Hey there, wanderlusters and bookworms!
What if I told you that you could walk through the romantic streets of Paris with Hemingway, or amble around Dublin’s cobblestone alleys with James Joyce? Sounds like an English major’s dream, right?
Well, hang on to your bookmarks, because this journey is about to get literary!
The Bookish Connection
While travel is an adventure for the body, a good book is an expedition for the mind. Combine the two? You’ve got yourself a trip worthy of its own epic tale!
Insider Tip: Always pack a copy of the book you’re ‘following’ to fully immerse yourself in the experience.
1. Paris, France: ‘A Moveable Feast’ by Ernest Hemingway
Ah, the City of Light! Hemingway’s ‘A Moveable Feast’ immortalizes Paris of the 1920s. Wander through the Latin Quarter, café-hop in Montparnasse, and you might just catch the spirit of Papa Hemingway himself.
Don’t Miss: The Shakespeare and Company bookstore—it’s an ode to literary history!
2. Dublin, Ireland: ‘Ulysses’ by James Joyce
Re-trace the steps of Leopold Bloom in the Dublin brought to life in Joyce’s ‘Ulysses.’ This novel takes place in just one day, so hey, it’s an excuse to pack in a whole lot of sightseeing!
Annual Event: The Bloomsday Festival every June 16th. Costumes and readings abound!
3. Pamplona, Spain: ‘The Sun Also Rises’ by Ernest Hemingway
Ready for some adrenaline? Follow the Fiesta of San Fermín, the Running of the Bulls, and get a taste of the frenzied excitement Hemingway wrote about in ‘The Sun Also Rises.’
Safety Tip: If you’re just spectating, make sure to claim your spot early for a good view.
4. St. Petersburg, Russia: ‘Crime and Punishment’ by Fyodor Dostoevsky
Feel the chilling suspense as you walk the same streets Raskolnikov roamed in Dostoevsky’s iconic novel. Visit the Haymarket Square and cross the Griboedov Canal—just maybe skip the whole murder plot.
Bonus: Check out the Dostoevsky Museum, located in the author’s former residence.
5. New York City, USA: ‘The Great Gatsby’ by F. Scott Fitzgerald
While technically set on Long Island, the spirit of the Roaring ’20s can still be felt in modern-day NYC. Put on your flapper dress or bow-tie and take in a jazz show, or visit the Plaza Hotel where some of the book’s drama unfolds.
Pro Tip: Vintage car rentals are available for a truly ‘Gatsby-esque’ experience.
The Road Less Traveled
Feel like going off the beaten path? How about following the Appalachian Trail in Bill Bryson’s ‘A Walk in the Woods,’ or touring the Mississippi River à la ‘Adventures of Huckleberry Finn’?
Reader’s Choice: What other locales from literature would you add to this list? Let us know in the comments!
How to Do It Right
Before you set off, make sure you’ve done your bookish homework. Read or re-read the novel, and maybe even some scholarly analysis for extra context.
Trust me, it’ll make the experience ten times richer!
So, that’s it, folks! Pack your bags, grab your favorite novel, and let’s set out on a journey that celebrates the magic where literature and travel collide.
Book your flights, or your reading nooks, and let’s turn some pages together!
Happy travels!
