While most of us think of travel as being busy - chasing packed itineraries and picture-perfect travel snaps, Emma Martin is doing the opposite, her and her family of five are slowing down.
Halfway through a long European summer, artist Emma Martin, is trading a holiday checklist for genuine connections and striving to keep present. And in the process, she’s not just soaking in the scenery, she’s reconnecting with her voice.
Her trip so far has taken her across France, from the sunlit street of Nice to a slower pace of life in Saint-Tropez, with Paris their next stop and a six-week stay planned in the olive-strewn hills of Puglia. But for Emma, it’s not really about the places, it’s about how she’s experiencing them. Unfiltered, unhurried and completely on her own terms.
A Creative Awakening in Nice
Of the stops so far, Nice has left the deepest impression. “It really surprised us,” Em reflects. “We stayed in the Old Town and it felt like this impossibly charming beachside village, palm trees, winding lanes and that mediterranean light.”
In a quiet coastal town where time seemed to slow down, Emma quickly slipped into a rhythm that blended curiosity, creativity and connection. From swimming each morning with local retirees who welcomed the children like family, to wandering through sunlit alleys photographing crumbling walls and colorful shutters, Emma found herself deeply inspired. “The amount of walls I took photos of is wild,” she laughs. “It felt like a labyrinth of colour and texture, every corner was a spark.” Says Em.
A Change of Energy in Saint-Tropez
Saint-Tropez, while geographically close, offers a stark contrast to Nice. Here, Em and her family are staying right on the water, with daily views and shifting light over the ocean, provide a different kind of inspiration. “The energy here is completely different to Nice,” Em says. “More reflective. A little slower. And endlessly beautiful.”
It’s the quieter moments that have resonated most. Breakfast at Le Ponche with the kids happily seated, no meltdowns or distractions, spontaneous swims at golden hour and a beachside celebration for her son Louie’s sixth birthday, capped off with Nutella crepes before dinner.
A Day in the Life: Summer, Unscripted
Mornings begin slowly for Em and her family, with fresh sea air drifting through open windows. There’s time for emails, a coffee or two and a breakfast that’s more than just croissants. Days are shaped by how everyone’s feeling. Some include long swims and beachside fruit picnics, others require downtime and midday naps for the youngest, Agnes.
Afternoons are often reserved for one-on-one explorations with the older boys, followed by an ice cream or a jump off a nearby pier. Dinners are slow and intentional. Homemade meals shared on a balcony or beach. “We’re cooking more, eating slower. It’s one of the unexpected joys of this trip,” she shares.
Escaping the Itinerary
Travelling in the age of social media comes with its own challenges. “I’ve felt a lot of pressure this time around,” says Em. “There’s this sense that every meal needs to be at the ‘best’ place, every experience curated for content. It took time to let go of that.”
With three children in tow, the family eventually settled into a rhythm that felt far more natural and rewarding. “We started treating each stop like a second home, not a destination. You find your favourite coffee spot, recognise the barista, start to feel known. That’s when the magic happens.”
Finding Beauty in the Everyday
Though Saint-Tropez is filled with art galleries, it’s the streets themselves that have left the most lasting impression. “I’m not drawn to curated spaces right now,” Em explains. “It’s the colours of café awnings, the tone of the sea, the warmth of the footpaths underfoot. It’s how I feel in a dress, or the way the kids laugh during dinner on the sand.”
It’s this deep down, sensory experience that’s shaping her next body of work. “This trip has been all about returning to simple inspiration. Not from what we’re told to see but from what we actually feel.”
Style in Motion
Her European summer wardrobe mirrors that ethos, effortless and considered. Long dresses by Faithfull The Brand, strappy sandals, a favourite Loewe bag and Celine sunglasses form her daily uniform. Beachwear is equally curated. Sarongs from Soleil Soleil, vintage Ray-Bans and her beloved Bond-eye one-piece swimwear.
She’s also found herself more open to colour while abroad. “I’ve realised how afraid of it I’ve been,” she notes. “Over here, colour is everywhere, in the buildings, the food, the fashion. I don’t know how to bring it home yet, but I love observing it.”
Family on the Move
Of course, travelling with a family of five is not without its complexities. “It’s five distinct personalities, five different needs, and constant negotiation,” she laughs. Restaurant culture, especially in France, hasn’t always welcomed small children, but it’s led to unexpected blessings, more cooking together, more grounding in place, more presence.
Nice, with its open streets and friendly beaches, proved particularly good for the kids. They thrived there, forming morning rituals with locals and finding freedom in routine. In Saint-Tropez, Emma’s eldest son Walter rediscovered his love of filmmaking, capturing daily moments and stitching them into videos. “Seeing these places through his eyes, through his edits, it’s such a gift,” she says.
What Comes Next
With Paris and Puglia on the horizon, the adventure is far from over, but there’s already talk of where next year’s European summer might take them. Wherever it is, one thing is certain, Emma and her family will approach it with the same curiosity, creativity, and courage to go slow.
In a travel culture increasingly built around performance, Emma Martins is quietly forging her own path. One rooted in feeling, in family and in the gentle joy of simply being where you are.
