Travel isn’t just about visiting new places—it’s about experiencing them deeply. A travel journal lets you document your adventures in a way that goes beyond photos, blending art, storytelling, and personal reflections. Whether you’re an artist, a writer, or someone who simply loves capturing beautiful moments, here’s how to create a travel journal that becomes a work of art in itself.
1. Choose Your Travel Journal Style
Not all journals are the same—pick one that fits your artistic style and needs.
- Sketchbook Journal: Perfect for visual thinkers who love to capture places through drawings and watercolor.
- Mixed-Media Journal: Combines sketches, writing, photos, and collected materials.
- Classic Writing Journal: Ideal for those who prefer to document travels through words and storytelling.
- Digital Journal: A tablet or iPad with a drawing app can be a lightweight option for travelers.
Try this: Choose a journal with thick pages that can handle both ink and watercolor without bleeding through.
2. Gather Your Travel Journal Essentials
Pack light but intentionally with supplies that inspire creativity.
- Pens & Fine Liners: For sketching and detailed writing.
- Watercolor or Colored Pencils: Add a splash of color to your entries.
- Washi Tape & Stickers: Perfect for layering and adding texture.
- Glue Stick or Tape: Attach tickets, postcards, and small souvenirs.
- Pocket Printer (Optional): Print instant photos to include in your journal.
Try this: Create a small travel art kit that fits in your bag so you can journal anywhere.
3. Capture First Impressions
First moments in a new place are often the most vivid.
- Write about your first sensory experience. What does the air smell like? What sounds stand out?
- Sketch your surroundings. Even quick doodles capture a moment in time.
- Jot down small details. A phrase you overheard, the texture of cobblestone streets, or the way sunlight filters through buildings.
Try this: Spend 10 minutes upon arrival capturing your first impressions before moving on.
4. Collect & Collage Local Elements
Turn your journal into a multi-sensory experience by collecting tangible pieces of your journey.
- Save ticket stubs, receipts, and maps. These everyday items add texture to your journal.
- Collect dried leaves or pressed flowers. Perfect for nature-inspired trips.
- Tear pages from local newspapers or magazines. Include snippets of typography or language.
- Add food wrappers or packaging. They tell a story about the culture and flavors of a place.
Try this: Glue or tape down a ticket stub and write a short memory associated with it.
5. Use Prompts to Spark Creativity
Sometimes, a little structure helps bring ideas to life.
- “If this city were a color palette, it would be…”
- “The best conversation I overheard today was…”
- “If I could bottle up one scent from this trip, it would be…”
- “The most unexpected thing I saw today was…”
- “This place makes me feel like…”
Try this: Use a different prompt each day to add variety to your journal.
6. Sketch & Paint Your Surroundings
Even if you’re not an artist, sketching enhances memory and connection.
- Draw a café you visited. Capture the people, the table setup, or the menu.
- Sketch a landmark in your own style. Loose lines and color washes work just as well as detailed drawings.
- Illustrate a favorite meal. Food journaling is a fun and unique way to remember flavors.
- Use color swatches. Mix and match paint or colored pencils to reflect the mood of the city.
Try this: Sketch a simple street scene in five minutes without worrying about perfection.
7. Write Micro-Stories & Observations
Not every entry needs to be long—short bursts of storytelling can be just as powerful.
- Describe a single moment. A barista’s hands as they make coffee, a couple laughing at a train station.
- Write a travel haiku. A quick, poetic snapshot of a scene.
- Personify the city. What would it say if it could talk?
- Write dialogue snippets. Overheard words bring authenticity to your reflections.
Try this: Capture a moment in no more than three sentences and let it stand alone on the page.
8. Reflect on Your Journey
Looking back helps solidify the meaning of your travels.
- Write about the most unexpected part of the trip. What surprised you?
- List lessons learned. What new perspectives did you gain?
- Note what you’d do differently. What would you explore more if you returned?
- Write a letter to yourself. Capture the essence of your journey for your future self to read.
Try this: Dedicate your last travel journal page to a reflection letter about the experience.
By keeping a travel journal, you don’t just document where you’ve been—you deepen your experience of each place. Explore more from this series: How to Host Your Own ‘Cinematic Soirée’ here and Make Your Everyday Life Feel Like a Work of Art here. What’s the first thing you’ll write in your next travel journal?
You don’t need a plan—just curiosity. The Art of Wonder is a self-paced 4-week course to help you slow down, notice more, and reawaken your creative gaze. HERE!
