Bonsoy and Slow Travel: The Ultimate Guide to Nature and Zen Holidays
In a world where everything is accelerating, where the injunction to perform and be immediate seeps into even our moments of rest, a powerful and necessary counter-trend is emerging: theslow travel. More than just a trend, it’s a philosophy, an art of travel that prioritizes depth over quantity, connection over consumption, and being over doing. And if there’s one place that naturally embodies this art of slow living, it’s the Domaine du Bonsoy. Nestled in the heart of the Ardennes forest, our bungalows are not just accommodations; they are an invitation to slow down, to breathe, and to reconnect with what truly matters.
This article is your guide to transforming your stay at Bonsoy into a true slow travel experience. Forget hectic schedules and rushing from one attraction to the next. Here, luxury is time. Time to listen to the birdsong, to smell the earthy scent after the rain, to watch the sun set behind the treetops. We offer you an immersion in a way of life where nature is your guide, silence your music, and your bungalow your sanctuary. This approach is a natural extension of our explorations on the Benefits of a walk in the forest and theObservation of local wildlife, by adding a philosophical and practical dimension for complete rejuvenation.
Slow Travel: What is it ?
Slow travel, or “slow travel,” is the antithesis of mass tourism. It is about :
• Travel less, but better : Staying longer in the same place to soak up the local atmosphere.
• Prioritize sustainable transportation : Walking, cycling, kayaking… these are modes of transport that allow you to discover the landscape at a human pace.
• Connecting with the local culture : Meet the artisans, sample local products, and participate in village life.
• Minimizing one’s ecological footprint : Choose environmentally friendly accommodations and adopt sustainable behaviors.
• Practice digital detox : Putting down your smartphone to reconnect with yourself and your immediate surroundings.
The Domaine du Bonsoy, by its very design, is a perfect ecosystem for practicing this art of slowness.
Your Bungalow: The Epicenter of Serenity
Your bungalow is much more than just a roof over your head. It’s both the starting point and the finishing point of your slow living experience. It has been designed to promote calm and introspection.
• Integrated architecture : Built of wood, our bungalows blend seamlessly into the forest landscape. Large bay windows blur the line between interior and exterior, bringing the forest right into your living room.
• Essential comfort : Far from ostentatious luxury, we opted for simple, warm, and functional comfort. A good bed, a well-equipped kitchen for preparing meals with local products, and, most importantly, a wood-burning stove.
• The fire ritual : Lighting a wood fire in the evening is not simply a way to keep warm. It’s an ancestral ritual, a meditative act that brings people together, soothes the soul, and invites contemplation. It’s the heart of the slow living experience at Bonsoy.
• The absence of anything superfluous : There are no televisions in most of our bungalows. This is a deliberate choice to encourage you to turn to other forms of entertainment: reading, board games, conversation, or simply listening to the sounds of the forest.
Ten Commandments for a Slow Stay at Bonsoy
Here are ten practical tips to infuse your trip with the spirit of slow travel.
1. Define an intention, not a plan : Instead of a to-do list, set an intention for your stay: “to rest,” “to walk in the forest,” “to read an entire book.” Then, let the schedule unfold naturally according to your desires and the weather.
2. Practice “Digital Detox” : Set some rules for yourself. For example, check your emails only once a day, or leave your phone in your bungalow while you go for walks. You’ll be surprised at how much your perception of your surroundings changes.
3. Walk without a purpose : Take a random path starting from the estate and walk without any specific distance or destination in mind. Let yourself be guided by a detail: a strangely shaped tree, the sound of a stream, a ray of sunlight piercing through the foliage.
4. Cook with local and seasonal ingredients : Explore the local markets (the one in Dinant on Friday mornings, for example) or the surrounding farms. Cooking with fresh, seasonal produce is a way to connect deeply with the local area. It’s a slow and rewarding activity.
5. Take a Forest Bath (Shinrin-Yoku) : This is a Japanese practice that involves immersing yourself in the atmosphere of the forest. Walk slowly, breathe deeply, touch the bark of the trees, and listen to the wind in the leaves. The benefits for stress reduction and the immune system are scientifically proven.
6. Rediscover reading on paper : Bring that novel you never have time to finish. Settle down by the fireplace or on your patio and immerse yourself in another world, without the distraction of notifications.
7. Observe the Sky : Far from the light pollution of cities, the night sky at Bonsoy is a spectacular sight. Learn to recognize a few constellations or simply contemplate the vastness of the celestial dome.
8. Write a logbook : Note down your impressions, your observations, and the emotions you feel. Writing is a powerful tool for grounding yourself in the present moment.
9. Do Nothing (and Enjoy It) : This might be the most difficult piece of advice to follow. Sit on your patio with a cup of tea and simply watch the forest come alive. Allow yourself to be a little bored. It’s often in these moments of “emptiness” that creativity and new ideas emerge.
10. Meet the “Real People” : Take the time to chat with the baker, the village grocer, or another resident of the area. Slow travel is also, and above all, about human connections.
Slow travel routes nearby
Slow travel doesn’t mean doing nothing, but doing things differently. Here are some ideas for excursions that embrace this philosophy.
•Descent of the Lesse by kayak : Instead of racing, opt for a leisurely descent down the river. Let yourself be carried by the current, stop at a riverbank for a picnic, and observe the herons and kingfishers. (Link : https://www.dinant-evasion.be/fr/descente-de-lesse)
•The Waulsort waterway : Take the time to cross the Meuse River on this traditional ferry, one of the last in Belgium. Chat with the ferryman and immerse yourself in the history of this age-old practice. It’s a journey of just a few minutes that will transport you to another time.
•A visit to a single village, but in depth : Instead of “doing” three villages in one day, choose just one, such as Waulsort or Falmignoul, and explore it on foot. Go into the church, sit on a bench, have a drink at the local café. Become a temporary resident.
Slow Travel: An Investment in Yourself
Choosing slow travel at Domaine du Bonsoy means prioritizing quality over quantity. You may not return with a long list of visited sights to check off, but you will return with something far more precious: a feeling of profound rest, a renewed connection with nature and with yourself, and authentic and lasting memories. It’s an investment whose benefits will be felt long after your vacation ends.
So, for your next trip, embrace slowness. Embrace the essentials. Domaine du Bonsoy is the perfect setting for this transformative experience. Time is your ally, nature your guide. Have a wonderful slow journey !
