How to Develop a Travel Journal and preserve your vacation memories.

A travel journal is a unique, personal memento of your vacation. While you require some discipline and determination to write, the feeling of satisfaction years later is its own reward. No other souvenir will have the same impact as your travel log.


Purpose of a Travel Log

• A record of private thoughts, memories and experiences related to your vacation

• Prevent your vacation from fading with time.

• Reminiscence

• May inspire you to write a travel blog or an article.


Equipment Required for Keeping a Journal

1) A journal

2) A pen

3) Coloured pens – optional

4) Highlighter pen – optional

5) Glue stick – optional

6) Tape – optional

7) A plastic bag to fill with brochures, business cards, tickets etc.

8) Anything else you may require.





Characteristics of a Good Journal

• A book with lined or unlined pages

• Opens flat for easy writing.

• Lightweight

• Easy to store

• Waterproof cover





Consider Keeping the Following Vacation-related Items in Your Journal

• Goals

• Expectations

• Preconceived notions

• Itinerary

• Budget

• Packing list

• Private thoughts and ideas

• Observations

• Impressions

• Activities

• Stories

• Lists (10 best bars, restaurants, beaches etc.)

• Memorable quotes

• Descriptions of people.

• Postcards

• Ticket stubs

• Maps

• Labels

• E-mail addresses

• Websites

• Anything else you can think of.


Tips for Developing a Travel Journal

• Keep a separate notebook for each trip.

• There is no standard way to keep a journal. Record information as soon as possible after your experiences.

• Don’t record every detail.

• Remember the five senses when you make notes – sight, sound, touch, smell and taste

• Record pieces of information in a separate notebook; re-write these in your journal at the end of the day using colorful words and phrases. Don’t be concerned with punctuation, grammar and spelling.

• Be creative. Draw colourful pictures, diagrams, doodles etc.

• Let people those you meet make entries as well.

• After your return, recall your trip and compare results with your initial expectations, goals etc.

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