The 10 best travel destinations for book lovers

What’s better than reading a book on holiday? Actually getting to experience that book with a holiday!

Once you’ve read through your TBR list (to be read list, iykyk) and become inspired by the characters and stories within, the next logical step is to travel and make your own adventure. But where? 

We’re all different readers, we all like different things. Sunny resorts to drool over the latest romance, storied cities to devour a classic, or dirt roads to get lost on a fantasy adventure. The world is as vast and varied as the pages we read, so here are some of the best travel destinations for literature lovers inspired by popular books.

1. If you like Frankenstein or Wuthering Heights, head to Yorkshire

While Frankenstein’s adaptations will have you wandering through the wilds of Scotland, there’s just no place like Yorkshire if you’re after gothic perfection. The Yorkshire moors are the setting for Wuthering Heights’ darkly romantic tale, and Emerald Fennel’s latest adaptation was filmed in many locations – so why not start there?

Filled with rolling hills, small stone walls that contain adorable flocks of sheep, crumbling ruins dotted here and there, and of course the historied city of York: this British region can’t be missed.

Face the whispered tales of monsters made from man and unsettling house guests as you roam the winding cobblestoned streets. Top tip: why not rent a shack on the windy moors to really immerse yourself in the chilling vibe? 

2. If you like A Little Life or The Catcher in the Rye, head to New York City

Ah, the great American novel! Well, there are so many that the title keeps changing, and times are ever changing too. But one place that is always the same, yet manages to encompass so much of the world and its meaning, is New York City in the great big US of A. 

One of the most classic of classics which may have defined the bildungsroman is J.D. Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye which sees protagonist Holden Caulfield roaming through a snowy 1950s city. If you’ve been looking to experience a chilly winter wonderland on the east coast, retracing Holden’s footsteps could be your perfect excuse!

The contemporary A Little Life which spans years and years in the city just goes to show that the same truths about growing up and growing old are felt from generation to generation – in the heart of a city that knows all.

Sure, both these books are heavy and sad (very sad for A Little Life), but your visit in the big bright neon apple doesn’t have to be! 

3. If you like Outline or The Song of Achilles, head to Greece

If you’re a fan of Rachel Cusk’s introspective Outline, or her other balmy and meditative works of fiction, you probably enjoy meeting people and unlocking the secrets of life. Well, Athens, one of the oldest cities in the world is brimming with knowledge, history, and philosophy, and people to share it with. Sunny days and amazing conversations await (especially if you travel with Contiki…).

More of a mythology fan chasing legend and sun? Bring your copy of The Song of Achilles or The Illiad, and hop on a Greek Island adventure! On a boat from Santorini to Mykonos to Paros, you can pretend you’re shipping off to history-making battles ahead. And, if you find yourself crying at the endings, just say you got some salty ocean in your eyes.

4. If you like Twilight or The Shining, head to the Pacific Northwest

Yeah, sure, these books are really different vibes, probably for different folks; but doesn’t that just speak to the versatility of the Pacific Northwest? For those unacquainted, the PNW encompasses the American states of Washington and Oregon, as well as parts of Canada. Defined by mirror lakes, snow-capped mountains, the lushest forests you’ve ever seen, and the longest stretches of starry sky, this place is a dream.

Twilight is set here, and you can track many of the franchise’s filming locations across various woods and cascades, and although The Shining is set the fictitious Overlook Hotel, you can explore real snowy peaks and go a little insane. This destination appeals to the moody and slightly intense, we just hope you run into a Cullen and not Jack Nicholson…

5. If you like Butter or Norwegian Wood, head to Tokyo

Japanese literature has a reputation for being wild and quirky with odd-ball story lines and revelations about the deepest, darkest depths of humanity underneath. And just like their books, Japan is a wild and quirky place. If you loved Butter’s electric energy, or the tenderness and beautiful descriptions in Norwegian Wood, then you’re going to want to visit Tokyo.

The city is as varied as Haruki Murakami’s bibliography, filled with unexpected stories at every turn. Neon streets harbouring smokey and delicious izakaya, regal temples cradled between skyscrapers, tranquil Ueno Park and larger-than-life Harajuku on opposite ends of the road. Tokyo is an curious place for the curious reader, eager to dig out the secrets of life.

6. If you like People We Meet on Vacation or Call Me By Your Name, head to Italy!

Italy is not only one of the best places to travel, it’s also one of the best places to get your summer reading in and taste all the delicious romance (and pasta) in the air. It’s the place where love stories were made – both happy and bittersweet.

If you’re a fan of Call Me By Your Name, or really any of André Aciman’s novels, Italy is a non-negotiable destination. You can check out the dreamy filming locations, or make your own story in Lombardy, Puglia, or Trentino. A little bit of aperol and a little bit of sorrow a perfect holiday make!

The recent adaptation of People We Meet on Vacation isn’t actually filmed in Italy, but, with a chunk of the actual book taking place in balmy Tuscany, why would you want to miss out?

If you want to balance the heartache and the bliss, hop on Contiki’s Ultimate Italy!

7. If you like Fourth Wing, The Snow Child, or Once There Were Wolves, head to Norway

So much of the joy of reading comes from the book’s atmosphere. Searching for drama, rugged landscapes, places that will test your mettle like a fantasy heroine? Look no further than Norway.

Yes, technically the fictitious Basgiath War College from Fourth Wing is giving rugged Scotland vibes, but since we all know that, I wanted to give you a different travel option which will give you less competition if you’re looking to score your own Wingleader. Norway’s fjords are the perfect location to explore with swooping valleys and stretches of gem-like waterways to give you all the drama.

Norway is dramatic, but also elegant and glittery in the peak of winter. Cold? Sure, but feeling the bite in your bones is how you know you’re alive.

If you like The Snow Child or even Once There Were Wolves, we recommend you be brave and submit yourself to the will of the elements in Tromsø. Difficult, but you’ll be rewarded with some Sami reindeer.

8. If you like The God of Small Things, head to India

The God of Small Things might be one of the most touching and introspective novels out there, born from deep reflection on the self and the world. It’s not only written by an Indian author, but is also set in the southern Indian province of Kerala. Want to do some reflecting? Some learning and growing? Head on holiday there.

National parks with canopied river-cruises, lush plantations that engulf entire collections of hills in brilliant green, coasts and beaches and vibrant cities to top it off – Kerala is a heavily underrated section of India, and perfect for the traveller who might want to avoid noise and crowds (in favour of more reading time?). India is also the home to Buddhism, and if you like The God of Small Things, there’s a chance you’ll resonate with many of the religion’s teachings, so visit some temples and monasteries too.

9. If you like Pachinko or Summer in Sokcho, head to South Korea!

Pachinko, a generational historical fiction about a Korean family, and Summer in Sokcho, a dreamy and subdued vacation novel, present two sides of the same coin when it comes to Korean writing – reflecting how vast and diverse the country is! Visit Seoul and glimpse the rich history embedded in neon streets and make sure to indulge in the nightlife and all that glitters. Then, head out into the countryside and get to grips with the charms of rural life; the heartland from which South Korea’s blood flows.

10. If you like The Alchemist, head to… everywhere!

A classic and enchanting book, The Alchemist has dazzled many readers because of Paul Coelho’s magical prose and insightful messages hidden between the lines. Reading, like travel, is an exercise in self-reflection, isn’t it? And this little book is the perfect travel companion. Follow the protagonist through Egypt, Spain, Morocco, and through the Sahara Desert. An unconventional journey, certainly one that will see you sweat, but the experiences gained (and the photos for your Instagram grid) will tell a powerful story at the end.