Get excited travel buddy because I’m going to help you learn how to make a simple travel journal and travel scrapbook so you can memorialize all of your travel experiences!
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What's the difference between a travel journal and a travel scrapbook?
What is a travel journal?
A travel journal is a place to capture your ideas, personal feelings, and details from your trip. It is typically in the format of a lined book. Think of a travel journal as a travel diary.
The main focus of creating your own journal is to capture and save your travel memories by writing out journal entries.
The major benefit of learning how to create a simple travel journal is it will help you remember more and reflect more on your experiences.
PRO TIP: If you're not sure what to write about at first, just go with the basic who, what, when, where, why, and how questions.
What is a travel scrapbook?
A travel scrapbook is a place to capture your travel experience visually. It is typically a book of blank pages filled with keepsakes like ticket stubs, photos, and other tangible memorabilia from your trip.
The main focus of a travel scrapbook is to creatively capture your travel memories using pictures and mementos.
The major benefit of learning how to create a simple travel scrapbook is it will help you dynamically tell the story of your travels.
What do I need to make a simple DIY travel journal and a travel scrapbook?
Travel Notebook
The first thing you need to start with is a notebook. Pick either a blank notebook, a lined notebook, or a 3-ring binder and paper. A blank notebook is best for a bullet journal or photo album format, a lined notebook is best for a diary format, and a 3-ring binder is great for a combination of the two.
There really are all different styles of notebooks out there so this is just a matter of personal preference.
First, decide on how you want to layout your travel notebook, then you will know which format works best for your situation.
Next, you will need a few craft supplies for creative ways to illustrate all the great things you saw and did on your trip.
Travel Journal Supplies
Travel Scrapbook Supplies
You can find scrapbook supplies at most stationery stores or online at Amazon. It’s your creative outlet so you decide how many items you need to tell your travel stories.
PRO TIP: Look for supplies like washi tape and stickers while you are traveling to make your supplies even more special.
Digital Travel Journal and Travel Scrapbook
Unlike paper journals, if you’re creating a digital journal, or you’re ready for digital scrapbooking, then you don’t need any physical supplies. All you need is some great inspiration, and you can usually find that by searching on sites like Pinterest.
Digital Scrapbook Pros:
Some of the pros of creating digital travel journals are:
- There’s no extra cost for materials.
- You can easily add to and modify your digital travel journal.
- There’s an option to create it as a collaborative project with your traveling partners.
Digital Scrapbook Cons:
Some of the cons to creating a digital journal are:
- It might not be as easy to share large files with people who aren’t technologically savvy.
- The document might accidentally get deleted.
- There might not be the same personal touch as a book created in real life.
PRO TIP: I use Canva for ALL of my digital projects. They have lots of ready-made templates to get you started.
What should be included in a travel journal?
Before you travel:
It’s a good idea to start working on your travel journal BEFORE you even leave for your trip. Use it to help you with your trip planning.
You can include your to-do list, budget, packing list, trip-planned itinerary, and new places you want to try on your travel bucket list.
If you’re traveling abroad, write down some common phrases in the local language so you can start to practice them.
It’s also a good idea to write down important information. Things like your flight info and the name, address, and phone number of your accommodations are good to have just in case your phone dies before you reach your destination.
Travel Journal Prompts:
If you’re worried about not knowing what to write in your travel journal then make a list of some travel journal prompts ahead of time.
Travel Writing Prompts
- The best part of my day was…
- Something funny that happened was when…
- Next time I think I should…
- I would definitely recommend…
- Something I want to remember is…
- Here’s what people were wearing…
- The weather was…
- I wish I was more prepared for…
- I had so much fun when…
- My favorite things about this place…
- My first time here is…
- The local culture is…
- I really love today because…
During your travels:
During your trip, you should write a description of the places you visit and all the cool things you see. You can quickly write a recap of each day of your trip either at night or early in the morning… especially if you wake up or go to bed at different times from your traveling partners.
As a travel blogger, I like to write about the restaurants I visit, funny things that happened during the trip, and different places I stay so I can recommend them or revisit them on my next trip.
A travel journal usually has a lot of writing in it, but feel free to also include sketches and doodles from your trip!
Don’t forget to leave plenty of space in between your journal writing so you can go back and add pictures after you return from your trip.
PRO TIP: If you don't have time to write in your journal do a voice recording so you can transcribe it later.
After you travel:
I like to spend time on the flight or ride back home writing more little details from my trip while my travel memories are still fresh in my mind.
It’s also a great idea to tell yourself what you would do differently on your next trip, or make a note of something you don’t want to forget, for future trips.
Do you want more valuable travel tips? CLICK HERE to read about How to Pack a Suitcase That Saves You Money!
What should be included in a travel scrapbook?
A travel scrapbook can include memorabilia like brochures, flight tickets, business cards, paper menus, a travel map, postcards, and of course pictures.
Hey! Maybe you’re thinking, “Dang Andrea, you know ALL THE GOOD TRAVEL TIPS!” GREAT NEWS… you can SUBSCRIBE with your email to get notified of new posts so you never miss a thing!
During your travels:
Did you know that National Parks in the USA have stamps? There are other tourist destinations that offer stamps at the ticket counters so make sure you bring your scrapbook or some paper and ask for a stamp!
It’s a good idea to pack a gallon-sized plastic bag to keep all your little keepsakes so they don’t get lost.
PRO TIP: Be careful of taking items of agriculture like leaves and flowers. You can't bring them across borders.
I always say that an excellent way to make memories when you travel is to take a fun tour. Make sure you save your tour tickets, concert tickets, or museum ticket stubs to add to your scrapbook!
Do you want to know how to make fun memories when you travel? CLICK HERE to read about some great ideas for making core memories!
Creating Your Travel Journal and Travel Scrapbook
How do I make a travel journal and travel scrapbook?
Now that you have an idea of what you want to create, and you have all of your supplies, it’s time to put your travel adventures together into an amazing travel diary that tells a story worth sharing.
Your travel journal and scrapbook pages can be as simple as a photo album layout or more detailed with little things like added mementos and embellishments.
PRO TIP: Pinterest is a great option for researching suggestions on scrapbook layouts if you need some inspiration.
You are telling the story of your trip so like any great story there will be a beginning, a middle, and an end.
Beginning: This will be your intro with details of who is going on the trip, in general terms where you are traveling to, and when you are taking the trip.
Try to think about your story while you are experiencing it so you make space for adding more details later when you have more time.
Middle: The middle is where you share details of things you did and what you saw. Share all the interesting details about historic sites, unique experiences, your favorite destinations, the food you ate, and the people you met.
End: At the end of your trip you can give a brief overview of any takeaways you want to remember. Share what you learned and what your favorite things were about the trip.
Add pictures and all of your keepsakes alongside your written story to help illustrate your experiences. For example, if you wrote about the most amazing restaurant you visited, then leave some space to add keepsakes like photos, the paper menu, or the monogrammed napkin you saved for later.
Great travel journals have personal details in them. There’s no wrong way to do it. Just be real!
For help finding the perfect accommodations read Top 5 Things You Need to Know When Finding a Hotel!
The Best Travel Journal and Travel Scrapbook
I’ve got great news… if you don’t have the time to make your own DIY travel journal or travel scrapbook from scratch, then I have the best travel journal scrapbook for YOU!
I created a simple way to document your trip with a series of travel activity journals. They are great for a solo traveler, a friend group, or a family vacation.
Let’s face it, the best travel journals are the ones that actually get filled in, and not all of us have time to create something from scratch. That’s why I created different fun-themed DIY travel journals that work great for different destinations like Europe, the beach, and the USA.
Most of the work is already set up for you ahead of time. You just need to have a great time on your trip and fill in the blanks.
Here’s what you can expect to find in my ultimate travel journal activity books:
Journal Pages:
Every travel activity journal has lined pages set aside for journaling. Not sure about your writing skills? No problem because there are also lots of pages with journaling prompts to help get you thinking!
Complete the travel journal writing prompts together for a fun way to learn more about your travel partners.
Scrapbook Pages:
Your travel activity journal includes plenty of pages, specifically designed around each theme, to draw and/or attach photos and keepsakes like ticket stubs, and other mementos. All you need is some washi tape or glue!
Activity Pages:
Every travel activity journal is full of so many fun activities. Challenge your mind with brain-teasing travel games, a crossword puzzle, word search, adult coloring pages, and quizzes that are scattered throughout the travel journal pages.
There are lots of fun and interesting facts specific to the themed location. The activity pages are a great way to help pass the time if you have long drives or flights, a fun road trip, or a train ride.
Do you want to take a peek inside? Check out this video to see what the inside of the beach themed Travel Activity Journal looks like…
I’ve given you a bunch of creative travel journal ideas to choose from. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how you decide to take on travel journaling or scrapbooking.
The most important thing is to make the most of your experience by documenting your lasting memories for your travel legacy! Your travel journal scrapbook will be a treasured keepsake.
I truly hope all my tips on how to make a simple travel journal and travel scrapbook have helped inspire you to create something special! Make sure you’re following along on social media so you never miss a travel tip.
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LET’S CONNECT: What type of travel journal or travel scrapbook are you going to create? Comment below!
