A traveler buys a card printed with a photograph of a place, writes a short message on the back, and mails it to someone at home. That card is a postcard. It is both greeting and lightweight souvenir.

Postcards once served as a primary way to share travel moments before instant digital photos. They remain popular as tangible objects and collectibles. Writing and mailing them requires stamps and a mailbox, small rituals that some travelers still enjoy. The image chosen often becomes the recipient's mental picture of the destination.

Shops near attractions stock racks of local views. Quality varies from cliché shots to more distinctive local photography. Arrival times by international post can be slow; the postcard sometimes reaches home after the traveler does. That delay is part of its charm.

• Card with an image of a place, sent by mail
• Combines personal message and visual souvenir
• Sold widely at tourist sites
• Retains appeal as a physical travel memento