NEW YORK -- Slow down, you move too fast. Try to make that vacation last.

That's the theory behind SlowTrav.com, a Web site dedicated to travelers who prefer to take their destinations at a leisurely pace.

"Slow travel is independent travel where you stay in a vacation rental for a week at a time and see things that are near you," said Pauline Kenny, the Web site's founder. "You don't rush around seeing someone else's list of must-sees. Instead you decide how you want to experience your trip."

Key to the experience is staying in a vacation rental instead of a hotel, which "lets you live like a local: shop at the local stores, go to the same cafe every morning, take the time to see the things that are near you," she added. "You learn more about how people live in other countries and come away from your trip rejuvenated and changed."

With high season for travel to Europe at hand for Americans, Kenny is recommending five destinations around Europe for slow travel.

They are the Amalfi Coast on the Mediterranean in Southern Italy; Central Umbria in Italy, where you'll find art, good food and lovely hill towns; the Luberon region of Provence, France, home to vineyards, orchards and hilltop villages; the Cotswolds, a few hours west of London, known for pretty countryside, stone houses and gardens; and the mountains, lakes and forests of the Bernese Oberland in Switzerland.

Kenny picked the five destinations based on location, activities and accommodations. For more details, visit http://www.slowtrav.com. Check out tips from readers or post questions at http://slowtalk.com/groupee.