imagine you are the author of the travel diary

What Is a Travel Journal + How to Make One with Examples

Traveling to new places and journaling about your exciting and enriching experiences is beyond rewarding. Whether you're exploring a bustling city, immersing yourself in nature's wonders, or embarking on a cultural adventure, capturing your travel experiences is a great way to preserve memories and reflect on your journey. One popular and creative way to document your travels is through a travel journal . In this article, we'll cover what a travel journal is, the benefits of keeping one, how to choose the best travel journal among different types, and provide you with tips and examples on how to make your own.

Ready to discover how to capture your travel experiences in different places, explore creative travel journal ideas and travel journal prompts, and more? Let the adventure begin!

What is a Travel Journal?

A travel journal is a personal diary that allows you to record your thoughts, feelings, and experiences during your travels. It serves as a visual and written account of your adventures, providing you with a tangible keepsake that you can cherish for years to come. Unlike a regular journal, a travel diary focuses specifically on your journeys, including details about the different places you visit, the people you meet, the food you try, and the sights you see.

Benefits of Keeping a Travel Journal

Keeping a travel journal offers numerous benefits beyond simply documenting your experiences. Here are some additional reasons why you should consider starting one:

1. Emotional and Mental Well-Being

Journaling has been shown to have positive effects on emotional and mental well-being . When you write about your travel experiences, you have the opportunity to process and reflect on your emotions, helping you gain a deeper understanding of yourself and your reactions to different situations via your journal entries. It can be a therapeutic outlet for releasing stress, anxiety, or even excitement, allowing you to better manage your emotions throughout your journey.

2. Enhanced Memory Retention

Writing about your travels helps improve memory retention. By actively engaging with your experiences and recording them in detail, you reinforce the neural connections related to those memories. This makes it easier to recall specific moments, sights, sounds, and even the feelings associated with them in the future. Your travel diary becomes a valuable tool for preserving and retrieving cherished memories.

3. Cultural Exploration and Appreciation

A travel journal encourages you to be more observant and attentive to the details of the places you visit. It prompts you to delve deeper into the local culture, traditions, and customs. By documenting your interactions with locals, sampling regional cuisine, and exploring hidden gems, you develop a greater appreciation for the unique aspects of each destination. Your journal becomes a testament to the richness and diversity of the world around you.

4. Personal Growth and Self-Reflection

Writing in a travel diary allows for introspection and personal growth. As you reflect on your experiences, you gain insights into your own values, beliefs, and perspectives. You may discover new passions or interests, challenge preconceived notions, or develop a greater sense of empathy and understanding for others. The process of self-reflection through journaling can lead to personal transformation and a deeper connection to the world.

5. Travel Planning and Preparation

Your travel journal can serve as a practical resource for future trips. By documenting your itineraries, accommodations, transportation details, and recommendations, you create a valuable reference guide that covers your experiences more fully. You can refer back to your journal to jog your memory or provide recommendations to fellow travelers. It becomes a repository of knowledge that can streamline the planning process for future adventures.

6. Connection with Loved Ones

Sharing your travel journal with friends, family, or future generations can be a meaningful way to connect and bond. Your journal becomes a storytelling tool, allowing others to experience your journey vicariously through your words, sketches, and photographs. It can spark conversations, ignite curiosity, and inspire others to embark on their own adventures.

7. Creative Expression

Engaging in the creative process of journaling stimulates your imagination and artistic abilities. Whether you're writing prose, sketching landscapes, creating collages, or experimenting with different art mediums, your travel diary becomes a canvas for self-expression. It encourages you to think outside the box, explore new artistic techniques, and develop your creative skills.

Keeping a travel journal goes beyond simply recording your experiences. It has profound benefits for your emotional well-being, memory retention, personal growth, and cultural appreciation. It serves as a tangible reminder of your adventures, a tool for planning future trips, a means of connecting with others, and a creative outlet for self-expression. So, grab a journal and embark on your journey of exploration and self-discovery through travel journaling.

Types of Travel Journals

There are different journals for just about any goal or activity you can think of – from travel journals to fitness journals , from gratitude journals to garden journals , and more. Similarly, there are various types of travel diaries to suit different preferences and styles. We cover the best travel journals below so you can find one perfect for you.

1. Guided Travel Journals

Guided journals provide travel journal prompts and structured sections to help you capture specific aspects of your journey. Guided journals often include questions, blank pages to fill in, and guided activities to guide your journaling process. Using a guided journal or planner , can ensure you cover all the essentials, without missing any crucial details you’ll want to revisit later.

2. Traditional Handwritten Journals

These are classic journals or notebooks with blank pages where you can freely write, draw, or glue mementos. Traditional journals offer the most flexibility in terms of customization for creative journal entries.

3. Photographic Travel Journals

For those who prefer visual storytelling, a photographic travel journal focuses on capturing moments through photographs. You can include pictures alongside brief descriptions or captions to narrate your journey visually.

4. Scrapbook Travel Journals

Scrapbook-style journals combine photographs, tickets, postcards, and other memorabilia with handwritten notes and decorative elements. They provide a visually appealing way to preserve your travel memories.

5. Sketchbook Travel Journals

If you have artistic inclinations, a sketchbook journal allows you to sketch and paint scenes, landmarks, and people you encounter during your travels. It's a great way to capture the essence of a place through your own artwork.

6. Digital Travel Journals

In the digital age, many people opt for digital travel journals, using apps or online platforms to document their adventures. Digital journals offer the convenience of easy editing, multimedia integration, and the ability to share your journey with others online.

7. Travel Bullet Journals

A popular trend in journaling, travel bullet journals combine organization and creativity. Based on the bullet journaling system, these journals use symbols, icons, and trackers to help you plan and record your travels. You can create sections for itineraries, packing lists, daily logs, and more, all while adding artistic touches and personalization.

You can also use a monthly planner with ample note pages and customize it as a travel calendar journal.

Whether you prefer the structure of guided journals, the freedom of traditional handwritten journals, the visual impact of photographic or scrapbook journals, the artistic expression of sketchbook journals, the convenience of digital journals, or the organization of travel bullet journals, there's a type of travel journal that will resonate with you and enhance your travel experiences. Choose the one that suits your style and embark on a journey of creativity and self-expression.

How to Make a Travel Journal

Now that you have an idea of the different types of travel journals, let's explore how to make your own.

1. Selecting the Right Journal

Consider the type of journaling experience you desire. If you prefer writing and sketching, a traditional blank-page journal or sketchbook might be ideal. If you want structure and guidance, opt for a guided travel journal. If you're tech-savvy, explore digital journaling options.

2. Gathering Essential Supplies

Depending on the type of journal you choose, gather supplies such as pens, pencils, markers, glue, scissors, washi tape, stickers, and any other decorative elements you'd like to incorporate. If you're going digital, ensure you have a suitable device and any necessary apps or software.

3. Planning Your Journal

Before your trip, plan how you want to organize your journal. Consider creating sections for different aspects like itineraries, accommodation, food, and sightseeing. This will help you stay organized and make it easier to find information later.

4. Documenting Your Journey

During your trip, actively engage in your journaling process with regular (yet not restrictive or rigid) journal entries. Write about your daily experiences, jot down interesting conversations, glue in ticket stubs or postcards, and take photographs to complement your entries. Let your creativity flow and capture the essence of each moment.

Travel Journal Page and Layout Examples

The layout and organization of your travel journal pages play a crucial role in bringing your travel experiences, from all the different places you’ve visited, to life. By incorporating various elements and sections, you can create a visually appealing and informative journal that captures the essence of your journey. From practical pages for itineraries and packing lists to creative spreads for reflections and bucket lists, here are some ideas to help you design engaging and meaningful pages for your travel diary.

1. Packing List and Pre-Trip Planning Pages

Dedicate a page or spread to jot down your packing list and pre-trip preparations. Include essential items, travel tips, and any special considerations for the destination. You can even add checkboxes or symbols to mark off items as you pack, ensuring you don't forget anything important.

You may also want to check out these helpful travel and packing tips .

2. A List of Local Words and Phrases

Learning a few basic words and phrases in the local language can greatly enhance your travel experience. Create a page dedicated to practicing and referring to these words and phrases. Include translations, pronunciation guides, and space to practice writing them. This page can be a helpful tool for connecting with locals and immersing yourself in the local culture.

3. Itinerary Pages

Design pages dedicated to your daily itineraries. Include the places you plan to visit, opening hours, transportation details, and any additional notes or reservations. You can add maps, photographs, or illustrations to make the page visually appealing and easy to navigate.

4. Accommodation and Restaurant Reviews

Reserve pages to review and rate the accommodations and restaurants you experience. Include details like the location, ambiance, service, and any standout dishes. You can even attach business cards, menus, or photographs to accompany your reviews. These pages will not only serve as a reference for future trips but also help fellow travelers discover hidden gems.

5. Post-Trip Reflection and Wrap-Up

Allocate space in your journal for post-trip reflections. Create pages to summarize your overall experience, highlight your favorite moments, and reflect on the lessons learned during your journey. Include photographs, sketches, or quotes that capture the essence of your adventure. These reflection pages will serve as a reminder of the growth and memories you gained from your travels.

6. Travel Bucket List

Create a dedicated page to list destinations, landmarks, or experiences you aspire to visit or accomplish in the future. You can divide the page into different categories like countries, UNESCO World Heritage Sites, or adrenaline-fueled activities. This page will serve as a source of inspiration and motivation for your future travels.

7. Travel Budget, Savings Goals, and Tracking

If budgeting is important to you, design pages to track your travel expenses, savings goals, and tips for saving money during your travels. Create tables or graphs to visually represent your budget and savings progress. These pages will help you stay accountable and ensure you're making the most of your financial resources.

Your travel diary is a personal and creative space to capture the memories, emotions, and experiences of your journeys. Through carefully designed pages and layouts, you can transform your journal into a visual and written narrative of your adventures. Whether you choose to incorporate practical elements like itineraries and packing lists or focus on creative expressions like reflections and bucket lists, the possibilities are endless. Let your imagination guide you as you create pages that reflect your unique travel style and personality. With each turn of the page, your travel diary will become a treasure trove of cherished memories and a gateway to relive your journeys again and again.

Creative Travel Journaling Ideas and Prompts

Stuck on what to write or include in your travel diary? Here are some creative travel journal ideas and travel journal prompts to get you started:

• Write a letter to your future self reflecting on your travel experiences and what you hope to remember.
• Describe the scents, sounds, and tastes that stand out in each place you visit.
• Create a "People You Meet" page, where you can jot down brief descriptions or draw portraits of interesting individuals you encounter during your journey.
• Write a short story or poem inspired by a specific location or experience.
• Make a to-do list of activities or experiences you want to accomplish at each destination. Challenge yourself to complete as many as possible and check them off as you go.
• Write a gratitude list, noting the things you're grateful for during your travels. It could be the stunning sunsets, the kindness of locals, or the serendipitous encounters.

A travel diary is a beautiful way to document and cherish your travel experiences. Whether you opt for a traditional handwritten journal, a photographic account, or a digital platform, the process of journaling will enhance your journey and provide a lasting memory of your adventures. Experiment with different styles, layouts, and prompts to make your travel journal uniquely yours. So, grab a journal and start capturing your travel memories today!

Join the Conversation

Newsletter signup, shop now. pay in 4. always interest-free..

Add your favorites to bag

Select Afterpay at Checkout

Log into or create your Afterpay account, instant approval decision

Your purchase will be split into 4 payments, payable every 2 weeks

You must be over 18, a resident of the U.S. and meet additional eligibility criteria to qualify. Late fees may apply. Estimated payment amounts shown on product pages exclude taxes and shipping charges, which are added at checkout. Click here for complete terms. Loans to California residents made or arranged pursuant to a California Finance Lenders Law license. © 2020 Afterpay

Pay in 4 interest-free payments

No impact on credit score and no late fees. Available for purchases of $30 to $1,500.

• Choose PayPal at checkout to pay later with Pay in 4 .
• Complete your purchase with a 25% down payment.
• Use autopay for the rest of your payments. It's easy!

Pay in 4 is available to consumers upon approval for purchases of $30 to $1,500. Pay in 4 is currently not available to residents of MO or NVMissouri or Nevada. Offer availability depends on the merchant and also may not be available for certain recurring, subscription services. When applying, a soft credit check may be needed, but will not affect your credit score. You must be 18 years old or older to apply. PayPal, Inc.: Loans to CACalifornia residents are made or arranged pursuant to a CACalifornia Financing Law License. GAGeorgia Installment Lender Licensee, NMLS #910457. RIRhode Island Small Loan Lender Licensee. NMNew Mexico residents:

Find more disclosures related to Pay in 4.

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

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

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

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

Why Keep a Travel Journal?

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

Preserving Memories

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Creative Outlet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Start a Travel Journal?

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

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

Choose the Right Journal

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

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

Determine Your Journaling Style

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gather Essential Supplies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What to Include in Your Travel Journal?

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

Daily Itinerary and Activities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Impressions and Emotions

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

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

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

Photos, Tickets, and Souvenirs

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

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

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

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

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

Tips for Effective Travel Journaling

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

Here are our top tips.

Write Regularly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be Descriptive and Detailed

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keeping Your Travel Journal Safe

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

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

Digital Backup

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

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

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

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

Protecting Physical Journals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sharing Your Travel Journal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. What are some different versions of travel journaling?

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

5. Can a travel journal be stored digitally?

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

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

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

Brooks Manley

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

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

Here’s my favorite journal for 2024: 

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

How to Start a Bullet Journal + 25 Bullet Journal Ideas

You may also like, are left-handed people more creative.

A Guide to Morning Journaling + 50 Prompts

How to use journaling to set and meet goals, leave a reply cancel reply.

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

• Productivity
• Favorite Journals

Travel Journaling Guide: How to Write the Ultimate Travel Diary

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

What is travel journaling?

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

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

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

ESCAPE CHEAT SHEET

Planning your big escape? These are the booking resources I return to time and time again.

Book your hotel or hostel on Booking.com or Hostelworld .

Protect against accidents and emergencies with insurance from Staysure or SafetyWing .

Find a tour or experience on Get Your Guide .

Travel the world for free with TrustedHousesitters .

Travel Journaling: Should I keep a travel journal?

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

You might want to keep a travel journal if…

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

7. You want to improve your writing skills

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

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

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

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

Travel Journaling: What should a travel journal include?

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

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

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

1. Brainstorming

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

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

2. Trip research

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

3. A trip plan

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

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

4. A travel diary

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

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

5. Other travel memorabilia

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

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

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

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

6. Sketches

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

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

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

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

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

1. Write down the date.

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

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

2. Write down your location.

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

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

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

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

4. Start writing chronologically.

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

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

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

5. Be specific.

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

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

The following prompts might come in handy:

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

6. Be truthful.

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

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

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

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

Travel journaling tips

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

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

A general notebook:

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

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

+ More freedom to doodle.

– Less incentive to make an entry.

– It can get scruffy quickly.

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

A dated diary:

+ Looks more aesthetic.

+ Acts as a reminder not to miss a day.

+ Looks like a traditional diary.

+ May motivate you to write more often.

+ Often includes helpful prompts to spark your creativity.

– Can waste line space.

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

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

2. Put aside 15 minutes every day to journal.

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

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

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

3. Journal while you’re in transit.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

6. Get creative with it.

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

Here are some ideas:

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

7. Keep your travel journal safe.

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

Prevent water damage

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keep it in a safe or a locked locker

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

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

Carry an anti-theft backpack

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

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

Anti-theft backpacks:

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

8. Don’t forget a pen (and back-ups).

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

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

Travel journaling examples

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Woke at 1am for the Mount Batur sunrise trek.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Travel journaling: How do you make a memorable trip?

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

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

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

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

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

1. Research your trip.

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

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

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

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

Here are some ideas for your research:

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

2. Book your flights.

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

3. Book interesting accommodation.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. Engage in more offbeat travel experiences.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

2. Be as specific as possible.

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

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

3. Feature specific characters.

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

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

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

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

4. Write up your travel journal.

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

5. Edit your travel journal.

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

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

Traveling journaling: Types of travel journals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Traveling journaling: A6 travel diaries

Best for: weekend trips.

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

Travel journaling: A5 travel dairies

Best for: longer trips.

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

Travel journaling: Watercolour travel journals

Best for: artists.

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

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

Katie Treharne

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

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

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

 Yes, add me to your mailing list

Privacy Overview

Travel journaling: 10 tips to create a gorgeous travel journal to treasure for a lifetime

By: Author Monica

Categories Blog

Do you write a travel journal? 

I know, it’s the 21st century and we all take a billion photos a day and share everything online. That’s like a modern form of journaling travel, right? Well…no. Today I’d like to make a case to bring back the lost art of travel journaling.

This post about travel journaling was created in collaboration with Snappy Snaps and I’d like to share some tips to help you create a beautiful and thoughtful travel journal. I’ve got some tips to get started and also tips to keep travel journaling, even on the days you aren’t in the mood!

For me, writing a travel journal or a travel diary is one of my favourite times of the day while I’m travelling.

In my opinion, not enough people write travel journals! Travel journaling is honestly the most therapeutic and creative way to store and reflect on your travel memories. A journal brings back memories in a way a photo never could, and the act of writing helps solidify memories so you’re less likely to forget them.

I’ll usually write in my travel journal before going out for dinner, at that gorgeous time of day when the sun is setting and everything is peaceful and calm. I love to reflect on the day, write about everything I’ve done and jot down notes about things I want to remember. I’ll have a cold beer or a glass of wine and spend half an hour quietly jotting down my thoughts from the day.

Even on the days where I don’t have a lot to say, I’ll just bullet point some thoughts and stick in a few tickets or notes or whatever I’ve collected that day.

I love writing my travel diary but I love reading it back even more. 

I’ve got travel journals from my first backpacking trip in 2009. I’ll admit that many of the pages make me cringe, but it’s a joy to read and it brings memories flooding back in a way that photos never could. It’s interesting to see what felt important at the time and there’s always so much I’d forgotten about until I see the words on the page written in my own familiar scrawl. I’ve written pages and pages about people I no longer remember and destinations that are just a vague blur in my mind.

Here are some tips to help you create travel journals you’ll treasure for a lifetime

#1. Why should you create a travel journal?

• To preserve your memories
• As a fun, creative outlet
• To ensure you have a moment of calm during a busy trip
• As a form of self-care to help organise your thoughts and talk about your feelings
• To give yourself a wonderful thing to read back in years to come
• To help with writing travel blogs and Instagram captions
• To help remember key facts that could help people plan their future trips

#2. What should you put in your travel journal?

The lovely thing about journaling travel is that there is no right or wrong answer here. You can write about whatever you want. You don’t need to be a good writer or be artistic or creative. You just need a notepad and a pen and some thoughts in your head.

I like to play around with different formats in my travel journals such as:

• Brain dump – Just sit and write anything that comes into your head. Don’t overthink it, just write.
• What I did today – A traditional journal style, chronologically following everything you did that day
• All photos – Some days I don’t want to write so I just stick a load of photos in
• Bullet points – No time to write sentences? Just get your thoughts down quickly with bullet points
• Scrapbook style – Stick tickets or other notes into your journal that will remind you of your day

#3. What do you need for your travel journal?

You could keep it simple with nothing more than a notepad and a pen, or you could go all out!

Take a look at craft supply stores like Hobby Craft, Etsy or even bargain shops like Poundland for crafting supplies. You can get things like travel themed washi tape, cute accessories to stick in, stamps, stencils, frames and fancy pens.

Notepad – Personally, I like a notepad where I can tear pages out if I need to. I like knowing that if I make a mistake I can just rip the page out.

A nice pen – Stationary geeks will understand the joy of finding the right pen!

Two coloured pens – I try to stick with a particular colour scheme so I’ll rarely use more than two colours

Photos – More on photos below

Scissors – Remember that you can’t take scissors in your hand luggage!

Pritt Stick – Vital for sticking in tickets and notes

Travel wallet – I also travel with some kind of travel document wallet. I’ll use this to store any of the tickets or notes I want to add into the journal as I often do this once I get home.

#4. Printing photos for your travel journal

I wait until I’m home to print out my photos and stick them into my journal. When I’m writing I’ll leave pages blank to allow space for photos.

For me, photos in a travel journal are SO important. This is mostly because they encourage me to look back and read old journals as it’s more enticing when the pages are broken up with pictures.

For my latest travel journal I used the online photo printing service with Snappy Snaps. I was so impressed with this service. I ordered them at about 2.30pm on Tuesday and they arrived with my postman by midday on Wednesday. I couldn’t believe they came so quickly!

The quality is brilliant and I love the matte effect in my journal.

Travel Hack Tip: When selecting the photos you’d like to print, always choose the best quality ones you have. Avoid filters or heavily edited photos and, if you can, use photos taken on a camera rather than a phone. You often don’t notice the difference in quality when it’s on the screen of your photo but you really do notice the difference once they’re printed. Filters look great on your phone but they don’t look great in print.

#5. Digital travel journals vs paper travel journals

I’m sure you’re aware that there are countless travel journal apps available. Personally, I prefer a good old fashioned paper journal. I find the words flow easily when written with a pen and it’s a more rewarding and creative process. I’m also more likely to read it back in years to come when it’s a paper journal.

If you’re the kind of person who prefers to keep things digital then I’d highly recommend using an iPad along with an Apple Pencil and the app Day One Journal. It’s a lovely, intuitive app and you can add photos into each journal entry. It also gives you daily journal prompts if you’re struggling for ideas!

#6. Travel journal prompts

If you’re struggling for ideas for what to write in your journal then here are some travel journal prompts to get you started:

• What was the highlight of your day?
• Who was the most interesting person you spoke to today?
• Write about an interesting conversation you had.
• Describe the best meal you had today.
• What was the worst thing you did today?
• What surprised you today?
• Did you learn anything new today?
• Did anything scare you today?
• Describe your accommodation.
• What are you missing from home?
• What happened today that you never want to forget.

How travel journaling led to my career as a travel blogger

I’m just going to interrupt these travel journal tips to share how my travel journal led to my career as a travel blogger!

Read more: How I turned my passion for travel into a career as a travel blogger

Passive income and making money as a blogger in 2022

I’ve always been a journaller. Yes, even back in the days when writing a journal wasn’t ‘cool’ and it wasn’t part of every millennial’s self-care routine. I wrote journals about my best friends and my latest crush, my days at school and my hopes and dreams for the future. Yes, it was just as embarrassing as it sounds! It was my way of processing all the confusing thoughts that jumbled around my brain and journaling helped me feel calm and relaxed after a hectic day.

It felt natural to begin a travel journal when I left to go backpacking for two years in 2009.

I wrote a daily journal and eventually typed these handwritten notes up and posted them on the internet in the form of a blog.

I did this for years without anyone really noticing what I was going…until one day people did notice. And quite quickly, lots of people noticed! And, to cut a very long story short, I’m now lucky enough to do this full time! If I hadn’t written that journal all those years ago then I never would have ended up doing this and I just feel so pleased with myself for taking the time to write those journals!

#7. Travel journals + self care

Let’s not forget that writing a journal, even if it isn’t a travel journal, is an invaluable form of self care. Whenever I’m feeling stressed or overwhelmed or like I have too many thoughts in my head, I always find journaling will help. 

Travelling can often be stressful and we often travel when we need to escape things at home. While you’re writing your journal, don’t confine yourself to just writing facts and figures and descriptions from your trip, write about everything. Write about how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking and how the overall trip is affecting you. Observing your feelings and how the world around you is making you feel. No one else needs to read your journal so don’t worry about getting personal because this is only for you.

#8. Should you use an Instant camera for your travel journal?

Polaroids look gorgeous in scrapbook-style travel journals and it is nice to instantly print your photos and add them to your journal as you write. Aesthetically I think they look amazing but realistically I’ve always found it cumbersome.

Polaroid cameras are bulky and annoying to carry. You’ll probably be taking the majority of your photos on your main camera or phone so it’s a big thing to lug around for just a couple of snaps each day. Not only that but the reels are expensive and you’ll have to make sure you’ve got enough for your whole trip.

#9. What if I’m not artistic, creative or good at drawing? How can I make my travel journal look amazing?

That’s OK, I’m not either!

If you’re no good at drawing but would like something extra in your journal then use brochures, maps and tickets to create gorgeous pages.

#10. Travel journal inspiration

I’ve left this tip until the end because it can be a double edged sword. Looking at other people’s travel journals for inspiration can give you so many ideas and inspire you to create your own, but it can be overwhelming and put a lot of pressure on you to create ‘the perfect journal’.

The best places to find inspiration are:

Search for the terms:

#TravelJournal

#ScrapbookingIdeas

#BulletJournal

Tuesday 19th of October 2021

Oh I'd love to try this out when I go on holiday next!

Definitely give it a go! It's a lot of fun and such a nice way to keep a record of your holiday.

Ambica Gulati

That was a very interesting read. I used to keep a diary as a kid, now everything is online. But would love to write again.

That's how I feel too. I love writing blog posts and sharing photos online but it isn't the same or as creative as sitting and writing a journal. It's so theraputic!

Travel Journal: Ideas, Tips, and How To Write a Travel Diary

• Travel Journal

Traveling has the potential to be wildly fulfilling. It exposes you to new cultures, different perspectives and unique experiences. The further you travel the more you are pushed out of your comfort zone. And the more you are pushed out of your comfort zone, the more you learn about yourself and the world around you.

One of the most popular types of journals is a travel journal. By having a travel diary, you can keep all these new experiences and knowledge in one place where you can reflect on them.

What is a travel journal?

Travel journals are a place where you can write about trips you have taken, what you learned during and the experiences you had. It is a collection of adventures, stories, memories and discovery.  It doesn’t matter where you're going or who you’re traveling with, an online trip journal can come anywhere. 

Why Write A Journal When Traveling?

There are many benefits of keeping a journal when traveling, but here are a few to start with:

Remember More

By writing down the things you want to do on your trip and the things you have done during it, you won’t forget the reasons you wanted to go and will remember more of your visit.

When traveling somewhere new, you will learn a lot about that place’s culture, customs and people. By having a place to write down your observations, you will absorb more of your surroundings.

Reflect More

A journal is a place to record new things you have discovered while exploring various places you visit. By having all these new findings in one place, you will be able to look back and reflect on what you have learned and apply it to other parts of your life.

How To Write Travel Journals: 5 Tips To Get The Most Out Of Your Journaling

You don’t need to be traveling to Timbuktu to write a travel diary. Your writing can start with a family vacation or a weekend getaway. All you need is a destination and your holiday journal can begin!

1. Use your journal to plan your trip

Your trip journal can begin before your trip has even started. Use your journal to start planning the things you want to do. It can be anything from a cool restaurant you want to eat at, a hike you want to go on or different sights you want to see. Write down whatever is on your trip check-list, so you don’t forget it.

Once you know what you want to do, do some research and figure out the best way to do it. If you want to go see a special monument, figure out the best way to get there and put it in your journal. If you want to do some cool activities, write down the contact information of the people, places or tours that facilitate them. Your journal is also a great place to keep the contact information of your accommodations and transportation.

2. Write about what you imagine it will be like

Sometimes when you travel, your destination is wildly different than what you expected. Maybe you expected the local food to be bad and it turned out to be delicious. Maybe you imagined the town to be smaller than it actually is. Maybe you thought you would be more comfortable with the language. Whatever it is, think about writing it down before you arrive. It will be interesting to compare these predictions to what you actually experienced.

3. Write during your trip

It is always easier to remember things when they are fresh in your brain, so try and write as much as you can while traveling; every day if you can. Your journal entries don’t have to be long, but let them highlight what you feel was most important or exciting. How did you feel during your visit to the local market? What did you smell, taste and hear? Did you learn something new from the person you spoke to at the bar? Were you surprised by the clothes people were wearing? What was the view from the top of the mountain like? Before you go to bed, try and recall what you did that day, what you thought and how you felt. This will serve as a great way to remember more from your trip, but will also help you reflect and grow from what you encountered.

4. Add pictures to your journal

Even though your journal is meant for writing, pictures are still worth a thousand words. Combining pictures with your first-hand accounts of what they represent, or what happened when they were taken, will make for an even more comprehensive narrative of your travels. Don’t worry about glueing or taping anything either. Penzu allows you to upload pictures straight into your online travel journal, so you can keep your pictures and words connected and organized.

5. Write about your trip after you leave

Since you write about your trip before you arrive, you should also write about it after you leave.

• What was it like?
• What did you learn?
• What surprised you?
• What disappointed you?

It is important to reflect on your travels, so you can retain new understandings and apply them to future adventures. This is also a great way to learn about yourself, other people you may have travelled with and how you can grow. Step back from all the things you did and try to see the big picture. It may surprise you.

10 Travel Journal Ideas To Inspire You

The blank pages of your travel journal may not be serving as great inspiration, but your new trip should! Here are 10 travel journal ideas to get those creative juices flowing, kick-start your writing and help you get the most out of your travels. We hope these journal prompts help!

1. Why are you going?

Not every trip needs an explanation and not every vacation needs a justification. People travel for all sorts of different reasons or for no reason at all, but if your travel has purpose, write about it. Even if you’re traveling for the sake of it, that is a reason worth talking about too.

2. Write about your expectations.

As we mentioned above, expectations can wildly differ from reality, especially when going somewhere you’ve never been or going with someone you have never travelled with before. Jot down what you think the trip will be like, or hope it will be like.

3. What are you going to do?

Write about the things you want to do, the sights you want to see, the music you want to dance to, the food you want to taste. Writing it all down will get you excited and help you not to forget.

4. Write about the people.

Did you meet anyone new? Did you make a new friend? Were the locals welcoming? Did you learn something new from a stranger? Did you learn something new from a friend? People can really make a trip. Whether you came with them, or met them there, write about how the people you encountered affected your experience.

5. Write about the food.

Just because you call it your travel diary, doesn’t mean it can’t double as a food diary . If there are any foods you loved, dishes you hated or recipes you can’t live without, write them down to remember them all. Maybe some new fare you tried will influence your tastes when you return home.

6. The ups and the downs.

What did you like most about the trip? What did you like the least?

7. Write about yourself.

Reflect on the new experiences you had, what made you uncomfortable and what enticed you. Did you learn anything new about yourself on the trip? Did being somewhere else expose something you hadn’t seen in yourself before? Traveling can help people grow. Think about your journey and if it helped you grow in any way.

8. Write a travel guide.

If you knew friends were going to the same place, what would you tell them to do? Write down your recommendations and the stuff that should not be missed.

9. What would you have changed?

Is there anything about the trip you would have changed? Is there anything else you wish you did? Anything you wish you didn’t do? Write about your travels and how you can improve them for the next time you go away.

10. Where do you want to go next?

We all have a wish-list of places we want to go. Write yours down and try to start checking them off.

Using Penzu for Your Travel Journal

Penzu’s journal software allows you to access your journal from any computer, smartphone or tablet. Penzu will be your travel journal app ; all you need is your mobile phone or tablet and can write in in it, with or without wifi. You never have to miss an entry or forget a moment, as Penzu can come with you around the world. No internet necessary.

Now that you know what to write in a travel diary and how to write one, all you need to decide is where to go. Pick a place get start your online journal today!

There's no time like the present - start your free online journal today!

Loved by millions!

Get access to your diary wherever you are – download the free Penzu app for your all of your iOS and Android devices today!

Related Articles

Best Travel Journal App

Journal Basics

What is a Journal?

Journal Entries

Benefits of Journaling

Journal Types

How To Start and Write a Journal

• Journal Examples
• Journal Prompts

Ideas for Journals

How To Create a Reflective Journal

A reflective journal is the perfect place to jot down some of life's biggest thoughts.

• Dream Journal

Dream journals are instrumental in fields as diverse as psychology, natural science, creative arts and advanced mathematics. What is your subconscious trying to tell you?

• Pregnancy Journal

A pregnancy journal helps you remember important information about your health and make better decisions while you're expecting.

Prayer Journal

Deepen your relationship with God by writing down your prayers every day. Learn by reflecting on prayers that have been answered, and others that haven’t.

5 Year Journal

A five year journal can help you remember the people and events that matter to you.

• Free Signup
• What is a Journal
• Reflective Journal
• Bible Journal
• Five Year Journal
• Secret Diary
• Electronic Diary
• Diary Templates
• Wedding Diary
• School Diary
• Health Diary

Copyright Penzu Inc. 2024

• Skip to primary navigation
• Skip to main content
• Skip to primary sidebar
• Skip to footer

TravelAwaits

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

9 Tips For Keeping A Memorable Travel Journal

Bizi88 / Shutterstock

• News and Tips
• Travel Tips

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

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

Alix Kreil / Shutterstock

1. Pick Your Pen And Paper

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

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

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

2. Choose When And Where To Write

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

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

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

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

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

3. Include The Day, Date, And Location

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

4. Develop Your Observation Skills

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

Twinsterphoto / Shutterstock

5. Write About The People You Meet And See

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

6. Track What You Want To Change

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

7. Describe Your Moods

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

Louisa Rogers

8. Use Your Journal To Boost Your Creativity

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

9. Brainstorm On The Written Page

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

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

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

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

Further Reading:

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

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

Travel Diaries - Create your own traveler's diary

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

Read more posts by this author.

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

Why Keep a Travel Diary?

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

1. Memory Preservation

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

2. Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

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

3. Capturing the Small Details

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

4. Sharing and Connecting

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

Creating Your Online Travel Diary

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

1. Choose an Online Journaling Platform

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

2. Select a Theme or Template

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

3. Incorporate Multimedia Elements

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

4. Organize and Categorize

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

5. Share and Engage

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

Using Journey to Create Your Travel Diary

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

1. Multimedia Integration

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

2. Geo-tagging & Mapping

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

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

3. Multiple Devices & Syncing

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

4. Privacy & Security

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

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

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

5. Journaling Prompts & Templates

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

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

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

Get in touch with us

Are you sure you want to logout?

Please select your grade.

• Earth and space

How to Write Travel Diary – Practice with Examples

What is a diary entry, and how can we benefit from it.

A diary is a place where you may be honest with yourself, note your observations, and express your feelings regarding events in your life. Additionally, it is a place where you can speak freely, think, and fantasize. Anything you want can easily be written down using words.

Activity Time

It was agreed by you and your sister to commemorate your parents’ 25th wedding anniversary. Your plans should be expressed in no more than 150 words as a diary entry.

Diary entry

____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________.

What are Diary Entries and their Types?

A diary entry is a group of pages that make up the entry. The dates and times when the diary entries were written are typically used to organize them. Depending on the diary type, each entry may include thoughts, feelings, reflections, dreams, and more. Even in your diary, you can subcategorize the information in an entry.

• As an illustration, subcategories of a dream diary could include lucid dreams, nightmares, etc.
• Diary entries can be written, illustrated, recorded, or even a combination of several media.

Why Keep a Diary When You Travel?

There are numerous advantages to writing when traveling, but these are a few to get you started.

• Remember More

You won’t forget the reasons you wanted to go and will remember more of your visit if you list the activities you intend to undertake while traveling as well as the activities you have already completed.

You can learn a lot about a new place’s culture, traditions, and people when you visit there. You will notice more of your surroundings if you have a place to record your observations.

• Reflect More

A journal is a location where you can write down new things you’ve learned from exploring the many places you go. You will be able to look back and consider what you have learned and apply it to other areas of your life by having all these fresh discoveries in one location.

Here are a Few Pointers on How to Write a Travel Diary

You must travel and keep a travel diary. You can begin writing wherever you need to. All you need is a location to start your vacation diary.

• Plan Your Vacation Using Your Diary

Even before you go on your trip, you can start keeping a notebook. Start making plans for the things you wish to do in your journal. It could be anything, such as a hip restaurant to eat at, a trek you want to do, or other attractions you want to see. To ensure that you don’t forget anything from your trip checklist, write everything down.

Mention the location you’ve been to above the page

• Use a small diary that you can easily carry along with your travel
• Carry a craft kit, which includes little scissors, pens, plaster, a notepad, stamps, and other supplies.
• Write About How You See it to be

Describe your experiences there.

When you travel, your final location may be completely unanticipated. It’s possible that despite your expectations, the local cuisine surprised you by being excellent.

• Write While Traveling

When information is still fresh in your mind, it is always simpler to recall it. Therefore try to write as frequently every day as you can.

• Add Pictures to Your Diary

In order to have a nice memory of your travels for the rest of your life, you can gather photographs or photos from the places you visit.

You can then add your doodles or postcards to the entries in your journal.

• Write About Your Trip After Your Leave.

You should write about your vacation once you return, just like you do before you go.

• How did it feel?
• What did you discover?
• What caught you off guard?
• What made you unhappy?

To retain new knowledge and use it in future endeavors, it is crucial to reflect on your travels. This is also a fantastic method to discover more about who you are, your possible traveling companions, and your potential for development. Take a step back from what you accomplished and try to grasp the big picture. You might be surprised.

Let’s write the travel diary entry of the place we visited during the last vacation .

You’ve traveled to Miami and visited many places in the city and the city’s scenery and cuisine, and you plan to write about your travels there as well as its location and part of its history, culture, food, and attire. You must compose a minimum of 100 to 150 words.

Let’s practice with a few examples

Make a daily journal of your activities, a scientific notebook of your observations of plants and animals, an art journal of your sketches, a map of the places you visited, or a mix of all four.

Vacation Journal: Day

Related topics

Exploring the World of Adjectives: Types, Usage, and Examples

What are Parts of Speech? Parts of speech determine words’ grammatical and semantic position in a sentence. Activity time The parts of speech are nouns, adverbs, conjunctions, pronouns, interjections, adjectives, articles, prepositions, and verbs. Identify the parts of speech of the underlined words in the following sentences. White- Adjective Big- Adjective    Exciting- Adjectives New- […]

Memoir Writing: Basic Elements, Structures, and Types

Memoir: A memoir is a narrative written from an author’s perspective about a particular facet of his/her own life. ‘Memoir’ word comes from the French word ‘memoire’, which means ‘memory’ or ‘reminiscence’. Example Night: Elie Wiesel gives an account of how he survived his teenage years at Auschwitz and Buchenwald concentration camps during World War […]

Identification of Main Idea in Fiction and Non-fiction

Every story or paragraph or non-fictional text has at least one main idea. The MAIN IDEA is what the text is mostly about. (It is backed up or supported by SUPPORTING DETAILS) Before discussing how to find the main idea, we shall first look at TOPIC. Can you define a topic? A topic can be […]

Writing an Article: Structure and Essential Tips

What is an article? Structure of Article Writing : Title : Draw the attention of readers with an attractive title and indicate the main topic of the article Introduction : Attract the reader’s attention with a sentence that gives a general presentation of the topic. Main Body : Between these sentences, the body should do […]

Other topics

How to Find the Area of Rectangle?

How to Solve Right Triangles?

Ways to Simplify Algebraic Expressions

The art of travel writing: How to turn your notes into a story

Travel writing is one of the most misunderstood, and romanticised, jobs on the planet. That’s where this three-part Masterclass series comes in. To shine a light into its dimly lit corners, correct a few misconceptions about travel writing (and writers) and hopefully inspire you to write about your travels.

As I see it, travel writing is the lovechild of journalism and creative writing. Of course there are as many ways to write as there are travel writers, but the best stories have a spark that makes you just want to keep reading.

Before we get onto crafting a travel story, remember that great travel writing is great writing, period (as they say in America). It’s clear, every word pulls its weight and it takes you somewhere (and not just to a destination).

The “Big Five” of travel writing

Hanging out on Lord Howe Island.

There are five common kinds of travel story that can help you make sense of your travel notes, each with a built-in structure:

• Lists and “roundups”. These showcase a selection of experiences or destinations sharing a common theme. Quirky, odd-numbered lists such as “21 reasons you should live in Berlin” and “29 Insta-worthy places to go” are increasingly popular, particularly online, but the Top 10 is a classic that never goes out of style.
• City guides and hotel reviews. These stories are usually short and written to a template set by the publication such as “48 hours in…” or a “Three-minute guide to…”.
• Journey stories. If your trip takes you from A to B, whether by road or camel train, on foot or by cargo ship, the journey is your structure. That is, you can write about it roughly from start to finish, condensing some bits and expanding on others to create interest. A word of warning: diary-style stories are generally easy to write, but can be boring to read unless there’s a reason you’re writing in a day-by-day format.
• Stories with sub-heads. Sub-headings help you structure a longer feature, organising your ideas into clusters. Breakout boxes are also handy, a good place for information that might otherwise break the flow of the main story.
• How-to stories: Don’t forget destination-less travel stories such as “How to” and stories based on issues or travel trends.

RELATED: MUCH MORE THAN A DESERT – A TRIP INTO THE SAHARA

Finding story angles

The sixth kind of travel story is a feature, which requires an angle or theme. That is, you have to know what the story is about . Finding good angles comes with practice, but here are a few ways to nose them out:

• Know who you’re writing for . Getting to know the publication and its readers can help you know what they want to know. What interests them? What can you tell them about this destination?
• “How was your trip?” What’s the first thing you told your friends and family members, or posted on Facebook, after your last trip? It could be something that surprised you, something you loved, something that happened to you, even something you know people back home might find interesting. Whatever it is, it could become the backbone of your story or at the very least the hook you start it with.
• Just write. Sometimes the best way to find out what your story is about is to start writing and see where that takes you. Other times it helps to write down all the main ideas you want to include in a kind of mind-map. Different stories often require different strategies.
• Mind-travel back. Read through your notes, look at your photos, take some time to think about the trip and jot down any themes or highlights you might be able to string together into a story.
• Narrow your focus. Don’t try to cover too much in one story. Instead of writing about the San Francisco food scene, for instance, write about the foods unique to San Francisco (like fortune cookies; who knew they were invented in San Francisco’s Chinatown?).

Once upon a time: The hook

Hiking in the Sierra Nevada.

The next most important part of the story is how it starts. This is where you “hook” the reader and make her want to keep reading, so it pays to spend more time crafting that first sentence or two.

Fortunately, travel writing has a few road-tested hooks. The most common way to start a story is to drop the reader in the middle of the action: “I’m standing naked on the rooftop of a Bangkok hotel with no idea how I got here” (or something).

The hook can also introduce the main idea of your story or make an observation about the place or about travel, or life, in general. It can be controversial or confessional. You can even ask a question or start with a quote. Or find some totally new way to start a story that no one has ever tried before.

RELATED: IMPROVING ANIMAL WELFARE IN EGYPT

From travel diary to travel story

Now for the main course: building a story. To do this, you need a structure, a framework on which to hang the various points and ideas you want to share about the place. Do this successfully and you create a story that’s bigger than the sum of its parts, one that will take your reader on a ride.

Travel diaries are a fantastic raw material, but a travel story requires you to do more than say what you did each day. Otherwise it’s like giving someone some flour, sugar and butter and a couple of eggs and saying, “Here’s a cake”.

You need to group things together and lift out details, make decisions about what to focus on and what to leave out, to make your story glimmer with interest.

A few tips to help you organise your story into a cohesive whole:

• Be selective. You can’t write about everything that happened, everything you saw, every fascinating person you met. You need to be selective, and be brutal: include only the highlights, the most memorable experiences, the best encounters and leave out the rest –or put those into other stories later.
• More ideas, less description . A popular misconception about travel writing is that it has to be full of adjectives and colourful descriptions. It’s really about ideas and insights, well communicated. One of my favourite writing quotes is: “Words are the carriage, not the queen.”
• “ Up-down” writing. Too much detail gets claustrophobic, but too much overview makes a story feel distant. The trick is to alternate between the two, zooming in on details or a moment in time, then zooming out to the big picture, to keep the story moving.
• Avoid clichés. Travel writing has more than its fair share of phases that have worn out their welcome. You know the ones, but two to avoid at all costs are “paradise” and “a land of contrasts”.
• Be yourself. One of the trickiest balancing acts in writing is knowing how much of yourself to put into a story. Too little and the story is soul-less. Too much and it can sound self-indulgent. As in life, aim for the middle way…

RELATED: IT TAKES A VILLAGE. THE CHANGING FACE OF TOURISM IN RURAL VIETNAM

Bring it home

Canoeing in Canada.

A good story ending ensures you don’t leave your readers dangling at the cliff-edge of the second last paragraph. You’ve brought them this far, after all.

A few ways to end your story:

• Refer back to the beginning; this neatly completes the loop or narrative
• Sum up the main points, in a way you haven’t yet used in the story
• Mention something you’ve learned from the trip: a conclusion or insight that came from your experiences
• Share a “moment in time” as you did in the hook, only this time your intention is not to lead the reader into the story but to leave her with a lasting image or feeling.

Remember that all writing is a process and good writing takes practise, discipline and time. Be prepared to write bad drafts; we all do. The secret to good writing is good rewriting, as American essayist EB White once said; that is, knowing what doesn’t work and fixing it, again and again, until it does.

The best travel stories aren’t just about what you, the travel writer, did or what a place looked like. They take us to the heart of that place, to its true essence. They make us feel something and inspire us to travel and to look at the world, and life, differently.

In the words of Pico Iyer, one of my favourite travel writers, “Writing of every kind is a way to wake oneself up and keep as alive as when one has just fallen in love.”

Some of the best stories come from the road. Make your own on a small group adventure with Intrepid – explore our range of trips now . 

All photos by Louise Southerden. 

Feeling inspired?

Louise Southerden

Louise Southerden has been a professional travel writer and author for more than 20 years and is passionate about travel that makes the world a better place. She’s also an author and award-winner; in fact, in 2019 she won the Australian Society of Travel Writers’ Travel Writer of the Year award – for the fifth time. To follow her adventures in simple, sustainable living, see No Impact Girl .

You might also like

5 reasons to visit sri lanka in the..., why 2024 is the best year to see..., 6 unique experiences you can have in el..., from delhi to udaipur, here are the five..., cinque terre vs amalfi coast: which destination to..., love at first bite: 10 famous sandwiches from..., galapagos or madagascar which unique destination should be..., central vs south america: how to plan your..., 4 reasons you should take a road trip..., lessons learned on intrepid’s sabah adventure, travelling to chile here’s the best time to....

How to Make a Travelogue: 8 Travel Journal Ideas and Writing Tips

Traveling can be a widely fulfilling and exciting experience. A travel journal is a fantastic way to remember the things you have done during your trip and write down the observations you have had during the trip. You don’t have to travel around the world and have exotic adventures to write an insightful travel journal. All you need is a basic journal notebook and a destination.

But first things first:

What is a travelogue?

Three different meanings come up with a quick search:

• A travelogue can be a piece of writing about travel.
• On the other hand, a travelogue can also be a talk or lecture on travel usually accompanied by a film or slides.
• Finally, a travelogue can be a narrated motion picture about travel too.

In short, a travelogue is a speech, a movie, or a piece of writing about someone’s experiences while traveling. When a travelogue is a piece of writing, it is also called a ‘travel diary’ or ‘travel journal’.

Quick wins and tips to write an excellent travelogue

Here’s why you need to get into travel journaling or writing a travel journal and how to ace it:

You Can Plan Your Trip Before You Arrive

Don’t wait until you’re at your destination.

Use your journal to plan your holiday before you even arrive. You can enhance your travel experience by using your journal to plan out some activities.

Research and note the names and menus of restaurants you want to attend, sightseeing tours that interest you, hiking spots, or just photos to help inspire you.

Write down a checklist of places you want to see , your budget, or your list of things to pack. It can be very overwhelming arriving in a new country so making these notes before arriving at your destination can be very helpful. Not only will you have more fun, but you’ll also take some of the stress out of finding things to do and start getting interesting travel journal ideas.

It can be interesting to write what you imagine it will be like and then compare it to reality, once you arrive.

Don’t Just Describe

Avoid just listing descriptions of the activities.

“You want to create a captivating story that brings the journal to life , not a mundane list of things you’ve done. Also remember you don’t have to include everything, for example, if you eat the same cereal in the hotel as you do at home there is no need to note this experience,” says Joel Saunders, a travel writer at Boom Essays .

Pick out some interesting activities and experiences from each day and write about them. Write about how different your daily life is and how it compares to what you had imagined it would be.

Use dialogue , some of the best overseas stories come from overheard dialogues between tourists, locals, or conversations you can be a part of. Write whatever catches your imagination, if it interests you it’s likely to interest your reader.

You’ll find that one of the best parts of traveling is encountering people who are very different from you. Take in the local culture ; journal about things people say and do that are new and interesting to you.

Write Whilst It’s Fresh

It is easier to remember moments when they are fresh in your brain, try to write as much as you can whilst traveling. Writing at the moment will help you achieve the most accurate, vibrant, and engaging content.

We understand you don’t want to get distracted from your travels by working, you don’t have to write down much, just keywords like smells, tastes, sounds, and dialogue . Go back to the entry later and the content will be sure to trigger the emotions you felt.  

Writing after the event has happened can often be a false memory seen through rose-tinted glasses, especially if you write about it once the trip is over and you’ve returned home. You might find that writing a brief journal entry every evening is a nice way to unwind and end your day .

Wondering what to include in a travel journal ? Sometimes writing the most random emotions can work best:

• Did you learn something that day?
• Did something upset you?
• Was someone wearing something that stood out to you?
• What did you eat?

Don’t be afraid, to be honest, and include things that were strange or even unpleasant, these things are part of traveling and can be very interesting to read about.

Use Writing Tools

Writing tools can be a great way of getting the best out of your travel writing, they can improve spelling and grammar as well as make the text more cohesive.

• State of Writing and Grammar Checker

The grammar guides cover everything you need to know about writing.

• Essayroo and Assignment Help

These online communities will help you find like-minded people to give advice and share tips with.

• Cite It In and Word Counter

These are great tools if you want a professional take on your journal. Use citation tools to reference other articles, travel books, or websites.

• UKWritings and Academized

These are proofreading services that will help you polish your writing.

• My Writing Way and Via Writing

These tools will help you if you decide to choose the blogging route.

Add Pictures

A journal is for text but pictures are still worth a thousand words .

Combining images of your travels with words can form a comprehensive narrative of your travels. Take images of places you are describing, of a new friend, even a selfie or two if that’s the impression you want to give of your travels.

Sometimes images can make the journal seem more human and personal , it can also bring back memories or inspire. If you forget or don’t have time to journal for a few days, you’ll be glad you took some pictures so that you can use them to help you remember and fill in the blanks.

If you are so inclined, add sketches or doodles , they don’t have to be works of art but perhaps just mindless lines to pass the time on public transport. 

The internet is full of sketchbook tours. When talent and practice get together, the result is just mind-blowing.

Don’t Be Afraid to Write About the Bad

Even the best holiday will have ups or downs.

Don’t be afraid to write about what disappointed you . Since you wrote about your trip before you arrived, you should also write about it after you leave. The best travel journals are straightforward and raw.

Maybe you were looking forward to a meal and it wasn’t as high quality as you were expecting, maybe your hotel didn’t look like the website photo or, maybe the flight was hellish.

Often your bad experiences will be the most interesting and dramatic things to write in a journal. Great works have been written about awful trips. You might even want to book yourself into a cheap motel or visit a kitschy tourist spot just so you have a higher chance of a more authentic and interesting experience.

Write down what you would have changed about it, maybe you will return to that destination and want to remind future you to do something differently.

Write About Yourself

Think of yourself as the main character, or maybe even the hero, of your travels.

Take some time to record your trials and tribulations. Reflect on how the experience changed you or will change you in the future.

Did you learn something new about it yourself, like a new skill or the enjoyment of something you previously hadn’t enjoyed?

Write about the huge argument you and your friend had outside that restaurant that made you wait an hour for a table. Traveling can help people grow and evolve into better versions of themselves, it teaches you to appreciate people’s differences, to accept different cultures, and to be more patient, amongst others.

Maybe you’ve seen a side of your personality that you don’t like such as anger, prejudice, a judgmental side, or a snobby side . Don’t be afraid to be honest about your reflection as this itself will help you grow. All the best stories and creative and unique travel journal ideas have the character go through an arc and change, for better or worse.

Will your travel journal have an arc?

You can write this during the trip, or after, depending on when you start seeing these differences.

It Doesn’t Have to Be On Paper

We all think of worldly travelers with their beaten-up notebooks but in this day and age, you have so many choices.

Many people vlog , videoing their travels and speaking directly to the camera. This can sometimes be less visceral than a written journal but it can be more accessible and easier to show others. The cons of vlogging are also the worry about carrying camera equipment and having the right sound and lighting to capture that perfect moment.

Check this vlogger’s take on how to start vlogging:

Apps are also a great aid to travel journals. There are purpose-built travel journal apps that allow you to take notes, upload images and video plus text, and auto-link the website of the place or business you are mentioning. The best element of these apps is that they will auto-capture the time, location, and weather of your location; allowing you to craft a thorough online travel journal .

But the main piece of advice is to enjoy yourself . Traveling is fun and your journal should be too.

• Start writing in your travel journal scrapbook before you leave home.
• Don’t just list off things you did and places you visited, turn your trip into a story.
• Include details about how you felt and thought about the places you experienced.
• Record your thoughts while they are fresh in your mind and don’t be afraid to include the not-so-great parts.
• Use pictures to enhance your writing and to aid your memory.
• Be sure to use writing resources so your narrative flows well and doesn’t have errors in it.
• Write about what you want to talk about, show the images you want to show and summarize both the best and the worst of your time.

Do you have any further tips to add to this travel journal writing guide? Are you still wondering what to write in a journal? Would you like us to write a guide on how to create a travel blog?

Send us an email to aworldtotravel @ gmail . com , we are always happy to improve our articles with your tips!

There are 2 comments

I want to know how to start my travelogue… I have so many ideas n experiences but don’t know how to put them into words please help me.

Get in touch with us via email 🙂 We’ll try to help

Comments are closed.

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

by Sascha Tegtmeyer

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

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

Video – This is how you can design your travel diary

By downloading the video you accept the privacy policy of YouTube. Read more

Always unlock YouTube

Practical advantages of writing a travel diary

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

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

Buy travel diary

• TRAVEL DIARY TO FILL IN: Our travel diary offers both…
• VARIETY THROUGH EXTRA PAGES: Travel hacks, packing lists, quotes,…
• INSPIRING & MOTIVATION: In our travel diary you will always find…

• YOUR TRAVEL EXPERIENCES: Record 50 travel days – for world trips,…
• REFLECTION & MINDFULNESS: Numerous exercises and tips let you…
• DESIGN CREATIVELY: Let your creativity run wild, decorate and...

Why should you design and write a travel diary?

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

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

You stimulate your imagination

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

You remember what you experienced again

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

Apple Use iPad with keyboard and pen for a travel diary

• Impressive 10,9″ Liquid Retina display with True Tone
• A14 Bionic chip with 6 core CPU and 4 core GPU
• 12 MP wide-angle rear camera

• iPad 2018 32GB WiFi Space Gray No Acc.

• Item - Package Dimension - 11,81102361L x 11,7322834526W x…
• Item Package Weight - 1,653466965 pounds
• Package quantity item – 1

• This used product is not Apple-certified, but has been...
• Blemishes on the product (e.g. scratches, dents, etc.) may…
• This product comes with a battery that compared to…

• 10,9″ Liquid Retina Display1 with True Tone, large P3 color space and…
• Apple M1 chip with neural engine
• 12 MP wide-angle camera

What belongs in your travel journal?

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

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

I use a Moleskine travel diary with a Lamy ballpoint pen

• soft cover cover with rounded corners and elastic band for...
• Reusable paper band on the back with additional...
• Ivory white paper 70g/², acid-free

• Always have this notepad with you, in your pocket or in your ...
• Classic design with hard cover and elastic closure. The...
• The acid-free, ivory-colored paper is ideal for ...

• The classic and legendary Moleskine notebook gets new...
• Classic design with elastic closure and a practical...
• The notebook has 192 pages with a layout of white pages and...

• The elegant fountain pen is presented with a matt black ...
• The high-quality, polished stainless steel nib guarantees good ink flow...
• Giving away joy: The LAMY scala fountain pen 080 is not only...

• The ballpoint pen impresses with its restrained design,...
• The LAMY scala is suitable for the LAMY refill M 16 in all colors
• Made in Germany - you can rely on LAMY: High quality paired with...

• The elegant rollerball is presented with a high-quality ...
• This beautiful writing instrument is the absolute all-rounder, a ...
• Giving away joy: The LAMY scala rollerball pen 380 is ideal for...

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

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

Translate experiences into words

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

Take yourself back to the past day

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

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

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

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

Travel diary apps – digital memories on your smartphone or tablet

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

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

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

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

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

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

Download Day One for iOS

2. Ulysses - the concentrated companion for written travelogues

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

Download Ulysses for iOS

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

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

Download Pages for iOS

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

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

Download GoodNotes for iOS

List – More travel journal apps

Related articles, insta360 x3 test & experiences – panoramic view on vacation.

Sealife Sportdiver SL400 underwater housing test & experiences

Apple Watch while skiing & snowboarding – experiences, tips & apps

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

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

How often should I write in my journal?

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

What should I write about in my diary?

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

How long should my diary entries be?

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

Do I have to write my diary in full sentences?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How do I start journaling?

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

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

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

Do I need to buy a special diary?

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

Can I decorate my journal pages?

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

What are other benefits of journaling?

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

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

My conclusion

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

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

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

*Affiliate links (advertising) & Amazon advertisements with affiliate links / sales by Amazon or third-party providers on the Amazon marketplace. / As an Amazon partner, we receive a small commission - you don't pay anything extra. / Product data last updated on November 16.04.2024, XNUMX / Images from the Amazon Product Advertising API / Product images are served via a privacy proxy / Disclaimer: The price shown may have increased since the last update. The actual price of the product as stated on the seller's website on Amazon.de at the time of purchase is decisive for the sale. A real-time update of the prices stated above is not technically possible. 

Submit a Comment Cancel reply

Your e-mail address will not be published. Required fields are marked with * marked

Save my name, email and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Notify me of follow-up comments via email.

Notify me of new posts via e-mail.

submit Comment

Lyn Hughes | 07 November 2018

How to write the perfect travel journal.

Want to record the thrills and spills of your adventures? Here's how to write an evocative and captivating travel diary...

1. Ask yourself... who is the diary for?

Is it just for you to read – or to share with your friends? This could influence what you put in or leave out! It will also influence the tone and style of the way you write. If you're keen to write for a wider audience, how about  creating a travel blog ?

2. Ask yourself... What do you want to include?

When writing your notes, think about what you’ll want to remember from the trip in ten, 20, or even 30 years.

It'd be a good idea to include your itinerary; your route plotted on a map, plus a ‘cast list’ of people you meet en route (include brief descriptions or even photos to jog your memory). Keep the contact details of the people you would like to keep in touch with (and do keep in touch with them!).  You could list the ‘top moments’ or ‘best bits’ from your trip – best sunset, view, meal, restaurant...

3. Avoid listing mundane activities

'And then I did this... and then I did that’... It can become tedious! You want to create a captivating story, not a repetitive list. Indeed, this is one of  the big no-nos of travel writing !

4. Remember entries don’t have to be chronological

Write whatever catches your imagination, whenever it occurs to you.

5. You don’t have to record everything!

What you leave out is as important as what you put in.

6. Use dialogue

Funny things you’ve overheard, or a conversation with a camel driver, for example.

7. Use ALL your senses

Write about the sounds, smells, tastes and even textures of your trip.

8. Illustrate it

The act of drawing a building, termite mound or person will help to etch them in your memory. If you're not artistic, how about learning how to   get the best results from your camera  or  how to take great iPhone photos  instead?

9.  Use it as a scrapbook, too

Stick in tickets, bottle labels, snippets from local newspapers, receipts, etc – use the pocket in the back of the journal to hold them, or stick them in next to the day they refer to. You'll have a thick, full memory book to look back through.

10. Give a day and date for each new memory...

Or else you’ll forget what happened when.

11. Get it down on paper while it’s fresh

It will be much more vivid. If there’s not enough time for a full description, jot down a few key words, which will jog your memory and fill in the gaps later.

12. It’s your journal, so stick to what interests YOU

If you want to record distance in miles covered, units of wine drunk, funny road signs, tacky souvenirs, or even cute cats, then great – that’s up to you!

13. Enjoy yourself!

Your travels and trips are fun – and your journal should be too! If it's becoming a chore, think how you can change it to make writing more enjoyable... How about summarising each day with one sentence, a best of/worst of list, or replacing words with pictures or photos?

Further tips on travel writing:

5 biggest mistakes made by novice travel writers how to become a travel writer 10 tips for writing inspiring travel articles, related articles, looking for inspiration.

Join our newsletter

Get the very best of Wanderlust  by signing up to our newsletters, full of travel inspiration, fun quizzes, exciting competitions and exclusive offers.

33 Terrific Travel Journal Ideas, Tips + Prompts!

Looking for the best travel journal ideas to help you remember your next trip–plus some prompts to help you think of what to write?

You’ve come to the right place!

As a lifelong lover of both journaling and travel, I have experimented with all kinds of travel journals over the years, ranging from the time-consuming to the simple, from the unique to the very basic.

I absolutely love the travel journaling system that I use now (more on that below), but depending on your habits and writing style, there is no limit to the number of ways to preserve your travel memories on the written page.

Some links in this post may be affiliate links. If you make a purchase through one of these links, we may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Please see our disclosure policy for more detail.

This guide to travel journal ideas and prompts covers everything from the physical kind of travel diary to use, to tips on journaling effectively, to travel journaling prompts to help you get your writing started.

Remember, though, that the #1 rule of travel journaling is that there are no rules!

Anything that helps you preserve the intense memories of your travel experiences counts.

That being said: here are some of the best travel journal ideas out there!

Table of Contents

Terrific Travel Journal Ideas

Travel journaling tips, inspiring travel journal prompts, planning a trip.

While there are plenty of beautiful travel journals on the market, don’t feel like you need one to keep a memorable travel diary!

I’ve kept travel journals in everything from a $0.99 composition notebook to elaborate leather-bound notebooks to the Notes app in my phone, and I can confidently say that the best travel journals come from the heart–the physical place you put them is the least important function.

That being said, if you are looking for beautiful travel journal examples, I highly recommend these!

One Line a Day Journal

This is my current favorite travel journaling system, and I’ve been using it for nearly 5 years now!

Here’s the format: each page in this diary has a date at the top (say, August 17), and 5 small sections to write 1-2 sentences below it.

For 5 years, keep a daily journal of a memorable moment, and at the end, you’ll be able to look back and, on a single page, see what you did on all your August 17ths.

While this isn’t specifically a travel journal, I absolutely adore using it as one: the tracking of time through both days and years simultaneously is incredible, and the short time commitment is perfect for my lifestyle that already includes lots of writing.

I do still try to keep a long-form travel journal once a week or so, too, but I love my One Line a Day Journal so much that I recently bought two more, just to ensure I have the next decade covered if they stop making them!

Page A Day Travel Journal

Looking for something formatted for you, but with more of a travel theme and more of a long-form approach?

The Page A Day Travel Journal is perfect for that!

In addition to space to write about your day, there are spaces to note your destination and event the weather.

Classic Leather-Bound Journal

What reading-and-writing nerd among us hasn’t dreamed of owning a leather-bound journal to track their travels in?

I have always enjoyed this journal style and have owned a few in my life!

There are tons of similar ones on the market these days, given how popular they are, but I love the compass detail and great reviews on this one .

Postcards To Yourself

Looking for more unique travel journal ideas?

Consider sending postcards to yourself from the road!

In many destinations, you can mail yourself (or someone else) a postcard right from the souvenir shop where you purchase it–so bring a pen along, write some quick thoughts about your day, and drop it in the mail.

By the time you get home, you’ll have a collection of memories delivered right to your front door that you can save forever.

Travel Checklist Journal

If you’re the kind of traveler who wants to make sure they don’t forget a thing, the Travel Checklist Journal is the perfect choice!

With daily prompts covering everything from the restaurants you ate at that day to your most memorable moment of the day, it’s an in-depth log of your adventures.

I’ll be honest: I could never keep up with this much travel journaling on a daily basis.

But, some people absolutely can!

If you find yourself not sure what to put in some sections, though, don’t worry about it–better to skip a prompt than make your journal feel like work instead of fun.

Bullet Journal

A classic bullet journal like this makes a fantastic travel journal idea!

In addition to writing, consider including drawings, hand-drawn maps, charts, and more.

Standard Notebook

You don’t need anything fancy to keep a beautiful, memorable travel journal!

Anything from a simple composition notebook to the back of a receipt will do in a pinch, and I would never recommend putting off writing because you don’t have the “perfect” vessel to store your memories in.

If you’re looking for a fairly standard, lined notebook that is durable without including much formatting to get in the way of your creativity, though, I love these notebooks .

I’ve owned them in various colors and designs for years, going out of my way to replace my old ones with the same brand when they get full.

Buy one on the road!

While I definitely recommend keeping a travel journal from hour one (airports and train stations are great places to write!), there’s also something special about buying a diary on the road.

If you find a journal you love while you’re traveling, consider picking it up and journaling there from then on.

On Your Computer or Phone

I’ll admit, I’m very biased toward analog travel diary ideas–it’s just my style!

But if you prefer typing to writing, or you just don’t want the hassle of carrying a physical journal on the road, you can easily keep a detailed travel journal on your phone or laptop!

Evernote is a fantastic app for journaling on your phone, though a basic Notes app works fine too.

A Word document or Google Doc can work as well.

Alternatively, you can type and send emails to yourself and store them in a certain folder in your inbox!

There is no wrong way to keep a travel journal–whatever works for you, is more than fine.

That being said, based on my personal experience of keeping travel journals over the years, here’s my best advice for preserving your memories!

Try to write as often as possible.

Here’s the sad truth: you will forget much of your vacation.

Even if you remember the basics such as where you went, what you did, and who you were with, the passing years will steal the sensory details from your memory, jumble the order of events, and soften the edges of your stories, making it hard to recapture the emotions of your travel experience.

While some of that is the inevitable result of living a full, exciting life packed with beautiful memories, a travel journal can absolutely help preserve those experiences for you for decades to come.

The period of time that I was worst at keeping a travel journal– the first year of our full-time travels –is also the one where memories have faded the most.

It’s my #1 travel regret that I didn’t keep a detailed travel journal that year!

Imperfection is better than procrastination.

Don’t have time to write pages and pages?

Can’t find the right words to capture exactly how you felt seeing the Eiffel Tower for the first time?

Don’t worry about it: a couple of sentences jotted down that afternoon while waiting for your coffee to arrive will capture your emotions far better than waiting weeks to find the right words.

Write what you can’t see.

Photographs and videos can do a lot to preserve visual and even auditory memory–but they can’t capture scents, or the feeling of the humidity lingering in the air, or how soft the dog you stopped to pet was, or the expression on the waiter’s face as you managed to order lunch in a language that you barely speak.

These kinds of recollections, paired with photos and videos, are invaluable for helping place you back in that moment of travel, even years after it has passed.

You don’t have to be a “good” writer.

Forget the English essays of your youth: whether you consider yourself a skilled writer or not, you can absolutely keep the world’s most perfect travel journal for yourself.

Because travel journaling is nothing but a conversation with your memory, and you know exactly how to talk to yourself!

It doesn’t matter if you wouldn’t want to publish it as a memoir or that other people wouldn’t understand what you’re trying to say, because you’re the only audience!

Trust me, as a professional writer of sorts, the things that I write publicly–even in more personal blog posts like this –are not nearly as unguarded as the conversations I have with myself when preserving my own travel memories.

Don’t edit yourself.

This goes somewhat with what I wrote about being a “good” writer, but it’s a solid tip for travel journaling even if you’re a very confident one.

Each of us sees the world in a completely unique way and will use entirely different experiences and criteria to jog our memories.

If none of the travel journal prompts in this blog post speak to you, ignore them.

Write about literally anything you like–anything that speaks to how you experienced your day.

The uniqueness of how we each see the world is never more obvious to me than when I compare the things that Jeremy writes in his travel journal to what I write in mine–many times, we each remember things that the other person didn’t even notice!

Save more than words.

Ticket stubs, brochures, boarding passes, postcards, even foreign currency–anything small and tactile that you can tuck into your travel journal is a fantastic addition.

If you print out any photos along the way or purchase any of the cheesy-but-fun souvenir photos for sale around the world, those can be great components of a travel diary, too.

Full maps are often too big to save in a traditional travel journal, but you can save them separately–or cut out your favorite section(s) and place them in your journal!

Sadly, the ink on receipts tends to fade within a couple of years, but you can try storing a few memorable ones for a while as well.

Depending on your travel journaling style and how much you collect, you may want to tape these extra items to individual pages or keep them tucked into a separate pouch (cheap and fun cloth zip pouches can be found at souvenir markets across the world–maybe you can buy one along the way!).

For something more fun than basic tape, buy a few souvenir stickers along the way and use those to secure your mementos to the page!

Avoid spiral notebooks.

If you want a very inexpensive place to save your memories, opt for a composition notebook over a spiral one–trust me.

Between the spirals being pulled out of place from being moved around so much during your adventures to the fact that they’ll scratch up anything they’re stored near (like your laptop, for example), they’re just not worth the trouble.

I learned this lesson the hard way and will never use a spiral notebook (without a cover, that is) for anything while traveling again!

Always keep your travel journal in your carry-on.

I’ll admit, I’ve broken this rule before, but it’s terrifying checking your travel journal–especially when, like my current one, it contains years worth of irreplaceable memories.

Much better to keep careful watch over it in your carry-on/hand luggage!

Wondering what exactly to write down in your travel diary?

These travel journal writing prompts will get you started!

Choose any of these travel journal topic examples from below and expand upon it in detail, and before you know it, you’ll find yourself jotting down details of memories that would otherwise be lost to time.

As always, the point of travel writing prompts like this isn’t to limit what you write–it’s to provide a jumping-off point.

If you find yourself veering off in a different direction after a few sentences, just roll with it!

What did you do today that you’ve never done before?

Make a list of everything you bought today, from food items to metro tickets.

Describe the most memorable person you interacted with today.

What was your favorite thing you ate today?

What new thing did you learn today? How did you learn it?

Describe your morning routine in detail: what was different from home?

What was your most memorable form of transport today?

What animals did you see or interact with today?

What was the weather like? How did it impact your day?

What were you wearing today? How did it impact your day?

Did you use any words in a language you don’t speak today? What were they?

What’s the big news where you are right now? Is it the same as at home?

What’s the funniest thing that happened today?

What’s the most memorable thing that you physically touched today?

What did you eat for breakfast?

Look up, and describe everything that you see in detail.

If you took a tour: describe your tour guide, including their name!

What did you do today that you didn’t expect to do before your trip?

What’s an interesting story or legend from your destination?

Describe your route from where you’re staying to your first destination of the day.

What’s your favorite word to say in the language of your destination?

What was your least favorite moment of the day?

What was the most surprising thing you saw today?

What interesting conversation did you overhear today?

None of these travel journal ideas or prompts speak to you?

Have something different in mind?

There’s no wrong way to keep a travel diary–whatever feels right when you’re on the road, that’s the best travel journal for you.

Subscribe to our newsletter to follow along with our travels and to receive tips and new content via email!

We won’t send you spam. Unsubscribe at any time.

About Kate Storm

In May 2016, I left my suburban life in the USA and became a full-time traveler. Since then, I have visited 50+ countries on 5 continents and lived in Portugal, developing a special love of traveling in Europe (especially Italy) along the way. Today, along with my husband Jeremy and dog Ranger, I’m working toward my eventual goal of splitting my life between Europe and the USA.

1 thought on “33 Terrific Travel Journal Ideas, Tips + Prompts!”

Thanks for posting this up , this is a very informative article surely.

Leave a Comment Cancel reply

• [ivory-search id="9478" title="Default Search Form"]
• New? Start Here
• Try For Free

100 Travel Journal Ideas & Prompts For Any Adventure

There’s nothing like traveling somewhere new and experiencing once-in-a-lifetime moments. You can never have enough travel journal ideas to help stretch out those moments a little further, to make them last a little longer.

One way we can remember those moments is with a pen and a journal. Having lots of travel journal prompts is a great way to make sure you can relive your favorite memories you’ve made while traveling. 

Here are 100 travel journal ideas and prompts for any adventure.

We’ve taught you how to create a travel journal , but the list for creating and writing in these little books of paper goes on and on. Whether you want to draw, collage, write, use bullets, or simply write from prompts. There are so many ways to keep a travel journal.

First things first, check out a paper journal or a digital journal app, like Journo.

Journals like the Quintessential ‘North Star’ Travel Journal , the Personalized Boarding Pass Journal , and The World is a Book’ Travel Journal are great options for starting your first travel journal.

If you’re looking for something more digital-friendly, download the Journo app . Create your own story with Journo – From classic journal writing to travel maps, and photo books, you’ll be able to document your adventures, print your journals, publish your travels online, and much more.

We give you the tools you need to immediately start writing your own amazing story!

Determine when you want to create your travel journal. 

Do you want to write out prompts before your trip starts? While you are traveling and exploring new places? Or after you come home?

Travel journals are created by you and for you, so you can decide when and where to start creating the perfect journal for you.

Determine the overall layout and aesthetic of the journal.

Before we get to writing, take a look at different creative ideas of physically crafting your journal on Tumblr and Pinterest. Some people turn theirs into a sketchbook of each place they visit, then add more as they go along.

Will you add art? Will it strictly be journal entries or prompts? 

Consider making it a bullet journal, or parts of it. 

Bullets and lists are a great way to remember your favorite things about a place or a road trip. But they are also great for writing down before you leave – list things you want to see, experiences you want to have, locals you want to meet.

The opportunities for lists and bullets are endless! You can craft your trip around lists too. Do you want to learn about a new place through their coffee shops? Bars? Parks? Public transportation? I vow to explore London through it’s coffee or tea shops. What’s on your bucket list bullet list?

Be prepared to decoupage.

Decoupage? That sounds like a fancy term, and it is. But this is your journal, so it can be whatever you want it to be! Tape in receipts, notes, and all the little pieces of papers that end up in your carry-on. Include brochures, maps, tickets, and draw sketches too. Make it look pretty, or not. It’s yours! 

Create a photography challenge or photography bingo. 

This is a fun way to ensure you see all you want to and take pics of all the fun things at your travel destination. Simple create a bingo board in your journal, and then list things in the boxes that you’d like to have pictures of.

This can include landmarks, sights, street food , nature, textures, flowers, sunset, ‘in my bag’, and so many other fun ideas. A great way to get creative in your travel journal!

Psst! If you’re using a digital journal like Journal, you can add these photos right onto the app whenever you take them. 

Now it’s time to start writing. 

Here are 100 writing prompts to get you started: 

General writing prompts.

Write a postcard to a friend or family member from a place you’ll never forget.

You’re traveling around the world in 180 days, what will you bring?

You’re going on a 5-country tour of Europe: What do you eat?

Write a letter home to your best friend describing what you miss about home.

Taking a cruise with your best friend, but when you arrive at the ship you find it’s a senior citizen cruise. Describe your first day.

Your flight is cancelled and you are stuck in the airport for 34 hours. Write about your time at the airport.

How can you feed your sense of adventure, without leaving home?

What’s more important, the journey or the destination?

How has travel changed your life?

What is one event around the world you would love to attend? Why? 

If you were a tourist in your own city for a day, what would you do? 

If you could go on a trip with anyone, dead or alive, who would you go with and where?

Share a time when you got lost while traveling. 

What fear have you overcome while traveling?

Write a review of the best hotel, hostel , or Airbnb you’ve ever stayed in.

Write about a hike or outdoor experience you enjoyed – using all five senses.

If you were to write a travel memoir, what would the first chapter be?

Think of the most beautiful place you’ve ever been to. Describe it using all five senses.

Think back to an interesting conversation you’ve had while traveling and begin your story with that dialogue.

What do you think is the biggest misconception about travel? 

What is the biggest lesson that travel has taught you?

Choose a trip you haven’t written about yet. Choose a different time period, and write about the trip as if it happened in that time period.

Visit a beautiful beach. A message in a bottle washes up onto the shore. What does it say? 

Imagine you had an extra day on a trip you loved. What would you do?

Write a letter of gratitude to someone who showed you an act of kindness while traveling.

Write about a trip with multiple destinations, from the perspective of your backpack.

What is one thing you’ve learned from a local while traveling? 

Write about a road trip you went on, from the perspective of someone or something else (maybe your car, wallet, side mirror, etc.).

Remember a time when you met people while traveling that felt like family. 

Have you gotten out of any sticky situations on the road? Tell us! 

If you could change anything about any of your trips, what would it be and why? 

What languages do you speak?

What countries and places around the world fascinate you?

What is your next adventure? 

Have you fallen in love while traveling? Talk about how you met and how your love progressed. 

What have you explored locally or regionally in your home country that has made you feel adventurous? 

Where would you go to learn more about your ancestors? Is it a dream trip? 

What is one destination that you will never forget?

What is one destination you could permanently move to? 

Where do you get your sense of wanderlust from? 

What’s the weirdest food you’ve tried around the world?

Would you rather see a bunch of cities in one trip for a shorter amount of time or spend more time in each city, and visit fewer? Why?

Have you visited any of the Wonders of the World?

Have you visited any UNESCO World Heritage sites? Which do you want to visit?

Have you visited any sites lived in or frequented by your favorite musicians? Or celebrities?

If you could speak, write, and read one additional language to your own, which would it be? Why?

What is the best local fast food you’ve had in a foreign country?

Do you prefer to travel alone? Or in a group? 

Which literary city would you love to visit? Why? 

What’s your favorite travel show? Why?

Prompts before you go

What is on your bucket list at this destination? 

What have you enjoyed about planning this trip the most? 

Why did you choose this itinerary?

What are your expectations of this destination or experience?

What are you most excited about? Why?

Are there any local delicacies you can’t wait to try? 

What is something new you want to try at this destination?

What souvenir do you want to bring home? And for whom?

What do you want to learn on this adventure?

What have you researched about this destination already? 

Is this a solo trip or are you traveling with friends or family?

Are you hoping to relax or go on adventures on this trip? 

What do you know about this destination? 

Give yourself a piece of advice before you leave on the trip. 

Prompts while you’re there

What was your first impression of your destination? What did you see, hear, smell first?

Draw a local landmark. 

Describe your hotel lobby/room or Airbnb residence.

What did you experience today that you enjoyed? Even the small things…

What was the worst thing that happened today?

Did anything make you smile, laugh, or cry? 

Did you try something new? 

What has been a total surprise about this destination? 

What are the cultural differences between your culture and theirs?

Which traditions would you like to adopt? 

Describe how people dress for work and play.

What meal can you eat again and again? 

How do the people here spend their time on the weekends?

What emotions have you felt during this trip?

Are there any current events at your destination that are affecting you?

How did an experience, person or place make you feel today?

Have you met any locals? Describe them.

Did you learn any new words or phrases today? How did you learn them? 

Sketch a moment you want to remember.

Describe an everyday activity you observed. 

Have any of your perceptions or opinions changed?

What will you miss when you return home?

Have you tried a local beer or wine yet?

Prompts after you’ve left

Overall, would you visit again? 

Would you change anything about the way you visited – the accommodations, the transportation, activities, etc.?

What was your favorite meal? 

What was your favorite tour or activity?

What were the highlights of your trip?

Did this adventure help you grow?

Where do you want to go next and why? 

What is one thing you wish you would’ve done?

Recall something funny that happened on this trip.

Were there any trip disasters?

Describe your favorite day or evening on this trip.

How did you feel when you arrived home? 

What’s one piece of advice you would give someone else going on this trip? 

Now that you’ve seen our list, what do you think? Leave us a comment below! 

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Related Posts:

Advertiser Disclosure

This site is part of an affiliate sales network and receives compensation for sending traffic to partner sites, such as CreditCards.com. This compensation may impact how and where links appear on this site. This site does not include all financial companies or all available financial offers. We appreciate your support!

Editorial Note: Opinions expressed here are the author’s alone, not those of any bank, credit card issuer, airlines or hotel chain, and have not been reviewed, approved or otherwise endorsed by any of these entities.

Travel Tips, Tricks, & Hacks — Straight To Your Inbox

No spam, only the goods. And we would never share your info with anyone.

• Bucket List
• Travel Tips
• Remote Work
• Gift Guides

Most Popular Stories

11 Proven Ways To Be A Responsible Traveler

We want to be responsible adults, responsible citizens, but what about responsible travelers? Are there things we can do that protect us and those around

7 Literary Cities for the Book Lover

We read books to learn new skills, understand our world better, and get lost in the incredible stories of authors from all walks of life. 

14 Tips for Anyone Traveling Alone

In these challenging times, our schedules are out of whack and we are itching to explore. You may find that significant others and close friends

13 Unique Gift Ideas For Father’s Day

Our fathers hold a special place in our hearts. Whether you’re able to spend this Father’s Day with yours or not, we hope to help

Travel More, Remember Better.

• Journo Travel Journal
• Currency Converter
• Become An Insider
• Digital Nomad Secrets
• Remote Work Wealth Club
• Travel Hacker's Toolkit
• Travel Fund Challenge
• Insider Adventures
• Shop Travel Goods
• TERMS & CONDITIONS
• PRIVACY POLICY

55 Travel Journal Prompts

55 travel journal prompts.

Lately, I’ve been getting back into travel journaling. I used to love to journal when I was younger, but at some point, Passport To Eden became my online travel journal and I scrapped traditional journaling.

There is nothing I love more than seeing words on a page. So for the past week, I’ve challenged myself to free write for thirty minutes each day ( first thing in the morning ) based on a series of travel journal prompts I created. And the process has been cathartic.

You don’t have to try all 55 of these travel journal prompts ( or any for that matter ). I created this list of prompts for rainy days when you feel stuck and aren’t sure what to write about.

I’ll also quickly list my journal supplies below.

P.S. You don’t need any supplies apart from a writing tool and a notebook but I’m a stationery nut so here we go .

Disclosure:   Heads up, this post contains affiliate links, which means Passport To Eden may get a commission (at no extra cost to you) if you make an online purchase. Don’t feel pressured to buy anything. We still love that you’re here, reading our content (side note: we suggest getting a coffee or tea first because our blog posts tend to be long). You can read our full affiliate disclosure here to find out more.

Best Travel Journal Supplies

En-Route Travel Journal

I’m obsessed with this travel journal! I picked up a copy from Gift Horse, a small boutique in Nashville , and love it (the journal’s interior has a mix of blank pages, dotted pages, grid pages, and lined pages). There are also cute travel illustrations (some full-page) throughout, which is a cute little touch. Unfortunately, the journal isn’t available on Gift Horse’s online store but you can find it here .

Travel Stickers

All hell went loose when I discovered Etsy ( stationery addicts, beware. This website is trouble ). I have lots of cute stickers from them ( like this orange-and-blue pastel travel sticker set by Audrey Okeya ). I also have a set of printable stickers ( cute graphics that I cut out for scrapbooking ), namely everything from Eva’s store, Tralala Stickers.

I use very minimal Washi Tape in my travel journal, but there is one roll I can’t get enough of – the Wayfarer Washi Tape by Nicole from PaperGamesCo . It’s absolutely stunning and brilliantly detailed . The design is adventure-focused and it goes perfectly with any travel notebook.

Table of Contents

Reflective Travel Journal Prompts

• Why do you travel? What motivates you to travel? ( Example )
• What is the biggest lesson travel has taught you?
• What is the biggest fear travel has helped you overcome? Do you still have fears that you wish you could overcome when traveling?
• How did your worst travel experience shape you? How did your best travel experience shape you?
• What is your mindset about travel expectations? Where do your destination expectations/perceptions stem from?
• What is your biggest regret when it comes to travel?
• What is your favorite childhood travel memory? ( Example )
• Do you have a “type” when it comes to traveling? Is there a certain style of travel that you regard as your comfort zone?
• If you had unlimited travel days, how often would you travel?
• Has travel changed your values?
• What are some travel experiences you’re grateful for?

Trip Planning Travel Journal Prompts

• How do you choose your next destination? Do you pick a place that’s always been on your bucket list? Do you pick a place you feel a personal connection to?
• To what extent does social media influence your itinerary?
• Make a packing list. Cross off anything you feel isn’t essential. ( Example )
• Packing introspection exercise: sketch out your thoughts on the 10×10 capsule wardrobe challenge .
• What are your favorite resources for trip planning?
• Your luggage got lost. You’re given $300 to buy the essentials. What do you buy?
• You’re challenged to spend one month in a cold-weather country with carry-on only. What do you bring?
• Plan a staycation.

Creative Travel Journal Prompts

• It’s open mic night at a local comedy club. You’re asked to share your funniest travel experience. What do you say?
• Write a song you’d love to hear on the radio during a road trip.
• What are the most beautiful words you learned while traveling?

Travel Journal Field Notes

• What was the weather like today? Did it affect your travel plans? ( Example )
• What foods did you eat? Did you try any local cuisine? What was your first reaction to the food? ( Example )
• Describe your accommodations for the night. Where are you staying? What does your room look like? ( Example )
• Did you buy any souvenirs? What inspired your purchases?
• What transportation did you use? How did you get from one area to another?
• Rate any attractions you visited. ( Example )
• What are some facts you learned? Did they change your perception of the destination? ( Example )

Travel Journal Prompts: Character Sketches

• Describe your travel partner.
• Describe the crowd at a local cafe. How are they dressed? How are they behaving? ( Example )
• Record a conversation. ( Example )
• Did you meet anyone while traveling? Sketch them.
• Is there anyone you met who stood out to you? Why? ( Example )
• People watch in a local spot. Write down what people are doing. ( I feel like character sketching occasionally borders on creepy but I promise it’s a great writing exercise ).

Travel Journal Prompts: Landscape Sketches

• What is the most beautiful place you’ve been to? What made it beautiful?
• Pick a place. What are the sounds you hear when you recall the location?
• Describe a dish from a restaurant you’ve visited. What did it smell like? What did it taste like?
• Describe your travel experience from the perspective of an inanimate object in the area ( like a Parisian coffee cup or even the Mona Lisa ).
• Imagine you stepped back in time and took a trip with a historical figure. What did the place look like then versus now? ( Example )

Travel Journal Prompts For Inspiration

• What books inspire you to travel? ( Example )
• What movies inspire you to travel?
• What are your favorite travel quotes? ( Example )
• What are your favorite travel podcasts?
• Who are your favorite fictional travelers?

Travel Journal Prompts For Dreamers

• Money is not an object. Where would you go right now?
• Make a bucket list. ( Example )
• What fictional world would you like to step into?
• What is your dream travel job?
• If you could wake up to any view right now, what would the scene outside look like?

Save Money For Travel Prompts

• What is the most amount of money you’ve spent on a trip? Is there any way you could have saved money without sacrificing trip quality?
• Plan a budget trip.
• What are some free attractions you’ve visited in the past that you’ve absolutely loved? ( Example )
• Come up with a list of ten ways to save money for travel. ( Example )
• What are your limiting beliefs on travel and money? Cross them off and flip the way they are worded. Words have power. ( Instead of I can’t afford to travel, think I CAN save money to travel ).

Editor-In-Chief

Anshula grew up with a love of stories and places. Thirty-five states and 100 bookstores later, she's made her hobbit home in Middle Tennessee. Her Tookish side still takes over and leaves her chasing window seats, literary destinations, adventure books, sunrise coffee, and indie bookshops. She's appeared as a travel source on HuffPost, Reader's Digest, and MSN.

Related Posts

Funny Travel Quotes (That Are Laughably Relatable)

36 Eat Pray Love Quotes That Will Speak To Your Heart

21 Best Travel Souvenir Ideas

20 Travel Proverbs From Around The World

Inspiring Travel Quotes – Just Grab Your Passport And Go

7 Reasons Why I Travel

Very inspiring! I really had some struggles finding good content for my next post on my traveling blog. I mean, how should you tell your readers about your travel experiences if you don’t travel recently? Now, after reading your post I’ll definitely be able to surprise my readers with some very new and creative content. Thank you so much!

Thank you Sofie! I’m glad you found it useful! I never thought of the post as a blog post ideas list. What a creative way to use the prompts! xx – Anshula

I love this and is very inspiring to get back into journaling! I’m definitely pinning this as a reminder 🙂

Thank you Cathers! I’m glad you enjoyed the post. xx – Anshula

Thank you so much! xx – Anshula

You have some very interesting prompts here. I have a 5 year journal where I write a couple of sentences, thoughts or ideas, each day of the year, repeated for 5 years. It’s a really interesting way to journal as each day you see what you were doing at the same time over previous years. It’s great looking back on the different places I was visiting and how I was feeling about things. I have gotten a bit out of the habit since Covid but your post has inspired me to get back into it. Thanks!

Hi Andrea. Sorry for the late response. Thank you so much for your comment! I think it’s amazing that you have a five-year journal (I don’t think I could ever achieve that consistency with journaling so props to you for that). I’m so glad you found you a bit of inspiration from this post. xx – Anshula

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Notify me of new posts by email.

What are you looking for?

11 Creative Travel Journal Ideas

By Author Toni Broome

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

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

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

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

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

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

Table of Contents

1. Incorporate tickets, brochures and maps

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Some travel journal prompts to try

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed .

Wednesday 10th of May 2023

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

Art & Culture Travel Blog

My travel diary: three days in paris.

• Tea Gudek Šnajdar

Paris is one of my favourite cities!

I’m so in love with its museums, French cuisine and the city’s vibe. I’m pretty lucky Paris is only three hours away by train from Amsterdam. So, I’m there quite often. However, recently, I was in Paris for the first time on a solo trip. It was a mix of business and personal trips, so I had enough time to enjoy the city during my short trip. Well, here is my travel diary with things I did during my three days in Paris.

Three days in Paris

Day one – fashionable paris.

This post contains some affiliate links.

I caught an early train from Amsterdam and was in Paris already at 10 am, soI had the whole day to explore the city. It was a rainy, grey Monday morning, and I felt like I was the only person in the city. Paris is usually packed with tourists, but its streets were almost empty this time. I had a feeling like I travelled to some different time when it was only the city of Parisians and a few travellers.

And I was one of those travellers… Explorers… Having the city only for myself.

⤷ Read more : Beginners’ art & culture guide to Paris

Palais Garnier & Coco Chanel

I took a walk from the Jardin du Luxembourg, where my hotel was located, towards the Seine River, Louvre and Palais Garnier.

Before my trip, I read Christina Henry de Tessan’s book ‘Forever Paris’ . She created several self-guided tours around Paris through which travellers could follow in the footsteps of some famous people that used to live there.

I decided to follow the life of Coco Chanel. My tour started in front of the Opera Garnier, from where I continued wandering around the neighbourhood. I’ve passed next to the first Chanel store, one of the apartments the famous designer used to live in and next to the place where she used to have her morning coffee.

There is something special in reading about someone’s life and then strolling the streets where that person lived. Somehow, I could almost see Coco Chanel rushing through the small side streets from her apartment to the office with some new fashion drawings under her arm.

⤷ TIP : When in Paris next time, explore Opera Garnier! It’s a beautiful building, and you can learn a lot about it with this self-guided tour around it .

Marais, street art & vintage shops

My first day in Paris was reserved for immersing in Parisian fashion. I had a nice and delicious lunch in one of the restaurants with a view of the Opera Garnier. And decided to spend my afternoon exploring some famous vintage shops in the Marais neighbourhood. I’ve never spent much time in that area, and it was such a  pleasant surprise. I loved its picturesque streets filled with small cute stores, cafes and restaurants. The whole area has such a relaxed vibe.

It’s filled with street and I loved spotting it all around me. I didn’t have enough time to join some of the street art tours this time, but would definitely like to do that on one of my future trips to Paris.

Marais is well known for some of the best vintage stores in Paris. You never know what you’ll find in them – Dior earrings or some other gem from the 1980s. Well, I wasn’t so lucky… But, I definitely enjoyed visiting them, checking the clothes they have and talking with other shoppers (who were some of the coolest people I’ve met in Paris).

I felt a bit sick that day, so I returned to my hotel early. I got myself a nice cup of hot tea and went to sleep.

⤷ Read more : Check out my post about exploring Paris like a local for more ideas about things to do and see in Marais.

Day two – Impressionists’ Paris

Looking for impressionists at montmartre.

When I woke up the following day, I was feeling much better. So, after breakfast in a restaurant close to my hotel, I was ready for some sightseeing again. Day two was reserved for learning more about and exploring the French Impressionism in Paris. It’s one of my favourite painting styles, and I am in love with that time, the bohemian lifestyle and the culture at the end of the 19th century.

⤷ Read more : Impressionists in Paris

I decided to take a tour around the Montmartre neighbourhood and learn more about the Impressionist painters that used to live and work there. I met my guide below the Sacré-Coeur Church, and we went to Montmartre, where he showed me some places important for the Impressionist movement in Paris.

When we left the most popular area of Montmartre behind us, some streets and houses still looked the same as they did at the end of the 19th century. I could almost imagine carriages strolling through those streets and music coming from the small cabarets.

The most special place for me was the house where Vincent and Theo van Gogh lived together during the two years Vincent spent in Paris. The painting Van Gogh painted while looking through the window of that apartment is displayed in the Van Gogh Museum in Amsterdam . I know the painting so well, and once standing there, the place almost felt familiar to me.

⤷ Read more : Locations linked to Vincent van Gogh in Paris

Musée d’Orsay

After a short break and some tarte tatin , I went to the Musée d’Orsay. That’s THE museum to visit if you want to see some of the most famous modern paintings. And it’s home to one of the best Impressionist collections in Paris.

⤷ Read more : Impressionists at Musée d’Orsay

The building in which the museum is located is a piece of art and history itself. It was built as a train station at the end of the 19th century and later converted into a museum. Visiting it will provide you with a fantastic combination of industrial architecture and a modern art collection.

⤷ TIP : To avoid queueing in front of the museum and waiting to get in, buy your Musée d’Orsay online ticket before your visit.

Musée Marmottan Monet

My guide gave me an excellent recommendation for a lovely little restaurant close to the Musée d’Orsay, called Les Antiquaires. After a delicious lunch there, I went to another museum with one of the best collections of Impressionists’ paintings in Paris – Musée Marmottan Monet.

⤷ Read more : What to see at the Musée Marmottan – Monet in Paris

I visited it a few years ago on a student trip and have wanted to return since. The museum has a beautiful collection of one of the best female Impressionists – Berthe Morisot. And the most extensive collection of  artworks made by Claude Monet . It’s not a busy museum, so there is a lot of space to enjoy some of the masterpieces of Impressionism in peace and quiet. I’m always wondering why everyone is rushing to see Mona Lisa, while there are many beautiful museums around the city, like this one.

After this trip to Paris, I’m even more in love with Impressionism than before. If the hygiene level were just a bit higher, I would love to live during that time. I would be an art dealer and go on little trips to nature to paint with Monet and Renoir. Oh, those sweet dreams…

⤷ TIP : Here is the online ticket for Musée Marmottan – Monet

⤷ Read more : Best museums in Paris

Day three – Modernist Paris

My last day in Paris started with one of the best breakfasts and the most amazing coffees I have ever tried. I had breakfast at a charming restaurant, Carette, located close to Trocadero. I’m sure it will become my new favourite place in Paris.

Since I have been to Paris many times, I know the city quite well. However, there was a part I was always kind of missing – the Modernist Paris. It played an essential role in shaping the city – Art Nouveau metro entrances and Eiffel Tower are just the most famous examples of architecture from that time.

To learn more about it, I decided to join a walking tour called the ‘Modernist Architecture’. During the tour, we explored some of the modernist buildings, learnt about the movement and visited Foundation Le Corbusier and the modern architecture exhibition in the Palais de Chaillot ( here is the online ticket for it ). It was so interesting to see how the Modernist movement shaped the way we are living today.

After the tour and a quick lunch, it was time to catch a train back to Amsterdam. My three days in Paris were dedicated to art, mostly Impressionism and modern architecture. I also tried to learn more about some of its famous former citizens like Monet, Renoir, Cezanne and Coco Chanel.

However, once again, I have realised solo travel isn’t bad. And that French are some of the nicest people out there, who know how to cook well and enjoy life. Well, maybe my next visit should be dedicated to learning how to enjoy life like a Parisian.

Au revoir!  Until the next time, my dear city!

⤷ TIP : If you plan to visit Paris and some of its cultural sites, consider buying Paris City Card. You’ll get free or discounted entrance to many of them with it. Here is the link with more info about it .

france , impressionism , paris , solo traveling , Travel diary

• Call us +44 (0)20 7581 4178

Spend £200.00 more to get free UK delivery. You have activated free UK delivery.

Your basket is currently empty.

How to Write a Travel Diary

Travel diaries and notebooks are a wonderful thing. When a person is asked what their hobbies and interests are, the chances are that one will be travel. The urge to explore new places and experience different cultures is something so many of us have in common.

Spring especially sparks a wish to go abroad and have these experiences as we are all getting ready for summer sunshine. Whether your next trip is imminent or in a matter of months, beginning a travel diary or journal is a fantastic way to prepare and get excited for your upcoming adventure… Furthermore, why not make it a luxury travel diary?

What is a travel journal?

A travel diary (or travel journal – whichever you prefer), is a book in which you can accumulate the beginnings of travel plans, from aspirations to the nitty gritty of budgets, as well as daily logs of good and bad memories once you make your trip. It provides an excellent space to reflect on your journey. In fact, a written reflection in your diary is a wonderful way to round it off prior to planning your next trip in another book. It is a way of remembering all the highs and lows of your trip, allowing you to cherish them forever and learn from them for your next adventure.  

How to write a travel diary?

All great trips begin with aspiration. My own travel journals begin with listing the places which I aspire to go to – usually either multiple countries or places within one country. From here I can use the diary to work out where is possible from a combination of holiday time available and budget… yes, the less exciting bit.

Once the selection process is complete it’s time for the exciting bit which is finding places to stay, sites to see, activities to do, and for the foodies out there, all the must-try restaurants in the area.

You can then use this information to create an itinerary. Next stop – your trip!

While on your trip is when the journal moves from being a notebook to your diary. That way you can record, when possible, your experiences, the feelings you had experiencing them (good or bad), people you’ve met and the conversations you had, and even include any memorabilia. Following your trip, the book should be used to go over the high moments and the low moments and find what you’ve learned from them to make the most of this knowledge for your next trip.

Why write a travel diary?

Regardless of the trip’s purpose, whether it be for business, an event, or a great adventure, writing a travel diary is a fantastic way to ensure you really stop and absorb your surroundings. It enables you to capture the moments so that you really remember them.

I have travel journals from years ago that bring a smile to my face each time I come across them and I often have a flick through because of the extraordinary and funny details I recorded. Both the act of writing your travel diary and in particular the moments you have looking back over them are hugely fulfilling.

By putting descriptions of your whereabouts and your thoughts and feelings on a page, you find you notice more about the cultures, food, and people you are experience – all incredible things to look back upon from a different perspective in the future.

Aside from documenting memories, these journals look fantastic lined up on a shelf. My preferred journal is the Noble Macmillan Calfskin Lined Journal  (pictured below). They come in an array of colours and the elastic strap is an invaluable extra to allow your book to hold all sorts of added memorabilia such as train tickets and post cards.  

A travel diary is an excellent reminder of why to travel. A look at why you’ve been saving that money and not buying the pair of shoes you don’t need or going on just another night out – things and moments that won’t stay with you forever like those you have travelling.

Although my favourite is indeed the Noble Macmillan Calfskin Lined Journal , we have plenty of options suitable for whatever your preferred size or colour. Simply check out the notebooks and journals collection of the stationery section of our website to explore your choices.

And if you are the type of person who just loves writing, check out our guide on the joys of writing handwritten letters.

Recommended Articles

Perudo: The Ultimate Guide

For many years Noble Macmillan has been known first and foremost for our gorgeous handcrafted

5 Steps to Achieving a Clean & Organised Make Up Bag

Make up comes in many different shapes and forms and more often than not is a long-term investment. Items like...

What are Hip Flasks Used For?

Hip Flasks – or some form of hip flasks – have stood the test of time remaining both a practical...

The Ultimate Travel Bag Essentials

Noble Macmillan Travel Essentials include our Luxury Leather case and Portable Phone Bank, Travel Wallets, Travel Backgammon and Personalised Playing...

7 Mini Gift Ideas For Every Occasion - Noble Macmillan

Discover a fantastic collection of mini gifts from Noble Macmillan. Ideal for every occasion, explore our amazing mini gift ideas...

Wedding Albums: Everything to Know – Noble Macmillan

Discover everything you need to know to create the perfect wedding album at Noble Macmillan. Cherish your special day and...

Luxury Mother’s Day Gift Ideas – Noble Macmillan

Find the perfect gift for the woman in your life with the Mother’s Day gift guide from Noble Macmillan. With...

Leather Care Guide

Fashion trends and the materials the clothes, accessories and other luxury goods which set these trends are made from, are...

How to kick-start the year with Noble Macmillan

The festive period can mean something different for all of us. For some it is time away from work to...

Unique Gifts for Friends (that you might want to keep yourself!)

For the most part when buying gifts, there is an understanding that a good one is one that you would...

The Origin of Vintage Board Games and Card Games

For many of us, board games and card games have been a big part of childhood - whether as a...

How to wear a cross body bag

An article covering how to wear a cross body bag - encompassing exactly what is a cross body bag, how...

SIGN UP NOW FOR 10% OFF YOUR FIRST ORDER

Sign up now to receive 10% off your first order (excluding personalisation) and for future special offers and updates.

Diary entry for a travelogue The text you read is a travelogue where the author, Vikram Seth, talks about his visit to two sacred places in Kathmandu. Imagine that you were with Vikram Seth on his visit to Pashupatinath temple, and you were noting down all that you saw and did there, so that you could write a travelogue later. Record in point form • what you see when you reach the Pashupatinath temple • what you see happening inside the temple • what you do when inside the temple • what you see outside the temple • what your impressions are about the place.

Today, being the first day of my trip, i have come to visit the pashupatinath temple with my friend, vikram seth. it is a beautiful place. • on reaching the temple, i notice a completely chaotic scenario. the priests, hawkers, devotees, tourists, cows, monkeys, pigeons and dogs are roaming through the grounds. • the temple is crowded with huge number of devotees rushing to worship the deity. people are even pushing to enter. • inside the temple, we worship and offer a few flowers to the deity. • outside the temple, a signboard declared that only hindus could enter the premises of the temple. • according to me, the place is chaotic and noisy, like most holy places in india. (the above answers are only a sample provided for the student's help. we recommend that students answer such questions using their own creativity and understanding.).

• Do you like travelling? The writer, Vikram Seth, enjoys it very much. In his book, Heaven Lake, he describes a long journey from China to India, via Tibet and Nepal.

• Have you heard of places like Ajmer Sharif, Madurai, Sanchi, Varanasi, Sarnath, or Halebid? Can you name some other places like these?

• What do the surroundings of a holy place in your city look like? Think about it as you read Vikram Seth’s description of Kathmandu.

See the picture Travel Time below. Answer the questions that follow.

(i) Where did you go for an excursion/holiday?

(ii) With whom did you go?

(iii) What did you take with you?

(iv) What was the first thing you saw when you reached your destination?

(v) What did you like best about the place?

(vi) How long did you stay there?

(vii) What did you miss about home?