Two weeks ago, I thought I lost one of the most important things to me when my backpack was stolen—my travel journal.
For the past four years, I’ve written a sentence or two a day, filling the pages with adventures shared with friends, so many Rustic Pathways moments, and the little things that bring me joy every day. I was heartbroken to lose four years of memories.
Fast forward four days, and I received the happiest of phone calls from a woman who found my backpack—journal included. I danced around the room and then thought about why journaling every day adds meaning to every experience and every adventure.
I really started journaling during my first service trip to the Dominican Republic when I was 14. Five years later, I made it a daily ritual when I was a studying abroad in Spain during college. I filled up four journals that year and whenever I read them now, they take me back to 10 p.m. dinners eating tortilla española and laughing with my host family through broken Spanish.
How to Write in a Travel Journal?
Write in a travel journal by just getting started! You don’t need any revolutionary travel journal ideas to get going. But because journaling every day can be intimidating, here’s five tips that make it easier for me.
- Write down one memory each day.
- Jot down your thoughts in list form, if that’s how your brain works, noting things like activities, travel companions, weather conditions, etc.
- Purchase a fun pen on your travels. I don’t know about you, but recording my memories with a toucan-topped pen encourages me to write more.
- If you miss a day, don’t worry about it! Skip it, fill it in later, or tuck in a ticket stub from a bus ride, a note from a new friend, a receipt from that eco-lodge where you’re staying, or some type of paper memento from that day into your journal.
- Journal on the plane on your way home; the journey is part of the adventure!
Travel Journal Ideas: 10 Prompts to Get You Writing
I love documenting all of the experiences I have while traveling, and it’s important to me that I capture how I’m feeling in the moment. I reflect on the beauty I see, unexpected moments, and thought-provoking conversations. I journal to process the world around me.
But sometimes you want to dive a little deeper. Here are ten travel journal ideas to spark your creativity and reflection:
- A Moment of Wonder: Describe a moment from your travels that left you in awe or wonder. What did you see, hear, smell, or feel in that moment? How did it impact you?
- Cultural Immersion: Reflect on a cultural experience you had during your travels. How did it challenge your perceptions or broaden your understanding of the world? What cultural customs or traditions did you observe?
- Local Flavors: Write about a memorable meal or food experience from your journey. What did you eat? How was it prepared? What flavors and textures stood out to you?
- Unexpected Encounters: Share a story about an unexpected encounter with a local or fellow traveler. How did this encounter shape your journey? What did you learn from the interaction?
- Nature’s Beauty: Describe a natural landscape or environment that took your breath away. What elements of nature stood out to you? How did being in this environment make you feel?
- Challenges and Growth: Reflect on a challenge you faced during your travels. How did you overcome it? What did you learn about yourself in the process?
- Local Traditions and Festivals: Write about a local festival or tradition you witnessed during your travels. What was the significance of the event? How did people celebrate?
- Reflections on Solitude: Describe a moment of solitude or introspection during your journey. What thoughts and emotions arose during this time? How did it contribute to your overall experience?
- Local Arts and Crafts: Share your experience exploring local arts and crafts. Did you visit any artisan workshops or markets? What handmade items caught your attention?
- Memorable Landmarks: Write about a landmark or iconic site you visited. What historical or cultural significance does it hold? How did seeing it in person compare to your expectations?
What are Some Examples of Travel Writing?
Travel writing does not need to be long and involved. My current journal was a gift from my best friend, and it’s designed for writers to jot down one to two sentences every day, with enough lines to last five years. This was a real game-changer for me. It only takes a minute each day and allows me to capture the highlights.
We’re all exhausted at the end of a day full of things activities like open-air truck rides and hours of pick-axing. But trust me, you’ll thank yourself later for taking a minute to write about the fresh mango you ate in the mountains or how you felt while holding a baby sea turtle for the first time.
My travel experiences have shaped who I am as a person—and journaling takes me back to the times that transformed my life. So start documenting your stories now! You’ll get more out of your experience while on program, and you’ll thank yourself years from now when you’re ready to relive them
Journal enthusiasts—what did I miss? Please share your travel journal ideas with us!
If you want more travel journal ideas and tips, watch this video: