How to make a backpacking travel journal

Your memorable backpacking adventure, made into an iconic Moleskine journal

Backpacking around the world has got to be one of the most freeing and unforgettable things you can do when travelling. Anyone who’s gone backpacking comes back with the best stories and tales to be passed on to loved ones over the years. It’s the kind you can’t make up from the 3 a.m. train station mishaps, the hostel mates who turn into lifelong friends, the meals that were either unreal or completely questionable, and those moments that feel small at the time but stay with you forever.

If you’ve been on a backpacking adventure, likely you have a number of photos and random notes just sitting, waiting to be turned into something meaningful. That’s where a travel journal photo book or album comes in. At MILK Books, we make it easy to turn your backpacking adventure into a keepsake you’ll treasure forever. And for your backpacking memories – we explain how our Moleskine Photo Book format is the best option to act as the perfect journal to house them.

1. Why choose Moleskine?

While we have a range of high quality photo book formats, our Moleskine Photo Books may just be your new travel best friend. They’re one of the more compact options we offer, and effortlessly blend functionality with that timeless Moleskine look - perfect for the adventurous spirit. Whether it’s the classic soft cover, the slim profile, or the iconic elastic closure - they’ve got character. Subtle yet full of personality, they make the perfect home for your travel stories. These photo books are ideal for slipping in your backpack and crafted to feel truly special to carry with you on your journey.

Made with genuine Moleskine materials and premium stitched binding, these books are designed to last. The signature Moleskine details like the closure band, ribbon bookmark, and handy inner pocket add both function and charm, giving you space for all the little things worth holding onto from train tickets and local coins to handwritten notes and more.

2. Create a story with your photos

Begin your backpackers’ travel journal photo book by collating all your adventures into one place. These are things like scribbled napkin notes, the boarding pass you forgot was in your pocket, half-written journal entries, and hilarious one-liners from your travel mates. Don’t be afraid to throw in every small moment you can find, because these are the raw, unfiltered memories that make your travel story genuine and something to remember.

Here are a few travel photo ideas to give your adventure journal that perfectly nostalgic feel:

• Window views from trains, hostels, or cafés
• Scenic landscapes and wide-open spaces
• Iconic landmark moments
• Candid group photos with new and old friends
• Photos of your most-loved local dishes you tried
• Nightlife snaps and hazy dinner memories
• Beach scenes and bright sunny days
• Accommodation photos to remember every stop
• Selfies and gear throughout the journey

Once you’ve got everything in one spot, start shaping your backpacking travel photo book into something that flows nicely. Sort it chronologically, by country, by theme or even just by the moments that changed you most. From your first arrival to your final farewell, let the story unfold in a way that reflects your journey, how you grew on your backpacking travels, and what stayed with you long afterwards.

3. Include text elements

Your travel journal photo book isn’t just about photos; it’s also about your personality and how the journey was special to you. Add captions, reflections, inside jokes, and little notes like who you met, where you were, and when it all happened. These small details bring your memories to life and give your photos context, so when you look back years from now, you’ll remember not just what you saw, but how it felt to explore.

Wondering how to add handwritten notes to a travel photo book? There are a few creative ways to do it, depending on your style. You can write directly on the page when it’s printed, so it’s a good idea to leave white space throughout your design. Our Designer Templates make this easy, offering clean, intentional layouts with built-in space for personal touches like notes, captions, and reflections.

If you kept a physical backpacking journal during your trip, you could scan pages from it and include them in your MILK Photo Book. Whether it's your handwriting, sketches, or scribbled thoughts from hostel beds or long bus rides, they add so much character and authenticity. There are many easy ways to do this:

• Use a flatbed scanner at 300 DPI for best print quality
• Use a scanning app on your phone for quick results
• Save items as JPEGs or PNGs and upload them directly into your travel photo book or album

If you prefer to type, use the text boxes in our Design Studio to add entries in your own tone. You can choose page layouts that include dedicated text areas, add stories next to your beloved travel photos, or even include text on the cover. With our range of Designer Covers, you can make your backpacking photo book feel truly yours right from the first glance.

4. Add extra details

Now that your travel pictures and captions are in place, it’s time to bring those extra details into your backpacking book. Earlier we talked about collecting everything from notes to the random scraps you picked up along the way. This is the moment to pull those pieces back in and start layering them into your design.

Make sure to scan any tickets, notes and extra details carried with you on your travels. Whether you scan them or snap a photo, it’s a simple way to turn physical memories into digital ones, helping you capture the full picture of your trip in your travel book. It’s also a great way to repurpose those old photographs and small mementos you’ve held onto. This gives your travel journal photo book a scrapbook feel - without the clutter. These are the details that add depth and make your personalized travel journal feel lived-in and layered for your backpacking adventures.

Don’t be afraid to add physical elements too like buttons, stickers and notes – this is what makes our Moleskine Photo Book format extra special and perfect for you backpacking memories!

5. Start a collection

If you’re a frequent traveler, why stop at just one travel keepsake or souvenir? It’s time to start a collection of travel journals, a shelf full of stories, memories, and milestones. As explained earlier, our Moleskine range is perfect for this. Compact, elegant, and beautifully bound, these books aren’t just keepsakes, they can become a collectable timeline of your adventures. Whether you're documenting South-East Asia, a European summer, or a solo trip through New Zealand, each travel book captures a different chapter of your backpacking adventure. With our custom design options, you can keep your collection cohesive in style while letting each book reflect the unique vibe of that particular journey.

Beyond the memories inside, your backpacking journal photo books make a beautiful addition to your home, or as you continue on your next journey. Style them on your coffee table for guests to flip through, line them up on a shelf with souvenirs from your trips or stack them beside your bed as a quiet reminder of everywhere you've been. Or even bring it with you on your travels to keep adding to them as you go!

To keep your collection looking its best, refer to our care guide for tips on preserving your photo books for years to come. If you’re new to MILK or trying us for the first time, our Satisfaction Promise means you can create with confidence, knowing we’re committed to making sure you absolutely love the final result.

Making a backpacking travel journal is one of the most rewarding ways to relive and reflect on your adventures and memories you made on your travels. Travelling is a privilege and being able to document those moments, from the chaotic to the magical, is something treasurable. These kinds of trips are made for the most meaningful photo books and albums to flip through. Having a physical, printed book in hand means you can share those stories with friends and family and feel the memories all over again.

Start creating a travel based MILK Photo Book, Album, or Magazine of your backpacking memories and explore the MILK Gallery for travel book inspiration.