If you love books and travel, then it just makes sense to combine the two into a bookish travel experience. Do you ever plan trips around your favorite author or book? 

All stories are set somewhere, and in many books, the setting plays a very important role. Next time you’re planning a trip, think about including a location related to a book or author that you admire.

If you need inspiration, keep reading for ideas about how to do this… along with some examples of trips that I’ve taken.

Oh, and if you click on any of the images of books, you will be taken to an Amazon link. If you purchase anything through my link, I will get a small commission, as I am an Amazon Affiliate. Thank you.

Pay a Visit to an Author’s Home 

Many author’s homes have been turned into museums, but even if that isn’t the case, you can still roam the same streets and immerse yourself in the environment that gave them inspiration. Usually, cities or towns where an author lived (or even visited) try to build a little tourism around that fact.

Shakespeare’s Home in Stratford-upon-Avon, England:  If you’re a Shakespeare fan, then this is a place not to be missed. You can visit the Bard’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s former home, and many other places related to his life. The entire town is filled with Shakespearean charm.

Beatrix Potter and William Wordsworth homes in the Lake District, England: When I went to the Lake District for a literary visit, it was a double whammy: Beatrix Potter’s and William Wordsworth’s homes were very close together. In fact, there were several places related to both of these authors within a very small area. See Literary Visit to the Lake District

Dante’s House Museum in Florence, Italy: In the medieval part of Florence, you can visit Dante’s House Museum, which is a medieval house very near to where the Great Poet lived. His original house is long gone, so they used a similar one in the same area to make a museum. You can find the Dante House on my Dante Walking Tour – or if you feel ready to dive into this classic, see the Amazon link here.

Have a Sleepover in an Author’s Home

In certain places you can even spend the night in an author’s home. Some of these homes have been turned into holiday rentals so you can sleep within the same four walls where great literature was penned. Here are just a few that I’ve seen – although I haven’t stayed in one:

Casa Guidi in Florence, Italy: This apartment was the home of Robert and Elizabeth Barrett Browning. It’s now managed by the Landmark Trust, and they rent it out for holiday stays. See Casa Guidi info here. You can also visit it during the day, if you don’t want to spend the night.

Jane Austen Flat in Bath, England: Jane Austen lived in Bath for about 5 years and two of her novels were set there. One place that Jane called home is now privately owned and is an Airbnb apartment. See Jane Austen apartment here.

Palazzo Portinari Salviati in Florence, Italy: Also in Florence, this luxury hotel was once the childhood home of Dante’s muse, Beatrice Portinari. Although technically not an author, she was very important in Dante’s life. You can spend the night there – or if that’s too pricey (and it is quite pricey), you can just have lunch. 

Visit a Place Featured in a Book (or Film)

Sometimes when you read a book, the setting sounds so enticing that you just want to go and see it for yourself. 

Remarkable Creatures: After I read this book by Tracy Chevalier, I just had to go to Lyme Regis, on the south coast of England to look for fossils. I was so sure that I too could find an Ichthyosaurus… No such luck – but I did have a wonderful time looking for fossils by the sea and visiting the museum and the town. Read more about Mary here: Mary Anning’s Curious Fossils

Verona: Home of Juliet and Letters to Juliet: The city of Verona makes the most of its connection to the famous Shakespeare story of Romeo and Juliet. It was also featured in the more recent book (and film), Letters to Juliet. You can visit Juliet’s House and her tomb – never mind that she was a fictional character. The city is definitely worth a visit. Read more about Juliet here: Lovelorn Seek Help from Juliet and Beatrice

Read Up Before You Go

If you have a trip planned that doesn’t correspond to any book you’re familiar with, find one. There’s sure to be a book set in that area. What better way to get a flavor of the culture and/or history. And if you have a special interest (mine is history) you might find a book about your area of interest set in that area. What could be better? 

When I’m traveling somewhere, I almost always look for a historical fiction book set there. Even when the books don’t end up on my ‘favorites’ list, I always pick up a few interesting points about the place.

The Birth of Venus by Sarah Dunant and Florence, Italy: – Florence is one of those places that I just keep going back to. I’ve been there many times, and one of those times, I chose this book to read before I went. It’s set in Florence during the Renaissance and its protagonist is a nun who paints. Through this book I discovered a real, historical painting nun, Plautilla Nelli. She was Florence’s first female artist, and she produced an amazing Last Supper painting on display in Santa Maria Novella church. 

So, a historical fiction book led to a real historical character which led to a work of art. You never know where a good book will lead you.

Find a Festival

Some towns and cities hold general book festivals, and others hold festivals to celebrate their literary connections. 

Jane Austen Festival in Bath, England: I’m lucky enough to live in Bath, England where Jane Austen is celebrated every year for ten days in September. People come from all over the world to live like the Georgian-era author. You can see people dressed in period clothing walking along the streets in front of the same buildings that Jane Austen, herself, used to walk by. The days are filled with dining, dancing, talks about the author, talks about the era, guided walks, plays, etc. Read about the effects of Jane’s books here: Jane Austen: Prescription for a Troubled Soul

Alice’s Day in Oxford, England: On 4^th July 1862 Charles Dodgson (Lewis Carroll) took three little girls (Lorina, Alice, and Edith Liddell) on a boat trip and told them a story. That was the beginning of the Alice in Wonderland stories. Now every year on the Saturday nearest 4^th July, they celebrate Alice’s Day. It’s not a big festival, but it’s fun. There are costumed characters from the books and a large walking puppet of Alice. Read more here: Alice in Wonderland in Oxford and Other Places

Take a Tour

Some companies do tours designed around literature. If a city has any connection to an author, book, or film, they’ll probably have a walking tour to show off the associated places. 

Charles Dickens in London, England: When I’m in London around Christmas time, I like to take the Charles Dickens walking tour then go to the Dickens House and Museum on Christmas Eve for mince pies and mulled wine. See London Walks and Dickens and His Christmas Carol

Sleuth Out the Statues

Many cities have erected statues to honor their native authors and their books. It can be fun to explore a city based on its literary statues.

Paddington, Pooh, Pan, and Potter Statues in London, England: Wander around London looking for statues or plaques related to children’s literature characters. In London you can find these four and maybe more. Read more here: Paddington, Pooh, Pan, and Potter

Look for Books

Maybe you just love books – no matter what’s inside the covers. In that case, you might want to visit places with special libraries or bookstores. 

Hay-on-Wye, Wales – Book Town: This place prides itself on being the world’s first Book Town. This entire town is filled with bookshops, and they also have an annual festival. Read more here: The World’s First Book Town

Shakespeare and Company Bookshop in Paris, France: This famous and quirky bookshop is the center of the English-speaking literary community in Paris. Read more: Shakespeare and Company

Aqua Alta in Venice, Italy: – This unique bookshop made the best of a bad situation. When the bookshop flooded and ruined hundreds of books, they just used the soggy tomes to decorate the shop, and then they put their new books on high shelves or in boats. Note: The first time I visited this place, I was practically the only one there. However, I recently went back at Carnival time and it was ridiculously crowded. It’s a small space and there was just a single file line moving through the aisles (both of them) and you couldn’t even stop to look at anything. So don’t go at carnival time.

These are just a few examples of some of my literary travels… What about you? Have you taken any trips related to books or authors?

If you are thinking about the upcoming holidays, books make great gifts… and I have a few of my own. Have a look at Margo’s Books here.

What do you think? Let me know in the comments section below. And if you want to read more of my curious histories, subscribe to my blog (at the top or bottom of this page).

Follow Me on Social Media:

• Facebook
• Instagram
• YouTube
• TikTok