Travel Memories
Essential to Remember
Vacation memories last a lifetime when they are striking. Psychology distinguishes: sensory memories (smells, sounds), emotional memories (encounters), visual memories (landscapes). Photograph less, live more = stronger memories.
When traveling long-term, recalling those memories after returning is always very enjoyable.
During my trip around the world, I accumulated several things that remind me of my travel memories, whether it’s the landscapes, the people, or the memories.
Techniques to recall these travel memories:
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Photos,
I won’t explain why taking photos is the best way to remember these trips since it’s obvious and everyone does it! Having several albums of the countries you’ve visited allows you to reminisce and show your family and friends the places you’ve traveled abroad!
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The travel journal or travel memoirs,
It’s the best tool to recall travel memories. I think the small Moleskine notebook my sister gave me when I left for my first trip around the world is the best find and the best way to remember travel memories. In this notebook, I wrote down all the expenses I made and the people I met. There are also messages from people who left an impression on me; sometimes I reread this little notebook and have a little laugh. All the activities I did were dated!
My Experience
My most vivid memories are not in photos: the smell of the Hanoi market at dawn, the sound of a temple bell in Kyoto, the warmth of Iceland’s black sand. Moments without a device remain better anchored.
Did You Know?
According to a 2023 study by Yale University, taking a photo reduces the quality of cognitive memory: your brain “delegates” the memory to the device. Consequence: 30% fewer details retained.
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Postcards
One of the best ways to show your friends where you’ve been, it’s very nice to remind them that you sent them a postcard which often ends up on the fridge! It’s a small nice moment to share; I remember finding my postcards at two of my friends’ places and it’s always nice to receive them!
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The Signed Country Flag
One of the best ways when you travel to remember the people you met is to have them sign the country’s flag! If you’re leaving for 6 months on Erasmus, working in a foreign country, or on a working holiday program, collecting this souvenir is a good way not to forget those adventures and the moments spent with people. Just like a soccer jersey to remember a match, the flag should be one of your tools to recall your travels. I even kept a flag during my working holiday in Australia.
Advantages
- Long-lasting emotional memory
- Freedom to enjoy the moment
- Stories to tell
- Daily stress relief
- Enriched personal identity
Weak points
- Subjective memories (can be distorted)
- Frustration without visible photos
- Declining memory
- Difficulty sharing with others
- Sometimes excessive idealization
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The country’s t-shirt or work outfit.
Just like the flag, if you can’t find one, take a t-shirt! I have a collection of certain t-shirts from places that marked me, including one that I used as pajamas throughout my stay in Australia! It can be signed or just worn to show that you have been to the country. I kept my special bungee jumping t-shirt in Thailand! Nice 😀 
The classic trap to avoid
Don’t get obsessed with the need to take perfect photos. Many travelers say they missed living moments trying to capture the “instagrammable”. 80% of the trip is without a device.
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A small customizable souvenir
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The route map
It’s quite easy to get maps of the country you have been to; you can mark the places you visited and also add notes.
If you are preparing to leave, take a look at our guide on return gifts which complements this topic well. The feedback on quitting to travel also provides useful insights to avoid unpleasant surprises. And for further inspiration, the article on the luck factor in travel is worth a detour.
| Type of souvenir | Duration |
|---|---|
| Visual (photos) | 5-10 years |
| Olfactory | 30+ years |
| Emotional | Lifetime |
| Audio | 10-20 years |
And you? What is your tool to remember your holidays or travels?
I have listed about ten interesting items for you, if you want to make a travel accessory gift
How to keep good travel memories?
Handwritten travel journal, photos with annotations, recorded conversations (with permission), symbolic objects.
Should you take a lot of photos while traveling?
No. 10-20 key photos per day are enough. Too many photos dilute the emotional memory.
How to share your memories?
Printed photo album (annual printing), personal blog, Instagram posts with long commentary.
