The first time I went to Venice, I woke in the crisp early mornings. I took Vaporetto rides around the canals, feeling the gentle spray of water lapping at the side of the boat and the morning sun reflecting on the stunning architecture looming out of the Venetian lagoon. I recall eating the best pizza of my life, enjoying gelato in San Marco Piazza, and learning about the multi-faceted history of this water-bound city. Venice is truly a romantic experience, regardless of if you’re a solo traveler or a couple.
I hadn’t thought of returning anytime soon, but then I received a copy of Evie Carrick’s Venice: A Color-Your-Own Travel Journal. The next thing I knew, I was researching the best time of year to go and imagining myself sitting at a cafe, a macchiato or two on my table while relaxing with this beautifully bound book. With Emma Taylor’s intricate illustrations, the book combines travel tips, fascinating histories, and a creative outlet through coloring and journaling. It feels like a personal invitation to connect with the city at a different level.
Unlike traditional travel books, Carrick’s series encourages you to slow down and savor each location. Instead of a list of attractions, you’ll find pages of famous landmarks and local highlights waiting to be colored. Besides these illustrations, lined sections invite you to add personal notes about your experiences, thoughts, or impressions. Honestly, I can’t think of a better gift for travel lovers.
More Than a Travel Guide
What sets this travel journal apart is its unique design. Inside are 30 Venetian landmarks, from iconic spots like St. Mark’s Square to the vibrant Rialto Market. Each is paired with fascinating insights and beautifully illustrated coloring pages by artist Emma Taylor. There’s also space to jot down personal reflections, trip plans, or dreams of someday visiting.
As someone who’s already fallen in love with Venice, I feel that this book is a way to revisit my experiences there without the price tag of a vacation. I can imagine sitting by the Grand Canal, pencil in hand, coloring in the Bridge of Sighs while taking in the view. For solo travelers who love spending time in cafés or parks, it’s an ideal way to pass the hours and a unique way to connect with a place.
A Perfect Gift for Travel Lovers and Dreamers
With its quality hardcover design and illustrations, this book feels more like a keepsake than a typical travel guide. Evie Carrick and Emma Taylor have created something unique, blending history, art, and wanderlust into one beautiful package. Returning to Venice with this book is now at the top of my travel wish list! Perhaps coloring journals will become one of this year’s top travel trends.
This book is one of the newest in the Color Your World Travel Journal Series by the same author and illustrator. The series includes travel journals for popular destinations Paris, New York City, Boston, Thailand, Tokyo, and London. Published by Adams Media, all versions are available on Amazon, and I think they make one of the best gifts for travel lovers this holiday season.
