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Inspiring Words and Incredible Images: How to Combine Them in Travel Content

Here at World Words, we pride ourselves on our top-notch, insightful travel content. It’s what we do… bring far-flung destinations to life with the awesome power of the written word. Unlike content in many industries, travel content is about far more than facts and figures; it must be snappy and concise while offering a deeper level of description that evokes sensations and drives wanderlust. It needs to tell a story. And like all memorable stories, content works best when the expertly-crafted words are accompanied by complementary and beautiful images.

Although we may specialise in writing, we understand how startling imagery can bring your content to life. And it works best of all when words and images work in tandem. So here are top tips for combining the two art forms…

Reading travel content is a commitment from the reader; it takes time to read a good article. Looking at an image, however, is a completely different type of interaction. It is quick and involuntary, in which the briefest of glances can capture the attention and transport the viewer across the world. Images leap out of the screen and nowhere is this truer than on travel related websites. The gleaming and iconic Eiffel Tower bathing Paris in its golden hue, the steppes of Mongolia’s Gobi Desert stretching interminably into a blue horizon, or the passion etched across the face of a devout Christian as they step inside Jerusalem’s Church of the Holy Sepulchre: they all tell a story.

Content and imagery: a match made in heaven The power of images is well known, with the rise of social media sites such as Instagram and its 300 million users vouching for this. Indeed, studies have shown that people will only retain 20 percent of what they read yet 80 percent will remember something they have seen. So why bother with content at all, I hear you ask? Well, the use of images and content together is a delicate yet powerful art form. Yes, images are integral in web design, and in travel their appeal is obvious. But without the accompanying words, they can confuse readers. Why is this image relevant? What is it telling me? Where is this place? Think of it like watching the television with the mute button on.

Evocative images are bait to lure your readers, while it’s the written content that really hooks them, giving them all the salient information about the destination or brand and answering their questions. Imagery can then also play an important part in illustrating aspects of the written content in the article, which in turn gives the images context.

So now we know the value or marrying great written travel content with complementary images, what’s the best way to go about it? There are several forms of content in which the two go naturally hand-in-hand. Here are a few:

Images to illustrate feature articles, guides or blogs Images used to illustrate travel articles, guides and blogs can deliver an undeniable punch and drive home the message. Yet the key is to ensure the images enhance the story you’re telling, and don’t just fill a space. Many guides to well-known destinations use similar imagery – for example, a guide to Rome will often be illustrated with a picture of the Colosseum. But sometimes, going against the grain and using a less iconic image is a better way to draw people’s attention. Take the image at the top of this blog post: that’s a staircase in the Vatican Museums. And the picture directly above? That’s the spectacular Ponte Vittorio Emanuele II in Rome. These images are intriguing and surprising, capturing the readers’ attention and drawing them to the words for further explanation.

Images to brighten up round-ups and Top 10 lists Top 10 or Best Of lists, slideshows and round-ups are wonderful bite-sized nuggets for travel hungry readers, and images play an integral role. Say you are writing a piece about the Top 10 Places to See Animals in the Wild. An image showing the gleaming eyes of a Sumatran tiger wading through Bangladesh’s mangrove swamps is thrilling and intriguing. The written content then delivers on the promise of that image, offering information and inspiration in equal measure and getting readers’ feet itching. Together, the images and the words bring the story to life.

The picture-perfect Pacific island nation of Palau is home to some of the healthiest coral reefs in the world, along with a veritable fleet-full of World War II wrecks, making it one of the planet’s premier scuba diving destinations.

Simple, snappy captions to contextualise images Captions are often taken for granted, but to summarise a destination in a sentence is no easy feat. Clever content writers can answer every question someone might have about an image in a single sentence, getting to the core of the destination’s appeal, and even telling a story about the image in just a few words. Even when it might seem obvious what an image is depicting, there’s always some ‘invisible’ information behind the visible image, so you can add to the audience’s experience by captioning it. There’s also the small matter of it helping with your SEO.

As an example, look at the image above. Without the caption, would you know Palau was a scuba diving hotspot? Would you even know this image depicts Palau? A beautiful image, plus well-written words, is a powerful combo.

We use images throughout all of our travel content writing advice blogs, so why not take a look at some of our earlier examples here . You can also see how we use great imagery in our various project work and on Twitter .

– Article written and photos sourced by Samantha Wilson, a staff travel content writer at World Words. Images by Pixabay . A version of this article was originally published in May 2016 and you can read the original article here .

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6 examples of gorgeous travel writing

Inspiration to help your next travel blog, guidebook, or article stand out from the crowd.

We live on a wondrous, ever-changing planet— from alpine lakes and cloud forests to ancient cobblestoned cities.

The best travel writers can transport readers to these far-flung destinations, and to introduce them to new cultures and experiences. When done well, travel writing can be an insightful, thought-provoking and even life-changing genre of writing.

And with interactive content platforms, it’s possible for travel writers to create truly immersive reading experiences online. In this guide, we introduce six ideas — and examples of travel writing — to help you create beautiful, interactive travel stories.

Whether you're a beginner travel writer, a publisher, destination marketer, or freelance travel blogger, we've got plenty of inspiration to get you started.

What do the BBC, Tripadvisor, and Penguin have in common? They craft stunning, interactive web content with Shorthand. And so can you! Publish your first story for free — no code or web design skills required. Sign up now.

The features of great travel writing

The best travel writing is unique, but there are still some general guidelines you’ll want to follow to make your travel writing stand out from the pack. Here are some travel writing tips to help you compete with the best examples of the genre.

• Have a point of view. Great travel writers — from the travel books of Bill Bryson and John Steinbeck to the documentaries of Paul Theroux — all have very specific points of view that are difficult to copy. Find your voice, and your travel articles will truly sing.
• Take great photos. The best travel writing is visually immersive, using high resolution images and video to engage the reader’s senses. Even if you’re not creating a photo essay , modern travel writing relies of great visual assets.
• Use multimedia content where you can. If you can, create audio and video assets, too, and consider building out your story with a digital storytelling platform to use interactive features. Embed podcasts and clips to keep the reader engaged.
• Learn from the best. Keep track of longform feature stories in the New York Times and the Washington Post, and steal their techniques. (Good travel writers borrow, great travel writers steal, to butcher TS Eliot.)
• Create a beautiful web presence. We love the print Lonely Planet travel guides, but these days you need to produce stunningly engaging content on the web. Standards are high, but you’d be amazed what you can do with modern interactive content platforms.
• Provide a sense of adventure — even if you’re not strictly doing ‘adventure travel’. Whether you’re writing a first person travel memoir or writing about your backpacker’s trip through the Amazon, you want to keep your reader engaged with your travel experiences.
• Make it educational. Teach the reader something new about the world they’re exploring.
• Edit your work. The best travel writers kill their darlings and pay attention to details — hello, commas — knowing that this is how the best work is created.

Want to improve the efficiency of your writing process? Check out our list of the best writing tools .

Inspire readers and move them to action by exploring a location's unique history and culture. By focusing on just one place, your readers get the chance to experience it deeply through your words and imagery.

Intrepid Travel's Shorthand story 'Welcome to Olkola Country' is simple, yet effective. The highlight of the story is its elegant writing — a blend of reporting and personal narrative that explores the history, culture, and ecology of an ancestral land of the Olkola people in Australia. The story is elevated with thoughtful photos and videos, and ends with a call to action for the newly-inspired reader.

Looking for more inspiration? Check out our roundup of ten stunning photo essay examples .

The right images can make a story feel polished and inspired.

2 . Time travel

Taking readers back through historical moments is a great way to achieve more depth in your stories.

In the story The Museum of Atari, Mario and Electronic Childhood Dreams , Channel News Asia uses Shorthand to create a stunning visual story about a little-known museum of retro video games in Singapore. The highlight of the story is an interactive scrollytelling timeline about the history of video games, which is created using the Shorthand Reveal feature and animates a pixel character as the reader scrolls.

Our Reveal section allows animations like this to be controlled by the reader's scrolling.

3 . Immerse your reader

When words and photos simply aren't enough to convey the complexity of a travel story, add another layer of reader engagement using various forms of media.

The Sydney Opera House story  A Guide to Dance Rites uses multimedia to bring indigenous culture to life. With elements like animation, slideshows, and embedded audio clips, readers can feel fully immersed in one of Australia's most traditional dance competitions.

Embed your own code to add further customisation to your story.

With Shorthand, remember that you always have the option to add custom HTML to add further customisations to your stories. See a list of our recommended third party tools in this support document .

4 . Just the highlights

Not every trip allows for the luxury of time. In order to get the point across, sometimes a quick and to-the-point listicle is all that's necessary to deliver a clear and time-efficient message.

Mansion Global's story 6 Cities, 6 Continents takes a quick jaunt around the world to some of the best cities to buy a dream vacation home. The destinations are all tied together by an interactive map that tracks a route between the cities — a creative use of the Shorthand Reveal section .

Interactive maps can help connect different locations in your story.

5 . Keep it practical

Travel stories don't always need to inspire wanderlust or transport readers to far-flung destinations. Some of the most effective and important travel stories simply provide practical advice — whether that's how to exchange currency, say "thank you" in a foreign language, or avoid danger.

Travel Weekly's story Traveling While Female explores how female travellers can stay safe, and uses data to stress the importance of improving women's safety abroad. By displaying the data as interactive graphics, Travel Weekly draws extra emphasis to key statistics.

Make your data memorable by giving it special emphasis.

6. Zoom out

When you've written a couple of beautiful travel stories, what's next?

Tie together your creative vision by consolidating your stories into a single landing page. You can use Shorthand to create a home for all of your stories, whether that's by using our Collection section or by including links in other section types.

For example, Luxury Travel nests all of their feature content within a Shorthand story. The page takes advantage of our media-rich sections to create a scrolling archive of their beautiful travel stories.

Consolidate your features in a single Shorthand story.

There are myriad ways to turn a Shorthand story into a landing page. Here's another example from Perth Now, which takes a simple, colourful approach.

There are many ways to customise a Shorthand story to serve as a landing page.

Creating a unique online travel story can seem like a daunting task, but Shorthand's many easy-to-use features exist to help make your stories exceptional. There are thousands of destinations waiting to be written about, and we can't wait to see where your stories take us next.

Publish your first story free with Shorthand

Craft sumptuous content at speed. No code required.

Team Wanderlust | 12 June 2020

13 travel writing prompts to inspire you.

Use these travel writing prompts, initially created as part of the Wanderlust Writing Challenge, to help inspire your writing, dream up new story ideas, or simply get your creative juices flowing...

Welcome! You've landed on Wanderlust 's travel writing prompts. Hopefully, you're sat at your laptop (or have your pen in hand) and are ready to write.

Originally created for the Wanderlust Writing Challenge, these prompts are designed to help you flex your writing muscles. All of them will help you to explore past travels as something to write about, and hopefully spark a few ideas for future stories, articles and journal entries.

Don't forget to let us know if you've used one of our writing prompts. Tell us  @wanderlustmag on Twitter , or on Facebook . To find about the Writing Challenge, and when the winners will be announced, head here . 

Explore your senses

Nothing like the sight - and sound - of a lion on safari (Shutterstock)

For your first prompt, let’s open up the senses. Write no more than three sentences about one of your favourite destinations. Include all five senses in your description.

What can you see, hear and smell? Was the sun shining, and did you smell crisp, clear fresh air? Were cars whizzing past in a bustling city centre, or were you struck by the wild roar of a lion on safari? What did you eat while you were there – how delicious (or not-so-delicious) did it taste? Did you touch anything – how did it feel?

Save your sentences in a safe place, like a Notes folder or a Word Doc, so you can refer back to them.

Describing people

Practice writing about people (Shutterstock)

Often, our travels involve meeting kind strangers or quirky characters. Before you write about them, it might be easier to describe someone you know. Pick someone you’re close to – be it a travel companion, a friend at home, a family member, etc – and write out 10 words you’d use to describe them.

Think about their personality, the way they walk and talk, their laugh, not just their physical appearance. Now take two or three of those descriptors, and use them in a line or two about the person.

Reflect: Looking back, do you think you chose the best adjectives? Have any others popped into your head today, maybe that would be suited to describing the people you met on the road? Write them down and keep them somewhere you can look back on.

A picture tells 1,000 words

Today's prompt requires reflecting on travel photographs (Shutterstock)

Whether print or digital, pull out your last (pre-lockdown) travel photo. Take a good long look at it – what’s happening in the shot?

Write a short account of that experience, just before and just after you snapped the photo. As much as you like, but a few lines is more than enough. What was it like? What were you doing? How do you feel about that experience looking back now?

Don’t worry about trying to make it sound ‘fancy’ – instead, imagine you’re recounting the experience to a friend or fellow traveller.

Reflect: Did you find it easier to write when you imagined telling the story to someone? Or harder? It’s great to journal and record travel experiences for yourself, but your entry at the end of the challenge is about writing a story for other people – friends, and fellow travellers – read and enjoy.

Sentence starter

Not sure where to begin? Try this sentence starter (Shutterstock)

As  we've learned , an engaging first line and paragraph is important for hooking the reader's attention. Especially when it comes to travel writing. So, h ere's a sentence starter to get you going.

Try starting a piece of writing with the sentence:  Of all the things that could have gone wrong, this could only happen to me.  You'll need to revisit a trip that didn't quite go to plan to make it work.

Conversations

Inside a market in Fes, Morocco (Shutterstock)

When we're travelling for ourselves, we don't often think to make a note of the conversations we have, though professional travel journalists and authors will often take a notebook and note conversations, times, dates and places.

For the latest prompt, try to write up what you remember of an interaction with a local, or a fellow traveller, from any past adventure you've been on. Where were you: haggling in a market? Meeting at a restaurant? What do you remember them saying, exactly? Can you only remember the outline of what they said? If so, jot it down.

What was it about? How did they describe things? Did you learn something from the conversation, and if so, how would get that across subtly in your writing, without saying it outright? Imagine how you'd recall the conversation to a friend or colleague, and try to write it that way.

Write as much or as little as you like. Keep your writing somewhere safe, so you can refer back to it.

Highs and lows

Kayaking through Lan Ha Bay? Definitely a high point (Shutterstock)

On any trip, no matter how spectacular, there'll be high points and low points. You may be ticking off a bucket list adventure, or enjoying one of the world's great wonders, but nobody is immune to the annoyance of a delayed flight or missing suitcase.

Ups and downs are still part of our travel experience, whether we like it or not. So, decide which trip you'd like to write about (surely, when you think of a 'low point', one springs to mind?) and try to take your reader on a short journey, starting with the lowest point.

The purpose? To help you write a knockout ending - with the 'pay off' being the absolute highlight of the trip. What went wrong, and how did you get past it? Was it all worth it in the end?

What's the weather?

A rather angry-looking Sydney lightning storm (Shutterstock)

Picture the worst weather you’ve experienced on your travels: biting cold, stifling heat or endless flurries of rain. How did it feel? Did you get drenched? Maybe it was so severe you had to seek shelter, or find a water supply?

Write as much or as little you like for this prompt, but you must start with a straight-into-the-action description of the weather around you.  See where that takes you.

If describing the weather doesn't come naturally, make an attempt to one instance of pathetic fallacy. It's a writing technique where you attribute a human emotion or feeling to something in nature, like an animal or, indeed, the weather. Here's an example: The sandstorm raged on.  Often, it mirrors the narrator's own feelings.

Sentence starter #2

What's the kindest thing anyone's ever done for you? (Shutterstock)

No pressure to remember conversations or practice literary techniques for today’s prompt! Phew . Today, we just want to focus on the kindness of strangers, which was also our theme for the  Wanderlust Writing Challenge.

Simply begin a short (or long - up to you) piece of writing about your life, leading on from:   The kindest thing anyone has ever done for me is…

Reflect: How did this prompt go down? And was your experience connected to travel, or was it something that happened in your home life? We'd love to know, tell us on Twitter , Instagram or Facebook

Pack your bags

Write about packing for a trip (Shutterstock)

Wherever you travel, however you travel, and no matter how long you travel for - packing for your trip is essential. Today's prompt is all about turning that unavoidable constant into something a bit more creative. It's simple: write as much or as little as you like about a packing for a recent trip. 

Ever packed for a long weekend the night before, and argued with your travel companion about a misplaced passport? Felt overwhelmed by a to-do list for a trek or three-month expedition, and forgotten most everything on it?

How do you feel when you pack: are you calm and excited for the adventure ahead, or do you feel wistful as you come across old plane tickets and paper maps, as you re-pack your trusty travel case? Perhaps you simply hate this part of travel, and want to (comedically) vent your frustration. Put it all down on paper, and see where that takes you.

Sentence starter #3

Where did you last land? Time to tell the story (Shutterstock)

Keeping it simple with another sentence starter. Write as much or as little as you like about a travel experience, following on from: As soon as I landed in... 

A seafood barbecue by the Mediterranean Sea (Shutterstock)

Foodie travellers, rejoice! This prompt is for you. Your challenge is to write a few lines, a short paragraph, about a particularly enjoyable foodie experience you've had.

A  region or country's cuisine is part of its culture, and for lots of us, a big part of our travel experience. So, aim for lots of vivid detail: what were your surroundings? Was it made by a local chef?  What did you eat? What ingredients could you taste?

Was when you ate it important (say, after a challenging hike), and how did it make you feel? And important, did you dare to try the national tipple after your meal? 

The Simien Mountains in Ethiopia (Shutterstock)

Describe the most breathtaking, awe-inspiring landscape you've ever witnessed, putting our travel writing tips into practice.

Don't fall into the trap of over-fluffing your descriptions, with fancy words you'd never use in daily life. At the same time, make a real effort to avoid these  all-too-common travel writing phrases . Time to stretch your vocabulary. Write as much or as little as you like, but aim for at least a few lines.

Reading your work

An Arctic village. Will you describe the people, the food, the landscape - or all three? (Shutterstock)

Your writing prompt today isn't about writing. It's about reading, which is incredibly important if you want to be a travel writer. Not just the work of others, but your own work, too.

Firstly, give yourself a pat on the back if you're here and you've used some of these prompts – challenging yourself to write when you're just starting out or are starved for inspiration isn’t easy! 

Secondly, read through what you've written based on these prompts. Choose your favourite piece of writing and continue it - write the full story, flesh it out and see where it takes you. Enjoy.

P.S. Do let us know if you would like us to keep updating this article with more prompts. W e always love to hear from you  at [email protected].

More travel writing inspiration to enjoy:, how to describe people in your travel writing, 10 classic (and expert) writing tips for travel articles, related articles, looking for inspiration.

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30 Top Travel Photography Blogs for 2024

As a passionate traveller, photographer and blogger, I’m always looking for inspiration. I love looking at travel photography blogs to learn more about new places, see what other people are doing, and pick up tips and ideas for my own work.

Contents (click to view)

And when travel is a challenge, the cost of living is too high, flights are expensive or you just can’t get the time off work, exploring via travel blog photos is the best way to feed your wanderlust.

And there are LOADS out there! When you stop to look at just a few, you’ll see there’s an astonishing number of highly-talented, hugely creative people pouring their heart and soul into their travel photography blogs, creating gorgeous content and then putting it out into the world for you and I to enjoy, free!

But of course the downside to that is that if you’re looking for travel photographers to follow, the choice can be overwhelming! Where do you even begin?

Choosing the best travel blogs

That’s why I’ve collated this list of amazing travel photography blogs to start you off. It’s not exhaustive by any means, but I think it gives you a fantastic taste of the kind of talent that’s out there.

The bloggers in this list are a mix of nationalities, ages, and specialisms, some are full-time professional travel photographers or travel bloggers, others do it for the love, but they all share one thing in common: they’re some of the best and most gifted content creators working today.

In their own words they’ve described how they created their travel photography blogs and what you can expect from their travel blog pictures, so you should definitely be able to find plenty in here to fuel your wanderlust and give you tips for your own travel photography .

So without further ado, in no particular order (but starting with my own because why not?!), here they are: 30 Beautiful Travel Photography Blogs to Inspire you in 2024.

Passport & Pixels

Passport & Pixels is a travel and photography blog created by Bella (that’s me!), a TV documentary filmmaker , photographer and travel writer from London. An adventurer with an eye for colourful places and characters, Bella’s main interests are wildlife , candid street portraits , and off-the-beaten-track destinations .

Her passion for adventure has taken her to places as far-flung as Guatemala , Uganda , Myanmar , Morocco , Kenya , Botswana and even Antarctica , from where she brings back gorgeous and colourful images that have earned her numerous awards and award nominations, including winning Best Photography at the Travel Media Awards 2020 and being shortlisted five times for the prestigious international Wildlife Photographer of the Year Awards .

Her photography has also been published in National Geographic Traveller, Wanderlust, JRNY magazine, The Great Outdoors, Discover Britain, Travel Africa and BBC Wildlife Magazine among others.

Bella shares her photos and the stories behind them on this amazing travel blog, as well as offering travel advice and tips on how to improve your own travel and wildlife photography .

Feel free to stick around and explore this site using the dropdown menus above, or scroll on down to find many more stunning travel photography blogs to awe and amaze you.

Read more: 25 Spectacular Places To Visit For Travel Photography

The Diary of a Nomad

The Diary of a Nomad is a travel photography blog with a special focus on unique, lesser-visited destinations. It was launched in 2020 by Jiayi Wang, whose photography style is a mixture of colorful and dreamy, usually characterized by symmetry and leading lines. 

The Diary of a Nomad showcases incredibly detailed and comprehensive travel guides for countries that aren’t on most tourists’ radars, such as Azerbaijan, Iran, and Pakistan. Jiayi’s passion is to help bridge cultural gaps and show the warmth and beauty of these destinations through inviting photography .

There’s a large variety of photography on The Diary of a Nomad, including landscapes, architecture, and street photography. With that said, Jiayi’s most treasured work are her photos of Uzbekistan’s jaw-dropping mosques and madrasahs. These images have been featured on various media outlets such as Lonely Planet, Condé Nast Traveller, and USA Today, and have made Jiayi even more passionate about what she does.

Check out Jiayi’s Uzbekistan photos and much more at The Diary of a Nomad  

The Evolista

After a career in entertainment advertising for 15 years, Jen and Guy’s passion for adventurous vacations around the world turned into a full fledged adventure travel blog called The Evolista. It made perfect sense because these two have traveled to 40+ countries and all 50 states.

Their travel is all about bucket list experiences, whether it’s ballooning in Turkey, riding camels across the Sahara or walking the Great Wall in China. They love meeting interesting people and actively seeing as much of the planet as possible. You’ll find them catching sunrise in the Wadi Rum desert, or trying to talk to people who don’t speak their language, but not by the pool at an all inclusive beach hotel.

Their photography is about capturing the feeling of the experience so that readers can see themselves in various locations. Jen is usually the explorer and Guy is capturing the moment.

With no prior photography experience in a world full of professional photographers, Guy just keeps taking it to the next level and trying to up his photo game. That has involved a crazy drone crash and waking up before the crack of dawn more times that they care to admit, all in hopes of getting that perfect shot.

Find Jen and Guy at The Evolista

Waffles and Lamingtons

Theo and Lynsey met while both travelling solo through the backpacking paradise that is Central America , so Waffles and Lamingtons was born as a passion project. A way of sharing their enthusiasm for photography in some of t he most beautiful places in the world .

Originally from Australia and Belgium, the couple are constantly on the look out for their next adventure with a special appeal for those countries that provide an unfamiliar cultural experience.

While their amazing travel blog has a clear focus on photography, Lynsey and Theo also compose stories from their travels. Their writing provides both a factual guide to exploring the destination and a personal account of their experience in that country. Reading their blogs provides just the detail needed to prepare you for your next adventure.

Having recently spent a considerable amount of time exploring Morocco ’s labyrinth-like medinas and the dramatic landscapes of Iceland , the couple’s unique representation of the extremities that come within these countries beautifully represents their work.

Check out their travel photography blog at Waffles and Lamingtons .

Wander-Lush

Founded in 2015 by Australian journalist Emily Lush, Wander-Lush is a culture-focused travel blog that aims to shine a light on lesser-visited destinations in the South Caucasus, the Balkans, and Southeast Asia. With a background in fair trade and international development, Emily’s driving goal is to promote sustainable community tourism in these regions.

Alongside detailed, thoughtful travel guides that focus on small businesses and culturally immersive experiences, Wander-Lush has become a platform for visual storytelling. Emily is a self-taught photographer whose passion for street photography , portraits, and capturing architecture has developed organically as her blog has grown. As a writer who’s accustomed to hiding behind her laptop, learning to step out into the world with her camera has been a life-changing process.

As a traveller, Emily loves learning about different cultures through traditions, festivals, foods, handicrafts and material cultures – and these are the topics you can often find documented on her beautiful travel blog. Her photography has also been published by Conde Nast Traveller, CNN Arabic, Passion Passport, Elle Vietnam, and others.

See Emily’s photos from her current home base, Georgia, and beyond at  Wander-Lush .

A World To Travel

After studying, volunteering and working their way around the world; the Galician couple Inma Gregorio and Jose Martinez launched the highly visual sustainable lifestyle and travel blog A World to Travel in 2012 to share their experiences around the world, passion for festivals and unique events, the great outdoors, and all things responsible tourism.

From the beginning, one of its main focuses was photography. Be it landscape, music festivals, architecture, and even portraiture for some special projects like his series ‘Humans in Indonesia’; their images – except on rare occasions in black and white – are colourful and bring to life a pleasant world, where the human figure usually only gives the scale and donates the prominence to what surrounds us, which usually deserves it more. You will like it if the idea of ‘tiny people in big places’ seduces you.

They have been featured in some of the world’s largest print and TV media including the BBC, National Geographic, and Lonely Planet. In addition, they collaborate with other great travel outlets on a regular basis. More recently A World to Travel has been awarded as the most responsible travel blog of the year in their home country, Spain.

Explore their site at A World To Travel

Continent Hop

Continent Hop is a travel, culture and food blog that focuses heavily on photography. While you will find numerous beautiful landscape pictures that accompany detailed guides, you will also find equally stunning food photos!

A multi-nominated blogger and journalist, Lavina loves street photography, and so Continent Hop contains many candid moments from the street, sometimes portraits taken with permission. 

Lavina always loved photography; however, only when she established Continent Hop in 2015 did she realise she could showcase these on a website rather than put them up only on Facebook.

While you will find the occasional popular destinations, Lavina prefers capturing photos that go hand in hand with a story. Destinations that have something to share that not many people are aware of, interesting conversations from the road, and ingredients that talk about secrets passed on from generation to generation are some of the moments Lavina aims to capture with her casual yet breathtaking style. 

Find Lavina at  Continent Hop

The Coastal Campaign

The Coastal Campaign is a travel photography blog with a focus on aerial travel photography. Luke and Roxy’s passion for aerial photography began in 2016 while living in Western Australia . Being surrounded by beautiful beaches, they soon realised the coastline was even more stunning when viewed from above. They honed their skills while living there and their passion for aerial photography and travel naturally evolved into their travel photography blog.

While travelling, Luke and Roxy are always searching for the most beautiful, off the beaten path beaches they can find. Capturing photos of these places with no other tourists motivates them to get up at sunrise when they visit a new place to have it all to themselves. When you visit their blog expect to see a stunning range of remote beaches from Australia and Asia, with a real focus on Western Australia and the Philippines. 

While they also shoot from handheld cameras, they feel their best work is done from the air. The picture below was taken at Bon Bon Beach on Romblon Island. It took 4 days, an internal flight, 3 ferries and several local busses to reach this isolated paradise.

Follow Luke and Roxy’s adventures at The Coastal Campaign .

Finding Alexx

Alexx is a solo female traveller who explores the world with her trusty tripod in tow. Her travel photography is all about finding bright and colourful photo spots, capturing epic experiences, sharing the funkiest places to stay and discovering the best food to eat.

Travelling alone can make taking photos tough, but with a decent tripod, a reasonably cheap photography kit, a bit of research and some early morning wake ups, Alexx manages to snap some brilliant photos of famous landmarks, stunning scenery and hidden gems.

She talks a lot about the best entry-level photography gear , phones and accessories for people interested in taking their travel snaps to the next level, as well as her research and shooting process which lets her capture photos solo while avoiding both huge crowds and risky situations (like passing your phone to a stranger!). She’s also super passionate about ensuring destination photos are realistic and representative of a destination, to avoid the all-too-familiar feeling of disappointment when somewhere you visit looks nothing like the photos.

Visit her travel photography blog for destination guides with wanderlust-inducing photos , practical photography tips and a healthy dose of the realities behind long-term solo travel.

You can find Alexx at Finding Alexx.

Bobo & Chichi 

Megan Indoe and Scott Herder run the travel photography blog and resource Bobo & Chichi which is full of informative travel guides, photography, and unique hyperlapse/hyperflow videos.

Scott Herder, in addition to being one half of the Bobo & Chichi team, is an award winning professional videographer and travel photographer who has worked not only with destinations from all over the world but also with globally known brands on their own digital marketing content. Their specialty style is known as hyperlapse or hyperflow photography, which Scott also teaches to aspiring filmmakers who want to learn this style. 

This style blends timelapse, hyperlapse, and video footage into a unique type of video that bends and plays with time showcasing the changes from day to night in just a few seconds. Their destination films alone take over 100+ hours to make from planning, filming, and editing with a result that shows off a destination like you’e never seen before.

Check them out at Bobo & Chichi .

Chasing Lenscapes

Chasing Lenscapes is the love child of Sari and Maya, two sisters and photographers who have a passion for travel, culture and food (not necessarily in that order). They have been documenting their travels for years and finally decided to turn their passion into a career after completing their photography studies.

What can you find on Chasing Lenscapes? Travel and photography guides with useful tips on how to plan the perfect weekend getaway or where to find the best photography locations. This travel photography blog aims to show you the best parts of a city, the coolest neighbourhoods, local restaurants and hidden gems and to inspire you to travel the world.

If you love trendy city guides or you’re looking to discover off the beaten path locations,  and maybe you are looking for some tips to improve your photography or want to know how to find local artisans and find the best viewpoints, you are going the love these guides and inspirational photo essays.

Find them at Chasing Lenscapes .

Shoot from the Trip

Dylan Jones founded his travel photography blog Shoot from the Trip in 2017, as a platform to share his passion for photography and travel. Having travelled extensively throughout Europe and the US, the site covers a wide range of destinations with a heavy focus on the outdoors and mountain landscapes.

Being a fan of photography from the likes of Ansel Adams, Dylan’s passion to head out to the Western US National Parks had been present from a young age, and to be able to capture those same dramatic landscapes within the United States was a dream come true. 

Shoot from the Trip covers a wide range of destinations as well as mountain scenes. From city breaks, all-inclusive beach resorts , ancient Italian towns or theme parks and attractions, there is something to suit everyone. Having recently relocated back to North Wales on the edges of Snowdonia, expect more stunning landscape scenery and stories in the coming months.

See Dylan’s work at Shoot From The Trip .

Bronwyn Townsend

Bronwyn Townsend is a travel photographer and writer sharing curated destination guides, itineraries, and photography tips. With more than a decade of experience and visiting 50 countries across five continents, she specialises in European and Japanese travel inspiration.

Her photography style focuses on a mix of cityscapes and nature, helping transport readers to the historic streets of Europe’s Old Towns or the beauty of Japan’s autumn landscapes. Now based in London, her love affair with a camera began on a three-month family road trip around her home in Australia, where she learned to understand the power of light while photographing Uluru with her dad at sunset.

Since then, her work has graced the pages of publications like National Geographic Traveller, Conde Nast Traveler, ELLE, and Lodestars Anthology. From grand moments like capturing the orca migration among frozen fjords in Norway to the empty streets of Kanazawa at sunrise, Bronwyn’s images are all about showcasing some of the world’s most incredible destinations.

Determined to inspire travellers to find beauty wherever they go, her blog is also full of handy travel tips and recommendations, including advice on when and where to visit for the best photography opportunities. 

Check out her work at BronwynTownsend.com .

Delve Into Europe

David Angel has been a professional travel photographer for over 20 years. He has had many thousands of images published in media worldwide over this time, and undertaken many commissioned assignments in the UK and Europe.

He also worked as commissioning editor and art director for one of the UK’s main national tourism bodies for 14 years, during which time he continued to freelance. This experience informed and influenced his photography, as he worked with some of the best photographers in the UK, collaborating with and directing photographers with specialisms from lifestyle to press to landscape.

David is completely self-taught, and has considered himself a landscape and location photographer first and foremost. When photographing well-known locations, he always tries to produce something different, his mantra being to look for the photograph within the photograph. He has always loved to photograph architecture, and specialized in night photography from the outset of his career. He loves photographing Prague, where he currently lives, and other cities he enjoys photographing include Venice, London and Sydney.

The subject matter of his travel photography blog has meant branching out to include more diverse content, from cafes and street scenes to details of locations. He says he never switches off, always mentally composing images wherever he goes – which is especially true in Prague.

Check out his work at Delve Into Europe .

Divergent Travellers

If you’re landing on the homepage of travel photography blog Divergent Travelers, prepare to be transported to some of the most beautiful and interesting places on the planet. Multiple award-winning travel photographer Lina Stock, along with her husband David, illustrate stories and travel guides from more than 100 countries on all 7 continents with stunning photography.

From a very young age, Lina was drawn to photography and learned quickly to delineate between the poor-quality photos her tiny film camera produced and that of the SLR Pentax her mother carried with her. It didn’t take long until she was mastering the art of photographing subjects with that SLR in hand.

For many years she shot photos as an amateur, simply for the pleasure of creating pretty images, before ultimately turning professional and pursuing the career and lifestyle she has today in travel content creation.

When asked about her specialties, she doesn’t hesitate to state that while photographing unique wildlife and off-beat destinations around the globe is her passion, she cannot be pulled away from an epic landscape either. The beauty of photographing travel is the ever-changing amount of subjects and scenarios that are present, making it the perfect genre for someone that loves to be on the move.

Find Lina’s work at Divergent Travelers .

Anywhere We Roam

Mark and Paul from Anywhere We Roam specialise in natural travel photography; capturing wildlife hotspots, immersive landscapes and off-the-beaten track destinations. With a thirst for adventure, their photography is an invitation to gain unique experiences and enduring travel memories.  

With little attention on big sights or famous Instagram hotspots, Anywhere We Roam focuses the lens on less visited destinations with a story to tell. Their travel blog is a journey through moments that inspire and experiences that enthral, engaging the senses and recreating the emotion of being somewhere completely new. In doing so their travel photography blog encourages a deeper look at different cultures and different ways of life.

Anywhere We Roam is no ordinary photo and travel blog. It’s breath-taking scenery on relatively unknown hiking trails; it’s close encounters with some of the world’s most precious wildlife; it’s local characters and their collective stories; it’s the joy of simple travel experiences. It’s photography in the moment; inspiration for future adventures.  

Visit them at Anywhere We Roam .

Eat Live Travel Drink

Nicole Sunderland is a travel and food photographer from Washington, D.C. whose main focus is beautiful destinations, luxury hotels and a lot of landscapes and sunsets. She uses a drone and a Canon DSLR to make the majority of her photos which she posts on her travel photography website.

Her main focus is to shoot beautiful imagery with no people in them and do light editing so that the viewer can truly understand what to expect when they visit. Not having people in 95% of her images is what has helped her stand out in the travel photography industry. Most photographers take photos with them as the focal point of the image. From the beginning her focus was always to keep her photographs clean and with no people so the viewer could really picture themselves there. 

Another thing she focuses on in her travels is food. Not a lot of travel photographers do both, but there is no denying that food and travel go hand in hand. Often people want to know what they can eat at resorts/hotels or restaurant recommendations for cities they are visiting. Same process, she takes these photos with no people in them and close up or flatlays.

Find Nicole at Eat Live Travel Drink .

Trimm Travels

Trimm Travels is a travel photography blog focusing on all aspects of travel photography but with specialities in wildlife, aerial, and nighttime cityscapes. When visiting the site, readers can expect to find a photography menu divided into a variety of categories. Additionally, there is an average of 30-50 photos per post with a writing style that supports the photos vs the photos supporting the writing.

Categories include aerial, cityscapes, natural landscapes, tropical, and wildlife, and are updated periodically. Aerials are mostly shot from windows of commercial flights while featured wildlife shots are obtained unbaited in the wild.

This site focuses on colorful photography. Whether that is shimmering city lights dancing on the water at night or an array of colorful bowls and rugs found in markets across the world, Trimm Travels’ photography is meant to invoke a sense of colorful, meaningful influence without changing the natural colors of scenery. 

Photography guides are part of Trimm Travels, a North American Travel Journalist Association photography award winner. Readers can find inspiration for their own photos as well as how to obtain the best shots for iconic locations. The desire is to help other travel photography enthusiasts achieve their goals! 

Visit Trimm Travels to find out more.

As a photographer, the visual experience is central to Jodie’s travel blog, Alajode. As well as having an entire section dedicated to travel photography, she uses her photography to bring all of her other posts to life. 

Since Jodie’s travel blog focuses on responsible travel and ecotourism, wildlife photography features heavily in many of her posts. She often travels to see wildlife and share advice for how others can do the same. From the rainforests of Borneo and the depths of the Okavango Delta in Botswana , to the remote Galapagos Islands, Jodie has travelled all over the world to photograph endangered and unique wildlife, and then share them with her readers through both words and images.  

If you also love wildlife, you’ll love scrolling through her wildlife-focused posts. Otherwise, you’re sure to enjoy her guided itineraries and the epic landscape photos that accompany them. 

Check out Jodie’s travel photography at Alajode .

Experiencing the Globe

In her photo and travel blog, Coni, a Chilean freelance photographer, allows us to be part of her journey through her pictures and stories. Her goal is to inspire people to travel more sustainably, which translates even to her travel photos. As a Human Rights lawyer turned travel writer, her main interest is portraits. She’s going around the world trying to make people understand that there’s only one human race, and we’re all part of it – no matter where we happened to be born.

She’s been to 50+ countries in 5 continents, always looking for the unexplored treasures along the way, guided by her wonderful travel experiences bucket list. You’ll be transported from Iran to Bosnia & Herzegovina, stopping in places like Armenia and Ukraine. Beware – you’ll be booking your next trip within the first ten minutes of browsing!

Enjoy the experience at Experiencing the Globe .

Finding The Universe

Finding the Universe, by photographer Laurence Norah and his wife Jessica, is a travel photography blog which has been live since 2010. The site helps people plan trips to destinations all around the world, and is also filled with useful and practical travel photography tips and advice. There are also thousands of photos from all around the world, for those looking for a bit of travel inspiration.

Laurence particularly loves to shoot remote landscapes, and enjoys getting out into nature and capturing the world in all its beauty. He’s been a passionate photographer for over 30 years, and his work has been published in print and online in major publications, including the BBC and CNN. Laurence believes anyone can learn to take great photos, and has written a great many guides to improving your photography, which you can read on his site.

Learn more at  Finding The Universe .

It’s All Trip To Me

It’s All Trip To Me is a travel photography blog run by writer Maria and photographer Katerina. On this website, photos are not just there to fill the gaps and provide interruptions to huge blocks of writing, but they are a vital part of the actual storytelling. Katerina’s travel photography adds value to the stories told, brings life to the most precious travel memories and inspires the readers’ future adventures. 

As a travel photographer, Katerina is particularly fond of landscape photography. She makes use of special moments during the day, such as the golden hour, in order to capture the scenery in the most stunning colours. She also loves to shoot incredible night scenes and is known for having a soft spot for long exposure shots as well.

Visiting this site, you should expect nothing less than top-quality photos of gorgeous natural settings, fascinating urban scenes and unique travel moments, all painted in the most enchanting colours and taken on a camera rather than a cell phone. Last but not least, It’s All Trip To Me will soon feature a special section dedicated to travel photography which will include photography tips as well as inspirational articles about the best photo locations around the world

Find Maria and Katerina at It’s All Trip To Me .

Meandering Wild

Meandering Wild is a travel photography blog combining wildlife encounters, wild places and road trips.  The emphasis is on exploring the more remote areas of the planet and creating photographs that help save your memories. 

As well as sharing beautiful locations the blog shares insights into how photographs were taken and how this can be replicated with whatever camera you have available. The photography tutorials are simple and can be applied to any camera from a phone to a DSLR. The whole blog focusses on our environment, our place within that environment and how photography can preserve memories, the landscape and the wildlife we find.

Find Suzanne at Meandering Wild .

Travel With Kat

On her travel and photo blog, Travel With Kat, Kathryn shares her passion for discovering new countries, cultures and cuisines. With a background in graphic design and photography while working within the travel industry, as you might expect, her site is packed full of wonderful images from her adventures around the world. She started her blog initially just for fun and soon found a new passion for writing. In 2017, Kathryn was delighted to win the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Blogger of the Year. Being dyslexic, this is an award she’s particularly proud of. 

Kathryn’s most recent blog post is a celebration of the wildlife of Borneo, where she was lucky enough to photograph such animals as orangutans, proboscis monkeys and pygmy elephants in the wild. If you’re an animal lover, be sure to also check out her images from Canada’s Great Bear Rainforest and Clayoquot Sound. Architecture, land, and city spaces as well as people, all feature on her blog, as does her home county of West Sussex in England. 

Guides to local cuisine are another popular topic – her site is oozing with mouth-watering food imagery. It’s probably best not to visit on an empty stomach!

Check out her Borneo photos and much more at Travel With Kat .

Follow Me Away

Victoria and Terrence are the duo behind Followmeaway.com and the Follow Me Away Project. Terrence is the primary photographer and Victoria does the drone photography and writing.

They travel the world and shoot fairytale-esque travel blog photography in different landscapes wearing capes, long dresses and more. Most photos are shot from behind so the viewer can place themselves in the composition, and so that the emotion of the person in the photo doesn’t take away from the viewer imagining themselves in the location. Their favourite places for travel photography are Iceland and Ireland.

Follow their adventures at Follow Me Away

Travel? Yes Please!

Rhonda Krause is a travel photographer based in Edmonton, Canada who shares her work on Travel? Yes Please!, a travel photography blog that provides independent travellers with destination inspiration and advice.

Photography takes centre stage on Travel? Yes Please! as each article is illustrated with a large selection of pictures. It’s a priority of Rhonda’s to showcase each destination with quality photographs because she believes that pictures have the power to inspire people to travel like nothing else. 

On Rhonda’s website you’ll find sharp, bright, vibrant pictures of landscapes, architecture and wildlife. Aside from the odd black and white photograph, most of her work is edited to reflect how the scene looked in real life. Rhonda’s specialty is making the viewer feel like they are part of the scene by filling the frame with her subject, creating a sense of depth, and using leading lines.

You can find Rhonda at Travel? Yes Please!

Trip & Trail

Chris is a travel photographer with an affinity for adventure, as well as the documentation of everyday life and local culture in foreign countries. His projects are usually a series of images interweaved and sequenced to narrate a story, with smaller separate stories frequently being unfolded inside each image.

A brief look into his portfolio reveals a multi-genre background which includes everything from street photography, to landscape and portraiture. The fact that travel photography is an amalgam of many photography genders is what drew him to shoot travel from the beginning.

Chris is also the founder of Trip & Trail, a photography travel blog where he regularly publishes his stories and photo essays. His compositions are characterized by strong lines and are many times defined by the presence of strong human element, or the complete lack of it. He shoots in both colour and black and white.

To see more, head over to Trip & Trail .

The Wayward Walrus

The Wayward Walrus is a display of quirky travel tales as told by owner Alex, a native to sunny Florida, solo female world traveler and avid music enthusiast. Her little slice of cyberspace was birthed through her desire to capture and share the beautiful sights and sounds this world of ours has to offer. The blog is written for those, like Alex, who were the daydreaming, head in the clouds type, always looking for the next adventure.

She began her passion of photography with 35mm film and her high school dark room, learning the basics of photography. Years later, she combined her love of music and travel by working with online music publications to capture scenes and artists from music festivals around the world as festival press. 

After conquering over 30 countries, mostly on her own, Alex has developed a stylized approach to her travel photography. Her photos are often edited to add a surrealistic look to the places she’s visited to represent how she felt there. Most notably, her series “Once Upon A Time” featured on her Instagram (@thewaywardwalrus), utilizes Lightroom and Photoshop to transform her cityscape and architecture photography into dream-like scenes of fantasy.

You can find Alex at The Wayward Walrus .

Engineer on Tour

Through Engineer On Tour Alexander brings you travel photo stories from Europe. There are a large number of posts on Finland and Russia, which are the place he lives and his home country. Unlike most travel photographers, his inspiration doesn’t come from the postcard/magazine style. He was inspired by the photographers of old and modern photojournalists who have been right next to life-changing events with their cameras.

In his travel photography blog, Alexander shows the things that he considers most significant in his region. The photos show the real-life, not the glossed-over postcard-like images. For instance, you will find out how people of Finland choose to be close to nature, how Finns innovate education, what life in St. Petersburg’s inner yards is like, and much more.

For deep travel in high-resolution, as well as camera and lens reviews, visit  Engineer on Tour .

Green Global Travel

The writing/photography team of Bret Love and Mary Gabbett have been traveling and working together for nearly 14 years now. Their impressive resume includes respected media outlets such as  American Way ,  National Geographic , Yahoo Travel, and dozens of airline and hotel magazines around the world. 

The couple shares a passion for travel, outdoor adventure, nature/wildlife conservation, and learning about traditional indigenous cultures. In 2010 they launched their first collaborative blog, Green Global Travel. A year later, their photography and video work was highlighted in a series on the wildlife of the Galapagos for World Wildlife Fund, which led to massive growth for their responsible travel-focused website. 

Having traveled to 50+ countries on 6 continents, the couple loves using their travel photographer website to inspire others to travel more sustainably and protect the planet’s fragile ecosystems, as well as the people and animals who inhabit them. 

Find them at Green Global Travel .

And that’s it! I really hope you’ve enjoyed this countdown of some of my favourite travel photography sites.

Read more travel photography posts

• 25 Best Tips To Improve Your Travel Photography
• Travel photography on the road – my photo editing workflow tips
• 70+ Stunning South Georgia Photography Tips
• How to See and Photograph Puffins in the UK: 20 FAQs
• 19 Easy Wildlife Photography Tips For Beginners

No time to read all these travel photography blogs now?

Social shares help support my hard work! You can share via the buttons at the bottom, or pin this handy Pinterest Pin. Thank you!

Bella is a multi-award-winning travel writer, wildlife photographer and science and history documentary director from London. Among many awards and nominations she won Blogger of the Year at the British Guild of Travel Writers’ Awards 2023 and Best Photography at the Travel Media Awards 2020. Her work has been published by National Geographic, Wanderlust, and BBC Travel among others. Her films have been shown around the world including on the BBC, Discovery and PBS.

Further Reading...

Farming Pearls in Australia – The Lustrous Australian Pearls

The Thrilling Volcan De Acatenango Hike In Antigua Guatemala

Coober Pedy Opal Mining: Australia’s Final Frontier

Scotland's isle of may: puffins, beautiful landscapes and more, a perfect sri lanka 2 week itinerary (with stunning photos).

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How to Make a Travel Photo Journal: The Step-by-Step Guide

What better way to document your travels than through photos and a travel journal? Save these memories forever and easily relive the special moments. This is your guide on how to make a travel photo journal that's uniquely yours.

Whether you're traveling alone, with friends, or with family, capturing the moments and documenting your experiences is one of the best parts. A travel photo journal is a way to document cherished memories of your journey and keep them from fading. Yet, catching the right moment can be challenging when on the go.

So, having the right tools is vital to creating quality travel photo journals. The necessary things in your  vacation packing list  should include your camera, lenses, and other accessories, like spare batteries. But there are some things you also need to add if you plan on trying out picture journals, too.

If this is overwhelming you already, fear not! Here I'll guide you through the process of making a journal that's on point! But more importantly, it'll be a journal to help you record the special trips in your life.

What is a travel photo journal?

A travel photo journal is a great way to document your trip with photos, written descriptions, stickers, and other decorations. It's a keepsake of your journey that you can share with friends, family, and future generations. 

The goal is to create a visual reminder of your experiences that you can return to at any time. Something convenient and aesthetic too!

You can create an  online photo journal  as well. This way, you can share your experiences with a broader audience and even provide a helpful platform for future travelers looking for advice or tips on travel.

Benefits of creating a travel photo journal

Creating a travel photo journal is about more than just documenting your experiences. It's also to help you remember and relive your trips' incredible and beautiful moments. A well-crafted photo journal can keep your connection to those experiences for years to come.

A physical record of your trip can help you reflect on what you learned, how much fun you had, and the bonds you made with people along the journey. Creating a visual journal can also just be a fun project to take on during your trip. It can give you something to look forward to each day as you start and finish it every night.

Tips on how to make a photo journal

Get organized.

Make sure the photos are sorted out chronologically so it's easier to follow the story. You can group photos by days or by places you've visited.

Make sure to take LOTS of pictures

Capture as many moments as possible so you can choose which are most important and meaningful to include in your travel picture journal. Whether that's the most delicious meal you had, cool neon lights you found, or doing the  iconic 'follow me to' pose , make sure to take tons of pics!

Include details

Capture the small details like street signs, wall art, or people you meet along your journey. These moments will make your travel photo journal unique and special.

Add captions to photos

Adding a few lines of text to accompany each photo can help tell the story better and add more context for when you return to it. ‍

Include souvenirs and other memorable items

Add knick-knacks like ticket stubs, maps, postcards, and other souvenirs that could help map your journey. You can attach these to the pages or leave them loose in the journal.

Add in fun stickers

Put fun stickers or washi tape to make the travel photo journal look more exciting, colorful, and all-around aesthetic.

Bonus tip: share your story

Once you've created your travel photo journal, the best part is sharing it with family and friends. Post them on Instagram, add them to a blog, or create an online travel photo album if you want! 

Take it from me – sharing the stories and memories of your journey can be the most fulfilling part.

A step-by-step guide on how to make a travel photo journal

If you're creative and want to make this even more unique, you should create a physical travel photo journal to keep. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you get started:

Step 1: Gather the supplies  – You'll need supplies such as paper, glue, scissors, markers, and other craft items.

Step 2: Choose or create a cover  – You can use scrapbook paper, an old map, or other creative materials.

Step 3: Go for a theme  – Deciding on a theme can help create cohesion throughout your journal's pages. Depending on your preference, vintage, romantic, or modern are all great choices.

Step 4: Arrange the photos  – Place your pictures on the page and arrange them in an order that makes sense to you. For example, you can organize them by day, place, or even the people you were with.

Step 5: Add captions and text  – You can jot down a few lines to explain the photos or add a caption, which will help tell the story and make it even more vivid.

Step 6: Include travel details  – If you encountered any unique places or people along your journey, write them in your journal!

Step 7: Embellish  – Use stickers, washi tape, and other items to decorate your book and make it look more cohesive on every page.

Step 8: Bind the pages  – You can use a binder or scrapbook to bind your pages together.

Step 9: Showcase your work  – Share your travel photo journal with family and friends, or post it online for others to enjoy.

• Bonus tip:  Use photo journal apps like  Photo Diary  or  Journi  to make creating a digital photo journal much easier and more convenient.

Or, if you want something already good to go, you can also get physical books like this  SEEHAN leather photo album . Grab this before heading off and easily slot in photos and mementos, write in details, and decorate as you go!

Digital travel journal vs. scrapbook

Deciding between a traditional scrapbook and a travel photo journal can be difficult when documenting your travels. They're both great, so here are the main differences to help you make the best choice for your trip:

• Travel photo journals are generally  less time-consuming  than creating a scrapbook. You can focus on photos and captions rather than written accounts and stories.
• Scrapbooks are great for  creating detailed stories with written journals, maps, and other memorabilia  on each page. It can be more creative and visually appealing than a travel photo journal.

Whichever you choose, both methods are sure to keep those cherished memories alive for you to look back on for years.

Happy documenting!

Wherever you are, document your travel and capture the essence of what you experienced. Whether through photos, captions, or detailed stories on scrapbook pages, creating photo journals will help you relive and reminisce on your adventures for years to come. 

Pro-tip: Use Pilot to plan your travel journey, so you won't forget where you went when creating your travel journal.

Disclosure : Pilot is supported by our community. We may earn a small commission fee with affiliate links on our website. All reviews and recommendations are independent and do not reflect the official view of Pilot.

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Photo Books

Wedding invitations, relive your adventures with travel photo books.

Written by  Shutterfly Community Last Updated: Nov 28, 2023

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Why shutterfly is your best choice for travel photo books.

When it comes to cherishing your travel memories, Shutterfly is the perfect choice for your travel photo books. With our dedication to quality and an array of customization options, you can craft a unique travel photo book that truly encapsulates your adventures.

One of the primary reasons to opt for Shutterfly is our outstanding printing and binding quality. We believe that your travel photos deserve the best treatment, so we use premium materials and cutting-edge printing techniques to ensure vibrant colors and crisp details on every page of your photo book. Our robust binding ensures that your travel memories will stand the test of time.

Not only do we offer superior quality, but we also provide a wide range of customization options to make your vacation photo book truly unique. With Shutterfly, you can select from various sizes, layouts, and cover options to craft a photo album that perfectly mirrors your personal style. Whether you favor a traditional design or a more contemporary look, our customization options allow you to create a vacation photo album that caters to your preferences.

Creating your travel photo book with Shutterfly is also an effortless process, thanks to our user-friendly design tools. Our intuitive interface makes it easy for you to upload your photos, organize them in your desired sequence, and add captions or text to enhance your storytelling. You don’t need to be a design guru to craft a stunning travel photo book with Shutterfly. You can even have one of our designers do it for you with our free photo book designer service that will create your album in just 24 hours.

Insights for Crafting Magnificent Vacation Photo Albums

When it comes to cherishing your travel memories, nothing compares to a beautifully curated photo book. Whether you’re creating a keepsake for yourself or a thoughtful gift for a loved one, a travel photo album is the perfect way to showcase your adventures. Here are some insights to help you craft magnificent custom photo books that truly encapsulate your journeys.

Choosing the Best Photos

Before you start crafting your high-quality photo book, it’s crucial to carefully select the best photos from your trip. Take your time to review all of your pictures and select the ones that genuinely stand out. Look for images that provoke emotion, narrate a story, or capture the unique beauty of a location. Remember, quality trumps quantity, so be selective and choose only the best shots.

Structuring Your Story

A travel photo book isn’t just a collection of pictures; it’s a visual narrative of your journey. To create a captivating story, structure your photos in a logical and meaningful way. Begin by arranging them chronologically or by location, depending on what makes the most sense for your trip. Consider adding captions or short descriptions to provide context and bring your story to life. This will help you and your viewers relive the memories and connect with the places you visited.

Selecting the Right Layout and Themes

The layout and theme of your travel photo book play a critical role in its overall aesthetic appeal. Shutterfly offers a wide range of customizable layouts and themes that can enhance your photos and complement your travel story. Select a layout that allows your images to shine and a theme that reflects the mood and vibe of your trip. Whether you prefer a sleek and modern design or a more rustic and vintage look, Shutterfly has options to suit every style.

By following these insights for crafting magnificent travel photo albums, you can showcase your adventures in a unique and visually enchanting way. With Shutterfly’s easy-to-use design tools and superior-quality printing, you can bring your travel memories to life and create a keepsake that will be cherished for years to come.

Keeping Your Memories Alive with Travel Photo Albums

When it comes to preserving your travel memories, Shutterfly is the perfect partner. With our wide range of options and easy-to-use tools, crafting a magnificent travel photo book has never been easier. Let’s explore some of the features that make Shutterfly the best choice for preserving your travel memories.

Adding Captions and Descriptions

One of the best ways to enhance your travel photo book is by adding captions and descriptions to your photos. Shutterfly’s user-friendly interface enables you to easily add text to each image, adding context and storytelling to your travel memories. Whether you want to jot down a funny anecdote, share intriguing facts, or simply provide a location description, captions and descriptions will bring your photos to life.

Amplifying Photos with Filters and Effects

Make your travel photos even more visually enchanting by using Shutterfly’s filters and effects. With a wide range of options to select from, you can enhance the colors, add vintage vibes, or create a dreamy atmosphere. Our intuitive editing tools allow you to experiment with different filters and effects, ensuring that your book perfectly captures the mood and emotions of your journey.

Travel Photo Book Inspiration

When it comes to preserving your travel memories , there’s nothing quite like a beautifully designed photo book. Whether you’re embarking on a road trip with your besties, a family trip to Disneyland, or jetting off to your honeymoon, creating a travel photo book is the perfect way to preserve those precious moments. Let’s explore some inspiring ideas for each of these travel experiences:

Road trips are synonymous with open roads, breathtaking landscapes, and unforgettable adventures. A road trip photo book can showcase the diversity of your journey, whether it’s a coast-to-coast trip or scenic drives through national parks. Include photos of breathtaking vistas, roadside attractions, and candid shots of your travel companions.

Family Vacations

Family vacations are filled with laughter, bonding, and cherished memories. Whether you’re exploring a theme park, relaxing on a tropical beach, or visiting historical landmarks, a family vacation photo book can encapsulate the joy and togetherness. Include photos of the whole family, candid moments of fun, and snapshots of memorable activities.

International Adventures

Traveling to new countries and experiencing different cultures is an enriching adventure. An international travel photo book can showcase the beauty of foreign landscapes, vibrant cityscapes, and unique traditions. Include photos of iconic landmarks, local cuisine, and candid shots of the locals you meet along the way.

Romantic Getaways

Whether you’re celebrating an anniversary, honeymoon, or simply enjoying a romantic escape, a photo book can capture the romance and intimacy of your special moments. From sunset beach walks to candlelit dinners, include photos that evoke the love and connection you share. Don’t forget to add captions that express your heartfelt emotions.

Related Resources on Travel Photo Books

With Shutterfly’s user-friendly design tools and superior quality printing, creating a travel photo book has never been easier. Choose from a wide range of templates, layouts, and embellishments to personalize your book and bring your travel memories to life. Start creating your vacation photo book today and relive your adventures for years to come!

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30 Coffee Table Travel Books with the Best Travel Photography

These are the best coffee table travel books in existence today–30 large-size, beautiful travel photography books in hardcover that look amazing in any living room. Whether you’re looking for bucket list travel places, romantic travel destinations, road trips of a lifetime, the world’s most amazing castles, stunning beaches, space travel books, or simply just a single book that contains amazing photographs from every single country in the world, then we’ve got you covered.

Note: This post contains Amazon affiliate links. If you choose to purchase one of the products listed below, I may earn a small commission for qualifying purchases at no extra cost to you.

Best Bucket List Travel Coffee Table Books

1. destinations of a lifetime: 225 of the world’s most amazing places by national geographic.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: National Geographic books always contain superior travel photography from world-class photographers, and the photos in this coffee table book certainly impress. With 250 total breathtaking photos packed into 320 pages, you can be sure that the vibrant images in this book are the dominant focus above all else. There’s 225 total of the world’s most amazing places, including everything from ancient monoliths to electric cityscapes and scenic islands to ancient cobbled streets. There’s both architectural wonders and natural wonders, iconic destinations and hidden gems. A profile included with each entry also details cultural and historical facts as well as when to go and how to make the best out of your travel experience.

2. The Bucket List: 1000 Adventures Big & Small

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This book is organized by latitude and longitude–starting with the Northern Hemisphere and gradually working its way down to the Southern Hemisphere–and catalogues 1000 total bucket list travel things to do around the world. There’s more text than photos, so if what you’re looking for is a pure photography-dominant coffee table book, then there are definitely far better travel photography books out there that we’d recommend before this one. However, if what you’re in search of is inspiration on specific journeys, destinations, or lifetime experiences to add to your travel bucket list, then this book just might be what you need to spark some adventure ideas. It’s a little smaller than most of the other entries on this list, but we still think it would look great sitting on your coffee table! It’s definitely one of the best bucket list travel books that we’ve ever found.

Every Country in the World Coffee Table Travel Books

1. the travel book: a journey through every country in the world by lonely planet.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This coffee table book contains a full 2-page spread for every single country in the world. There are 416 pages total, complete with 680 beautiful travel photography images and written profiles on 200 countries, ordered alphabetically from A to Z. You’ll find information on each country’s culture as well as places to visit, things to do, what to eat, and other unique facts about each destination. It’s a large and heavy photo book that will look absolutely perfect sitting on your coffee table. It’s difficult to find coffee table travel books that have every single country in the world represented inside, so this one stands out from all the others for this primary reason, making it one of our absolute favorites!

Best Romantic Travel Books for Coffee Table

1. the world’s most romantic destinations: 50 dreamy getaways, private retreats, and enchanting places to celebrate love by national geographic.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This coffee table travel photography book is especially perfect for couples. It contains 50 romantic travel destinations that are beloved spots for weddings, honeymoons, Valentine’s Day, anniversaries, engagement trips, or any other romantic getaway you can imagine. The book is organized by season–spring, summer, fall, and winter–so that you’ll know the best places to visit depending on your month of travel. Each romantic travel book entry contains suggestions on where to stay, what to eat, and romantic things to do while in that location. There’s 256 total pages, and the photography in this travel book is so pretty. It’s both practical and aesthetic, making it our top pic for coffee table travel books for couples.

Read Next: The Best Travel-Themed Coloring Books for Women with Wanderlust

Coffee Table Travel Books about the Ocean and Beaches

1. the life and love of the sea.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This coffee table travel book is a visual tour of the ocean as seen through the lenses of the world’s leading marine and underwater photographers. The 216 pages include a collection of wave photographs, dramatic coastlines, island chains, barrier reefs, and even sea life such as whales, fish, manta rays, seals, and the deepest ocean creatures. This travel book also contains accompanying informational and inspiring excerpts, poetry, and quotes about the ocean.

2. Bliss: Beaches

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: Through stunning travel photography and 160 pages total, this book celebrates some of the world’s most beautiful beaches. Its pages are large in size–measuring 11.1 by 13.55 inches–making it a perfect coffee table book for any beach lover!

Road Trip Travel Books for your Coffee Table

1. drives of a lifetime 2nd edition: 500 of the world’s greatest road trips.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: We absolutely love National Geographic books, and this is another one of our favorites. It contains 500 total road trip ideas, from world-famous road trips to lesser-known hidden gems all around the globe. Some of these are short-distance day trips, and some are longer, cross-country road trips, so whether you want to take a lengthy vacation or just a short local drive on a day off from work, this book has got you covered. Full-color maps, planning tips, and detailed descriptions (including distance and driving time) accompany every road trip suggestion, as well as the type of breathtaking travel photos that everyone’s come to love from National Geographic, of course.

Best Travel Photography Books

1. national geographic visual atlas of the world.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This National Geographic travel photography book contains 350 photographs and over 200 maps as well as satellite imagery on UNESCO World Heritage Sites, the depths of our oceans, and even what lies beyond our Earth: Space! With 416 pages total and measuring over 17 inches by 12 inches, this is a hefty book. It’s one of the pricier entries on this list, but it’s also one of the absolute best travel photography books that exist on the market. If you’re looking for a coffee table travel book, and you’ve got the money to splurge, this one can’t be beat! This book is GIANT!

2. Visions of Earth: National Geographic Photographs of Beauty, Majesty, and Wonder

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This book is smaller than what is typical or usually preferred for a coffee table book, but the travel photography contained within it is so beautiful that we still had to include it. Visions of Earth contains some of the best National Geographic photos in existence. The featured images have been carefully selected from the most popular, top-voted, and #1 rated photos from the magazine’s “Visions of Earth” feature as well as from never-before-published images from renowned photographers throughout the world. The book measures just 6.4 x 8.35 inches, but it contains a glorious 512 pages that will surely make you not regret including this little gem on your coffee table amongst all your other travel books.

Coffee Table Travel Castle Books

1. the world’s most amazing castles: timeless treasures around the globe.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: We LOVE castles. We seriously just can’t get enough of them. And this book is filled with them. There’s 100 castles total–absolutely stunning photographs of 100 of the world’s most amazing castles. There’s also detailed information and travel tips listed for every entry. You’ll find castle hotels, famous castles featured in Hollywood films, colorful castles, castles important throughout history, and other iconic castles (like Dracula’s castle). If you are a castle lover, then we highly recommend this travel book as top pick for your coffee table!

Women of the World Cultural Travel Books for the Coffee Table

1. the atlas of beauty: women of the world in 500 portraits.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This stunning photography project features the portraits and personal stories of 500 everyday women from over 50 different countries around the world. During her own personal travels, photographer Mihaela Noroc set out to capture the beauty of the world as seen through us–humanity. The resulting travel book is a celebration of culture and diversity–a photographic collection of what transcends borders, unites us, and makes us unique albeit not so different afterall.

Coffee Table Travel Books about Hiking

1. 100 hikes of a lifetime: the world’s ultimate scenic trails.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This travel photography book contains breathtaking images from 100 of the world’s most amazing hikes. The experiences range from short day-hikes to multiday excursions and contain travel tips, important information, and wisdom from expert hikers. Every single continent and climate is covered in this book (yes, there’s even a hike for Antarctica). The photos are absolutely stunning (as National Geographic photos always are), so even if you’re not a hiker, you can still enjoy this book just for the pictures. The book measures 8.75 by 8.75 inches, so it’s not one of the largest coffee table travel books on this list, but it’s still big enough to look great in your living room! (And it’s nice and thick–one of the fattest books on this list with a whopping total 400 pages!)

Read Next: 10+ Books About Yellowstone to Pack for Your Trip

Space Travel Coffee Table Books

1. the hubble cosmos: 25 years of new vistas in space.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This travel coffee table book contains over 150 photos from 25 years of Hubble history. Some of the best photos NASA has ever taken of the universe can be found in this book. With 224 pages total and measuring 9.55 by 11.15 inches, this National Geographic book will look amazing on your coffee table!

Pets and Travel Coffee Table Books

1. our wild tails: the adventures of henry and baloo.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This adorable travel book chronicles the outdoor adventures of furry friends Henry and Baloo as they trek across eleven US states with their photographer “mom” Cynthia Bennett. The book also contains their personal story–an unconventional but inspiring story of cat and dog friendship–that is sure to warm even the coldest hearts. Note: this book is a little bit smaller than most of the other coffee table travel books on this list, but if you’re specifically looking for a book about travel with pets, this is one of the largest (and most stunning) books that you can find!

2. Dogs on the Beach

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This unique travel book is perfect for any dog lover who loves the beach! Photographer Lara Jo Regan spent three years traveling to beaches throughout America to capture the joy of dogs who love the water, sand, wind, and waves. At just 9 by 7 inches, this book is a bit smaller than what we normally recommend for coffee table books, but it’s difficult to find travel books focusing specifically on pets in a larger scale than this, so we’ve chosen to still include this book on this list. The photography is absolutely stunning and intimate, so we truly think that dog lovers won’t want to pass this one up!

3. Travels of Suki the Adventure Cat

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: Suki is a gorgeous Bengal cat who has spent years traveling all over the world. This book contains beautiful photography showcasing her adventures at 152 different breathtaking locations and mingles them with pages of inspiring quotes. Like the other 2 pet-themed travel books featured in this article above, this book is smaller than we normally recommend for coffee table books, but the photos are so stunning that we think any cat lover will want it displayed in their living room anyway.

Landscape Photography Coffee Table Travel Books

1. let’s get lost: the world’s most stunning remote locations.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: Through 240 pages and over 200 photos, this landscape photography book features the most breathtaking, off-grid, hidden, and remote places around the world. Curated by award-winning travel photographer Finn Beales, it includes the works and personal stories of over 20 different landscape photographers. From hard-to-reach shorelines and rugged mountains to dark forests and untouched wilderness, this coffee table travel book is perfect for every armchair adventurer who’d like to experience the world from the comfort of their own living room.

2. National Geographic Greatest Landscapes: Stunning Photographs That Inspire and Astonish

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This stunning 400 page landscape photography book is organized by season–spring, summer, autumn, and winter–and captures vibrant, rare photography from some of the most amazing places in the world. These are some of the most beautiful photographs that National Geographic has to offer, so if you are a fan of their travel books, you’ll also want to add this one to your collection. The book is thick, the pages are large, and the photos are full of bright colors.

Colorful Travel Books for the Coffee Table

1. the rainbow atlas: a guide to the world’s 500 most colorful places.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This book speaks for itself. If you’re a fan of colorful travel, then this travel photography book is for you. Inside you’ll find a rainbow of vibrant photos–500 total places that comprise some of the most colorful places in the world. Each entry includes travel facts and tips for visiting the destination. The book measures just 7 by 9.35 inches, making it one of the smaller coffee table books included on this list, but it reigns supreme in showcasing color, so we think it still deserves a spot in every travel lover’s living room.

Read Next: The Best Travel-Themed Adult Coloring Books for Women with Wanderlust

Food Lovers Travel Coffee Table Books

1. food journeys of a lifetime: 500 extraordinary places to eat around the globe.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This book contains a whopping 500 foods, markets, and restaurants from the world’s greatest culinary destinations. The cultural importance of every featured food is highlighted, and there’s even recipes for if you want to bring some of these cuisines into your own kitchen. If you’re a foodie traveler, this is one coffee table travel book you won’t want to miss!

Country-Specific Travel Coffee Table Books

1. our hearts are in france.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: Advertised as equal parts travel guide, design compendium, and cookbook, this book contains 232 pages of enchanting villages, centuries-old chateaux, romantic gardens, architectural wonders, iconic interiors, and even French cuisine recipes so that you can feel like you’ve been transported to France from the comfort of your own living room. This book is large in size–measuring 11.75 by 10 inches–so it will make a perfect coffee table book for anyone whose heart is in France.

2. Our Hearts Are in England

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This book is perfect for any England travel lover. From the editors of Victoria magazine, it contains 232 pages of charming villages, rugged coastlines, breathtaking castles, iconic cities, rolling countrysides, cozy cottages, and cultural traditions such as afternoon tea. It measures 12.25 by 10.25 inches, so it’s the perfect size to be used as a coffee table book!

3. America the Beautiful: A Story in Photographs

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: The travel photography featured in this book spans more than 130 years, combining modern and historical imagery across 400 total pages to showcase everything that makes the United States of America beautiful. Inspiring photos of cities, countrysides, national parks, people, iconic structures, and moments are interspersed with quotes from historians, activists, celebrities, conservationists, and politicians. The book measures 10.25 by 10.25 inches, making it a perfect selection for a coffee table travel book.

4. Gray Malin: Italy

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: In this travel photography book, photographer Gray Malin celebrates the most famous beaches and coastlines in Italy. Dramatic coastal cliffs, charming hillside villages, luxury motorboats, retro beach umbrellas, and sparkling blue waters are the highlights of this collection. (Note: there are a lot of colorful umbrellas.) This book measures 10.25 by 13.35 inches, making it a nice large size that will look excellent on your coffee table.

5. Québec: A Photographic Road Trip Through Canada’s Beautiful Province

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This book is perfect for anyone who loves Canada and, in particular, the province of Québec. There’s 272 total pages filled with beautiful, breathtaking photography from award-winning photographer Mathieu Dupuisas as well as insider travel tips, historical notes, cultural facts, geographical data, and sample itineraries. From picturesque countrysides and vibrant cities to island life and a 17th century fortress, this coffee table travel book has it all.

Coffee Table Travel Books About Paris

1. paris in color.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: Photographer Nichole Robertson presents Paris in a way that few have ever seen it–organized by color. Through photographing everyday sights in the city–cafe chairs, bicycles, weathered shop doors, architectural designs–she celebrates the hidden details at the heart of the city. This unique travel coffee table book is one that every Paris fan is sure to fall in love with.

2. Paris in Bloom

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: Photographer Georgianna Lane takes readers on a floral tour of the city in this love confession to Paris. Flower markets, boutiques, public gardens, and blooming trees are the heart of this travel book and the focus of the entire collection. If you live for flowers and prefer to see photographs of beautiful bouquets instead of bustling city streets and iconic landmarks, then this is the coffee table travel book for you.

Coffee Table Travel Books About London

1. pretty little london: a seasonal guide to the city’s most instagrammable places.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: This book has been curated from the popular Instagram account @prettylittlelondon, so you can trust that authors Sara Santini and Andrea Di Filippo know their stuff when it comes to chronicling the most Instagrammable places in London. This 208 page tour of the city is organized by season and features beautifully illustrated maps in addition to soft, dreamy photography and tips on how to achieve the same shots.

2. London in Bloom

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: Parks, gardens, floral boutiques, and flower markets are the heart of this 160 page travel book as photographer Georgianna Lane takes readers on a floral tour of the city in this dreamy love confession to London. If you live for flowers and prefer to see photographs of beautiful blooms rather than bustling city streets, then this is the coffee table travel book for you.

Coffee Table Travel Books About New York

1. walk with me: new york.

Why We Love this Coffee Table Travel Book: Greenwich Village based New York photographer Susan Kaufman captures the beauty of her city through daily walks down cobblestones streets lined with flowers, past charming carriage houses covered in vines, and alongside tree-lined paths that slowly change with the seasons. She captures intimate neighborhoods as only someone who truly knows the heart of the city can do, and the pages filling this travel book contain some of the most breathtaking photographs of New York that you can see.

Best Coffee Table Travel Books FAQ

I just want a really big travel coffee table book. which book is the biggest.

If you want an extra large coffee table travel book, then National Geographic’s Visual Atlas of the World is by far the biggest. This book is GIANT. It measures 12 x 1.65 x 17.25 inches and contains 416 total pages.

For a very large-sized coffee table travel book that is a little better for tighter budgets, The Travel Book ( 10.75 x 1.25 x 13.88 inches), Bliss: Beaches ( 11.1 x 0.9 x 13.55 inches), Gray Malin: Italy (10.25 x 1 x 13.35 inches), and Destinations of a Lifetime ( 9.5 x 1 x 12.25 inches) are the next best picks! They are the next biggest-in-size travel books that you can find, but they are a little more affordable than our #1 top choice.

Which book do we think is the best travel coffee table book?

My overall top favorite travel coffee table book is probably The Travel Book because it’s a journey through every country in the world, and it’s rare to find a travel book that includes every single one!

The World’s Most Amazing Castles is a close runner-up for me though because I’m obsessed with castles, and the photography in this book is so beautiful.

If you have the money to spend, Visual Atlas of the World is also one of my absolute top favorites because it is so HUGE that it makes all the photos really pop. It just really can’t be beat as the all-around best travel photography book on the market today. It’s a gorgeous, giant, absolute mammoth of a book.

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Storytelling Through Images: Creating Memorable Travel Photo Essays

In today’s social media and digital storytelling world, photos have become essential for conveying emotions, experiences, and memories. An image can speak a thousand words, and when it comes to travel photography , it has the power to transport the viewer to new places and inspire wanderlust.

But what sets apart a good photo from a great one? How does one create a narrative through images that capture a place’s essence and the moment’s emotions? The answer lies in mastering the art of visual storytelling.

Visual storytelling is all about using images as a medium to tell stories. It involves selecting relevant visuals that support your message or theme while being mindful of composition, lighting, perspective, and other technical details. When done right, visual storytelling can create memorable narratives that engage viewers emotionally.

In this article, we’ll explore how you can use visual storytelling techniques to create compelling travel photo essays that capture your adventures in a way that resonates with your audience. Whether you’re an amateur photographer or a seasoned pro looking for inspiration, this guide will provide practical tips on how to craft memorable stories through images.

Page Contents

Choose a Theme or Focus

Selecting a unifying subject matter or focal point is a crucial early step in crafting effective and cohesive visual narratives.

Destination inspiration can come from many sources, such as a personal connection to the location, cultural significance, or natural beauty.

Once you have chosen your destination, finding your angle is key to creating a unique and compelling story. This could be focusing on a particular aspect of the place, such as food or architecture, or exploring its history or local customs.

Having a clear theme helps guide your photography and ensures that each image contributes to telling the larger story.

By choosing an interesting focus and staying true to it throughout the photo essay, you can create memorable travel stories that engage your audience’s sense of adventure and curiosity.

Capture the Moment

Capturing authentic moments during travel can enhance the visual narrative of a photo essay and provide a deeper sense of immersion for the viewer.

It is important to pay attention to composition techniques such as framing, rule of thirds, and leading lines to create visually compelling images.

However, it is equally important to be open to finding inspiration in unexpected places and being spontaneous in capturing the moment.

This can mean patience when waiting for the perfect shot or taking advantage of serendipitous opportunities.

Ultimately, creating a memorable travel photo essay involves balancing careful planning and being open to spontaneity to capture genuine moments that tell a unique story.

Edit and Select Your Photos

To create a compelling travel photo essay, it is important to edit and select your images carefully. Utilizing editing tools can enhance the visual impact of your photographs while choosing the best photos for your story ensures that every image contributes meaningfully to your narrative.

Additionally, arranging your photos in a cohesive order allows for a smooth and engaging flow throughout your essay. By following these key points, you can effectively communicate the essence of your travels through captivating imagery.

Use Editing Tools to Enhance Your Images

Employing editing tools can significantly amplify the visual appeal of your photographs, enabling you to create a more engaging and aesthetically pleasing narrative that will captivate your audience and leave an indelible impression on their minds.

Various editing tools can help enhance your images, including using filters to adjust the colors and contrast, cropping to remove unwanted elements or focus on a specific subject, and retouching to remove blemishes or distractions.

Personalizing your style is also important in creating a memorable photo essay; this can be achieved by experimenting with different editing techniques until you find a style that aligns with your creative vision.

Lastly, adding text and graphics can further enhance the storytelling aspect of your images by providing context or emphasizing certain elements within the frame.

Overall, editing tools are essential in creating impactful travel photo essays that resonate with your audience long after viewing them.

Choose the Best Photos for Your Story

Selecting the most effective photographs for a travel narrative necessitates careful consideration of various factors, such as visual impact, compositional elements, and relevance to the overall theme. Composition tips are crucial in creating visually appealing images that engage viewers and convey an immersive experience.

Visual storytelling conveys emotions, atmosphere, and context through carefully curated imagery that transports audiences to far-off lands or distant memories. When choosing photos for a travel photo essay, it is essential to pick those that capture the essence of the place you visited while staying true to your style as a photographer.

A helpful way to determine which pictures are best suited for your story is by creating a table with three columns: “Visual Impact,” “Composition Elements,” and “Relevance to Theme.” In each row, assess each image according to these criteria and select only those that meet all three standards.

This way, you can ensure that every picture in your photo essay contributes meaningfully to your overall narrative and creates a lasting impression on your audience.

Arrange Your Photos in a Cohesive Order

Organizing photographs in a logical and cohesive sequence is crucial for creating an engaging and immersive visual experience that transports the audience to different places and times, allowing them to experience the narrative as if they were there.

When arranging photos, it’s essential to consider whether you want to follow a chronological or thematic order. A chronological order can help tell a story through time, while a thematic order focuses on specific themes or motifs that tie the images together.

Balancing visual appeal with storytelling flow is also important, as you want your photo essay to be visually appealing without sacrificing clarity in the narrative.

A well-arranged sequence of photographs can take your audience on a journey, leading them from one image to another seamlessly, ultimately enhancing the impact of your overall story.

Write Captions and Text

Crafting effective written accompaniments that complement visual elements is crucial in conveying the essence of a travel experience. Crafting compelling narratives and evoking emotions through words and visuals are important factors when creating memorable travel photo essays.

Captions and text should enhance the visual story, providing the viewer context, information, and emotion. It is essential to keep captions concise while delivering relevant information about the image.

Text can provide further insight into the location or culture depicted in the photo essay. Descriptive language and storytelling techniques can help transport readers to the destination and create a more immersive experience.

In summary, well-crafted captions and text can elevate an already beautiful photo essay into a truly unforgettable one by adding depth, meaning, and emotion for viewers to connect.

Share Your Story

Documenting and presenting personal experiences clearly and engagingly can enhance the viewer’s understanding and appreciation of different cultures, destinations, and travel experiences.

Reflective storytelling allows the photographer to connect with their audience emotionally, creating a deeper connection beyond just showcasing beautiful images.

It is important to remember that sharing your story through photographs is not just about showing off your technical skills or capturing picturesque landscapes; it is about conveying a message or theme that resonates with your audience.

To achieve this, you must carefully curate your images to effectively communicate your story while providing context through accompanying text or captions.

Sharing your travel photo essay should be done thoughtfully and strategically to ensure maximum engagement and impact.

By embracing reflective storytelling techniques, photographers have the power to create unforgettable narratives that inspire meaningful conversations about culture, history, and the human experience.

Travel photo essays are a powerful medium for telling stories through images. Creating these essays involves choosing a theme or focus, capturing the moment, editing and selecting photos, writing captions and text, and sharing your story.

Whether you’re documenting a solo adventure or a family vacation, it’s important to plan and think about what message you want to convey. One key element of storytelling through images is capturing the moment.

This means being present at the moment and paying attention to your surroundings. Look for interesting angles, unique perspectives, and moments that tell a story.

Editing is also crucial; carefully select your best photos and use them to create a cohesive narrative. The art of storytelling through images requires thoughtful planning and execution.

Following these steps, you can create memorable travel photo essays that transport viewers to new places and inspire them to explore the world. So grab your camera and start telling your own travel stories today!

(+) Sources

• https://maphappy.org/photographic-storytelling-how-to-craft-the-perfect-travel-photo-essay/
• https://www.travelphotographyguru.com/travel-blogs/the-photo-essay-a-recipe-for-success
• https://www.worldnomads.com/create/learn/photography/how-to-build-a-photo-essay
• https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-create-a-photo-essay

A passionate solo traveler, embarking on thrilling adventures to explore the world's historical ruins. Fascinated by the intricate tales woven into ancient stones, she delves deep into the history of each site, unearthing the emotional stories that resonate through time. With every journey, Hayden strives to connect with the human experience of the past and share its profound significance with fellow explorers. Join her on a captivating expedition to unlock the secrets of bygone eras.

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Mastering Travel Photography: A Guide for American Travelers

Posted: April 25, 2024 | Last updated: April 25, 2024

Travel photography is an art form that combines exploration, storytelling, and technical skills to freeze moments that express the essence of a place and its people. This guide explores the core of travel photography, offering insights and tips to help you capture photos that are not only visually striking but also rich in narrative. Whether navigating bustling city streets or serene landscapes, these guidelines will equip you with the knowledge to bring back memorable photographs from your journeys.

Travel Photography

Image Credit: Shutterstock / Lesley Fisher Photography

Travel photography’s history is rich and diverse, evolving from the exclusive domain of professional explorers and photographers to a widespread passion fueled by technological advances and the democratization of travel. In its early days, travel photography was a means of documenting uncharted territories, exotic cultures, and remote landscapes, often for scientific or exploratory purposes. The advent of portable cameras in the late 19th and early 20th centuries allowed more individuals to document their travels, transforming travel photography into personal expression and storytelling.

One of the most influential figures in the history of photography, Ansel Adams, played a pivotal role in elevating landscape photography—a key component of travel photography—to an art form. Adams’ work in the American West, particularly his iconic images of Yosemite National Park, demonstrated the power of photography to capture the sublime beauty of nature. His exacting approach to composition, lighting, and technique has inspired generations of photographers to view travel photography as a way to record what they see and as a creative means to convey a place’s emotional and aesthetic spirit.

The Master of Travel Photography, Lesley Fisher

Upon graduating from Stirling University in Scotland with an honors degree in Psychology, Lesley Fisher embarked on a journey that blended her passion for the arts with an adventurous spirit. Her career in travel photography, which she commenced full-time almost a decade ago, has been a conduit for her quest for adventure and her artistic expression. Her portfolio, enriched by published works, is increasingly sought after by picture editors and art directors.

For the past 23 years, Fisher has called Thailand her home, where she initially worked in the travel and hospitality industry. Her fluency in Thai highlights her immersive approach to life and her surroundings. This approach is further evidenced by her certification as a PADI rescue diver and her proficiency in Mysore Ashtanga Yoga, showcasing her commitment to experiencing life fully and engaging deeply with her environment.

Fisher’s photographic journey has transitioned from her early days in luxury hotel and villa hospitality to her current status as a renowned international travel and architectural photographer and interior styling expert. Her work commands attention across the globe, with commissions leading her from various corners and islands in Asia to Europe and New York, among other locations. Continuously traveling and photographing in some of the world’s most remote locales, Fisher refines her skills while imparting her distinctive blend of charm and humor to all she encounters.

Environmental Responsibility

Environmental responsibility in travel photography emphasizes the importance of sustainable and respectful practices towards natural landscapes, wildlife, and local communities. Fisher urges photographers to minimize their ecological footprint by adhering to paths, maintaining distance from wildlife, and engaging with local cultures sensitively. Adopting eco-friendly travel options, durable equipment, and support for conservation efforts further underscores the commitment to preserving documented environments. Sharing images with consideration for their potential impact, alongside continuous education on environmental issues, reinforces the role of photographers in advocating for the protection of natural and cultural heritage.

Collaboration with local authorities, NGOs, and conservation groups enhances understanding of specific environmental challenges, leading to more informed photography practices. By embodying these principles, travel photographers capture the world’s beauty and contribute to ensuring its preservation for future generations. The collective effort towards environmental stewardship and cultural respect is crucial in maintaining the integrity of the diverse landscapes and communities that she seeks to document.

Understanding Light and Time of Day

The quality of light significantly impacts the mood and aesthetic of your photographs. Early morning and late afternoon, known as the golden hours, provide soft, warm light that enhances textures and colors. Conversely, just before sunrise or after sunset, the blue hour offers cool, ethereal light ideal for capturing cityscapes with glowing lights against a twilight sky. Midday light tends to be harsh and flat, often considered unfavorable for photography, but it can be used creatively to capture strong shadows and high-contrast scenes.

Composing with Purpose

Composition is the backbone of a compelling photograph. The rule of thirds, leading lines, framing, and symmetry are just a few principles that can guide you in creating balanced and engaging images. However, the essence of travel photography lies in telling a story — your composition should be aesthetically pleasing and convey a narrative or emotion that resonates with the viewer.

Capturing the Essence of the Locale

Travel photography is about capturing the essence of a place. This includes the people, the culture, the food, and the everyday moments that give a destination its character. Engaging with locals and immersing yourself in the culture can provide insights and access to moments tourists often overlook. Respect and sensitivity towards the people and places you photograph are paramount.

Embracing the Unplanned and Spontaneous

Some of the most impactful travel photographs come from unplanned moments and spontaneous encounters. While it’s essential to research and plan your photography around certain landmarks or events, leaving room for spontaneity can lead to unique and personal images that stand out. This approach requires a degree of flexibility, openness, and an always-ready mentality with your camera gear.

The Importance of Patience in Photography

Patience is a virtue, especially in travel photography. Waiting for the perfect light, for a crowd to clear, or for a moment to unfold naturally can make the difference between a good photo and a great one. This often means visiting a site multiple times or waiting in one spot for conditions to align perfectly. The ability to wait is a skill that can transform your photography, allowing you to capture images with intention and impact.

Mastering the Art of Street Photography

Street photography is a compelling aspect of travel photography that captures the essence of everyday life. It requires a keen eye for detail, timing, and anticipating moments. Successful street photography tells a story about the place and its people, often revealing emotions, interactions, and cultural nuances. It’s about finding beauty and interest in the mundane and presenting it in a way that resonates with viewers.

Navigating Cultural Sensitivities

Respecting cultural norms and sensitivities is paramount in travel photography. This means understanding and adhering to local customs, asking for permission before photographing people and being mindful of what is considered sacred or private. Sensitivity to your subjects ensures ethical photography practices, fosters mutual respect and can lead to more meaningful interactions and images.

Draw Inspirations but Don’t Copy

In travel photography, drawing inspiration from the work of others is a valuable part of the creative process, yet it’s crucial to distinguish between being inspired and directly copying someone else’s work. Emulating the style, composition, or subjects of established photographers can serve as a learning tool, but authentic expression and innovation lie in using these influences to develop one’s unique perspective and voice. This approach respects the originality of others and pushes the boundaries of creativity.

Try Different Techniques

Exploring various techniques is essential for growth and innovation in travel photography. Experimentation with different photographic methods—such as long exposures for dynamic landscapes, macro photography for detailed close-ups, or drone photography for aerial perspectives—can significantly enhance the diversity and appeal of a photographer’s portfolio. This approach encourages photographers to step out of their comfort zones, adapt to the unique challenges of each technique, and, ultimately, discover new ways to capture and convey the wonder of their travels. By continuously experimenting, photographers can refine their skills, develop a more versatile style, and produce work that stands out in the competitive field of travel photography.

Keep Safe and Know Your Locations

Safety and location knowledge are paramount in travel photography, necessitating thorough research and preparation before venturing into new areas. Understanding a destination’s geographical, cultural, and political landscape can significantly mitigate risks, ensuring photographers make informed decisions about where and when to shoot. This includes being aware of local customs and laws, identifying potential hazards, and taking appropriate precautions to protect oneself and one’s equipment. Additionally, staying informed about the weather and environmental conditions can prevent unforeseen complications. Prioritizing safety and location awareness safeguards the photographer and respects the integrity of the communities and environments being photographed, fostering a responsible and sustainable approach to travel photography.

Enjoy Yourself

Enjoyment is a fundamental aspect of travel photography, where the pursuit of compelling images should also embrace the experience of exploration and discovery. Engaging fully with the environment, immersing oneself in the moment, and appreciating the beauty and diversity of our world can enrich the photographic process, leading to more authentic and inspired work. This approach encourages photographers to view their journey not as an opportunity to connect with new cultures, landscapes, and stories, enhancing personal fulfillment and the overall quality of their portfolio. Ultimately, finding joy in travel photography benefits the photographer’s well-being and infuses their work with a sense of passion and vitality.

Share Your Images

Sharing your images is vital to travel photography, fostering connections and enriching the photographic journey. Lesley Fisher exemplifies this ethos by always carrying an instant Polaroid camera during her travels, allowing her to share tangible images with her subjects on the spot. This practice offers a token of gratitude and respect to those who become part of her photographic narrative and bridges cultural and linguistic barriers, creating immediate, shared moments of joy and understanding. Beyond personal interactions, sharing images through exhibitions, social media, and publications can inspire others, extend the reach of one’s work, and invite dialogue and feedback, further enhancing the impact and relevance of travel photography in a global context.

Research Your Destination: Understand the cultural, historical, and environmental aspects to find unique photographic opportunities.

Pack Light and Right: Choose versatile equipment that suits your style and the conditions of your destination.

Embrace the Golden Hour: Utilize the soft light of early morning and late afternoon for the most flattering illumination.

Practice Composition: Employ rules like the rule of thirds and leading lines to create visually compelling images.

Capture Candid Moments: Look for spontaneous, unposed moments that convey the essence of the place and its people.

Understand Local Customs: Respect and adhere to local traditions and norms, especially when photographing people and sacred sites.

Experiment with Perspectives: Try different angles and viewpoints to add depth and interest to your photos.

Use Manual Settings: Familiarize yourself with your camera’s manual settings to have more control over your shots.

Keep Your Gear Safe: Invest in a sturdy bag and use protective gear to secure your equipment in various environments.

Be Patient: Wait for the right moment when the light, subject, and composition align perfectly.

Edit Thoughtfully: Enhance your photos post-shoot with editing software, but avoid over-processing.

Share Your Work: Use social media, blogs, or exhibitions to share your images and experiences.

Stay Flexible: Be open to changing your plans based on weather, lighting, or unexpected discoveries.

Keep Learning: Continuously seek inspiration from other photographers and new experiences to improve your skills.

Enjoy the Process: Remember to experience the moment and enjoy your surroundings, not just through your lens.

The Bottom Line

Travel photography is about engaging deeply with the world, telling stories through your lens, and respecting the diversity of cultures and people you encounter. By embracing spontaneity, practicing patience, mastering photography, and navigating cultural sensitivities, you enrich your portfolio and your personal experience of the world. As you set out on your next adventure, remember that the most memorable photos reflect a genuine connection with the moment and the essence of the place. Keep exploring, keep learning, and let your photography be a bridge between you and the vast, beautiful world we share.

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In 2024, The MICHELIN Guide is announcing the first ever MICHELIN Keys — a brand new distinction that recognizes the most outstanding hotels across the world. Head here for everything you need to know about the new Key distinction, and visit this page to explore the full list of Key hotels in the United States.

The Three Key distinction is the highest hotel honor in The MICHELIN Guide. Earning One Key (80 properties) or Two Keys (33 properties) is difficult enough, but only 11 hotels earned Three Keys in the United States. Of those, four can be found in New York City. The Three Key hotels excel in all five criteria used to judge hotels by our Inspectors. But in this series , we thought it fitting to focus on just one of those criteria — the most photogenic of the five — architecture and interior design. Below, take a look at the interiors and exteriors of each of our four Three Key hotels in New York City.

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20 Written and Unwritten Rules Kentucky Derby Guests Must Follow

It's a classy affair.

The race, which is always held on the first Saturday of May at Churchill Downs in Louisville , Kentucky, is steeped in southern tradition, from the freely flowing bourbon to the preppy fashion—think florals, pastels, and plenty of seersucker. Although the Derby has frequently been dubbed the greatest two minutes in sports, the event is truly a day-long affair, with gates opening nearly twelve hours before the race.

Here are 20 written and unwritten rules for Derby-goers, from dressing to impress to leaving the selfie stick at home.

Attendees can only bet with cash.

Kentucky state law prohibits betting with a credit card, which means " cash is king " at the Derby. Although there are plenty of ATMs on the premises, lines can understandably get rather long as spectators line up to place their wagers, so it's best to come prepared.

Lost tickets are not honored.

After placing bets, Derby-goers should safely stow away their tickets to collect post-race winnings. If a ticket gets lost, there's no way to cash in.

Guests cannot go in and out of Churchill Downs as they please.

Visitors should make sure they have everything they need before entering the facility, because according to official policy , "Patrons are not permitted to leave Churchill Downs and return on the same ticket."

Upscale attire is expected.

Although some Derby-goers opt for laid-back looks (they're likely headed for the infield, where the atmosphere is a bit more casual), the Derby's official dress code states that "upscale attire" is encouraged.

But flip-flops aren't necessarily frowned upon.

Although spectators might be tempted to wear a sleek heel, when spending the entire day at the track it's best to consider comfort with a pair of sandals, espadrilles, or—if you need additional height for optimal viewing—a manageable wedge. Chances are, there could be mud, so Derby fashion experts —perhaps unexpectedly—encourage packing a pair of flip-flops as backup.

Hats are essentially required.

One of the Derby's unwritten rules is that women must wear a hat. After all, it's a sign of good luck, Louisville milliner Jenny Pfanenstiel told Forbes .

Zanna Roberts Rassi, editor of the Kentucky Derby Style Guide , actually recommends starting with the hat when it comes to perfecting a Derby Day look. We've rounded up our top picks here , from fascinators to embellished sun hats.

And they shouldn't be smushed.

If guests are traveling by plane to the Derby, experts from America's Best Racing recommend packing hats in a cardboard box to ensure the airline will classify them as cargo to be deservedly treated with care. Others suggest shipping hats to Louisville ahead of time, or even preordering headwear from a local milliner for pick-up upon arrival.

Men have a dress code too.

Although women's hats are usually the topic of sartorial conversation at the Derby, men are encouraged to wear a topper of their choice too—whether it's a straw fedora, a vintage flat seersucker cap, or a custom ornate number. The Derby's official dress code also recommends that male attendees opt for a suit.

Smoking is prohibited.

While lighting up cigars is a Derby tradition for everyone from spectators to elated horse owners and trainers after a big win, Churchill Downs has recently begun to crack down on smoking. It has officially been banned in indoor areas, any outdoor location where food is served, and at the Spires Terrace for fear that smoke residue will damage the historic building.

Spectators can't bring their own cocktails.

While cocktails and Derby Day may be synonymous, guests cannot bring their own alcohol into Churchill Downs. Luckily, the mint juleps (or, if you prefer vodka over bourbon, the Oaks Lily , a.k.a. the official cocktail of the Kentucky Oaks) are free flowing once visitors enter. Just remember to imbibe responsibly. While the horses are sprinting, the day is a marathon.

Umbrellas are not allowed.

The Derby has never been cancelled or postponed due to weather—and despite the rain-or-shine nature of the event, umbrellas are not permitted inside Churchill Downs. Instead, veteran Derby attendees suggest packing a clear, foldable rain poncho so Derby outfits are still on full display.

But spectators can opt to sit undercover.

Nine-time Derby-goer Dana O'Neill recommends scoring a seat undercover in the grandstand. Not only are guests protected from the elements there—whether it's extreme sun or pouring rain—but they'll also have a birds-eye view of the big event.

There are no ticket refunds.

Sadly, in the event that plans change, tickets are non-refundable . That being said, it's possible to resell tickets through the Kentucky Derby's official resale platform.

And no re-issued tickets either.

Although all Kentucky Derby tickets are now accessible digitally to avoid hiccups, Churchill Downs has a strict policy that states they will not re-issue lost or forgotten tickets "due to the sheer size of the event." There are also no will-call booths at Churchill Downs.

Guests can't access Wi-Fi.

While Derby-goers take plenty of photos at the event, they likely have to wait until they get home to post them on social media. Why? There's no Wi-Fi at Churchill Downs, and the facility has also noted that cell service is pretty unpredictable. All the better to live in the moment and take in the event, right?

Professional cameras, tripods, and selfie sticks are a no-go.

Speaking of photos, tripods, selfie sticks, and professional cameras are not allowed at the Derby. Although cell phone photos are permitted, spectators are restricted from bringing cameras with detachable lenses, as well as any type of photo equipment that comes complete with a stick or pole.

And please, no flash photography.

While spectators could probably get away with using flash when taking photos in the grandstands, they're asked (by Derby sign maker Todd Herl ) not to use flash photography near the thoroughbreds and riders—for safety reasons, of course.

Large bags are prohibited.

Like most major sporting events, the Kentucky Derby follows a strict bag policy . Though visitors might be tempted to bring a sizable bag to carry rain gear, comfortable shoes, and other essentials, purses larger than 12" x 6" x 12" are banned, along with backpacks and luggage.

Spectators should not necessarily expect a perfect view of the track.

Over 150,000 people pack into Churchill Downs for the Derby. Although massive screens have been installed to allow the maximum amount of spectators to watch the Run for the Roses, it's important to note that some seats offer limited or obstructed views of the track.

Signs are not permitted.

Although some people attend the Kentucky Derby to root for a specific horse, there are no banners or signs allowed in the grandstand on race day. The official policy does allow for pre-approved exceptions for passionate Derby-goers.

Madison McGee is a lifestyle editor for Hearst Magazines. She can usually be found reading, exploring New York’s many indie bookstores, cheering on the Baltimore Ravens and the Ole Miss Rebels, or wishing she was lying on the beach.

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Melissa Gorga's Kitchen Includes Eye-Catching Lighting & a Bold Statement Piece (PICS)

The Real Housewives of New Jersey  mom shared a new look at her kitchen as her sons, Joey and Gino, put it to good use. 

In 2022, Melissa Gorga   told BravoTV.com  that when designing her incredible  Franklin Lakes  mansion, she had a "big closet" and a " big kitchen " at the top of her list. "That's all I asked for," she revealed. 

How to Watch

Watch The Real Housewives of New Jersey  Season 14 premiere May 5th at 8/7c on Bravo and stream next day on Peacock .

Luckily,  The Real Housewives of New Jersey   mom , who moved into the gorgeous abode in November 2022, got what she wished for (and then some), with a sprawling kitchen we can't get enough of. 

Inside Melissa Gorga's Gorgeous Kitchen 

On April 21, Melissa hopped on her Instagram Stories to share a behind-the-scenes look at dinner time in the Gorga household. In the video, we saw Melissa's husband , Joe Gorga , sitting at one of the kitchen islands while their two sons, Joey and Gino (and a few pals), took control of the meal. 

Melissa & Joe Gorga’s New House Has the Most Stunning (and Massive) Kitchen

The kitchen features serene blonde wood floors, bright white cabinets, and sleek white counterops. We also saw brass details throughout the room with some eye-catching light fixtures hanging above the double kitchen islands while a statement-making white hood hung over the large stove range.  

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Additionally, when Melissa zoomed in, we got a view of some beautiful white cabinets with glass doors surrounding the stove.

"They are having a cook off in my kitchen," Melissa joked in her Stories, commenting on what her boys and their friends were up to. Hey, if that was our kitchen, we'd definitely be cooking every day! 

Inside Melissa Gorga's Primary Bedroom

In addition to her kitchen, Melissa recently brought us into her bedroom as she tried on several fashionable 'fits. While the brunette beauty rocked everything from navy blue trousers to a hot pink slip dress, we got a view of more of the room's sandy wood floors along with a large white area rug that seemed to be peeking out from the room's bed. 

We also spotted two footstools, a white armchair, and a light gray credenza with a round-shaped mirror mounted above against the wall, presumably a vanity or getting-ready space.

Melissa Gorga's House Has the Most Serene Bedroom and Foyer Area (PHOTOS)

There was also a white marble wall to the side which featured a built-in fireplace and TV mounted into the wall. 

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