Sp Slavgorodsmall towns, unhurried: a travel journal

An independent journal about trips to small towns. We do not sell tours or tickets, do not organise group purchases and are not connected with the former website on this domain. Check timetables and visiting rules with the transport operators and the venues themselves.

On the spot

On the spot: how to be a good guest

In a small town a visitor stands out, and how they behave shapes how both they and the next guests will be remembered. Here are some simple habits: how to choose where to eat and sleep, how to talk to residents, what to photograph and how not to lose touch.

You come for a day, but people live here all the time. Let the town be a little warmer after your visit, not noisier.

— From the editors

How this section works: here you will find advice that applies to any small town or village. We do not name specific cafes or hotels and do not compile lists of the best places.

On the spot

Everyday matters best settled without fuss.

Where to eat

Look for places where residents themselves have lunch: a canteen by the market, a small cafe on the square, a bakery near the station. If in doubt, ask a market trader or a museum attendant; they are the best guidebook there is.

Where to stay

Choose accommodation within walking distance of the centre or the station. A guesthouse or a room in a local home often offers more than a faceless hotel on the highway, and hosts are happy to suggest where to go.

Cash and shops

In small towns cards are not accepted everywhere, and card terminals sometimes do not work. Keep some cash on you and remember that shops on the outskirts and in villages close earlier.

Landmarks

Memorise how to walk from the centre to the station and to your accommodation without looking at your phone. A church, a square or a water tower make handy landmarks visible from afar.

Respect for residents

A little tact, and the town will return the favour.

Private houses and courtyards

A beautiful house with carved window frames is someone's home. Admire it from the street, do not go through gates, do not peer into windows and do not sit on other people's benches without an invitation.

Photographing people

Before taking a close-up of someone, ask for permission. Many people agree readily, while some will say no, and that is a perfectly normal answer too.

In a church

Dress modestly, speak quietly and do not photograph services or people at prayer. If you are unsure whether photography is allowed, ask a member of the church staff.

Talking to residents

Say hello, ask for directions, show an interest in the town's history: locals are often glad to tell you about their town. Do not compare it with big cities or talk down about how people live here.

Safety and staying in touch

  • Save offline maps in advance: in small towns and the surrounding countryside the signal can be patchy
  • Keep your phone charged and bring a power bank
  • Tell your family or friends where you are and when you plan to be back
  • Do not explore abandoned buildings, cliffs or unfenced riverbanks on your own
  • Head back to your accommodation or the station before dark if the streets are poorly lit
  • In an emergency, call the single number 112 (or your local emergency number); it works even with a weak network signal
  • What to see

    Local museum, church, high street, market, viewpoint, park and station: how to make the most of each.

  • Routes

    Sample routes without place names: the old centre in a day, a riverside town and two days with the surroundings.

  • Planning

    Trip preparation step by step: interest, information, travel, a place to stay, a fallback and a checklist.

Sources

  • The journal's editorial materials

Information reflects the situation on the date of preparation. Timetables, opening hours and visiting rules in small towns change without much notice, so check them with the transport operators and the venues themselves shortly before you travel.