When you travel, you create incredible memories. Keeping a travel diary helps you remember the details of your trip that made it special. Taking the time to jot down your expectations, itinerary, experiences and emotions adds an element of reflection and creativity to any travel as well.
Making a travel journal doesn’t have to be complicated; most travelers opt for a simple bound notebook in one of three styles: lined pages, blank sheets or bullet journal. Opting for a physical journal is a good choice for travelers who won’t be bringing a laptop or have access to an internet connection. If your goal for your trip is to “unplug,” a physical diary is for you.
For business travelers, bloggers and photographers who plan to have technology at their fingertips throughout their trip, a travel journal app may be a better option.
Travel Journal Apps
Using an app you can access from your phone or laptop is great for documenting quickly while on-the-go and sitting down to detail what happened during the day. Using a digital diary also allows you to share with friends, family and followers at home, as well as transition thoughts to a more polished report or blog more easily.
Try one of these app options:
- Bonjournal, a website and iOS app for journaling that lets you download your thoughts later
- Day One, an award-winning interface for multiple journals in one place
- Penzu , an interface bloggers will find familiar is paired with a commitment to privacy
- Tripcast, a “living travel journal” with group photo sharing and geotagging capabilities
Creative Travel Journal Ideas
If a blank notebook or app won’t truly capture your travel experiences, a more free-form, creative travel journal could be an option. Just be prepared to carry a lot more supplies during your trip!
Buy a postcard every day and write down the date, the weather and what you experienced in the pictured location. After your trip, tie them all together for a unique “journal.” Other paper and pen ideas include a series of lists, or writing your notes on a map or calendar.
For a more eclectic, artistic look, write on or around mementos (coffee sleeves, tickets, shells, labels, coasters, etc.) placed in a journal. You could also use unique writing utensils. Try watercolor paints or colorful pens!
5 Writing Prompts for Your Travel Journal
- What experience, food or destination are you most looking forward to?
- Did you overhear an interesting conversation among local residents today?
- How did you get from place to place?
- Was your travel experience different in any way from what you expected?
- Which elements of your trip would you recommend to other travelers?
