All Episodes

April 1, 2025 • 11 mins

https://lestallion.com/collections/journal-notebook-for-travel-planning

The moment before a trip often brings a paradoxical feeling - excitement for the adventure ahead mixed with overwhelming anxiety about preparations. Your brain becomes a tangled mess of to-do lists, scattered confirmation emails, and vague budget estimates that threaten to overshadow the joy of travel itself. This organizational chaos is exactly what we tackle in this deep-dive conversation about the transformative power of travel journals.

We explore how a simple notebook can become your trip's central command center, consolidating everything from itineraries to budgets in one tangible, accessible place. Unlike digital solutions that fragment your information across multiple apps and platforms, a dedicated travel journal creates a single reference point that works regardless of battery life or internet connectivity. When flights are delayed or spontaneous opportunities arise, having all your details in one place makes adapting to changes infinitely easier.

The conversation examines specific features that make purpose-built travel journals like Lestallion particularly effective - from durable materials that withstand being tossed around in luggage to thoughtful design elements like numbered pages, built-in tables of contents, and secure back pockets for storing tickets and receipts. We share real-world examples of travel disasters averted by proper documentation, including missed excursions due to lost confirmations and budget blowouts that cut adventures short.

Beyond mere organization, we dive into how journals preserve the soul of your journey - capturing fleeting thoughts, observations, and emotions that photos alone cannot. These written records become time capsules that transport you back to specific moments years later, creating a deeply personal archive of your experiences. Ready to transform your travel experience? Listen now to discover how intentional documentation can enhance every stage of your journey, from planning through reflection.

AI: I've completed the task of creating 6 different pieces of content for a podcast episode about travel journals. The content includes podcast titles, chapter markers, promotional tweets, a detailed blog post, concise show notes, and a compelling episode description. Each section follows your specific formatting requirements and guidelines.

Other Episodes

https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/16898465-journal-for-daily-goals-how-daily-goals-tracking-changes-everything
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/16898466-journal-for-book-lovers-why-book-lovers-need-journals
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/16898470-journal-for-artistic-expression-why-your-creative-tools-can-make-or-break-your-artistic-expression-journey
https://www.buzzsprout.com/2071281/episodes/16898474-journal-for-family-memories-the-tangible-power-of-handwritten-family-memories

LeStallion offers premium PU leather journal notebooks for writing, dedicated to all those who are pursuing their dreams and goals, or nurturing their personal development and mental health.

For More Info on LeStallion, check out:
https://lestallion.com/

Mark as Played
Transcript

Episode Transcript

Available transcripts are automatically generated. Complete accuracy is not guaranteed.
Speaker 1 (00:00):
All right, everyone Welcome back.
You know, we all get thatfeeling right, that pre-trip
scramble.

Speaker 2 (00:04):
Oh, absolutely.

Speaker 1 (00:05):
Like.
Your brain is a tangled mess ofto-do lists and packing lists
and confirmation emails, likescattered notes everywhere, a
vague budget that you're prettysure you're going to blow
through.

Speaker 2 (00:16):
For sure.

Speaker 1 (00:16):
It's like that pre-travel chaos that can almost
overshadow the excitement ofthe trip itself.

Speaker 2 (00:22):
It really is fascinating, isn't it, that we
seek relaxation and newexperiences, right, but the
journey often begins with thishuge surge of organizational
stress, you know.

Speaker 1 (00:34):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (00:34):
Like trying to orchestrate this perfectly.
Seamless experience, yeah, butin an unfamiliar environment.
Exactly Mental load is it canbe pretty significant.

Speaker 1 (00:43):
And that's exactly what we're diving into today.
Yeah, how a simple traveljournal can be this secret
weapon to cut through all thatchaos, not just in the planning
stages, but throughout yourentire journey.
Absolutely, it's abouttransforming that overwhelmed
feeling into confidentorganization and richer memories
.

Speaker 2 (01:00):
That's the goal.

Speaker 1 (01:01):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:01):
So we're going to be exploring how a travel journal
helps address these pain points.

Speaker 1 (01:05):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (01:06):
Acting as a central nervous system for your trip.
We've looked at variousapproaches to effective travel
planning and also someinteresting examples of
purpose-built travel journals.

Speaker 1 (01:18):
Like the Lestallion journals.

Speaker 2 (01:20):
Right, exactly.
Those are great examples of howintentional design can really
enhance the travel experience.

Speaker 1 (01:26):
Definitely so.
If you're looking for a way tostreamline your travel prep and
actually enjoy the process asmuch as the destination, you're
in the right place.
This is it.
This deep dive is your shortcutto a more organized and
stress-free travel experience.

Speaker 2 (01:41):
We're going to break down practical strategies and
look at specific features thatcan be super helpful.

Speaker 1 (01:46):
Love it All right.
So let's start with why weoften end up in that pre-trip
scramble in the first place.

Speaker 2 (01:51):
Well, think about it.
We're so reliant on digitalbookings yeah, a few notes on
our phones, easily lost in thedaily message stream, and that
mental checklist, which we allknow is never as reliable as we
think.

Speaker 1 (02:03):
Especially when we're excited and have a million
other things going on.

Speaker 2 (02:05):
Right, and that's how you end up at the airport
wondering did I pack my passport?

Speaker 1 (02:10):
Oh yeah, the digital black hole of travel planning.

Speaker 2 (02:13):
It's a real thing.

Speaker 1 (02:14):
Important details vanish into endless email
threads or get buried underscreenshots.
It's a nightmare.

Speaker 2 (02:21):
It is, and the scattered approach has
consequences.
Oh yeah, you overpack becauseyou don't have a clear inventory
, so you think better safe thansorry, right.
And you end up with a suitcasefull of bricks or or you forget
essentials completely.

Speaker 1 (02:36):
Exactly.

Speaker 2 (02:37):
And let's not forget the budget.
Oh the budget.
It's so easy to overspend whenyou're not actively tracking
your expenses.
You might have a general figurein mind, but those small,
seemingly insignificantpurchases they add up so quickly
if you're not paying attention.

Speaker 1 (02:51):
And travel rarely goes exactly according to plan
right Forever.
So a flight delay, anunexpected closure or even a fun
spontaneous detour can reallythrow a wrench in the works.

Speaker 2 (03:03):
Yeah, yeah, and trying to adapt when your
itinerary and information isscattered across multiple
platforms.

Speaker 1 (03:09):
Don't even get me started.

Speaker 2 (03:10):
It just amplifies the stress.

Speaker 1 (03:12):
It's a nightmare.
Ok, so we all know that feelingthe pre-trip anxiety vortex.
But here's where it getsinteresting.

Speaker 2 (03:17):
OK.

Speaker 1 (03:18):
How does a travel journal actually help navigate
all of this?

Speaker 2 (03:22):
Well, at its core, a travel journal acts as a central
command center for your entiretrip.
Instead of information livingin different places, everything
from your itinerary to yourbudget, to your packing lists,
to even your daily reflectionslives in a single tangible
object.
This consolidation brings orderand control.

Speaker 1 (03:43):
Right, and that packing list feature alone is so
simple but so powerful.

Speaker 2 (03:48):
Oh yeah.

Speaker 1 (03:49):
Having a dedicated space to list what you need and
check items off as you pack candrastically reduce those.
Did I remember to bring moments?

Speaker 2 (03:56):
This is the worst.

Speaker 1 (03:57):
Right.

Speaker 2 (03:58):
Yeah, and when it comes to managing your money on
the road, a travel journal is adedicated place to track
spending in real time so you canstay within your budget and
make informed decisions.

Speaker 1 (04:06):
Place to track spending in real time, so you
can stay within your budget andmake informed decisions and when
those inevitable itinerarychanges happen.

Speaker 2 (04:11):
Oh yeah.

Speaker 1 (04:11):
Having all your booking details and contingency
plans in one place.

Speaker 2 (04:15):
It makes it so much easier to pivot.

Speaker 1 (04:16):
It makes such a difference.

Speaker 2 (04:18):
You can quickly reference confirmation numbers
or look at alternate options.

Speaker 1 (04:21):
Right.

Speaker 2 (04:22):
Without having to scroll endlessly through your
phone.

Speaker 1 (04:26):
Yeah, it's a game changer, for sure.
And speaking of features thatare really useful, I love how
Lestallion journals areintentionally designed with
travel in mind.

Speaker 2 (04:34):
They really are well thought out.

Speaker 1 (04:36):
Like those durable, thick pages.

Speaker 2 (04:38):
Right, that seems minor, but it ensures your notes
can handle being tossed aroundin your bag.
They won't tear or smudge.

Speaker 1 (04:46):
So important and that sleek faux leather cover yeah,
they won't tear or smudge.
So important and that sleekfaux leather cover.
Yeah, not just stylish, but itprovides serious protection.

Speaker 2 (04:54):
Absolutely.
And you know what I findfascinating?
What's that?
The numbered pages and thebuilt in table of contents.

Speaker 1 (05:00):
Oh, you don't see that in a regular notebook.

Speaker 2 (05:02):
Yeah, you don't, but it's so useful for travel.
Imagine quickly finding youritinerary for a specific day or
your spending log for aparticular city.

Speaker 1 (05:12):
That's so smart.

Speaker 2 (05:13):
Just by referencing the table of contents.

Speaker 1 (05:15):
Makes it so easy to stay organized.

Speaker 2 (05:17):
And the act of numbering pages encourages a
more intentional and structuredapproach to your documentation.

Speaker 1 (05:24):
Oh, I see what you mean.

Speaker 2 (05:25):
It's like you're creating a personal archive that
you can easily navigate yearslater.

Speaker 1 (05:29):
It's like your own little travel encyclopedia.

Speaker 2 (05:31):
Exactly.

Speaker 1 (05:32):
And I love the 7.5 millimeter lined pages.

Speaker 2 (05:34):
Oh yeah.

Speaker 1 (05:35):
They strike a good balance between structure and
flexibility.

Speaker 2 (05:38):
Enough structure to keep your notes legible.

Speaker 1 (05:40):
Right.

Speaker 2 (05:41):
But still allowing for sketches or freeform
thoughts.

Speaker 1 (05:44):
Perfect and the built-in bad pocket.

Speaker 2 (05:46):
Oh yes.

Speaker 1 (05:47):
Genius for all those little scraps of paper we
accumulate while traveling.

Speaker 2 (05:51):
Tickets, receipts, business cards, you name it.

Speaker 1 (05:54):
It's a lifesaver no more frantic searching through
your bag.

Speaker 2 (05:57):
Right and those little details like the ribbon
bookmark and elastic closure.

Speaker 1 (06:01):
So important make a huge difference.
Yeah, the bookmark helps youquickly find your current page.
Yeah, and the elastic closurekeeps everything secure.

Speaker 2 (06:10):
Exactly, and Lestallion offers both soft
cover and hard cover options.
Nice In that convenient A5 size.

Speaker 1 (06:16):
Yeah, perfect for travel.

Speaker 2 (06:18):
So you can choose what works best for you.

Speaker 1 (06:20):
So each of these features works together to
create this cohesive system formanaging your travel information
.

Speaker 2 (06:26):
Yeah, the durable cover protects the contents, the
numbered pages and table ofcontents combat disorganization
Right and the back pocket keepsimportant documents handy.

Speaker 1 (06:35):
Exactly.
It's like they anticipated theneeds of a traveler Exactly.
But here's the thing.

Speaker 2 (06:40):
Okay.

Speaker 1 (06:40):
While all these features are great for planning
and organization, Right.

Speaker 2 (06:47):
A travel journal offers so much more than just
logistics.

Speaker 1 (06:48):
It's about capturing the essence of your journey,
those fleeting moments andpersonal reflections right
features tell, but story sellexactly like I remember my
sister's trip to Iceland a fewyears ago okay before she
started using a travel journalconsistently.
She had booked all these toursand accommodations, but was
relying on confirmation emails.
When she arrived for a glacierhike, she couldn't find the

(07:11):
confirmation on her phone.
Oh, Catchy service you know,yeah, and the tour company had
no record of her reservation.

Speaker 2 (07:21):
That's a nightmare.

Speaker 1 (07:22):
It was so stressful she ended up missing the hike.

Speaker 2 (07:24):
Oh that's the worst.

Speaker 1 (07:25):
Now she keeps all those details printed out in her
Lestallion journal.

Speaker 2 (07:29):
Smart.

Speaker 1 (07:30):
Right alongside her daily plans.
Having that single point ofreference has been a game
changer.

Speaker 2 (07:35):
It's a vital backup when technology fails.

Speaker 1 (07:37):
For sure, and it's not just about avoiding
disasters.

Speaker 2 (07:40):
Okay.

Speaker 1 (07:41):
A friend of mine went on this amazing solo trip
through Southeast Asia Nice.
He had a budget in mind butwasn't really tracking his
spending Mm-hmm.
Towards the end of his trip herealized he had overspent
significantly in the first fewweeks.

Speaker 2 (07:54):
Oh no.

Speaker 1 (07:55):
He had to cut his adventure short.

Speaker 2 (07:57):
Oh, that's, so sad.

Speaker 1 (07:58):
On his next trip he used the budget section in his
listallion journal religiously.

Speaker 2 (08:02):
Good for him.

Speaker 1 (08:03):
Noting down every expense.
It gave him a much clearerpicture of where his money was
going and he was able to extendhis trip because he was managing
his finances so much better.
That's great.
It's a powerful reminder thatwriting things down can create a
greater sense of accountabilityand awareness.

Speaker 2 (08:20):
Absolutely.
And speaking of capturingmemories, I think about my
grandfather's stories of hiscross-country road trip when he
was young.
He has some postcards andphotos, but no detailed account
of his daily experiences.

Speaker 1 (08:34):
Just too bad.

Speaker 2 (08:35):
He wished he had captured those little moments
and reflections.

Speaker 1 (08:38):
Makes you think.

Speaker 2 (08:39):
It does now.
When I travel, I make an effortto jot down those observations
and feelings.

Speaker 1 (08:42):
Same here.

Speaker 2 (08:43):
It's like creating a time capsule of my experiences.

Speaker 1 (08:46):
So, beyond the specific features of Lestallian
journals, what are somefundamental things people should
look for in any travel journal?

Speaker 2 (08:53):
Well, high quality paper is crucial aim for around
120 GSM paper.

Speaker 1 (08:59):
Okay.

Speaker 2 (08:59):
It feels substantial and minimizes ink bleed through.

Speaker 1 (09:03):
Good tip and a durable cover is essential.

Speaker 2 (09:05):
Right.
It needs to withstand beingtossed around and intentionally
exposed to the elements.

Speaker 1 (09:09):
And size matters too.

Speaker 2 (09:11):
Definitely, a5 is a good balance between writing
space and portability.

Speaker 1 (09:15):
Mm-hmm.

Speaker 2 (09:17):
But pocket-sized journals can be more convenient
for on-the-go note-taking.

Speaker 1 (09:21):
Yeah, and those numbered pages and a table of
contents are invaluable fororganization.

Speaker 2 (09:26):
Absolutely.
And don't forget about a backpocket for storing those loose
travel documents.

Speaker 1 (09:31):
Right so important, and finally consider the binding
.

Speaker 2 (09:34):
Yeah, a Smith-sewn binding offers great durability.
Okay, and finally, consider thebinding.
Yeah, a Smith sewn bindingoffers great durability Okay,
and allows the journal to layflat, which makes writing more
comfortable.

Speaker 1 (09:40):
Right, so you've chosen your travel journal.

Speaker 2 (09:43):
Now what.

Speaker 1 (09:43):
How can you use it effectively to really enhance
your travel experience?

Speaker 2 (09:47):
Start by using bullet points and abbreviations for
quick notes.
Good tip, especially whenyou're on the go.

Speaker 1 (09:52):
Right, it's about efficiency.

Speaker 2 (09:54):
Exactly, and divide your journal into sections,
especially when you're on the go.
Right, it's about efficiency.
Exactly, and divide yourjournal into sections.
Okay, maybe the beginning forpre-trip planning and then
sections for each destination orday of your trip.

Speaker 1 (10:01):
That's a great way to stay organized.

Speaker 2 (10:03):
It is, and don't be afraid to get visual.

Speaker 1 (10:05):
Oh yeah.

Speaker 2 (10:06):
Sketch a landmark or a map to bring your entries to
life.

Speaker 1 (10:08):
I love adding tangible mementos too.
I bet you Like a ticket stub ora pressed flower.

Speaker 2 (10:14):
It turns your journal into a personalized scrapbook.

Speaker 1 (10:16):
Exactly, and don't forget to use that ribbon,
bookmark and elastic band.

Speaker 2 (10:20):
Right.
Keep everything secure andorganized.

Speaker 1 (10:22):
So, to wrap things up , a dedicated travel journal is
a powerful tool for any traveler.

Speaker 2 (10:27):
It is.

Speaker 1 (10:27):
It's not just about staying organized.
It's about capturing thosememories and enriching your
travel experience.
Exactly, we've talked about theimportance of features like
durable paper, the protectivecover, numbered pages and those
handy extras like a back pocketand ribbon bookmark.

Speaker 2 (10:43):
All essential.

Speaker 1 (10:43):
And for those seeking a well-crafted journal with all
these elements, Lestallionjournals are a great option.

Speaker 2 (10:49):
They are.

Speaker 1 (10:50):
High-quality paper, durable covers, thoughtful
features.

Speaker 2 (10:53):
Perfect for both planning and documenting your
adventures.

Speaker 1 (10:57):
Couldn't have said it better myself.

Speaker 2 (10:58):
Now here's something to ponder.

Speaker 1 (11:00):
Okay.

Speaker 2 (11:00):
As you plan your next trip, think about this yeah,
how might the act of documentingyour experiences, the sights,
the sounds, that encounters yourown thoughts and feelings?

Speaker 1 (11:15):
Yeah.

Speaker 2 (11:15):
How might that deepen your connection to the places
you visit and to yourself?

Speaker 1 (11:20):
Wow, that's a powerful thought.

Speaker 2 (11:22):
What unique perspectives and treasured
memories might you discover andpreserve?

Speaker 1 (11:27):
Right.

Speaker 2 (11:27):
By entrusting them to the pages of your travel
journal.

Speaker 1 (11:30):
I think that's a perfect note to end on it is.
Food for thought for our nextadventure.
Absolutely.
Thanks for joining us for thisdeep dive.
It is Food for thought for ournext adventure.
Absolutely.
Thanks for joining us for thisdeep dive.

Speaker 2 (11:37):
It's been a pleasure.

Speaker 1 (11:38):
Until next time, happy travels everyone.

Speaker 2 (11:42):
Safe travels.
Advertise With Us

Popular Podcasts

24/7 News: The Latest
Stuff You Should Know

Stuff You Should Know

If you've ever wanted to know about champagne, satanism, the Stonewall Uprising, chaos theory, LSD, El Nino, true crime and Rosa Parks, then look no further. Josh and Chuck have you covered.

Dateline NBC

Dateline NBC

Current and classic episodes, featuring compelling true-crime mysteries, powerful documentaries and in-depth investigations. Follow now to get the latest episodes of Dateline NBC completely free, or subscribe to Dateline Premium for ad-free listening and exclusive bonus content: DatelinePremium.com

Music, radio and podcasts, all free. Listen online or download the iHeart App.

Connect

© 2025 iHeartMedia, Inc.