Foreign face cream and postcards sent to yourself are among the hands-on ways to preserve trip memories

Now that we all carry high-definition cameras in our pockets, it’s easier than ever to snap vacation photos. Ironically, it’s also easy to forget them there.

It’s important to find more than one way to capture your vacation memories. Not only is it nice to relive your memories, but it’s also good for you. According to research, doing so helps extend the many health benefits of travel — particularly reduced stress and increased happiness. According to Psychology Today, intentionally recalling happy memories helps disrupt negative thought patterns, lower cortisol levels and keep anxiety at bay. Reminiscing can boost optimism, combat loneliness and cement our connections with others as we age, studies find.

“Especially if you’re older, you forget details, and when you come back, you want to relive it. That’s part of it,” says Karen Gershowitz, a 74-year-old travel photographer and author of books such as Travel Mania: Stories of Wanderlust. Finding ways to share her travel experiences extends them, she says, and allows them to inspire and live on with others.

Shir Ibgui, founder and CEO of the trip planning community Globe Thrivers, agrees. “I’m a big believer that travel shouldn’t just be experienced and forgotten,” she says. “It should shape how you live, what you surround yourself with and the small joys in your daily routine.”

Here, Gershowitz, Ibgui and other dedicated travelers share the different ways they keep travel memories alive, enjoyable and tangible for years, even generations, to come.

Make a DIY souvenir

Make-and-take workshops are travel activities with built-in souvenirs. Think: silversmithing in Santa Fe, New Mexico, or leather crafting in Florence, Italy.

Digital nomad Amy Poulton says that after years of collecting items that held few to no personal memories for her, she decided to learn how to make something at every destination. Among her favorite creations is the perfume she made at a famous perfumery in Nice, France, during an hour-long workshop that also taught her about the many nuances of scent composition. “Whenever I smell it, all the memories come flooding back,” she says.

Incorporate everyday items

Keep an eye out for little necessities that are easy to weave into daily routines and so make trip memories part of life at home. “I buy one meaningful local object from every destination, but something I’ll actually use,” Ibgui says. She has a soft spot for artisanal kitchen items, such as her handmade ceramic serving bowls from Istanbul and a traditional Moroccan teapot.

Lisa Pittman, a 50-year-old certified travel coach known as the Travel Docta, loves handmade jewelry and clothing, as well as toiletries found at supermarkets and pharmacies. Two favorite finds: a honey-based cream from Greece and black soap from Ghana. “Ordinary routines become small reminders of where I’ve been,” says Pittman.

Pen yourself a postcard

Dash off trip thoughts, whether an anecdote or a few disjointed observations, while you’re in the moment. The limited space takes the pressure off.

Casey Keller, who posts about her extensive travels on her blog, Wandering Everywhere, stores hers in a photo keepsake box. “A few times a year, my husband and I pull them out, look through the postcards and reread those captured moments together,” she says.

Keller used to mail them to herself, but finds that she’s not always up for finding a stamp or post office, so now she tends to slip them into her luggage. Some hotels will mail cards for you if you provide postage.

Save the sounds

The clamor of vendors in an open-air market, waves crashing against rocks, and a variety of Irish accents are all sounds Gershowitz has recorded on her phone. They transport her back to the places where she experienced them. “You can’t capture those things in writing or in photos, you know?” she says. She uses her phone’s free recording app and corrals the captured sounds into digital files named for their location.

Discover non-traditional art

Collecting artwork on your trip is a clear way to keep your memories front and center back home. However, don’t limit art to what you see in galleries and boutiques. Traditional accessories, interesting food tins, handmade home tools — literally anything that strikes you can be a treasure, whether used, framed or displayed in a place of prominence. Local thrift stores and flea markets are great places to find such nontraditional souvenirs.

Re-create the food

Enjoying local dishes and ingredients is an integral part of travel. Rather than just snapping a photo of your delicious meal, photo organizer Isabelle Dervaux, 64, recommends re-creating the culinary experience at home.

“Get a recipe book to learn more about the spices or special ingredients; try out some of the recipes and host a dinner for friends or family,” she says, noting that’s what she did after a trip to Hawai‘i. “I cooked many, many recipes with pineapple, papaya or mango from the cookbook I bought over there to feed my family after our trip, to the tune of traditional ukulele music.” It’s easy to buy what you need online, but finding ingredients at a local ethnic or specialty market when you’re back home can make for a fun trip.

Start a travel memory box

Collect tickets, receipts, coins, maps, coasters, brochures and stickers as you travel. Jot down immediate thoughts on them or any available scrap — Gershowitz likes hotel stationery, when available. At home, collect the souvenirs and noted memories in a small box, envelope or file folder to revisit each destination as you like. Other travelers — including the founder of the women-only trip-planning company Girls’ Guide to the World, Doni Belau — attach them in journals. “Your grandchildren will thank you,” she says.

Choose a visibile collection

Go with something you won’t tuck into a drawer and forget. Belau once spotted a hard-sided suitcase at baggage claim covered in destination stickers, for example. Holiday ornaments allow you to revisit your travels annually — if you don’t find one at your destination, create one from a vacation image once you’re home. You can also make it a goal to mine your phone’s camera roll for at least one choice image to print and hang within a set amount of time after your vacation. Build on your framed collection with every trip, creating an evolving visual reminder of so many happy travels.

A new eye-tracking study reveals the 10 most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world, ranking peaks that capture attention fastest and hold it the longest.

Mountains have always sparked wanderlust—but have you ever wondered why some peaks stop you mid-scroll while others barely register? A new scientific study suggests it’s not just imagination. Using advanced eye-tracking technology, researchers have identified which mountain landscapes grab human attention the quickest—and keep our eyes locked the longest. Conducted by Irish travel insurance firm JustCover, the study analysed images of 56 mountain ranges across the world. Participants viewed photographs while eye-tracking software measured how fast their gaze was drawn in and how long it lingered. These insights were combined into a weighted score to rank the planet’s most visually captivating mountains. The results show North America leading the list, with the United States featuring prominently, while Ireland emerged as an unexpected standout. From towering alpine giants to dramatic coastal cliffs, here are the top 10 most beautiful mountain landscapes in the world—according to science.

1. Canadian Rockies, Canada

Eye-Catching Score: 99.3/100

Taking the top spot with a near-perfect score, the Canadian Rockies emerged as the most visually captivating mountains globally. The view from Lake Louise—with its turquoise waters, dense forests, and snow-dusted peaks—proved especially irresistible. Participants spent more time looking at this landscape than any other in the study, accounting for 34 percent of total viewing time. Strict conservation measures across Banff and Jasper National Parks help preserve the region’s pristine beauty, making it a benchmark for natural landscapes worldwide.

2. El Capitan, United States

Eye-Catching Score: 84.9/100

Rising dramatically from Yosemite National Park, El Capitan secured second place. The sheer granite monolith is famous among elite rock climbers, but its visual appeal extends well beyond the climbing community. The Valley View area, overlooking the Merced River with El Capitan and Bridalveil Fall in frame, held viewers’ attention for over three seconds—one of the longest gaze times recorded in the study.

3. Torres del Paine, Chile

Eye-Catching Score: 83.2/100

Chile’s Torres del Paine National Park is Patagonia at its most dramatic. Towering granite spires, glacier-fed lakes, and open plains combine to create a landscape that is both raw and accessible. Viewpoints like Lake Pehoé offer high-impact views without demanding strenuous treks, making Torres del Paine one of South America’s most rewarding mountain destinations for casual travellers.

4. Slieve League, Ireland

Eye-Catching Score: 82.9/100

Europe’s highest-ranked entry, Slieve League in County Donegal, captured attention faster than any other mountain in the study—just 1.41 seconds to first fixation. These sea cliffs rise nearly 600 metres above the Atlantic Ocean, offering sweeping coastal views across Donegal Bay. On clear days, visitors can even spot Ben Bulben, another Irish peak featured in the wider rankings.

5. Errigal Mountain, Ireland

Eye-Catching Score: 75.8/100

Another Irish entry, Errigal Mountain, stands at 751 metres and is the tallest peak in the Derryveagh range. Its sharply defined cone shape makes it instantly recognisable, particularly when snow caps the summit in winter. Part of the Seven Sisters mountain group, Errigal draws hikers and photographers year-round, though quieter weekday visits offer a more peaceful experience.

6. Maroon Bells, United States

Eye-Catching Score: 75.1/100

Located near Aspen, Colorado, the Maroon Bells—Maroon Peak and North Maroon Peak—are among the most photographed mountains in North America. The reflection of the twin peaks in Maroon Lake, framed by aspen forests and seasonal colour changes, makes this landscape especially compelling. Access is regulated, with shuttle reservations required during peak months to protect the area.

7. Dolomites, Italy

Eye-Catching Score: 74.7/100

Italy’s Dolomites remain one of Europe’s most recognisable mountain ranges. Views from Val di Funes, where rolling green meadows meet jagged limestone peaks, held viewers’ attention for more than 2.6 seconds on average. Rising popularity has brought crowds, but visiting outside peak summer months still delivers uninterrupted views and quieter trails.

8. Quiraing, Scotland, United Kingdom

Eye-Catching Score: 72.7/100

Part of the Trotternish Ridge on the Isle of Skye, the Quiraing is a dramatic landslip landscape defined by cliffs, pinnacles, and sweeping curves. The terrain is particularly striking at sunrise and sunset. While accessible by car, the narrow and winding approach roads mean advance planning is essential.

9. Kirkjufell, Iceland

Eye-Catching Score: 68.6/100

One of Iceland’s most photographed peaks, Kirkjufell is instantly recognisable thanks to the nearby Kirkjufellsfoss waterfall. Seasonal changes dramatically alter the landscape—from lush green summers to snow-covered winters—while the mountain’s remote location makes it a popular spot for Northern Lights sightings.

10. Mount Moran, United States

Eye-Catching Score: 68.4/100

Completing the top 10 is Mount Moran in Wyoming’s Grand Teton National Park, best viewed from Oxbow Bend. The mountain’s reflection in the Snake River on calm days creates one of the park’s most iconic scenes. The area is also known for wildlife sightings, including moose, otters, and birds, making it a favourite among nature photographers.

Spain is set to welcome more foreign visitors and higher overall tourist spending in 2026 after recording a historic surge in arrivals last year, according to the country’s tourism minister.

Spain received a record 97 million foreign tourists in 2025, Tourism Minister Jordi Hereu told reporters, adding that visitor numbers rose 3.5% compared with 2024. Tourism revenues increased faster, climbing 6.8% to 135 billion euros. While Spain could reach 100 million foreign visitors if growth continues, Hereu said the government is not focused on hitting that milestone.

Tourism remains a key driver of Spain’s economy. The country is the world’s second most visited destination after France, and the sector accounted for an estimated 13% of gross domestic product in 2025, according to tourism lobby group Exceltur. Spain’s economic growth has outpaced that of most European peers over the past two years, supported in part by strong tourism demand.

Looking ahead to early 2026, authorities expect continued momentum. In the first four months of the year, including the Easter holiday period, Spain is forecasting a 3.7% rise in foreign visitors to around 26 million. Tourist spending during this period is projected to reach 35 billion euros, up 2.5% from the same time last year.

However, the tourism boom has also created pressure in popular destinations. Rising housing costs, congestion and environmental concerns have triggered public discontent in some areas. In response, destinations such as Ibiza have moved to curb short-term holiday rentals.

Hereu said Spain is working to reduce dependence on peak travel periods. Official data shows tourist spending in low and mid-seasons has risen 53% compared with pre-pandemic levels in 2019, while spending during the high season has increased 34%.

The minister added that two-thirds of tourists who visited Spain in 2025 plan to return, citing safety as a key factor. He said there are currently no signs that global geopolitical tensions are affecting flight availability or booking trends.

When people think of the coldest locations on this planet, they often think of snow-covered forests and frozen bodies of water during prolonged polar nights. Although Antarctica has scored the lowest temperature ever recorded in history, many countries have registered very low mean temperatures throughout the year due to their geographical position and continental climate.

Here are the world’s five coldest countries, based on average temperature, according to the World Population Review. And what can tourists expect? Let’s find out.

Russia — Average annual temperature –2.50 degrees Celsius

Officially, Russia is the coldest country in the world by average temperature. It spans most of northern Eurasia and extends deep into the Arctic Circle, with much of its lands enduring a prolonged, cold, and dark winter. Most of Siberia annually faces extreme conditions during winter, with temperatures often dropping below -30 degrees Celsius. The town of Oymyakon, often called the coldest permanently inhabited place on Earth, has recorded temperatures close to –67 degrees Celsius. Russia’s immense size, continental climate and northern latitude combine to make it the coldest nation on the planet overall.

Canada — Average annual temperature –2.14 degrees Celsius

Canada is second in this list, only a slight degree above Russia in terms of average temperature. A vast portion of the Canadian landmass is located in the highest latitudes in the world, and many areas in this country also experience the effects of Arctic air masses. Winter in many of the Canadian territories, such as Nunavut and Northwest Territories, is very lengthy and harsh, with many areas remaining under snow cover for most of the winter period. Canada’s vast boreal forests, tundra landscapes and frozen lakes reflect a climate shaped strongly by polar conditions. Picture-perfect alpine lakes, vibrant wildlife, and number of exciting treks, what’s not to love?

Tajikistan — Average annual temperature 1.10 degrees Celsius

While Tajikistan may appear to be a surprise inclusion on a list such as this, the country features here largely due to its geography. A large percentage of the country is home to the Pamir Mountains, commonly known as the ‘Roof of the World.’ Elevations in these ranges reach above 4,000 meters. While the country is positioned remarkably far south of the Arctic, its low temperatures indicate a chilly climate, despite its location, with low temperatures offset by its extreme altitude. In the winter, the temperature is sub-zero, with a large amount of snow.

Kyrgyzstan — Average annual temperature 1.54 degrees Celsius

Like in Tajikistan, the climate in Kyrgyzstan is cold due to its high geographical position and not its latitude. Its terrain is characterised by the Tian Shan mountain range which ensures that its highland areas and Alpine valleys have lengthy, cold winters and short, cool summers. A vast majority of Kyrgyzstan comprises areas above 1,000 meters above sea level, which ensures that its temperatures remain low throughout the entire year. Snow also lies on its mountain peaks throughout the summer. For tourists, once they get used to the biting cold, it’s not too difficult to shift their attention to the photogenic landscapes.

Iceland — Average annual temperature 1.98 degrees Celsius

Despite its name and northern location, Iceland’s climate is moderated by the warm North Atlantic Drift, a branch of the Gulf Stream. Still, it remains one of the coldest countries in the world by average temperature. Winters are long and dark, especially in the north, while summers remain cool and brief. Glaciers cover around 11 per cent of the country, and snow, wind and ice shape much of the landscape. Iceland’s volcanic activity contrasts sharply with its cold climate, creating one of the most geologically dramatic environments on Earth. Because of this dramatic geology, Iceland is also known as the Land of Fire and Ice. There are a lot of hot springs to experience and starry nights to witness.