STUMBLEBUM

Do you keep a journal or travel diary? Do you keep a daily journal anyway?

I've had a few goes in the past but never managed to sustain the momentum. Having a cause though seems to be the answer.

I've decided to keep a travel log, partly because my memory is useless and I don't want to forget the experiences, but also to try and learn lessons from the trips. I video and photograph quite a bit to capture the moment, but I feel a diary may preserve the feelings as well.

Any how, I'm trying to record trips from the past before they get too hazy. It is a work in progress and I am about half way there with the trips from the last few years. It will be easier to keep on top of it once I am up to date!

Here it is -
http://stumblebumstravels.blogspot.com

sandi_travelnut

When I travel, I keep a detailed log of everything we do. Mainly so I can reference beautiful streets, shopsm restaurants etc for future use and for trip reports. However, at home, I don't keep a journal...never have.

NeoPatrick

Near my computer is a shelf of the travel journals from all my trips the past 12 years or so. They used to be written out in full sentences with lots of description. Inside each journal is a print out of the actual itinerary for that trip with dates and hotel names. More recently, my journals have developed into shorter descriptions -- often just "did the Metropolitan museum today" or "dinner at ______" but I do tend to list everything we ate. Also more recently I've started putting prices on the opposite page. So I have a tally of each day's expenses -- including the price we paid for each meal and for the hotel or apartment.
These are the journals I refer to when I post here how much a meal cost and what we ate, etc. They no longer make for interesting reading like my old ones did, they are more of just an accounting and reminder. And I can easily refer to them when someone asks "how much is a taxi from Orly to the 5th?" or "how much should we expect to pay at _______ restaurant?"

alienor

the best time to write in your journal is when you've walked forever and just want to sit down. A glass of wine in a cafe is a perfect time for journal (or postcard) writing.

wanderful

I keep a detailed travel journal, from the moment I arrive at the airport to fly out, to practically the moment the plane sets down for home. It’s not only filled with my scribbling, it also contains assorted ephemera from my trip (museum stubs, restaurant bills, etc.) — plus I later insert travel articles relevant to that destination. The travel journals are a crucial complement to my photos, which are also copious.

I’ve also kept a journal at home for the past 33 years.

STUMBLEBUM

I have a ring binder full of maps, ticket stubs and assorted bits from trips. It is bursting at the seems and the plastic pockets keep faling out. I must come up with a better system! I also tend to stick things like this into guide books if I buy them (especially when they are souvenirs). Any blank pages and the cover get used - it makes it very personal.

sandi_travelnut

Because of a previous post i had about publishing your travel notes, I found about about www.mypublisher.com. I incorporate my trip report and images into a book in which you can control the page layouts and then they publish a hard bound book for you. This way, you've preserved your travel diary and images together forever and they make a wonderful gift. My parents cried at Christmas when I presented it to them of our European trip together.

opaldog

I keep a small journal of every trip we take. Before I go I jot down any notes of places I may want to see or restaurants I may want to try. I try to write every evening, if I have time during the trip. I also save some ticket stubs etc. I have separate picture albums and picture cd's.

artstuff

I don't keep a diary/journal at home, but I keep one during my travels. I carry a glue stick with me so I can insert ticket stubs, small brochures, business cards, etc. as I accumulate them.

I write in my journal (5 1/2" x 8 1/2&quot just about every time we sit down - on the train, waiting for dinner/drinks... Plus, I make it a point of not going to sleep at night until I have finished recording my travels & thoughts for the day.

I keep the journals on a shelf next to the computer (along with all my travel guides) so I can easily access information to share here on Fodors.com. I also have a box (photo box) for each trip with all my larger brochures, napkins, sugar packets, postcards, and other stuff I've picked up along the way.

When I plan a trip I keep my handwritten notes that I gather (mostly from Fodorites) in a black & white composition book. My itinerary and accompanying printouts (train schedules, attraction info) are kept in a 3-ring binder.

I had an appointment with a new doctor recently, and he asked me what my hobbies were. I answered, "Travel... travel... and, um, travel! I love to plan our travels, I enjoy taking our travels, and I delight in sharing the memories of our travels."

Enjoy your travels too, STUMBLEBUM. Peace, Robyn >-

tamtravels

Just curious, what types of journal, diary or log books do you folks use? I never have kept a journal, however I'm about to take my first trip to Italy and feel compelled somehow to take note of everything (well sort of).

I plan to travel lite tho and a 5 x 8 feels to big. I want to be able to carry it in my small day bag. Today I found some Moleskine journals, come 3 to a pack and are 3 x 5 I think. Each is only 1/4" thick. I'm thinking I could carry one at a time in my bag. Then when I get home I can make a nice travel book with some pics, tickets, etc.

Anyone use these very small Moleskine books?

CarolJean

I use the 5 x 8 Moleskin but whatever works for you. CJ

5alive

I have always used a mid-sized or larger journal. On my most recent large trip I used a laptop computer in the evenings which was great. I type quickly and could get my thoughts down before I forgot one.

For handwritten, I would want the notebook at least five inches across, as you get more words per line.

Perhaps you want a much smaller notebook for your daypack and then you plan to write things out in sentences in the evening, in a different journal?

I do not keep a journal at home.

amandab

I took a notebook with me for our 5 week trip to Europe at Christmas and wrote down briefly what we did each day. I plan to start typing it all up in detail on computer, but haven't started yet - I have to do it before I forget. I also keep ticket stubs and what nots.