(Sarah Read is an author, editor, yarn artist, and pen/paper/ink addict. You can find more about her at her website and on Bluesky. And her latest book, The Atropine Tree, is now available!)
Two of my favorite things, travel and notebooks, might explain my obsession with traveler's notebooks. I also love Esterbrook, so this Travel Journal Workshop Set from Esterbrook was a must-try. In the end, I found the whole set a little overwhelming. It's the maximalized version of what I usually enjoy in a travel journal, and while it's not quite for me, it would be the perfect gift set for someone just getting started on travel journaling, or a souvenir for a special occasion trip.
The set comes in a charming box that looks like a vintage travel trunk. Inside is everything you could ever imagine needing or wanting for a travel journal. It was a clown car of accessories. They just kept coming. Every time I thought I reached the bottom of the box, I found another envelope. There are: luggage tags, bookmarks, stickers aplenty, attachable pockets, bookmarks, patches, ink stamps, inkpads, a water brush, a set of watercolor paints, washi tape, a nylon storage bag, and the journal itself, which contains two notebook inserts (one lined, one grid), and a clear plastic pocket insert. This is a comprehensive assembly. Someone new to the hobby could instantly have it all. They better love Esterbrook, though, because everything is heavily branded. The design was inspired by Mareike Mert, a popular journaler with a fun, vintage vibe.
The focal point in the center of the debris field is the journal itself. The cover is made from a faux leather. It does feel and smell a bit vinyl-like. For folks who need to avoid leather, it's a good substitute. It's a traditional traveler's notebook design, with elastics that hold the inserts in place, and another elastic band closure. The cover has notches on the front and back that hold the elastic in place. The spine has a blue stripe with white lettering that says ENJOY TRAVEL, so you'd better enjoy it.
The inserts have cardstock covers just waiting to be decorated with stickers and pockets. They have both lined and grid paper. The paper is fountain pen friendly. The pocket insert had a folder side and a card-holder side, so it can carry your tickets, brochures, maps and ephemera.
The nylon bag stores the wealth of accessories well. The bag and journal itself, with all the pockets applied, can carry your travel journal arsenal to the ends of the earth.
If you're thinking of trying travel journaling and you want to test a bit of everything, this is the perfect way to get started. Personally, I've enjoyed collecting my travel journal bits over time, each one specially selected. But there's no denying the value in this box of tools. The whole kit sells on Dromgoole's for $79.95, which is much less than you'd pay for this many accessories individually. The design is cute and the pieces have been selected with care. My favorite is the fountain pen shaped bookmark. Travel season is nearly here, and it's time to get the kit ready to go!
(This product was purchased from Dromgoole’s at regular price.)
