Summer Adventures & Creative Escapes
Summertime is just around the corner, bringing with it graduations, wedding season, and those much-anticipated vacations we've all been craving! For me, a big part of the excitement is always planning my next trip. Whether it's chasing sunny skies, relaxing on a beach, or sipping wine in wine country, I always make sure to weave in a creative venture.
Growing up with a big family meant road trips were our go-to. I imagine it's much easier than coordinating flights! We'd pile in the car, blast tunes by Bob Marley, Stevie Wonder, and Tracy Chapman, and sing our hearts out. I'd often gaze out the window along the I-5, picturing myself running through the orchards, letting my imagination carry me to far-off places. To this day, road-tripping and having full-blown car concerts remain one of my favorite things to do. I even have a few albums reserved exclusively for the open road.
“Wherever you go becomes a part of you somehow”
Think about your favorite road trip games – punch buggy, getting truck drivers to honk their horns (a classic!), or any kind of road trivia. One of my fondest discoveries was traveling down the 101 and spontaneously stopping in towns I'd never seen before, like the charming Danish village of Solvang. Grabbing a quick beer and browsing cute shops for a small souvenir always adds to the adventure. For me, travel brings new inspiration; stepping away from my daily routine is incredibly beneficial, not just for the mind but especially for the creative spirit.
So, let's explore some fun ways to infuse your travels with creative quests!
7 Creative Travel Tips to Spark Your Imagination
1. Pack a Tiny Travel Sketchbook or Idea Journal
Keep a pocket-sized notebook or sketchbook to jot down quirky street signs, overheard dialogue, or color palettes you spot in local markets. Capture the vibe, not just the view.
2. Collect Local Textures
Skip typical souvenirs—take photos of tiles, fabrics, graffiti, and shadows. Use them later as inspiration for abstract work or mood boards. *Protip: You can use the Adobe Capture app for this. It’s cool!
3. Practice the 5-Senses Rule
Each day, write down or sketch: 1 thing you saw, heard, tasted, smelled, and touched. This grounds you in the moment and trains your creative eye.
4. Turn Layovers into Creative Sprints
Use waiting time to doodle, write a haiku about your journey, or edit photos with an unusual color filter. Creativity thrives in unexpected pauses.
5. Take a “Wrong Way Walk”
Spend an hour exploring with no destination—follow the color red, the smell of bread, or a sound that intrigues you. Let curiosity be your compass.
6. Interview a Stranger (Gently)
If you’re in a safe and open environment, ask a local or fellow traveler a creative question like: What’s your favorite sound in this city? You’ll gain unique insight and maybe a new story.
7. Turn Your Camera Upside Down (Literally)
Change your perspective—photograph reflections, shoot from the hip, or look up. Unusual angles = unexpected inspiration.
Let's kick off this summer with a creative jolt! These tips can help you start building your creative codex (more on this in our next blog), a powerful tool to draw upon when you're feeling uninspired. So, let the fun, imaginary adventures begin! Try out some of these tips and share your experiences with us here or on Instagram by tagging us at Muse_Reverie.
Which of these creative travel tips are you most excited to try on your next adventure?
“Travel sparks our imagination, feeds our curiosity, and reminds us how much we all have in common”