We have spent decades of traveling around the globe, and along the way we have picked up many tips from fellow travelers to make the experience both memorable and as stress-free as possible (there will always be a little stress, but that’s not necessarily a bad thing).

Over time, seasoned travelers pick up small but impactful habits that not only enhance their enjoyment but also deepen their connection to the places they visit. Here are some of the most popular and effective habits practiced by smart travelers who have been generous enough to share with us.

1. Blog or Journal About Your Day

At the end of each day, many travelers take a few minutes to blog or jot down highlights. Whether it’s a digital journal, a quick blog post, or a notes app entry, reflecting on the day helps preserve vivid memories that photos alone can’t capture.

Pictures are great, but they can’t capture your mindset, your feelings, or conversations with strangers. It’s a form of storytelling that becomes a treasured time capsule, especially when shared with family and friends—or even just your future self. I did this on trips to Disney when the kids were young, and re-reading them now brings back so many memories.

2. Seek Out Local, Lesser-Known Restaurants

Rather than defaulting to the nearest tourist-trap eatery, smart travelers take time to research hidden gems. Checking reviews on apps like Google, Yelp, or TripAdvisor helps uncover locally loved spots with authentic food, friendlier prices, and a more genuine atmosphere.

These meals often become the most memorable parts of the trip. Generally, we have found walking or traveling an extra distance away from the hotel or tourist area can payoff in the best authentic food of an area. While in Malta, we found a small restaurant, met and befriended the owner/chef, and he made us special food each day. The food wasn’t on the menu, it was based on what he had fresh and what he thought we would enjoy.

3. Buy Reusable Grocery Bags as Souvenirs

Practical and eco-friendly, buying reusable grocery bags while abroad serves double duty. They’re lightweight, useful during your trip (for market visits or beach days), and make for charming, functional mementos back home. Every time you unpack one at your local store, you’ll be reminded of the place it came from. Instead of buying knick-knacks and tchotchkes that take up space in your luggage, these bags are actually useful for dirty clothes, towels, etc.

4. Use Shazam to Discover Local Music

Whether you’re sitting in a café in Paris or walking through a plaza in Venice, music is a vital part of the atmosphere. Shazam lets you instantly identify a song, and saving it to a Spotify playlist creates a musical scrapbook of your travels. Months or years later, hearing a track can bring back a flood of memories. You can make a different playlist for every locale you visit. It only takes a minute, but you have to do it while you’re there.

5. Collect Small, Meaningful Souvenirs

Not all souvenirs need to be big or pricey. Many travelers swear by collecting refrigerator magnets, t-shirts, or unique pieces of local jewelry. These items are affordable, packable, and often handcrafted—capturing the essence of the destination in a personal way. Over time, these collections become a colorful, global mosaic of where you’ve been. I’m wearing a Dubrovnik t-shirt as I write this!

6. Appreciate and Photograph Street Art

We’re not talking about gang signs marking their territory (stay out of those areas for sure!), but real artistic expression. More than just decoration, street art often tells stories about local culture, politics, or history. Taking photos of well-done graffiti or murals is a way of documenting the city’s soul.

Some travelers even buy small pieces of local street art from markets or pop-up stands, supporting local artists and adding unique flair to their homes. Street art usually lays flat or can be rolled up easily in your luggage. One of our friends has a collection of caricatures of themselves done in dozens of cities around the world done by local artists. It’s one of the more unique things I’ve ever seen.

7. Send Yourself a Postcard

It might seem old-fashioned, but sending a postcard to yourself is a simple, delightful ritual. Pick one with local imagery, write a note about what you did that day or how you felt, and drop it in the mail. When it arrives back home, it’s like getting a surprise time capsule from your past self.

8. Give Yourself Time to Enjoy the Airport Lounge

Rather than rushing to the airport at the last minute, seasoned travelers arrive early enough to enjoy a drink or a quiet moment in an airport lounge. Whether you access it through a credit card perk or pay for a day pass, lounges offer a calm space to unwind before a flight—often with better seating, Wi-Fi, snacks, and showers. You don’t want your trip to be “memorable” because of how you missed your plane or just barely made it.

Bonus Tip: Stay Curious and Flexible

Beyond habits and hacks, the best travelers cultivate a mindset of curiosity and adaptability. They say “yes” to unexpected opportunities, embrace occasional detours, and approach each moment with open eyes and a sense of wonder. That, more than anything, is the secret to truly memorable travel.

Travel isn’t just about the destination—it’s about how you experience it. By weaving in thoughtful habits like journaling, supporting local artists, and collecting small reminders along the way, your journeys become richer, your stories deeper, and your memories longer-lasting.