travel memories meaning

Neuropsychologist explains why travel creates long-lasting memories

Oct 5, 2018 • 2 min read

No matter how big or small a trip, travel can create long-lasting memories. All of those experiences – and they memories they create – also help shape your personality, according to new research.

A survey, commissioned by Swiss International Air Lines with consultation from neuropsychologist professor Lutz Jäncke from the University of Zurich's department of psychology, looked at how travel memories differ from others, and how they influence people.

"Travel and our travel memories have the power to shape our personality," said Professor Jäncke in a statement. "We are what we remember, or, more precisely - we are what we remember about ourselves… Holiday and travel memories take a prioritised position within this realm of experiences, which is why they are major pillars of our personality”.

More than 40% of British people said they have already taken a trip that has changed them as a person, while 20% say they picked up a new hobby after travelling. When it comes to how we try to create such memories, nearly 70% of Brits say they take photographs to remember their travel – and nearly 50% said they wouldn’t delete those photos for all the money in the world.

But, as more people use phones with constant internet access, they are losing trust in their memories, according to Professor Jäncke. But it’s an unwarranted fear, as he says we often retain travel memories all our lives, since they are often associated with very positive emotions. Because we have good travel experiences – away from the stress of daily life – people are able to absorb lots of the details that help to create strong memories.

When it comes to what we remember from our travels, 55.9% remember time spent with family and friends, followed by how the food tasted at 53.21% and the people they met at 47.7%.

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Why travel memories play an important part in helping to develop our personality

“In the midst of winter, I found there was, within me, an invincible summer.”

These are probably the most famous words ever written by French philosopher and winner of the Nobel Prize for Literature, Albert Camus. But they could just as easily have come from a neuroscientist.

This is because recent brain research has found that memories of summer days, sunny holidays , adventures and distant lands all harbour an incredible force that we can use to our advantage.

They’re one of our memory’s best guarded treasures – when systematically activated, they brighten up dark days and can act like therapy.

Neuropsychologist Professor Lutz Jäncke explains why exactly holiday memories are so valuable.

Why do travel memories get so engrained in our mind?

The distinguishing feature of travel memories is that they are unusual, and generally differ greatly from our everyday experiences.

Everyday life is largely, though not exclusively, controlled by subconscious processes, meaning we’re no longer perceptive of the world around us, unless we’re specifically addressing important aspects.

Holidays are different. That’s when we’re free from everyday routine and can focus our cognitive resources on all the ‘peripheral’ things.

What things does memory focus on?

For example, we notice the rippling of the waves, enjoy the salty smell of the sea, and greedily breathe in the fresh air.

We consequently take in the wide range of information from our surroundings through all of the sensory channels available to us: sight, touch, smell, taste and hearing.

Whether it be certain smells, typical noises from a location, or the taste of exotic food, we weave these diverse holiday experiences into stories which become deeply engrained in our memory .

And the most remarkable thing about these memory episodes is that we’re able to retain them particularly well – a skill our brain has become a specialist in through the course of evolution.

When it comes to pure facts, on the other hand, it tends to have a bit more trouble remembering.

What do we remember from holidays?

It can vary greatly and depends on many individual needs. But one study found that many holidaymakers particularly remember experiences involving nature

While famous structures are also up there in terms of the hierarchy of holiday memories, they don’t constitute the favourite memories.

We’re also good at remembering special social contacts made during our holidays. These could be anything from interactions with locals to romantic liaisons.

Holidaymakers particularly remember experiences involving nature. (Image: Getty)

Can a trip change us?

We can sum up the importance of memory with the phrase, “We are what we remember about our life.” Or more concisely – “We are our memory”.

As holiday memories make up a large part of this, they are key to our personality development.

Apart from that, holiday experiences can expand our knowledge and teach us to see the world from different perspectives. In this respect, holiday memories are crucial to our personality development.

Why do we take so many photos when travelling?

The main reason is probably the subconscious fear of forgetting.

Remember that, when on holiday, people are often captivated by objects or natural events they don’t see or experience in their everyday life. These moments are so unique and important that we almost want to put them on record.

It’s basically like something virtual to hold onto after the event, as a way of absorbing it.

You could also say we ‘collect’ the event and make it part of our own inventory.

This process can happen completely subconsciously, indeed impulsively. But there are some moments we also want to consciously ‘process’, because they overwhelm us or because we attach particular importance to them.

Why do we hardly ever remember the negative experiences from our holidays, such as traffic jams?

On the one hand, because when we’re on holiday, we’re generally not at risk, our lives are generally not in danger, and our ‘fear mode’ has virtually been switched off.

On the other hand, the memory is primarily taken up with pleasant and positive information.

You could also say that the sheer volume of positive holiday experiences leaves hardly any room for unpleasant memories.

How can I access these important memories within me again?

The best way to do it is by initially focusing on key stimuli from the holiday .

Based on these key stimuli, you can then ‘dig up’ specific parts of memories from holidays until the complete holiday story is formed.

In addition to pictures, souvenirs and videos, key stimuli can also include conversations with friends and acquaintances about events from your holiday.

You don’t necessarily have to share the exact same experiences. Roughly similar experiences will suffice to bring back those supposedly buried memories.

The neurological basis for this is as follows: imagine the information is stored in our memory system like a kind of network.

If part of this network is remembered – ie activated – other parts of the network become activated too.

First it’s the ‘memory nodes’ that are directly adjacent to the memory you want to remember, then it’s the more distant ones.

The further the respective nodes are from the consciously remembered ‘memory nodes’, the less they are activated.

In this way, you can move from one memory to those lying deeper and deeper – and relive those wonderful memories from your travels.

6 ways to have a healthy holiday

1 . Spend time in nature

Research has found that we should spend as much of our holidays as possible in nature, and Swedish psychologist Terry Hartig says that a nature walk is more restorative for the body and mind than a city stroll.

2 . Make short trips often

Studies conducted by psychologist Jessica de Bloom suggest we go on multiple shorter getaways rather than one big annual holiday.

This is because rest and relaxation peak after a week of time-out, while the second and third week away don’t bring any notable further improvement.

3 . Take precautions not to get ill while away

A study of some 60,000 patients by the University of Zurich found while men are more likely to suffer from malaria and other fevers, for women it’s primarily diarrhoea or respiratory infections.

4 . Enjoy the anticipation

Researchers from the University of Surrey have found that our mood starts lifting even before the trip.

Just planning a holiday makes us happier overall and helps us view our family and health in a more positive light.

5 . Take care on your return home

The restorative effect of your holiday can disappear as soon as two weeks after your return and “we find ourselves just as stressed as before,” says Carmen Binnewies, professor of occupational psychology.

Depending on your workload, this can take as little as one week.

5 . Prepare for the back-to-work blues

The first day back at work after a holiday can definitely be depressing . Psychologists call this ‘post-holiday syndrome’ or ‘post-holiday depression’.

For more great read like this, pick up the lastest issue of Good Health & Wellbeing magazine, on sale now.

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Why you should take time to make travel memories (and how to do it)

By: Author Jaclynn Seah

Posted on Published: January 12, 2015  - Last updated: October 8, 2019

Categories How I Travel , Occasional Travel , Solo Travel

Back in the day before the idea of travel blogging was a thing for me, I always been an avid sort of journal keeper , a little obsessed with preserving my memories and just remembering things. I had a personal blog (from 2003, aw blogspot~) and various caches of organizers-cum-diaries that recorded both my schedule and my thoughts all the way from 1997.

So when I started travelling on my own, that naturally extended to me keeping physical travel journals, which is something I continue to do, even today. My earliest proper travel journals were back from 2007, my grad trip to Taiwan (I actually have scans of my journals in there if you are interested!), and a semi-solo visit to a friend in France and Spain , but I have random souvenirs, keepsakes and notes on hotel stationery from even earlier which are stored in a separate box.

Travel journals from my trips in recent years. You will notice they are more like travel packets rather than journals because I use the notebook to hold lots of other ephemera like maps, tickets, brochures and other knick-knacks!

It’s kinda fun looking back now and flipping through these old memories – it brings back memories of things that happened that I had half-forgotten, and even some moments that I don’t recall anymore but remember again because I recorded them faithfully in a cute little notebook while in transit somewhere. I’m pretty sure some of my current memories are aided by the fact that I wrote them down. That act of recording helps me sort out the jumbles in my mind and gives coherence to stories that become, which makes for stronger recall and recollection of fun anecdotes :)

This was from a family trip in 2008 to Madrid where I was convinced I saw the biggest ducks, ever! I don’t think I have pix of these nor do I really recall exactly how the ducks look like, but it’s fun to see that even 7 years on, I’m pretty sure I would still be as in awe of huge ducks as I was back then

One of the main reasons I started The Occasional Traveller was as a way to electronically record these memories and sync them up with all the digital photos that I had, and it definitely makes it easier to find info, but there’s still something about the immediacy of scribbling down your thoughts on the go, and being able to stick a train ticket or beer label on to a spare page – it’s your most authentic reaction and it tells you something about yourself and the way you think. Revisiting these memories later on gives you perspective and reflection, and who doesn’t like a good ol’ reminiscence of their awesome past trips!

If you’re thinking about starting your own travel journals and collecting your own memories but have never found the will or way to do it, there really is no better time to start than right now, because… why not? I have a couple of tips that I think will help you start and keep this habit going – the challenging part about journalling (or blogging even) is finding that momentum to keep going, so this might help!

DO IT YOUR WAY

Well one thing’s for sure, Journalling is always better with a beer at hand!

I can’t emphasize how important this is – these are your travel memories, so you don’t have to emulate anyone else, just find the way that works best for you . Don’t force yourself to keep lengthy diaries if you hate to write, or don’t lug around a DSLR camera if you like travelling light. There is NO ‘one right way’ to do it – I think people sometimes get a bit caught up in trying to doing what other people are doing, which is why they run out of steam so quickly, because it’s not something they enjoy doing themselves so it doesn’t come naturally to them.

I like to write my entire day’s activity and thoughts out chronologically, and sketch interesting things that I see, record photos of a place with my phone and stick physical mementos in my travel journal, something I do at the end of the day or while chilling out in the middle of a trip. It’s easy for me to keep doing this because I honestly enjoy being a little long winded and detailed.

A beer label says a thousand words!

You can use other people’s methods to give you ideas on getting started though. This is a non-exhaustive list of ways you can record a memory – I’d love to hear what you do to record your memories!

• Travel blogging (of course)
• Video – Vlogs of your trip
• Audio – recording ambient sounds of a place or keeping an audio journal
• Drawing – so much you can do! Detailed sketches, lazy doodles or fancy water colours,
• Photography – whatever type of camera or photography you like, or doing themed series that cut across your trip (e.g. bringing along a little mascot for every city you visit, or taking picture of a postbox in every town you pass through)
• Map pinning – whether physical or digital
• Scrapbooks – keeping boxes or folders of physical ephemera you find on your trip

The important take away is that there are so many ways you can record a trip memory, that you shouldn’t feel like you can only do it in one way. You don’t even have to be great at it – have you seen my sketches? I am definitely not great at it. ( This guy has great sketches though , but he is also an Eisner nominee…)

I enjoy sketching but I’ll be the first to tell you that it’s not something I’m particularly good at. This is me describing various aspects of Gaudi architecture from Barcelona to myself. Trust me when I say this isn’t going to be winning me any art titles anytime soon.

MORE ISN’T ALWAYS BETTER

Don’t feel you like you need to record EVERYTHING. Most people give up journaling halfway because it starts to get too tedious, and it begins to hinder their enjoyment of travel rather than help it. You will never be able to remember everything, and unless you’re a little obsessive about having a full set of memories like I am, you don’t need to remember all the mundane details.

My travel journals usually start off really neat and detailed, but by the middle of the trip, things start to get rather messy and I don’t record as faithfully as I do. I have often left travel journals unfinished just because I get so tired towards the end, from the trip and the journalling. Often I keep an initial outline set of memories in point form so I don’t forget the stuff, and then I spend more time later on recording it in longer form when I’m in the mood later on.

That is a very chicken-y looking falcon at the Falcon Hospital in Abu Dhabi. It was a very educational experience and I still remember quite vividly watching the falcons get treated. I remember writing this later in the night and still having the details quite fresh in my head.

I suggest that you start small and just note down the key things that strike you – Think about your feelings at that moment, and record pertinent names or details related to that event. I have blanks in my books or even on my phone notes for factual details that I know I can Google later on, but nothing can replicate your unique sensory memory of that moment later on, so that’s the key part that you’re trying to record down.

Don’t be obsessed about having the right equipment or the right way or the right time – just go out and get started! Like everything in life, it usually gets easier once you hit the ground running, so get out there and do it!

What do you do to preserve your travel memories? Share them here!

Wednesday 3rd of June 2015

Wow! I totally agree about recording your travel memories! I do it too but I dont sketch because I suck at it. Instead I take photos....lots of it lol.

Jaclynn Seah

Thursday 4th of June 2015

hello Afni! well i'm not very good at sketching either honestly, i just like the idea of doing it, and i do think practice makes perfect :) here's to more travels!

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25+ Best Travel Memories Quotes to Inspire Your Wanderlust

I admit it, I love great travel memories quotes.

A great quote can capture a feeling or idea in a way that’s especially inspiring. It can stoke your wanderlust, and make you think about the world in a different way.

It’s a great privilege to be able to look back on my travels around the world, and reflect on how they’ve changed me, and changed my perspective on the world.

Travel has changed my perspective on the world, and it’s changed the heart of who I am. I want to preserve our travel memories , and be able to relax and reflect on our travels around the world, whether I’m looking at old photos, or going more upscale with custom canvas printing of our travel pictures.

The Best Travel Memories Quotes

Here they are, my favorite travel memories quotes and sayings.

“Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in an office or mowing your lawn. Climb that damn mountain.” ~ Jack Kerouac

“Travel isn’t always pretty. It isn’t always comfortable. Sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. But that’s okay. The journey changes you; it should change you. It leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. You take something with you. Hopefully, you leave something good behind.” – Anthony Bourdain

“One of the best ways to make yourself happy in the present is to recall happy times from the past. Photos are a great memory-prompt, and because we tend to take photos of happy occasions, they weight our memories to the good.” – Gretchen Rubin

“To be human is to have a collection of memories that tells you who you are and how you got there.” – Rosecrans Baldwin

“The most beautiful things are not associated with money; they are memories and moments. If you don’t celebrate those, they can pass you by.” – Alek Wek

“I collect memories. I look for opportunities to try new things, go to new places, and meet new people all the time.” – Marcel Wanders

“Travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.”  – Miriam Beard

“Remember that happiness is a way of travel – not a destination.” – Roy M. Goodman

“I have learned that if you must leave a place that you have lived in and loved and where all your yesteryears are buried deep, leave it any way except a slow way, leave it the fastest way you can. Never turn back and never believe that an hour you remember is a better hour because it is dead. Passed years seem safe ones, vanquished ones, while the future lives in a cloud, formidable from a distance.” – Beryl Markham, West with the Night

“I want to make memories all over the world.” – Unknown

“Own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know countries, know people. Let your memory be your travel bag.” – Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn

“It is not the destination where you end up but the mishaps and memories you create along the way.” – Penelope Riley

“The past is a foreign country; they do things differently there.” – L.P. Hartley, The Go-Between

“We find ourselves after airplane doors close and wheels touch the heavens. We discover the maps to our hearts when we lose the maps to this world. Wander, and find home in the people you meet. Wander, and find home inside yourself.” – Tyler Knott Gregson

“If dreams are like movies, then memories are films about ghosts.” – Adam Duritz

“Is there anything, apart from a really good chocolate cream pie and receiving a large unexpected cheque in the post, to beat finding yourself at large in a foreign city on a fair spring evening, loafing along unfamiliar streets in the long shadows of a lazy sunset, pausing to gaze in shop windows or at some church or lovely square or tranquil stretch of quayside, hesitating at street corners to decide whether that cheerful and homy restaurant you will remember fondly for years is likely to lie down this street or that one? I just love it. I could spend my life arriving each evening in a new city.” – Bill Bryson

“Like all great travelers, I have seen more than I remember, and remember more than I have seen.” – Benjamin Disraeli

“I want to look at a map and be able to remember how I was transformed by the places I’ve been to, the things I’ve seen and the people I’ve met. I want to come home and realize that I have not come home whole but have left a piece of my heart in each place I have been. This, I think, is what is at the heart of adventure and this is why I plan on making my life one.” – Becca Martin

“What I like about photographs is that they capture a moment that’s gone forever, impossible to reproduce.” – Karl Lagerfeld

“Repetition doesn’t create memories. New experiences do.” – Brian Chesky

“One of my favorite vacation memories was the Thai foot massage and Internet access salons in Bangkok, followed up by my testing cellphone coverage while wading in Provincetown Harbor on Cape Cod.” – Kara Swisher

Old travel memories quotes

It’s easy to think of travel happening only in our time of airplanes, high speed trains, and

“Take only memories, leave only footprints.” – Chief Seattle

“Nothing is ever really lost to us as long as we remember it.” – L.M. Montgomery

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.” – most commonly attributed to Mark Twain, but this quote likely came from H. Jackson Brown

Mark Twain is probably one of the most quoted authors on the planet. Many clever and inspiring quotes did originate from Twain, but the quote above isn’t one. It’s commonly attributed to Twain, but it likely originated with H. Jackson Brown’s 1990 book, P.S. I Love You.

Family travel memories quotes

“The greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories.” – Og Mandino

“Summer will end soon enough, and childhood as well.” – George R.R. Martin

Love social media? These quotes are perfect if you’re looking for throwback travel memories quotes for Instagram!

If you’re looking for inspiration for your wanderlust, you should find the perfect quotation above!

Excellent inspirational quotes, especially, “Because in the end, you won’t remember the time you spent working in an office or mowing your lawn. Climb that damn mountain.” I also like, “No one on their death bed says I wish I worked more.” Not sure who said that one.

Nice quotes, reading through them I mentally had flashbacks to the places I’ve gone.

I love these travel memories quotes! They make me want to pack my bags and head out on a new adventure!

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14 Amazing Travel Memoirs to Read When You're Stuck at Home

Sarah Schlichter

Deputy Executive Editor Sarah Schlichter's idea of a perfect trip includes spotting exotic animals, hiking through pristine landscapes, exploring new neighborhoods on foot, and soaking up as much art as she can. She often attempts to recreate recipes from her international travels after she gets home (which has twice resulted in accidental kitchen fires—no humans or animals were harmed).

Sarah joined the SmarterTravel team in 2017 after more than a decade at the helm of IndependentTraveler.com. Sarah's practical travel advice has been featured in dozens of news outlets including the New York Times, the Chicago Tribune, USA Today, Budget Travel, and Peter Greenberg Worldwide Radio. Follow her on Twitter @TravelEditor .

The Handy Item I Always Pack: "A journal. Even years later, reading my notes from a trip can bring back incredibly vivid memories."

Ultimate Bucket List Experience: "Road tripping and hiking through the rugged mountains of Patagonia."

Travel Motto: "'To awaken quite alone in a strange town is one of the pleasantest sensations in the world.'—Freya Stark"

Aisle, Window, or Middle Seat: "Aisle. I get restless on long flights and like to be able to move around without disturbing anyone else."

Email Sarah at [email protected] .

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At times when you can’t travel, the best travel memoirs can transport you to far-away places, helping to feed your wanderlust even if you’re currently confined to your couch. The travel memoirs below capture destinations as far-flung as India, Australia, and Antarctica, and are all worth adding to your to-read list.

Travels with Charley in Search of America , John Steinbeck

This classic travel memoir follows John Steinbeck and his French poodle Charley across the U.S. from New York to Maine to California and back again. Travels with Charley offers a striking portrait of early 1960s America, from dramatic natural landscapes and simmering racial tensions to quirky characters he meets along the way.

The Singular Pilgrim: Travels on Sacred Ground , Rosemary Mahoney

From Spain’s 500-mile Camino de Santiago to the Ganges River in Varanasi, India, Rosemary Mahoney follows in the footsteps of religious believers on some of the world’s holiest journeys. The Singular Pilgrim blends humor, curiosity, and keen insight as Mahoney confronts her own Irish Catholic heritage and finds grace in unexpected places.

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From Scratch: A Memoir of Love, Sicily, and Finding Home , Tembi Locke

“In Sicily, every story begins with a marriage or a death. In my case, it’s both,” writes Tembi Locke on the first page of this moving memoir . Locke, an African-American actress, falls in love with a Sicilian chef whose family disapproves of their union. But after her husband’s untimely death, Locke brings their daughter to Sicily and slowly forges a relationship with his family that helps them all heal.

In a Sunburned Country , Bill Bryson

There’s a reason Bill Bryson is one of the most popular travel writers in the English language, and his signature wit and insight are on full display throughout In a Sunburned Country . As Bryson travels across Australia, he peppers fun facts with wry observations and conversations with cheery locals, bringing the country to life in his own inimitable style.

All the Way to the Tigers , Mary Morris

The newest travel memoir in this list, All the Way to the Tigers is well worth a preorder. It covers two journeys in one: Morris’ recovery from a devastating injury and her subsequent trip to India in search of tigers. Morris offers both inspiration and insight in this beautifully written book.

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Comfort Me with Apples: A Journey Through Life, Love and Truffles , Ruth Reichl

In Comfort Me with Apples , readers can eat their way around the world with food writer Ruth Reichl, sampling dry-fried shrimp in China and truffles in France. Reichl’s conversational writing style makes it feel like she’s talking to a friend—and her food descriptions will leave you hungry.

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail , Cheryl Strayed

You might not expect a story of a woman hiking alone to be a page turner, but this international bestseller proves that wrong. Strayed writes about a period of crisis in her 20s, following the death of her mother and the dissolution of her marriage, when she made the brash decision to hike more than 1,000 miles of the Pacific Crest Trail from California to Washington. Her journey was as much emotional as physical, and Strayed writes about it in raw, visceral prose.

Ice Diaries , Jean McNeil

In Ice Diaries , Jean McNeil combines personal stories from her childhood in the Canadian Maritimes with vivid descriptions of her four months in Antarctica, as well as journeys to other icy destinations such as Svalbard and Greenland. Whether you’ve traveled to Antarctica or it’s still on your bucket list, McNeil’s book offers fascinating insight into the continent’s history and landscape.

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Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria , Noo Saro-Wiwa

Though she grew up mostly in London, Noo Saro-Wiwa made frequent visits to Nigeria to visit her father, an activist who was later executed by the government. As an adult, she returns to the country for a deeper exploration of its corruption, culture, and unexpected charms. Looking for Transwonderland uses insight and humor to paint a multifaceted portrait of Nigeria.

The Lady and the Monk: Four Seasons in Kyoto , Pico Iyer

Pico Iyer intended to spend his year in Kyoto studying Zen Buddhism at a monastery and learning about Japan’s traditional culture—but his plans are upended when he meets a woman named Sachiko. The Lady and the Monk details their relationship, marked by cross-cultural misunderstandings and Iyer’s deepening appreciation for Japan in all its complexity.

All Over the Place: Adventures in Travel, True Love, and Petty Theft , Geraldine DeRuiter

Geraldine DeRuiter leads off the aptly titled All Over the Place with a wry disclaimer, noting that her book is not particularly informative and confessing, “If you follow my lead, you will get hopelessly, miserably lost.” But that only makes this book even more fun to read, as DeRuiter and her husband careen around the world, getting sick, getting lost, and falling even more deeply in love.

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Wild Coast: Travels on South America’s Untamed Edge , John Gimlette

If you’re drawn to the unfamiliar, Wild Coast is well worth a read. Gimlette takes readers to three rarely visited countries in South America—Guyana, Suriname, and French Guiana—to reveal their colorful history, rare wildlife, and remote jungles.

The Snow Leopard , Peter Matthiessen

A masterwork of nature writing, The Snow Leopard details the author’s trek into the Himalayas in search of one of the Earth’s rarest and most elusive creatures. Matthiessen was a Zen Buddhist, and his memoir also includes his own internal journey toward a deeper understanding of the world around him.

Full Tilt: Ireland to India with a Bicycle , Dervla Murphy

The ultimate adventure story, Full Tilt follows an Irish woman in the early 1960s on a solo bicycle expedition across Europe and through Iran, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and India, accompanied only by her .25 revolver. Murphy encounters snow, sunstroke, stomach trouble, and other discomforts, but her struggles are offset by the fascinating people she meets and the magnificent landscapes through which she rides.

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How do you record your experiences and preserve your travel memories? Is this an important thing to do? Or does it somehow lessen your current experience?

Here, we explore some distinct ways to look back on our travels and discuss the value of doing something now for your future self. And we also touch on how recording experiences can actually deepen them in the moment.

Because so much of our website deals with the concept of travel both prior to departure and in the moment of the experience. So now let’s ask: What about the after ?

Check out the pod — Subscribe on  Stitcher ,  iTunes ,  or  Spotify !

What’s your relationship with nostalgia for travel memories?

Eli : I have to admit an emotional handicap… Before I started traveling, I was a very nostalgic person. I looked at periods in my life and had this strong nostalgic wish to go back or just longing. For nature, events, people — usually it’s a group of people. Now when I think about it, I was usually nostalgic for tribes. (The one I’ve been most nostalgic for is probably my tribe in the Army).

Sometimes, I was a little disappointed with how nostalgic I was. I was looking at the past too much, but I couldn’t avoid it. But the more I traveled, the less nostalgic I became. After six or seven years of travel, I stopped feeling nostalgia altogether.

Of course, I still look fondly on places in the past, but I’m much more emotionless towards them. It’s made my life easier in a way, it made it easier to constantly move places and leave tribes — like an emotional defense mechanism to cope with constant change. And something we don’t talk about enough is how constant change will actually alter your psychology. We adapt to it.

But what’s interesting is that this wasn’t my conscious decision — this is what worries me a little bit. With other attachments, I may have made a conscious decision to remove myself from the risks they posed. But here, this emotional detachment was not a decision I made. And honestly, I wish I still had a little bit of this attachment. I wish I still looked back fondly at how things used to be and went back to those moments. I wish I had a little bit of it back.

And I think that when you lose this nostalgia… Memories are not as important as they seem… The entire beauty is basically looking at your memories nd re-experiencing the feelings. And reexperiencing the loss, since you’re no longer there. But because I don’t have it, preserving memories is less of a priority for me.

What’s the benefit of nostalgia? Are you missing out if you don’t feel it?

Eli : Yeah I don’t really connect with feelings that are looking back on things. I’m always trying to push myself out of some kind of …victimized mindset. Like I had something and I lost it. When you look at nostalgia, you’re saying “look I’m no longer there” and I’ve tried to move away from that. But I do think there is some sweetness to it, so would like to get it back.

Have been thinking a bit about emotions and how important they are to us. I lost a bit of my connection with emotions with my past.

Dan : I’ve thought about this a lot, and I have a number of small little rituals — for while traveling or while not. But as for “why” — I don’t post on social media, so it’s not about creating a persona, but there’s a deep-seeded version of me will look back on these records fondly. I think there is a lot of nostalgia in my heart, but mostly in a proactive way.

Sometimes I’ll whip out a camera at a location and have one voice say “nice, I’ll have this record to look back on and show my future family” but then another voice will say “well, now you’re completely removing yourself from the experience and you’ve lost its authenticity.” And I struggle with this debate.

Eli : You’ve made me think of something. I don’t think I have as much of a need to communicate with my future version. And I think part of it may be that for you, this moving-around period is more temporal. Whereas I think I’m not planning for this. This is a lifestyle that’s continuing with no preset end-date. I don’t have a plan to end it; I don’t see it as a phase. But the story I’m telling myself is that I will keep on doing this as long as I can.

Although I will shamelessly plug BecomeNomad’s Instagram page! That’s one small way I track travel memories.

How do you feel about sharing experiences? Social media — convenient or superficial?

Eli: Well what is superficial? If you enjoy it, I don’t think it’s superficial. It really depends on each person. As far as I’m concerned, the topic of even discussing social media itself has become toxic.

So I don’t do it. But plenty of people do post their travels on social media. And if you do, great! That’s part of your way to connect with people in your circle. Keep on doing it.

If you’re living this lifestyle just to post and share and impress people, you have to ask yourself where this need is coming from. Maybe that’s a good indication that you’re not where you’re supposed to be. Maybe this means that the people you care most about and the people you want to spend time with aren’t where you presently are.

So I guess it comes back down to motives — ask yourself why you are doing this. It all depends on the purpose.

Dan : On the topic of motives — when I journal or take a picture, it’s almost like I’m accumulating a psychological trophy case. Not just to look back on nostalgically, but almost to look back on with pride one day.

For instance, when Google Photos pings me with a notification reminding me of some awesome travel experience, it gives me pride. Almost like an accomplishment, like “look at this awesome thing I did! Look at this worthwhile way of spending my time.” These travel memories will always be a part of my personal story, and I want to celebrate that story.

Eli : That’s great, and you’re uncovering a lot of my psychology as well. We talked before that one of the reasons I’m not documenting is that I’m not thinking of the future version of me who will enjoy it.

But at the same time, this constant traveling have kind of confused my concept of past and future self. You seem to have a relationship with them; I sometimes feel they don’t exist for me.

There is a saying that a person is like a river — they’re both in a constant state of change. So for me, I don’t have this psychological connection to these past and future versions of myself.

Viktor Frankl (sp), in his book A Man’s Search for Meaning , one thing he realized in the concentration camp was that it doesn’t matter how much power people have over you, they can never rob you of your past travel memories. They’re assets that you accumulate — safer than any bank account. So I definitely see the merit of it.

What have been your methods of recording travel memories?

Eli : I used to take photos, and I still take photos. Mostly of scenery, which I actually regret. I’ve told you before that I did an experiment in South America after a backpacking trip where I ended up with 1,000 photos. I forced myself to only keep 10 and get rid of the other 990. And what was shocking for me, back then at least, was that the ten I chose all had people in them.

The idea here is that I constantly chose people over nature. And that’s something that this discussion reminds me I have to do more: Capture that human connection.

I can’t help it though: When I go to a new place and unexpectedly encounter beauty, I feel I have to take a photo. This happens about four times a month — it has to be something that I really didn’t anticipate. And I honestly don’t look at my photos, but I like having them as reminders of where I’ve been.

Especially when you’ve been to as many places as I have, you might forget places. You might be in a situation where you forget you even visited a place — especially places you go on brief weekend trips.

So for me, it’s a way to remind myself. You’d be surprised, after twelve years of traveling, it can be hard to remember where I went on weekend trips in, say Venezuela. Those small places can be hard to remember.

Other than that, I do one other thing: Audio. It’s something I just started recently. What I do is walk in nature and audio record memories from past trips — even trips from ten years ago. So I come up with as many memories and impressions and thoughts as I can, but with the distance of time. Basically: What do I remember?

I get to tell fun stories and get to find out what I’m emotionally connected to. And it forces me to think about friends and activities that I may not have thought about in a long time.

For me, audio is a much better way to connect with the things I’m doing… This is probably why we have our podcast!

And I really do think everyone should have their very own style.

Dan : Yeah I actually use an app that lets you compile 1-second videos. The premise is that each day you cut a second or two from a short video each day, and then put it all together at the end of the year. And you get to look back on it to get a glimpse of where you were and what you were doing on a day-to-day basis. I have one for 2019 (that had a lot of traveling, lots of moving around) and 2020 (which naturally had less movement, but still has loads of sentimental value). And I’m still going strong.

What I really love about this project, though, is that it forces me to have a moment where I appreciate each day. No day goes by where I just blink and it’s over. Even if I’m just at a gas station or sitting at home, this project pushes me to appreciate my current adventure (even if that adventure is not much of an adventure).

Eli: I love it. I would never do it, it takes too much commitment, but it’s a beautiful project. I think everyone, at the end of the day, has to customize what they do. There is no right way, there is only how the masses do it. But I think everyone can find their own special way to document — one that connects with their psychology.

I would encourage, on this topic of travel memories, to think and experiment here. That’s something I’m gonna do myself. Because if you have burnout, which is a lack of connection with your emotions, a lot of it can be dealt with if you have some effective mechanism of documentation.

Like with journaling — it forces you to connect with the now. Because if something was really good before, and you feel warmly towards it, this means it’s currently not as good. This is like an internal alarm. So I think documentation should receive more attention, especially from myself.

Dan : Jumping off the one-second video idea, these strategies can be mechanisms for preserving nostalgia. Or preserving memory. But I feel like something that really drove me towards journaling was a desire for any experience — travel or otherwise — to contribute to my growth.

So it’s a way to see how my mindset is shifting at a certain point in time. Is there something from a certain experience that I can pinpoint as having an impact? It kind of makes the activity of growing as an individual something that’s more front and center in my mind.

Eli : Makes sense. And if it works for you, that’s great — no need for other validation. Like my audio thing: It works for me, probably wouldn’t for most others.

How does this discussion tie in to your personal growth process?

My goal is to grow from each location to each location. So my memory of each place is also a memory of how I changed in those places. How I became a better version of myself there. And I’m hoping that this is constantly happening.

I think that there is a trend line, where I’m becoming a little better, a little wiser. And those places are helping me to better understand who I am. Because how can you understand who you are? Really by being exposed to many different situations. And something we were saying is that the nomadic lifestyle puts you in uncertainty, outside of stability, and pushes you to learn about yourself.

So it’s not necessarily the location itself that uncovers these things. It’ll be more than anything your version of you in these locations. And that’s the electrifying mix here.

Sometimes there are locations that you liked the first time you visited, then didn’t like as much the next time, and vice versa. The reason is that you’re a different person visiting these places. For me, the idea is to see what my current version learn about itself and how did it progress to the next version by leveraging the characteristics of my surroundings.

And I do try to do this — I try to leverage my environment. For instance; Even just surfing in Las Palmas — this isn’t an activity I necessarily would have done before. Previous Eli might have been more closed-minded about it. So the idea is not just to do the actual activity, but to make sure it creates some kind of pattern for the future. Like if you go from Las Palmas to Medellin, maybe in Medellin youll be more willing to try dancing Salsa, and so on.

It’s really about growing as a person from each location to the next. Especially with this nomadic lifestyle, nothing inspires growth more than change. And that’s the beauty of documentation — understanding at which point this growth happens. You remind yourself of how good you were in some locations. I still have memories of my time in Budapest, where I had an alarm clock at night after which I would close all my screens no matter what. And I love this period! I left this habit after a few months, but I want it back. Just by remembering it, I know it can be done.

In a way… documentation allows you to hold yourself to higher standards.

Dan : Yeah say you’re even going through some hardship or in a bad mood, seeing a past journal entry where I’m feeling more free or more positive about life has almost a therapeutic quality. It can help remind me, “hey, don’t forget about these other recent versions of yourself.”

Eli : One of my biggest recommendations while I’m traveling… It’s the BecomeNomad podcast! Why are we doing this podcast? Not only for the listeners and readers… More than anything, it’s my travel journal. And I don’t really share much about my person life in different locations, but I do speak about things that I learned and that I’m learning on the road — usually not directly connected to the locations, even.

So we have these life timestamps, in a way. And the sharing with an audience — the real point is having something for future reference. In one year or two year, say, when I’m thinking again about documentation, I’ll come back to this episode. That way, I can remember what past Eli had to say about this subject.

Plus, having an audience forces accountability and provides validation. They show you that there is value in what you’re coming up with and the experiences you have. So a big thanks to you for being this form of accountability for me!

What about you — how do document your travel experiences? Do you have any special mechanisms for preserving travel memories for your future self? Please share below — we’ll reply to your message asap!

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Solo Traveler

Solo travel tips, destinations, stories... the source for those who travel alone.

Creating Travel Memories to Savor for a Lifetime

August 13, 2021 by Tracey Nesbitt

This week, my grandmother died at the impressive age of 100. I’m not sure she really understood what I do for a living, as computers and the internet were really not a part of her life, but I do know that we shared a love of travel. She also taught me something about the value of travel memories.

We traveled in very different ways, she and I. As much as it rarely occurs to me to consider traveling with others, I don’t think it really occurred to her to travel alone. She and my grandfather took many trips when he was alive, and she traveled at different times with other family members as well.

We were of different worlds, in a sense.

Although solo travel might not have been something she considered, my grandmother possessed perhaps the most valuable characteristic of a great traveler: curiosity. She was always interested in people, followed what was going on around the world, and was fascinated by other cultures. Had she been born in a different time, I am certain she would have been an accomplished solo traveler.

A couple of years ago, I stopped in for a visit. As we sat at her kitchen table drinking coffee, Grandma seemed a bit sad. She was frustrated by the challenges that age brings with it. She had lost much of her ability to see, she could no longer drive, many of her friends were gone. She told me that the best part of her day was when she went to bed – but not for the reason you might expect.

When her head hit the pillow, her travel memories came alive! Every night before she fell asleep, she would relive her journeys. She would pick different trips at different times. She said it was like watching a movie, her memories were that vivid. She remembered everything . She recalled each day’s itinerary, where she had gone, what she had seen, the stories she had heard, and the historical significance of churches and other architectural marvels.

She might not have been able to remember that she had put a chocolate cake in the oven that day (until the smoke detector went off) but my grandmother could tell me more about her travels to Europe decades ago than I could tell you about my most recent trip.

I’m not telling you this story only because I am reminiscing about my grandmother today, but because I think there are a few lessons for all of us in her story.

Take the Trip

I have watched many people put off travel for another time. In too many cases, that time never arrived. Whether it was due to a change in financial circumstances, health, or responsibilities, their travel dreams never materialized. Don’t let that happen to you. If my grandmother hadn't traveled when she was younger, she wouldn't have her beautiful memories to look back on when travel was no longer possible for her. Seize the opportunity to travel whenever you can, because the ability to do so can be taken away at any time.

Eat the Cake

After clearing the smoke from her kitchen and assessing the baking catastrophe, my grandmother refused to be defeated. “There was no reason to throw the whole thing out. I just cut off the burned parts and ate the middle!” Apply the same philosophy to travel. Don’t let expectations of how a trip “should” be prevent you from having any trip at all. Work with what you’ve got and enjoy the opportunities you have.

Savor Your Travel Memories

Whether you keep a journal, take photographs, send postcards, or document your trips online, savor your travel experiences. When I visited my grandmother that day, she was subdued and melancholy. Until, that is, she began telling me stories of her European trips. Her face lit up, her energy lifted, she smiled and laughed. She truly had made travel memories to last a lifetime and by sharing them with me, she was enjoying them all over again. And she would savor them again at the close of her day.

Sweet dreams, Grandma.

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Publisher Janice: info @ solotravelerworld.com

Editor Tracey: tracey @ solotravelerworld.com

Sales Simon: simon @ solotravelerworld.com

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12 Creative Ways to Preserve Your Travel Memories

Traveling is an enriching experience that allows us to explore new cultures, discover breathtaking landscapes, and create unforgettable memories.

To keep your travel memories vibrant for a long time, it's crucial to find unique ways to preserve them. In this blog post, we will explore 12 creative tips to help you capture the essence of your adventures and cherish them forever.

1. Craft a Shadow Box

Collect small mementos from your travels, such as seashells, postcards, or tickets, and display them in a shadow box . Add a map or a photograph from your destination to complete the visual narrative. This unique piece of art will serve as a constant reminder of your travel adventures.

2. Build a Slideshow with Your Travel Path

Create a slideshow with an animated travel map that follows your travel path. Compile your travel photographs and pin them to the map to recreate your route. Add captions or narration to highlight your favorite moments and landmarks along the way. This fascinating visual journey will allow you to relive your adventures and walk down this path again and again whenever you want to view it.

3. Start a Travel Journal

Carry a journal with you during your travels and jot down your thoughts, memories, and experiences each day. Include anything you like to add visual interest, from sketches and doodles to pressed flowers you find along the way. This journal will not only help you experience the trip anew but will also serve as a valuable resource for future travel planning.

4. Make a Travel Video

Combine your favorite video clips and photographs to create a captivating travel video with an easy-to-use automatic video editor . Experiment with different editing techniques, add music that resonates with your travel experiences, and tell a story through visuals. Share your masterpiece with friends and family, and relive your adventures every time you hit play.

5. Mark Your Travels on a Scratch-Off Map

Invest in one of those scratch-off maps that lets you mark the countries or cities you've visited. As you scratch off each location, you'll create a beautiful visual representation of your travel accomplishments. This interactive map will serve as a constant reminder of the places you've explored and inspire future adventures.

6. Frame Your Favorite Shots

Choose your most cherished travel photographs and frame them to display in your home. Hang them on your wall as a constant reminder of your adventures. If you want to spice up your images a little, you can enhance them with a couple of clicks using photo editing software for beginners . Each time you pass by, you'll be transported back to the moment the photos were taken, recalling the emotions and memories associated with them.

7. Preserve Your Memories in a Scrapbook

Print out your favorite travel photos and create a scrapbook filled with memories. Add captions, notes, and decorations to make each page unique. This physical album will become a cherished keepsake that will take you back in time to those special moments in your life.

8. Compile a Travel Playlist

Music has unique abilities to evoke emotions and transport us back to specific moments in time. Create a playlist of songs that you’ve heard on your travels or that you associate with the places you’ve been. Whenever you listen to these sounds, you'll be instantly transported back to the destinations that remind you of them.

9. Collect Local Recipes

Food is an integral part of any travel experience. A delicious way to relive your travel memories is to collect local recipes and create your own travel cookbook. Include pictures, stories behind each dish, and personal experiences related to the cuisine. This culinary keepsake will not only remind you of the flavors you tasted but also inspire you to recreate those dishes at home.

10. Begin a Travel Blog

If you enjoy writing and sharing your experiences, consider starting a travel blog. Document your adventures, share tips and recommendations, and connect with other travel enthusiasts. Not only will this platform allow you to preserve your memories, but it will also provide a space to inspire and connect with others.

11. Design a Photo Book

Organize your favorite travel photos into a beautifully designed photo book. Experiment with different layouts and add stories or anecdotes to accompany the images, creating a personalized keepsake that you can flip through whenever you want to revisit those cherished moments.

12. Send a Postcard to Yourself

An interesting way to preserve memories is to send a postcard to yourself from each destination you visit. Write down your thoughts and favorite moments on the postcard and mail it to your home address. When the postcards arrive, you will have a physical reminder of your trip, complete with your own personalized messages. Organize them in an album or display them creatively on your wall to add a touch of wanderlust to your space.

The Bottom Line

Preserving your travel memories is an essential part of cherishing the experiences you've had and the places you've explored. With these 12 unique ways, you can ensure that your treasured memories remain alive for years to come. Choose the ideas that resonate with you, and get ready to embark on a journey back to your travel adventures whenever you desire.

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6 Creative Ways To Preserve Your Travel Memories

Contents - Open To Read

Traveling is a very common obsession and a hobby amongst people of all ages. Exploring new places, countries, and famous landmarks becomes more appealing when accompanied by family and friends; however, solo traveling and backpacking have their pleasures too.

I know a thing or two about traveling solo around the world for many years 🙂

Taking perfect shots on mobiles and cameras is one way to preserve your travel memories and the time spent with your most loved ones to be remembered & cherished later in life.

Some travelers can also love to capture a glimpse of new people, cultures, and cuisines during their adventures.

In the past, a single wooden-framed picture dangling in the center of the room was a perfect reminder of a special journey or an unforgettable event. Today with modern technology and a bit of creativity, we have come a far way and have a lot more means to preserve our travel memories and memoirs.

Ready? Find six of the best and most creative ways to preserve your travel memories in this article. Only the best, most modern, unique, and long-lasting ideas have been chosen for you. So check them out!

Get a Travel Scratch Map & Pin Map

Do you like to keep track of where you’ve been around the world? Then nothing beats a good scratch-off map to keep your memories for the future. You can get a scratch map from Amazon or other online websites to scratch away your world tour and never let your memories fade away.

Scratch mapping is not only a stylish way to keep a recollection of your destinations but a creative challenge for travelers as well. Back at home, you can also hang the map in your favorite room and keep scratching to reveal the color underneath your last visited destination; a very creative and decorative way of preserving your memories on a map.

Develop a Paper or Digital Scrapbook Album

Although digital scrapbooking is obviously the quickest way to create a scrapbook for your travel recollection, the classic paper scrapbook stands the test of time as the best way to preserve your photos in quite a nostalgic and romantic way.

When using digital scrapbooking, you need to find a scrapbook maker and select your best photographs and awesome videos,  add your favorite write-up, and here you go. However, the engagement provided by paper scrapbooking multiplies the charm of your travel.

Hand picking, selecting, cutting, gluing, and fixing the photographs connect us more with that specific destination.

Our kids will pick up our decades-old handmade scrapbook to see and read where we have been roaming as youngsters. The aim is to keep memories alive, and both these methods will bring life to our memories, years later when our grandkids will turn the pages digitally or literally.

Create A Simple Travel Blog And Upload Videos

Don’t I know this one? 😀 When I started my own journey around the world, I also started my blog , for fun (which, little did I know, later became this website!)

Also making videos of your travel adventures is one of the most fun activity second to traveling itself. In the past decade, travel blogging has become the most adopted trend in the digital world, and it has proved to be the best way to preserve your journey memoirs for later.

Upload your blogs and even earn some dollars for your next trip. If you need intricate tips and guidance for a kick-off, check out this guide on how to monetize a travel blog .

Tips from an insider: start a blog for passion, not with the intention of making money. It will keep your motivation high also when things are not so great and you’ll never run out of content for your blog either. I’ve been traveling the world for 8 years and I still have so many trips left to insert in my blog, it will be a never-ending affair 🙂

Maintain a Keepsake Box or a Memory Box

Everyone buys postcards and souvenirs whenever reaching their dream destinations. If you’re looking to add a personal touch to your postcard collection, consider exploring  postcard printing  options online; it’s a great way to customize and create memorable postcards that stand out in your collection.

The keepsake box is another romantic and creative way to hold the memories together in a beautiful wooden or metallic box.

Put your souvenirs and mementos of each destination in separate memory or keepsake boxes. Later on, you will cherish these memories with your loved ones by going through the stored pieces one by one.

Convert Your Best Shots Into Mug, Magnets, Calendars, or Coasters

How about making a family calendar using your best-handpicked travel photographs, or getting the best pictures printed onto your mug? I think that’s an insanely brilliant idea to personalize your gifts and home accessories!

Personalized photo coasters are yet another long-term preservation method that is unique and beautiful. Keep your room scattered with photo coasters, and you will be taken back to your favorite destinations each time you enter your home.

Your guests & close friends will totally love your creativity and it may even motivate them to follow you to your next exciting destination! (I know mine did!)

Write Daily Journal & Travel Book

Writing a daily journal is among the best hobbies you can have especially when traveling! Being a keen writer, you can document the most memorable and cherished activities of the day, later adorned by the related pictures that would make it for an awesome memory lane walk when reading it after your trip is over.

People who write regularly can preserve memories in the most befitting manner compared to other suggested methods.

I still have the diaries of my first year of travel and it’s amazing to read them years later. It feels like I’m back in time and I feel exactly the same way I felt when writing that piece of my personal travel history.

Traveling is more than a fun or adventure activity, it’s learning, compromising, meeting amazing people, and understanding the world better. I even wrote a few articles about this:

Why Travel long term is not a vacation How traveling can change your approach to people

We cherish our past journeys with our family and loved ones throughout our lives. Recalling all the tiny details and sensations of a trip just using your memory can be very challenging when enough time has passed.

That’s why you should have a plan to preserve these memories even before you start your trip or before you unpack.

You can hang pictures on the walls, frame the best ones, post them on your social media platforms, send printed photos to your travel mates, or prepare a photo album as your granny did. Preserving the travel memories also helps us remain happy, satisfied, and even motivated for our next journey.

Do you have any other creative ways to preserve your travel memories? Comment below and share it!

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Why Travel Memories are Important

My husband and I have these very vivid memories from our travels – a few stories that stand out and come up time and time again. We have them with our kids too. What makes this so special, you ask!? Besides all of the science that proves travel keeps us healthy and has the power to change our lives , travel memories are reason enough to go on more adventures. Let me explain.

When we recall the funny, the crazy and the most meaningful times from our travels –

They bring us SO.MUCH.JOY. They often show up when we least expect it – for example, I was driving home this evening and suddenly I could literally feel the happiness that the hubs and I felt the day we were sitting at a sushi bar in the Tokyo airport (heading home from an incredible trip to Thailand and Cambodia) drinking sake and blindly ordering things off a Japanese menu – it was so simple, yet it was one of the best moments together. We still talk about it and reminisce about how magical it was.  (ok, you kinda had to be there. But, that’s what’s so cool and special – the way it unites and deepens relationships simply by the things you go through in new territory…together).

That same trip – my husband was pushed into a pond, ok, by accident, fully dressed as we headed out to dinner on the eve of the Chinese New Year. I could not stop laughing and to this day it makes me laugh until I cry – replaying it in my head (sometimes my husband does not find this very funny!!).

We visited Kenya with our kids over the summer and oftentimes memories from our trip will come up –

Long after we’ve returned, we laugh until our bellies ache or it gives us an opportunity to put our lives in the U.S. into perspective. Spending time in homes of the Samburu tribe, where we sat by a fire and drank homemade tea, listening to their life stories – how they sleep in a tiny space that is the size of our closet – crammed head to feet with one another. We watched young men as they became warriors. We will never be the same.

The point of all of this is to remind you why we/Wild Bum always say travel is the gift that keeps on giving –

When you buy something material, you have to admit – the excitement wears off. With travel, it truly creates lifelong memories, opportunities to bond and to feel more joy and fulfillment. What is the purpose of life without these? And, when you immerse yourself in new cultures and experiences – you are taken out of your comfort zone. I believe this only magnifies the profound impact travel and its memories have on our lives. They become enhanced, part of our DNA. There’s a sense of empowerment, connection, and a positive effect on our brain. The wiring has changed, introducing new meaning into our lives.

I have the honor of guiding women’s dance and service adventures –

It’s incredible how deep the bonds form – after only a week together. Most not knowing one another before our travels – when we come together now, we share stories, we remember funny things that happened (what happens on a Wildhive trip, stays on a Wildhive trip!) 😉 These travel memories have forged life-long bonds and given us memories that will last a lifetime.

TAKE THE TRIP! Create life-long memories, your life will never be the same.

Happy #wildbumming.

Mollie Krengel

Travel Memories: 37 Creative Ways to Keep them Alive

Keep your travel memories alive with these creative storage ideas that will add a touch of wanderlust to every space in your home.

Table of Contents

Travel memories are worth keeping alive. This is especially true when you’re home and can’t wait to satisfy your wanderlust with an epic adventure. Here are some creative ways to display your favourite memories at home:

Travel Memory Boxes

Black wood framed shadow box.

Keep your ticket stubs and other travel memorabilia in the perfect shadow box. This box has a slot on the top where you can drop your tickets in. The back opens so you’ll be able to access what you’ve added to the box. Add anything from ticket stubs, foreign money, maps, business cards from hotels or even little travel notes.

Recommended Reading: The 33 Best Travel – Inspired Decor Ideas for 2021

Punch Studio Photo Box World Atlas

If you aren’t one for openly displaying all of your travel memories, then this sturdy photo box is perfect. It comes with divider cards so you can neatly organize your pictures according to destination. And isn’t the print just perfect for travellers?

Recommended Reading: 14 of the Best Eco-Friendly Gifts for Travellers That Give Back

Luckies Of London Memory Box for Keepsakes

Memory boxes are great for storing your travel keepsakes. This box includes small compartments, tins and even a small bottle. It is beautiful and will make a great addition to your bookshelf or coffee table. The case also includes a notebook that you can use to keep track of your memories.

Anzon Mories Decorative Box Set

Keeping your travel memories together doesn’t have to be hard. These stunning travel-inspired boxes look like coffee table books. Keep them on your favourite shelf or on a table to create the perfect decor that is also great for keeping your favourite travel memories all together.

Recommended Reading: 5 Staycation Ideas To Have an Amazing Local Adventure

Travel Photo Albums

Pioneer travel photo album.

A great way to bring travel memories home is by taking loads of photos. And when you have a million (maybe more) photos of that epic trip, what better way to keep them organized than in a travel-specific album. It can keep two pictures per page and even has a small space next to each for you to add a little note.

Recutms Photo Album

This photo album has a beautiful design that will easily fit into any space. The front window is perfect for adding your favourite pictures as a display. The album can fit 600 photographs, six on each page that fit into individual pockets.

Totocan Photo Album

Store your travel memories in a beautiful vintage leather photo album. This album has a simple yet sophisticated look that makes it a great gift for someone special in your life. You can easily fit six photos onto each page so you won’t run out of room.

Pioneer Photo Album

Simple yet elegant, this album is great for your travel memories. The front cover has a pocket to add a picture, and the interior pages hold five photos each. Keep this for your own travel photos or gift it to the traveller in your life.

Recommended Reading: Indian Decor That Will Make You Feel Like You´re Travelling in India

Travel Scrapbooks

Zeeyuan scrapbook photo album.

If you are the creative type and love scrapbooking, then this is the perfect journal for your travel memories. Add everything from tickets, maps and photos to your travel scrapbook. This journal has a ring binder style that allows you to add and remove pages. Check out this black and brown scrapbooking paper for your travel journal.

Original Travel Jour n al

Keep a journal and record all your favourite travel memories. The travelogue comes with incredible scratch maps, one for each part of the world. It’s a unique way to organize your travel memories and even makes the perfect gift for the traveller in your life.

Handmade Photo Album

A quality photo album with thick and luxurious paper is just what you need to organize and store your travel memories. This album has a rustic element that looks handmade. The binding can be loosened to add more paper so you’ll never run out of space. Check out these cool travel stickers that you can add to your scrapbook album.

Recommended Reading: Packing Cubes: Why You Should Use them on Your Next Trip

Travel Photo Frames

Novica digital photo frame.

Add your favourite travel memories to the Novica digital photo album. The Nixplay app can be installed on iOS and Android, and you can easily transfer your photos directly to the frame using wifi. Create folders of your favourite travel memories for the perfect playback. You also have an option for family sharing through the app.

Kankei Shadow Box Frame

Add a collage of your travel memories into this shadow box for a creative addition to your home. The box has a magnetic closure for easy access, and the wooden frame matches perfectly with any decor. This unique frame makes the perfect gift for your travel buddy.

Wooden Folding Picture Frames

Add some of your favourite travel memories to this six photo frame. This folding frame is pretty and can be added to any place in your home, wherever you decide to set up your travel memories.

DLQuarts Collage Hanging Picture Frame Photo Display

Made with solid wood and hemp rope, this set of frames is perfect for your travel memories. Add a few of these hanging collages to the same wall, each with photos from a specific destination. It will add something special to any space.

Vilight Photo Frame Photo Display

There is always one special picture on your vacation that you treasure above the rest. This is a wonderful travel-themed frame for that travel memory. It is unique and beautiful and will look amazing in any space. Add a photo of you and your travel buddy and make this the perfect gift.

Mladen Retro Vintage Photo Frames

Travel photos are never few. Displaying them doesn’t have to be difficult, especially when you can add your pictures to this cool metal display. The Ferris wheel turns and is a fun addition to your travel memories.

Recommended Reading: The Best Books To Read Before You Travel

Travel Collage Ideas

Perfect gallery wall kit.

Spread your favourite travel memories across an entire wall with this gallery wall kit. You’ll be able to make the perfect collage of all your travel memories. Be creative and add more than just photos to the frames. You can add postcards, city maps, ticket stubs, foreign money and even your old passport pages.

Kankei Wood Picture Photo Frame

This collage frame is one of the best on this list. It has an easy setup, and you can add on more clothespins. You can hang as many travel memories that you want to. Add photos, postcards, ticket stubs and more to your collage.

Olakee Hanging Photo Display

Hang as many photos and other travel memories as you like on this stunning wall collage. You can peg your favourite photos, postcards and notes to create a unique look that you can easily change. And the crystals add a dash of glamour to your already beautiful collage.

Scratchable World Map

Although it is not exactly a collage frame, it does make a great centrepiece. Scratch maps are a great way to keep track of where you’ve travelled. This super bright and beautiful map is the perfect centrepiece for your travel memory collage.

Melannco Customizable Letter Board

Add your photo’s to a collage frame with a difference. You can use the centre message board to add the destination’s name and add all your photos. It’s perfect for all your favourite travel memories.

Hayata Photo Hanging Display

Add a tropical touch to your home with this wall collage. Peg up any of your travel memories on the net to create the perfect wall display. You can add as many photos and other trinkets as you want to this collage. Add some sketches and postcards to really make it pop.

Large Metal Wall Clock with World Map

Wall clocks are always great and they have the ability to tie a room together like no other decor piece. This wall clock is stunning and perfect for the traveller with its world map shape and its versatility that allows you to add all your favourite travel notes and photos to the clock itself. It also comes with LED lights which give it an extra sparkle. Check out these world map decor ideas for your home.

Gallery Solutions Collage Frame

Collage frames are the perfect solution for getting all your memories in one place. You can get creative and add more than just your travel photos. Add in special notes and other travel trinkets and create the perfect travel story.

Recommended Reading: Best Travel Backpacks: Our Top Picks For Every Budget

Printing Travel Photos

Hp sprocket studio instant photo printer.

Print your favourite travel memories with the HP Sprocket. You’ll be able to print pictures that are 4×6 inches straight from your smartphones. The HP Sprocket app allows you to personalize your photos and even create your very own collages. And it’s pocket-sized so you can carry it with you no matter where you go.

Kodak Dock Plus

The Kodak Dock is the perfect addition to your camera gear. The dock comes with two types of USB, for both Android and iOS, so almost any smartphone can be used on it. The free Kodak app allows you to add stickers and frames to your favourite travel pics.

Kodak Mini 3 Retro

Get retro 3×3 photos printed instantly with the Kodak Mini 3. You’ll be able to enjoy your travel memories for a long time and add them to one of the awesome photo wall collages on this list. Use the Kodak app to personalize your photos and add them to your travel collage.

Lifeprint 2×3

The Lifeprint is as good as its app. Download the Lifeprint app and share all your favourite photos with friends and family straight from the app. The app allows you to personalize and edit your photos so you’ll always print the perfect picture.

Canon SELPHY CP1300

The Canon SELPHY is a little more pricey when it comes to portable printers. You can print postcard-sized and colour photos easily right from any device with the Canon app. This printer also works with memory cards and USB if you choose not to use wifi. It all comes neatly packed in a 12-inch hard case that is easy to carry with you or pack away at home.

Canon IVY Mobile

Print your favourite travel memories with the nifty Canon IVY Mobile. It’s compact enough to carry anywhere and easily store away when you aren’t using it. Just download the app onto your mobile, connect to the IVY via Bluetooth and start printing your favourite photos. The 2×3 inch paper has a peel-and-stick back for easy application.

Recommended Reading: Gifts for the Animal Lover in Your Life

Travel Souvenirs

Artwork is great to bring home.

One of my favourite ways to keep travel memories alive is to collect artwork from the various countries I’ve visited. I saw the monkey painting on my first day in Costa Rica. I saw it from across the street, through a window and knew I had to have it. Hanging your artwork in your favourite room at home will always remind you of happy travels.

Create a Magnet Collage

If you collect travel magnets, why not create a collage to show them off. All you need is a cool magnetic frame and the perfect place to hang it in your home. You’ll never run out of space on your refrigerator again.

Unique Ways to Display Travel Photos

Perhaps the best way to keep travel memories alive is through photos. They are inexpensive and don’t involve hauling back any bulky souvenirs. My house is filled with travel photos, but our diving photos from Cocos, Costa Rica and Galapagos are my favourites. I have even made their way onto coasters which I had made for less than $20.

Bring Travel Home with Decor

Bring your travel memories home with inspirational decor. You can do this in so many ways, and your home will look gorgeous. For instance, if you loved your trip to India, why not add Indian-inspired decor pieces to your home. Add anything from world map murals to travel-inspired decor to your home.

Make a Travel Inspired Cookbook

One of the best things about travelling is tasting exceptional cuisine from all over the world. And if you love cooking those tasty treats at home, then why not create your very own travel-inspired cookbook. Companies such as Shutterfly create photo books with pictures and notes that you provide. You can choose one of their templates, including a cookbook. It’s the perfect way to bring home scrumptious travel memories.

Send yourself a Postcard

Make sure to keep your travel memories fresh by sending yourself postcards on your next vacation. You can either purchase a postcard where you are and mail it to yourself or create your own postcard in a few easy steps. Check out this post on how to create your own postcards .

How do you keep your travel memories alive?

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10 ways to preserve your travel memories.

I don’t know about you, but since I can’t travel anywhere, I’ve been turning to my past travel memories to bring me joy.  Just the thought of a wonderful trip can bring a smile to my face, and it certainly helps to keep me enjoying the past while I look forward to future travel plans.  There are lots of ways to preserve travel memories, but here are a few of my favourite ideas to help you to keep those precious travel reminders!

This post is sponsored by Bonusprint.

Make a Photo Book

I’ve been meaning to do this for ages after seeing one of my friend’s travel photos transformed into a book.  Now I’m at home I’ve finally had time to sort through my photos and choose some to create my very own photo book full of travel memories.

I used Bonusprint to create my photo book.  It can take some time to collate the photos and design it just the way you want, but Bonusprint has a variety of pre-designed photo books which you can use and tweak it to fit your own style, which makes it much easier!

There are lots of different designs to choose from, and you can choose the dimensions of your photo book and the number of pages you want.  I decided on a square 21cm x 21cm “Picture Grid” design and set about choosing all the photos.  The hardest part is deciding which ones to include! 

The books make lovely gifts too, just remember that shipping and delivery takes 6-8 working days so allow plenty of time for that.

Collect Souvenirs

While this isn’t much good if you can’t travel anywhere, when you are travelling, collecting souvenirs from each place you visit such as postcards or fridge magnets will help you to remember your fabulous holiday memories.

I usually bring my mum a fridge magnet home, and I like to buy postcards too so I can display them in a photo album or just stick them up on the wall.  There are all sorts of things you could collect, from shot glasses to keychains, travel currency, stitch-on flags, stickers and pin badges to name a few. 

However, buying authentic souvenirs from local craftspeople is much more satisfying than buying tourist tat – take a look at these beautiful souvenirs from Venice for some inspiration!

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: How to Travel the World from Home

Buy Some Bling

I love to buy jewellery when I travel.  I had a huge collection of handmade bracelets I wear when I’m backpacking, although a lot of them disintegrated along the way!  Rings, earrings and necklaces tend to last longer.  I love getting compliments about my jewellery, as they are often unique pieces, and certainly like nothing people have seen at home. 

I’m not talking about expensive items either, although I was very tempted to treat myself to an emerald from Colombia!  I found lots of people selling handmade jewellery on street stalls, and local markets are relatively cheap places to find something unique.  I was very pleased with a ring I bought in Mexico City, and a necklace from the market in Otavalo Ecuador .

Decorate Your House

If I had a house of my own, I would fill it with beautiful things I’ve found on my travels!  As it is I’ve just been decorating Mabel the Motorhome to make her feel like home.  As well as using your own photographs to print as framed wall art, buying artwork, textiles or home décor brings back those travel memories right away!

I adored the textiles in Mexico and Guatemala , and was very tempted to buy a rug, blanket and table mats but I couldn’t fit anything in my backpack!  These kinds of purchases can take up quite a bit of space in your luggage, so check out options for shipping large items back home or taking a spare suitcase to fill up with goodies.

Other homeware you could buy include colourful lampshades, crockery, glassware or even furniture.  I kept the hammock I bought in Brazil but haven’t found a good place to put it yet!  Buying paintings by local artists of the places you visit is another lovely way to support local artisans and bring your travel memories home. 

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: How to Travel Locally and Feel Abroad

Get a Push-Pin Map

This could just as easily come under decoration, but it’s a popular choice so I felt it deserved a section of its own! Pushpin or scratch-off maps help you keep track of the places you have been in the world.  You could also add photos or other details to the map, joined up with string to show where they are from.

Print Out Your Photos

One downside of modern technology is that most of our photo memories are locked away on our mobile phones and digital cameras.  Although it’s nice to scroll through social media and see your holiday snaps on Facebook, but why not print them off and display them at home? 

It’s easy to pop them into a frame or clip them to a piece of string to add some colour and brightness to your wall. 

For something completely different, why not use your photos to make other things to have around the house, like a calendar, cushion, coffee mug or even a jigsaw?  These also make wonderful gifts for family members too; my mum was thrilled with the jigsaw I bought her made from a photo I took from my travels.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Tips to Improve your Travel Photography

Fill Your Wardrobe

Clothes are another way to preserve your travel memories, and I love buying clothes and accessories from markets and cute shops I find on my travels.  Not only does it mean you can take less clothing with you, but you can also reinvent yourself while you are away. 

I bought some fabulous skirts and cute tops while I was travelling, and every time I wear them, I remember my travels.  The best purchase I made though was an alpaca wool jumper from the market in Cusco before I trekked to Machu Picchu in 2015.  It kept me toasty warm while I was in the mountains, and I still wear it to this day!

Make a Travel Playlist

Music can invoke some powerful emotions and listening to music that reminds you of your travels is a great way to be transported right back to your favourite destination.  When I was backpacking in South America, I was listening to lots of different music by artists I had never heard of, so every time I liked a song, I added it to a playlist on Spotify .

Now, if I feel like listening to some South American music, I turn up the stereo and blast out some reggaeton or salsa and have fun remembering all the times I danced to those tunes while I was travelling.

YOU MAY ALSO LIKE: Travel Gifts for Backpackers

Write a Travel Journal

I love this idea, and I remember doing it when I was a child but I admit I haven’t been as good as keeping up with my travel journal as I would like.  If you’re a creative person, writing down your adventures and drawing places you visited and things you saw is a lovely way to remember your trips. 

If you’re not particularly arty, then cutting out photos from magazines, sticking in ticket stubs or postcards and other travel memorabilia is just as effective!  I have a shoebox full of stuff like that which I’ve never displayed anywhere – perhaps that will be my next project!

Start a Travel Blog

Having a travel blog certainly excuses me from not keeping up with my journal, as I spend a lot of time writing about my travels in this blog!  It is easy to create a basic website which you can share with your friends and family to help them follow your adventures, and you can add photos and videos to blog posts too.

A lot of travel bloggers began their blogs as a diary style travelogue, but bear in mind that if you are considering potentially using your blog to earn money there is a lot more to it than simply writing down what you did that day.  However, for just recording your travel memories to keep for yourself a blog could be just the ticket.

I hope these suggestions for preserving your travel memories have helped inspire you to remember your past travel adventures!  I’m looking forward to seeing how my photo book turns out, I will let you know when it arrives!  

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Just to let you know, this post may contain paid or affiliate links, which help to maintain Tales of a Backpacker and give me the chance to keep travelling, and to keep creating awesome content for you!  I only recommend goods and services I believe are useful and reliable.

Hi! I'm Claire Sturzaker, a 30-something foodie traveller who loves to enjoy the best of a destination without breaking the bank. I'm here to help you and all women backpackers to plan their best budget travel adventure. I am an avid supporter of female solo travel, and took my first solo trip 20 years ago! I love to write about travel, hostels, backpacking and van life.

4 thoughts on “ 10 Ways to Preserve Your Travel Memories ”

Aw thanks so much Stephanie! Thinking about past trips and adventures has helped me get through the past few months – it was hard at first but now the memories always make me smile 🙂

This was a great list. Just reading it brightened my day as it made me think of my own travel memories and items. I’ve been meaning to print and frame pictures from my travels as well.

Thanks so much for your comment, I love how powerful music memories are! 🙂

I create travel playlist every time, and not only do I find that I get to preserve the memories, each song on that playlist also becomes endeared to me, it’s that crucial. Thanks for this post.

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44 Ways To Make Travel Memories: Travel Memory Ideas From A Lifelong Nomad

Gregory j. gaynor.

May 12, 2022

Help your tribe face their dragons: share this post:

• Gregory J. Gaynor https://facedragons.com/author/gregory-j-gaynor/ Don't Try the Same Digital Detox Over and Over
• Gregory J. Gaynor https://facedragons.com/author/gregory-j-gaynor/ How to Develop Grit in Three Steps
• Gregory J. Gaynor https://facedragons.com/author/gregory-j-gaynor/ Maximize These Masculine Traits and Dragons Will Fear You
• Gregory J. Gaynor https://facedragons.com/author/gregory-j-gaynor/ "I Wasted My Twenties" What to Do About It

There are so many travel memory ideas out there! I left home over 15 years ago and have made many memories in destinations worldwide. Over the years, I’ve discovered the best (and worst) ways to make a great travel memory. In this post, I want to share the best ways this digital nomad has found to make travel memories that won’t fade!

When you travel from country to country, buying a souvenir in every place is tempting. But any digital nomad will tell you that you quickly end up with more than you can carry.

One part of living a successful nomadic lifestyle is traveling light. So in this post, I want to explore alternatives to buying souvenirs that will still call up your favorite travel memories of all the places you’ve been.

Table of Contents

Forget making a photo album: digitize your travel souvenirs., travel memory ideas to document your trip, experiences made better memories than things, create travel memories with these ideas, learning something made me remember it forever, travel memory ideas to take with you, tips for buying memorable travel souvenirs, souvenir travel memories that won’t break your back, documenting my travels created lasting memories.

After visiting so many places, it’s easy for the memories to start to merge. But unfortunately, many traditional ways of documenting your travels won’t work for digital nomads because they involve collecting too much stuff, and most of us want to travel light.

Forget about collecting all your tickets, maps, and tourist guides. Collecting souvenirs of any kind means traveling with them forever! But there are some excellent alternatives to make travel memories without compromising luggage space.

Digitizing your souvenirs is a great way to keep your travel memories forever without taking up any space in your bag. Just take a photo of that map, of the guide around, or just of your ticket stubs.

Rather than taking a boring shot of a ticket on a desk, take a photo of the ticket with the place in the background.

Take photos of your

• Entry Ticket stubs
• Plane tickets

Documenting your travels pays off years later when you struggle to remember where you’ve been and what you’ve done. Turn your phone’s gallery into a memory museum, and your travel memories will always be there to reminisce with.

You can also document your travels in other ways without adding weight to your bags. For example, create a written travel record for your travel memories. But that doesn’t mean keeping a travel journal at the bottom of your bag.

• Digital Travel Journal Use a running document on your laptop, an app, or notes on your phone to keep a journal.
• Tweet Your Travels Use Twitter to Document Your Travel Experiences
• Photo Albums Your phone already does a great job of creating albums, but to make them genuinely searchable, check out Google Photos
• Create Travel Video Logs Making videos create the best travel memories. Upload them to YouTube and share them instantly
• Send Postcards To Friends & Family Take Photos of them (both sides) before you send them.
• Letter Write a regular travel letter (or email) to yourself.
• Google Maps Rather than using a travel pinboard, pin all your travel destinations on Google Maps.
• Travel Blog Create a travel blog to document your nomadic life – and maybe make some money too!
• Instagram You don’t have to emulate those travel Instagram accounts with perfect images; make real pictures to remember how it was.

After traveling from country to country for a few years, it can become easy to settle into your routine of finding a place to stay, finding a place to work, and going through your everyday routine. When this happens, remember why you wanted to travel or be a digital nomad in the first place – To see the world.

If you’re anything like me, you want to travel to see the world and, more importantly, experience everything the world offers. It has more to offer us travelers than a laptop in another cafe. Don’t let the only thing that changes in your life be the view out of the window.

By trying to have at least one entirely new experience at every destination you travel to, you will forever remember that place for it.

On my trip to Henan, China, one of my favorite travel memories was experiencing The Shaolin Temple.

I’ve walked around hundreds of temples in Asia, Tibetan temples, Laotian temples, and even a temple on a deserted island in the middle of a vast lake. However, the Shaolin Temple is different because it’s home to the Shaolin monks, a band of warrior monks practicing kung fu. I had been obsessed with them ever since I was a child.

In numerous documentaries, I’d seen them training around the temple, hitting their makeshift punching bags. So when I traveled to Shaolin, I wanted to experience what they experience daily rather than just walking around the temple.

I ran up the mountain as they do every morning, practiced kung fu on the temple grounds, and hit those punching bags. It was, for me, an unforgettable experience.

Not every experience has to be something you’ve wanted to do from childhood, but having an experience outside your regular daily routine will solidify that travel memory for you.

• Water rafting
• Bungee Jump
• Compete in a surfing competition
• Trekking/Climbing
• Eating Something Special
• Private Island
• Massage or Spa Day
• Museum or Gallery

Experiences are an excellent memory maker because they are something that you can always look back on. But learning something new keeps the travel memory alive. Learning a new skill or habit can remind you of that time and place every day.

Just before the pandemic hit I was in India, up north in Dharamshala. The views were, of course, unforgettable, being on the Himalayas. Watching the clouds roll in over the mountains every afternoon was a mysterious experience. But I was doing more there than looking down on the planet, and drinking tea with Tibetan monks, I was learning a skill.

I started learning Tibetan in 2015 before traveling to Nepal. It was hard going, even for an experienced language learner like me. I came back from Nepal determined to become conversational. And after 4 years of consistent online classes, I wanted to really up my skills, so I enrolled in a Tibetan language school in India.

Although the views really were some of the most spectacular I’ve ever seen, the memory of Dharamshala is forever connected to my ability to speak Tibetan.

Of course, you don’t need to set out to learn a new language to make a memory of a travel destination. It could be something that you learn in a single afternoon like how to make a local dish. You can take that with you for the rest of your life and every time you make it, where ever you are in the world, you’ll be reminded.

• Cooking Learn to cook at least one dish from every place you travel to. There’s nothing wrong with eating out alone but your family will love you for it too!
• Language Language learning opportunities are everywhere when you’re traveling
• Yoga The yoga I first learned in Bali, I still practice today. It’s one of the best ways to stay healthy as a digital nomad
• Taichi When I practice taichi I always remember Beijing
• Meditation Learning some meditation would be a great memory to take with you
• Martial Arts Muaythai in Thailand, kung fu in China, BJJ in Brazil or boxing in Cuba
• Sport Learn a new sport while you travel, what are the locals playing?
• Style of Painting/Drawing As you travel, different places have different styles, what could you learn there?
• Craft Travel to Japan and learn origami, or Tangka in Tibet

Small Reminders That Won’t Weigh You Down

OK OK, so I said no souvenirs, but sometimes you just can’t resist!

In fact, over the years I’ve created some ways to get around buying souvenirs that won’t become a burden. The last thing you want is to be that guy with their suitcase wide open at check-in, looking for something to throw out because he’s over the weight limit!

So you either want something that is very light and small or something which you don’t have to take with you.

• Send it to your next destination
• Send it to family or friends
• Send it to a P.O. box
• Something very small & light
• Something you need anyway

If like me, you travel back to the same place every year, you can buy souvenirs and send them there. Next time you go back, they’ll be there waiting for you.

This does require a bit of forethought however, you may need to set up a P.O box at the local post office or ask a local friend to receive the packages for you.

Another option is to send them to a family member or friend back home. It’s also the perfect way to stay in touch with the people who mean the most to you.

My wife loves buying fridge magnets of the places we’ve traveled to. They all get sent to China and when we are there they get put up on the fridge.

Is it necessary? No. But going to the fridge a few times each day, it’s nice to remember the meal we had by the Mekong River or the time we spent in Hong Kong.

The only problem with sending things to a future destination is you don’t have that memory with you most of the time. This is why I like to find things that I need anyway. I buy clothes where ever I am and every time I wear them I can remember the place I bought them.

• Fridge Magnets You can find these absolutely everywhere when you travel
• Collect Money Some countries don’t let you take money out of the country, make sure you can before you travel
• Stones/Sand Again, some places don’t allow you to take natural scenery away, check before you do!
• Shells Take the sound of the sea with you
• Clothes You have to buy clothes anyway, why not create a travel memory with them
• Tea Sit and remember your travels with a cup of tea
• Coffee Buy some coffee and start your day with a travel memory
• Phone Case You’ll find some creative phone cases on your travels, it’s a nice way to keep a memory alive.

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120 Travel Memories Quotes | The Ultimate List for Travel Inspiration

Why are travel memories quotes important?

Traveling is as much about the memories you make as it is about the journey itself. With memories, you not only recollect and revive time in the past but sometimes even create new memories with those whom you love. What do travelers say when they return from their trip? Find some of the most-interesting travel quotes , and travel inspiration quotes here.

The Ultimate List of Travel Memories Quotes

Here are the best quotes for travel inspiration . To help you go out and live life with good friends. Explore a new place. And come up with your own list of best places to visit in the world .

“I collect memories. I look for opportunities to try new things, go to new places, and meet new people all the time.” – Marcel Wanders

“there are no foreign lands. it is the traveler only who is foreign.” – robert louis stevenson, “a pilot must have a memory developed to absolute perfection. but there are two higher qualities which he also must have. he must have good and quick judgment and decision, and a cool, calm courage that no peril can shake.” – mark twain, “to travel hopefully is a better thing than to arrive.” – robert louis stevenson, “there is no better way to find out whether you like people or hat them than to travel together.” – travel quotes by mark twain, “to be human is to have a collection of memories that tells you who you are and how you got there.” – rosecrans baldwin, “we are all travelers in the wilderness of this world, and the best we can find in our travels is an honest friend.” – robert louis stevenson, “one of the best ways to make yourself happy in the present is to recall happy times from the past. photos are a great memory-prompt, and because we tend to take photos of happy occasions, they weight our memories to the good.” – gretchen rubin, “good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.” – mark twain, “i travel not to go anywhere, but to go. i travel for travel’s sake. the great affair is to move.” – robert louis stevenson, “take only memories, leave only footprints.” – chief seattle, “if dreams are like movies, then memories are films about ghosts.” – adam duritz, “the fear of death follows from the fear of life. a man who lives fully is prepared to die at any time.”- mark twain, “travel is more than the seeing of sights; it is a change that goes on, deep and permanent, in the ideas of living.” – miriam beard, “the greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories .” – og mandino, “it is not the destination where you end up but the mishaps and memories you create along the way.” – penelope riley, “experience is not what happens to you; it’s what you do with what happens to you.” – aldous huxley, “i have learned that if you must leave a place that you have lived in and loved and where all your yesteryears are buried deep, leave it any way except a slow way, leave it the fastest way you can. never turn back and never believe that an hour you remember is a better hour because it is dead. passed years seem safe ones, vanquished ones, while the future lives in a cloud, formidable from a distance.” – beryl markham, west with the night, “the most beautiful adventures are not those we go to seek.” – robert louis stevenson, “your true traveller finds boredom rather agreeable than painful. it is the symbol of his liberty – his excessive freedom. he accepts his boredom, when it comes, not merely philosophically, but almost with pleasure.” – aldous huxley, “for a week, i walked till my feet steamed. and when i tired i sat with a coffee or sunned myself on a bench until i was ready to walk again.” – bill bryson, “ travel does what good novelists also do to the life of everyday, placing it like a picture in a frame or a gem in its setting, so that the intrinsic qualities are made more clear. travel does this with the very stuff that everyday life is made of, giving to it the sharp contour and meaning of art.” – freya stark, “people don’t take trips-trips take people.” – john steinbeck, “the greatest legacy we can leave our children is happy memories.” – og mandino, “i am not born for any one corner of the universe; this whole world is my country.” – seneca, “by the time i had finished my coffee and returned to the streets, the rain had temporarily abated, but the streets were full of vast puddles where the drains where unable to cope with the volume of water. correct me if i’m wrong, but you would think that if one nation ought by now to have mastered the science of drainage, britain would be it.” – bill bryson, “to move, to breathe, to fly, to float, to gain all while you give, to roam the roads of lands remote, to travel is to live.” – hans christian andersen, “is there anything, apart from a really good chocolate cream pie and receiving a large unexpected cheque in the post, to beat finding yourself at large in a foreign city on a fair spring evening, loafing along unfamiliar streets in the long shadows of a lazy sunset, pausing to gaze in shop windows or at some church or lovely square or tranquil stretch of quayside, hesitating at street corners to decide whether that cheerful and homy restaurant you will remember fondly for years is likely to lie down this street or that one i just love it.” – bill bryson, “i mused for a few moments on the question of which was worse, to lead a life so boring that you are easily enchanted, or a life so full of stimulus that you are easily bored.” – bill bryson, “travel isn’t always pretty. it isn’t always comfortable. sometimes it hurts, it even breaks your heart. but that’s okay. the journey changes you; it should change you. it leaves marks on your memory, on your consciousness, on your heart, and on your body. you take something with you. hopefully, you leave something good behind.” – anthony bourdain, “for the born traveller, travelling is a besetting vice. like other vices, it is imperious, demanding its victim’s time, money, energy and the sacrifice of comfort.” – aldous huxley, “[traveling] makes you realize what an immeasurably nice place much of america could be if only people possessed the same instinct for preservation as they do in europe. you would think the millions of people who come to williamsburg every year would say to each other, “gosh, bobbi, this place is beautiful. let’s go home to smellville and plant lots of trees and preserve all the fine old buildings.” but in fact that never occurs to them. they just go back and build more parking lots and pizza huts.”- bill bryson, “as my father always used to tell me, ‘you see, son, there’s always someone in the world worse off than you.’ and i always used to think, ‘so’” – bill bryson, “i love to watch cities wake up, and paris wakes up more abruptly, more startlingly, than any place i know.”- bill bryson, “own only what you can always carry with you: know languages, know countries, know people. let your memory be your travel bag.” – aleksandr solzhenitsyn, “like all great travelers, i have seen more than i remember, and remember more than i have seen.” – benjamin disraeli, “i have climbed several higher mountains without guide or path, and have found, as might be expected, that it takes only more time and patience commonly than to travel the smoothest highway.” – henry david thoreau, “there is something about the momentum of travel that makes you want to just keep moving, to never stop.” – bill bryson, short quote | travel memories quotes.

Want a short travel quote to inspire your travels quickly. You are in luck best here are the short travel quotes that will make you think your most fond travel memories.

And let me know which of these short travel quotes that you like the best.

“Traveling is more fun – hell, life is more fun – if you can treat it as a series of impulses.” – Bill Bryson

“to travel is to discover that everyone is wrong about other countries.” – huxley aldous, “jobs fill your pocket, but adventures fill your soul.” – jaime lyn beatty, “adventure is worthwhile.” – aesop, “the best view comes after the hardest climb.” – anonymous, “all journeys have secret destinations of which the traveler is unaware.” – martin buber, “when all else fails, take a vacation.” – betty williams, “ adventure : an undertaking usually involving danger and unknown risks.” – meriem webster, “the traveler sees what he sees, the tourist sees what he has come to see.” – gilbert k. chesterton, “we need only travel enough to give our intellects an airing.” – henry david thoreau, “i could spend my life arriving each evening in a new city.” – bill bryson, “perhaps it’s my natural pessimism, but it seems that an awfully large part of travel these days is to see things while you still can.” – bill bryson, “of all the things i am not very good at, living in the real world is perhaps the most outstanding.” – bill bryson, “to travel is to live. life’s a trip.” – richie norton, “remember that happiness is a way of travel – not a destination.” – roy m. goodman, “repetition doesn’t create memories. new experiences do.” – brian chesky, what is it about maps i could look at them all day, earnestly studying the names of towns and villages i have never heard of and will never visit… – bill bryson, family trip quotes | travel memories quotes.

“A road trip is a way for the whole family to spend time together and annoy each other in interesting new places.” – Tom Lichtenheld

“in the end, kids won’t remember that fancy toy you bought them, they will remember the time you spent with them.” – kevin heath, “traveling in the company of those we love is home in motion.” – leigh hunt, “when you see someone putting on his big boots, you can be pretty sure that an adventure is going to happen.” – a.a. milne, “there are two kinds of travel: first class and with children.” – robert benchley, “every day we make deposits in the memory banks of our children.” – charles r swindoll, travel memories quotes for instagram.

A perfect travel memory should be able to transport you back to that magical place, time and place. ­

When i look at travel pictures, i realize my life is a story that grew out of many tiny experiences. life is a lot like travel-it’s all about the journey, not the destination., travel is like love. the more you encounter it, the more you fall in love with it., travel is a great way to grow as a person and find new perspectives., “we’re all on a journey, some of us just get to travel the picturesque roads less traveled., travel is the only thing you take with you that is truly yours., here’s to the next adventure, and here’s to all of our memories along the way., when traveling, you never know what you’re gonna get. but if you pack the right things, it will all be good., wherever you are, a piece of your heart is there with you., when a dream comes true, it’s not the end. it’s a new beginning., travel memories quotes with friends.

“If adventure has a final and all-embracing motive, it is surely this: we go out because it is our nature to go out, to climb mountains, and to paddle rivers, to fly to the planets and plunge into the depths of the oceans… When man ceases to do these things, he is no longer man.” – Wilfred Noyce

“as soon as i saw you, i knew adventure was going to happen.” – a.a. milne, “so long as the memory of certain beloved friends lives in my heart, i shall say that life is good.” – helen keller, “there is only one thing that makes a dream impossible to achieve: the fear of failure.” – paulo coelho, “a good friend listens to your adventures. a best friend makes them with you.” – unknown, “the man who goes alone can start today; but he who travels with another must wait till that other is ready.” – henry david thoreau, “not until we are lost do we begin to understand ourselves.” – henry david thoreau, “the food is excellent. the beer is cold. the sun nearly always shines. there is coffee on every corner. life doesn’t get much better than this.” – bill bryson, throwback travel memories quotes.

Our great adventure in life is to chase our dreams. To discover new places. And I believe the biggest adventure doesn’t have to mean going to the ends of the earth. But in getting out of our comfort zone!

“It is easy to overlook this thought that life just is. As humans we are inclined to feel that life must have a point. We have plans and aspirations and desires. We want to take constant advantage of the intoxicating existence we’ve been endowed with. But what’s life to a lichen? Yet its impulse to exist, to be , is every bit as strong as ours-arguably even stronger. If I were told that I had to spend decades being a furry growth on a rock in the woods, I believe I would lose the will to go on. Lichens don’t. Like virtually all living things, they will suffer any hardship, endure any insult, for a moment’s additions existence. Life, in short just wants to be.” – Bill Bryson

“a man practices the art of adventure when he breaks the chain of routine and renews his life through reading new books, traveling to new places, making new friends, taking up new hobbies and adopting new viewpoints.” – wilfred peterson, “to live would be an awfully big adventure.” – j.m. barrie, “nature is full of genius, full of the divinity; so that not a snowflake escapes its fashioning hand.” – henry david thoreau, “sometimes you have to travel a long way to find what is near.” – paulo coelho, “we should come home from adventures, and perils, and discoveries every day with new experience and character.” – henry david thoreau, inspiring travel quotes about memories, “travel is never a matter of money but of courage.” – paulo coelho, “the whole object of travel is not to set foot on foreign land; it is at last to set foot on one’s own country as a foreign land.” – gilbert k. chesterton, “don’t die without embracing the daring adventure your life was meant to be.” – steve pavlina, “you must go on adventures to find out where you truly belong.” – sue fitzmaurice, “it’s a dangerous business, frodo, going out your door. you step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” – j.r.r. tolkein, “every man can transform the world from one of monotony and drabness to one of excitement and adventure.” – irving wallace, “we shall not cease from exploration, and the end of all our exploring will be to arrive where we started and know the place for the first time.” – t. s. eliot, “a journey is a person in itself; no two are alike. and all plans, safeguards, policing, and coercion are fruitless. we find that after years of struggle that we do not take a trip; a trip takes us.” – john steinbeck, inspirational travel quotes.

Traveling is one of the greatest pleasures in life, and it’s a way to create unforgettable memories. A journey can inspire us, challenge us, and transform us. It’s no wonder that many famous writers, philosophers and adventurers have shared their thoughts on travel over the years. Here are some inspirational quotes about travel that will make you want to pack your bags and explore the world.

1.”The world is a book and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine

This quote reminds us that there’s so much to discover in the world, and we can only experience a small portion of it if we don’t venture beyond our comfort zones.

2. “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

This quote perfectly captures the transformative power of travel. When we explore new places and cultures, we are exposed to experiences that leave us speechless. But as we reflect on our travels and share our stories with others, we become storytellers who inspire others to embark on their own adventures.

3. “Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness.” – Mark Twain

Mark Twain’s quote highlights the importance of travel in broadening our perspectives and breaking down barriers. When we expose ourselves to different cultures and ways of life, we are forced to confront our own biases and preconceptions. Only then can we truly embrace diversity and appreciate the richness of the world around us.

famous travel quotes

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” – Saint Augustine

 “Traveling – it leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta

 “Not all those who wander are lost.” – J.R.R. Tolkien

“I haven’t been everywhere, but it’s on my list.” – Susan Sontag

“To travel is to take a journey into yourself.” – Danny Kaye

“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

Favorite Travel Quotes About Wonderful Memories

• “Traveling creates special moments that can last a lifetime, and sometimes the smallest things take up the most room in our hearts.” – Karl Lagerfeld
• “It’s not just about the good times, it’s about how you survive the bad times and the fond memories you make along the way.” – Lois Lowry
• “In the end, we will remember not the amazing memories we had, but the positive memories we created with those we love.” – Joseph B. Wirthlin
• “Unforgettable moments are timeless treasures that take us back in time whenever we revisit memory lane.” – Marcel Proust
• “Memories warm our hearts and remind us that the worst memories can turn into beautiful moments with the right attitude.” – John Banville
• “Traveling is like a time machine, it takes us to places we’ve never been before and leaves us with private literature that we can revisit whenever we want.”
• “The best memories are the ones that leave an imprint on our souls, memories for lifetimes that we can look back on and smile.”
• “Unforgettable memories quotes are like bookmarks in our lives, reminding us of the amazing memories we’ve made and the strong memories we’ve built.”
• “Memories are like small keepsakes that we collect along the way, and it’s up to us to make them into beautiful moments that will last a lifetime.”
• “Traveling creates unforgettable memories that can be as fleeting as a breath, yet as strong as a heartbeat. They say that memories are the only things that never truly die, and I believe that to be true.”

unforgettable memories quotes

• “Traveling allows us to experience the lovely moments in life, to appreciate the beauty of the world and the wonderful people in it.”
• “In the vast landscape of human life, the memories we create through travel are precious and irreplaceable.”
• “The gladdest moment in human life is a departure into unknown lands, and the memories we make along the way are what make life truly beautiful.” – John Irving
• “Pleasant memories of hours spent exploring new places have a strange power to transport us back in time and bring a smile to our faces.”
• “False memories can deceive us, but the bitter memories of bad experiences can teach us valuable lessons for the path of life.”
• “True friends make the best travel companions, and the memories of times spent together on the road are some of the most cherished memories we’ll ever have.”
• “Traveling opens up a world of possibilities and creates precious memories that we carry with us always, like a light that shines on the path of life.”
• “The memory of a single lovely moment can be enough to sustain us through the trials and tribulations of everyday life.”
• “Bitter memories may leave a bad taste in our mouths, but they are just as important as the pleasant memories in shaping who we are and how we view the world.”
• “The memories we make through travel are like puzzle pieces that fit together to create a beautiful picture of the world and our place in it.”
• “The advantage of a bad memory is that one enjoys several times the same good things for the first time.” ― Friedrich Nietzsche
• “There are memories that time does not erase… Forever does not make loss forgettable, only bearable.” ― Cassandra Clare
• “Maybe the reason my memory is so bad is that I always do at least two things at once. It’s easier to forget something you only half-did or quarter did. And your own life while it’s happening to you never has any atmosphere until it’s a memory.” – Andy Warhol
• “It’s a poor sort of memory that only works backwards.” – Lewis Carroll

And there we are a complete list of favorite quotes, and famous quotes . These quotes can help you with the happiest moments or navigate the trade winds of life with experiences and memories.

You can’t make the best travel memories without traveling. So go out on an adventure. See what the world has to offer. Come up with the best road trip quotes, but going on a road trip.

We hope that you enjoyed our travel memories quotes list and found it useful. These quotes can inspire your travels. From the best beaches in Seattle to most beautiful places in the world. If you want, you can share your own Travel Memories Quotes to others by commenting on the comment box below. Thanks for visiting!

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

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

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

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

Why Keep a Travel Journal?

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

Preserving Memories

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Self-Reflection and Personal Growth

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Creative Outlet

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

How to Start a Travel Journal?

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

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

Choose the Right Journal

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

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

Determine Your Journaling Style

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

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

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

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

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

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

Gather Essential Supplies

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

What to Include in Your Travel Journal?

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

Daily Itinerary and Activities

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Impressions and Emotions

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

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

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

Photos, Tickets, and Souvenirs

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

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

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

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

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

Tips for Effective Travel Journaling

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

Here are our top tips.

Write Regularly

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Be Descriptive and Detailed

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

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

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

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

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

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

Keeping Your Travel Journal Safe

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

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

Digital Backup

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

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

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

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

Protecting Physical Journals

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Sharing Your Travel Journal

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Frequently Asked Questions

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

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

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

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

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

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

4. What are some different versions of travel journaling?

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

5. Can a travel journal be stored digitally?

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

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

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

Brooks Manley

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

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

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Tips for Writing a Travel Memoir

Some of the world’s best literature exists in the form of travel memoirs. Bill Bryson’s A Walk in the Woods , Julia Child’s My Life in France , Jamie Zeppa’s Beyond the Sky and the Earth , and John Higham’s 360 Degrees Longitude are all examples of critically acclaimed and universally loved travel memoirs. What makes each of these memoirs so aspirational? Each contains a clever mix of vulnerability, connection, and exoticism.

To create a compelling travel memoir, you must be a great storyteller, first and foremost— and we can help with that. What follows is a list of tips to help you engage your reader with a spellbinding travel story.

Let’s get started.

Here’s a list of the 15 most riveting travel memoirs. Subscribe to receive this extra resource.

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Travel Writing Isn’t The Same As a Travel Memoir

Let’s draw an important distinction right away: A travel memoir is not the same as writing a guide book or a generic book on how to travel.

While the latter two may provide the travel-minded tourist hopeful with generic advice on what to see and do, the travel memoir is focused on the writer’s experience and takeaway. A travel memoir may appeal to the reader with wanderlust, but a love of and a desire to travel is not a requirement. The only true requirement for a travel memoir is a good story.

On the other hand, a reader isn’t likely to curl up with a non-narrative guide book.

Blogging, guide books, tutorials, and other forms of travel writing certainly have their place, but they aren’t the same as a memoir. A travel memoir isn’t just a list of experiences in a unique location. It’s a written documentation of the author’s awakening or evolution.

So, unless you’re being sponsored by the visitor’s bureau to write a marketing pamphlet on the destination, your travel memoir should be intimate, honest, and focused on the emotional takeaway.

Give Yourself Some Time

You can’t write a travel memoir while you’re actually on the journey. At best, you’re writing field notes or a travel journal. However, a memoir must have a deeper meaning that’s only evident after you’ve come to the end of your journey.

Before writing your memoir, you must take time to reflect on your travels and to contemplate your story’s overarching theme.

This past summer, I went on a month long adventure to the American West. Although I’d love to write about it one day, I’m still parsing through the experience and figuring out what I’ve learned. The best stories emerge after they’ve had an opportunity to breathe and you’ve gained much needed self-awareness.

To write with self-awareness, let it settle. Realize how the experience has changed you, and then write from that informed perspective.

You may not have it all figured out. Like me, you may be the type of writer who understands their thoughts while writing, but it’s still important for subconscious processing to give yourself space after an event and before writing.

Define Your Voice

When crafting a memoir of any type, you must define your voice.

Your voice is a combination of the following:

• Your unique perspective
• The type of language and cadence you use when writing your story
• The way you choose to tell the story (i.e. humorous, relatable)

Many travel memoirists choose a voice that’s either friendly, self-deprecating, or conversational, however remember that you’re not bound to this type of voice. You can be aloof, formal, or matter-of-fact. Your voice will impact how the reader experiences your memoir, so choose a voice that carries the sentiment you’re hoping to convey.

We’ve tackled voice before. Check out this post for a thorough guide on finding your writer’s voice .

Focus on the Meaning

The most important part of your travel memoir is the takeaway, or the moral of the story. This advice applies to any memoir, by the way. Creating a travel log of what happened and when it happened is boring. It’s the literary equivalent to showing slide show pictures of your vacation.

But if you dig underneath the surface and discuss not only what happened but what you learned from what happened, you’ll forge a stronger connection with the reader.

Find the universal takeaway that any human over the age of 12 can understand. To do this effectively, you’ll need to take the reader on two separate but parallel journeys. Those two types of journeys involved in your travel memoir are the physical journey and the emotional one. It’s relatively easy to write about the events you experienced on your trip. It’s harder to write about what you learned from the trip.

The meaning of your book is tied to its theme. Whether you go with a popular memoir theme like self-discovery, coping with loss, or coming of age, your theme will help you connect with readers who identify with your struggles.

Pick and Choose the Right Stories

I’m one of those weirdos who believes there’s no such thing as a mundane story, just a mundane way of telling it. This is why it’s crucial to edit yourself and get edited by professional readers .

Without editing, you’re likely to prattle on and on about every event during your journey. And not just you— we’re all prone to rambling. This why we need editing.

When editing yourself, always keep the theme in mind. This will help you include the stories that support your theme and cut the stories that are nice, but ill-fitting. You must be a slave to theme. It’s that important.

Don’t try to tell the entire story blow by blow. Instead, piece together the story that fits in with your overall theme.

Don’t Make Yourself Look Too Good

Sometimes you’re going to sound like a jerk. You’re human. Your reader is human and they’ll understand. In fact, embracing your raw stupidity is what will make you endearing to the reader. It will also make your experience real and relatable which is the entire point of reading a travel memoir. Readers like to travel with you on your emotional journey, and hopefully observe your growth.

Unfortunately, self-preservation dictates that we try to look good at all times. Avoid that urge when writing your travel memoir. Or, at least, edit it out.

You must be willing to look foolish if this is ever going to work. When traveling to different places you’ve never been before, the reader won’t expect you to be completely prepared and perfect. You’re going to mess up. You’re going to offend people. You’re going to hate some of the food. You’re going to pack your preconceived stereotypes right next to your socks and undies. But you’re also going to connect with the reader because your honesty will be relatable.

Have an open mind when you hit the open road.

The story may not go as you’ve anticipated. You’ll be surprised and changed in ways that you never expected but that’s the gift of travel. To document how you’ve changed for the better, you’ve got to show the cringe-worthy before .

Titles Are Crucial

For a travel memoir, especially if you’re an unknown author, so much of your initial success will depend on a clear, catchy, or promising title. While I may not judge a book by it’s cover, I always judge a book by its title, and I suspect I’m not the only one.

J. Maarten Troost’s The Sex Lives of Cannibals wins my award for “Best Travel Memoir Title”. I purchased the book without even reading the first page just because it had a killer title (no pun intended).

That title was catchy, but your title need not be clever to be effective. Cheryl Strayed’s one word title, Wild, sets you up for the type of journey you’re about to take.

Then there’s the promising title, I'll Never Be French (no matter what I do) by Mark Greenside. The reader knows going in that the book will be about France and some rather misfortunate experiences.

Whether you choose a title that’s descriptive or intriguing, at the very least, make it memorable. It should be a title that your reader will remember when they’re recommending your memoir to friends.

Additional Resources

Before you go, check out these related posts:

• How to Find Your Writer's Voice
• Don't Make These 7 Mistakes When Penning Your Memoir
• How to Write a Memoir That People Care About

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Travel Souvenirs

Traveling is an amazing way to explore the world, immerse yourself in new cultures, and create unforgettable memories. As we journey to new destinations, we often find ourselves drawn to local markets, boutiques, and souvenir shops. These places are brimming with unique trinkets, mementos, and souvenirs that allow us to take a piece of the destination home with us. Let's discuss the importance of travel souvenirs and some of the best souvenirs to collect during your travels.

Souvenirs serve as a tangible reminder of the places we've been and the experiences we've had. They are physical tokens that can transport us back to a particular moment or location, evoking powerful emotions and memories. Souvenirs also allow us to share our travel experiences with others, as we recount stories and share the meaning behind each item.

Moreover, travel souvenirs also support local economies, especially small businesses that rely on tourism. By purchasing souvenirs, we contribute to the local economy and support the livelihood of the people who call the destination home.

The best souvenirs to collect during your travels are those that are unique to the destination and hold personal meaning to you. Here are some ideas to consider:

Local Artwork - Local artwork, such as paintings, sculptures, and pottery, is a great way to bring home a piece of the destination's culture. It can be a beautiful and meaningful addition to your home decor.

Jewelry - Jewelry is a popular souvenir item that is both beautiful and practical. Pieces that incorporate local gems, symbols, or designs are a great way to capture the essence of the destination.

Food and Drink - Sampling local food and drink is one of the most enjoyable aspects of traveling. Bringing home a taste of the destination, such as spices, tea , or wine, can allow you to relive your travels in a delicious way.

Textiles - Textiles, such as clothing, scarves, blankets, or rugs, are a practical and beautiful souvenir item. They can add a pop of color and texture to your home decor or wardrobe while reminding you of your travels.

Postcards and Prints - Postcards and prints are a classic souvenir item that allows you to capture the beauty of the destination through photography or artwork. They are also a great way to share your travels with friends and family.

Travel souvenirs are a meaningful and tangible way to remember your travels and share your experiences with others. From local artwork to food and drink, there are countless options to choose from that can capture the essence of the destination. Whether you collect souvenirs for yourself or for loved ones, they are a powerful way to celebrate the beauty and diversity of the world we live in.

If you have forgotten to purchase your favorite destination food and beverage or have simply run out, visit RudiGourmand for international food and beverage options.