Travel Inspiration: Chart Your Adventures

Having just returned from 5 glorious days on the southwest coast of Oregon, we've definitely got travel on the brain. We met up with cousins that just returned from China and are on their way to Europe, other cousins that are backpacking through the mountains in Northern California and are planning trips around the world. Sitting on the airplane and looking at the map in the back of the airline magazine had us dreaming of far off destinations, road trips and leisurely time off. It also reminded us of a decor statement a friend of ours made in their guest room/office:

A couple years back at a housewarming party for a couple that had just moved in together we spotted a world map. It was in their guest room/office and it had 3 different colored pins stuck in it. They each had their own color to stick in the map where they had already traveled and used another color to show the places they had traveled together. Can't remember now if they had another color denoting places they wanted to travel, but either way it made good use of some solid map decor and also was a great way to dream up new adventures. We're planning on starting something similar just to keep travel close at hand and to be reminded how much of the world there is left to explore.

Have you done something similar to chart your adventures?

(Image: Flickr member caitlinator licensed for use under Creative Commons)

Comments (8)

I guess it's on the brain today! http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/ny/-088841

but, heck, it's a cute idea, so I'll do it anyway!

posted by chelc on July 1st 2009 at 4:28pm
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I can't say a map with pushpins is that much of a design statement, but whatever. There must be a more creative and decorative way to do this--maybe a map with David Hockney-esque photo collages from various trips?

posted by FantasticMrFaux on July 1st 2009 at 7:48pm
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I like to collect maps and display them like this because I get a little reminder of our trip every time I see it and it makes me happy. If it's a trip with a lot of stops, I make sure to write it all down. Then when I get home and I have the time, I mount the map on foam core, pin all the destinations and connect them with thread.

When my husband and I went to Rome a few years ago, I did this map using a different color embroidery floss for each day of sightseeing. http://www.flickr.com/photos/29878482@N02/sets/72157620834890188/

I like how it turned out. I'm not the best photographer so for me, this is better than hanging photos of our trip.

posted by giggit on July 1st 2009 at 8:11pm
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I know I'm crabby today but yikes the same post on one day? As a big traveller I was really looking forward to the travel month from apartmenttherapy but now am thinking there wasn't much thought put into it.

posted by alexis on July 1st 2009 at 8:27pm
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chelc, we must love maps here at AT! Mr Faux, I love the david hockney idea!

Alexis--sorry you're crabby today, hope you feel better.

posted by laure on July 1st 2009 at 11:22pm
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This always reminds me of the Movie Mask with Eric Stoltz and Cher. I think it's a neat way of documenting where you've been and showing it off to guests

posted by MARG1E on July 2nd 2009 at 10:18am
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i keep a separate journal for each trip. it has diary entries/thoughts, important mementos (plane tix, gallery tix, etc), photos, drawings, descriptions of the destination. these get displayed when we come back, for guests and friends to peruse themselves

posted by formosagirl on July 2nd 2009 at 4:25pm
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With my budget due to a kid in college, all I have is ONE PUSH PIN to put in! LOL!

posted by baileyb on July 2nd 2009 at 9:15pm
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