Making a trip memorable is not about the destination, but the journey. It’s in the excitement of planning, the thrill of the countdown and the experiences you have from start to finish. It’s about the memorable experiences you have and making sure the memories last long after your return home.
With these 10 Journey’s Made-approved tips, you can make sure your trip is memorable every time.
1. Put in some research time before you go
Spend a couple of hours will your old friend Google and research your destination before you go. Everything down to travel time between attractions, tips for public transport, and the best local restaurants will help you waste less time figuring things out when you’re there. (That means more time for activities!) Social media apps like Instagram and TikTok are great places to find essential info about a destination so you’re ready to make memories as soon as you arrive.
2. Slow down
It can be tempting to try and fill every hour of every day. Of course, you want to make the most of your trip but remember to take a moment to slow down and appreciate where you are, who you’re with, and what you’re experiencing. It’s great to tick everything off your bucket list when you’re travelling, it’s part of the reason we travel in the first place! But try to sprinkle a few hours of nothing into your itinerary and see where doing nothing takes you.
3. Try something new
If you can’t try something new when you’re travelling when can you? It’s the perfect opportunity to get out of your comfort zone, be more adventurous, or finally try that food you’ve always wanted to try. You’ll always remember that trip as the time you did that thing you’ve always wanted to do.
4. Take photos
This one might sound obvious, but even those of us with great memories need them jogging now and then. Photos and videos are a great way to capture a moment forever and give you something to look back on for years to come. This one comes with a slight caution though. There’s a fine line between capturing special moments and truly living in the moment, so make sure you aren’t constantly glued to your phone for the entire trip or you may find that you’ve experienced the trip through a screen and not through your own eyes. This leads us nicely to the next tip…
5. Live in the moment
You may have been planning and saving up for this trip for months, so now is the time to live in the moment and enjoy it. Take in the cultures, the food, the scenery, and the smells. Do everything you can to make your trip memorable. Be present and have fun.
6. Be organised
Having a rough itinerary or plan for your trip can help you save time to make as many memories as you can. Create a list of your ‘must do’s’ and create a schedule around them. Use your phone to plan the best routes, find the best-reviewed restaurants (and avoid the worst ones!) and organise your trip so that every moment is cherished. Sometimes, things don’t go to plan or plans change entirely. Embrace it and try not to let it dull the shine of your journey.
7. Write in a travel journal
At the end of each day, think about tip number 2 and slow down. Take 5 minutes to write about your day in a travel journal and create a travel diary detailing everything you did that day. Get creative and add small tokens from the day like receipts, tickets, or anything else to remind you of your experiences each day.
8. Travel on a special date or occasion
Are you taking a trip to celebrate a special occasion? This is a perfect way to make your trip even more memorable! You never know, you may even get special treatment during your flight or at your hotel or dinner if you let them know your trip coincides with a birthday, anniversary, or special occasion.
9. Purchase a keepsake
Having a memento from your trip is a great way to remember the amazing time you had long after you return home. Something like our leather travel keepsakes can be a reminder of your favourite travels every time you pick up your keys or put on your backpack. The idea is that you collect tokens for every place you've been to or are heading to, and create a unique collection that tells your travel story. Travel is a way of life, we get it.
10. Mingle with the locals
There’s no better way to live, eat and party like a local than jumping in with both feet. The touristy spots may be on your to-do list but sometimes the road less travelled can lead to amazing places. Be open to new experiences, learn a few phrases in the local language or frequent the local pub or bookshop to create unforgettable memories that you may have missed out on.
Been on a trip recently and want a unique way to remember it? Our personalised leather travel keepsakes are handmade in the UK and are the perfect way to always remember your travels. We believe in the power of memories and have helped thousands of travel lovers celebrate their adventures. Buy yours now.
