by M.A. Dal Cero

Created on: April 06, 2009   Last Updated: January 19, 2010

Memories have the uncanny ability to fade very quickly if not recorded. Of course, there are moments and places we remember and call to mind easily, but keeping a travel journal ensures that the sights, sounds, and experiences of our travels live forever. The accomplished and seasoned traveler is aware that one of the greatest souvenirs of any trip is the ability to recall the intricate details. Writing a travel journal allows the globetrotter, or even the day-tripper, to relive any excursion and adventure, no matter how long ago it actually occurred.

A travel journal is also the perfect way to share travel experiences with others. It can be especially useful to those who may desire to visit a certain destination and would appreciate a personal point of view over an impersonal travel guide. The inclusion of both the positive and the negative aspects of a particular trip can assist the potential tourist in choosing the must-see sights over the ones that perhaps should be avoided. The inclusion of personal reviews of the accommodations and eating establishments serve to point people in the right direction in terms of where to stay and eat. The sharing of a travel journal with others is a generous act that is sure to be appreciated.

Those who travel extensively also tend to consider their travel journals an intensely personal and treasured item. It becomes a gift to oneself and a place to keep a treasure trove of encounters and episodes. Reading about the vibrant color of the flowers cascading over the hotel balcony in Bavaria or the exquisite taste of gelato in Florence instantly transports one back to those places. It becomes an invaluable tool through which to travel back in time, if only in the mind.

There is also perhaps no greater legacy to leave to those who love us after we are gone than a diary or journal of our travels. It can serve to inspire and even help others to understand and relate to aspects of our personality that may have been unknown to them before. An ancestor's travel journal is certain to become a prized possession in any family and one that will be enjoyed for generations.

The ability to travel is a gift that begs not to be taken for granted or forgotten. Keeping a travel journal is essential for those who realize this and long to hold dear each and every journey. Whether for personal fulfillment, or as an item to be shared with others, a journal keeps travel memories alive in our hearts, souls, and minds.

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