and to be part of something real.

The first retreats sold out quickly, confirming what I had sensed. People are craving more meaningful experiences. Savour the Slow isn’t a tour. It’s an invitation to step into the rhythm of Southern Italy. Guests stay in family-run properties like restored monasteries and centuries-old masserias, where they’re welcomed like old friends. Together, we cook with local chefs, learn from artisans, and gather around long tables, not as tourists, but as part of the community.

Slow travel isn’t just about seeing the world. It’s about rediscovering yourself.

Imagery: @jacquitoumbas