Push Pin Travel Map: Every Travel Lover Wants One Of These

But what about the big picture? 

For a very long time I wanted to have a visual representation of my travels. Something that inspired me while sitting on the couch in my Batcave. Something that reminded me of the vast scale of our beautiful world, but also encapsulated the concept that we’re all intrinsically connected. 

I’ve been sitting on the idea of a wall-mounted push pin travel map for many years. And now thanks to a gentle prod from my friends at Holy Cow Canvas, this dream has materialised. 

What The Holy Cow Canvas, Batman?

These guys have created a really clever product that I know every travel lover will want. 

Even the fussy minimalist ones like me. 

And Batman. 

The purchase process is dead-set simple. Designs can be customised to be as unique as you. And this decor will last for many, many years to come. 

Every time I visit a new destination, I can place a pin on my map. Or using a different pin colour, visualise all the cities and countries I’d like to visit. Or just use my Batman-style ninja star.

And if you don't get the Batman & Robin references, find enlightenment here. 

The owner, Tom Kacius, operates from a small studio and provides personalised service for each customer. But he’s big enough to provide very reasonable prices. No cookie-cutter experience here – rather a passionate team dedicated to ensure customer satisfaction. I believe Batman would approve.

From Plain Wall To “Wow” In 5 Photos

Here’s how my Dark Knight inspired push pin travel map took shape…

This wall looks like the perfect spot!

Opening my box

Canvas is wrapped in protective film

Getting the canvas lined up

Let’s go here!

Why I Love My Push Pin Travel Map From Holy Cow Canvas

1. Lots of designs to choose from

There are 8 designs available, with in either a single panel or 3-panel format. The classic, modern and industrial design options will suit any living room or superhero den.

I chose the 40”x24” modern black & white single panel. 

2. Customise quote and legend

This is where you can make the map truly yours. Add a personalised quote to inspire your next adventure. Plus the legend can be tailored to suit whatever you want. For example, you could do “travels planned” and “travels taken” in 2 different pin colours. The legend title can have your name, family name or anything else you wish. 

Once you settle on your design, Holy Cow Canvas will email you the design proof within 2-7 days. Then after you’ve approved it, production will commence. 

To get your creative juices flowing, here’s a bunch of popular inspirational travel quotes: 

“The world is a book, and those who do not travel read only one page.” - Saint Augustine 

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do.” - Mark Twain 

“Life is either a daring adventure or nothing.” - Helen Keller 

“Not all those who wander are lost.” - J.R.R. Tolkien 

“Travel is the only thing you buy that makes you richer.” - Anonymous 

“One's destination is never a place, but always a new way of seeing things.” – Henry Miller 

“A mind that is stretched by a new experience can never go back to its old dimensions.” - Oliver Wendell Holmes 

“People don’t take trips, trips take people.” - John Steinbeck 

“For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel’s sake. The great affair is to move.” - Robert Louis Stevenson 

“Travel makes one modest. You see what a tiny place you occupy in the world.” - Gustave Flaubert 

“We travel not to escape life, but for life not to escape us.” - Anonymous 

“Man cannot discover new oceans unless he has the courage to lose sight of the shore.” - Andre Gide 

“Life begins at the end of your comfort zone.” - Neale Donald Walsch

3. Quality construction and printing

This isn’t a cheap-and-nasty canvas. Each museum-quality canvas is printed on state-of-the-art equipment and hand-stretched. The fade resistant ink is rated to last over 100 years.

The folks behind Holy Cow Canvas have over 20 years’ experience in graphic design so they know what they’re doing. 

4. Different colour pins

It’s the little details that matter. Push pins are available in 8 colours (chocolate brown, black, sky blue, crimson red, white, cream, lime and navy) to suit your taste. The map includes 2 boxes of 50 pins, at colours of your choosing, and you can order extras if you like. 

Batman prefers to work in black, or dark, dark grey.

5. Built in hooks

Clever low-profile hooks are built into the frame. These have zig-zag “teeth” so the canvas sits firmly in place using pretty much any kind of standard wood/wall screw and won’t slide around. You have do your own drilling, but that’s about it.

6. Fast delivery

Once the canvas has been printed and framed, delivery times are 1-4 business days in the US and 6-10 business days in Canada. International shipping is available, with quotes given on request (look for the “message us” button at the bottom-right corner of their website). 

Importantly, the packaging is done well. And even though my canvas was sent over a long distance before it reached my hot little hands, it came out of the box looking perfect. 

The Bottom Line

I’m so happy with my new push pin travel map! Not only does it add flair to my living room (aka the Batcave), but it’s also an interesting conversation starter with friends and family when they visit. 

Now I find myself sometimes just staring at the map, pondering life’s most important question… 

…where to go next?