Are you an avid reader and love books? Do you want to travel the world while taking in new sights that interest you? Well, look no further than trips around the world to some of the best book-related hotspots! Visit stunning destinations that fuel your passion for reading, having the trip of a lifetime and learning more about classic and much-loved books. Nurture your literary soul and explore unique destinations with these awesome top book destinations around the world for book lovers!
New York
The first top destination for avid readers is no surprise. The Big Apple is jam-packed with book attractions as it is the heart of the publishing world. Publishing was centered in New York way before the internet was born and continues to thrive to this day in the city.
Firstly, New York is home to the New York Public Library which is a stunning and huge can’t-miss destination. It lives right in the center of Manhattan and has gorgeous architecture and design, even those who aren’t book lovers won’t be able to resist a photo for Instagram.
As well as this, there’s a jaw-dropping bookstore in the city, known as the Strand. This is well-loved among all New Yorkers who love to read and is a historic store, as it opened nearly 100 years ago! It has around 2.5 million books to lose yourself in, you could literally spend years in this store.
Stratford Upon Avon, England
If you haven’t visited the birthplace of Shakespeare yet, then you definitely need to plan a vacation to Stratford Upon Avon. Filled with iconic and historical landmarks, such as Shakespeare’s birthplace, Anne Hathaway’s cottage and Shakespeare’s Globe, this quaint destination is the place to be for transporting you back in time to walk in the footsteps of the English literary hero. Educate yourself more on Shakespeare and his iconic work and discover his belongings and his properties.
Not only can you see the ever-popular literary attractions that take you back to Shakespearian times, but you can also immerse yourself in imagining what it was like to be a young Shakespeare in Shakespeare’s schoolroom. You can see where he learned about literature and how he discovered his passion through costumed guides. Plus, you can also visit Shakespeare’s grave at Holy Trinity Church.
Boston & Amherst, Massachusetts
Boston has lots of literary history with popular book attractions. It has an area named the Boston Literary District where you can walk past the homes of Robert Frost and Henry James. There are also opportunities to attend author readings and book events to enjoy. Within this area of Boston, you can uncover the Edgar Allan Poe Square which is located near where the home he was born in once stood. Outside of this, 30 minutes away from Boston, you can check out the Louisa May Alcott Orchard House where the author lived when she wrote Little Women.
Amherst is also a popular destination for book lovers in Massachusetts as Emily Dickinson’s home and museum live there. What makes her home more interesting than other icons, is that she rarely left it, especially in the last few decades of her life. She was reclusive and wrote about it and you can stand right where she spent all of her time writing.
Scotland
Many parts of Scotland need to be explored by avid readers as it’s a treasure chest of book attractions where literary heroes spent time writing. Troon is the birthplace of the poet Robert Burns, and you can learn more about him and his work at the Robert Burns Birthplace Museum. As well as this, Dumfries was the inspiration behind the fictional world of Peter Pan as J.M. Barrie moved there when he was 13. The Moat Brae House and the Neverland Discovery Garden showcase his work and is a great family attraction to encourage kids to love literature too and experience the magic of storytelling.
You can also walk in the footsteps of J.K. Rowling where she penned portions of Harry Potter in Edinburgh. Inspire yourself, just like the magical city inspired her, through the stunning architecture and old-world feel of the very first UNESCO City of Literature!
Prince Edward Island, Canada
The beloved children’s novel written by L.M. Montgomery, Anne of Green Gables, was set in Prince Edward Island, Canada. Due to this, why not go and see the place yourself and marvel at the many attractions related to the book? The island is beautiful and showcases lots of information about the book, its author and the local landmarks that any fan of this classic story would want to see.
You can take a look at the Green Gables Heritage Place. Take an adventure through the original house and take in the greenery through the 19th-century gardens, engaging in exciting book activities along the way.
Key West, Florida
Another largely popular destination to visit is a priority on the book lover’s travel itinerary. Key West in Florida has many attractions that you seriously won’t want to miss out on.
The first thing you must do when you get there is visit the Hemingway Home and Museum. Feel the rich history of the ever popular and historic literary figure Ernest Hemingway and explore his home. He also has the first inground pool in Key West which is absolutely gorgeous. The house is also famous for the many six-toed cats- some that are descendants of Hemingway’s actual cats- that roam the grounds.
Hay-on-Wye, Wales
For a unique travel destination that is related to books, why not go to the less-known Hay-on-Wye in Wales. This town is known as the Town of Books and is a charming area that is any book lover’s dream. There are many cozy cafes and spots to cuddle up and read or write, as well as other areas to explore. There are also plenty of various accommodations to stay in, such as Aber Bay that is a short drive away.
It is filled with independent bookstores to explore and find new reads and narrow, quaint streets that inspire creativity and adventure for a book hunt. It also hosts book festivals that bring some of the world’s best writers, thinkers and storytellers to the book town, meaning, depending on when you visit, you may just meet a book icon!
So, what are you waiting for? Pack up your clothes (and books) and head to these top book destinations around the world for book lovers to walk in the footsteps of literary icons and discover unique book-related attractions that will only strengthen your passion and love for books. Get these destinations booked for a once-in-a-lifetime vacation you will remember for years to come!