By Camilla Sarra. Cover image courtesy The Itineris Collective and Guillaume Galtier via Unsplash
Why Slow and Local Travel Is the New Luxury for Gen Z
Travel isn’t just about ticking off places or snapping cool pics. It’s a chance to open your mind, connect with different cultures, and grow as a person. It’s in those slow moments, authentic exchanges, and unexpected encounters that you build memories that truly change you. Travel broadens your horizons, teaches you to see the world with fresh eyes, and find beauty in differences.
We recently spoke with Sofia Medina and Emilio Cardamone, founders of The Itineris Collective about how their Italy-based travel company is helping people slow down, look closer, and embrace the kind of meaningful journeys that leave a lasting impact. They get this better than anyone. They’re the duo turning trips in Italy from stressful checklists into slow, authentic, and fully personalized experiences. From avoiding over-tourism to finding beauty in cultural nuance, they’re redefining what it means to truly travel — and why the most memorable experiences often begin where the itinerary ends.
With their dual Italian-American background, they know exactly how to craft journeys that go beyond Instagram-worthy photos, helping you truly live the place — sharing conversations with locals and creating unforgettable moments. Traveling with them? It’s like having the best travel buddy guiding you to the real heart of Italy, without rush and with a genuine desire to explore.
Why Young Generations Want Stories, Not Souvenirs
How is the way people travel changing? And how have travel habits evolved among younger generations compared to the past?
Travel is no longer about checking boxes or seeing the most landmarks in the least amount of time. Today, especially among younger generations, it’s about how you travel just as much as where you go. There’s a clear shift toward more intentional, meaningful experiences: slowing down, connecting with the culture, and feeling a sense of place. Younger travelers want to walk away with stories, not just souvenirs.
What distinguishes a traveler from a typical tourist?
A tourist often skims the surface, visiting and observing. A traveler immerses themselves. They seek to participate and connect. It’s the difference between eating at the piazza’s most photographed restaurant and sharing a homemade meal at a family-run agriturismo. The traveler is curious and open — and that’s what we love to help cultivate.
Top Mistakes to Avoid When Planning Your Trip to Italy
What are the most common mistakes travelers make when planning a trip to Italy?
Trying to see too much. Italy isn’t meant to be rushed. It’s a place where the magic often happens between the “big sights.” People over-plan, over-schedule, and don’t leave space for spontaneity or rest. Another mistake is relying too heavily on generic recommendations or viral social media trends, instead of tailoring the experience to their travel style and priorities.
What does “living like a local” really mean?
It’s a bit of both. You’re not going to become a local overnight — and that shouldn’t be the goal. But you can adopt a slower, more integrated lifestyle when traveling: walking the neighborhood instead of calling a taxi/ or uber, lingering over lunch, chatting with a barista, supporting smaller artisans. Living like a local isn’t about pretending you’re from here; it’s about showing up with respect and curiosity.
What Slow Travel Really Means — And Why It’s a Must for Gen Z Travellers
How much do travelers really want slow travel today?
Slow travel is the heartbeat of everything we do. To us, it means designing a journey that prioritizes depth over speed: fewer transfers, longer stays in each place, and experiences that let you truly feel a destination. It’s absolutely something our clients want — especially those in high-stress careers or family life stages who are craving meaningful rest and reconnection.
In what ways can tourism become more sustainable and respectful of local communities?
It starts with awareness and intentionality. When tourism spending stays in the community, everyone benefits. It also means encouraging people to explore beyond the overcrowded hot spots, travel in shoulder seasons, and engage with places in a way that’s thoughtful rather than extractive.
What makes a journey truly memorable?
The feeling. It’s not just a list of what you saw — it’s how you felt along the way. The long, relaxed lunch. The unexpected detour. A quiet walk through town as the day winds down. The details matter, but the emotions are what stay with you.
How did The Itineris Collective come to life, and what inspired you to start it together?
The idea for The Itineris Collective grew naturally. My husband and I actually met working in the tourism industry, and between us, we’ve spent over a decade immersed in travel and hospitality here in Italy. Over the years, we found ourselves constantly helping friends, family, and friends of friends plan their trips — building custom itineraries, offering advice, sharing our favorite hidden spots. We genuinely loved doing it, and eventually realized we were already doing the work. So it only felt natural that this was the next step.
The name Itineris means “journey” in Latin, and Collective reflects our belief that the best travel is created together — with intention, care, and connection.
How does your dual cultural identity (Italian and American) influence your approach to travel?
I see Italy from both sides: as someone who lives here and knows it well, and as someone who once arrived figuring it all out for the first time. I understand what American travelers expect — the pace, the service, the structure — but I also know how things really work here: the timing, the cultural nuances, the quirks. That perspective helps me connect with clients while also setting clear expectations, so they can enjoy the experience fully.
The Role of Social Media in Young People’s Travel Decisions
How do social media influence younger generations in choosing their travel destinations?
Social media absolutely drives discovery — it’s where people get inspired, often in real time. But it can also create pressure to recreate curated moments that don’t always reflect reality. Our job is to balance inspiration with intention: yes, that place is beautiful, but is it right for you? Are there more meaningful or less saturated alternatives that offer a similar vibe? We help clients turn those aspirational images into experiences that align with their interests and pace.
How Travel Builds the Soft Skills Gen Z Needs Today
Can travel help develop soft skills that are also useful in the professional world?
Definitely. Travel pushes you to step out of your comfort zone to adapt, communicate, and figure things out in real time. Whether it’s ordering a coffee in another language or navigating a new city, it builds soft skills without you even realizing it — and those skills stay with you long after the trip ends.
