Ideas for Keeping a Travel Journal

  I am a big fan of journalling.  I’ve talked on many occasions about the pleasure I get from keeping a journal. Never more so than when on holidays or travelling.  There seems to be something particularly important about keeping a record of the places I am visiting, and capturing those memories in print.

Why I Love to Travel Journal

I have so many journals which I have kept over the years, that I now have a whole shelf in a book case to house all my travel journals, and I love dipping into them from time to time.  I quite often pluck one randomly from the shelf and start reading.  So many memories always come flooding back. Its a lovely way of being transported back to a place or a time long forgotten.  In the same way blogging helps me focus on things I am doing and look at places in a different way, I think travel journalling does the same.  When on holiday, I often find myself looking at a particularly beautiful scene or interesting building, thinking about how I will describe it when I write about it later. In fact I always keep a small notebook in my hand bag so I can jot down particular observations or thoughts I have in the moment, that I can later transfer to my journal.

How To Travel Journal

There are no rules.  How you choose to travel journal is as individual as you are.  Most importantly I would say, it should not be a chore. Keeping a travel journal should be enjoyable and  enhance your trip rather than become a task to tick off on a to-do list.  So, find a way to journal which suits you, and this may differ, depending on the kind of trip you are on.

Mostly I write daily, although not always.  I do like sitting down at the end of the day and gathering my thoughts and memories onto paper, its a good way of reflecting.  However sometimes I like starting the day with a cup of tea, preferably outside somewhere warm and writing about the day that has passed.

Diary Style

If you are someone who likes a day by day account of what you have seen or done then this may work for you.  I find this works especially well when I have been on a trip which is very much a journey.  For example, last year when I  trekked the Tour du Mont Blanc I wrote daily about where we started, where we finished and the places we had seen in between.  However on another trip to the Maldives when there was little in the way of day time journey, other than between villa and beach or restaurant, my journalling was a little less regimented.

Themes

You may want to be vey focused with your journal and have a particular theme or two, such as food or cafes or markets.  I know that some people keep a travel journal simply about the food they have eaten and the restaurants they have visited.  If you are a foodie this is great way of documenting your trip.

Journal with Pictures

One year I kept a journal just of postcards from all the National Trust properties I visited. I wrote a few accompanying words including the date, and any particular thoughts, but other wise it was just postcards. I still look back on it now when I’m trying to remember if I have visited somewhere before.  A travel journal does not have to be filled with tightly packed text.

Digital Journals

Of course many travel journals have now effectively become blogs.  And, there are many apps on which you can record your memories and travels in a digital way if thats your thing.  Although, as you will know if your read regularly, I love to blog about my travels, I would not replace my lovely handwritten journal for a digital replica.  Even when on a 6 month trip with my husband when we kept a blog, I kept a hand written journal too.  Those travel journals have become some of my most precious possessions. The joy of flicking through real pages filled with my own handwriting, scraps of paper and memories all lovingly collected together is very special.

Most importantly, find a way of keeping a journal that suits you, and MAKE IT FUN!

Be Creative

As with all things in life, my motto is always ‘the prettier and more creative the better’. I’m not known for my ‘plain approach to life’ in clothes, interiors or anything else.  So as you might imagine my journals include lots of enhancements.  I love sticking things into them and always include many mementoes from my trip.  Travel Journalling is another form of scrap booking and is the perfect excuse for some primary school type cutting and sticking.

 

I am not an artist (yet!) so I tend not to include drawings or sketches but if you are, this is a lovely way of recording your trip.

Include postcards.  This is great if you don’t have a polaroid camera and is a good way or remembering where you have been.  I always fill my journals with postcards and make a point of buying lots when I am travelling for that very purpose.

Stick in maps or torn out pages or pictures from leaflets or guides you have picked up.

Pressed flowers or shells or stones.  I have yet to include pressed flowers in any of my journals but I fully intend to. A lovely way of remembering a walk or picnic.  I often pick up small shells or stones from the beach.  These can easily be stuck into a journal with sellotape.

Ticket stubs. I include boarding passes, tickets from entry to museums or galleries and anywhere else.  In fact, now when I travel with friends or my mum I will frequently be asked if I want the receipt or ticket for my journal!

 

The Travel Journal Kit

A journal – the choice is endless.

Scissors (don’t forget to pack them into your checked in luggage, rather than hand luggage if flying!)

Coloured Pens

Washi Tapes

Stickers

Small Envelopes – great for popping ticket stubs or small shells or other bits you have collected into

Paper clips

Glue

A polaroid Camera and Film – I have yet to use mine but love the idea of taking a photograph and then immediately sticking it into my journal

Do share your travel journalling tips in the comments below, I’d love to read them

 

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