My love of travel and my love of tattoos both developed around the same stage of my life: early adulthood. As soon as I’d taken a couple trips, I knew that travel had to somehow be written on my skin as well as on my heart.

It took me a little while to decide on the art itself, though. I considered doing a map that I colored in as I visited countries (but didn’t like the idea of some countries being huge and some hardly visible at all), and I thought about travel symbolism, like airplanes, globes, compasses, passport stamps, etc.

In the end I decided on a patchwork-style memory sleeve in black and grey – one tattoo for each big trip. I wanted the imagery to be based on things I had actually seen or memories I wanted to keep forever.

I didn’t end up sticking strictly with these self-imposed rules, though. I now have both literal and metaphorical representations of locations, and I also decided to let myself include any location I’d been to, including domestic locations, and multiple countries in the same trip. Because I get to make up the rules for my own body, and that feels good!

Here they are in the order I got them, which was not the same order of the trips themselves. All photos were taken by my artist at the shop right after finishing. My skin always gets red and blotchy for a bit, hence the black and white.

Morocco

I gave my artist several lantern options and she designed this one.

London (2nd visit)

This cup was designed from the one we actually used at our Orangery tea.

Italy (first visit)

So many Venice bridges to choose from!

Switzerland

I told her I wanted to memorialize our attempt to see the Matterhorn and its successful attempt to hide from us.

Ireland

One of my favorite moments in Ireland was finding Ross Errily Friary by accident!

Japan

This one was mostly symbolic. I did buy a fan while I was there, though.

Norway

I struggled with what to do for this one for a long time. I didn’t actually see an awesome sword like this, but I thought it represented the Norwegian vibe well.

New Zealand

The symbol of New Zealand, the silver fern.

Malta

On our first cruise, we got married during our stop in Malta! The diamond felt fitting, and I also just like it.

Italy (Second visit)

I found the lemon culture especially along the Amalfi Coast to be vibrant and beautiful. I can still smell those lemons!

New York City

Turkey

Another one that I thought about for awhile. I liked the evil eye imagery they had all over, but it wouldn’t look right without the distinctive colors, so I went more literal.

South Korea

A norigae tassel.

London (First visit)

My first time ever out of my home country – I was studying abroad with a group of fellow college freshmen. My alarm the first morning didn’t go off (I think it was related to power differences, but I still don’t really know), and I slept past my group leaving. I had to find my way to orientation on my own. It was the first time I had ever used a subway system!

Big Ben’s clock felt like the perfect symbol for this memory.

Paris (Second visit)

Lots of beautiful chandeliers in France. I designed this one on my own to fit the vibe I was envisioning and to suit the gap on my arm that I had available.

Las Vegas (First and second visits)

I decided on a heart and a diamond for these two trips, and I can always go back two more times for a club and a spade!

Florida

In the picture above, you can sort of see the burst on my elbow that symbolizes all my trips to Florida that I’ve done as a kid and an adult. I don’t know where the fresh picture of that one went.

---

I still have a few past trips left to do, and I always hope I have more travels in my future. But I only have a few big gaps and several smaller spaces left. If I run out of room, I might start a leg sleeve. 🙂

Do you have travel tattoos? I’d love to hear about them! Leave a comment!