Reisipäevik

Reisipäevik, or travel diary, is a personal record kept during or after a journey. It documents daily events, observations, decisions, and impressions, and is often used to preserve memories, plan future trips, track expenses, or provide material for later writing or sharing with others.

In Estonian, reis means travel and päevik means diary. The concept is universal across cultures, though the form and emphasis can vary. Historically, explorers and merchants kept journals to record routes, discoveries, and practical data; in contemporary travel culture, reisipäevikud are commonly kept in notebook form or as digital notes.

Typical content includes the date and place, itinerary details, transportation, accommodation, costs, people met, weather, notable sights, local customs, and personal reflections or judgments. Some pages may include sketches, photos, or copied ticket stubs. Many journals blend practical logging with reflective writing and language practice.

Formats range from traditional paper notebooks to smartphone apps and cloud-based documents. Journalers may use templates or free-form entries, set journaling goals, or pair the diary with a travel blog. Privacy considerations and data backup are common concerns for digital journals.

Benefits of keeping a reisipäevik include improved memory, better trip planning, enhanced observation and language skills, and a source for future writing. Limitations include time requirements, potential bias, and the risk of over-documented routine days at the expense of immersion.