Create a Travel Journal on the Go
May 24, 2008 by Mary Jo Manzanares
Filed under Car Trips, Fun for Families & Kids, Just for Fun, Products & Resources, Things to See & Do, Travel Tips
Do you collect stuff as you travel? I’m talking about mementos like brochures, ticket stubs, business cards, matchbooks, stir sticks, drink napkins, coasters, wine labels, and all sorts of “treasures” like that.
Many people keep their treasures for memorable additions to their scrapbook pages, or they work them into collage or other rubber stamping projects, or combine the treasures with other art supplies and art mediums and create beautiful works of art.
I’m not quite so creative.
I usually have a full folder or bag of treasures when I come home from a trip. I consider my treasures part of the research that I do when I’m visiting some place, so I pick up things as I go along, and review everything when I return home. If I’m organized, these things make their way into a file folder or file box upon my return home. If I’m not so organized, it stays in a bag and gets tossed into a larger container where I keep my writing material.
If you want to keep some of your mementos, but realize that you’ll never create an arts and crafts project, consider an “as-you-go” project.
Continue reading for information on how to create a travel journal to make as you go!
Before leaving home, purchase a blank journal. Size and style dependent on your personality and preference, but think about the things you may want to include when you select it.
Pack up your journal, a pair of scissors (small, rounded, safety scissors if you’re traveling by air), a glue stick, and some color pens or pencils. It won’t take up much room, and then you can glue your treasures into your journal as you go. Take time to write down a few thoughts about where you are, what you’re experiencing, and any other important details, and you have a great travel journal.
If you’re traveling with kids, this is a great activity for them as well. It’s perfect for those times when you need a little peace and quiet, and gives them something to do when weather or circumstances force them indoors. With a little planning, it’s also a good activity for the car.
What I like about a travel journal is that it doesn’t have to be perfect. (That perfection issue is the reason my treasures never make it to a scrapbook with my photos.) You can draw or write whatever you feel. You can glue and cut as you see fit. If it gets to thick you can get a rubber band to put around it, or tie it with ribbon or cord. And when you get home you can put it on your bookshelf and take a look back whenever you want think about your travels.
A travel journal like this is a real time companion on your journeys around the world.
Image credit: Amazon
__________________________________
Excellent idea! Usually plans to memorialize trips fade away quick after the return. Doing it on the fly might be the only way to get it done for a lot of us.
Thanks for the shout out! I did my travel journal both physically and online when I returned from Guatemala last year
http://www.layersuponlayers.com/category/guatemala/
I always have good intentions — but once home they seem to go by the wayside.
I admire those who turn their treasures into another form of treasure –one they can look back on and remember the journey.
This is a really great idea. I always thought of a travel journal as a resource for the overwhelming scrapbook project that was worked on after the trip. But a real time journal is a great idea and has the potential to capture a more intimate view of the trip. And if you are like me if will be the only scrapbook that you’ll have because I never seem to get around to doing mine!
I can see a scrap book lover combining the pages from the live journal into the bigger production for a fantastic overall effect.
I love this idea as well. I never get around to doing a travel journal, even though I have all the tools. On my next trip in two weeks, I’ll give it a try.
Thanks,
Jackie
Love this! I’ve always used those spiral bound “notebooks” of 5×7 index cards for my kids’ travel journals when we travel. They’re cheap and sturdy, and markers don’t soak through. We were cleaning out a closet when my daughter was leaving for college and found one from a trip in second grade. Oh. My. God. Hilarious and wonderful. P.S. We always pack a roll of double-sticky tape too. Less messy than glue sticks.
Can you also point me to some travel blogging sites or travel blogs that accept guest bloggers? Many thx
If you are interested in writing guest posts for a travel blogging site, I recommend that you read and study up on the type of posts that typically appear on the blog. Note the style, format, length, etc. Then contact the blogger to see if they’d be interested. Good luck.