ja

Hi, <BR> Tried to post this a few hours ago, but ran into some weird computer nonsense. Here's how I keep my vacation memeories alive: <BR>1. We both take lots of pictures. I put the best of them in my big photo album, all captioned on the back <BR>2. I put all memorabilia (ticket stubs, etc.) into a plastic-sleeve-paged scrapbook <BR>3. I write a "vacation story" on each trip - updating every day or two. I used to use the hotel stationery, but I now have a notebook for this purpose. I make copies and send themto my sisters - whether they want them or not! <BR>4. I just look at the wonderful, unique little momentoes I've bought on my travels - they're all over my apartment. <BR>ja

Rod Hoots

Have been visiting Europe while in the military, on business, and on vacation, since 1946. I've reconstructed a "journal" of the early years and have kept careful notes of every trip since the 60's. Believe me, when you get older you do forget and a journal is priceless. Note the details of places you stayed (name of hotel, room number, price, phone no, etc.) as that information may help in planning future trips. Also the sights that you saw and the emotions they inspired. Be sure to carefully label your photos as soon as they're developed. Recording things in the computer, along with pictures, is wonderful as you can share some of it with family and friends. There are many other great ideas above but I just wanted to reinforce how important it is to keep records of your travel.

LCUY

We send postcards to several relatives and friends, then they give them back to us later. Years later, it is a lot of fun to see what our thoughts and feelings were, rather than just the details. You could do the same with a journal, but only if you are a journal sort of person. Not only that, but you get some great photos as well. We tend to take our photos of each other, and rely on the postcards for the pro shots.

Lcuy

We also buy only small souvenirs along the way when we travel. I use a fine tip Sharpie pen to write the place and year on the bottom. When I get home, I attach a string and use it as an ornament on the Christmas tree. Decorating the tree each year brings back wonderful memories, and we have a really unusual tree. Some items: little gold temple trinkets from Japan, miniature greek urns, little wooden toy replicas of boats or buildings, etc. Even the tackiest souvenir looks cute if it is small and on a tree!

Stephanie

I found a fondness for scrapbooking. I take lots of pics, before I call it a night I write notes in my fuzzy little Jacksonville Jaguar notebook, and I save whatever little cutsie or interesting momentos I can gather (eg., a napkin from a great restaurant or matchbook, flyer). When I get home and the memory is still fresh I add pages to my scrapbook and copy over my notes to each picture and page. It is a lot of fun, and my son always feels like he has been on the trip too (those trips when he did not go, "adult fun" to say, New Orleans, Biloxi, Vegas).

Victor

I have concluded the best way to remember your travels is to put up a website with deetails and photos from your trip. In this way it will be there for ever and will be helpful for fellow travellers. Your freinds can also visit your side to know how you spent your holidays. <BR>By the way, my german trip report is avaliable at www.vgpma.com/travel/

jw

I tuck postcards into textbooks, llesson-plan books, binders, corners of my desk at school. Then all through the year, I come upon them in the middle of teaching and, voila, I'm away. It happens most especially during faculty meetings and in-services.

jw

silly me. The thing that works best is visiting this fabulous site and reading the memories of others.

Dawn

I usually buy "practical" souvenirs that I get to use on a regular basis like my velvet scrolled pants from Bruges or my amazing umbrella from Salzburg or my cool jacket from Germany. Everytime I use one of my souvenirs I think about my trip. My boyfriend is in charge of taking pictures. If I go alone, I rarely take any pictures. I may buy a few postcards.

Geraldine

Hello Kelly. I don't think age really comes into it. We all forget things. The best thing I ever bought was a camcorder. Some people may find it a pain carried it around. I get pleasure from it. In the winter months I put on the summer holidays on the T.V. for all the family to see and I can tell you now that even the children forget special moments of the holidays!. I also and I know this sounds crazy buy a<BR>postcard from where ever I may be and write a short diary in it and post it to myself so when I get home the card usually arrives after me and this is also a reminder of a particulary good time. I buy a book on every city I have ever visited and I look over them now and then and remember the places I visited. I also buy small things where<BR>I visit i.e. paintings ceramics etcc and they constantly remind me every day of "good times". I hope you get these little notes as I have just noticed your posting was in April. E-mail me if they were of any help. If possible invest in a camcorder I have precious footage of people who are now no longer with me and these are priceless!!!!!

ein stein

You should conceive a child during each trip. Then, whenever you see your child, you'll remember the trip. <BR><BR>You should have 7 children at this time for this system to work.

bobbie

I've tried keeping journals but good intentions don't seenm to last more than a day or two. What I do keep is a scrapbook of photos, receipts and other momentos but I also love to keep receipts in pockets of the coats or jackets that I've worn somewhere. Reaching into the pocket months later and finding a receipt is something to smile about, especially on an elevator, and although not as good as maybe finding a twenty dollar bill, it does bring back magic moments.

mariacallas

When I take a trip with someone, I always get duplicate cards, maps, brochures of the places we go. Then I make a collage of things that highlight the trip, blending phots, names from brochures, maps, etc. I frame them and give them for the first gift giving event after the trip - a birthday- or holiday. <BR><BR>

Dan

I am a somewhat serious photographer so my pictures are prized possessions. In addition, I collect artwork from places I've visited which best capture the mood or experience I've had. Each time I view them, I'm magically transported back to the places I've visited.

Bill

<BR>How to remember trips (as one who is more aged as you put it)? Lots of ways...slides, postcards, guidebooks, daily journal, taping comments of guides and self, and my wife's memory!<BR>Bill in Missouri

John G

I go shopping to remember my trips. A gold braclet from Lisboa, a carpet from India, a statue of Buddha from Nepal, a sarong from Sri Lanka, etc. This way I always remember my trips when I look at my purchases.

Rod Hoots

Thought of another way to remember. Take your children and grandchildren along with you. It gives you pleasure at the time and as they rehash the vacations it also brings back memories for you.

norma

Sharper Image has great new talking photo albums. You can press a button & make a 20 second recording about each picture. Great way to remember the little details!

eddiemars

I immediately came home and wrote a 25 page travelogue of our trip last year. Thank heavens. I looked at it a few weeks ago and it brought many memories, big and small, that I would have lost otherwise.

julie_Colorado

My family (husband, 3 children, me) also travel a lot .... (4 times to Europe this year). We do a few things:<BR><BR>* Keep a journal - make that your nightly ritual... focus on the little things - a person you met, etc..<BR>* The only souvenir I tend to buy is a painting. I have several 6 inch by 6 inch oil paintings that I treaure (my favorite is of a belted galway cow that I bought in Scotland). <BR>* If you celebrate Christmas, buy an ornament. Then each year as you decorate your tree, memories will flood back and you'll have some great stories you share each year as a family.<BR>* Take your children. What I can't remember, one of them does!