Hi! We are the Bishops, Harv and Diane. We created Slow Stroll Travel to make travel possible for people like you who have a passion to see the world but don’t think they can afford it.
We’ll help you turn your travel DREAMS into REALITY.
If you are like us, you dream about travel. You swoon at the idea of exploring Paris cafes, wandering Barcelona’s cobblestoned streets, marveling at Florence’s great statues and paintings, and discovering England’s magnficent castles. And perhaps you think, like we did, that you will never be able to afford to visit these magnificent places.
Our mission
Our mission is to make travel AFFORDABLE and ATTAINABLE for everyone!
You’ll find more than just travel tips here. We have created a SLOW STROLL TRAVEL STRATEGY that anyone can implement to start traveling more and spending less.
We don’t just teach this theory, we live it. Once we created our strategy we put it to the test. In February 2018, we grabbed our passports and spent the next 12 months making our travel dreams a reality.
We danced beneath the Eiffel Tower in PARIS, rode a gondola through the canals of VENICE, toured the Tuscan hillsides in ITALY, partied in pretty PORTUGAL, were charmed by the beauty of BELGIUM, slow strolled through SCOTLAND, visited VIENNA and loved exploring LONDON.
More travel for less money
We are not rich and we didn’t win the lottery. Yet we traveled throughout Europe and the United Kingdom for almost an entire YEAR. And we did it for about the same amount of money it would have cost us to stay home. You read that right! Using the SLOW STROLL TRAVEL STRATEGY, we traveled the world for about what it would have cost us to sit at home.
Our story
Harv teaches at a university and Diane is a writer. Our lives were turned upside down in 2016 when Diane suffered life-threatening complications following a routine surgery. Three surgeries and five months later, life seemed back on track, but then disaster struck again. Two weeks before she had planned to return to work, Diane found out her job had been eliminated. We were faced with crippling medical bills and an uncertain future.
The promise that kept us going
Then we remembered a promise we had made to each other in Diane’s hospital room. A promise that sparked joy and kept us going through those difficult times: that one day we would dance at the Eiffel Tower.
Now, with financial ruin looming, that promise seemed ridiculous. But we still lit up when we thought about it. And there is nothing like almost dying to remind you that the only time to make your dreams come true is NOW. Our dream was to travel. But how? Our bills were overwhelming and some days so was our fear.
But we kept our VISION of travel at the forefront of everything we did and the way became clear. And it has nothing to do with creating a blog or having an InstaGram account with thousands of followers. It is a strategy that anyone can follow.
A better way to see the world
We believe that the SLOW STROLL TRAVEL STRATEGY is a better way to see the world. Our hope is to offer you tools, tips, ideas, and resources that INSPIRE and EMPOWER you to explore and discover all the wonders of this wide, wonderful world.
Where we’ve been
Since we got our first passport stamp in Barcelona in 2018, we have traveled to eight countries. We started in February when it was cold and dark in our home state of Colorado. We longed for warmth and sunshine, so we headed south.
We dipped our toes in the Mediterranean Sea during our stay in Barcelona before heading further south to the colorful city of Lisbon.
Next stop was Italy. Our home base was in Florence, birthplace of the Renaissance. We visited Assisi, the beautiful village that St. Francis called home, and the romantic canals of Venice.
As the weather warmed we began making our way slowly north. Belgium was our next destination. From our home base in Brussels, known as Little Paris, we visited Antwerp, diamond capital of the world, and Bruges, reportedly the cutest town in all of Europe (and we agree).
We continued North all the way up to Edinburgh, Scotland, one of the oldest and most haunted capitals in Europe.
Next we enjoyed a slow stroll in London, home to Big Ben, Harry & Meghan, and some of the best food and culture in all of Europe.
After that we boarded a high-speed train to Paris, the city of lights. Vienna was the next stamp in our passport books. Then we couldn’t resist another stop in magnificent Florence. Next we circled back to London for a couple months to enjoy a Victorian Christmas.
Where we are going
Short list: Everywhere. Travel has changed us and our views of the world in ways we could not have imagined. We have officially been diagnosed with wanderlust and there is only one cure: more travel. We hope you’ll join us.
All our best,
Harv & Diane
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More about the original Slow Strollers – Harv & Diane
1. We didn’t win the lottery.
That’s the question even our closest friends have been asking since we grabbed our passports and a couple of suitcases and spent almost a year slow strolling throughout Europe and the United Kingdom. What we did do was create a strategy that makes us more money when we travel then when we stay at home. We’ll show you how you can too.
2. We met at an age …
when, statistically speaking, it was more likely we would be struck by lightning than find love. Never believe in statistics. Believe in yourself.
3. Harv has been known to rip off his clothing in public places.
This disturbing truth first came to light in Denver International Airport. We were exiting security and his around-the-neck passport pouch was missing. Harv did the only logical thing—he began to panic. When he realized that screaming “Ohgawd, ohgawd, ohgawd” and clutching at his chest didn’t help, he did the next logical thing—and began ripping his shirt off in search of the elusive pouch. Pleased to report that the pouch was found in one of our backpacks before Harv received a 72-hour mental health hold.
4. Diane’s first trip outside of the US involved a donkey.
And wearing a large straw hat. And tequila. That is all she remembers. What happens in Tijuana stays in Tijuana.
5. We were accepted to appear on House Hunters International.
Watching House Hunters International is one of our guilty pleasures. That’s the show that follows Americans as they look for a home in their new overseas locale. Typically, the show begins like this: “My name is Amy and I make art from used gumball wrappers. My husband Bert plays the harmonica. Our budget is $1.7 million.” Our budget is slightly smaller, but I do chew gum and Harv can play a kazoo, so we thought we would be naturals for the show. And we were. After some back-and-forth emails with producers, we were in! They needed one week to shoot and we would receive $1,500. Only problem was we changed how we would travel (moving every 28 days or so instead of staying somewhere long term) so we no longer fit the criteria. Maybe we’ll pitch a new show – Slow Stroll Travel.
6. Peanut butter and baguettes kept Harv from starving the first time he visited Europe.
There weren’t many options for vegan travelers back in the 1990s. So, while everyone around him was enjoying coq au vin in France and bangers and mash in England, he stuck with peanut butter for protein and baguettes for carbs. It’s still a favorite standby and Harv knows how to say peanut butter in many languages.
7. We will never appear in bikinis and Speedos on Instagram.
We promise.
Slow Stroll Travel: a better way to see the world.
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CP says
Outstanding Diane. Know that wonderful witty writing style anywhere. Merry adventures! Can’t wait until the next update.
Diane Bishop says
Thank you, Clarissa. May our roads cross in Scotland!
Lisa says
Awesomeness! Was grinning the whole time I was reading. Glad to hear you are doing so well. Enjoy Vienna – wish I was there to see it all again!
Diane Bishop says
Would love to have you join us, Lisa. Which city would you pick to visit in Germany?
JoAnne says
I love you two!
Diane Bishop says
Love you two, too!
Tammi says
Beautiful! And I thought I was living vicariously through your Facebook posts. This is even better, it’s more personal and intimate.
Safe and slow strill travel my friends!
Tammi
Diane Bishop says
Thank you, Tammi. Our paths will cross again!
Debi H says
It’s such a blessing to follow the 2 of you on your Slow Stroll Travel. Traveling by osmosis. Love u both.
Diane Bishop says
Thank you for the blessings you have brought to our lives, Deb!
Ann says
❤️❤️❤️!!!
Diane Bishop says
Thank you, Ann. You were the one who said, “Must be nice to take a slow stroll through Europe.”
Jeanne says
Bill and I love your travels- and hope to catch you sometime-we’re biking again in oct-nov in Netherlands then off to Germany again – an cruise down the Rhine- looking forward to seeing whee life takes you-❤️ U both
Diane Bishop says
We may be in the Neatherlands in October! Would love to visit. You two are our heroes.
Francisco E. Alvarez says
Wonderful! I can’t wait to see your show no the travel channel and learn the great tips to become a Slow Stroll Traveler myself
Angelica Jayne Taggart says
I would love to slow stroll! My trips to Europe and the Middle East have been with spiritual conferences – didn’t have much time to stroll — except for Barcelona — went a week early — and enjoyed it immensely!
Have been watching vicariously on FB. Looking forward to more of your blog.
ArdyM says
Dear friends I can’t wait to hear of all your adventures! and sharing how this can be done!! I love you guys! enjoy every minute of these travels, their people, their food and their traditions!
Robyn Berry says
This is just perfect. Grinned the whole time I was reading. Good job you two. Thanks for taking me with you. Can’t wait to read more. 👍🏻❤️😘
Diane Bishop says
It’s the support of our family, friends and a certain angel who made this possible!
Lindsay (Kieselbach) Ritter says
Harv, you’ve always been an inspiration. Watching your latest adventures have wonderful. I hope you spend some time in the Netherlands… Amsterdam, Harlem or Leiden. You would love it. The Netherlands… and YOU inspired my career in sustainability. God Speed.
Harv.Bishop says
Thanks so much Lindsay. Very inspired by all you do to help the planet move to sustainability. We definitely plan to include Amsterdam, but don’t have exact dates yet.
Ann Crawford says
Love what you’re doing, how you’re doing it, and how funny you are while doing it!
xoxoxoxoxoxo
Ann
Diane Bishop says
Thanks, Ann! I’m so glad you are following us on our adventures.