Travelogue Introduction
Florence, Italy. 2012
Memory Preservation and observing connections
There is always a story in travel, because something usually goes wrong, and at least once, something else happens that is entirely unexpected. No one can travel to the same place and have the same experience. As Jane Austen puts it, “People alter so much.” Likewise, cities and landscapes change, and plans have a way of being refigured, usually at the last minute. There is always something new to observe, experience, and learn.
Travel is a wonderful way to broaden one’s perspective. There are opportunities for empathy, growth, and better cultural understanding. I have been posting travel photos for years, sometimes with a travelogue-type story, while others include images laid out in a gallery-style post. For a long time, I have wanted to find the purpose behind the my travel photos, but it was only recently that everything seemed to come together.
I used to think that I wanted to write a travel blog. It seems like an amazing gig, right? I could stay at nice hotels, eat delicious food, and take my own photos. But when I sat through a couple of travel writing courses, I changed my mind. I realized that I did not want my writing to be a bunch of lists while I am rushing around trying to capture everything. I want to immerse myself in an experience, not be on a clock, on a budget, or beholden to someone else’s brand. Instead, I decided to return to my old idea of writing travelogues.
What is the difference between a travel blog and a travelogue?
Focus
A travelogue is a story about a specific place. It is more detailed and written to immerse the reader in the experience. Posts on travel blogs usually provide general advice and assistance, often compiled into lists.
Content
A travelogue is written more like a narrative, sharing a personal story. Travel blog posts offer brief and easy-to-consume information, such as itinerary ideas, guides, and budget tips.
Voice
Travelogues are descriptive and very personal, much like a travel journal. Travel blogs tend to be more practical and geared toward commercial purposes.
Why write about my travels at all?
First, it is wonderful to look back and remember my own experiences and the writing process helps me preserve my own memories. Secondly, I like being able to share some of my photographs. Deep down, I am a photographer and always will be. Writing a travelogue allows me to use both my pen (figuratively speaking) and my camera (literally speaking) in a beautifully synchronized way.
What will my Travelogues include?
With the theme of kinship, I will be searching for ways to tie in how connected we are to people around the world. For example, I am thinking of the time I was traveling in London with my son, who was 18 months old. I found that instead of people being frustrated by his presence, they were all smiles, because they had kids too.
I also want to share about humanity’s connection to nature. I experienced a wonderful example of this in Mexico City. There were so many buildings built with skylights so that trees and flowers could be grown indoors. Even in Buenos Aires, there were plant stalls on the streets and balconies that looked like gardens.
I am still deciding what to include in my travelogue stories. In the meantime, I am leaving my older travel posts as they are. Some include stories, and some are just photos, but they all have a theme of connection, whether between people or with nature. Overall, the purpose is to provide inspiration and build empathy, even bridging the gap between what is factual and what is assumed.
Possible Elements For Future Posts:
Personal narrative
Information about culture and history
Sensory descriptions and details
Hopefully some humor
Centered on a theme rather than an itinerary
Honest reflections on the experience
What elements of travel do you hope to read about? What do you think is missing in travel writing that would be beneficial? Do you write travelogues? If so, I would love to read them.