We retired early to see the world — but fast travel made life feel stressful again

• Kelly Benthall, 54, and her husband retired early and have now been slow traveling for a year. • This summer, they spent five fast-paced weeks moving through seven stops across the UK and Ireland. • The experience left her exhausted — and reminded the couple why they'd chosen a slower, more intentional life.

Plain and simple — hold the tomatoes — fast travel is exhausting.

My husband Nigel and I retired early last year to slow travel the world. We've made it a habit to stay in one place for a month. It feels long enough to unpack, exhale, and feel like we live there.

But this summer, we broke our own rules.

We planned a five-week sprint through the UK and Ireland — seven stops in quick succession, most just five days long. We started in Dorset with a brief, emotionally heavy fami