A travel journal is one of the simplest yet most rewarding ways to capture the magic of your adventures. It’s more than just a record of where you’ve been — it’s a space to collect memories, thoughts and little details that photos alone can’t quite hold…
Whether you’re heading off on a long-haul trip or a weekend break, here’s how to create a journal you’ll want to return to again and again.
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Pick a journal that suits your style
The best travel journal is one that works for you. Some people love the feel of a classic notebook — something slim enough to slip into a bag, with blank or dotted pages that invite both words and doodles. Others prefer digital journaling using apps that let you add photos and notes on the go. There’s no right answer, just choose something that makes you want to use it.
Write little and often
You don’t need to set aside hours for journaling — just ten minutes at the end of the day is enough to jot down what stood out. It could be something funny that happened, a beautiful view, or the smell of spices at a market. By making it part of your daily wind-down, you’ll capture moments while they’re still fresh, and your journal will feel far more personal than a list of places visited.
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Include keepsakes along the way
A travel journal comes to life when it’s filled with more than just words. Tuck in ticket stubs, postcards, receipts from memorable meals or pressed flowers picked along the roadside. These little mementos help tell the full story of your journey. If you’re journaling digitally, take photos of these bits and pieces and add them to your entries.
Make it your own
There’s no need to follow a set formula — let your journal reflect you. Some travellers like sketching a scene or scribbling a quick map of where they’ve been. Others jot down new words they’ve learnt, favourite meals or moments that made them laugh. You might want to note the weather, your mood or snatches of conversation that stayed with you. The beauty of a travel journal is that it’s yours alone.
Take time to reflect
Your journal doesn’t have to end the moment you arrive home. Take time to read back through your entries and maybe add a few extra thoughts now that you’ve had time to reflect. You could print a few photos and stick them in or write a final page about what the trip meant to you. The result will be a keepsake that brings those memories flooding back whenever you open it.
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