I wrote a whole journal for my three week trip and read it often-I am not a journal person but I an surprised how much I forgot about already and I love to see what my first impressions were a year ago--Any thoughts

Definitely do. Even though I don't always take my own advice, I believe in the value completely. It's a great record of your impressions and feelings, as well as a practical record of restaurants and other names that you hope to remember! Highly recommended.

If you are taking a trip which is very meaningful to you, a journal is wonderful, even if it consists of short impressions. If the trip is, for instance, a relaxing beach vacation or skiing vacation, a journal isn't so important. I would love to reread the journals of my 1977 and 1981 Britain, Ireland & Norway backpacking trips but both were lost in our 1996 house flood.

I've always kept them, they're wonderful for summoning up the details, and for <BR>adding commentary to the photos <BR>This year I'm thinking of using <BR>a micro cassette recorder instead and transcribing it when I get home. It eliminates the occasional day on the trip when I'm too lazy to write--I'd have no excuse this time. The only thing is, for some of us (me), speaking, even to a machine, may be more intimidating and less detail-oriented then writing everything down.

On our 2-week trip in Italy, I tried to write every night about the day's events. I found myself sometimes too tired or forgetting some details. I started jotting down notes during the day (sometimes very sloppy)so that when I had time to sit and write, I had notes to remind me. I'm so glad I did that. I love looking back and re-reading it.

shar, <BR>If you enjoy writing a travel journal, I think it's a great idea. Unfortunately, writing a journal is more like work for me -- I don't enjoy it at all, so I don't do it.

I always have good intentions, but I never quite get to it. When traveling with companions, I spend my evenings with them, whether out and about, or just sitting around, telling stories and generally enjoying their company. By the time the evening's over, I'm too tired to write anything. Writing during the day will never happen; I'm not about to lug around a journal all day. <BR> <BR>I did keep a journal when I was in Paris last fall; I was on my own, so I had time in the evenings to wax eloquent.

Yes, definitely. But only for special trips which means for myself being European for travels in Asia and if I am not too lazy also about NYC (hoping to go back in 2002), just to remember the places we've been (restaurants, clubs, etc.). In Europe, not really, especially not regarding beach holidays. That's why I forget details about places, even in Switzerland. <BR> <BR>PS: Elvira: Thanks for the post re: "seersucker". I did not reply anymore, it was getting late. ;-)

Now wait, Elvira, I saw your notebook at Art's first BBQ. It may not have been a journal, but it was the best collection of remembrances from a trip that I had ever seen! I couldn't believe you were so disciplined to carry home and organize such a thing. No wonder you can summon up travel details at the drop of a hat!

My recent trips have been with my daughter and although we never seem to write in the journals we bring with us, she has presented me with photo albums from our travels on the next holiday or birthday. It's so much fun to relive the trip and she knows that she'll inherit them someday, but hopefully not for a long time!

My husband's grandmother gave me one the 1st time we went to England in 1982. I thought it was kind of dumb, but I ended up writing in it and am glad to have it to look back at. We finally got back to England this year, this time with 2 kids in tow. I took a little notebook about 2 X 2 inches which I kept in my purse. I jotted things down over meals, in the evening (we didn't do any nightlife), or on trains. It will help us remember all the silly or special things that happened. It was especially fun to record the kids impressions.

I like to make notes on things we saw (worthwhile or not--will note what we don't want to see on future trips, what we want to see again), as well as in some instances where we dined, so we can share info on things we thought were good values. <BR>BC

I've never done but it seems like a great way to compliment photos which most travelers take.In Philadelphia there is a married couple who have kept a journal of their travels of 40+ years.They host a weekly radio program which dicusses travel,dining etc.

My travel journal means more to me than all the photos I've taken. It can be tough to find the time to write, but years later, you'll be glad you did. My advice for those considering it: <BR>1) Buy a journal you'll want to carry around with you. If weight is an issue, get something light and thin. Something with a penholder is ideal. <BR>2) Before your trip, write any travel notes in it--restaurant recommendations, hotel phone numbers, travel tips, etc.. <BR>3) Write something every day, even if it's nothing but a list of the places you visited. However, don't give up if you miss a day. Just write your entry the very next day while your impressions are still fresh. <BR>4) Write for yourself. Don't worry about grammar or spelling. Don't pressure yourself to write beautiful, publishable prose. Just put in your honest opinions, no matter how brief or badly written. <BR>5) You don't always have to do it at night when you're tired. Jot down a few notes on trains, tour busses, while waiting for food, whenever you have a spare moment. Entries beginning with phrases such as, "I'm sitting on the Spanish Steps in Rome," can be more interesting than, "Today we went to..." <BR>6) Don't make it a chore. Have fun with it. Use colored pens. Glue in ticket stubs, wine labels, candy wrappers, anything that reminds you of your trip. Doodle in it, even if you can't draw. <BR> <BR>Your journal will be something you'll treasure for years to come. It'll be great for identifying photos and for helping others with their trips. In my opinion, it's definitely worth the effort. <BR> <BR>

I didn't used to keep a journal, now I regret it. I've forgotten so much. Like that wonderful small hotel we stayed at in Heidelburg. And the great restaurant in York--my friend is going there and I'd love to be able to recommend it! I'd like to return and recommend the restaurant, but, since I can't remember the names (my senior moments last for years!), I won't be able to do that. Now I keep a journal!

I've kept one for my European travels for 10 yrs. and it is so interesting to look back and see what we paid for things, what the weather was, the exchange rate, etc. You think you'll always remember that charming cafe in Paris but you don't. Definitely do take notes which you can later transfer in more detail to a journal if you don't think you have the time during your trip.

I agree with a combination of Sandra and Jane--I carry a small notepad with me at all times to write quick notes and thoughts, and then at night summarize the day on my Windows CE subnotebook--weighs just over a pound. On other trips I took a laptop and almost never plugged it in, but this machine got a lot of pounding on my latest three week trip to Russia.

Jane: <BR> <BR>I really love what you said. I can never really articulate the value of a journal like you have done. <BR> <BR>I have copied your list. <BR> <BR>Thank you. <BR> <BR>Oaktown <BR>