How to Write about Your Travel Experience

How to Write about Your Travel Experience

How to write about your travel experience

Hello, dear English learners! Have you ever been asked to write about a trip you’ve taken — maybe for an essay, an article, or even your travel blog? Describing travel experiences is one of the most enjoyable topics in English writing because it allows you to combine storytelling with rich vocabulary. Today’s lesson will show you how to make your travel writing sound natural, interesting, and well-organised — especially if you’re preparing for the Cambridge B2 First (FCE) or C1 Advanced (CAE) exam. How to Write about Your Travel Experience

Plan Before You Write

Before you start writing, think about the who, where, when, what, and why:

• Who did you travel with?
• Where did you go?
• When did it happen?
• What was special about it?
• Why was it memorable?

Make a quick outline to help you stay organised:

Introduction – where you went and why

Main body – what you did, what you saw, how you felt

Conclusion – what you learned or what made it unforgettable

Use Rich Vocabulary and Natural Travel Expressions

When writing about your travels, it’s easy to fall into the trap of using simple, overused words like nice, good, or beautiful. These words don’t tell your reader much — they’re safe but bland. To make your writing vivid and memorable, choose richer adjectives and specific travel vocabulary that create clear images in your reader’s mind.

Replace Ordinary Words with Expressive Alternatives

Tip: Try to mix adjectives and nouns creatively — for example, “serene countryside,” “buzzing nightlife,” “picturesque harbour,” or “crystal-clear water.”

How to Write about Your Travel Experience

Common Travel Collocations

Collocations make your writing sound fluent and natural — the way native speakers really use the language. Here are some perfect examples for travel writing:

How to Write About Your Travel Experience

Extra Tip

When describing your travel experience, use a balance of sensory language — sights, sounds, smells, and feelings. Instead of writing “The city was beautiful,” say “The narrow streets were filled with the smell of freshly baked bread and the sound of church bells echoing in the distance.” That’s the kind of detail that brings your writing to life!

Add Phrasal Verbs and Idioms

Using natural expressions will make your story sound authentic:

Set off

Meaning: to begin a journey

• We set off early in the morning to avoid traffic.

Check in

Meaning: to register at a hotel or airport

• We checked in and immediately went to explore the city.

Run out of

Meaning: to use up all supplies.

• Halfway through the trip, we ran out of cash!

Hit the road

Meaning: to start travelling

• After a quick breakfast, we hit the road again.

Off the beaten track

Meaning: far from touristy places

• We found a charming village off the beaten track.

How to Write About Your Travel Experience

Describe Feelings and Reflections

Don’t just list events — show how you felt. For example:

• I’ll never forget the moment I saw the sunset over the sea.
• It was the first time I had travelled abroad on my own, and I felt both nervous and excited.
• The trip taught me the importance of slowing down and appreciating simple moments.

Example Paragraph

Last summer, I travelled to Lisbon with my best friend. We set off from Belgrade early in the morning and arrived just in time to see the sun setting over the Tagus River. The old town was full of narrow streets, colourful buildings, and the smell of grilled sardines. We spent our days exploring museums and beaches, and our evenings listening to Fado music in tiny local bars. It was a trip I’ll remember for the rest of my life.

Useful Linking Words

Use connectors to make your writing smooth:

• To begin with, first of all, after that, finally
• Although, however, on the other hand
• As a result, therefore, in the end
• In addition, besides, what’s more

How to Write about Your Travel Experience

Tips for FCE & CAE Writing

Write in past tenses (Past Simple, Past Continuous, Past Perfect).

Keep a friendly and lively tone.

Use varied vocabulary and avoid repetition.

Finish with a personal reflection or a lesson learned.

Check your spelling and punctuation carefully.

Practice Task

Write about a journey you’ll never forget.

Include:

• Where you went
• What you did
• How you felt
• Why it was special

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