International Literacy Day Inspired Travel
To mark International Literacy Day on 8th September 2018, here’s a round-up of some literature based travel destinations.
Jerusalem: Home to the Dead Sea scrolls and the oldest Biblical manuscripts
One of the world’s most historical cities, it’s no surprise that The Israel Museum takes a journey through time from ancient biblical manuscripts to stories in Hebrew Bibles of today.
For more information please visit: I Travels Jerusalem
Peru: Celebrate the 60th anniversary of Paddington Bear
This year marks the 60th anniversary of original storybook, A Bear Called Paddington, who arrives from ‘Darkest Peru’. The book brought Peru’s endangered Andean bear into the spotlight and Peru is now dedicated to them.
For more information please visit: www.peru.travel
Ontario: Explore Margaret Atwood’s Ontario
Raised in Ontario, Atwood is responsible for novel Alias Grace, the protagonist of which was jailed there. Visitors can visit the same Kingston Penitentiary, now a National Historic Site of Canada.
For more information please visit: Ontario Travel
Baltimore: Home sweet home for Edgar Allen Poe
Visitors can visit Poe’s last remaining residence containing information and artefacts from his life in Baltimore where he wrote his early work. The George Peabody Library also houses many rare writings and original letters.
For more information please visit: Baltimore Website
Cosmos tours: Visit the home of Dracula on a Transylvania escorted tour
Dracula fans can explore the Treasures of the Balkans and Transylvania in a classic escorted tour and visit both the birthplace and castle inhabited by him.
For more information please visit: Cosmos Tours
Nevada: Follow in the footsteps of Stephen King along Route 50
King’s travel across the loneliest road in America, Route 50 inspired him to write Desperation Nevada and fans can now replicate his experience.
For more information please visit: Travel Nevada
Brecon Beacons: Discover JRR Tolkien’s real life ‘Shire’
South Wales’ Brecon Beacons National Park was the inspiration for Tolkien’s ‘The Shire’ in Lord of the Rings and visitors can spend time spotting similarities whilst climbing Table Mountain.
For more information please visit: Brecon Beacons
Brand USA: Bill Bryson rediscovers America’s Appalachian Trail
In A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail, Bill Bryson recounts his intention to walk the entire trail. The entire trail takes six months but most take on smaller sections.
For more information please visit Visit the USA
Mauritius: Escape to Mark Twain’s ‘heaven’ on earth
Mark Twain famously said ‘Mauritius was made first, and then heaven, and heaven was copied after Mauritius.’ From sandy, white beaches to lush rainforests, it’s an easy comparison to make.
For more information please visit: Tourism Mauritius
New York City: Literary landmarks in the city that inspired literary masterpieces
NYC is used as a backdrop for many literary masterpieces such as J.D Salinger’s The Catcher in the Rye but is also home to hotels such as The Renwick, once residence of John Steinbeck to The Library Hotel with its literary-themed rooftop with a writer’s den, poetry garden and bookmarks lounge.
For more information please visit NYCGO
Montréal: Discover the home of novelist, poet and songwriter Leonard Cohen
Leonard Cohen, singer-songwriter, was originally a writer from Montréal. Montréal’s Musée d’art Contemporain (MAC) hosted the Leonard Cohen: ‘A Crack in Everything’ exhibition which may tour internationally soon.
The Palm Beaches: Discover rare signed first editions at Raptis Rare Books
The book gallery on Worth Avenue is home to many Raptis Rare Books whose collections feature first edition books including John Locke’s Two Treatises on Government, listed at £187,600.
For more information please visit: The Palm Beaches
I am an English, Journalism and Creative Writing student and aspiring journalist who is full of wonder and wanderlust. I have been fortunate enough to experience some great destinations and I am currently working on ticking off the seven wonders of the world of which I have been to two of so far.