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The ultimate guide to push pin travel maps 📍🗺️

The ultimate guide to push pin travel maps for custom and made to order maps. One of our best selling products is a 24×36 inch push pin travel map . What makes our maps special is that each one was hand designed by Jessica Wilkeson and crafted with pinning travels in mind. The design of each map is unique and the exclusive printed text box with your personalized information will make your map one of a kind.

Below you will find our ultimate guide to push pin travel maps and answer any questions you may have regarding our maps, the personalization process, how to DIY frame or have it done professionally. We like to give you the flexibility to have the experience and outcome you desire!

Purchase and browse our push pin maps here!

If you have any questions at all, please feel free to contact Mike directly via email at [email protected] or via our website contact form.

• How to order
• What material should I select: Paper or cotton canvas?
• Personalization tips
• Add on special hearts
• My map arrives rolled in a tube, what do I need to know for easy DIY framing or having it done professionally?
• How to DIY frame my push pin map
• Additional information
• Does my push pin map get an approval process?
• Common questions

HOW TO ORDER A CUSTOM PUSH PIN MAP:

• Visit www.jessicawilkeson.com to shop custom push pin maps
• Select the color map of your choice
• Select your material option, museum grade thick matte paper or 100% cotton canvas
• Select your pin color
• Please provide your personalized name and date in the personalized box.
• We will then design, print and ship your map!

WHAT MATERIAL SHOULD I SELECT: PAPER OR COTTON CANVAS?

Great question! It’s completely up to you! We print with professional Canon Image Prograf printers using archival ink stated to last 100+ years! The material we print on is specifically designed for this ink, which is museum grade and archival, making both paper or cotton canvas a great choice. So how do you make a decision then? Here are the benefits of each:

• The Paper is museum grade
• The Paper has a matte finish
• The Paper is super thick at 230 gsm (think very thick card stock)
• The Paper is a great choice for 1st Anniversary gifts because paper is the traditional gift for 1st year wedding anniversaries
• The Cotton is 100% cotton canvas
• The Cotton has a textured finish
• The Cotton is super thick and pliable 410 gsm
• The Cotton has light water resistance
• The Cotton is a great choice for 2nd Anniversary gifts because cotton is the traditional gift for 2nd year wedding anniversaries!

HOW TO PERSONALIZE YOUR MAP

Provide the following information so we can personalize your push pin world travel map

• The name of the family, individual or couple (See idea photos below and quick video for more detail)
• The date you want printed

ADDITIONAL PERSONALIZATION TIPS

How to display the name(s): ✓ Common examples: The Jones Family ‣ The Wilkesons ‣ Joe & Jen’s Adventures ✓ VERY IMPORTANT: Apostrophes are not used on surnames. We will remove them if necessary (Apostrophes are for possessives). ✓ What you supply at time of order is what will be printed. This item does not have an approval process. Please ensure accuracy at time of order.

READY TO PURCHASE YOUR PUSH PIN MAP NOW?

Add on special hearts.

♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ Add up to 5 special hearts printed on specific cities. You could place a heart where you met, fell in love, got engaged, married, honeymooned, purchased your first home, etc. This is an upgrade option on all of our personalized push pin maps. The cost to upgrade is $5. Image below for an example of what the hearts look like.

MY MAP ARRIVES ROLLED IN A TUBE. WHAT DO I NEED TO KNOW?

Your map will be carefully rolled in a tube for sturdy and safe shipment. Upon arrival, you can either mount and frame yourself or hire someone to professionally mount and frame your map for you. The choice is yours. We provide easy instructions for those who wish to do it themselves. Scroll down to see instructions and video. Or you can hire a professional framer to do it for you. Most large hobby shops (Hobby Lobby, Michaels) have framing services as well as custom small mom and pop frame stores local to you. =)

HOW TO DO-IT-YOURSELF FRAME A PUSH PIN MAP

We provide all of our DIY push pin maps with instructions on how to DIY frame your map. There are many options to do this and we have experience with 2 options. Double sided adhesive and spray adhesive . Our favorite is using spray adhesive, however it does require 2 people to easily adhere your map without any bubbles or mishaps. Below is an infographic with steps and materials needed:

How do I frame a push pin map?

• You will need a 24×36 inch map, please visit us to create your custom map • You will need a 24 x 36 inch frame —> PRO TIP! Get 10% off this frame and it includes your foam core! No need to track that down. — INSIDER SECRET: when you get to the step choosing your cover, on your keyboard hit the keys COMMAND + H. Your screen will minimize (briefly causing panic 😊). Click to bring it back open and you’ll see that you can select “NO COVER”. This is what you want for pinning and you’ll save money AND not have to toss out the acrylic cover, which is wasteful. Win-win! • Not getting the frame recommended above? You will need 2 4×36 inch foam core 3/16 inch thick • You will need adhesive of your choice. We love Gorilla Heavy Duty Spray Adhesive.

This is the best option if two people are available for extra hands. One person holds map up in the air, while the second person aligns two of the corners of the map to the foam core. The person holding up the map can then slowly lay down the map on to the foam core, while the other person smooths map down with hands to ensure it is adhered evenly.

Place your map that is now adhered to foam core in a frame of your choice (without glass) May we recommend our favorite handmade frames? BONUS: they come with the foam core! PRO TIP! Get 10% off this frame AND it includes your foam core! INSIDER SECRET: when you get to the step choosing your cover, on your keyboard hit the keys COMMAND + H. Your screen will minimize (briefly causing panic 😊). Click to bring it back open and you’ll see that you can select “NO COVER”. This is what you want for pinning and you’ll save money AND not have to toss out the acrylic cover, which is wasteful. Win-win!

hang, pin and enjoy!

Grab your custom push pin map now

Additional information.

▶︎ We take great care in the printing process and handle them with care to ensure they arrive to you safely.

▶︎ Check out our other great personalized and ready to ship map options.

▶︎ Size is 24 x 36 inches

▶︎ The antique background on some of the maps is designed to have a cross hatch appearance of different shades of tan. If you zoom in on the images, you can see this is how we designed it to be and it will print that way.

DOES MY PUSH PIN MAP GET AN APPROVAL PROCESS?

Digital proofs will NOT be provided with personalized push pin maps. This is so we can process your order in a timely manner and meet our printing and production timelines. We appreciate your understanding with this as we are a 2 person team. What you supply at time of order is what we will use on your print. Please make sure it’s accurate before submitting your order.

COMMON QUESTIONS

Any additional questions, please review our FAQ page https://jessicawilkeson.com/frequently-asked-questions/ or email Mike .

▶︎ Downloadable framing info: https://jessicawilkeson.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/2021-how-to-mount-map-new.pdf

▶︎ How-to Videos — please scroll up or visit us on YouTube. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL7bnMlAhMiIeEZauZHIfVy-jBuHE_jXQO

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How to Make a Push Pin Map? The 6 things you must know before getting started.

Do you love traveling? Or maybe you just like to know where all your friends and family are located. Either way, a  push pin map  is a perfect way to keep track of all your worldly adventures! In this blog post, we will teach you how to make your very own push pin map. It’s easy and fun, and best of all, it’s a great way to show off your travels!

What do you need in order to make a DIY push pin travel map?

To make a push pin map, you will need:

• a piece of paper or canvas
• a frame (optional)
• your own personal touch
• a place where to hang your map

Canvas or paper for a push pin map

There are a few different ways that you can make your push pin map. You can use a piece of  paper or canvas , and you can either frame it or leave it as is. A standard size such as 24×35 or 30×40 is great for hanging in your favorite spot.

Canvas for push pin maps

A canvas is a great option if you want your map to be a little more sturdy and have a bit of a different look than a paper map. You can find pre-made canvas push pin maps, or you can make your own by purchasing a blank canvas in either cotton or polyester but they are often blended fabrics. Usually, the best canvas blend has more cotton than polyester.

Cotton Canvas is the traditional option for a push pin map

This natural fabric allows the ink to be absorbed deeper for a more rustic look and better durability. If you’re going the traditional route and using cotton canvas, make sure that you select a heavyweight option (at least 18 oz.). This will ensure that your map doesn’t warp or curl when you add all of your pins. You can find cotton canvases in both natural and white options.

Polyester Canvas is the standard for most printed items.

It is a good option if you’re looking for a little bit of a different look or want to avoid warping or curling. Polyester canvases are available in both matte and glossy finishes, and they come in a variety of colors.

If you want a more unique look, you can also have a custom cotton blended canvas made. This means that you get to choose the type of cotton and the blend of polyester. You can also select your map’s weight, color, and finish. This is a great option if you want something really special.

Paper for push pin maps

If you choose to use paper, it’s important to select the right type.

Traditional paper is made from wood pulps.

This type of paper is great for maps because it’s lightweight and relatively inexpensive. However, it can be easily damaged if it gets wet, so you’ll want to be careful with your pins.

If you’re looking for a more durable option, you can choose to use coated paper. Coated papers are made with a plastic coating that makes them more damage resistant and durable. Coating is used to emphasize the paper’s qualities, such as weight or gloss. If you’re looking for a paper that is environmentally friendly, then you should try recycled paper. This type of paper is made from post-consumer waste and it’s also biodegradable.

You may also seek  FSC® certified paper , which is paper that has been produced in a sustainable manner. Although certified FSC papers frequently include recycled material, it is not necessary to do so in order to receive the certification. The key criteria for certification are being harvested and manufactured responsibly.

The Forest Stewardship Council is a non-profit organization that was founded to promote environmentally and socially responsible logging. The FSC system assures that wood and paper have been harvested in a socially and ecologically responsible manner. The Chain of Custody certification from the FSC allows for the tracking of material throughout its supply chain, from certified initial source through manufacturing process to the end user.

Synthetic paper is made from propylene

This type of paper offers a smooth surface, tear-resistant and waterproof. Your map will last for a long time. Indoor and outdoor signage, posters, and maps may all be printed on synthetic paper. Synthetic paper is well-suited for these uses due to its waterproofness, tear resistance, and UV resistance against sunlight.

Board for push pin maps

A cork board is a must for a push pin map because the pins will stay in place and it won’t damage what’s behind your travel map. You can find cork boards in a variety of colors and sizes or you can make your own.

It is better to choose a high-density natural cork, which does not easily deform and retains push pins firmly while also removing the push needle without falling apart. There will be no unsightly pinholes in the surface.

A foam core can also be used for a push pin map. This option is a little more expensive than cork boards, but it has a lot of benefits. The foam core is lightweight and doesn’t warp or curl. It’s also resistant to moisture and will not show any holes from the pins.

A Gatorboard is a high quality board made of dense polystyrene foam. It is similar to foam core, but it’s a little more expensive and heavier. Gatorboard is also resistant to moisture and will not show any holes from the pins.

Push Pins for travel maps

Frame for push pin travel maps

Alternatively, you can choose a metal frame. Metal frames come in a variety of colors and styles and they’re usually very affordable.

Finally, if you want your map to really stand out, then consider getting a custom frame made specifically for your travel map. This will add an extra layer of personalization.

Personalizing your push pin map

Assembling your materials

Once you gather all your supplies, you will need to ensure that your map is flat. For this, just lay out your map and allow it to flatten. You can use some weight or some other object to assist with this process. It will take some time before it is flatten, so it is better to do this a day in advance.

You’ll then need to attach the map to the cork/foam board using a double-sided tape. Apply the tape along both sides of the board and place your map on it.

The perfect place to display your push pin map on a wall

A push pin map is about sharing and cherishing your travel memories. Your travel push pin map should be placed on a wall where you can see it everyday and be reminded of your amazing adventures. Your living room, your bedroom or even your office wall could welcome your travel map with open arms!

Now that you know how to make a push pin map, it’s time to  start planning your next vacation !

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LIVING THE DREAM

How to Build a Beautiful Push Pin Travel Map for Under $50

Published by Jeremy . Last Updated on April 23, 2024.

Disclaimers : Our site uses demographic data, email opt-ins, display advertising, and affiliate links. Please check out our Terms and Conditions for more information. Listed prices and attraction details may have changed since our visit and initial publication.

One of my favorite travel blogging images is the digital push pin travel map that highlights cities and destinations that its creator has visited.

In one quick glimpse you can see every place in the entire world they have been and with just a little thought, imagine where they may be going next.

As we are building a home full of travel decorations, I knew that one day I would be taking this popular digital map and converting it into a real-life decoration to be used as the centerpiece for one of our rooms (with a fantasy of it being in a travel-inspired bar room).

I always expected these maps to cost upwards of $150 or more when finished, as is the case with some of the nice ones available on Amazon or Conquest Maps , but I couldn't bring myself to spend that kind of money right away.

Instead, I put on my crafting hat and ended up being able to make my own professional style travel map with pins at home for just about $50 US and an hour of my time.

If you've ever fantasized about making a push pin travel map of your own, here's what you do.

Items Needed for Push Pin Travel Maps

The pre-made maps sold on Amazon or Conquest Maps have a decent mark-up in price mostly because the construction work is done for you. But for a bit of trade-off in overall quality and time to build it yourself, you can also put together a map with relative ease.

For those who wish to build theirs at home as we did, you'll need the following items for a 3-foot wide map:

• 36″ World Map Window Cling
• 36″ Bulletin Board
• Several Boxes of Color Coded Push or Sewing Pins ( How many cities have you been to I wonder…? )
• 2 Hanging Implements (minimum)

Method of Construction for a Travel Map with Pins

Building this travel map is pretty straight forward and follows a few simple steps.

1) Window Cling, Meet Bulletin Board

Take the window cling off of its backing and place it as evenly as possible on the bulletin board, ensuring you avoid adding air bubbles as best as possible. When the window cling is placed, push out any excess bubbles to the edges.

We had two major hurdles to deal with in this step.

First, our bulletin board was a bit warped so we had to weigh it down a bit to ensure it would level out (which was pretty easy). Second, the bulletin board we purchased measured 35″ edge to edge, so the 36″ window cling was just a bit too large.

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When adhering we wrapped the excess map around the edge, giving the bulletin board an almost canvas-like appearance.

We decided that we liked this style better than trimming the map to fit the available bulletin space, which sounds like a bit of a nightmare, so we were glad to avoid it.

2) Test Placement and Hang

Determine where the push pin travel map will be hung and measure the height and distance between the mounting points accordingly. Making careful notes on the hole placements and distance between each in the bulletin board is key as they do not give you a good amount of wiggle room when hanging.

There are many different ways to hang a bulletin board, and the most common (and likely recommended in the bulletin board package) is by drilling a hole into the wall and installing a wall anchor.

As was the case with our Turkish lamp , I do not like to make recommendations when it comes to hanging objects in your house as wall materials and hanging methods can vary quite substantially.

For us, our walls are made of delicate plaster and we avoid drilling or installing nails wherever possible. We found that these wall hooks worked great for our bulletin board, although to be honest you may wish to wait to buy these at a local store once your board arrives and you can confirm the size and available opening space.

We did have to use a wrench to close the opening of the hook to improve the aesthetics when hung as well.

After placing the hooks on the wall we let them rest for the recommended 24-hour period before hanging our map permanently.

3) Start Pinning!

When the window cling is placed properly, and you have prepared a hanging spot on the wall for the map, you are ready to begin pinning. We recommend getting pins with the smallest heads possible (ours were 4mm width), especially if you are well traveled, as space becomes tight rather quickly.  Typically sewing pins are smaller like ours, while a branded map pin is about the size of a standard push-pin and was too large for our needs (seriously, they're huge).

As with most bulletin boards, the holes you make get larger each time you place and remove a pin in the same spot, so take a few minutes before getting started to decide on a pinning method that interests you most.

Will you push them into various depths? Place them straight up or at angles? Color code trips or regions? Ensure a spectrum of colors in each region?

It is best to plan exactly how your board will look when finished before starting to ensure you do not repeatedly add or remove pins which will cause them to be loosely held in place.

Once you have a plan of attack, get to it!

This was quite possibly the most enjoyable decorating project we have done and finding some of the small, off-the-beaten-path cities we visited on a map made for a great challenge.  You may need to have a computer handy for this one!

4) Hang Your Completed Travel Map!

Isn't that awesome?

We Upgraded to Conquest Maps Later On

We made our DIY travel map with pins as featured in this post in 2015 but always kept it in the back of our minds that at some point in the future we were going to upgrade to a professional looking map.

In late 2017 we decided to buy ourselves an early Christmas present and opted for a three panel map from Conquest Maps measuring 48″ x 32″ which fit perfectly on our wall (which as you can also tell, received a paint job since we first published this post as well). Click here to check out our map directly or check out our full Conquest Maps review here.

It is always hard in judging maps online, but we were pleasantly surprised with the high-quality nature of the map, and the corkboard had a nice robust feeling when we put our pins in unlike the one we purchased for our DIY setup which felt a bit flimsy to us.

The map itself came with one hundred pins with 1/4″ head and 1/2″ tack length, which was a great size but we thought the head was a bit large for our liking so we opted to buy a 600 pack on Amazon with 1/8″ head and 3/5″ tack length (roughly the same overall pin length) which worked really well for our large map.

They pop out ever-so-slightly but don't stick out too much like in our DIY map which admittedly had much longer pins. ( Grab the pins we use here ).

It is worth noting that the cork board is not that deep and has a hard backing that prevents you from sticking the pins in past a certain distance. We'd estimate that depth to be about half the tack length (about 3/10″), so we would highly recommend not getting too large of a pin if you go for a map from this company.

Overall, this map did come at a premium, about $284 in total mostly due to the fact that we bought one of their largest ones, but it is going to be a central focal point in our room for years moving forward.

Other pre-made maps we like are also available on Amazon, such as Antique Map , Executive Map with Black Frame , another Antique Framed Map , or Simple Map with Black Frame .

Looking to Build Your Own Map?

To build your own wall map, purchase your window cling , bulletin board , color coded pins , and hanging implements  to build your own!

Looking for more travel inspired home designs? Check out our store about buying a Turkish rug in Istanbul or hanging a Turkish lamp .

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About jeremy.

About the Author: Jeremy is a full-time travel writer based in Pittsburgh and primary author of this site. He has been to 70+ countries on five continents and seeks out new food, adventure activities, and off-the-beaten-path experiences wherever he travels.

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• Once we receive your order, we will create a personalized poster just for you! You'll receive a proof within 72 hours, and then once we receive comfirmation that your proof is approved, we'll begin printing and shipping your item. It's that easy!

Personalize Your Push Pin Map

• Select a legend style, and enter the text above you'd like to see. Examples include "Travels of Zach and Jen, Adventures of the Smith Family, etc."
• Next, decide how many different pins you'd like. Examples include "Past Adventures, Future Adventures" or "Zach, Jen, Together" For 3 different colors. You can make the text whatever you'd like, and can include 1-3 unique identifiers.

Comes with over 1,000 pins in 10 colors!

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40 Inspiring Quotes to Personalize Your Push Pin Travel Map

A travel map is not only a unique piece of interior decor — it is also your personal travel journal, reminding you of the adventures you took, the places you visited, inspiring your wanderlust, and motivating you to plan your future trips. To make your travel map even more special, take an opportunity to personalize it, by adding a text or some personal details at the corner of the map.

One of the ways to personalize your map is to add an inspiring, motivating, or simply interesting travel quote. The opportunities here are endless: it can be a quote that represents your personal take on life, a maxim, or a saying about traveling, exploring, and discovering, or maybe a quote of a famous person that inspires you.

If you need some ideas, we’ve gathered for you 40 of the best travel quotes to help you personalize your travel map .

• “Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien
• “If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.” — Rachel Wolchin
• “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” – Dalai Lama
• “Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets.” – Oscar Wilde
• “With age, comes wisdom. With travel, comes understanding.” – Sandra Lake
• “Better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times.” – Asian Proverb
• “Travel is never a matter of money, but courage.” — Paulo Coelho
• “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Unknown author
• “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
• “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius
• “Jet lag is for amateurs.” – Dick Clark
• “The best dreams happen when you’re awake.” — Cherie Gilderbloom
• “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
• “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine
• “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it is lethal.” – Paulo Coelho
• “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
• “The journey, not the arrival matters.”  – T. S. Eliot
• “To travel is to live.” – Hans Christian Anderson
• “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
• “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide
• “Collect moments. Not things.” – Unknown author
• “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag
• “The journey itself is my home.” – Matsuo Basho
• “All I think to myself, what a wonderful world.” – Louis Armstrong
• “So much of who we are is where we have been.” – William Langewiesche
• “Travel expands the mind and fills the gap.” – Sheda Savage
• “Time flies. It’s up to you to be the navigator.” – Robert Orben
• “It doesn’t matter where you are. You are nowhere compared to where you can go.” — Bob Proctor
• “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
• “Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown.” – Gaby Basora
• “A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill
• “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert
• “Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints.” – Chief Seattle
• “Live your life by a compass, not a clock.” – Stephen Covey
• “To travel is to take a journey onto yourself.” – Danny Kaye
• “People forget years and remember moments.” – Ann Beattie
• “The most beautiful in the world is, of course, the world itself.” – Wallace Stevens
• “The world is yours to explore, let the adventures fill your soul.” — Unknown author
• “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments and places that take our breath away.” – Unknown author

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Best Push Pin Travel Map: Trip Map World Review

Disclaimer: This is a sponsored post courtesy of Trip Map World, a small Lithuanian company specializing in push-pin travel maps . I was gifted this map in exchange for an honest review of the product, which I’ve written below.

As a traveler, I can’t think of a more “must-have” piece of décor than a detailed and accurate push-pin travel map. So, when Trip Map World approached me about collaborating with them on this post to write a trip map review, I leaped at the opportunity.

Trip Map World is a small, family-owned business creating beautiful push-pin world maps

People with an eye for detail and an appreciation for good craftsmanship will find these maps especially pleasing. Trip Map World’s maps have been composed by professional cartographers and drawn to reflect modern-day borders.

Not only are all countries and capitals featured, but so are over 2,500 cities, plus all major oceans, seas, lakes, and rivers. I found this especially compelling because I don’t just visit city capitals. On the Trip Map push pin travel map (whew, say that five times fast!), I can pin everything from Strasbourg, France , to Arequipa , Peru, to Queenstown , New Zealand.

Before you can begin your push pin travel map though, you have to choose your travel canvas. Full disclosure, it’s a tough call.

Trip Map World offers canvases in three sizes and four categories of pushpin travel maps: World Maps, U.S. Maps, Europe maps, and United Kingdom & Ireland maps.

As someone who has lived in five different countries, the initial selection was a no-brainer. I went with a push-pin world travel map . The second choice was a little harder. What size did I want? Small hesitation here, but ultimately I went with a Large – 47.24 x 31.5 inches (120×80 cm).

It’s a little big for the small one-bedroom apartment we’re currently in, but we’ll be moving (and upgrading our living space!) this fall. So, like many of my decisions lately, I made this one for Future Me.

Now for the hardest part: the color scheme of my pushpin map. While I can’t say enough about the diversity of the color selection, I also have to say that I took FOREVER to choose the one I liked best. It was too easy to imagine any of them hanging on my wall! The only thing I can tell you is to trust your gut. And, keep in mind that whatever you choose is guaranteed to be a gorgeous, handmade work of art made with artisanal love and care.

My choice: Push Pin World Map Sky Blue (Detailed)

I was drawn to the softness of the colors because of the size of the map. Also, I like to incorporate complementary aspects into my interior design. A large, gentle-colored world map exactly fit the bill. Additionally, travel has always left me feeling awash in the inner recesses of my mind. Now, I get that feeling when I look at my push-pin world map.

The pins also bring a unique interactive element to your interior design.

Trip Map World offers pins in many colors, meaning that you can also color code your travel canvas! Personally, I knew that I wanted to share this gift with my Frenchie. So, I chose three pin colors: silver for the places I’ve been, rose gold for the places he’s been, and gold for the places we have both visited!

You can also personalize your map!

I love this feature because it lets me choose something that represents where I am in my life. There are certainly more adventurous or hard-charging traveler quotes, but this one fits me just right.

In conclusion: There are well-furnished spaces, and then there are well-furnished spaces that invite good conversation.

By being able to pin your previous travel destinations, you’re able to create a travel board. With a travel board, you can chronicle past and future adventures! What’s more, the Trip Map push-pin travel maps are designed to last around 80 years! They also make a wonderful interior decorating statement piece.

With that in mind, I am pleased and excited to be able to happily recommend purchasing a push pin map from Trip Map World. Thank you for reading this Trip Map World review . I encourage you to explore their website and choose the canvas that will tell the story of your travel chronicles: ? Push Pin Travel Maps to Mark the Places – Tripmapworld.com .

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Meet The Millennial Abroad

Claire naughton.

Hi! I'm a current US expat and longtime traveler based in Strasbourg, France. I'm here because I fell in love with a Frenchie, and I think and write a lot about the identity implications of loving someone so much that you make lasting changes for them. But that's just part of my story. I have deep backpacker-adventure roots and love hiking and sports, including running, horseback riding, and soccer. In recent years, I've also developed a taste for slow city travel and never take for granted an opportunity to explore a new place and indulge in a delicious meal. Finally, I am also an enormous animal enthusiast and adore opportunities to safely and responsibly interact with them. Nothing puts this complex and beautiful world we all share more into perspective than being in nature.

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Love Our Real Life

How to Make a DIY Push Pin World Travel Map

Learn how to make your own personalized push pin world travel map to show your past and future family adventures!

See more diy home decor here.

Personal decor is the best decor

I’m a sucker for personalized home decor. This little ‘map to show our travels’ project has been on my list of to-do’s for the longest time and I’m so excited I had an opportunity to finish it.

Several years ago, a dear friend of mine selected the word LIVE as her word for the year. This continues to inspire me to find ways to enjoy living in the moment and appreciate the life God has given us.

Part of that has included family travel.

As with many of you, we are making an effort to enjoy more experiences and adventures versus just buying more things.

This fun map of the world is a great way for our family to see the ‘places I’ve been’ as well as the ‘places I’d like to go’.

Our experiences and adventures.

Let’s jump into the How-To portion of this project.

Supplies for a Push Pin Travel Map

– Map ( This is the map I used from Amazon ) – Push Pins – Thumb tacks – Lumber to build frame (length of boards will vary depending on size of map) – Mending plates or corner braces – Wood glue – D-Ring Hangers – Drywall anchors – Hardware to attach mending plates and d-rings

DIY Places I’ve Been Travel Map, Step-by-Step

There are lots of different ways one could make a push pin travel map. But, I wanted a REALLY BIG map that took up the greater portion of a wall.

When I say really big, the oversized poster map I purchased was 77.5 x 46 inches to be exact.

To give perspective to the size of our poster map, here is an image of the map unrolled on our dining table:

So, to keep the cost reasonable for a map wall of this size, I’m showing you the best (and easiest) solution I could find.

1. Determine the size of the map you purchase based on wall location in your home

We are still in the process of redecorating our basement and I had a large blank wall that needed a little dressing up!

I wanted a big map to make a bit of a statement.

We quickly realized this would have to be a DIY project as pre-made oversized travel maps are SUPER expensive.

When considering maps for your home, you should select a map that works for you and your space. As I mentioned the map I purchased measured 77.5 x 46 inches.

If this is too big, find something that works for you!

Durability was also important, so I ensured the map we picked was laminated as I knew it would get handled quite a bit by our family.

2. Consider Color Scheme of Map

We wanted neutral colors for our map based on our basement decor. But, perhaps you want more traditional map colors?

Pick what works for your space!

3. Hang map in exact location on wall

We’ll get to building the frame in a moment.

Prior to purchasing lumber for the frame, I would strongly suggest getting the map home and putting it up on the wall.

Basic, round/flat head thumb tacks were used to hold the map in place.

The frame will go directly over the edges of the map, which we’ll get to in just a bit!

If you happen to select an extremely large map like I did, you will need a helper. It’s really challenging to maneuver a poster this large and ensure you get it on the wall straight.

I would suggest placing a thumb tack in the top center, smoothing out the map, then putting thumb tacks in each of the corners once it is smooth.

With a poster of this size, it took a little effort to get it nice and smooth. As you can see in the above image, I wasn’t quite there yet;-)

Either ‘eyeball’ the map or use a level to ensure it is straight. I, personally, am a eyeballer!

4. Measure for your boards to make a simple frame to hang over the map

Once the map is on the wall, then you can measure to get the exact board lengths you will need to make a frame.

Keep in mind, the frame you make will hang directly over your poster map.

For reference I got 1×3 boards, two at 43 inches long and two at 79 1/2 inches long to cover my poster.

For more specific tips on measuring boards to make a basic frame, read How to Hang a DIY Frame to Hang Over a Bathroom Mirror . In this post, I use the exact same process for making a simple frame, providing lots of step-by-step detail.

You do NOT need any major woodworking tools for this project!

Go to any big box store such as Lowe’s, Home Depot, Menard’s. If you tell them the length of boards you want, they can cut them for you for no additional cost.

I typically pick up cheap pine boards which work great for this kind of project.

This frame could easily be made for around $10-15!

5. Stain or paint boards to your preference

On many of my other basement projects, I used Minwax Special Walnut stain. So, to keep the look consistent in this space, this is what I used for this frame as well.

Or, you could paint the wood to coordinate with your home decor if you’d rather.

Related: DIY Wood Shelves Hung with Drywall Anchors (this post gives detailed instruction for staining wood AND using drywall anchors which we’ll use in a bit).

6. Secure the boards together for the frame

The boards were held together with wood glue and corner braces.

Prior to gluing the boards together, I painted the corner braces and screws with some left over black chalk paint as they came in silver.

TIP: It’s much easier to paint these prior to putting them on the boards!

To be quite honest, the boards were so long, the wood glue didn’t do a whole lot to secure them together.

I relied primarily on the corner plates and the 3 hole D-ring hangers (see below) to give the frame more stability.

7. Attach D-rings to back of frame to hang

In addition to providing a hanger for the frame, large d-rings hangers were used to give a little extra stability for the frame.

See how I used a 3-hole d-ring hanger to help secure the two boards together.

I went ahead and put these hangers on all four corners to give the boards a little more support.

There are lots of other ways you could likely secure them together, but these were supplies I already had at home. I’m all about using what I have!

8. Use Drywall Anchors to give frame more stability on the wall

Chances are good, you will not have studs exactly where you need to hang the frame.

Drywall anchors will allow the frame to be secure on the wall. If you aren’t familiar with using drywall anchors, read this linked post for tips !

Be sure to measure, measure, measure!

You want to drywall anchors to be in the exact right spot to ensure your frame hangs well.

Think of this just like if you were hanging a picture on the wall.

9. Hang your new frame directly over the map poster!

The frame will go directly over the map. This just makes a simple map poster look a lot more put together.

10. Determine a push pin system for your travel map

My family was a bit all over the place on how we should use the push pins.

We considered a different pin color for each individual in our home, a pin color for just Jason and I, a pin color for the entire family.

As you can tell, we are a family of over-thinkers.

Ultimately, we decided on different pin colors for:

• Places we’ve been as a family
• Places we are planning on visiting as a family

You can make this your own! Do what works for you and your home.

Now it’s time to get all the nostalgic feels, thinking about the places you’ve traveled the world with your family!

We have just started putting the pins into the map. We’ll work on it slowly.

So far, we have only marked a few of the places we’ve traveled.

AND YES, the pins are going directly into the wall!

If I decide I want to take this down at some point later, I would need to use a thin layer of spackle to fill the holes and paint over it.

To me, that would be totally worth the cost savings to have an oversized feature wall decor item like this.

Now, to plan more trips!

Curious about our other basement projects?

• Basement Guest Bathroom Makeover Reveal
• How to Paint Tile Floors Using Stencils
• How to Update a Stone Fireplace with Paint

Take a moment to save this to your favorite Pinterest board for later reference!

Love Our Real Life is all about ways to love YOUR real life. DIY projects, simple home decorating, organization, recipes, and day-to-day living that is real! Read more about me .

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40 Inspiring Quotes to Personalize Your Push Pin Travel Map

A travel map is not only a unique piece of interior decor — it is also your personal travel journal, reminding you of the adventures you took, the places you visited, inspiring your wanderlust, and motivating you to plan your future trips. To make your travel map even more special, take an opportunity to personalize it, by adding a text or some personal details at the corner of the map.

One of the ways to personalize your map is to add an inspiring, motivating, or simply interesting travel quote. The opportunities here are endless: it can be a quote that represents your personal take on life, a maxim, or a saying about traveling, exploring, and discovering, or maybe a quote of a famous person that inspires you.

If you need some ideas, we’ve gathered for you 40 of the best travel quotes to help you personalize your travel map.

• “Not all those who wander are lost.” – J. R. R. Tolkien
• “If we were meant to stay in one place, we’d have roots instead of feet.” — Rachel Wolchin
• “Once a year, go someplace you’ve never been before.” – Dalai Lama
• “Live with no excuses and travel with no regrets.” – Oscar Wilde
• “With age, comes wisdom. With travel, comes understanding.” – Sandra Lake
• “Better to see something once than hear about it a thousand times.” – Asian Proverb
• “Travel is never a matter of money, but courage.” — Paulo Coelho
• “Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” – Unknown author
• “A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” – Oliver Wendell Holmes, Jr.
• “Wherever you go, go with all your heart.” – Confucius
• “Jet lag is for amateurs.” – Dick Clark
• “The best dreams happen when you’re awake.” — Cherie Gilderbloom
• “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
• “The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine
• “If you think adventure is dangerous, try routine, it is lethal.” – Paulo Coelho
• “The real voyage of discovery consists not in seeking new landscapes but in having new eyes.” – Marcel Proust
• “The journey, not the arrival matters.” – T. S. Eliot
• “To travel is to live.” – Hans Christian Anderson
• “One’s destination is never a place, but a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller
• “Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” – Andre Gide
• “Collect moments. Not things.” – Unknown author
• “I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag
• “The journey itself is my home.” – Matsuo Basho
• “All I think to myself, what a wonderful world.” – Louis Armstrong
• “So much of who we are is where we have been.” – William Langewiesche
• “Travel expands the mind and fills the gap.” – Sheda Savage
• “Time flies. It’s up to you to be the navigator.” – Robert Orben
• “It doesn’t matter where you are. You are nowhere compared to where you can go.” — Bob Proctor
• “Do not follow where the path may lead. Go instead where there is no path and leave a trail.” – Ralph Waldo Emerson
• “A journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step.” – Lao Tzu
• “Travel is about the gorgeous feeling of teetering in the unknown.” – Gaby Basora
• “A journey is best measured in friends, rather than miles.” – Tim Cahill
• “Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” – Gustave Flaubert
• “Take nothing but memories, leave nothing but footprints.” – Chief Seattle
• “Live your life by a compass, not a clock.” – Stephen Covey
• “To travel is to take a journey onto yourself.” – Danny Kaye
• “People forget years and remember moments.” – Ann Beattie
• “The most beautiful in the world is, of course, the world itself.” – Wallace Stevens
• “The world is yours to explore, let the adventures fill your soul.” — Unknown author
• “Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments and places that take our breath away.” – Unknown author

Read more: “Personalized Anniversary Push Pin Map: 4 Main Things to Consider Before Buying” “50 Wedding Anniversary Quotes to Personalize Your Push Pin Travel Map”

Push Pin World Map – Colorful

Author | Traveler

Born and raised in Lithuania, never did I think that I would find myself living in Israel – this peculiar country that I’m still trying to figure out. When I’m not busy eating falafel, I love to travel and spend time outdoors, go for runs along the beach, daydream, and write, write, write…

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Push pin travel maps.

Push Pin World Map – Modern Black

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$10 off framed maps over $100 with code 10FORTRAVEL

Map Your Travels Push Pin World Travel Map Framed

Regular price $ 169.00 sale price $ 169.00.

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Congratulations! You have found the gold-standard in push pin travel maps . This map is a beautiful, high-quality conversation piece and so much fun to use. 

• Frame color
• Legend type 
• Personalization

What's included?

• Our classically designed World Travel Push Pin Map
• 100 push pins and flags to map your travels
• High-quality frame available in five styles
• Hanging wire for easy installation
• Outstanding personalized customer service!
• Made in Minnesota!

Which frame fits your style? 

Choose any frame to accent your home decor and get ready for a dynamic map to track your adventures!

Deluxe Mahogany Frame: 21" x 33" Modern Black Frame:  21" x 33 " Richly Toned Brown Frame: 21 " x 33 " Silver Frame: 21 " x 33 "

Our unique legend: 

Our legend makes this a great conversation piece. The Map Your Travels legend was designed to help you track your adventures just like we do!

• 100 Red Pins — mark where you've been
• 10 Green Pins — mark your dream travel destinations
• 2 Blue Flags — mark where you're going next
• 1 Yellow Flag — marks your favorite destination so far

Make it personal: 

With our personalization option, you can add a custom plaque to your map to tell your travel story.  Want help finding the perfect message for your travel map? That's where we shine! Grab your phone and give us a call at 1-888-821-0151. We pride ourselves on helping our customers create the perfect gift! Or feel free to check out our list of personalization ideas ! 

How's it made?

Why Buy From Us?

Customer Reviews

The quality of the map and the frame are excellent,my daughter's name was spelled correctly,and delivery was prompt;it's a pleasure to do business with this company.

I gift wrapped the map and the recipient was thrilled. The quality of the map and frame were excellent. We will keep you in mind for further purchases!

Megan in customer service was so nice to work with. I had lots of questions since I was ordering the maps as gifts. She responded to my emails quickly and with accurate information. There was a small glitch with one of the maps and she handled it right away without any hassle. Working with Megan was one of the best customer service experiences I’ve ever had. The solid wood frame really adds to the overall quality of the map. The workmanship is excellent. The maps feels sturdy and solid so you don’t hesitate using the push pins. Everyone was thrilled with their maps. Outstanding customer service and quality workmanship.

Ordered the world map for my adult son. The quality was awesome and we received it in plenty of time for Christmas. My son wanted a custom plaque and Megan helped me with that request. She answered my email promptly and always got back to me when I had questions. I would absolutely recommend this company. Excellent workmanship and outstanding customer service.

Ordered a world map and it arrived as anticipated. Great looking map and I really liked it. Sadly, it did not fit my space the way I thought it would so had to return it. I called per instructions on the invoice. Reached an actual person! Megan. She was great! Helped me with the return and followed with personal emails tracking the process. I would definitely recommend this company to anyone. Wish everyone operated like these guys! Shayla

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Turn Your Travel Stories into a Beautiful Piece of Personalized Wall Art

Ditch generic souvenirs & create a stunningly customized, interactive keepsake of your personal travel journey with a Push Pin Map from Holy Cow Canvas.

✔ Hands-on personalization

✔ Exceptional, professional design 

✔ Handmade to order in the USA

Choose My Map

Free Shipping in Continental US!

Customize a Map as Unique as Your Memories in 3 Steps

Choose your style, size & mounting

Choose from 50+ gorgeous colors & styles – curated by our team of pro designers – in your preferred canvas size.

Under “Size,” select “Rolled” for a printed canvas you’ll frame yourself, or select “Push Pin” to get your canvas stretched over a frame & foam backing: delivered ready to hang!

Personalize your map

Add your favorite travel quote, color-code your family’s names to track individual trips, and more! Choose from pre-designed options, or customize your Legend (the bottom corner of the map) to suit your own unique travels. 

  *Make sure to scroll through the product photos to see all Legend options!

Approve your proof & get ready for your canvas!

Once your purchase is complete, our team will email a preview of your map for approval or adjustments. We won’t stop until you’re completely satisfied with your map design! (Want recommendations from our designers? Just ask!) 

 *Make sure to scroll through the product photos to see all Legend options!

Approve your proof & get ready for your new canvas!

Get Started

Get Inspired: See How Travelers Nationwide Style Their Maps

Click to explore each design!

Explore Our Best Selling Designs

USA National Parks Push Pin Map

Vibrant tones on woodgrain: all 63 National Parks included

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Push Pin World Travel Map

Earth tones & antique vibes: classic map for any room

USA Push Pin Travel Map

Vintage & earthy: all National Parks located in the 50 states included

Vibrant tones on woodgrain background: all 63 National Parks included

Shop All Push Pin Maps

See Why Thousands Call Our Personalization “Above and Beyond”

“Thrilled I found Holy Cow Canvas”

“This Push Pin Map is the perfect gift to track all of our travels. I got the proof within an hour of placing the order, and Tom was great to work with. I love that I was able to customize it with our names and favorite quote!I highly recommend Holy Cow Canvas!”

“Such a unique gift”

“I bought this for my fiance and he absolutely loved it. The personalization is amazing and makes it such a unique gift. We’ll be ordering a new one for our business so our patrons can add a push pin in to show where they came from. From the time I placed the order , got the proof back, and was delivered to my door, was less than a week turnaround.”

Georgina G.

Shop Specialty Designs

Browse bold maps that fit your unique style

3- Panel Gold & Navy Push Pin World Map

Dramatic & nautical: all countries included

Modern Wood Push Pin World Map

Bold black print on a woodgrain background: all countries included

Farmhouse Push Pin World Map

Sleek & neutral on a woodgrain background: all countries included

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Showcase Your Favorite Travel Memories Right on Your Wall

Because your memories deserve to be cherished

Hand-stretched, 100-year quality canvas

Share your adventures with family and friends for years to come with our top-shelf quality canvas printing: guaranteed vibrant for a lifetime.

Free, detailed personalization

We’ll work closely with you to make sure your map is one-of-a-kind and beautifully captures your own travel story. Plus: you’ll approve a preview of your design before we print, so you can be sure you’re getting exactly what you envisioned – all free of charge. 

Celebrate past travels & set new goals

Get inspired: use your map to plan “bucket list” trips as well as commemorate past adventures. (You can even use different pin colors for “travels planned” and “travels taken!”)

Full-service customer support (+ super fast shipping!)

When you receive your design preview email for approval, you’ll be in touch with a real person from our family-run design team who can answer questions and give recommendations. Plus: most canvases ship from our warehouse within 3 days – yes, even customized ones!

With Other Brands, You Get Generic Designs That Feel Rushed & Impersonal

At Holy Cow Canvas, we know creating the perfect keepsake is all about making it your own.

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Experience the Difference

"I’m in awe of this product. The craftsmanship, the shopping and packaging, the quality and overall the amazing customer service. I can’t say enough great things about it!"

Any Questions? We’re Here to Help.

Are the pins are included?

Yes! 2 colors of pins are included with each order. Feel free to request whichever colors best suit your style in the "Personalize Your Canvas" box on the product page, or let our designers recommend the 2 colors we like best with your map.

What is rolled vs. the “ready to hang” version?

When you select “ Rolled ” in the size selection menu, you’ll receive your map rolled up so you can frame or mount it yourself . When you select “ Push Pin ,” you receive your map stretched over a concealed wooden frame with a foam backing – so it’s ready to hang and pin upon delivery!

What is the difference between legend and quotes?

The quote is a short text excerpt that can be added, removed, or personalized on any map. Add your own favorite quote in the “Personalize Your Canvas” box, or choose to remove the quote option all together. 

The legend is the “key” to the map – many customers use this section to explain which pin color will correspond to which family member or differentiate “planned vs. taken” trips. To color-code, just stick a colored pin next to each name in the legend when you receive your map! 

You deserve to remember your adventures with a gorgeous, one-of-a-kind piece of art

And we won’t stop until we’ve brought your vision to life.

Start Customizing

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• Push Pin Travel Maps
• Standard Round Pins
• Specialty Pins
• Travel Decor
• U.S. States
• Bucket List Trackers
• Luggage Tags
• Passport Covers / Wallets
• Shipping & Policies
• Canvas Personalization Info.
• Gift Certificates

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• Paper Push Pin Travel Maps
• ∙ World Maps
• ∙ State Maps
• ∙ Other Countries/Regions
• ∙ Sports/Hobby Maps
• ∙ Golf Maps
• Framed Canvas Push Pin Travel Maps
• ∙ Canvas Posters Only - Multiple Sizes
• Gallery Wrapped Canvas
• Large 3 Panel Canvas Maps
• Canvas Posters Only - Multiple Sizes
• ∙ Bucket List Trackers
• ∙ Family Map Art
• ∙ Custom Family Sign Art
• ∙ Cork Memory Boards
• ∙ Travel Wall Art
• Travel Gear
• ∙ Luggage Tags
• ∙ Passport Covers / Wallets
• Speciality Pins
• Family Map Art

• Custom Family Sign Wall Art

• Personalized Bucket List Trackers

• Memory Boards

• Travel Wall Art

Colorful North America Travel Map with Pins

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Display your adventures on our Colorful North America Push Pin Map, pins included. The high level of detail and bright color palette will inspire your wanderlust for years to come! This travel map of North America includes all of the United States, Canada, Mexico, Central America, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, and small portions of South America, Iceland, and Greenland. Hawaii isn't geographically located in North America, but it's included as an inset on the Colorful North America pin map. All 50 US states are outlined and labeled, and the map shows the province boundaries in Canada and country borders throughout the region.

This North America Travelers Wall Map is a wonderful gift for people who have mostly traveled throughout these regions. It's a fun gift idea for every gifting occasion, including graduations, housewarmings, weddings, anniversaries, and more. Order your very own Push Pin Travel Map and start planning your travels today!

Framed dimensions are 27.5" H x 27.5" W / ~70 cm H x 70 cm W

• Personalize Your Map
• Frame Options
• More Info...

Personalized for Free with Your Name or a Favorite Quote

Want to give your Push Pin Travel Map that extra special touch? Personalize your map for FREE to truly make it your own! Need some inspiration for your personalization? See our most popular quotes and sayings below. Plaques may contain up to 3 lines of text with a maximum of 30 characters per line. Please contact us if you have something special in mind that is slightly longer, and we will see what we can do! If you want your personalization printed directly on your map, please check out our Canvas Map options here .

Pick From 8 Frame Options

Here at Push Pin Travel Maps we believe in choices. That’s why we offer more frame options than you will find anywhere else. With 8 distinct frame styles to choose from and dozens of unique map styles, you will easily be able to create the perfect combination to match your personal taste and décor. Choose from our six striking 2" wood composite frames or our two traditional solid wood frames, which are 2.25” wide and include a rich finish and elegant beading. Please see the listing images above to see this map pictured in each of our frame selections.

Black – 2” – Our best-selling frame and for good reason. It has a classic style that looks fantastic on each and every map. After all, black really does go with everything! Our Black Frame is a composite wood with an outward beveled profile. It is finished with a laminate wrap that has a smooth black satin finish that gives you a contemporary look that is perfect for any room in your home or office. Our Black frame looks especially nice paired with our Blue Oceans , Stormy Dreams and Midnight Dream map series.

Brown – 2” – Our Brown Frame is a traditional frame with a medium brown color and an outward beveled profile. This frame is a composite wood finished with a laminate wrap that has a smooth walnut finish and a lovely woodgrain look, which gives it a solid wood frame appearance when hanging on your wall. We particularly love this frame with our Earth Toned and Vintage map series.

Barnwood Gray – 2” – Both rustic and modern, it’s easy to see why our Barnwood Gray frame is a customer favorite. This frame is a composite wood finished with a laminate wrap and a modern, flat front profile. It boasts an attractive medium-dark gray color, complete with a light woodgrain like texture, giving the frame added dimension. Our Barnwood Gray frame really stands out with our Stormy Dreams , Blue Oceans and Black Ice maps series.

Textured White – 2” – With its crisp contemporary design, our Textured White frame is sure to brighten up your walls no matter which map you pair it with. This frame is a composite wood with a flat front profile. It is finished with a white laminate wrap that is lightly textured with a woodgrain like finish. We think our Textured White frame looks particularly stellar in our Teal Dream , Colorful World/US and Watercolor map series.

Rustic Black – 2” – You can’t go wrong with our Rustic Black frame, which has a sleek and modern look that is perfect for your favorite travel map! This flat front frame is a composite wood finished with a laminate wrap that has a smooth surface. A realistic woodgrain appearance with black and gray undertones gives the frame a little extra oomph. Our Rustic Black frame looks especially divine with our Executive and Tan Oceans map series and also our Baseball Adventures Map .

Rustic Brown – 2” – What’s not to love about our Rustic Brown frame? It brings you that rustic yet modern look you crave and looks fantastic on almost all of our pin maps. This frame is a composite wood finished with a smooth laminate wrap and a modern, flat front profile. The medium brown color has a striking realistic woodgrain appearance that makes the frame stand out on any wall. Our Rustic Brown frame really compliments our Earth Toned , Vintage and Classic map series as well as our National Parks map.

Solid Wood Brown – 2 1/4” – Our Solid Wood Brown frame is a more traditional style frame with multiple bevels on the front that is cut from solid red oak wood. It has an elegant beading on the inner lip that gives the frame an ornate accent that ensures it prominently stands out on any wall. The frame is finished with a rich dark brown walnut stain that truly showcases the gorgeous woodgrain. We think our Solid Wood Brown frame looks particularly elegant with our Executive and Vintage map series, as well as our National Parks map. NOTE: This is a natural wood frame featuring characteristics of real wood, including knots, wormholes, varying wood grains and textures, and color variations. We do not consider these flaws but character enhancements to your natural Solid Wood frame. Please contact us if you would prefer a frame without these features.

Solid Wood Cherry – 2 1/4” – A traditional style frame with multiple bevels on the front and a sophisticated ornate beading on the inner lip, our Solid Wood Cherry Frame is a stand out choice for your home or office. This frame is cut from solid red oak wood and features a rich, dark cherry red stain that highlights the beauty of the woodgrain. We absolutely love our Solid Wood Cherry frame paired with our Classic map series. It also makes the perfect choice for our Executive map series. NOTE: This is a natural wood frame featuring characteristics of real wood, including knots, wormholes, varying wood grains and textures, and color variations. We do not consider these flaws but character enhancements to your natural Solid Wood frame. Please contact us if you would prefer a frame without these features.

How is it made?

Every Push Pin Travel Map is handcrafted in The United States of America (Denver, CO to be exact!). We take great pride in every map we produce. We start by professionally dry mounting your map to sturdy foamcore board. Our framing experts then place the map in the stylish frame of your choice, which we build in house. Next a wire hanging kit is installed, so your map arrives ready to hang right out of the box. We even include a nail and hanger so you can easily hang your map on the wall. Find out more details as well as answers to popular questions in our FAQ section here .

What's in the box?

Everything you need!

• Your stunning, ready-to-hang Push Pin Travel Map
• 150 Pins in a mixture of red, white and black
• Nail and hanger (all you need is a hammer!)

We do not include any invoices within our packages as we ship so many of our products as gifts. If you are sending a gift and would like us to include a gift note, please leave a note at checkout in the “Order Notes” box which can be found in the shopping cart.

Shipping info...

• Free Shipping: Ground shipping is free on all continental US orders over $50. Need your order right away? Choose one of our Express shipping options at checkout.
• Processing Time: All our products are handmade to order. Therefore, it may take 1-3 business days to process your order and get it shipped out to you.
• Transit Time: Most orders are shipped via FedEx or UPS. Transit time varies by location, but should not exceed 5 business days. International & APO orders may take slightly longer to arrive.

Check out our Shipping & Policies page for more details about our shipping & returns policies, including an estimated transit time map for US orders.

Build Your Own Travel Wall

(This wall includes our canvas wall art , a bucket list tracker and a cork memory board .)

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How to make a diy push pin travel map.

Taking photos in every place you visit is a good way of keeping track of and showcasing your travels, but you would achieve better results by making a push pin travel map. Such a map makes it easy for you to note the places you have traveled to and the places that you need to visit .

Some people opt to buy pre-assembled push pin travel map- which I guess is pretty much okay, but doing that would take away from you the joy and fun of customizing your own map from scratch. Also, a DIY push pin travel map will save you a lot of money.

And if you are thinking about giving the map out as a gift , a map that you made on your own would give you more satisfaction than the one you would buy from the shop.

A good push pin travel map should highlight the cities and destinations that you've been to. It should give you and your visitors a quick glimpse of your travel adventures. At the same time, a world map canvas gives your living room a little decor boost.

Please read on to learn how to make your own push pin travel map. Here are 9 steps of making a push pin travel map.

Step I: Preps

Acquire the following items:

• A 60cm by 90cm map.
• A foam board the size of your map or slightly bigger. You will use it to hold your pins in place.
• A paint of a color that blends best with your map and frame.
• A frame big enough to hold your map. Ensure that it has pre-installed hanging hardware.
• A foam paint roller and a couple of 1-inch foam paint brushes.
• Sharp scissors or a precision knife for any probable cutting needs.
• Spray adhesive that you'll use to bond the map to the foam board.
• Weighty items such as books.
• Smoothing tool to remove any air bubbles that may form after bonding the map to the board. The tool shouldn't be sharp otherwise it might damage the map.
• Color-coordinated pins to mark different locations on the map.
• A ruler and a tape

Step II: Cutting the board

• Use your ruler to measure 60 cm by 90 cm on your foam board and then mark each dimension using the tape. The edges of your measured outline should be perfect right angles.
• Join the marked edges with straight lines to form a rectangle.
• Cut the board along the lines drawn. Use your sharp precision knife or scissors to do this.

Step III: Glue the board

• Use the spray adhesive to glue the boar. Spray adhesive is preferred for this step because it dries up evenly, leaving little or no lumps. To get a perfect bond, apply as much adhesive as possible, though you should be careful not to go overboard.

Step IV: Place the map

• Carefully place your map on the board ensuring that the edges are well in place and that the map is well stretched out.
• Using your smoothing tool, smooth out any visible air bubbles. Run the tool over the map as many times as necessary until the bond is perfect and the glue is evenly distributed.
• Place the map facing the ceiling and place your heavy books on top of it. Leave the setup like that for a couple of hours so that the map can bond well on the board.

Step V: Prep the frame

• Paint your frame and leave it for 30 minutes to dry. If it won't have dried up by then, give it all the extra time it needs. While at it, remember to use the right colors that blend well with your map and color walls.
• Use your 1-inch brushes to get into the crevices of the frame.
• Add another coat of paint and then leave it to dry. That gives it a more complete, finished look.

Step VI: Frame the map

• Your map must be well dried up by now. Place it carefully in the frame ensuring that the edges remain intact. Remember to keep the map facing up.

Step VII: Pin your map

• Start by downloading a good pinning legend from a reputable website and then printing it out.
• Glue the legend to one corner of your map.
• Mark your travel destinations using the push pins. The advantage of having multi-colored pins is that you can mark past travels, upcoming travels, and dream destinations using different colors.
• When placing your pin, try to only mark the major cities and country capitals only to avoid overcrowding the map.

Step VIII: Hang the map

• Hang the map on the wall directly opposite the entrance door. That makes it the focal point of your living room so that every visitor walking through the door can see it.

Step IX: Decorating the map

• If you have any collectibles from your past travels, this is a perfect chance for you to showcase them. place them strategically and neatly on either side of the DIY world map canvas.

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Small Cylinder Push-Pin Magnets, Colorful, Whiteboard, Office & Home, Map Pins, Assorted, Magnetic, Kids, School, Classrom, Tiny, Fridge, Board & Strong Color Coding Push-Pin Markers - Map Magnets

Purchase options and add-ons, about this item.

• Small Size To Pinpoint Items On Maps - Each magnet is (4mm x 10mm). Each tiny magnetic pushpin can be used as map magnets, office magnets, or whiteboard magnets.
• Colorful Magnetic Push-Pins- 120 beautiful white, green, blue, and red magnetic push-pins that are perfect for color coding and organizing.
• Reliable Hold - Not only are the colorful magnets perfect for marking where you've been, they're also very reliable for holding your maps to magnetic surfaces.
• Perfect For Most Surfaces - Works well on traditional white boards and magnetic surfaces. Will NOT work well on glass boards or stainless steel surfaces.

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Set of 120 magnetic pins. 30 each of red, blue, white, and green. Dimensions are 4mm diameter by 10mm length. Perfect for holding papers on any magnetic surface. One magnet holds up to 6 pieces of paper. This magnet set complies with the regulations and labeling requirements of the Consumer Product Safety Commission. In addition, in accordance with Amazon magnet policy, these magnets are not made of rare earth metals and have a flux less than 50 kG2mm2.

Customer reviews

Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them.

To calculate the overall star rating and percentage breakdown by star, we don’t use a simple average. Instead, our system considers things like how recent a review is and if the reviewer bought the item on Amazon. It also analyzed reviews to verify trustworthiness.

Customers say

Customers like the performance, size and adhesion of the sharp pin. For example, they mention that it works perfectly on their map, it doesn't take up a lot of room yet it's strong enough to stick to the map. They also like the magnet strength. That said, opinions are mixed on quality and value.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

Customers like the size of the decorative magnet. For example, they say it's tiny, fierce, and does not take up a lot of room. Some mention that it'll be perfect for all world maps and smaller maps.

" small and it works" Read more

" Liked that 5hey are slim . Ordered this extra packet as the one that came with the globe won’t be enough" Read more

"These arrived quickly. They were much smaller than expected , but they were functional." Read more

"They are tiny and easy to know off since the magnets are not that strong" Read more

Customers like the magnet strength of the sharp pin. They say it's excellent, perfect for a magnetic map, and recommended for your magnetic pushpin needs. Some customers also mention that the magnets are smaller than expected.

"...And they match the other magnets that I have." Read more

"Powerful for the purpose, cruise route visited. The magnets are excellent and exactly what I ordered...." Read more

"The magnets work , but cannot put too close together or another magnet will move...." Read more

"These are great magnetic pushpins . I like the fact they come in so many colors. This seller was great to work with...." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the performance of the decorative magnet. They mention that it works perfectly on their map to show where they have traveled. Some say that it also works great on metal-backed maps.

"These work perfectly on our map to show where we have traveled - love them :)" Read more

" Worked very well ." Read more

" Perfect for our maps of marking family vacations and destinations!" Read more

"...and needed more pins. These fit the bill, work great ." Read more

Customers are satisfied with the adhesion of the decorative magnet. They mention that it sticks well to the map, is sturdy, and easy to maneuver. Some say that the magnet is able to stay right where they put it.

"...These are exactly what I was looking for. Easy to place and move , but stay where you put them. And they match the other magnets that I have." Read more

"...But when I placed them on the map, these map magnets holds/stick really well . I removed my old pins and put them aside and replaced with these pins...." Read more

"The magnets are a great value for the money. They are sturdy and stick well yet easy to maneuver." Read more

"Perfectly sized for on a map and hold great . These are a great way to mark a magnetic map!" Read more

Customers are mixed about the quality of the decorative magnet. Some mention it's adequate, sturdy, and sticks well, while others say it'll not hold anything up and is poorly made.

"...They were much smaller than expected, but they were functional ." Read more

"They do repel like users have said. They fall over . If you don’t need them close together and don’t plan on handling them much they will work...." Read more

" Powerful for the purpose , cruise route visited. The magnets are excellent and exactly what I ordered...." Read more

"...They are brightly colored and are just perfect for what we needed ." Read more

Customers are mixed about the value of the sharp pin. Some mention it's good value for a good product, while others say it'll be expensive for what you get.

" Good price , quick shipping - a good deal...." Read more

"Just a magnetic pin, no big deal. Pretty expensive for what you get ." Read more

"... Far less expensive than most magnetic pins ...." Read more

"...fantastic team that is dedicated in bringing quality product at a quality price to their customizers. Keep up the good work!!!" Read more

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World News | Russia says it has captured 5 villages in…

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World News | Russia says it has captured 5 villages in northeast Ukraine as more than 1,700 civilians flee

VOVCHANSK, Ukraine (AP) — Moscow’s forces captured five villages in a renewed ground assault in northeastern Ukraine, the Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday, and Associated Press journalists in the city of Vovchansk described multiple buildings destroyed after Russian airstrikes and barrages of Grad rockets.

Ukrainian officials didn’t confirm whether Russian had taken the villages, which lie in a contested “gray zone” on the border of Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and Russia.

Ukrainian journalists reported that the villages of Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pylna and Strilecha were taken by Russian troops on Friday. Russia said the village of Pletenivka was also taken.

In an evening statement Saturday, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said fighting was still ongoing in the settlements of Strilecha and Pletenivka, as well as Krasne, Morokhovets, Oliinykove, Lukyantsi and Hatyshche.

“Our troops are carrying out counterattacks there for a second day, protecting Ukrainian territory,” he said.

The Institute for the Study of War said Friday that geolocated footage confirms at least one of the villages was seized. The Washington-based think tank described recent Russian gains as “tactically significant.”

The renewed assault on the region has forced more than 1,700 civilians residing in settlements near the fighting to flee, according to Ukrainian authorities. It comes after Russia stepped up attacks in March targeting energy infrastructure and settlements, which analysts predicted were a concerted effort by Moscow to shape conditions for an offensive .

On Saturday, Russia continued to pummel Vovchansk with airstrikes and Grad rockets as police and volunteers raced to evacuate residents. At least 20 people were evacuated to safety in a nearby village. Police said that 900 people had been evacuated the previous day.

AP journalists who accompanied an evacuation team described empty streets with multiple buildings destroyed and others on fire. The road was littered with newly made craters and the city was covered in dust and shrapnel with the smell of gunpowder heavy in the air. Mushroom clouds of smoke rose across the skyline as Russian jets conducted multiple airstrikes.

The AP journalists witnessed nine air attacks during the three hours they were there.

“The situation in Vovchansk and the settlements along the border (with Russia) is incredibly difficult. Constant aviation strikes are carried out, multiple rocket missile systems strikes, artillery strikes,” said Tamaz Hambarashvili, the head of the Vovchansk military administration.

“For the second day in a row, we evacuated all the inhabitants of our community who are willing to evacuate,” he said. “I think that they are destroying the city to make (local) people leave, to make sure there are no militaries, nobody. To create a ‘gray zone.’”

Evacuees bade tearful goodbyes to their neighbors as they were taken away from their homes.

“You lie down and think — whether they will kill you now, or in an hour, or in three,” said resident Valentyna Hrevnova, 75. “I hope that they (Russians) will not come, but ours (Ukrainians) will be here.”

Vera Rudko, 72, was among those who left.

“We drove through Vovchansk in the city center,” Rudko said. “I can’t look at this without tears. Everything is trembling. We didn’t sleep these two nights at all.”

Russia’s recent push in Kharkiv seeks to exploit ammunition shortages before promised Western supplies can reach the front line, and pin down Ukrainian forces in the northeast and keep them away from heavy battles underway in the Donetsk region where Moscow’s troops are gaining ground, analysts said.

Russian military bloggers said the assault could mark the start of a Russian attempt to carve out a “buffer zone” that President Vladimir Putin vowed to create earlier this year to halt frequent Ukrainian attacks on Belgorod and other Russian border regions. Fears also mount that without adequate supplies, Russia might even be able to cut supply routes and besiege the city of Kharkiv, where 1.1 million people reside.

Ukrainian officials have downplayed Russian statements about captured territory, with reinforcements being rushed to the Kharkiv region to hold off Russian forces.

On Telegram, Kharkiv region Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said that heavy fighting continued in the areas around Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pylna and Oliinykove, but that the situation was under control and there was no threat of a ground assault on the city of Kharkiv.

In the meantime, artillery, mortar and aerial bombardments hit more than 30 different towns and villages in the region on Saturday, killing at least three people and injuring five others, Syniehubov said.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Friday evening that Russian forces were expanding their operations. He also called on the country’s Western allies to ensure that promised deliveries of military aid would swiftly reach the front lines.

“It is critical that partners support our warriors and Ukrainian resilience with timely deliveries. Truly timely ones,” he said in a video statement on X. “A package that truly helps is the actual delivery of weapons to Ukraine, rather than just the announcement of a package.”

The attack was launched from two areas in the Kharkiv region early Friday, Ukrainian officials and analysts said. Russian assault groups attempted to break through Ukrainian defensive lines in the city of Vovchansk and in the region north of the village of Lyptsi.

Separately, Ukrainian forces also launched a barrage of drones and missiles on Friday night, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said, with air defense systems downing 21 rockets and 16 drones over Russia’s Belgorod, Kursk and Volgograd regions. One person died in a drone strike in the Belgorod region, and another in the Kursk region, local officials said.

Another strike set ablaze an oil depot in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Luhansk region, killing four people and wounding eight more, Leonid Pasechnik, the region’s Moscow-installed leader, said on the messaging app Telegram on Saturday.

There was also shelling in the Russian-occupied Donetsk region Saturday, where three people died when an explosion hit a local restaurant, said Denis Pushilin, the area’s Kremlin-appointed leader. Eight more people were wounded, including a child.

In the war’s early days, Russia made a botched attempt to quickly storm Kharkiv but retreated from its outskirts after about a month. In the fall of 2022, seven months later, Ukraine’s army pushed them out of Kharkiv . The bold counterattack helped persuade Western countries that Ukraine could defeat Russia on the battlefield and merited military support.

Katie Marie Davies contributed to this report from Manchester, England.

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Putin on our doorstep: Ukrainians watch as the frontline edges closer

Russian forces are advancing in the country’s eastern regions, but the recent arrival of US arms could help turn the tide

I t was a perfect May evening. Daria Karpinska and her friends sat in the corner of a five-a-side pitch and played cards. Nearby was their school. Swifts had returned to their village of Hrodivka and screeched in a sunny blue sky.

Suddenly, a loud whoosh-whoosh noise interrupted the teenagers’ game of “fool”: the sound of a Grad missile. Seconds later came the boom of artillery. “It’s louder today than yesterday,” said 14-year-old Karpinska matter-of-factly.

Nine miles (15km) away – across a green and blossom-white landscape dotted with slag heaps and wheelhouses – the Russians were advancing. In February, they captured the city of Avdiivka in eastern Ukraine. Last month, they launched a surprise attack and overran the small town of Ocheretyne , a railway hub.

Last week, they gobbled up neighbouring villages . The frontline creeps ever closer to Hrodivka, a once peaceful community of 1,500 people, now on the brink of extinction.

The teenagers are preparing to leave. “My family decided last week it was time. We are packing up,” said Liza Shapovalava, 17. Two years ago, she and her parents moved away after Vladimir Putin’s full-scale attack. They returned but are departing again, this time possibly for ever. Their belongings will be sent on ahead. Shapovalava said she wanted to study psychology at university – in Kyiv, maybe.

Her classmate Maksim Chuprin added: “We are not happy. Of course we want the Ukrainian army to prevail. But I’m a realist.”

Like their grownup counterparts, the students consult Deep State , a frontline app that shows Russia’s battlefield gains. Additional evidence is close by: Russian bombs hit Hrodivka’s community hall and blew out windows from their school.

Ivan Anysymov, 21, wondered if the enemy might not advance directly towards Hrodivka because of the hilly terrain, which was easier to defend. Of the Russians, he said: “They think they are superior, that their culture is better. It’s not true. We just want to live our lives.”

The Kremlin says that Ukraine’s eastern provinces are part of “historical” Russia. In 2014, it swallowed up the two main cities in the Donbas region, Donetsk and Luhansk. In 2022, Russian troops occupied most of Luhansk province. One of the Russian president’s key war aims is to reach the administrative borders of the Donetsk oblast .

This objective had seemed impossible. Now, though, a string of Ukrainian garrison cities are suddenly in peril as Russian combat units move forward, supported by planes dropping lethal glide bombs.

Putin’s generals are using classic Soviet military tactics from the second world war. They are trying to encircle Ukrainian troops on multiple fronts.

The capture of Ocheretyne means Moscow has tantalising options. It can push west through Hrodivka to the city of Pokrovsk, a key Ukrainian military base. Or its forces can head north. If Russia manages to capture the city of Chasiv Yar , it can simultaneously advance from the south, chopping off a further large chunk of Ukrainian territory.

For now, Ukraine is hanging on in Chasiv Yar. Months of bombardment have turned its multistorey communist-era blocks of flats into blackened stumps . The Russians have reached the city’s eastern outskirts. Fierce fighting continues.

If Chasiv Yar falls, Moscow can use this elevated position to hit a string of nearby Ukrainian military cities: Kostyantynivka, Kramatorsk and Sloviansk. They are home to tens of thousands of civilians as well as to many servicemen. The future of Ukraine’s Donbas region – as a place for normal life – seems increasingly bleak.

In a forest training camp, Lt Andrii Todorov explained Ukraine’s recent setbacks. He said his “Rubizh” brigade – part of the national guard – used to fire American 120mm high-explosive M933A1 mortars. “They were good, with an excellent fuse,” he recalled. In June 2023, however, the bombs ran out. No more have arrived.

“We kept three of them for a special target,” he said. He added: “My guys didn’t get any more US ammunition. I hope we receive some. We are doing everything possible to hold our positions and keep the line.”

The six-month delay in US military aid – caused by pro-Moscow House Republicans in Washington – cost Ukraine dear. It allowed Russia to regain the strategic initiative after the failure last summer of Kyiv’s counteroffensive.

The first deliveries of new US military assistance have arrived in Ukraine as part of a $61bn package . They include artillery shells and long-range missiles, but it will take several weeks for weapons and equipment to reach the frontline in large quantities.

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“The Russians are moving pretty slowly. But still they are moving. It’s a problem,” said Volodymyr Cherniak, a captain in the national guard.

He said his soldiers would be able to defend positions successfully if western nations provided Ukraine with adequate ammunition and F-16 planes – plus anti-aircraft systems that could shoot down Russian fighter jets. “Without them we are fighting against their missiles with our infantry. It’s a nonsense,” he said.

The situation was “very difficult”, a security official in Kyiv said last week , but “not catastrophic”.

According to Cherniak, the Russian army adapted after its failure in 2022 to capture Kyiv, stepping up drone production. The Russians now have “two or three times” more first-­person-view drones, which they fly continually, including at night.

That meant supplying frontline positions and rotating troops was harder, he said. The Russians were also willing to sacrifice large numbers of men and armoured vehicles in costly “meat assaults”. He added: “Their tactics are simple, bloody, inhuman and effective.”

In March, after the loss of Avdiivka, Ukraine’s president, Volodymyr Zelenskiy, announced that 1,200 miles of defensive fortifications were under construction across the country.

In Ocheretyne, however, Russian brigades bypassed these new defences, carving out a mini salient. Cherniak said his soldiers were skilled at laying minefields, but that Ukraine’s military lacked the specialist engineering units used by Russian forces to construct bunkers and trenches quickly after each mile or so advance. “We don’t have enough people to do this,” he said.

Another national guard officer, Maj Maksym Taran, pointed out that Russia is not fighting on its own. North Korea has supplied ballistic missiles , while China has sent technical parts and Iran kamikaze drones . “Yes, we will win this war. But it depends on the west. On our own, it will take us 100 years,” he said.

Cherniak added that the Kremlin had long-term ambitions – in Europe and beyond. “It is the victors who write history. If Russia takes Ukraine, 20 years from now, this could be China and Russia, and not the US and UK,” he warned. Some observers believe Ukraine’s prospects are brighter than they appear. “I don’t think Donetsk oblast is lost,” said Andriy Zagorodnyuk , Ukraine’s former defence minister. “It depends on when equipment arrives. If we receive this ammunition, we can certainly stop Russia and substantially damage their capability.”

He added that the delivery in April of US long-range Atacms missiles “tremendously changed the situation” and also predicted Crimea – where Ukraine has used maritime drones to target Russia’s Black Sea fleet – would go from “asset to liability”.

Back in Hrodivka, the local school has been shut for two years, with all lessons online. Pupils meet up there anyway, gathering on the football pitch, or sitting in a playground next to a patch of purple lilies.

The students finished their game of cards, and set off in a dusty procession of mopeds and one push bike. They parked up outside the village shop. Artillery continued to boom. “We don’t know what will happen. Maybe our house will survive,” Shapovalava said. “Maybe it won’t. Things here are coming to an end.”

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Russia says it has captured 5 villages in northeast Ukraine as more than 1,700 civilians flee

A police officer speaks to a local man as his house is seen on fire after a Russian airstrike in Vovchansk, Ukraine, on Saturday, May 11, 2024. (Evgeniy Maloletka/AP)

VOVCHANSK, Ukraine — The Russian Defense Ministry said Saturday that Moscow’s forces have captured five villages as part of a renewed ground assault in northeastern Ukraine.

Ukrainian officials haven’t officially confirmed whether Russian had taken the villages, which lie in a contested “gray zone” on the border of Ukraine’s Kharkiv region and Russia.

Ukrainian journalists reported that the villages of Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pylna and Strilecha, were taken by Russian troops on Friday. Russia said the village of Pletenivka was also taken.

The Institute for the Study of War said Friday that geolocated footage confirms at least one of the villages was seized. The Washington-based think tank described recent Russian gains as “tactically significant.”

The renewed assault on the region has forced more than 1,700 civilians residing in settlements near the fighting to flee, according to Ukrainian authorities. It comes after Russia stepped up attacks in March targeting energy infrastructure and settlements, which analysts predicted were a concerted effort by Moscow to shape conditions for an offensive.

Russia’s recent push in Kharkiv also seeks to exploit ammunition shortages before promised Western supplies can reach the front line, and pin down Ukrainian forces in the northeast and keep them away from heavy battles underway in the Donetsk region where Moscow’s troops are gaining ground, analysts said.

Russian military bloggers said the assault could mark the start of a Russian attempt to carve out a “buffer zone” that President Vladimir Putin vowed to create earlier this year to halt frequent Ukrainian attacks on Belgorod and other Russian border regions. Fears also mount that without adequate supplies, Russia might even be able to cut supply routes and besiege the city of Kharkiv, where 1.1 million people reside.

Ukrainian officials have downplayed Russian statements about captured territory, with reinforcements being rushed to the Kharkiv region to hold off Russian forces.

On Telegram, Kharkiv region Gov. Oleh Syniehubov said that heavy fighting continued in the areas around Borysivka, Ohirtseve, Pylna and Oliinykove, but that the situation was under control and there was no threat of a ground assault on the city of Kharkiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy confirmed Friday evening that Russian forces were expanding their operations. He also called on the country’s Western allies to ensure that promised deliveries of military aid would swiftly reach the front lines.

“It is critical that partners support our warriors and Ukrainian resilience with timely deliveries. Truly timely ones,” he said in a video statement on X. “A package that truly helps is the actual delivery of weapons to Ukraine, rather than just the announcement of a package.”

The attack was launched from two areas in the Kharkiv region early Friday, Ukrainian officials and analysts said. Russian assault groups attempted to break through Ukrainian defensive lines in the city of Vovchansk and in the region north of the village of Lyptsi.

On Saturday, Russia continued to pummel Vovchansk with airstrikes and grad rockets as police and volunteers raced to evacuate residents. At least 20 people were evacuated to safety in a nearby village. Police said that 900 people had been evacuated the previous day.

Associated Press journalists who accompanied an evacuation team described empty streets with multiple buildings destroyed and others on fire. The road was littered with newly made craters and the city was covered in dust and shrapnel with the smell of gunpowder heavy in the air. Mushroom clouds of smoke rose across the skyline as Russian jets conducted multiple airstrikes.

“In the current moment, the situation in Vovchansk and the settlements along the border (with Russia) is incredibly difficult. Constant aviation strikes are carried out, multiple rocket missile systems strikes, artillery strikes,” said Tamaz Hambarashvili, the head of Vovchansk City Military Administration.

“For the second day in a row, we evacuate all the inhabitants of our community who are willing to evacuate.”

AP journalists witnessed nine air attacks during the three hours they were there.

“I think that they are destroying the city to make (local) people leave, to make sure there are no militaries, nobody. To create a ‘gray zone,’” Hambarashvili said.

Evacuees bade tearful goodbyes to their neighbors as they were taken away from their homes.

“You lie down and think — whether they will kill you now, or in an hour, or in three,” said resident Valentyna Hrevnova, 75. “I hope that they (Russians) will not come, but ours (Ukrainians) will be here.”

Vera Rudko, 72, was among those who left.

“We drove through Vovchansk in the city center,” Rudko said. “I can’t look at this without tears. Everything is trembling. We didn’t sleep these two nights at all.”

In the meantime, artillery, mortar and aerial bombardments hit more than 30 different towns and villages in the region on Saturday, killing at least three people and injuring five others, Syniehubov said.

Separately, Ukrainian forces also launched a barrage of drones and missiles on Friday night, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said, with air defense systems downing 21 rockets and 16 drones over Russia’s Belgorod, Kursk and Volgograd regions. One person died in a drone strike in the Belgorod region, and another in the Kursk region, local officials said.

Another strike set ablaze an oil depot in Ukraine’s Russian-occupied Luhansk region, killing four people and wounding eight more, Leonid Pasechnik, the region’s Moscow-installed leader, said on the messaging app Telegram on Saturday.

There was also shelling in the Russian-occupied Donetsk region Saturday, where three people died when an explosion hit a local restaurant, said Denis Pushilin, the area’s Kremlin-appointed leader. Eight more people were wounded, including a child.

In the war’s early days, Russia made a botched attempt to quickly storm Kharkiv but retreated from its outskirts after about a month. In the fall of 2022, seven months later, Ukraine’s army pushed them out of Kharkiv. The bold counterattack helped persuade Western countries that Ukraine could defeat Russia on the battlefield and merited military support.

Katie Marie Davies contributed to this report from Manchester, England.

previous coverage

• Ukraine’s Zelenskyy says Russia has the initiative in the east, but new Western aid is on the way

related stories

• Zelenskyy says Russia is attempting a new offensive near Kharkiv

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