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Sometimes, you get home and you just feel like you need to commemorate the trip with something more than a photo album on Facebook. Sometimes, the trip seems to have sunk so deep into who you are now that it makes perfect sense to have it etched into your skin.
I told him I was having second thoughts and would come back later and never did. And I’m glad I didn’t. My idea wasn’t all that great, and if you’re gonna get a tattoo of something, you should really think it through and be 100%. There are thousands of pictures of travel tattoos out there on the internet. Here are some of the coolest I found.
1
Compass
The compass is a common theme. It can range from as simple as the basic compass-on-the-wrist in the upper left-hand corner, to the incredibly complex, as in the bottom left.
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2
Globe suitcase
I’m a fan of the globe on the suitcase design. It looks like, if these weren’t done by the same artist, then one was done with the other in mind. Either way, it’s a good look.
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3
Route 66 and Paris
Maps of countries seem to be fairly common, as do skylines of favorite cities, but I actually saw relatively few maps of cities. These were two of the best ones I found. I couldn’t help but wonder what each of the hearts stood for on the Route 66 tattoo (maybe the cities named in the song?), and the Paris tattoo is just beautiful.
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Intermission
10 volunteer opportunities for free travel
by Matt Scott
23 awesome travel jobs and how to get them
by Michelle Schusterman
The world’s 25 most inspiring places to visit in 2017
by Matador Team
4
Fill-it-in-as-you-go
This guy made headlines a little while back for getting the world map tattooed on his back and then filling in the countries he visits as he goes to each of them. Even though this is an undoubtedly awesome tattoo, I feel bad for the guy after he goes to Russia.
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5
Coordinates
The coordinates of some special place are another fairly popular idea, though this doesn’t necessarily need to reflect travel. It could be home, the place that something important happened, or possibly a map to treasure.
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6
Nautical tattoos
Anchors and ships are another fairly popular theme.
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7
Minimalist tattoos
I’m a big fan of the minimalist tattoo done well. I also think the paper airplane is about the perfect symbol for the concept of wanderlust, which is one of the most common words I was finding on travel tattoos.
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8
Maps
Obviously, world maps are ubiquitous. But there’s an infinite amount of variety and complexity to how you can do them.
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9
Free bird
Another great symbol is the “free bird.” Though this doesn’t necessarily denote travel, it signifies a state of mind compatible to travel.
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by Michelle Schusterman
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by Caitlin M. Kelly
10
Stamps
A postage stamp/postmark would be a great way to represent your hometown or a place that’s particularly close to your heart.
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11
Voyage
The creative image-based ones typically involve a globe or a vehicle with a token word or two.
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12
Globe mandala
This globe mandala is one of my favorite travel-themed tattos. You could alter the specific design according to your own experiences.
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13
Foot tattoos
For those who may not want large tattoos on prominent parts of their bodies, foot tattoos may be an understated alternative. All you need to cover them up are socks.
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14
Passport stamps
This is the best on the passport stamp theme. I have at least four of these stamps in my own passport.
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15
Arms
Personally, I have no desire to commemorate the airports I’ve been to. Airports are almost universally a miserable experience. But it’s another cool ongoing list.
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Intermission
18 awesome camping gear ideas you never would have thought of
by Shar Riley
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by David Miller
On the lure of the travel tattoo
by Cristina Luisa
16
Wanderers
I’m not a big fan of quotes or words on tattoos. It’s a visual-art medium, so in my opinion pictures are preferable. That said, not everyone gets tattoos for the art. Sometimes they just need to be reminded of something.
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17
Skylines
Skylines are a trendy choice, and you can find them for virtually any city with a remotely distinctive skyline.
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18
The “everything”
Of course, if you’re having trouble picking between all your options, you could just get your entire life tattooed on your back and arms.
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Source: matadornetwork.com