5 Must See Literary Sites from Around the World

Books and travel. 

For this literature-loving traveler, the sweet spot is finding where those two things intersect. 

I asked some travel blogger friends to weigh in on their favorite travel destinations that had a literary component, and I got responses that spanned the globe. Check out these amazing sites that will inspire and teach you!

Photo credit: Anekdotique.com

Location: Tomb of Hafez, Musalla Gardens, Iran
Literature Tie-in: Khwāja Shams-ud-Dīn Muhammad Hāfez-e Shīrāzī, Iranian poet

Ever heard of Khwāja Shams-ud-Dīn Muhammad Hāfez-e Shīrāzī? You should! Because Hafez is one the finest lyric poets of Persia and one of the most romantic poets of all time. The writer himself hardly ever travelled outside Shiraz, the city of poets and gardens. That is why most of his poems and love stories are set in the capital of Fars Province in the southwest of Iran and in its surroundings. And that is probably also the reason why you might have the feeling that his words of love come to life when walking though the picturesque city, that is full of ancient citadels, oldest mosques and gorgeous gardens. 

Furthermore, one of the towns most important sights is the Tomb of Hafez, a memorial hall situated in the beautiful Musalla Gardens. In can absolutely recommend taking a stroll in these beautiful green area. Why not even take one of Hafez’ books with you, sit down at a bench and enjoy some of his poetry. I guess this is exactly what the author wanted his readers to do: find love in his words and then live it inside the most beautiful nature. It is just a perfect fit. No wonder that his works can be found in the homes of most Iranian people.  

Clemens, Anekdotique.com
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Photo Credit: SantaFeTravelers.com

Location: Santa Fe, New Mexico
Literature Tie-in: Willa Cather's Death Comes to the Archbishop

In 1925, Pulitzer Prize-winning author Willa Cather came to New Mexico to visit with socialite Mabel Dodge Luhan (renowned for hosting a who’s who of artistic, literary and intellectual names of that time) and D.H. Lawrence and his wife Frieda who were living on a ranch outside Taos Luhan that once belonged to Luhan. When Cather left Taos, she checked into La Fonda Hotel in Santa Fe. While there she discovered the legendary Jean-Baptiste Lamy, Santa Fe’s first bishop and later archbishop in the mid-19^th century. Intrigued by the life of this humble man, she was inspired to fictionalize it. 

Death Comes to the Archbishop, published in 1927, is still an American classic. The fictional Archbishop Father Jean Marie Latour’s life closely parallels that of the real-life clergyman. It also vividly conveys the history and culture of the New Mexico Territory including pueblo life. Many of these places that Cather takes her readers to remain and visitors to The City Different can take a literary tour based on the book. Start in Santa Fe at the Cathedral Basilica of St. Francis of Assisi which Bishop Lamy had built; visit his country estate which is now Bishop’s Lodge Ranch Resort and Spa (his original chapel is open to visitors) and even go further afield to some of the pueblos he visited included Acoma, Laguna and Pecos. Coming to Santa Fe? Read Death Comes for the Archbishop before you leave home. You’ll get a great perspective about life in New Mexico during the Territorial Period before it became the 47^th state.

Billie, Santa Fe Travelers
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Photo credit: Adventures of a Carry-on

Location: Tarrytown, New York
Literature Tie-in: Washington Irving

Literature fans in America will want to make the pilgrimage to Sunnyside, in Tarrytown, New York. Sunnyside was the home of America's first internationally acclaimed author, Washington Irving. Irving is best know for his short stories Rip Van Winkle and The Legend of Sleep Hollow, though he wrote many other noted books.  Both of these stories were inspired by Irving's travels in the Hudson River Valley. Sleepy Hollow, a hamlet just ten minutes from Tarrytown is the setting for the Legend of Sleepy Hollow and home of his creepy character, The Headless Horseman. 

Irving was a well - traveled man and didn't purchase his own home until he was close to fifty years old. He purchased Sunnyside with the intention of staying there. The original house was extensively remodeled in the Mediterranean Romantic style. Located on the Hudson River the location is very romantic indeed with beautiful gardens and small waterfall that feeds into a stream on the property. Sunnyside hosted many important writers and politicians during Irving's time there. There are an amazing number of the original furnishings and artworks in the house and it is one of best surviving examples of life in the 19th century.    

Pilgrims will want to make the trek to Sleepy Hollow Cemetery to pay their respects at Irving's graveside. Be aware that the cemetery is huge. Get your map first and be sure to allow time if you arrive close to sunset. The cemetery closes at 4:30 except during the summertime.

Penny, Adventures of a Carry-on
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Photo credit: The Tourist of Life

Location: Dublin

Literature Tie-in: The Book of Kells, James Joyce

A lot of famous writers are originally from Dublin, wrote and published their first books or screenplays in Dublin and went to the famous Trinity College, which some say is the Harvard of Europe. For those who like literature, Dublin is the place to be. For example you could start your visit in Dublin at the Dublin Writer’s Museum, or you could visit one of the most famous libraries of Dublin: the Trinity College Library. 

Now, I guarantee you that visiting Trinity College Library won’t be a disappointment, as it is the biggest library of Ireland and home to the Book of Kells!  You can visit the Trinity College Library by simply paying the entrance fee of €10,00 or you can get the entrance ticket for free after following the Trinity College tour, given by students, who will also show you the buildings of Trinity College and the spots where famous writers wrote their masterworks. 

Another tour you could take in Dublin is the Dublin Literary Walking Tour, which will take you to the Dublin Writer’s Museum, the James Joyce Cultural Centre, the Abbey Theatre, the General Post Office and of course: Trinity College.

Yvonne, The Tourist of Life
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Photo credit: CosmosMariners.com

Location: Stratford-upon-Avon
Literature Tie-in: Shakespeare's hometown

If you run under the assumption that the playwright William Shakespeare was just one person and was the same guy who was born and died in this English town, then Stratford-upon-Avon is a dream for the Bard's followers. (For the uninitiated, there are dozens of theories surrounding Shakespeare's identity with Francis Bacon and Edward de Vere coming out as the front runners.) You can start your day by visiting his birthplace, a rambling, drafty place where actors will showcase different elements of life from the late 1500s. 

Next, head over to the New Place and Nash's House, which shows just how far good ol' Willie Shakes came during the course of his career--just down the road is the Church of the Holy Trinity, where Shakespeare was baptized and later buried. End the day with a show performed by the Royal Shakespeare Company at the local theatre or with a visit to the house where Anne Hathaway (William's wife, not the actress) was raised.

Natalie (aka yours truly), Cosmos Mariners: Destination Unknown
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What literary sites have you visited?