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Home » Gear » Best Travel Journals

The BEST Travel Journals of 2024! | Leather, Bullet Journals, Refillable Notebooks + More!

Looking for something special in which you jot down memories of your travel adventures? Then our list of the  best travel journals  out there is definitely going to help you out.

In our world of smartphones and social media, anything remotely physical – like writing down stuff on a page – feels super old fashioned. But just because you could type it or tap out your thoughts on a touch screen, it’s still good to connect with physical objects.

The main thing about having a travel journal is how one-of-a-kind it feels. Having memories of your year-long backpacking journey around the world actually physically written in a book would be amazing to read back in years to come; likewise, having somewhere to note down ideas whilst you’re on the go and use for inspiration later feels more organised than some character-less notes on your phone.

So whatever you are looking for – be it a smart journal that you can use for short city breaks, something cute to encourage your children to write about their travels, or a classic travel journal that’ll last you practically forever – our handy list has you covered.

Quick Answer: These are the Best Travel Journals of 2024

Best travel journals of 2024, #1 – best travel journal for bullet journaling, #2 – best travel journal for scrapbooking, #3 – best travel journal for painting, #4 – best travel journal with pockets, #5 – best midori-style travelers notebook, #6 – top choice for beautiful leather travel journal, #7 – best moleskine travel journal, #8 – best vacation diary, #9 – best travel diary for kids, more best travel journals of 2024, buyer guide – how to choose the best travel journal for you, faq about the best travel journals, final thoughts on the best travel journal, #1 leuchtturm1917 a5 notebook – great travel journal for bullet journaling, #2 siixu colorful blank notebook – best travel journal for scrapbooking, #3 conda hardcover spiral sketchpad – best travel journal for painting, #4 refillable leather journal traveller’s notebook  – best travel journal with pockets, #5 traveler’s notebook by traveler’s company  – best midori-style travelers notebook, #6 travel passion journal by moleskine – best moleskine travel journal, #7 travel journal by promptly journals – best vacation diary, #8 fofun leather travel journal  – top choice for beautiful leather travel journal, #9 kids’ travel journal  – best travel diary for kids.

Leather Journal by FOFUN

• > 100% Full-Grain Leather
• > Hand-made and durable

Leuchtturm1917 A5 Notebook

• > Great travel journal
• > Pages are gridded

Siixu Colorful Blank Notebook

• > Stitch-bound notebook
• > Pastel-coloured

Conda Hardcover Spiral Sketchpad

• > Hard cover
• > Spiral-bound

Refillable Leather Journal Traveller’s Notebook

• > With all sorts of compartments
• > Opening accordion-style

Traveler’s Notebook by Traveler’s Company

• > Minimal design exterior

Travel Passion Journal by Moleskine

• > Journal specifically for travel
• > 400 pages

Travel Journal by Promptly Journals

• > Four pretty high-end colours
• > Comes with a map

Mudpuppy Kids’ Travel Journal

• > Wire-bound book

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The Leuchtturm1917 A5 Notebook is a classic – and if you ask us, very cool – notebook that we think is ideal for bullet journaling.

With enough space to put all your organization and creativity into the 249 (numbered) pages, this great travel journal for bullet journaling is compact enough to fit into day packs and filled-to-the-brim backpacks alike; the pages are standard A5 size (obviously), but the notebook itself measures in at 5.57″ x 8.25″. It’s secured with elastic.

This classic, mid-century modern notebook comes in 17 punch colours for even the most discerning traveller. From muted navy blue and olive green to bright raspberry and popping yellow, you will definitely be able to find one for your personality.

Inside, the book itself has three blank tables of contents, which means you can organise your outpourings, scribblings and note-taking by creating your very own index – which is definitely what makes it the best travel journal for bullet journaling. The pages are also gridded: perfect for bullet points, even better for geometric doodlings.

Price: $19, Amazon

The Siixu Colorful Blank Notebook is a colorful canvas with lots of space for you to unleash your own creativity.

The 192 pages in this stitch-bound notebook come with pastel-coloured, watercolour-style backgrounds for vibrancy, which are the perfect base for pasting, sticking and doodling all of your travel memories.

Other than the watercolor pattern, the pages in this 5.3″ x 7.2″ are blank and sizable enough to fit all your used tickets, memories and doodles onto the pages, but compact enough for carrying around the world. It’s easily our top pick for the best travel journal for scrapbooking.

The notebook comes in two designs: one with added quotes on the pages for charming character, the other with simple washes of colour on each page. Another plus is how budget friendly this travel journal is!

Price: $11.59, Amazon

Coming in a classic spiral-bound sketchbook style, this journal from Conda is ideal for anybody looking to get crafty with their paints whilst they’re gallivanting around the world.

It’s a traditional hardcover sketchbook, with 120 blank pages of 90gsm paper – thick enough that it’ll take acrylics, oils and watercolors without bleeding through. The pages are also perforated, meaning you can tear ’em out and offer people your drawings and paintings as gifts, or to send back home.

This is a pretty sturdy book, so it should be able to withstand your travels, being shoved into a daypack, and general day-to-day wear and tear. The hard cover is also waterproof, which will help to protect your precious pieces of art. For the sturdiness alone, we’re saying this is the best travel journal for painting.

Though it may not come in different colours, it does come in different sizes, starting at 8.5″ x 11″ and with larger available for you to really get your Picasso on.

Price: $9.29, Amazon

Refillable Traveller’s Notebook by September Leather

The ultimate in travel journaling, this stylish notebook is a chic buy for you, or as a gift! It’s genuine leather, which is cool, but it’s all the stuff you get in addition to the journal itself that makes this easily one of our favourite travel journals out there.

You get a lot of bang for your buck when you opt for this notebook: a binder clip, a pen and penholder that attaches neatly to the book, lined, plain and grid inserts, a kraft folder and zipper pouch.

In addition to the storage space, this journal is refillable, so you can swap out the pages when you’ve run through them without having to buy a whole new book. You know we love to lessen our travel footprint however we can, so we’re really into that!

Traveler’s Notebook by Traveler’s Company

The best Midori-style travelers notebook out there simply has to be the aptly-named Traveler’s Notebook, created by the aptly-named Traveler’s Company (also a Japanese outfit).

This aesthetically minimal, mahogany leather notebook is handmade in Chiang Mai, Northern Thailand. It comes as a package of goodies: a spare elastic band and a fine fabric bag to keep it safe from scuffing – if that’s your thing.

This is a pricer notebook, but, it’s refillable, so there’s no end to the travels you can take it on. Our favourite thing about the Traveler’s Notebook is how the leather ages and changes with daily use and general travel wear, becoming a real companion on your travels around the world. We love it.

Price: $49, Amazon

So you’re looking for a beautiful leather travel journal? Well, stop right here, because this is the one for you. Complete with wrap closing (also leather), it’s chic enough to not look like some scrappy backpacker’s scribbling pad, but rugged enough to last some pretty rough journeys in a long-term travel backpack.

Coming from the folks at FOFUN, who make a whole range of leather journals and notebooks, this one features 288 pages of top quality 100GSM lined kraft paper, all covered in full grain leather cowhide. It’s A6 size, which is 5″ by 7″.

The cool thing about this top leather travel journal is how leather ages over time, gaining personalised character as it gets scuffed and worn with use. We love that sort of thing.

When you think “notebooks,” you think “Moleskine,” so this stunning 5″ x 8.5″ journal made especially for travellers had to make our list.

Perfect for everything from weekend getaways to longer backpacking voyages, the inside of the book comes packed with an 8 (!) year calendar, a travel planning timeline, a wishlist, check-lists, lists of must-see travel destinations, and even space for that all-important travel budget .

Don’t worry, though: at 400 pages, there’s lots of free space for all of your travel memories – Moleskine estimates you can fit 6 long trips or 20 short ones into this notebook. Oh, and did we mention it comes with stickers?

Moleskine has created this journal specifically for travellers, so you can turn it into an archive of your trip once you’re back home – it even comes with a keepsake box for storage.

Price: $29.95

This elegant journal by Promptly clocks in at 88 pages, so you can fill it up in a single trip – and fill your bookshelf up with a whole series of your trips! You’ll want to display it, too – the fabric covers of this journal definitely make it the most attractive vacation diary going.

Inside the journal, there are handy thought-starters(true to the company name) to help you more easily note your favourite restaurants, hotels, sights and more. There is also space for you to keep your mementoes like train tickets, museum stubs, and photos, and a roomy back pocket for everything else.

Measuring at 9.2″ x 6.1″, the covering fabric of this top vacation diary also comes in four pretty high-end colours: grey tweed, solid grey, deep blue and dusty rose.

As a bonus, this Promptly journal also comes with a map, to help you plan your journeys, star wishlist destinations, or otherwise decorate or use as you see fit. Neat!

Price: $20, Amazon

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Kids’ Travel Journal

Wouldn’t you love to look back on your childhood travels as a grown-up? Give that gift to the kiddos in your life with this travel diary for kids by Mudpuppy.

This cool company is all about moving kids away from digital devices and into tactile creativity. This time around, they’ve created this travel journal designed specifically with kids in mind.

It’s sturdy (very important when it comes to children), and colourful (also important), spanning 128 pages so that your kids have plenty of room to channel their inner explorer. Inside the wire-bound book, there are various sections, illustrations and prompts to help children document their travels, whilst still including enough space for creativity.

One of our favourite parts are the prompts, in fact: the best and worst parts of a trip would be hilarious to read later on, as would “memorable quotes from mom and dad.”

Price: $9.99, Amazon

Soft Cover Notebook by Sloane Stationery

This offering from British brand Sloane Stationery is a very sleek and stylish notebook, perfect for the stylish travellers among us.

A softcover journal with gold-embossed pages and a vibrant orange crocodile cover, it’s definitely is one of the most high-end-looking travel journals we’ve seen – especially for $15!

Even though the exterior of the book is flashy, the pages are blank so you can get on with doodling, making diary entries, taking notes, or whatever! Size-wise, it’s 5.9″ x 8.3″, the perfect size for both a backpack and chic handbag.

Just think how stylish you’re going to look sat on a terrace cafe, coffee in hand, with this journal on the table, writing about your adventures in foreign lands. Add to cart!

You Are Here: A Mindful Travel Journal by Emma Clarke

The internet makes it easy to succumb to the pressure of being rushed from spot to spot, Instagramming the heck out of your trip – this can really take you out of the moment.

You Are Here: A Mindful Travel Journal by writer Emma Clarke, aims to put you back in the moment and helps you get the most out of your experiences while you’re experiencing them.

Clarke (fun fact: she’s also the voice of the Bakerloo and Central Lines of the London Underground) says: “No one has ever seen this place in the same way you’re seeing it right now, right here, in this moment.” Amen!

The book is a mixture of prompts to keep you grounded and mindful, as well as blanks to fill in and, of course, pages for you to fill with notes, all of it spread over 190 pages. Plus, a portion of the proceeds go to charity. Talk about a feel-good purchase!

Rite In The Rain Notebook

You go through a lot when you’re travelling. Downpours, heat, snow, skiing, hiking, swimming – there are all sorts of weather conditions and situations that you can get yourself into. Not to mention open water bottles knocking around in your backpack – an easy way to ruin months of journalling!

This bad boy from Rite In The Rain (which has been going since 1916) is the answer to all sorts of adverse conditions you might encounter. Plus, at 6″ x 8″, it can slot right into even small day packs.

The tough but flexible outer shell of this notebook is waterproof, and notebook’s 64 pages  will repel water, grease, sweat, mud, and all manner of other grossness. It will even go through the laundry without turning into mush!

Just use a pencil (water-based inks aren’t waterproof) and your notes will stay intact through it all. And unlike other synthetic papers, the Rite In The Rain Notebook can be recycled!

Price: $6.55, Amazon

Rifle Paper Co. Memoir Notebook

This floral notebook from the distinctly feminine Rifle Paper Co. is  the perfect choice for lovers of design, color and kitsch.

Printed on linen-based paper, the 8.5″ by 6.25″ Memoir Notebook comes in five beautifully illustrated covers – Juliet Rose, Tapestry, Sun Print, Terracotta and Jardin de Paris – you can choose which of the bold colours to suit you. The 130 inside pages feature beautiful illustrations as well.

Price: $15, Amazon

Marco Polo My Way Travel Journal

This notebook from Marco Polo is actually part of a whole series of travel products in their My Way line – but this journal has to be our favorite of the lot.

Marco Polo have made taking notes of your journeys easy by including fun emoji stickers, a pocket for mementoes, and fill-in-the-blank guides and travel tips. By the time you’ve filled this book, you’ll have created your very own IRL infographic of your trip. Cool!

At 160 pages and 4.8″ x 7.2″, this notebook is smaller and lighter than some notebooks – and, super affordable!

Price: $3.44, Amazon

I Was Here: A Travel Journal for the Curious Minded

Making waves in all sections of the journaling world, I Was Here designs journals for the curious, prompting travellers to take in the big picture and all the small and meaningful details of their trip.

Inside, the book has all sorts of spaces for notes, spaces for local tips, addresses, and wacky pages where you’re encouraged to do things like start a collection of random convenience store-bought items from the countries you visit.

In a word, I Was Here is fun! It may not be the most practical travel journal out there, but it is a cute way to collect memories and remind even jaded travellers that stopping to smell the roses (or stare at the bugs) shouldn’t be something you leave behind on the road.

Price: $10.86, Amazon

Now, you  could spend a fat chunk of $$$ on the WRONG present for someone. Wrong size hiking boots, wrong fit backpack, wrong shape sleeping bag… As any adventurer will tell you, gear is a personal choice.

So give the adventurer in your life the gift of convenience: buy them an REI Co-op gift card!  REI is The Broke Backpacker’s retailer of choice for ALL things outdoors, and an REI gift card is the perfect present you can buy from them. And then you won’t have to keep the receipt. 😉

So there you have it: those are our favorite travel journals for every kind of writer – but by no means the end of your options! Whether you’re buying for yourself or considering purchasing a travel journal as a gift, there’s lots to consider in the world of stationery.

From colourful covers and page prompts, to durability and simply whether or not pages are lined or blank, there are actually a surprising amount of factors that go into the decision making process.

Closure on journals is important, especially when they might be knocking around a suitcase or a backpack for longer stretches of time. If you don’t want your pages to get crumpled, and especially if you’re someone who likes to store mementos between the pages of your journal, a solid closure is a must.

Moleskine, for example, have that classic elastic band closre that keeps things safe and sound, whereas others come with a stylish leather or fabric bound tie that not only adds to the design detail but also means you’ll be able to slot things in between the pages.

The cover of a journal is pretty important. But first of all, what the cover of a travel journal is actually made out of will make a big difference as to what notebook you actually opt for.

Vegans will probably not want to go for a leather bound notebook, and may want to go for something like a fabric covered hardback book or more durable waterproof notebook instead.

If you’re open to leather, you’ll find it to be a durable option, and it will weather over the weeks, months and years to look worn and rustic.

You should also consider soft vs. hardcover – softcover is lighter, and easier to fit into a tightly-packed suitcase, but hardcover will give you a writing surface wherever you go. For something simple (and undoubtedly budget friendly), a card covered notebook or journal may be the best option for you.

What type of paper is used for the pages of a travel journal will also play a part in your decision making. It’s easy to think that paper is paper and that’s that, but in fact, there are many different types of paper for many different uses.

A thicker gsm of paper, for example, is something that’s more likely to be used in a sketchbook (90 gsm or higher), and is good if you don’t want permanent pens to bleed through, if you plan on painting, or sticking things in.

Then again, if you want something that’s a little more stylish and classic than bleached, white paper, then maybe more classy, cream-coloured pages will be what you want in your travel journal.

It’s also possible, as the Rite In The Rain brand shows, to have waterproof, weatherproof paper, in case you plan on writing in adverse weather conditions.

Essentially it comes down to what you will be doing on those pages: painting, sketching, doodling, making notes, or whatever. Consider the effect of your planned use will have on different sorts of paper and then make your choice.

4. What’s on the page?

Though in the past, travel journals were pretty simple affairs (either a spiral bound journalists’ notebook, a Midori-style travel journal or something similar), things are a little bit different now.

Even just a few years ago, pages only came either blank, ruled or squared. Nowadays, pages in travel journals sometimes come pre-decorated. This may be cool for some people, but for others it may feel like any pre-existing writing or illustration on the page takes away from your own memories.

Prompts in some books can be fun: they encourage you to make lists of things you otherwise wouldn’t have considered, like your favourite foods, favourite hotels, and even random convenience store items you find in the countries you visit. Other times, text on the page acts as a prompt to get you thinking, maybe even getting you to write something more in-depth than you were planning to.

All in all, the choice is whether you want a completely blank page to start with – which can be daunting for a lot of people – or if you want to be gently nudged into creating an awesome travel journal for yourself. Either way, though different, is totally legit.

It’s very simple and very basic, but this is going to be a pretty huge (no pun intended) deal when it comes to deciding exactly what travel journal you are going to purchase for yourself.

If you’re heading off on a year-long backpacking trip around the world and you feel like you’ve got your one bag travel down to a T, then you’re going to want something compact and light.

However, if you want to really get into creating a scrapbook-style travel journal full of memories, sketches and tickets, then you are going to want a big enough book to fit all of that in.

If your plan is to use your travel journal for things like city breaks and two week-long vacations – in which instance you may be using a suitcase – then you may not worry too much about the size, with room in a large suitcase for a larger travel journal, naturally.

Another thing to consider is what you’re going to look like if you feel like writing your travel journal in public. It may not be practical to be lugging around an A4 sized travel journal, or to get it out if you want to make note of the tiny cafe you’re in, or trying to write on a cramped seat on a train or bus. Compact in these cases may be a lot better!

6. Length of your trip

Next to size, when thinking about what sort of travel journal is going to be right for you, a lot of people often circle back to this factor: just how long is the trip?

The thing is, some travel journals are more geared up towards one single trip: a month in Thailand, two weeks exploring Italy, a six week long road trip through the USA. That sort of thing, in which case, you won’t be needing (or wanting) a zillion pages.

Other travel journals are for numerous trips, such as the lengthy options offered by Moleskine and Midori-style notebooks (the latter of which have no structure, and for which you can buy paper-only refills for the leather cover), mean that you can dip in and out, adding different details to your various adventures, referring back to past travels: a weekend in Berlin here, an epic hike in Nepal there.

Essentially, the fewer the pages, the more likely the travel journal in question will be good for a single, perhaps lengthy trip. For the serial travellers and backpackers out there, something longer and more permanent may be the travel journal for you.

7. Organization

No longer simple collections of pages between two hard (or soft) covers, the best travel journals of today sometimes boast a whole load of interior organization to help keep you and your trip on the right track.

From simply adding an interior pocket, where you can keep a few important tickets and pictures safe, to going all out and adding plenty of envelopes and places to slip in all manner of small, special physical memories from your travels, it can vary quite a bit.

But organization isn’t just about pockets. There are other things to think about, too. Some travel journals come complete with calendars, spaces for to-do lists, maps, itineraries and even packing tips. These kind of added extras mean that the journal turns into more of a planner all round scheduling.

Obviously. Money, money, money: it’s going to be a big factor in whether you choose to buy such and such a travel journal over another one. Let’s face it, you can’t buy what you can’t afford.

Even if you can afford it, $48 might just seem – to some people – like too much to ask for a travel journal. On the other hand, some people may not trust that a sub-$8 travel journal will be any good in terms of durability.

The fact of the matter is that cheap things can be surprisingly good, and expensive things can be surprisingly bad. When it comes to budget, it’s best to choose something mid-range that has good reviews and that meets the needs of what you’re looking for in a travel diary: don’t skimp out just because it’s $5 more than you wanted it to be. If it sounds like you, then treat yourself.

Still have some questions? No problem! We’ve listed and answered the most commonly asked questions below. Here’s what people usually want to know:

Why should I get a travel journal?

Journaling during travels, whether that’s just for a couple of days or for weeks, is a great way to remember travel stories, clear your head and add some routine and structure to your day. It’s always great to look back on it once you finished your travels.

Which is the best leather travel journal?

These are our favorite leather journals: – Refillable Traveller’s Notebook by September Leather – Traveler’s Notebook by Traveler’s Company – Leather Journal by FOFUN

Do waterproof journals exist?

Yes they do! And the Rite In The Rain Notebook is one of the best. Each page is water repellent while the cover is fully waterproof.

What is the most minimalistic notebook?

We love the Traveler’s Notebook by Traveler’s Company for it’s simplicity, yet stylish design. It’s a leather notebook that is handmade in Chiang Mai.

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There you have it, budding Jack Kerouacs: the very best travel journals out there right now! With our list, you’re all set to venture out into the wide world, then pop in your headphones and record all your thoughts, feelings and observations like the explorer you are.

For the best, all-round travel journal out there, the Leather Journal by FOFUN is a great choice. This is a stylish, timeless sort of journal that’s going to be a good choice for anybody.

Then again, if you’re thinking of something a little less traditional, I Was Here – with its kooky prompts and quirky way of working – may be more what you’re looking for.

And if there’s something we’re missing the travel journal world, let us know in the comments!

And for transparency’s sake, please know that some of the links in our content are affiliate links . That means that if you book your accommodation, buy your gear, or sort your insurance through our link, we earn a small commission (at no extra cost to you). That said, we only link to the gear we trust and never recommend services we don’t believe are up to scratch. Again, thank you!

Clair Cathryn

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Oh my gosh, I’m a sucker for a pretty journal! Can I document my travels in 3 or 4 of these?! ? Thanks so much for the killer suggestions.

100% you can use a number of these as travel journals, Deb!

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TravelAwaits

Our mission is to serve the 50+ traveler who's ready to cross a few items off their bucket list.

9 Tips For Keeping A Memorable Travel Journal

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My sister gave me my first travel diary the year I turned 14, when my family took a trip to Italy. A small, yellow-lined notebook — I still have it in my box of childhood journals. I kept lists like “Souvenirs I Bought,” “Hotels We Stayed At,” “People I Met,” “Languages I Heard,” “Menus,” “Places Of Interest,” and “Anecdotes” (foreshadowing my future writer self!).

My 14-year-old self was onto something: Creating lists is a great way to capture the essence of a trip in your diary. Whether you’re going 10 miles away or to the other side of the world, a travel diary can enhance the journey and be a valuable keepsake. Here are suggestions for keeping a memorable one.

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1. Pick Your Pen And Paper

Although I recognize in the digital age that many people “write” on an iPad or phone, I’m a big believer in the benefit of noting thoughts down the old-fashioned way, on paper, because the mind-body connection is more immediate. First, be sure you like the pen you select! Black felt-tip PaperMates have been my pen of choice for decades, and I’m very territorial. I don’t even like lending them to my husband!

I’m equally particular about my notebook. The wrong size or shape will never do. My requirements are that it’s 5” by 7”, its pages lie flat, it’s lined and hardback. If you’re traveling abroad, you might find it fun to shop for a journal wherever you’re visiting, because you’ll find a different selection of notebooks than you find in your home country.

My husband is British, so whenever we’re visiting my in-laws, I love picking up A5 notebooks in stationery shops. An evocative article in The New York Times by novelist Mary Gordon describes her pleasure in buying notebooks in France, Ireland, and Italy.

2. Choose When And Where To Write

You can start your diary before you even begin the trip, describing your plans and hopes, and continue it when you’re back home. When you’re embarking on a trip, you can describe your hopes, intentions, and fears; as you’re returning home, your memories, feelings, and next steps.

Different times offer different benefits: I’m a fan of Julia Cameron’s “Morning Pages” concept from her bestselling classic The Artist’s Way, where you scribble your wayward thoughts just after waking up. But you could also write late in the day, reflecting on your day’s explorations. And it always helps to record your impressions soon after you experience them, while they’re fresh.

As for where, certainly in your hotel room or rental apartment works. But it’s also fun sitting in a cafe, watching people while jotting notes down in your journal. One of my favorite memories is writing in a Seattle restaurant, where I spent several hours waiting for a late-night bus, eavesdropping on conversations I heard at the next table and scribbling snippets into my journal, making up stories about the other diners.

I love writing on airplanes, where sitting at 35,000 feet and looking at the clouds and the changing landscape below gives me a big-picture, expansive feeling.

What about trains? On a train in India, a man sitting to my right peered over my shoulder, started reading my journal, and proceeded to tell his friends what I had written — which luckily was not about them! Rather than offended, I burst out laughing. It made me realize how radically different boundaries are in different cultures. I couldn’t imagine someone openly reading my journal in the U.S.

3. Include The Day, Date, And Location

Your future self will thank you! In my early journals, I thought it looked hip thinking I was transcending time by skipping the date. Now, it’s a pain trying to find an entry back in the annals of my history.

4. Develop Your Observation Skills

A journal offers the opportunity to notice everything from architecture to wildlife. Focus on all your senses, then describe what you experience. Hearing, for example: When I’ve visited Muslim countries, I’ve been deeply moved by the haunting tones of the call to worship. Texture? The feeling of cobblestones under my shoes. Or taste — whether you’re describing a gumbo in New Orleans or a risotto in Sicily, putting down your impressions of a dish you savored will help to keep the memory alive.

Twinsterphoto / Shutterstock

5. Write About The People You Meet And See

Did you learn something new from a stranger? Were the local people welcoming? In my 1976 travel journal, I describe Ellen, the young woman from Michigan who I met in an Amsterdam hostel. She always wore a pink sweater and told me hair-raising stories about hitchhiking across Europe. A few years later, on the island of Crete, I met Ty from Alberta, and my travel journal from that era describes our walks to monasteries on dirt tracks lined with olive trees, and how she listened to me as I poured out my grief about the loss of my mother a year earlier.

6. Track What You Want To Change

While travel is often seen as a way to indulge, I’ve often found it easier and more natural to let go of unwanted habits when I’m away from home. I’ve quit smoking and stopped eating Doritos (the mainstay of my daily diet before I taught myself to cook!), both when on the road. One strategy that helps is to keep track of what you want to change, whether it’s exercising more, eating differently, handling conflict more productively, or spending less. As the management consultant Peter Drucker said, “You can’t improve what you don’t measure.”

7. Describe Your Moods

Emotions for most of us are more intense when away from home because we can’t depend on our usual anchors. This can be great — and not so great. Describe your highs and lows. Journals are a safe place to rant — better there than with your travel companions.

Louisa Rogers

8. Use Your Journal To Boost Your Creativity

On trips away from home, I’m often inspired to try different writing forms, like rhymed verse, haiku, and limericks. Many people sketch. If you don’t want to draw, you can still collect ticket stubs, museum passes, bus tickets, currency, and other local memorabilia and then create collages in your journal. All you need is a small pair of scissors and a glue stick. I’m not great at watercolor, but I often paint a streak down the side of a journal page for a burst of color.

9. Brainstorm On The Written Page

Being in a different environment often brings a fresh perspective on our lives back home. On a trip to Britain in 1976, I described in my journal the many charms I observed in the British way of life. Towards the end of our visit, while writing in my journal one day, I had an epiphany: I’d try to write an article for American readers who were unfamiliar with the public footpath system or (then low-cost) bed and breakfasts. On the flight home, I highlighted relevant passages from my journal. And indeed, a few months later, I sold the article to an airline magazine — and thus was a writing career born.

I’m not alone! Elizabeth Gilbert became the author of the best-selling 2007 memoir Eat, Pray, Love after her year traveling abroad following a traumatic divorce. Jeff Bezos, founder of Amazon, wrote a business plan on spare napkins while traveling across the U.S. And Howard Schultz, former chairman and CEO of Starbucks, hatched the idea of creating a coffee company while visiting Italy.

Travel diaries are just not about travel, they’re about life. As the classic American travel writer Paul Theroux said, “Travel is a state of mind. It has nothing to do with existence or the exotic. It is almost always an inner experience.”

No better way exists to discover and express that “inner experience” than through a travel diary. If you’re planning a trip, grab the moment and get started! Go find yourself the perfect notebook and pen for your taste, and start your journey.

Further Reading:

• How Writing About Travel Changed My Life And Can Change Yours
• 18 Great Summer Reads For Travel Lovers

Louisa writes articles and essays about travel, expat life, physical and psychological health, spirituality, and food. In 2022, four of her articles were among Travel Awaits' 25 most-read pieces.

11 Creative Travel Journal Ideas

By Author Toni Broome

Posted on Published: November 2, 2020  - Last updated: January 15, 2023

Incorporate some of these tips into your next travel diary and you’ll create lasting memories of your trips for years to come. I’m always on the search for creative travel journal ideas and inspiration and these are some of my current favourites.

You can always journal when you return home but writing regularly and while in the environment provides inspiration that will help you move beyond how ‘great’ and ‘beautiful’ a place was and capture what it was that stirred your emotions and lock in those moments that made it truly special. I like to take a few minutes in a cafe, over a drink or unwinding back at our accommodation to jot things down. I also often opt for a reporters notebook that fits in my pocket or purse to scribble down my thoughts and use them to create pages in my journal later.

I like my travel journals to be colourful, creative and fun to flip through. Recording my memories is key but I don’t want to spend half my time while I’m travelling writing down facts and figures. When I open it months or years later I want to remember how a place or experience made me feel and not to have it read like Wikipedia.

Finding the balance between creative journaling and not carrying an excess of pens and materials is possible especially with a few innovative ideas and using the tools and decorative materials you naturally come across each day.

To help illustrate some of the ideas and different styles I’ve included images below not only from my own journals but links to travel journal pages on Instagram from others in the community. These links are added with their knowledge and permission so feel free to click through, see more of their great travel journal creations and follow any of them who inspire your own creativity.

Table of Contents

1. Incorporate tickets, brochures and maps

2. collect stickers and washi tape as you travel, 3. include food memories, 4. use journaling prompts, 5. include foreign words and phrases, 6. use feathers, leaves and flowers with care, 7. record your memories, write your stories, 8. include your own art, 9. create a messages page, 10. include a few photographs, 11. look out for tourist stamps as you go, ideas to include in your travel bullet journal.

When I’m travelling I seem to end each day with a treasure trove of ephemera in my day bag. Whether that’s ticket stubs, brochures or paper maps they all add both character and information to your journaling.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Jolene Ung (@jolenegoes) on Apr 12, 2019 at 7:26am PDT

I sort through it before we move on to our next stop and don’t carry everything I collect back home with me but I do always keep a couple of plastic envelopes in my suitcase specifically for items that might be added to the journal later.

Something I’ve noticed on recent trips, especially travelling in Asia, is that many tourist attractions, souvenir shops and small local shops sell unique stickers, washi tape and sticky notes showing the destination or something related to the destination.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by nifty (@nifty.theshop) on Jul 25, 2018 at 3:21am PDT

At Fushimi Inari, a shrine in Kyoto famous for its thousands of orange tori gates the washi tape featured those shrine gates and inari zushi, a popular snack served in the area. In Nara where deer wander wild in the park and throughout the temple grounds there were stickers showing deer amongst the cherry blossom trees.

The strongest memories are those that are triggered by the senses. Taste and smell are some of the strongest so don’t forget to record those great meals, the sights, sounds and smells of the markets. Note down a recipe, sketch an unusual ingredient or dish that keeps cropping up or describe a new food you try from the perspective of each of your senses.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Vân avec un V comme Valérie (@asiancloud) on Oct 6, 2020 at 8:36am PDT

I also collect related items, a wrapper from a sweet I really enjoyed, a cute cardboard coaster from a winebar or the paper chopsticks cover showing the logo and name of a restaurant we would want to go back to one day.

Whether it’s a list of prompts you’ve compiled yourself in advance, something you come up with based on the inspiration of the day or if you borrow from a published list it can help you get the creative flow started.

Some travel journal prompts to try

• The things I am most looking forward to about …
• A dish I tried for the first time today
• An interaction I had with a local
• A new phrase I learned today
• Something that surprised me
• The highlight of today
• The most useful item I packed
• The weather today
• A local custom I’ve noticed
• The 5 things I liked most about …
• How much I spent today and on what
• The funniest thing that happened was
• My first impressions
• What people were wearing

I’ve mentioned it as a journal prompt but there are many ways to include foreign words and phrases in your journal. Even in a country where you can easily get by in your native language, it adds to the experience and generally is appreciated by the locals if you try to use a few words of the local language. Even just being about to say hello, please, thank you and express your appreciation of something you saw or experienced it’s going to enrich your experience.

Other times you will notice a word being used alot or some one might teach you a new word that you could use as a heading, decorate on the page or write the story about. You might also want to include a page of useful phrases in your journal when you are preparing for your trip.

Pressed flowers, a dropped feather or colourful autumn leaves make an interesting tactile embellishment. I know I was would have loved to include maple and ginkgo leaves during the autumn in Tokyo but if you plan to carry those items or your complete journal across international borders you need to be aware of biosecurity restrictions. In Australia and New Zealand, that’s a NO!

My travel journal is a creative outlet just for me, I get pleasure from both creating it and having it to remember our trips and special days. It’s writing just for me not for an audience so I feel I can be completely true to my experience, raw and I can write as little or much as I feel like.

While I like it to be pretty and a home for photos and other mementos I pick up along the way what matter most to me is capturing the memories and experiences in my words. Sometimes it’s an extended stream of consciousness, other times it’s just a caption but capturing the stories as they happen or through my personal filter of life is part of the process.

You don’t need to be a great artist to make a travel journal. As I mentioned above in point 7, capturing the stories in my own words is essential but the colour, design, mementos, pictures and sketches that I add are also part of that story. They make the journal visually appealing and draw me back to flip through them again and again.

I’m no artist but I love the creative process and as my journal is principally for me it doesn’t matter if it looks like a child drew in my diary. Sometimes even the simplest doodles can be powerful memory triggers. We have seen these orange tori gates from Hokkaido to Kyushu but even without the words on this page the simple image makes me think of Miyajima and smile.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by Following Foxes ? (@following_foxes) on Mar 23, 2020 at 5:05am PDT

Holly over at Following Foxes has some great inspiration on her instagram account not only for travel journalling but bullet journal layouts too.

If you are travelling with a group of people, staying in share accommodation or meeting a lot of people in the course of your trip, consider creating a messages page similar to what you would have in a high school yearbook for people to leave a note you can look back on. They might leave a message reminding you of where you met, record their social media handles or add a simple sketch to remember your time together.

If you are travelling with a group or family you could create a page around a particular place or event, including images or mementos from the day and have everyone add a sentence or two about something that was particularly memorable for them.

I don’t use my journal as a photo album, I keep most of my photos digitally and occasionally I’ll produce a photobook but sometimes a picture really can convey 1000 words and in that case, I’ll print and include it.

View this post on Instagram A post shared by angie?bobo?wanderlust goods (@bobodesignstudio) on Nov 18, 2019 at 8:30pm PST

There are a few ways to do this. Polaroid cameras have made a bit of a comeback but I had one the first time around and while the new versions are pretty cute I find them too bulky to carry when I already have my phone and my main camera with me most of the time. There is a whole range of tiny portable printers that are ideal for journaling or you can go into many stores around the world and get photo prints done while you wait, it generally quite inexpensive. You could also leave adding the images until you get home if you have a printer there.

If you will be adding the photos later I suggest having a standard size you use. A 2-inch by 3-inch rectangle is common for the mini printers and fits with all sizes of journals. You can also create collages of photos and print them on standard 4″ x 6″ or 6″ x 8″ photo paper at home or in-store then trim them to size. I keep a cardboard template in the back pocket of my journal that I trace around to mark out the spot where the photo will be added when I have it ready and then write a reminder of what photo I intend to include there. The note will be hidden by the photo later.

Some tourist attractions have unique stamps that you can stamp onto scrap paper or into your notebook as you go. I’ve seen them for a variety of places including the National Parks in the USA and in Japan, many train stations or tourist attractions have a stamp that is representative of the local area. You’ll find them near the main info desk at the train stations or near ticket offices at attractions.

Just a note that in Japan these are different to the pilgrimage stamps or GoShuin that are available at many temples and shrines. Those include a stamp and calligraphy that is generally prepared by a monk at the temple. They are only added to a dedicated concertina-style book and you should not write in or decorate that book.

Some temples do have normal stamps that can be used too, I know Hongan-ji in Tokyo near the Tsukiji market had these and Todai-ji in Nara has both options.

Stamp it into your book or onto the paper stock provided and build your journal page around it later. This one was at the Ropeway station on Miyajima Island, Hiroshima. It shows the famous tori gate, the maple leaves the area is known for, a costume from a performance at the shrine that we watched and the ropeway car.

If you found this article useful please consider saving it to Pinterest. It makes it easy for you to find it again, it helps us, and it helps other travellers to find the information they are looking for.

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Wednesday 10th of May 2023

This has helped a lot for writing a travel journal even as a beginner

How to Start and Keep a Travel Journal: A Guide to Travel Diaries

When you capture your memories, you’ll never lose them.

Traveling is a transformative and enriching experience – and one of the best ways to capture and preserve those memories is by keeping a travel journal. A travel journal serves as a personal record of your adventures, reflections, and emotions throughout your journey.

A travel journal offers numerous benefits and can become a cherished keepsake for years to come. Here is a comprehensive guide on how to start and keep a travel journal – and how to make the most of your journaling experience.

Why Keep a Travel Journal?

Keeping a travel journal is a gateway to a treasure trove of memories , self-reflection , and creative expression . From preserving the details of your journeys to unlocking personal growth, a travel journal is definitely worthwhile. Let’s uncover the magic of travel journaling together.

Preserving Memories

Preserving memories is crucial when it comes to maintaining a travel journal. It is essential to capture the moments and experiences during your trips. Here are some techniques to effectively preserve your memories:

– Write comprehensive descriptions of the places, individuals, and activities you encounter. It is important to be vivid and use expressive language in your writing.

– Capture photographs of the landscapes, landmarks, and memorable moments you come across.

– Keep tickets, receipts, and other mementos from your travels as keepsakes.

– Maintain a daily log of your activities, thoughts, and emotions throughout the journey.

– Consider recording voice memos to encompass ambient sounds and conversations, which will add depth to your memories.

– Document the people you meet on your journey, including their names and stories .

Incorporating these practices into your travel journal will allow you to effectively preserve your memories for the years to come.

Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

Self-reflection and personal growth are essential aspects of travel journaling. When you take the time to introspect and process your experiences and emotions, you not only gain a deeper understanding of yourself but also foster personal growth .

Here are five effective ways to enhance self-reflection and personal growth through your travel journal:

1. Embracing emotions : Use your journal to describe your feelings and emotions during your travels. This practice can help you process and comprehend your emotional responses.

2. Contemplating experiences : Take the opportunity to write about the impactful moments, challenges, and lessons you encounter. By doing so, you can gain valuable insights, learn, and grow.

3. Recognizing strengths and weaknesses : Assess your reactions to various situations and identify areas where you excel as well as struggle. This self-awareness will optimize your personal growth.

4. Establishing personal goals : Utilize your journal to set realistic development goals for yourself. For instance, if you tend to be shy, challenge yourself to interact with locals. Regularly reflect on these goals and track your progress.

5. Documenting achievements : Take the time to celebrate your accomplishments in your journal. Whether it’s conquering fears, trying new activities, or pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, recognizing these achievements will boost your self-confidence and inspire further growth.

By actively engaging in self-reflection and personal growth through your travel journal, you can maximize your travel experiences and create positive changes that spill over into various aspects of your life.

Creative Outlet

Travel journaling provides you with a valuable creative outlet that allows you to express yourself and document your experiences in unique ways.

There are several methods through which travel journaling serves as a creative outlet:

1. Writing: You can vividly describe your adventures, including the places you visit, the people you meet, and the emotions you experience. By skillfully using descriptive language, you can bring your experiences to life on the pages of your journal.

2. Drawing and Sketching: If you possess artistic abilities, you can visually represent your travels through sketches and drawings. You have the opportunity to capture breathtaking landscapes or intricate architectural wonders.

3. Collages and Scrapbooking: Incorporating various mementos such as pictures, tickets, and postcards can elevate your travel journaling experience. By artfully arranging these items, you can create visually appealing collages that effectively capture your journey.

4. Mapping and Planning: You may enjoy incorporating maps and itineraries into your journals. By using different colors, markers, and symbols, you can highlight your routes, points of interest, and even plan future adventures.

5. Poetry and Prose: Travel journals offer a platform for you to explore your emotions and experiences through poetry, short stories, and song lyrics. This allows you to express your thoughts and reflections in a profound and meaningful way.

Incorporating a creative outlet into travel journaling enhances the overall experience, enabling you to express yourself artistically. It adds a personal and unique touch to your journals, reflecting your unique personality and perspective.

Editor’s Note : You don’t have to be a famed artist to enjoy adding artistic touches to your journal – even a postcard can help you capture a moment or memory, it’s art!

How to Start a Travel Journal?

You might be wondering, “Where do I start?”

You’ll need to start with a journal and a journey. Consider the following guidelines as you choose and prepare to record an adventure you’ll never forget. Are you ready to dive into the world of travel journaling and embark on an adventure of self-expression and reflection?

Choose the Right Journal

When selecting a journal, it’s important to choose one that suits your needs and preferences. Consider the following factors:

Consider these factors to choose the right journal that meets your needs and enhances your travel journaling experience.

Determine Your Journaling Style

When it comes to travel journaling, determine your style. This helps capture your travel experiences authentically and true to your voice. Consider these factors when determining your style:

1. Writing or Visual: Decide if you prefer writing or capturing your thoughts and experiences through drawings, sketches, or collages. Some may prefer a combination.

2. Length and Detail: Consider how much detail you want in your journal entries. Do you enjoy writing long and descriptive passages or shorter, more concise entries? This determines entry length and depth.

3. Structure: Think about if you prefer a structured journal with a specific format like a daily log or reflection on specific trip aspects. Alternatively, you may prefer a free-flowing and spontaneous approach.

4. Multimedia Elements: Decide if you want to include additional elements like travel photos, tickets, or souvenirs. These bring memories to life and add a visual dimension.

Remember, your journaling style can evolve and change over time. The important thing is to find a resonating style that effectively captures your travel experiences. Experiment with different approaches and embrace the freedom to authentically express yourself. Happy journaling!

Gather Essential Supplies

To gather essential supplies for your travel journal, follow these steps:

1. Choose a journal: Select a journal that fits your style and preferences. Consider factors like page count, paper thickness, and lay-flat design for easy writing.

2. Pens and markers: Bring a variety of writing tools , including pens, markers, and highlighters, to add color and creativity to your journal.

3. Sticky notes and adhesive: Pack sticky notes or adhesive to incorporate extra elements like tickets, postcards, or photos into your journal. This will make your journal visually appealing.

4. Travel accessories: Consider including travel-specific items such as a small pouch for souvenirs, a ruler for straight lines or measurements, or a pocket-sized travel guide for reference.

5. Accessories for organization: Keep your journal organized with accessories like paper clips, binder clips, or page flags. These can be useful for marking important pages or sections.

6. Glue or tape: If you plan to add larger or heavier items to your journal, such as brochures or maps, bring glue or tape to securely attach them.

7. Travel-friendly storage: Make sure you have a sturdy and compact bag or case to store all your journaling supplies in one place. This will make it easier to access them while traveling.

Remember, the purpose of gathering essential supplies is to enhance your journaling experience and creativity. Consider which items will be most useful and enjoyable for you personally.

What to Include in Your Travel Journal?

Keeping a travel journal is the perfect way to capture the essence of your adventures. You have a lot of options when it comes to what to include – especially if you’re detailed oriented. Here are some of the major players.

Daily Itinerary and Activities

When traveling and keeping a journal, you may want to document your daily itinerary and activities. Here are some key points to consider:

– Record your daily activities: Write down the places you visit, the attractions you see, and the activities you engage in each day. This helps you remember the details and experiences.

– Date and timestamp your entries: Include the date and time of each activity in your journal. This creates a chronological account of your journey.

– Include details and descriptions: Be descriptive in your writing, capturing the sights, sounds, and smells of each activity. Use vivid language to paint a picture of your experiences.

– Add personal reflections: Alongside your itinerary, include your thoughts and feelings about each activity. Reflect on how the experience impacted you and what you learned from it.

– Document any challenges or surprises: Note any unexpected obstacles or pleasant surprises you encountered during your activities. This adds depth and authenticity to your travel narrative.

– Attach mementos: Include tickets, brochures, or other physical items related to your daily activities. These mementos bring back memories and enhance your journal entries.

Remember, the goal of documenting your daily itinerary and activities is to create a comprehensive record of your trip. By capturing the details and emotions of each day, you’ll be able to relive your travel experiences in the future. Happy journaling!

Impressions and Emotions

Impressions and emotions are crucial aspects when capturing the essence of travel experiences. By actively describing and reflecting on them, you have the ability to construct a vibrant and meaningful travel journal.

• To start, describe your impressions by taking note of the sights, sounds, smells, and tastes that stand out to you when visiting a new place. Utilize descriptive language to effectively convey the atmosphere and essence of the location. For instance, instead of simply stating “the beach was beautiful,” vividly describe the vibrant colors of the sunset reflecting off the water, the delightful scent of the salty breeze, and the comforting sensation of warm sand between your toes.
• Describe the enticing taste of local delicacies, the texture of cobblestone streets beneath your feet, or the vibrant array of colors at a bustling market. Engaging multiple senses not only makes your journal entry more immersive but also evokes a more vivid recollection .
• It is important to reflect on your emotions while traveling. Travel often evokes a range of emotions, such as excitement, awe, nostalgia, and introspection . Write about how certain moments or experiences made you feel. Did you experience a surge of adrenaline while embarking on a chalenging hiking trail? Were you filled with a sense of wonder and reverence when visiting a historic site? By capturing your emotions in words, you are able to evoke and relive those unforgettable moments while comprehending their impact.
• Express your personal connections in your journal. Share how you connected with the individuals you encountered during your journey. Write about the meaningful conversations you had, the friendships you formed, or the cultural exchanges that touched your heart. These personal connections and interactions leave a lasting impression and add depth to your travel journal.
• Reflect on your personal growth as a result of your travels. Travel provides unique opportunities for self-discovery and personal development. Contemplate how your experiences challenged you, pushed you out of your comfort zone, or broadened your perspectives. Write about the valuable lessons you learned and how you have grown as an individual. Reflecting on personal growth helps to further enrich your travel journal.

By prioritizing and focusing on impressions and emotions in your travel journal, you can create a comprehensive and meaningful record of your adventures. This record will effectively transport you back to those treasured moments whenever you revisit your journal.

Photos, Tickets, and Souvenirs

Photos, tickets, and souvenirs are important for travel journals to capture and preserve trip memories. Here are reasons why these items are valuable:

– Photos: Capture landscapes, views, and moments of travel. They serve as visual reminders of places and experiences.

– Tickets: Save tickets from attractions, museums, shows, or events attended during the trip. These tickets transport you back to the exact date and time of something new and exciting.

– Souvenirs: Physical mementos that evoke powerful memories of travel. They can be notes, postcards, shop receipts, or even food wrappers. Souvenirs remind you of the culture, traditions, and unique aspects of the destination.

By including photos, tickets, and souvenirs, you create a comprehensive record of your experiences. These items add depth and richness to your written descriptions , allowing you to relive your adventures more tangibly. Photos serve as visual aids to jog your memory and bring back specific details of each location visited. Similarly, tickets and souvenirs help recall specific events or attractions interacted with during the trip.

Tips for Effective Travel Journaling

Looking to up your travel journal game? Say goodbye to mundane travel entries and hello to captivating narratives that will transport you and your readers back to your adventures in a heartbeat. Ready to unleash your inner storyteller and create a travel journal that will truly stand the test of time?

Here are our top tips.

Write Regularly

To maximize your travel journal’s effectiveness, it is crucial to write regularly. By consistently recording your experiences, thoughts, and feelings, you can capture the essence of your travels and create a vibrant and meaningful record.

1. Set a schedule : Establish a routine for journaling, whether in the evening before bed or during breakfast each morning. By incorporating journaling into your daily routine, you ensure that you don’t forget to record important moments and details.

2. Make it a habit : Treat journaling as a regular practice, like brushing your teeth or exercising. By prioritizing journaling and making it a non-negotiable part of your day, you are more likely to write regularly and consistently – at home or away.

3. Write in the moment : Don’t wait too long before jotting down your experiences. Memories fade quickly, and by writing while the details are still fresh in your mind, you can capture the nuances and emotions of each adventure.

4. Keep it simple : You don’t need to write a lengthy essay every time you journal. Sometimes, a few sentences or bullet points can be enough to jog your memory and capture the essence of the moment. Focus on the key highlights and impressions that stand out to you.

5. Use prompts and writing techniques : If you’re feeling stuck, use prompts or writing techniques to stimulate your creativity. Try freewriting, list-making, or describing a specific sensory experience. This can help generate ideas and deepen your journal entries.

By writing regularly, you will cultivate a substantial collection of travel memories for future reflection. So, make it a habit, be consistent, and enjoy the process of documenting your adventures. Happy journaling!

Be Descriptive and Detailed

Keeping a travel journal requires being descriptive and detailed. This allows you to capture the essence of your travel experiences and create vivid memories. Besides sharing sensory descriptions and your emotions and responses , here are some tips to help you be descriptive and detailed in your travel journal:

1. Include colorful anecdotes : Share interesting stories, encounters, or observations that stood out to you during your travels. These anecdotes add depth and personality to your journal entries.

2. Add context : Provide background information about the places you visit. This can include historical facts, cultural traditions, or local customs. It helps create a richer understanding of the destinations you explore.

3. Use quotes and dialogue : Incorporate conversations you had with locals or fellow travelers, as well as any memorable quotes or phrases that resonated with you. This adds authenticity and liveliness to your journal.

Being descriptive and detailed in your travel journal creates a personal time capsule of your adventures . So, grab your journal, embrace your inner storyteller, and let your words transport you back to those incredible moments you experienced while traveling.

It can also enhance memory retention – writing about experiences in detail helps solidify memories and improve recall.

Keeping Your Travel Journal Safe

When it comes to keeping your travel journal safe, there are a couple of important considerations to keep in mind. With the increasing use of technology, finding the right methods for digital backup is crucial. Safeguarding your physical journals from loss or damage is also a key aspect of preserving your travel experiences.

Let’s explore the best practices for keeping your travel journal safe and secure!

Digital Backup

When it comes to keeping your travel journal safe and secure, digital backup is essential. Here are some options to protect your travel journal:

• Cloud Storage: Use Google Drive, Dropbox, or iCloud to upload digital copies of your travel journal. This way, even if you lose or damage your physical journal, you can always access your entries from any device with an internet connection.
• External Hard Drive: Backup your travel journal regularly with an external hard drive. These devices have large storage capacities, allowing you to store written entries, photos, and videos.
• USB Flash Drive: Keep a USB flash drive specifically for your travel journal backups. These portable devices are compact and easy to carry, ensuring you always have a backup copy of your journal.
• Email Yourself: Send digital copies of your journal entries to your email address. This serves as a quick and convenient backup method accessible from anywhere.

In addition to these options, it is advisable to password-protect your digital backups for added security. Remember to regularly update your backups and store them separately from your physical journal to minimize the risk of losing all your travel memories.

By implementing one or more of these digital backup methods, you can have peace of mind knowing that your travel journal is safeguarded, and your cherished memories are securely preserved. So go ahead and embark on your next adventure, knowing that your travel journal is backed up and ready to capture every moment.

Protecting Physical Journals

Protecting physical journals is crucial to ensure the safety and longevity of travel memories. To safeguard your travel journal, consider the following tips:

– Use a sturdy cover : Opt for a durable journal , like a hardcover or leather-bound notebook , to prevent tearing or damage.

– Waterproof protection : Invest in a waterproof journal cover or use a plastic sleeve to shield your journal from spills or rain, preserving your writing – especially if you’re hiking or camping with it.

– Keep it separate : Avoid storing your journal with sharp objects or liquids. Use a dedicated pouch or compartment in your bag to minimize accidents.

– Store in a safe place : When not in use, store your journal in a secure and dry location , away from sunlight and extreme temperatures to prevent fading or warping.

– Back it up : Make digital copies or scans of your journal pages to mitigate the risk of loss or damage. Store them securely on your computer, external hard drive, or cloud storage.

– Handle with care : Use clean hands and gentle handling to preserve the binding and keep the pages intact.

By following these precautions, you can protect your travel journal and ensure it remains a treasure of memorable experiences for years to come.

Interesting fact : The oldest surviving travel diary dates back to the 2nd century AD. It was written by a Roman soldier named Aulus Plautius , who documented his exploration of Britain !

Sharing Your Travel Journal

When sharing your travel journal, follow these steps to effectively communicate your experiences to others so they can experience your adventure with you all over again.

– Organize your entries : Arrange your journal entries in a logical order, either chronologically or by location. This helps readers follow your journey and understand its progression.

– Include visuals : Alongside your written entries, add photographs, postcards, or sketches that capture the essence of your travels. Visuals enhance readers’ understanding and create a more immersive experience.

– Be descriptive : Use vivid and detailed language to describe the places, people, and experiences you encountered. Paint a picture with your words so that readers can feel like they are there with you.

– Share personal insights : Include your thoughts, reflections, and emotions in your journal entries. This adds a personal touch and allows readers to connect with your experiences on a deeper level.

– Consider your audience : Think about who you want to share your journal with. If it’s a close group of family and friends, you can be more intimate and less formal in your writing. If you plan to publish or share your journal with a wider audience, make sure your tone and content are appropriate.

– Set boundaries : While sharing your travel experiences can be exciting, respect the privacy of others. Be mindful of what you include in your journal and obtain consent before sharing personal stories or photographs involving other individuals.

Sharing your travel journal allows you to relive your adventures and inspire others to explore the world. So grab your pen, gather your memories, and let your words transport you and your readers to the incredible places you’ve visited.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. how can a travel journal be beneficial for business purposes.

By keeping a travel journal, you can jot down ideas and inspiration for business ventures during your trips. It allows you to document potential collaborations, networking opportunities, and innovative concepts that can be implemented in your work.

2. What are some pre-departure ideas to spark travel journal ideas?

Before leaving for your trip, consider researching the history and culture of your destination. This can help spark ideas for what to include in your travel journal, such as unique landmarks, local customs, or traditional cuisine.

3. How can a travel journal help with post-holiday ideas?

After your trip, reviewing your travel journal can jog your memory and inspire ideas for future vacations. You can reflect on your favorite experiences, places you want to revisit, or even new destinations you discovered during your previous trip.

4. What are some different versions of travel journaling?

There are various ways to approach travel journaling, including “just the facts,” storytelling, envelope-style, scrapbook style, and sketchbook. Each version offers a unique way to document and remember your trips, allowing you to choose the style that suits you best.

5. Can a travel journal be stored digitally?

Absolutely! In modern life, digital travel journal options are available. You can use diary software or dedicated travel journal apps to create a solid collection of your travel memories. Just make sure to backup your digital journal to keep it safe.

6. Is it essential to keep a separate notebook for each trip?

It is not necessary to have a separate notebook for each trip. You can use a single travel journal and section it off for various travels. This way, you can maintain one comprehensive journal that includes all your travel adventures.

Brooks Manley

Creative Primer  is a resource on all things journaling, creativity, and productivity. We’ll help you produce better ideas, get more done, and live a more effective life.

My name is Brooks. I do a ton of journaling, like to think I’m a creative (jury’s out), and spend a lot of time thinking about productivity. I hope these resources and product recommendations serve you well. Reach out if you ever want to chat or let me know about a journal I need to check out!

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024: 

Gratitude Journal Prompts Mindfulness Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Anxiety Reflective Journal Prompts Healing Journal Prompts Cognitive Behavioral Therapy Journal Prompts Mental Health Journal Prompts ASMR Journal Prompts Manifestation Journal Prompts Self-Care Journal Prompts Morning Journal Prompts Evening Journal Prompts Self-Improvement Journal Prompts Creative Writing Journal Prompts Dream Journal Prompts Relationship Journal Prompts "What If" Journal Prompts New Year Journal Prompts Shadow Work Journal Prompts Journal Prompts for Overcoming Fear Journal Prompts for Dealing with Loss Journal Prompts for Discerning and Decision Making Travel Journal Prompts Fun Journal Prompts

How to Start a Bullet Journal + 25 Bullet Journal Ideas

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Ignite Your Imagination: Unlocking Creativity Through Conceptual Blending

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Create & write a travel diary - tips, tricks & apps for perfect holiday memories

by Sascha Tegtmeyer

Writing a travel diary is always fun for me, promotes my creativity and helps me to reflect on the experiences of my vacation. The practical notebooks are available in every color and shape imaginable - and of course now also as electronic app versions. You can let your imagination run wild when creating holiday memories. What should you keep in mind when writing a travel diary? And why is writing while traveling so incredibly useful? I'll give you valuable tips, tricks and inspiration for designing a very individual notebook for your next trip.

The great explorer Alexander von Humboldt kept a diary on his travels in the 18th century. The detailed ones Travel journals like his American travel diaries are still read today. Nowadays, however, many world explorers are rather lazy about writing. Opinions differ even when it comes to an ordinary diary - some love it, others could never bring themselves to do it. On a well-deserved two-week vacation or even on a longer one Travel Picking up a pen and writing in a notebook again and again is out of the question for many vacationers. After all, you want to recover.

Video – This is how you can design your travel diary

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Practical advantages of writing a travel diary

But writing a travel diary offers a whole range of practical advantages and is actually recommended for every holidaymaker. The notebooks are available in every color and shape imaginable. When designing, you can let your imagination run wild and design your memories however you want.

Of course, there are now also digital versions that you can install as an app on your smartphone or tablet, for example. Whether you prefer the printed or digital version is purely a matter of taste. Why should you write a diary, what should be in the travel diary and what variants are there?

Buy travel diary

• TRAVEL DIARY TO FILL IN: Our travel diary offers both…
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• YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCES: Record 50 travel days – for world trips,…
• REFLECTION & MINDFULNESS: Numerous exercises and tips let you…
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Why should you design and write a travel diary?

Once you've arrived on your well-deserved vacation, you often want to relax and unwind - or, on the contrary, be active and have adventures. Sitting down with pen and paper and writing an essay is usually not one of the vacationers' favorite pastimes. But the travel diary has a whole range of practical advantages and not only provides nice memories after the trip. You can let off steam creatively on the trip, stimulate your brain and review your experiences of the day once you're there.

In the travel diary you can record very individual experiences and information that cannot be found in any holiday travel guide and are based entirely on your experiences. A sketch of the route from your hotel to the dream beach through the forest, the promising business idea that you want to put into action after your vacation, the phone number for the cheap rental car rental company or the insider tip restaurant that can't even be found on the Internet yet – maybe in a few years your travel diary will become your very personal travel guide.

You stimulate your imagination

With a travel diary you stimulate the imagination and review the day's experiences directly on site. This will do two things: First, you will be even more open to having great experiences on the trip and even more open to discovering the next adventure. Because the travel diary shows you the beautiful things you have already experienced - that makes you want more.

You remember what you experienced again

On the other hand, you recapitulate what you experienced during the day. This will make the experience seem even more intense to you later at home than it already was. Because of the repetition, the great experience of the day is burned even deeper into your brain and will be even easier to recall as a great memory at home. And every time you look at your travel diary at home, the memory will flare up again. The bottom line is that you will experience the experiences on your great trip much more intensely and sustainably than if you don't keep a travel diary. I feel the same way when I write travel reports for Just Wanderlust.

Apple Use iPad with keyboard and pen for a travel diary

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What belongs in your travel journal?

Some vacationers and travelers decide to keep a travel diary and then sit in front of the blank sheets of paper with a ballpoint pen on vacation. They are already ashamed of the words that they have not yet written. So what should be in the travel diary and how do you start writing? Open a cold beer or a good bottle of red wine and make yourself comfortable.

Basically, you can write anything that comes to mind in the travel diary. There are no limits to creativity and imagination here. You can also paste photos, make sketches and write important dates and information about the travel destination. The names and contact details of friendly people you met along the way can also be noted in the travel diary.

I use a Moleskine travel diary with a Lamy ballpoint pen

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Starting a travel diary – How do I start writing successfully?

Now you know what you can include in the travel diary - but you don't know how to start writing it yet. You sit with the pen in front of the blank pages and can't bring yourself to write the first word. That's why it makes sense to do a little brainstorming in your head and imagine the day's experiences again. Go into great detail and recapitulate as precisely as possible what good things happened to you during the day.

Translate experiences into words

And then try again to put these experiences into words. You can try a purely factual description such as “Today I visited a wonderful dream beach with crystal clear, turquoise water and white sand.” This is just an example – you can of course go into much more detail. Or you start with a description of your emotional world: “Today I had a totally relaxing day on the dream beach. For the first time, I was able to really let go of the stressful work and feel comfortable in my own skin again.”

Take yourself back to the past day

Once you've settled into the past day, it should be easy to start writing. You don't need to write a very long essay now. If in doubt, even a single sentence in which you include all the important information will do. An entry in your travel diary must be exactly as long as it needs to be - and that's up to you to decide. If you feel the need to write ten pages about one day of your trip, that's of course fine.

Travel diary or noble notebook - what is the best choice?

Many people wonder whether they should use a special travel diary to record their vacation or whether they would prefer to use a high-quality notebook. To be precise, there are about a million different variations you can choose from. There are countless versions of special travel diaries, which are often visually designed with travel motifs or have a special division.

Depending on your point of view, the advantage or disadvantage of these travel diaries is that a lot of things are already pre-printed in them and you often just need to fill them out. Some find them practical – others find them rather kitschy. In contrast, there is the option of using a very simple notebook. This is certainly the stylish version with more understatement. Anyone who chooses a high-quality copy with a leather binding and lined and checked sheets usually has the freedom to design their notes. All you need is a suitable pen that writes well and you're ready to go.

Travel diary apps – digital memories on your smartphone or tablet

If you don't feel like dealing with all the paperwork and are more of a minimalist, you can now rely on a whole range of practical travel diary apps in which you can record your travel experiences. Whether you would rather have a printed book or a digital diary is largely a matter of taste. A handwritten book is of course more stylish. The travel diary app is more practical - and probably better for the environment too.

You can enter a lot of useful data into most programs, while other data such as the date, temperature, location, fitness data and much additional information are automatically added by the program. You can also be very creative here, insert photos and videos, incorporate quotes and voice memos and use many practical features. The app is usually saved on the smartphone or tablet - I always have my iPhone and iPad with me for this purpose. I've been using the Day One app as a travel diary for years - it's proven itself. I have listed other recommended and promising diary apps (for iOS and Android) below:

• Journalist: This easy-to-use app offers a variety of features, like adding photos, maps, and even sharing trips with friends and family.
• Polar Steps: An app that automatically tracks your route, adds photos and allows you to share your travel experiences with others.
• Itinerary: An intuitive app that enriches journaling with multimedia elements such as photos, videos and audio recordings.
• tripcast: This app not only offers diary features, but also the ability to share your travels with friends and family in real-time.
• Slide: A versatile app that can be used as both a travel journal and a personal journal, with features to organize, categorize and sync your entries.

Choosing the right travel journal app depends on your individual needs and preferences. Try different apps to see which one suits you and your travel style best, and enjoy the convenience and eco-friendliness of capturing your memories digitally.

1. Day One - the versatile and attractive travel journal app

Day One is an authentic diary app that can be used perfectly as a travel diary. The app impresses with its extensive functions and attractive design. It automatically records important information about your vacation destination, such as: B. Time, date, location, weather conditions and signs of life so you can concentrate on recording your personal impressions.

Download Day One for iOS

2. Ulysses - the concentrated companion for written travelogues

Ulysses is a classic, distraction-free writing app that's great for writing travel blogs or as a text-based travel journal. The app features a minimalist design and an intuitive user interface that allows you to focus on writing and capturing your travel experiences. The app offers a number of useful functions that make it easier to write travel reports. These include a clear outline feature, flexible formatting, and the ability to organize notes and ideas. With Ulysses you can export your texts in different file formats and easily integrate them into other apps or platforms.

Download Ulysses for iOS

3. Apple Pages – versatile writing program for creative travel reports

Apple Pages is the in-house writing app for Mac, ideal for creating travel journal entries on Mac, iPad and iPhone. The app is characterized by its user-friendliness and extensive range of functions, which offers you a variety of creative options. In Apple Pages, you can not only write attractive texts, but also access a variety of templates and formatting options to give your travel journal a personal and professional touch. You can also easily add photos, videos, charts, and interactive elements to bring your travel experiences to life.

Download Pages for iOS

4. GoodNotes – the ideal tool for handwritten travel diary notes on the tablet

GoodNotes is an excellent app for anyone who wants to create their travel diary on their tablet using the stylus. With the app you can write handwritten notes that you can enrich with a variety of creative design elements and additional materials. GoodNotes' intuitive interface lets you capture your travel experiences in a natural and authentic way. With the pen you can not only write texts, but also make sketches and drawings to make your travel memories even more vivid and vivid. The app also offers numerous tools such as different pen types, colors and shapes that you can use to customize your entries.

Download GoodNotes for iOS

List – More travel journal apps

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FAQs Writing a travel diary – the most important questions and answers

Write a travel diary or maybe you would rather create a travel blog and become a travel blogger: in? I have put together the most important questions and answers about travel blogs and travel diaries for you.

How often should I write in my journal?

Write in your diary as often as you want. Whether it's once a week or every day, it doesn't matter. The most important thing is that you enjoy writing and that it helps you. I write about one to five times a day. A post can be one word or a thousand – it doesn't matter either.

What should I write about in my diary?

Basically about anything you want! For me, journaling only became really valuable when I started to write down every idea that came to me immediately, later to describe it in detail and to link it to other ideas. Basically, write about what comes to your mind – and use it afterwards. Write about your day, your thoughts, your feelings, your plans, or anything else that's on your mind.

How long should my diary entries be?

It doesn't matter. From one word upwards, anything is possible. A post in your diary should be as long as it needs to be. As long or as short as you want. Some people like to write page by page, others just a few sentences. It depends on you.

Do I have to write my diary in full sentences?

You don't have to do anything to write a diary. You can also paint your diary. You don't have to write in full sentences. You can write in whatever way feels natural to you.

Can I use a pen or pencil instead of a computer?

Yes of course. Many people prefer to write by hand because it feels more personal. But if you prefer to write on a computer or smartphone, that's fine too. As I have explained, the cross-device use of smartphones, tablets and notebooks has the greatest advantages. Handwritten journaling is fun and stylish, but has many disadvantages compared to writing on a computer.

Can I use a diary app instead of a physical diary?

I would recommend using a diary app instead of a physical diary because you can use your entries later - add to them or even use them for blog posts or social media postings. And yes, there are many great journaling apps out there. Day One and Ulysses are two of the most popular options that I use on a daily basis. I also use the pre-installed notes app on my tablet to take handwritten notes with my stylus.

Should I keep my diary private or share it with others?

That is up to you and depends on what you write in your journal. I would not share my deepest, most private feelings. But when I gain insights that are also valuable to other people, I share them. Some people like to share their journals with friends or family, while others prefer to keep them private. It depends on you.

How do I start journaling?

Just start writing! When in doubt, a single word will suffice. You can also draw something. Familiarize yourself with your journal by simply starting without much thought. There's no right or wrong way to do it. Just start with whatever is on your mind and then start to elaborate on it.

I'm not a good writer. Can I still keep a diary?

Yes of course. Journaling is for everyone, no matter how good you are at writing. Just write in a way that feels natural to you and how you get the most value from your journal.

Do I need to buy a special diary?

No, you don't need that. You can use any notebook or paper you like. But if you want to treat yourself, there are many beautiful diaries. However, I recommend using a digital diary. I would recommend using a diary app instead of a physical diary because you can use your entries later - add to them or even use them for blog posts or social media postings. And yes, there are many great journaling apps out there. Day One and Ulysses are two of the most popular options that I use on a daily basis. I also use the pre-installed notes app on my tablet to take handwritten notes with my stylus.

Can I decorate my journal pages?

yes if you want that Some people like to add drawings, sketches, or photos to their journal pages. Lists, tables, diagrams and schematic representations are also conceivable. Others prefer to keep it simple and just write. That's up to you.

What are other benefits of journaling?

Not only is journaling fun and relaxing, but it can also improve your writing skills, boost your creativity, and provide clarity and focus. Diary is a particularly powerful tool for progression.

Create a travel diary – preserve unforgettable memories or become a travel blogger straight away?

My conclusion

A travel diary is a practical and creative way to experience your vacation even more intensively. This practical holiday gadget belongs on the packing list just as much as a travel wallet, the video drone and the high-quality photo camera. If you let off steam imaginatively on your trip and take lots of notes, you'll get more out of your vacation in the end.

Because after the trip only memories remain and they are much clearer and clearer if you wrote in a travel diary during your vacation. Which variant you choose for your recordings is up to each individual. Whether it's a specially designed travel diary, a simple notebook or an electronic app for your smartphone and tablet - it's crucial that you record your experiences.

Do you already write a travel diary regularly or are you thinking about starting in the future? Let me know in the comments.

*Affiliate links (advertising) & Amazon advertisements with affiliate links / sales by Amazon or third-party providers on the Amazon marketplace. / As an Amazon partner, we receive a small commission - you don't pay anything extra. / Product data last updated on November 22.04.2024, XNUMX / Images from the Amazon Product Advertising API / Product images are served via a privacy proxy / Disclaimer: The price shown may have increased since the last update. The actual price of the product as stated on the seller's website on Amazon.de at the time of purchase is decisive for the sale. A real-time update of the prices stated above is not technically possible. 

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Travel Diaries - Create your own traveler's diary

Creating a travel diary allows you to capture the magic of your adventures and preserve cherished memories. Explore different ways to create one in this blog article, including how Journey, an innovative online journaling platform, can help you on this remarkable travel journey.

Read more posts by this author.

Traveling is an enriching experience that allows us to explore new cultures, meet new people, and create lifelong memories. While we may capture moments through photographs, it's equally important to document our travel experiences in a way that will enable us to relive them in the future. One fantastic way to do this is by creating your own travel diary online. In this blog post, I'll discuss the significance of travel diaries and how using Journey, a popular online travel journaling app, can help you create a unique and personalized travel diary.

Why Keep a Travel Diary?

A travel diary serves as a personal chronicle of your adventures, capturing not only the places you visit but also the emotions, experiences, and lessons learned along the way. Whether you are an avid traveler or embarking on a once-in-a-lifetime trip, a travel diary serves as a treasure trove of emotions, observations, and reflections. Here are a few reasons why keeping a travel diary is beneficial:

1. Memory Preservation

Memories can fade over time, but a traveler's diary preserves the details, allowing you to relive those special moments and emotions years later. It becomes a cherished keepsake that transports you back to the sights, sounds, and experiences of your travels.

2. Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

Documenting your travel experiences in a diary encourages self-reflection. It allows you to process your thoughts and emotions, reflect on cultural differences and similarities, and gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. It acts as a tool for personal growth and self-discovery.

3. Capturing the Small Details

While photographs capture the visual aspects of your travels, a traveler's diary allows you to capture the small yet significant details. From the taste of a delicious local dish to a meaningful conversation with a stranger, these details add depth and richness to your storytelling.

4. Sharing and Connecting

A travel diary is not only for personal reflection but can also be shared with loved ones, friends, and even fellow travelers. It allows you to share your experiences, recommendations, and insights, creating connections and inspiring others to embark on their own travel adventures.

Creating Your Online Travel Diary

With the advancement of technology, keeping an online travel diary has become an increasingly popular and efficient way to document travel experiences. Online journaling platforms provide an easy and accessible way to share your adventures with friends, family, and even a wider audience. Creating an online travel diary allows you to incorporate multimedia elements such as photos, videos, and interactive maps, enhancing the storytelling aspect of your journey. Here's how you can get started:

1. Choose an Online Journaling Platform

There are several online journaling platforms available, and you should select one that suits your needs. One popular choice is Journey , an intuitive app that offers a range of features specifically designed for creating travel diaries.

2. Select a Theme or Template

Many online journaling platforms provide themes and templates specifically tailored for travel diaries. These themes can add aesthetic appeal to your diary and make it visually appealing. Choose one that resonates with your style and enhances your storytelling.

3. Incorporate Multimedia Elements

Online travel diaries allow you to go beyond text and include multimedia elements like photos, videos, and even audio recordings. Adding these visual and auditory elements not only enhances your storytelling but also allows you to capture the essence of your experiences.

4. Organize and Categorize

Use tags, categories, or folders within your online diary to organize your entries by location, date, or themes. This makes it easier to navigate through your diary and find specific entries or memories.

5. Share and Engage

Online travel diaries give you the option to share your entries with a select group of people or even publish them publicly. Sharing your travel diary with others allows you to connect, inspire, and engage with fellow travelers, and it can also provide a platform for tips, recommendations, and advice.

Using Journey to Create Your Travel Diary

Journey is a versatile and user-friendly online journaling app that can be perfectly tailored to suit your travel diary needs. Here are some features that make Journey an excellent choice for creating your own travel diary:

1. Multimedia Integration

Journey allows you to effortlessly add photos, videos, and even audio recordings to your entries. This means you can visually capture the breathtaking landscapes, delicious meals, and memorable moments during your travels. You can also include audio recordings of ambient sounds, interviews with locals, or personal reflections to enhance your diary entries.

2. Geo-tagging & Mapping

One of the remarkable features of Journey is its ability to automatically detect your location and incorporate geotags into your entries. This functionality allows you to effortlessly keep track of the places you visit during your travels. By adding geotags to your entries, you can easily organize your diary by location and create a visual map of your travel route.

Not only does this make it easier for you to recall specific moments and places from your journey, but it also adds a new level of depth and context to your travel diary. With just a few clicks, you can instantly view all the entries associated with a particular location, immersing yourself in the memories and experiences of that specific place.

3. Multiple Devices & Syncing

Whether you prefer to write on your smartphone, tablet, or computer, Journey provides seamless synchronization across multiple devices. So, you can start writing on your phone and continue on your laptop without missing a beat.

4. Privacy & Security

In the digital age, privacy is a growing concern for many individuals. Thankfully, the advancements in technology also include measures to protect our personal information. Journey recognizes the value of privacy and offers various privacy settings to ensure that you have control over who can access your diary. This means that you can choose to keep your entries private and only for your eyes, or share them selectively with close friends and family. If you are comfortable with it, you can even publish your entries publicly to inspire and connect with a wider audience.

One aspect that further enhances the privacy and security of your online travel diary is the implementation of end-to-end encryption . This means that your data is encrypted on your device and can only be decrypted by the intended recipient, making it virtually impossible for anyone else to access your diary without your consent. With Journey's commitment to privacy and secure encryption, you can share your travel experiences confidently, knowing that your personal information is protected.

By offering these privacy settings and implementing end-to-end encryption, Journey empowers users to fully embrace the benefits of an online travel diary while maintaining control over their personal data. Whether you choose to keep your entries private or share them with a select few or the world, you can rest assured that your privacy is respected and your content remains secure.

5. Journaling Prompts & Templates

Journey understands that sometimes finding the words to express your travel experiences can be a challenge. To support you in capturing the essence of your journey, Journey provides a collection of travel journal prompts and templates . These prompts are thoughtfully designed to inspire reflection and offer guidance on what to write about.

Additionally, Journey offers pre-designed templates specifically tailored for travel diaries. These templates provide a structure and format for your entries, making it easier for you to organize your thoughts and create visually appealing pages. From simple layouts to more elaborate designs, these templates allow you to customize your travel diary to reflect your unique style and preferences.

Creating your own travel diary online is an excellent way to document your adventures and create a lasting memory of your travels. Journey's user-friendly interface, multimedia integration, privacy options, and sync features make it an ideal platform for crafting your travel diary. So, whether you're a seasoned traveler or embarking on your first journey, start your online travel diary with Journey and enjoy the process of reliving your adventures for years to come.

Travel Journaling Guide: How to Write the Ultimate Travel Diary

Travel journaling allows you to preserve your travel memories for life. It’s a fact of life that memories fade over time. Some may disappear within seconds, while others can stay clear for hours, days or weeks. Travel memories that are written down, however, are there for life.

If you’ve been tracking down waterfalls in the Cuban jungle, it’s only a matter of time until you forget the blood-red feathers of the Cuban trogon you stumbled upon. What about the name of that man you met on the Paris Metro? The ins and outs of your journey on a night bus in Vietnam? The accidental shortcut you found in Switzerland?

As a travel writer, I’ve been travel journaling in one shape or form for my whole life. However, you don’t have to be a writer to start a travel journal. It can be as simple, as short or as complex as you like, with the following travel journaling guide.

Whether you bullet-point everything or smash out several pages of prose per day, your travel journal doesn’t just preserve precious travel memories. It’s a place to self-reflect on your journey, record facts and quotes, and creatively display your travels so far. The best part? All you need to start travel journaling is a notebook, a pen and a travel plan.

Table of Contents

What is travel journaling?

Travel journaling is the act of keeping a written record of your travels. While this typically refers to keeping a chronological (hour-by-hour and day-by-day) travel diary, some travel journalers might also sketch, create collages or draw infographics to tell a story.

Travel journaling is unique to each storyteller, but at its core, it’s about relaying your experiences for an imaginary or real reader and recording your adventures for your future self to look back on.

The only piece of equipment you need to begin travel journaling is a notebook. This could be as simple as a basic lined or unlined notebook. However, some notebooks are designed specifically as travel diaries and aim to prompt the author, such as the  Travel Listography Diary  and the  You Are Here Mindful Travel Journal .

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Travel Journaling: Should I keep a travel journal?

Anyone can keep a travel journal, whether you’re creating a travel journal to share memories with family and friends when you return home, or just for yourself. It’s a souvenir of sorts, but one that has a personal meaning to you and captures your exact thoughts and feelings at a specific time and place in your journey.

You might want to keep a travel journal if…

1. You want your memories to become sharper and more meaningful.

At school, teachers often advise students to write down facts to remember them. The same goes for memories. Writing about a memory stimulates your brain to recall and remember specific details from that moment.

When you revisit a memory like that, it sends your brain a signal that that particular memory is important. It is prioritised above other, more insignificant memories from the day, the week or the year. As a result, you’re more likely to be able to recall it in the future.

At the same time, revisiting a memory allows you to add meaning to your experience. By exploring the thoughts and feelings that came along with the physical sensations, you’re able to bring a unique, personal meaning to what happened.

2. You’d like to relive a memory a second time.

When I urged a friend I met on my travels to try recording his memories on paper, one of the most significant things he said was, “It’s like I get to experience it all over a second time.”

That’s one of the best parts about travel journaling. In your own, unique way, you get to experience something in detail for a second time. You might feel the same rush of adrenaline, the same apprehension or the same ‘lightbulb moment’.

3. You want to jot down contact details of new friends.

Sometimes you meet people on the road and they have a huge impact on you in some way or another: a blasé comment that stuck with you, a new perspective on a topic you thought you’d already figured out, or an unexpected friend in a moment where you really needed it. Just as often, you forget to ask for their contact information or you lose it in the mayhem.

Anything can happen to your phone when you’re travelling: loss, theft, damage, or unexpected memory wipes. Jotting down important contact details in your travel journal creates a second, permanent copy of their details. You never know, you might want to share some of the entries they starred in as a way to reflect on your fleeting time together.

4. You want to work through complex thoughts and feelings.

There’s a reason why many therapists and life coaches suggest writing down how you’re feeling. It’s a very effective way of processing complex or difficult emotions.

You might have had a travel experience that has shook you up slightly – an illness or a missed flight, perhaps – and want to get your immediate frustrations out on paper. Maybe you’ve come to a big realisation about the way you handle stress or adversity. Either way, your travel journal is a great way to work through the feelings.

Bottling up emotions isn’t good for anyone, so this is a particularly handy use for a travel diary if you’re a solo traveller who doesn’t have anyone to vent to immediately. This can all boost your self awareness, protect yourself from future mishaps, and generate a greater understanding of yourself.

5. You want to reflect on your travels so far and what you’d like out of the rest of your trip.

Travel can be a whirlwind. However, by reflecting on your travels so far, you can assess what have been the most meaningful experiences in your trip so far, and seek out similar experiences in the future.

Similarly, it can help you to realise if you’ve been focusing on one particular experience so far – for example, hiking or visiting historical sites. It might influence you to try something new, like attending a cultural festival, going on a village walk or engaging in some  offbeat travel  experiences.

6. You want to save ideas for an online travel diary or social media posts.

Whether you’re a content creator, a digital nomad, or simply someone who likes to share your travels with friends and family, travel journaling can be a great way to fine-tune ideas for future stories, whether written or visual.

You might be planning to create your own blog or post photos on Instagram with in-depth captions. Setting up your own website is relatively inexpensive to do nowadays with websites such as  Bluehost  offering cheap, affordable domains and hosting plans – this is the site I used to set up my own blog.

Draft ideas for stories and captions in your travel journal, and use a highlighter to pick out your best ideas.

7. You want to improve your writing skills

Whether you’re a seasoned writer or a complete beginner, the simple act of travel journaling every day (or every other day) will give you more practice in the art of the written word.

This will carry over into your studies, essay-writing, creative writing, email-writing, or general communication skills. It also boosts your confidence as a writer.

8. You want something tangible to share with family or friends.

Unless you’re planning on keeping your travel journal to yourself, a travel diary is a great hand-me-down that will give your ancestors a taste of your travels and personality. It’s also an excellent way to connect with friends and families back home, and give them the run-down on what you got up to. If you travelled with a partner or a friend, it’s also an excellent shared keepsake.

Travel Journaling: What should a travel journal include?

When it comes to the question of ‘what should a travel journal include?’, I use the word ‘should’ lightly. Your travel journal is uniquely yours. It doesn’t  have  to include anything you don’t want it to.

However, there are many things that you might want to include in your travel journal, so the following list should provide some inspiration.

Pick and choose the ideas you like and  experiment  to see what works for you. What works for you will be different than what works for other travel journalers.

1. Brainstorming

You don’t need to wait until your departure date to begin travel journaling. It can also be used to plan your trip. Before anything else, you might want to dedicate a page (or a few) to brainstorming.

Do you want a budget or a luxury trip? Do you want to see the beaches, mountains, jungle, lakes, rivers, or deserts? Which countries match your non-negotiables? Who might you invite, or who can you connect with out there? This sort of brainstorming can streamline the planning process and help you to get the most out of your trip.

2. Trip research

After brainstorming comes the more nitty-gritty trip research. Your travel notebook is ideal for this too. It’s easy to open up a dozen or more tabs on your laptop or mobile device, so you can use the physical notebook to jot down key destinations and activities that have captured your attention. This will help you to narrow down your itinerary once and for all.

3. A trip plan

You can take this a step further and write a complete plan for your trip. If you don’t want your notebook to get too messy, you can simply add your finalised itinerary. This will be very helpful when you’re actually travelling, because you can store all of your booking information and your travel timeline in one place.

This is what I do, and it keeps my mind clear and my travel plan organised. I also include back-up ideas for activities and alternative transport options should anything go awry.

4. A travel diary

When you start to gather first-hand travel experiences, you can begin to record a diary of the events. You might want to write in prose, which is the best way to let your thoughts flow freely onto the page.

An alternative option is to take bullet points, which help you to get down information quickly before you forget it. You might also want to alternate between the two, writing in bullet points when you’re short on time and writing in prose when you feel particularly inspired.

5. Other travel memorabilia

Your travel journal doesn’t just have to be a written diary. You can collect – and glue down – other travel memorabilia such as ticket stubs, receipts or dried flowers.

Just remember to pack a small glue stick or double-sided tape and scissors (in your checked bag, not your carry-on bag).

Some travel memorabilia that you might want to stick into your travel diary include:

• Ticket stubs.
• Foreign bank notes.
• Newspaper clippings.
• Dried flowers.
• Food wrappers.
• Luggage tag labels.

6. Sketches

If you’re particularly artistic, sketching the scenery, wildlife, or people you see on your journey is a great way to bring your diary to life. If you’re not artistically inclined, a small caricature might be more accessible and just as fun.

Others might prefer to paint in watercolour; there are a number of  watercolour travel journals  available.

Travel journaling: How do you write a travel journal entry?

When you start recording your first travel journal entry, my first piece of advice is simply to start writing.

It doesn’t have to be perfect. It doesn’t even have to make sense to anyone but you. If you work better with an outline, the following prompts should get you started.

1. Write down the date.

The most important thing to do, and perhaps the only rule of travel journaling, is that you should start by writing down the date of your entry. If you can, include the day of the week too, as this can often give extra context – for example, if it’s the weekend, it might explain why the crowds in your destination were so lively or the public transport delayed.

I recommend using the format: Thursday, 21st July, 2022. You want to be able to look back on the date of the entry and see how much time has passed since it took place.

2. Write down your location.

The second most important thing to write down is your location. It’s a good idea to be as specific as possible. Include the town, the village or even the hotel or hostel you’re staying at.

This makes it easier to re-imagine the scenario when you’re reading your diary back. It also makes the entry more accurate and places the event somewhere tangible.

3. Decide whether you’re going to write in prose or use bullet points.

As a rule of thumb, it’s best to get your memories down on paper when they are still fresh. If you’re pressed on time, you might want to take bullet points rather than write in prose. If more than a couple of days have passed, you’ll start losing some of the sharper details.

4. Start writing chronologically.

It might be tempting to jump right into the drama that happened in your evening. However, writing your travel diary chronologically is the easiest way to keep it understandable.

The version of events can get confusing if the narrator is constantly skipping from 7pm to 10am, then to 3pm and back to 10am again.

Begin by writing about your morning. What time did you wake up? What did you eat for breakfast? Who did you talk to? Where did you go from there? It’s also easier to recall memories this way and follow a clear train of thought.

5. Be specific.

As a rule of thumb, the more specific your writing is, the better. This is because the smaller details such as street names or direct quotes are some of the first things that will fade from your memory.

If you really want to bring the memory back to life, focus on the details:  location, names, times, dates, quotes, and specific thoughts.

The following prompts might come in handy:

• What did you eat? Where did you dine? How did it taste? What was the texture of the food?
• Who did you speak to? What were their names?
• Did you discover anything new today? Are there any facts you can recall? Did your destination meet your expectations?
• What was your favourite part of the day?
• What was your least favourite part of the day?
• Did you have any realisations throughout the day? What did you learn about yourself?
• How did you feel mentally? Were you energised, homesick, nervous, excited, or content?
• How did you feel physically? Were you in full health, hungry, full, sore, sleepy, or hormonal?

6. Be truthful.

Not every day is all roses and butterflies. At the same time, not every day is packed with drama and turbulence. It can be tempting to over-exaggerate your version of events, for a number of reasons.

You might want to make your trip sound more positive, add drama to your diary, or impress your real (or imagined) readers.

Remember, journaling isn’t just about creating a story. It’s about gaining self-awareness, improving your understanding of the world and working through the feelings that arise as a result of your travels. You can’t do that if you’re trying to paint your journey in a specific light the entire time.

Travel insurance is essential for any trip abroad. If you’re in an accident or experience an emergency, you need adequate cover. I recommend  Staysure  for single or multiple trips per year and SafetyWing for digital nomads.

Travel journaling tips

1. decide whether you want to use a dated diary or a general notebook..

There are pros and cons to purchasing a dated diary over a general notebook. The problem with a notebook is that it’s just a notebook.

A general notebook:

+ There are no restrictions on how long your entries are.

+ It’s more space-efficient for those travelling long-term, as you don’t have to start a new entry at the top of a page.

+ More freedom to doodle.

– Less incentive to make an entry.

– It can get scruffy quickly.

Purchasing a dated diary can make you feel more motivated to write your entries on a regular basis. They often include prompts, which can help you to get started. Many tailored travel journals also have additional pages dedicated for jotting down thoughts and notes, whereas a general notebook can quickly get messy.

A dated diary:

+ Looks more aesthetic.

+ Acts as a reminder not to miss a day.

+ Looks like a traditional diary.

+ May motivate you to write more often.

+ Often includes helpful prompts to spark your creativity.

– Can waste line space.

– May limit the space you have to write about each day.

At the same time, a general notebook might be the best option for long-term travellers who are short on space, because you don’t need to start a new entry at the top of a page. Starting a new entry mid-page saves precious line space. Unless your dated diary has blank spaces where you can insert the exact date, you’re also limited on the amount of space you have to write about each day.

2. Put aside 15 minutes every day to journal.

If one thing is for sure, it’s that travel can get hectic. As a result, it’s easy to get out of the routine of travel journaling every day. Since you want your memories to be as fresh as possible when you’re writing an entry, one of the best ways of keeping on track is by putting aside a specific time slot every day to journal.

You might decide to journal for 15 minutes each morning while you wait for breakfast to be served or for the 15 minutes before you go to bed.

If you have a daily commute – to the beach, to your temporary job, or to your friend’s hotel, for example – take your journal with you and utilise the spare time.

3. Journal while you’re in transit.

If you’re constantly travelling, it’s probably not going to be long until you have a lengthy train, bus or flight ahead of you. As long as the road (or airspace) isn’t too bumpy and you’re not prone to motion sickness, I’ve found that this is the perfect time to get some travel journaling done.

Having a good chunk of time to dedicate to writing is excellent. Plus, if you do get preoccupied on your travels and go off track with your journaling, the plane ride or boat ride back home is a good stretch of time to pick up where you left off and get down everything you can remember in chronological order.

4. Try to write within at least two days of the events.

The sooner you write about a memory, the better chance you have at remembering the niche details. The ideal situation would be to write about your day at the end of the day before you sleep, but that’s not always realistic.

Instead, try to set yourself a goal of writing about a day or an event 48 hours after it happens. If you still fall off track, write about your travels within a week of the date they happened.

5. Don’t feel the pressure to be perfect.

The pressure to get something perfect is often the first obstacle in getting started. Life is messy – and so is writing a travel journal. It’s not going to be perfect the first try. Besides, what is perfect anyway?

Your travel journal is for you. It doesn’t matter how many spelling or grammar mistakes there are, as long as it’s legible. It doesn’t matter if you don’t have the motivation to write.

Bullet points or a few short paragraphs are better than a blank page. Otherwise, you won’t have anything to look back on at all.

6. Get creative with it.

Harnessing your creativity goes hand-in-hand with letting go of the need for perfection. You could draw caricatures of the interesting people you meet on the road. You could sketch a bird you spotted this morning. You could even make a chart or a diagram of your spendings so far.

Here are some ideas:

• Dedicate a few pages to creating caricatures of people you meet along the road.
• Create a ‘quotes’ section and jot down the most meaningful things people have said to you.
• Make a chart or a diagram of your spendings.
• Put together a recipes section where you write down your favourite meals and their key ingredients (don’t be shy about asking).
• A ‘rant’ section dedicated to unedited writing.
• Glue ticket stubs to the relevant pages.
• Make a collage out of ticket stubs, photographs and other memorabilia.

7. Keep your travel journal safe.

While a journal might not look that attractive to potential thieves, it’s probably invaluable to you. Therefore, it’s very important to take measures to stop it from getting stolen, lost or damaged.

Prevent water damage

Whether it causes smudged ink or crinkled pages, water damage can have a catastrophic effect on your journal. It’s also one of the most common ways that travel journals get damaged, as they’re prone to rainwater and liquid leakages in your luggage.

Some travel journals have waterproof covers, which add some extra protection, but this isn’t a foolproof solution.

Storing your travel journal in a waterproof pouch or pocket is the most effective way to prevent water damage.

A plastic bag is effective too. However, it’s more prone to getting punctured by sharp objects and it’s less durable (and less eco-friendly) than a permanent waterproof pouch.

The following waterproof bags and pouches will protect your travel journal:

• Syncwire Waterproof Pouch Bag
• Eono Waterproof Waist Bag
• Waterproof Dry Bag Set

Keep it in a safe or a locked locker

If you’re not planning on travel journaling while you’re on the go, it’s probably best to leave it locked securely in your accommodation. Many hotels provide safes; it will usually be listed on the list of features on booking websites such as  Booking.com  or  Hostelworld.com .

Some hostels and homestays may provide a locker instead. For this, you will often need to bring your own padlock. I’d recommend bringing a set of  TSA-approved combination padlocks .

Carry an anti-theft backpack

It’s unlikely your travel journal will get swiped from your backpack. Thieves are far more likely to target a mobile phone.

Still, you should carry your valuables (journal included) in an anti-theft backpack. They come with features such as secret pockets, durable zippers, and designs that make it hard for thieves to gain access.

Anti-theft backpacks:

• Della Gao Anti-Theft Laptop
• TcIFE Ladies Backpack
• Oscaurt Theft Proof Travel Backpack
• Waterfly Anti-Theft Backpack

8. Don’t forget a pen (and back-ups).

A pen is one of the easiest things to forget on your trip. While they should be easy to get a hold of, there are some locations where you might find it tricker (Cuba, the middle of the jungle, or a small town, for example).

I’d recommend using a clickable pen, because this is less prone to leaking ink than a regular ballpoint. Bring spares if you can, because the ink might run out mid-journey or just when inspiration strikes.

Travel journaling examples

As someone who preaches about travel journaling, I’ve decided to share a few entries from my own travel diary so that you can get an idea for the sheer variety of what you can write about and how you can record the details.

Entry 1: Havana, Cuba (Saturday 22nd January, 2022)

Anisah and I arrived in Cuba late, around 7pm. It was already dark outside and thunder-storming – lightning, heavy rain that soaked through my papers.

The airport was very basic and very stringent with Covid (masks, stalls and many checks) but we cleared security swiftly and had only our backpacks as a carry-on.

Outside, there were taxi drivers holding names, and, surprisingly, they weren’t at all pushy. Our hostel was supposed to arrange a driver to take us directly there, but upon ringing twice (and spending a daunting £3 per minute on the calls), it appeared the driver was stuck in his house due to the storm.

We ended up in a yellow, licensed cab (which cost 25 euros – but down to 20 when the lady hosting us paid on our behalf).

I felt a little unnerved in the taxi, probably because I was exhausted, and because without maps, the driver relied on memory and locals in Havana for directions – and there weren’t many outside due to the torrential rain.

Entry 2: Ubud, Bali (Thursday 20th June, 2019)

Woke at 1am for the Mount Batur sunrise trek.

• Mount Agun nearby “coughed” up lava three weeks ago, according to our guide.
• 1,700-metre climb – our time was 1h35 but it felt way longer.
• Very steep, gravelly, and one of the toughest climbs I’ve done in my life. At one point, I told Jess, “Go on without me”.
• I ate a boiled egg and a banana at the top. I was still starving.
• Monkeys and dogs were fighting on the mountaintop.
• Monkeys almost stole my bag. They successfully stole a purse from another lady.
• We lost Pablo (Goncalo’s cousin) at the top of the mountain. The guide (jeans and sandals) was going to leave him behind, but we refused.

Entry 3: Havana, Cuba (Monday 31st January, 2022)

Our host gave us the cheque. We were short by 700 pesos. We went to hunt down an ATM. The ATM declined my card, as did the second ATM… and then the third ATM.

We started to panic, so we went to the Kempinski Hotel in Plaza Mayor to use their WiFi to contact my bank. It quickly emerged that the WiFi had completely cut out city-wide. At this point, we really started to panic. We had to leave for the airport in one hour.

We’d used up all of our options, so I told Anisah we’d have to ask someone for money. She was very dubious. We were walking down my favourite street when I spotted an older man and a younger woman, both blonde, looking lost and carrying cameras and bags.

I took off my mask and asked ‘Ingles?’. Nope, they spoke Spanish. In broken Spanish/English, I started to explain ‘plane’ (hand motion), ‘Londres’ (London), ‘desperate’, ‘taxi to airport’, and ‘short by 700’.

They replied, ‘No, a taxi should be 20’. They thought I meant euros! I said, ‘No, no. 700 pesos’. He nodded, ‘Oh, good price!’. To my disbelief, he pulled out a fat wallet filled with US dollars and pesos, and handed me a 500 and a 200. I nearly cried, but settled for tapping the lady’s arms and doing a prayer hand motion. People are truly good at heart.

Travel journaling: How do you make a memorable trip?

There are two halves to creating a travel journal. The first half is the part where you  explore, observe and investigate .

The second half is the part where you  write or create .

If one half of the formula is missing, you won’t have a travel journal at all.

Similarly, a travel notebook that documents seven days spent beside a swimming pool, tanning and reading a book, is unlikely to be as riveting as a travel journal that documents a journey into Dubrovnik’s old town, a bus ride through central  Vietnam , wild swimming through waterfalls in  Cuba  or a cruise over the backwaters in  Kerala , for example.

• Guide to the Parque Guanayara Waterfalls in Cuba
• Things to do at Alleppey and its backwaters

1. Research your trip.

A great motto, and one I live by, is ‘plan to travel without a plan’. If you want to make your trip memorable, it’s just as important not to over-plan as it is to dive in headfirst without a scooby of what you are doing.

Research enough so that you have a huge backlist of itinerary and destination ideas. Make a list of local accommodations that you like the sound of. Book essential, long-distance travel only.

You don’t know what will happen on the trip: delays, unexpected new acquaintances, weather events, romances, and so on.

Sometimes, the most interesting stories form from following your heart or your intuition, so if you’ve planned every single detail, you’ll end up boxed in.

Here are some ideas for your research:

• Research blogs to get practical advice from those who have visited a destination or attraction previously.
• Confirm the main modes of transport, currencies, and WiFi accessibility in your chosen destination. Practical details matter.
• Create a list of destinations and activities you’d like to engage in.
• Highlight your non-negotiable activities, desirable itineraries, and nice-to-have experiences. That way, you know which activities are the most important to you.
• Try to avoid tourist traps and opt for more authentic, local or offbeat travel experiences. These are often the most interesting experiences to write about.

2. Book your flights.

After your research is complete, the first thing you need to do is to book your flights.  Skyscanner  should be your go-to tool to search for flights. It scans the internet for the cheapest deals, routes and even the most eco-friendly transport options.  Google Flights  is another useful tool, which you can use to confirm that you’ve found the best deal.

3. Book interesting accommodation.

The accommodation you book has a direct impact on your travel journal entries. It can create drama, it can spice things up a little, or it can act as a relaxing backdrop.

Unique accommodation might liven up your entries: search for things like treehouses, camping tents, shepherd’s huts, and themed resorts.

The following sites are my go-to websites for booking accommodation that will jazz up my travel journal entries:

Booking.com : Booking.com has a wide selection of accommodation, including eclectic stays. I also find that it generally has the best price, compared to other booking websites advertising the same hotel or accommodation.

Hostelworld : Staying in a hostel is one of the best ways to introduce new, wise and quirky characters into your diary. As most hostels have communal spaces, it’s very easy to delve into a deep conversation with a stranger, which is often one of the most interesting parts of travel journeys.

The act of staying in a dorm room or shared accommodation is eventful in itself; you don’t know what sorts of stories you might get out of one night spent in a dorm room. Was there a fight for a particular bed? A sleep talker? Late-night card games and conversations?

Homestay :  Homestay specialises in accommodation where you stay in the home of a local. This is a brilliant option for those who are writing a travel diary, because it enables you to connect with the community, learn about local customs and have a more authentic travel experience.

4. Engage in more offbeat travel experiences.

Generally speaking, you won’t get as much of a story out of a tourist trap as you will out of a more unusual or hands-on travel experience. After six years of travelling, this is the biggest lesson I have learnt, and exactly why my blog specialises in offbeat travel experiences.

So, how do you find offbeat travel experiences for your travel journal?

• Ask at your hotel or hostel for local-led activities. Questions such as ‘where do you eat?’ or ‘where do you go to party?’ are also great ways to find local spots over tourist traps.
• Search for unique travel experiences on  GetYourGuide . They list local-led travel experiences, which are a great way to meet fellow interesting travellers and get an insight into the offbeat sides of a destination.
• Use tour organisations that label themselves as ‘local-led’, ‘experiential’, ‘offbeat’ and ‘immersive’. These are tailored towards giving travellers unique, hands-on experiences, and not taking you on the usual tourist trails.

Travel journaling: How do you write a travel journal that is worth reading?

Not everyone wants to share their travel journal. However, if you do want to write your travel diary for an audience – whether that’s family, friends, an online following or a potential future publisher – it’s going to need to be worth reading.

1. Make your first draft in a physical travel journal.

Writing in chronological order and as soon as possible after the events happen, make your first draft in a physical travel journal.

Remember, that you’re going to edit your travel journal when you’re back home, so the most important thing isn’t writing perfectly. It’s about being consistent with your writing schedule and getting the details down on paper.

2. Be as specific as possible.

Specificity is even more important if you’re going to share your travel journal in one form or another.

Use exact times, exact dates, full names, ages, and detailed physical descriptions. This will bring your story to life, especially for those who weren’t there to watch it unfold in person.

3. Feature specific characters.

Just as a novel would be incomplete without a series of in-depth and interesting characters, your travel diary should also feature characters.

It doesn’t matter if they’re fleeting and disappear after an entry or two. The important thing is that your reader can envision and relate to your character.

That might mean describing them physically, disclosing their name (or pseudonym) and age, as well as describing their little quirks and mannerisms.

You should try to quote them directly when possible, and explore their mindset and their backstory.

4. Write up your travel journal.

When you arrive back home, write up your travel journal into a digital format, correcting spelling and grammar mistakes as you go. This will create a second copy of your journal, just in case anything happens to the physical copy.

5. Edit your travel journal.

If you’re going to be sharing your travel journal, the most important part is the editing process. Your journal may only need a light edit, which corrects any spelling or grammar mistakes and makes it more legible.

However, it may need a deeper edit if you’re truly going to post it online or send it to a publisher. The execution, plot, and characters will be more important in this case.

Traveling journaling: Types of travel journals

There are several types of travel notebooks, and they all have their specific advantages and disadvantages.

There are also some clear criteria you should be looking for out of a high-quality travel notebook:

Number of pages:  The number of pages you’ll need will depend upon the length of your trip. If you’re travelling long-term, it’s better to have a notebook with a large number of pages rather than several, smaller notebooks which will take up more space overall.

Paperback or hardback:  While a hardback notebook is more durable, a paperback journal is more lightweight. If you’re limited by space or weight limits, opt for a paperback. Size:  Notebooks come in a variety of sizes, such as A4, A5, or A6. In general, an A5 notebook is ideal for a travel diary because it’s compact enough to carry in your packed or day luggage, but not so small that you’ll run out of space quickly.

Line size:  Unless you have large handwriting, a journal with fairly narrow line sizes is ideal, because you can fit more writing onto one page, and therefore into one notebook. You could also choose a notebook without lines at all, which gives you more freedom over the size of your handwriting, but can end up with messy, undulating lines.

Paper thickness:  Thinner paper is usually ideal, unless you are planning on painting, colouring-in or using heavy ink. Still, bear in mind that ink can bleed through the paper if it’s too thin, ruining other pages in your diary.

Binding:  The binding of your notebook is important too. Ideally, you want a notebook that can spread out flat while you write and one where you don’t need to hold the edges of the pages down. A spiral-bound notebook is ideal over a smaller, tightly-bound notebook, in this case.

Traveling journaling: A6 travel diaries

Best for: weekend trips.

• Sovereign-Gear Antique Brown Refillable Travellers Notebook : This A6 notebook has a leather case and a refillable design, which includes three packs of paper (one unlined, one lined and one made from kraft paper). Even better, it has a PVC water-resistant zipper pocket for your valuables.
• Avocado and Spice Hardback A6 Notebook : With a hardback cover and 200 pages, this A6 notebook is an aesthetic travel diary that comes with its own protective velvet bag. It comes with the option of dotted, lined or blank pages, and has a built-in pen holder and a bookmark.
• Antony Olivier Leather Journal : With unlined paper and vintage brown leather, the Antony Olivier Leather Journal is a premium A6 notebook. There are 200 pages, all unlined.
• Newestor Pocket Notebook : The Newestor Pocket Notebook is small enough that you can tuck it into your back pocket. It’s probably not ideal for those who are going to be writing in long prose, but those who are planning on documenting their travels with bullet points or short paragraphs will have 144 pages at their disposal.

Travel journaling: A5 travel dairies

Best for: longer trips.

• EMSHOI A5 Notebook : With the option of lined, dotted or squared pages, the spiral-bound EMSHOI notebook has 640 A5-sized pages. It also has a water-resistant PVC cover.
• Antony Olivier Leather A5 Notebook : This is an A5-sized version of the high-quality, leather Antony Olivier notebook. It includes unlined 200 pages and a journal enamel pen.
• Silvine A5 Executive Soft Feel Notebook : The Silvine 15 Executive Notebook has 160 pages with a sewn case, inside pocket and ivory paper.

Travel journaling: Watercolour travel journals

Best for: artists.

• Seawhite A5 Travel Journal : This notebook has 60 pages and a back pocket. It’s also completely vegan.
• Hahnemuhle Watercolour Book A5 : This sturdy hardback book has 30 sheets of natural white fine-grain paper, ideal for panoramic paintings.
• Tumuarta Watercolour Journal : Designed as a travel watercolour notebook, this journal has 48 pages, made of 25% cotton. The pages can tolerate light washes and they’re micro-perforated, so you can tear out a page if you need to.

A travel journal is a great place to jot down travel affirmations if you experience anxiety or nerves before or during a trip or to write down packing lists and other plans. See where I’ve been to start planning your next trip.

Katie Treharne

I’m Katie, the owner of Escape Artist Katie. I have been travel writing since 2018, including writing for luxury travel magazines and publications such as Wanderlust.

As well as being a digital nomad who works and lives abroad permanently, I’m a big advocate for  offbeat travel  and pushing yourself out of your comfort zone.

I hope you found my article useful – find out more  about  me here or keep up with my travels on  Instagram .

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A travel journal is not complete without photos and maps! Click on a grey area and add an image, picture or map. You can place pins on the map to indicate certain locations or specify an entire travel route.

Share your diary

You choose which – if any – of your chapters you’d like to share with friends and family. Once you share them, they are automatically converted into an online travel blog that you can share with the world.

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Welcome to Thememoriestravel.com

The benefits of keeping a travel diary.

Table of Contents

 The Benefits of Keeping a Travel Diary

• Definition and purpose of a travel diary
• Brief overview of the topic and its significance

 Capturing Memories

• Importance of preserving memories from your travels
• How a travel diary helps in remembering details, experiences, and emotions
• Reflecting on past adventures and reliving moments through writing

 Personal Growth and Reflection

• Using a travel diary as a tool for self-discovery and personal growth
• Reflection on experiences, thoughts, and feelings during the journey
• Gaining insights and learning from challenges and cultural encounters

 Enhancing Creativity

• Stimulating creativity through writing and documenting travel experiences
• Describing destinations, people, and landscapes with vivid language
• Incorporating drawings, sketches, or photographs in the travel diary

 Planning and Organization

• Utilizing a travel diary as a practical tool for planning future trips
• Keeping track of itineraries, budgets, and important contact information
• Noting down recommendations, tips, and must-visit places from fellow travelers

 Sharing and Preserving Stories

• Sharing your travel diary with others to inspire and inform
• Preserving your travel stories for future generations
• Creating a lasting legacy of your adventures through your diary

 Emotional Well-being

• Therapeutic benefits of journaling and expressing emotions
• Relieving stress and anxiety by writing about your travel experiences
• Finding solace and comfort in reminiscing about past journeys

A travel diary is a written account of your travel experiences,

documenting the places you’ve visited, the people you’ve met, and the adventures you’ve embarked upon. It serves as a personal record of your journeys, allowing you to reflect on your experiences, capture memories, and preserve them for years to come. While the digital age has made it easier to snap photos and share updates on social media, there is something uniquely special about putting pen to paper and chronicling your travels in a dedicated diary. In this blog post, we will explore the various benefits of keeping a travel diary and how it can enhance your travel experiences.

One of the primary benefits of keeping a travel diary is the ability to capture and preserve memories from your travels. While photographs can provide visual reminders of your adventures, a travel diary goes beyond the surface level. It allows you to document the finer details, emotions, and experiences that may not be captured in a photograph. By jotting down your thoughts and impressions in the moment, you can revisit your travel experiences years later and vividly relive the sights, sounds, and feelings you experienced at that time. Your travel diary becomes a time capsule of your adventures, enabling you to transport yourself back to those cherished moments.

A travel diary is not just a record of places you’ve been, but also a tool for personal growth and self-reflection. By taking the time to reflect on your experiences, thoughts, and feelings during your journey, you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and the world around you. As you write about the challenges you faced, the cultural encounters you had, and the lessons you learned, you develop a sense of self-awareness and empathy. Your travel diary becomes a platform for introspection, enabling you to gain insights, identify personal growth opportunities, and make meaningful connections between your experiences and personal development.

Enhancing Creativity

Keeping a travel diary can also stimulate your creativity and allow you to express yourself in unique and artistic ways. Through writing, you can employ descriptive language to paint a vivid picture of the destinations you’ve visited, the people you’ve met, and the landscapes that have left a lasting impression on you. You can choose words that evoke emotions and engage your readers, transporting them to the very essence of your experiences. Additionally, you can enhance your travel diary with drawings, sketches, or photographs, creating a visual representation of your adventures. This combination of words and visuals not only makes your travel diary more engaging but also serves as a creative outlet for self-expression.

Beyond its role as a creative outlet, a travel diary can be a practical tool for planning and organizing future trips. As you document your itineraries, note down recommendations, and record important contact information, your travel diary becomes a valuable resource for future reference. You can easily revisit your previous travels, extract useful information, and apply it to your upcoming journeys. Whether it’s remembering the name of a quaint café you stumbled upon or a tip from a fellow traveler, your travel diary acts as a reliable repository of knowledge that can enhance your future travel experiences.

Sharing and Preserving Stories

Sharing your travel diary with others is another rewarding aspect of keeping one. By sharing your experiences and insights, you can inspire and inform fellow travelers who may be planning their own adventures. Your travel diary becomes a source of inspiration, providing valuable recommendations, tips, and personal anecdotes that can enrich the journeys of others. Moreover, by preserving your travel stories in a physical or digital format, you create a lasting legacy of your adventures. Future generations can read your travel diary and gain a glimpse into the places you’ve explored, the cultures you’ve encountered, and the experiences that shaped you.

Writing in a travel diary can also have therapeutic benefits for your emotional well-being. Journaling, in general, has been shown to alleviate stress, reduce anxiety, and promote self-reflection. By expressing your thoughts, emotions, and experiences in your travel diary, you have a safe space to process and make sense of your journey. It allows you to celebrate your triumphs, work through any challenges you faced, and find solace and comfort in reliving past adventures. Your travel diary becomes a form of self-care, providing an outlet for emotional expression and a means of maintaining a positive mindset during your travels.

Keeping a travel diary offers a multitude of benefits that go beyond mere documentation. It serves as a vessel for capturing memories, fostering personal growth, enhancing creativity, and promoting emotional well-being. By reflecting on your experiences and expressing them through writing, you gain a deeper appreciation for your travels and a greater understanding of yourself. So, whether you prefer a traditional journal or a digital diary, starting or continuing a travel diary is a worthwhile endeavor that will enrich your travel experiences and leave you with a treasure trove of memories for years to come.

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Home | Travel | Bali Travel Diary

Bali Travel Diary

By Rachael Devaux

Sep 30, 2019, Updated Nov 06, 2023

This post may contain affiliate links. Please read our disclosure policy .

Bali sister trip. Where do I start? Let’s just say I started out having zero expectations of this small Indonesian island on the other side of the world… except that I’ve heard only the most amazing things from people who have visited before. Plus, it’s always been on my bucket list. It was a whirlwind trip as my sis, Maddie & I booked tickets a month in advance and I’m so happy we went when we did. September is the last month of their dry season and we had the best weather– high 70s-80s the entire time, with 70-90% humidity.

My sister’s been 5x before, including her second time this year so I knew if there was anyone to travel to Bali with, it would be her. She basically gave me a ‘highlights’ trip of all her favorite things she’s seen and done and I can confirm it was THE most incredible experience! Click here for all the deets on prices, stay, travel accommodations, etc.

To start, the travel days were wild. 26.5 hours from Seattle to our hotel in Canggu (“Chang-goo”)… definitely the longest travel day I’ve ever had, but I survived and surprisingly well rested from 9-10 hours of sleep. My secret? Take an overnight flight that coincides with your usual sleep time, bring noise-cancelling headphones, an eye mask, and a sickness mask for when you’re sleeping on large international flights (dramatic, I know but so common to see around airports these days). Our flight left at 1am, which, let’s be real is far behind my usual bedtime. In my eyes it’s 100% worth it to pay a bit more for at least premium economy, if you’re able to. We flew Cathay Pacific on the way there and initially only paid for basic economy, but they offer a bidding system in order to upgrade. To be honest, it’s weird and very much like gambling, but thankfully we were chosen to get the better seats and that helped for sure. We flew to Hong Kong first (14 hours), had a 4-hr layover, then another 5-hr flight to Denpasar, Bali.

After the long travel day from Seattle to Bali, it was time to get on their timezone. That’s always my best tip to beat jet lag. As much as you’d want to take a nap when you arrive at the hotel of your destination, don’t. You have to train yourself on the plane + when you land and stick it out until at least 8pm before going to bed. Trust me, it can ruin your schedule for the week if you don’t! Thankfully, we managed to beat jet lag this trip.

Our first stay of the trip was in Canggu, a chill but fast-paced little beach town an hour north of the airport. It took me about a day to get used to the chaos of motor bikes literally EVERYWHERE– to be honest, I don’t think I could trust myself to drive my own, but that’s the most common form of transportation there. It was such a cool place, I didn’t realize how much I loved it until we left and went to the next city.

Healthy cafes are everywhere you look. Shops, spas that offer 60-min foot rubs for $6 (insanity!!!), and gorgeous beaches make up the island. One of my favorite cafe’s right off the bat was Motion Cafe. It’s basically catered to my eating style and I was so there for it– sweet potato waffles, a paleo section, unsweetened options, chia pudding, eggs, greens, you name it. We got 3 drinks and 4 items from the menu and it was $23. WELCOME TO BALI . Seriously, the most expensive part about traveling to Bali is the flights, then once you get over there everything is so cheap/reasonably priced.

The people in Bali are shockingly nice. They laugh at everything and are so genuinely happy all the time. One thing that I loved was having a driver throughout our trip. We found him on Trip Adviser (book here- they’re about $40 per day for 10 hours) and the drivers are happy to take you anywhere and wait hours upon hours with your luggage wherever you want to stop to take a swim at the beach, go to dinner, tour the rice terrace, etc.

We stayed at The Slow hotel during our first 3 nights. It’s such a vibe with a very chill LA aesthetic in a great location in the heart of Canggu. Concrete floors, industrial feel, floor-to-ceiling windows, artisan ceramics, views of the town/greenery (they offer a couple private pool suite rooms– hoping they have availability next time!!). Our first full day I got a little workout in the hotel room, Good Sweat style. I love starting my days with even just 10-15 minutes of exercise or movement. It gives me energy and honestly wakes me up, plus it’s nice to keep your routine from home!

Later, we took a taski (taxi) to Seminyak, about 20 minutes away to go to Potato Head beach club. It was so much fun and a great place to tan/get some sun, chill on a daybed by the pool and ocean, get food, relax, etc. Get there early if you want a good spot! There’s also a spending limit for the daybeds– $1,000,000 Rupiah, or about $70 US dollars. The food was great, tons of healthy options. I definitely suggest making a stop here.

The following day we ate at Kynd Café, a vegan restaurant also in Seminyak. All the food was beyond!!! I mean, we clearly had to get everything on the menu.

*outfit from Bali– the shopping here is great!

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS (CANGGU + SEMINYAK): Beach Garden- Canggu Cafe organic- Canggu & Seminyak (pumpkin pesto toast) Cassava- Seminyak Clear Cafe- Canggu Crate- Canggu (chai latte & Chia pudding smoothie) Kynd Community- Seminyak Mad pops- Canggu (Vegan Ice cream) Mason- Canggu Milk and Madu- Canggu & Ubud Motel mexicola- Seminyak Nude Cafe- Canggu Peleton Supershop- Canggu Potato Head- Seminyak Revolver- Seminyak Shelter- Seminyak The Loft- Canggu & Uluwatu The Shady Shack- Canggu Tropikale- Canggu

Day three started early with breakfast at Crate in Canggu. The menu was everything– can you tell breakfast is my favorite meal of the day? We each got loaded toasts, mine with GF bread, and headed to Ubud with our driver + luggage for our second stop of our Bali trip.

About an hour and a half north into the rainforest, we finally got to Tegallalang Rice Terrace. This has to be one of the best highlights from everything we’ve done. It was so picturesque and potentially one of the most stunning places I’ve ever seen. Again, if you’re early anywhere in Bali, you’ll be sure to avoid the crowds of tourists. We got here around 8:30am when it was still pretty empty and had tons of time to capture all the photos we wanted.

Everything was magical about this place. There’s huge swings you can pay to strap into and swing right over the green landscape. You’re also free to walk all over the terrace and in between each landing. I’m dreaming about it and want to go back!

We drove up the street five minutes to tour the Bali Pulina, a coffee and tea plantation. They grow everything on property– vanilla bean, ginger, cinnamon, lemongrass, Luwak coffee (most expensive coffee in the world, click here to find out why). Unfortunately, it was clear that the Luwak’s were in the cages and not living in the best conditions 🙁

Checking into The Udaya Resort and Spa was a dream. It’s right in the middle of the forest and we had our own private pool outside our room (click here for our full itinerary). It had a small gym, I’m talking room for maybe two people, but also had an incredible bamboo hut on the top floor next to the gym where they host dinners, special events and yoga 3x a week in the mornings. The Kaveri Spa on property was incredible. Maddie got a 90-min Balinese massage, I got a 90-min deep tissue massage and we both shared a flower bath all for $95. Again, can we talk about the prices!!

Another must is a floating breakfast. I’m honestly wondering how I’ll ever be content with life again after experiencing this. How cool, right?!

While in Ubud you have to visit the Sacred Monkey Forest right in the center of town. Our hotel offered free shuttles back and forth, which was great because it was about a 10-minute drive into town, plus 20 minutes of walking to get to see the monkeys. They are vicious little ones so you have to be careful by not showing your teeth or making eye contact with them as they take it as a sign of aggression… I wish I was kidding. Don’t bring anything that dangles, either– they’ll grab it and run! Honestly, if you’re scared of monkeys you might want to skip this one, but I think it was fun to visit for a short time 😉

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS (UBUD): Alchemy Atman- vegan, GF, paleo options Casa Luna- Vietnamese food Clear Cafe Earth Cafe and Market Full Circle Milk and Madu Mokska- raw/vegan Mudra- small & more casual, sustainable Pica Restaurant Locavore Seeds of Life- raw, vegan, casual with amazing vegan desserts The Elephant Zest Ubud- sustainable and vegetarian, great views

ACTIVITIES: Bali Pulina Campuhan ridge walk- along deep river valley, good rice paddy views. Go early or at sunset Gunung Kawai temple Monkey forest Mt. Batur sunrise hike- can arrange for tour company to pick you up around 2am Tegallalang Rice Terrace The Yoga Barn Tirta empul water temple Ubud Market Ubud Yoga House Waterfalls- ask your driver or hotel for recs

ULUWATU + JIMBARAN

We left the rainforest after two nights to head south 1-2 hrs for the gorgeous white beaches and surf towns. Uluwatu was great– it wasn’t huge but has some of the best beaches, cafes and resorts on the island.

First thing’s first, if you’re in Uluwatu you have to go to The Loft for breakfast or lunch and Drifter right next door for breakfast, lunch or dinner!!  Some of the best food we had of the trip. All types of healthy options: nourish bowls, chia pudding, coconuts, smoothies, wellness lattes, GF lemon pancakes (!!!), it never ends! I was in heaven.

The Loft is super cute. Two locations- one also in Canggu and they have the same vibe. They sell some of my favorite ceramics I found in Bali, Cisco and the Sun. Hot tip: share an extra slightly empty check bag with someone on the way there and fill it with all the goodies you find in Bali! Clothes, kitchen things (straws, mugs, ceramics, bowls), jewelry, you name it.

Next, we hit Sundays Beach Club. It was beautiful– you arrive to the hotel at the top of a cliff, pay $45 per person for a towel and a spot on the beach, then take an inclinator down the cliff to the white sand beach. We were there around 9am before anyone else and got the best bean bag + umbrella situation on the beach overlooking the ocean. With your ticket, you’re given a $500,000 Rupiah credit for food & drink. They surprisingly have a fire menu– I ordered a watermelon salad with prawns, sauteed greens, a side of avocado, coconut water in a coconut, of course (it was the best I’ve ever had) and an unsweetened iced hibiscus tea.

I think we were the only ones on the beach with our umbrella folded down roasting in the sun… I mean come on, I live in Seattle and always feel the need to take advantage of the rays whenever I can. Of course, I’m always prepared with SPF 50.

The last leg in Bali included our stay at Rimba Jimbaran, a five-star resort on the west side. To be honest, we could have taken an additional 3 days just to explore the property. It’s massive. Three hotels make up the area and there’s so much to do and see– Rockbar in particular.

You take a trolley to the hotel next door, Ayana, and ride in another inclinator down the cliff to the most magical place to watch a sunset. Don’t forget to make reservations for the bar + restaurant next to the water (FYI if you’re not actually staying at any of the hotels they’ll sit you around/behind the rock without a view.. could be incentive enough just to stay there).

I wasn’t overly impressed with breakfast at the hotel. They didn’t have great options for gluten-free, dairy-free, vegan. I would much rather drive into town (Uluwatu) and grab breakfast at a café, but that’s just me 😉 I think if I were to change anything about the trip, I’d either stay just one night at Rimba or I’d add one night in Uluwatu at the end to be able to enjoy the resort. Oh, and they had such a nice gym! I was able to workout 3x during our stay, which immediately increases my mood + energy levels!

Our last night my sister brought me to about Single Fin, another beach club/surf town with the best views for sunset and to watch all the surfers.

FOOD RECOMMENDATIONS (ULUWATU + JIMBARAN): Breeze Cafe- great grilled fish Cashew Tree Drifter- breakfast, lunch or dinner. GF lemon pancakes! Drifter cafe- Uluwatu (Veggie coconut curry) Suka Espresso The Loft

ACTIVITIES: Bulgari Hotel Pdang Pdang beach Rock Bar- Jimbaran Sundays Beach Club

And just like that, our sister trip was over. We covered so much ground during those 8 days and I really felt like I got a great taste of Bali- the young & trendy town of Canggu, rainforest feel of Ubud and resort vibe of Jimbaran. I would 100% recommend the EXACT SAME trip to anyone! Click here for the perfect 8-day itinerary 🙂 Thanks to my sissy for showing me the best time!!

Categorized as: Travel , Travel

Welcome! I’m Rachael.

I enjoy sharing my love for food and fitness. I'm a registered dietitian, certified personal trainer, and a New York Times Bestselling author. Here you'll find all kinds of recipes and kitchen hacks, as well as workouts and fitness motivation. Enjoy! — xx Rachael

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6 Free Travel Journal Apps to Create a Beautiful Trip Diary

Use these free travel journal apps to note your thoughts, add photos, map your locations, and share your travel diary with friends.

They say that the trick to remembering anything you learn, think, or feel, is to write it down. Travelling is all about learning, thinking, and feeling, and these free travel journal apps make it easy for you to maintain a trip diary, which you can embellish with photos and share with friends.

1. Find Penguins (Android, iOS): Auto Track Your Travels and Post Updates for Friends

Find Penguins is a smart app that automatically tracks your movements during your trip, while your phone is in your pocket. It also updates the weather, temperature, and altitude, providing a quick snapshot of what the conditions were like that day.

All the data that the app gathers is presented in cool statistics and interactive maps. It's fun to see how you traveled represented on a map as a trail and posts about the noteworthy events. Find Penguins also updates your profile along the way, noting how many countries you went to, how many trips, and so on.

Each post in Find Penguins is called a footprint, which can include text, images, videos, or a combination of these. The app is a bit like using social media, and you can control who sees your posts. If you discover something you want to do while browsing a friend's feed, you can add it to your "bucket list" and save it for later. If you're traveling with someone else, you can add them to your trip to get joint updates on your statistics.

Download: Find Penguins for Android | iOS (Free)

2. Travel Facets (Web, Android, iOS): Turn Your Camera Roll Into an Automatic Album

Travel Facets turns all the photos you take on a trip into an organized album of your travels. The app reads the geotagging location data in each picture you've taken with your phone, matches the date and time with weather records, and maps out the trail. You won't have to lift a finger throughout this process.

Once the album is ready, you can edit it to add captions or additional data. These are called waypoints, and you can even add non-image waypoints manually to note something worthwhile.

You can also skip the entire automatic album maker and make a trip manually. You get more control over each waypoint and how it represents your trip. You'll want to use this mode if you want a robust travel diary, adding your thoughts to create a memorable journal.

Share albums with other Travel Facets users or privately so that only those with the link can see your trip.

Download: Travel Facets for Android | iOS (Free)

3. TravelMap (Web): Simplest Way to Create a Map of Your Travel Blog

Sometimes, you don't want the complexities of an app, social news feeds, auto-tagging, and all that jazz. Instead, all you want is to create a map where you add places of interest to plot your trail, along with photos and journal entries. TravelMap is that simple, free solution.

The simplicity of this web app is its best part. Sign up, create your mini-site with a unique address, and start creating your map. The map is your homepage, where you add places by searching or clicking placemarkers. You can always reorder these too.

Then, add images to your map or write posts and link them to the placemarkers you've already mapped. The result for a viewer is a neatly ordered map showing your journey, with a sidebar that displays images or posts to reveal more about your adventures.

The free version of TravelMap should be enough for most people, as its restrictions are still pretty high (like a maximum of 100 images). However, the premium version removes all such limitations if you need it. You can also check out a cool demo of TravelMap to see its full possibilities.

4. Jauntlet (Web, Android, iOS): Journal That Looks Like a Travel Blog Timeline

The Jauntlet web and mobile app look a bit dated compared to others in this list, but the final output looks so good that it deserves a recommendation. It's a mix of a travel journal and a travel blog, presenting your trip in a neat timeline.

When you sign up, Jauntlet asks you to also connect your Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram accounts. This lets the app import photos from your different profiles. When you make any new post of a city you've been to, add the location to plot it on a map, write a journal entry of what you saw and felt, and select photos to add to the entry.

The final result looks fantastic, as seen in the image above. It's a timeline of where you've been, showing a map on the left, the city and date at the top, and your thoughts and photos on the right. Viewers can also comment under the entry. The whole thing can be played as an automatic slideshow, taking readers through your entire journey.

Download: Jauntlet for Android | iOS (Free)

5. Travel Diaries (Web, Android,iOS): Create an Actual Diary and Optionally Print It

Travel Diaries is a free app to design what a travel journal of your trip will look like and optionally print it too. The app is a virtual open book where you can write beautifully formatted entries.

For each page, you can apply one out of 38 custom layouts, choosing how text and images will appear on the page. Based on the layout, select and upload images from your camera roll, and write text in the simple text editor.

Travel Diaries isn't the best app for on-the-fly travel journaling while you're on the trip. It's more a place to reflect on your journey and compose a good-looking travel diary that you would be proud to show to friends. If you like what you've created, you can pay to download a PDF of the journal or ask the app makers to print and ship the travel journal to you directly.

Download: Travel Diaries for Android | iOS (Free)

6. Traveldays (Web): Travelogue of Photos With Location, Time, and Captions

Traveldays is one of the best online photo album creators to show off your trips and vacations. It's shockingly easy to use, as it takes your photos and automatically turns them into a picture journey of your travels, almost like showing postcards or polaroids to friends.

Upload your pictures in the order you want, and Traveldays will seek their geotagging information to pin it to a Google Map. You can also write small captions on each image. Share the link with your friends, and you're done.

Try a Physical Travel Diary

So which travel journal app should you go for? There's no one-size-fits-all app here. As a rule of thumb, Find Penguins, Travel Facets, and Jauntlet can better log your thoughts while on the trip. TravelMap, Travel Diaries, and Traveldays are better to create a travel diary after you're back from the trip.

But as much as we love these apps, there is a case to be made to use a physical travel diary instead. Not only do many travelers swear by the little diary they carry with them, but How Life Unfolds offers a detailed guide on how to use a travel journal while you're on a trip to make it more memorable than ever before.

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10 Best Travel Journals for Digital Nomads 

10 Best Travel Journals for Writing Lovers Digital Nomads 

Best customizable travel journal , 1. voyager notebook peter pauper press.

Travel notebook details overview: 

• Page Count : 180 (60 x insert)
• Page Format : Dotted, lined, and blank page inserts
• Dimensions : 4.8 x 0.9 x 7.9 inches
• Ideal for : note-taking, designing, bullet journaling, lettering, and creative planning on the go

Best Leather and Refillable Travel Journals

2. robrasim refillable vintage leather travel journal.

• Page Count : 96 (32 double-sided pages x insert)
• Page Format : Lined, blank, or kraft page inserts
• Dimensions : 5.2 x 4, 6.7 x 4, and 8.5 x 4.5 inches
• Ideal for : note-taking, travel planning, bullet journaling, lettering

3. Wanderings Leather Travelers Notebook

• Page Count : 90 double-sided fountain-pen-friendly pages
• Page Format : Lined or blank page inserts
• Dimensions : Multiple options
• Ideal for : note-taking, travel planning, drawing, bullet journaling, lettering

Best Travel Journals For Long Trips 

4. lemome classic travel notebook with pocket + page dividers.

• Page Count : 180 double-sided fountain-pen-friendly pages
• Page Format : Lined pages
• Dimensions : 8.4 x 5.7 x 0.9 inches 
• Ideal for : writing, note-taking, travel planning, bullet journaling, lettering

5. Siixu Colorful Blank Notebook 

• Page Count : 192 pages
• Page Format : Colorful blank pages
• Dimensions : 5.3 x 7.2 inches 
• Ideal for : scrapbooking, painting, bullet journaling, lettering

6. Conda Hardcover Spiral Sketchpad 

• Page Count : 80 pages
• Page Format : Blank pages
• Dimensions : 0.85 x 1.1 inches
• Ideal for : painting, bullet journaling, lettering, travel planning 

Best For Short Trips 

7. parks project x field notes three-pack.

• Page Count : 48 pages
• Page Format : Graph Paper 3-Pack
• Dimensions : 3.5 x 5.5 inches 
• Ideal for : field notes, drawing, travel planning, bullet journaling, lettering

8. Moleskine City notebook

• Page Count : 220 pages
• Page Format : Blank and lined pages 
• Dimensions : 3.54 x 5.51inches 

9. Moleskine Hard Cover Travel Journal

• Page Count : 400 pages
• Dimensions : 5 x 8.25 inches 

Best Waterproof 

10. best weather-resistant: rite in the rain weatherproof side-spiral notebook.

• Page Count : 64 pages
• Page Format : Lined pages 
• Dimensions : 3.94 x 6.69 inches 

Last Thoughts About Travel Journals

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Three Days in Venice: My Venice Travel Diary

Venice was the last stop of our trip and it was definitely a highlight. It screamed romance and culture and I loved every second of it. We decided to make this the longest leg of our trip and I’m so glad we did. We were able to fit a lot in but definitely not everything so you better believe I plan on coming back.

Just like in Florence, there was so much history to take in but because this was our first time here and my first time in Italy, I really just wanted to focus on experiencing the culture and the people. We did lots of eating, lots of getting lost, lots of talking with locals and everything in between and to be honest, I wouldn’t have done my first time here any other way.

So, without further ado…the last on my Italy travel series: the Venice Travel Diary!

Watch the Venice Travel Diary!

Getting There

Because we were coming all the way back to Venice from Cinque Terre, the journey here was a little long. Five hours to be exact. We purchased our train tickets online before we left Atlanta. We had a few stops including La Spezia and Milan but each stop was only a few minutes. The trains were nice and we upgraded to first class when we could for a little extra legroom. It’s worth it if you ask me and only a few dollars more.

Once we got to the Venice train station, we took a water bus to the Rialto bridge stop and walked to our hotel from there. The water bus was about 8 euro and a really easy thing to navigate!

One of the first hotels I found when searching for a place to call home in Venice was Splendid . I fell in love with the peachy exterior, modern meets classic decor and optimal location. This was seriously one of the most charming hotels I think I’ve been to and I’m so glad we stayed here. The hotel was a 2 minute walk from San Marco square and a 3 minute walk to the Rialto bridge. We walked EVERYWHERE. We could catch a water bus if we wanted to go further but the location was just so perfect for us. We were also surrounded by tons of restaurants, shops and cafes.

The hotel itself was beautiful. The rooftop terrace was by far my favorite. I went up there on our last full day and took a solid two-hour nap under the sun with a bellini in hand. The breakfast each day was so fresh and the concierge was super helpful as we planned a few activities during our stay. Highly recommend this one guys!

Getting Around 

Venice is a walking/water city. No cars, buses, taxis, etc. They do however have two modes of water transportation: water taxis and water buses. Water buses are definitely the cheaper option but can get crowded. Water taxis start at around 50 euro and I personally couldn’t justify spending that much to go 10 or 15 minutes. We did, however, get a water taxi from our hotel to catch the ride for the airport so we could set our itinerary perfectly so we didn’t miss the flight. Everything else is walking!

Venice had some of my favorite pasta dishes by far. They’re known for their seafood but because that isn’t really my thing, I kept it simple and had lots of pomodoro, arrabiatta and cream sauce dishes. The Aperol Spritzes also used blood oranges which was a different twist compared to the ones we have previously on the trip.

We didn’t make reservations for any meals but did make a list of a few places we definitely wanted to visit. Harry’s Bar was our first stop and the bar/restaurant where the Bellini was invented. Harry’s still has all of it’s original decor and the bellinis were amazing…but they were way overpriced. 21 euro for one small glass. It was worth the experience but I wouldn’t plan to eat a full meal there because the food was even more pricey. We also stopped by Cafe Florian which is said to be the oldest cafe in the world! This is located in San Marco square and has some of the best ambiance. Live music, lots of food & beverage options and the best people watching.

We definitely did the most on this trip. Again, we didn’t get in as much of the history as we probably could have but we did A LOT.

To get in the sites, I highly suggest visiting San Marco’s Square. Tip: go early AF as in before 9am. It gets so crowded so if you want to truly experience it and take it all in without having selfie sticks shoved in your face every 5 seconds, get there as early as possible. Here you’ll also find St. Mark’s Basilica and Campanile di San Marco, both of which you’ll definitely want to visit. Make sure you get the skip-the-line passes online before you go! It’s so worth the few extra dollars. Get ready for amazing views of venice, y’all!

Another “touristy” thing we did was take a boat out to Murano which is known for the glass making. We got a tour of one of the glass factories and got to experience all that goes into handmade glass – SO cool. If you’re going to buy something, get your pockets ready because it isn’t cheap but they definitely have a few items that aren’t too expensive. We also went to the Gallerie dell’Accademia which was a beautiful museum not too far from San Marco square.

And obviously, we did a gondola ride. This was such a must when it comes to experiences but it was a little underwhelming. They’re pretty pricey and the canals get really crowded. The shortest tour which is 30 minutes cost 80 euros (about $100). Don’t get me wrong, it was worth it to say I’ve been in a gondola but I wouldn’t do it again unless I was on a romantic trip with bae. I have a feeling a sunset ride might be even better, maybe with some champagne!

What I Wore

Photos by Shelby Gordon

Great post! Everything about Venice seems wonderful. Of course Rome is always going to have a special place in my heart, but the architecture and ways of life on a water town seem so unique and amazing.

Tabitha https://shopsiloe.com/

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Travel Diary: Athens, Greece

I’m still on a high after two plus weeks traveling in Greece and Turkey! This post is the first in a series highlighting each city and country we visited. First up in this travel diary is Athens, Greece. As a gal who loves the beach, interesting European cities with amazing architecture and great food, Greece has been on my bucket list forever.

Athens, Greece

To get a feel for Athens, you have to go to the Plaka. The Plaka is a neighborhood in the shadow of the Acropolis and its ancient temples. The with narrow cobblestone streets lined with tiny shops selling jewelry, clothing, ceramics, sandals and the list goes on. There are also lots of sidewalk cafes and family-run tavernas that stay open late and serve up traditional Greecian fare of tomatoes and cheese, sardines and all kinds of fish fresh from the ocean.

Cafe Society

One of the things I love about traveling in Europe is the Cafe Society.  Athens did not disappoint. I had no expectations of Athens and sometimes that’s the best way to travel.  My husband had been before and wasn’t in love with the idea of spending a few days in Athens, but we’re both glad we did.  

The Athens of yesterday is long gone and in her place is a cosmopolitan city teeming with cafes, coffee shops/bars, shops and restaurants galore. 

The next time I come to Athens, I want to do a tour of the coffee shops.  You know I love a good latte, but Athens made an iced cappuccino drinker out of me. It’s HOT in Athens at the beginning of September.  I started each day with a hot latte at breakfast, but spending the mornings touring around in the heat called for caffeine in the form of an iced drink. A much needed pick me up served in a beautiful cut glass with the frothiest milk foam was a lovely treat.  Not to mention that sitting outside in one of the many cute chic coffee shops cum cocktail bars was the cherry on top.

Literally there were coffee shops next to coffee shops.  Definitely my kind of city!

What to buy in Athens?  Leather sandals and linen clothing. 

Greek Sandals

“ In ancient Greece  sandals  were the most common type of footwear. They were worn by both men and women. The  Greek sandals  had many straps which were used to securely be fastened the shoe to the foot. The top of the sandals were usually of colored leather and the soles were made of cattle skin and had many layers. Greeks were able to adapt footwear for every type of activity. They emphasized on  beauty ,  elegance  and  refinement . They considered shoes as an  adornment  of their feet. “

Grecian sandals harken back almost 40,000 years. There were a ton of handmade leather sandal shops in and around the Plaka. I settled on Christonia’s because our tour guide recommended the shop.  He said their sandals were some of the better quality sandals in the city.  All over the city you can find handmade leather sandals raining in price from about 36 euros to 45 euros.  I chose a traditional pair of Grecian gladiator sandals handmade in Crete.  I’d been eyeing a pair from Ancient Greek Sandals online and the store happened to be next to our hotel, but they were 4x the price, so I went with the “real” thing instead.

Like any city dependent on tourism, there are lots of shops to wade through in Athens, especially in The Plaka.  We found a great men’s shop called Grace’s carrying amazing linen shirts by the Greek company Free Linen Athens .  Their long sleeved and short sleeved linen shirts were just what my husband was looking for – they ranged in price from 63 to 69 euros.  And if you’re buying more than 1, they may be willing to bargain with you.

Coffee ‘Til Cocktails in Athens!

Coffee til cocktails is a real thing in Athens.  And I was all about it! A few years ago when we were traveling in Italy, I became fast friends with our bartender, Danilo Ponzone , at the Tiberio Palace in Capri .  He’s become like a brother from another mother.  Since then, Danilo has been named one of the World’s Best Bartenders and has hobnobbed with his counterparts around the world. I never travel without consulting Danilo for cocktail bar recommendations.  His Athens list did not disappoint!

The Clumsies

The Clumsies was our first stop when we landed, literally. Why? Our room wasn’t ready; definitely one of the downsides of choosing to stay at a boutique hotel. Lucky for us day drinking is a part of the Athenian culture! The Clumsies is in a somewhat non-descript building off of the Plaka – it’s a restaurant, coffee bar and bar bar. We learned first-hand that cocktail culture is alive and well in Athens! Each cocktail bar has their own list of signature cocktails with ingredients you might not think about for cocktails. Of course we had to try to their award winning Aegean Negroni ….. Todd and I both like gin, we both love Negronis and we both love fennel – we did not both love the Aegean Negroni. BUT, I’m so glad we tried it! The winner for us was The Greek Salad. Crazy as it may sound, this martini-like drink tasted exactly like a Greek Salad.

The 7 Jokers Coffee & Cocktail Bar

The name alone tells you why I loved this place! Yes, just like The Clumsies, The 7 Jokers is open all day and serves lattes along side some of the best constructed cocktails I’ve had. Plus, The 7 Jokers is run by some of the coolest female bartenders I’ve ever enountered! The cocktail menu changes seasonally and while they only have 10 drinks per season, those drinks are so well composed and thought through that you don’t need to order off menu. You can, but why would you? My last drink of the night was a deconstructed pina colada. It looked like a fancy bourbon cocktail, but it tasted just like the frothy creation I love sipping while poolside.

Baba Ah Rhum

Unlike its counterparts, Baba Au Rhum was not open for day drinking. We were hoping to stop in and have a drink before heading to the airport, but they were closed. It looks like a super cute spot. Danilo said they have great cocktails, so I have no doubt that they do! If you go, please let me know what you think!

Sight Seeing

When trekking to a city or country replete with history, I usually nerd out.  I didn’t have a lot of time to research Athens before we arrived, but I knew we were traveling to the heart of democracy which meant we had to go to the Acropolis. The Acropolis of Athens is a complete ancient Greek monumental complex, situated on a hill over 500 feet, that is still standing.

I’m not a big fan of crowds or long lines, especially in the heat!  The first time I went to Rome I was on my Bar trip. I got all the way to The Vatican, saw the lines and decided to skip it. I crossed my fingers that I’d get back one day on a non-student budget; I did and it was worth the wait.  

The Acropolis

That said, I was overwhelmed by the crowds at The Acropolis. Fortunately, we hired a great private tour guide who had us buy our tickets online the day before. And once we arrived at The Acropolis with our tour guide, we were able to skip the line. However, while we were able to bypass the tourists waiting for entry, we still had to contend with the crowds hiking up the mountain. The hike was serious, this was not a time for cute sandals, but more than the trek the heat almost took me out. The heat combined with the crowds – we learned from Nickos, our tour guide, that the cruise ship day trippers make up the majority of the folks there on any given day – was A LOT. It was what it was and we marched on.

The Parthenon is stunning. The Parthenon is a former temple on the Athenian Acropolis, Greece, that was dedicated to the goddess Athena during the fifth century BC. It was truly amazing to traverse up that hill to see the place where democracy, philosophy, theatre, freedom of expression and speech were born. We stood on the ground where the intellectual and spiritual foundation for our values and the world we live in was born. The fact that the Acropolis’ monuments, have survived for almost twenty-five centuries through wars, explosions, bombardments, fires and earthquakes is a testament to the incredible construction of the ancient engineers.

The Acropolis Museum

We went to The Acropolis Museum when we left The Acropolis. It might seem like overkill to some, but again if you like history, love to learn and are fascinated by ancient ruins you’ll find the museum enjoyable. The Acropolis Museum is an archaeological museum focused on the findings of the archaeological site of the Acropolis. The museum was built to house every artifact found on the rock and on the surrounding slopes, from the Greek Bronze Age to Roman and Byzantine Greece. Going to The Acropolis Museum immediately after leaving The Acropolis was perfect because it filled in the gaps. By that I mean, it was an opportunity to put all of the information we learned from our guide into perspective.

The Acropolis Museum is devoted to the Parthenon and its surrounding temples, it is cleverly perched above Athens like a luminous box. The large glass panes beautifully draw in the ancient and modern parts of the city, making it a truly evocative experience. Designed by New York’s, Bernard Tschumi, with local Greek architect Michael Photiadis, it is the perfect sanctuary for the  ancient artefacts  that were found in and around the  Acropolis  and successfully deconstructs how the  Parthenon sculptures  once looked to the citizens of ancient Athens.

The museum is extremely well-done and worth the time.

Athens Overview

Athens is a great small city to spend a few days in. If you’re planning a trip to Athens, here are a few things to consider:

Length of Stay: 3 full days is plenty of time to get a feel for the city

Private Tour Guide: Yes, worth the investment if you’re a history nut and want easy access to sites and museums.

Where to Stay: There are a good number of 5-Star and boutique hotels to choose from near and around the Plaka.

Stylishly Yours,

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Travel | glide memorial church co-founder cecil williams dead at 94, subscriber only, travel | top 10 u.s. vacation destinations from men’s journal includes a california charmer.

Looking for vacation inspiration? Men’s Journal recently ranked the best vacation destinations in the country, including everything from beach towns to gastronomic treasures and adventure-packed gems. It’s a coast-to-coast, border-to-border array of 50 tempting spots, complete with tips on when to go, where to stay and what to do — and eat — while you’re there.

The top spot goes to Ouray, a Colorado mountain town the magazine editors say feels “like you’ve stepped foot in a live-action REI commercial.” But California gets several sensational shout-outs, starting with the coastal town of SLO — San Luis Obispo — at No. 3, thanks to its balmy temperatures, small town vibe and proximity to surfer-friendly beaches, rolling vineyards and winery tasting rooms.

San Francisco comes in at No. 14, with a must-see list that hits all the biggies — the Golden Gate Bridge, the California Academy of Sciences, Alcatraz and all the other places tourists congregate, snap photos and chatter about “San Fran,” the SoCal sobriquet that makes locals shudder. (Hmm, do the denizens of Los Angeles — No. 11, by the way — roll their eyes when we refer to “SoCal”?)

Also on the SoCal list: San Diego, with its 70 miles of soft, sandy beaches and lush, museum-packed Balboa Park, sits at No. 21.

You’ll find all 50 destinations, complete with restaurant and sightseeing tips, at www.mensjournal.com/travel/. Meanwhile, here’s a peek at the top 10:

10 Best Vacations in the U.S.

1 Ouray, Colorado

2 Chattanooga, Tennessee

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4 New Orleans, Louisiana

5 Bend, Oregon

6 Boise, Idaho

8 Sedona, Arizona

9 Washington, D.C.

10 Portland, Maine

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Electrostal History and Art Museum

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Claudia Looi

Touring the Top 10 Moscow Metro Stations

By Claudia Looi 2 Comments

Komsomolskaya metro station looks like a museum. It has vaulted ceilings and baroque decor.

Hidden underground, in the heart of Moscow, are historical and architectural treasures of Russia. These are Soviet-era creations – the metro stations of Moscow.

Our guide Maria introduced these elaborate metro stations as “the palaces for the people.” Built between 1937 and 1955, each station holds its own history and stories. Stalin had the idea of building beautiful underground spaces that the masses could enjoy. They would look like museums, art centers, concert halls, palaces and churches. Each would have a different theme. None would be alike.

The two-hour private tour was with a former Intourist tour guide named Maria. Maria lived in Moscow all her life and through the communist era of 60s to 90s. She has been a tour guide for more than 30 years. Being in her 60s, she moved rather quickly for her age. We traveled and crammed with Maria and other Muscovites on the metro to visit 10 different metro stations.

Arrow showing the direction of metro line 1 and 2

Moscow subways are very clean

To Maria, every street, metro and building told a story. I couldn’t keep up with her stories. I don’t remember most of what she said because I was just thrilled being in Moscow.   Added to that, she spilled out so many Russian words and names, which to one who can’t read Cyrillic, sounded so foreign and could be easily forgotten.

The metro tour was the first part of our all day tour of Moscow with Maria. Here are the stations we visited:

1. Komsomolskaya Metro Station  is the most beautiful of them all. Painted yellow and decorated with chandeliers, gold leaves and semi precious stones, the station looks like a stately museum. And possibly decorated like a palace. I saw Komsomolskaya first, before the rest of the stations upon arrival in Moscow by train from St. Petersburg.

2. Revolution Square Metro Station (Ploshchad Revolyutsii) has marble arches and 72 bronze sculptures designed by Alexey Dushkin. The marble arches are flanked by the bronze sculptures. If you look closely you will see passersby touching the bronze dog's nose. Legend has it that good luck comes to those who touch the dog's nose.

Touch the dog's nose for good luck. At the Revolution Square station

Revolution Square Metro Station

3. Arbatskaya Metro Station served as a shelter during the Soviet-era. It is one of the largest and the deepest metro stations in Moscow.

Arbatskaya Metro Station

4. Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station was built in 1935 and named after the Russian State Library. It is located near the library and has a big mosaic portrait of Lenin and yellow ceramic tiles on the track walls.

Lenin's portrait at the Biblioteka Imeni Lenina Metro Station

5. Kievskaya Metro Station was one of the first to be completed in Moscow. Named after the capital city of Ukraine by Kiev-born, Nikita Khruschev, Stalin's successor.

Kievskaya Metro Station

6. Novoslobodskaya Metro Station  was built in 1952. It has 32 stained glass murals with brass borders.

Novoslobodskaya metro station

7. Kurskaya Metro Station was one of the first few to be built in Moscow in 1938. It has ceiling panels and artwork showing Soviet leadership, Soviet lifestyle and political power. It has a dome with patriotic slogans decorated with red stars representing the Soviet's World War II Hall of Fame. Kurskaya Metro Station is a must-visit station in Moscow.

Ceiling panel and artworks at Kurskaya Metro Station

8. Mayakovskaya Metro Station built in 1938. It was named after Russian poet Vladmir Mayakovsky. This is one of the most beautiful metro stations in the world with 34 mosaics painted by Alexander Deyneka.

Mayakovskaya station

One of the over 30 ceiling mosaics in Mayakovskaya metro station

9. Belorusskaya Metro Station is named after the people of Belarus. In the picture below, there are statues of 3 members of the Partisan Resistance in Belarus during World War II. The statues were sculpted by Sergei Orlov, S. Rabinovich and I. Slonim.

10. Teatralnaya Metro Station (Theatre Metro Station) is located near the Bolshoi Theatre.

Teatralnaya Metro Station decorated with porcelain figures .

Taking the metro's escalator at the end of the tour with Maria the tour guide.

Have you visited the Moscow Metro? Leave your comment below.

January 15, 2017 at 8:17 am

An excellent read! Thanks for much for sharing the Russian metro system with us. We're heading to Moscow in April and exploring the metro stations were on our list and after reading your post, I'm even more excited to go visit them. Thanks again 🙂

December 6, 2017 at 10:45 pm

Hi, do you remember which tour company you contacted for this tour?

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