Entrepreneur and entrepreneur Lydiane St-Onge, behind the show and blog Lydian around the world, a follower of long-term travel. She’s done a lot, and has ventured all over the world, often with a one-way ticket in her pocket.
Last September, she traveled to Europe with her lover and daughter for a two-and-a-half-month trip. “With a baby, you definitely don’t want to leave for a week, unless you’re in the same time zone,” says the new mom. So traveling with your daughter chimes in slow travelas you say.
It was also important for her to “deposit in the country”. It was a good time to leave because she was on maternity leave and her lover could work remotely.
Photo provided by Lydiane Saint-Onge
Lydianne St. Onge, her wife and daughter, during their trip to Europe
Lydiane St-Onge says, “We were in the same place for about two weeks — doing groceries, spotting little nooks, going for coffee. We ended up meeting people. I made friends with the mums because we used to go to the same park.”
It’s also the idea of a longer rest that lured writer and host Jean-Michel Duveaux to take the long haul.
Image provided by Jean-Michael Duvoux
Jean-Michel Duveaux in Vietnam
I’ve always been tempted to take my famous sabbatical year, but I kept putting it off.
Jean-Michel Dufox
He finally made a quantum leap in 2018. The animator wrote his book later My Year Abroad – A Slow Travel Story which recounts and “demystifies” his journey, landing in Thailand, Mexico, Vietnam and then in Europe.
He was tormented by several existential questions – personal and professional. “It’s time to take a break and leave to come back better,” he says. He did a few freelance jobs that year, but also took some time to explore the cities where he lived.
Image provided by Camille Riche
Camille Richer
Employment consultant Camille Reischer also favors long trips. “It allows me to visit the country better, to take the time and to escape less,” she says. She used her spare time while studying to try it out. Significantly left for three months in Europe and two months in Indonesia.
Breaking the rhythm of daily life is often a reason to go on a trip, says Isabelle Vallardo, professor in the Department of Studies in Leisure, Culture and Tourism at the University of Quebec at Trois-Rivières (UQTR). And those who choose to take a long trip want to “take the long haul,” she says.
She adds that these travelers also have other reasons for choosing a long-term trip, such as getting closer to the population, achieving a better social impact, or wanting to get off the beaten path.
But it is difficult to paint a typical picture of this kind of trip. “People who have more time at their disposal, and more discretionary income, such as young people or retirees, can have it,” says Isabel Valardo.
Planning, or very little
Lydian St. Onge and her lover had not planned their itinerary before their departure in September. They wanted to extend the summer and knew they wanted to explore Europe, so they headed to Nice for their first destination. Thus, they explored several cities in France and Switzerland by renting apartments according to their wishes.
The fact that it’s done in the long run, it lets you carry on mood, also depending on the temperature. We can afford to change the schedule, so we’re less stressed.
Lydian St. Onge
During his long travels, Camille Richer planned little. She booked a few days in a youth hostel, but she also loved leaving room for surprises. “I didn’t even look at what was there to visit there,” she said. It also allows you to experience recommendations from locals, such as a small hidden waterfall or restaurants. »
Changes of plans also occurred during Jean-Michel Dufoux’s trip, but he maintained his goal of living in the same city for a few months at a time.
“I couldn’t have done this trip if I had chosen cities like London or Paris, but by choosing cities that aren’t so expensive, it was possible,” explains the host, who thinks this type of trip is more accessible than you might think. .
Specifically, Lydiane St-Onge is convinced that it’s entirely possible to travel long-term without breaking the bank. We mistakenly think that long-term travel is expensive, but not at all if we find solutions. Her solution: rent her house and car. This allowed them to pay for plane tickets and even their rental cars.
reverse direction
“The vast majority of trips are short periods,” says Professor Isabel Fallardo. It’s an even growing trend. »
However, with this pandemic, some have questioned their connection to travel, she said. There are digital nomads, for example, who can work from anywhere. Eco-conscious travelers entertain the idea of traveling for less, but for longer at the same time. There’s the idea of better travel, “but this is a must-see,” admits Isabelle Fallardo.
And during periods of crisis – such as the possible next recession – the tendency is to “travel less distances and take less time,” says the professor.
However, the travelers questioned recommend it for long-term travel. “It did me good for my soul and my head,” says Jean-Michel Dufoux. It was like an introspective break. »
Lydiane St-Onge highly recommends it and hopes to be able to repeat the experience in the spring. She even dreams of adopting a lifestyle where her family travels twice a year for a few months. “It adds exploration to life and introduces my daughter to travel.”
“Total coffee aficionado. Travel buff. Music ninja. Bacon nerd. Beeraholic.”
