Souvenir Prized Most by Rick Steves from Every Journey: A Memento Every Traveler Ought to Acquire
Renowned travel expert Rick Steves believes that keeping a travel journal is an invaluable part of any adventure abroad. With over 100 guidebooks to his name, many of which are bestsellers, Steves has amassed a wealth of experience in exploring the world.
Steves encourages travellers to start writing in their journals before they even arrive at their destination. By setting the stage early, you can capture your experiences fully and create a detailed account of your journey.
One of Steves' most memorable methods for journaling is the collection and logging of detailed experiences. During his first trip to Europe at the age of 14, Steves collected around a hundred postcards, numbering each and writing notes on them. This allowed him to chronicle his memories in an organized and personal way.
Steves also emphasizes the importance of making journaling a habit throughout your trip. He never stopped writing about his travels after his first experience, and these journals have become some of his most treasured possessions.
A travel journal is not just a tool for memory-keeping, but also a wonderful tool for mental health. By focusing on immediate surroundings or specific interactions with locals, journaling can help you stay present and engaged in your travels.
Steves suggests that choosing a travel journal is part of the fun. Whether you prefer a traditional notebook and pen, or a more modern digital format, the process of selecting a journal can be an exciting part of your journey.
In addition to writing, Steves encourages travellers to include sketches, mementos, and souvenirs in their journals to make them more personal. These tangible reminders can help transport you back in time, allowing you to relive the sensory experiences of your trip.
Steves believes that a travel journal is more valuable than any souvenir because it preserves your unique perspective and memories. Even if you do not consider yourself a writer, keeping a travel journal allows you to relive your adventures and hold on to the details that matter most.
In essence, Rick Steves encourages travelers to begin journaling early, document thoughtfully and consistently, and treasure the process as a way to create lasting memories that become cherished family heirlooms. So, pick up a pen and a notebook, and embark on a journey of self-discovery and memory-making with every adventure you take.
Incorporating his travel journal into his home-and-garden collection, Rick Steves might organize his collected postcards, sketches, and souvenirs from past adventures. As he embarks on new trips, Steves recommends that travelers should also document their home-and-garden scenes – in this case, their lifestyle experiences abroad – in their travel journals, thus ensuring a lifelong record of their unique perspectives and memories.
