Summer is always the time when people take vacations and go on holidays to exotic locations that they have been saving for. After the vacation, they usually bring home tons of photos that hold priceless memories but what to do with these photos is always an open question. As a result, many of these photos never make it past their phones or computer, and many eventually end up in digital albums. While this is a great way of keeping them safe, it is not a lot of fun and definitely is not a great way to keep all wonderful travel memories fresh.

While many people love the idea of scrapbooking, the time needed to create one is a big problem. I however hope that you like these 5 DIY things you can do with your holiday photos. Some of them will only need a few minutes of your time while others may require a couple of hours.

1. Pocket travel journal

Before leaving on any holiday, many of us always ensure that we carry with us a small journal where we can write down the interesting parts of our holiday. Well, one way of immortalizing your memories is by making your journal a journal-album.

Example of a travel journal – sample from https://www.etsy.com/au/

How to do this you ask? Just print out the best pictures and stick them right into your journal. This way, the scribbles and photo will be a great reminder of the wonderful times you had. Additionally, the small size means that you can carry it on your trip and stick some of the photos when everything is still fresh.

2. Travel Collage

You’ll see your photos most often if they are on your wall, visible whenever you walk into the room. To that end one great solution is to get a photo collage printed out of some of your favourite shots. Have it printed on canvas then gallery bound (canvas tight across a wooden frame). Hang the end result somewhere eye catching and enjoy being reminded of some of your best times regularly.

Example of a travel photo collage – sample from http://thecanvasfactory.com.au/

3. A photo bulletin board

Another way of immortalizing your holiday experiences is by creating a photo bulletin board. This is a very simple DIY project that only requires a large bulletin board, map (preferably of the place you visited), glue, and your photos, receipts, or postcards.

If it is possible that your bulletin board is framed, that will even add to the beauty of the whole setup. All you need to do is stick the map on the board followed by your photos and postcards, and then hang it in your kitchen, hallway, or staircase.

4. Photo gallery

Stairwells, hallways, and basements usually have lots of empty wall space. What a great idea it would be to turn this space into a small gallery. You can hang photos from all your holidays.

Travel photo wall – sample from https://au.pinterest.com/

Print and frame some photos each time you come back from a vacation and add to your gallery. This will provide a great way of looking back at old vacation photos and seeing how much your kids have grown.

5. Smartphone cover

I saved this to be last because it is not exactly a DIY project. You may need help of a professional. However, it is a great way of carrying your memories with you every day.

Pick the photos you love most and have a custom smartphone cover made. You can decide the shape, size, and placement of each picture of an added personal touch. There is really no better way of keeping your memories alive.

6. Make a calendar

Many of us only use calendars to keep track of the days and weeks of a year. However, you can add life to your calendar by using the best photos from your vacation to create a wonderful calendar. You will be reminded or the wonderful times you had whenever you look at the calendar.

Instead of buying a calendar, pick some of the photos you love most and use them to create a custom calendar. Best thing is that you can decide of the size of the calendar.

Packing. It can be a pretty time consuming process. You have to figure out what you need – and how much you need. One of the most common travel issues? Over packing. Many of us (even experienced travellers) tend to bring far too many items with us on vacation. That leads to bulky heavy suitcases. That can be a real problem. Especially now that most airlines are cracking down on heavy baggage. Anything over the limit will cost you money. Not exactly a great way to kick-start your trip to Cirebon. Not to worry! Just follow these super simple packing tips. They will make sure your Indonesian vacation goes off without a hitch.

Think About How Long You Will Be There. The most important thing to do? Think about how long you will be in Cirebon. You can find hotels here that will accommodate long trips as well as shorter visits. So take a look at your options. You might wind up at the beautiful Swiss-Belhotel Cirebon! Once you know how long you will be visiting…you will know how much you need to pack. Do not bring more than you need. Aim to have enough outfits for each day you are there. Then pack one extra. Just in case. If you are planning to go to a nice dinner during your stay? You might want to pack something appropriate for a night on the town as well.

Ditch The Dark Clothes and Choose Something Light. Indonesia is known for its warm weather. Scratch that. It’s hot weather. That makes it extra important for you to pack light. Literally. Choose lightweight clothing instead of heavy or bulky pieces. It is also a good idea to stick to lighter coloured clothing. Wondering why? Dark fabrics (like black or brown) absorb more sunlight. That makes them feel warmer. Light fabrics on the other hand reflect more sunlight. That helps you stay cooler throughout the day. Even if the weather is scorching outside.

Have The Right Footwear For Cirebon Attractions. The footwear you bring with you matters. Especially if you plan on visiting one of the local attractions. Say you plan to spend time at Sunyaragi Cave. You will need sturdy and comfortable footwear. This will make the walking much easier. So be sure to pack one practical pair of shoes in your suitcase. Then bring along some sandals (just in case you want to go to a water park or spend time at the pool) as well as a pair of shoes for evening. These can be a little dressier depending on what you have planned.

Make Sure You Have The Appropriate Extras On Hand. Now for the extras. There are certain things you will need if you are going to spend time in Cirebon. Like bug spray, nausea medication (in case you get queasy on the bus or in a cab), tissues, hand sanitizer, a wall adaptor (to charge your electronics), and sun essentials (like hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen). With these on hand? Your Cirebon getaway will be absolutely flawless from start to finish.