17 Luxe Travel Destinations Pulled Straight From Your Favorite Books
In her 1937 memoir Out Of Africa, Karen Blixen remembers her home in the Ngong Hills of Kenya in lyrical prose: “The cicada sing an endless song in the long grass, smells run along the earth and falling stars run over the sky, like tears over a cheek. You are the privileged person to whom everything is taken.”
Sydney Pollack later adapted Blixen’s book into a critically acclaimed film of the same name starring Meryl Streep and Robert Redford. In the decades since, those works have drawn generations of travelers to the outskirts of Nairobi.
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“Literature is about escapism, and so is travel,” says Tom Marchant, the CEO of tour operator Black Tomato. “In so much great literature, from classics to more recently, the setting is such a powerful component that subliminally, even without even realizing it, it makes you want to immerse yourself in these places.”
While the recent “set-jetting” phenomenon pushed shoot locations for shows like White Lotus and Yellowstone into mass-tourism tourism overdrive—literature has always galvanized a more a more thoughtful and romantic type of traveler—the “lit-tripper.”
Below, we’ve gathered 17 literary-inspired trips to connect you with the world’s greatest stories.
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Live like “Ripley” in Capri
Anyone who’s read Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 psychological thriller The Talented Mr. Ripley or seen the eponymous movie knows that Dickie Greenleaf’s hilltop villa is located along the Amalfi coastal town of Atrani. However in the Netflix show Ripley, Dickie’s Villa Torricella is actually located on the island of Capri and is available for private bookings. Included: panoramic views over a sun-dappled marina, gorgeous terraces for planning and plotting, and a nearby beach for reading, boating, and living la dolce vita.
Bask “Under The Tuscan Sun” at a Historic 13th-Century Florentine Estate
Built as a country house until it was bought by a famed Florentine editor Santi Landini, Villa La Massa is located just 20 minutes outside of Florence along the banks of the Arno River. Although it dates back to the 13th century, this sumptuous country estate comes with all the mod-cons: a swimming pool, a riverside restaurant, and private villas that will whisk you away a la Frances Myer’s Villa Bramasole in Under The Tuscan Sun. The luxury estate, which has has been lovingly restored over the years, offers cooking classes, miles of walking trails, and a free shuttle in and out of Florence. Be sure to book a walking tour of Florence with American-born tour guide Suzanne Myers for a behind-the-scenes look at some of the best sites the city has to offer.
Take a “Walk To Remember” Along North Carolina’s Crystal Coast
The sweeping Lowcountry marshes of North Carolina have long served as the inspiration for authors from Nicolas Sparks’s tear-jerking romance A Walk To Remember to Elin Hilderbrand’s The Island to Delia Owen’s murder-mystery thriller Where The Crawdads Sing. Pay a visit to the nearby Rachel Carson Reserve to see wild horses freely gallop and graze the marsh, book a room at the romantic Beaufort Hotel overlooking Taylor Creek, and indulge in some local cuisine like crabcakes with Lowcountry gumbo at 34° North Restaurant.
Walk in the Footsteps of a “Shōgun”
James Clavell’s 1975 historical fiction novel Shōgun headed to our TV screens this year. Now, Walk Japan offers behind-the-scenes access into the bygone world of Japan’s feudal past, from ancient Japanese pathways to visiting the battlefields, citadels, and castles. On its 11-day Nakasendo Way walking tour, you can visit Sekigahara, the site of one of the most important battles of Japanese feudal history that heralded the start of the Edo Period. On its two-day Tokyo Walking Tour, you can visit Tokugawa Ieyasu, where Tokugawa family ruled for about 270 years.
Get a Clue from London’s Great Literary Detectives
Tour operator Red Savannah launched a series called In The Footsteps of the Great Detectives, dedicated to some of the most iconic fictional detectives in literary history from Sherlock Holmes to Hercule Poirot. Over the course of the tour’s seven-day itinerary, you’ll have the chance to connect with the lives of these greats, from pints in London’s Sherlock Holmes pub to assisting in a performance of Agatha Christie’s play The Mousetrap to a stay at a true Art Deco gem, Burgh Island Hotel, the setting of one of Hercule Poirot’s most infamous cases in Devon.
Indulge like Ernest Hemingway in Key West
July marked Ernest Hemingway’s 125th birthday, and in honor of one of Key West’s most notable authors, hotels and restaurants across the city have turned up the literary love. From a museum exhibit of rare Hemingway memorabilia to deep-sea angling, there’s plent of ways to get into the spirit (or spirits). Part of its recent $79 million transformation, the new Canary Room at Casa Marina pays homage to Hemingway, whose bar is named after his short story A Canary for One. Don’t miss a visit to the Hemingway House or a chance to visit some of “Papa’s” favorite haunts via the Hemingway Experience.
Take Your Love of Literature to the High Seas
Cunard’s Literature Festival at Sea sailing will take to the high seas this November 13 to 20. Book lovers can immerse themselves in seven days of non-stop literary events throughout the course of this transatlantic crossing from Southampton, England, to New York on the brand’s flagship liner Queen Mary 2. The sailing, which has been curated by the programming team powering The Times and The Sunday Times Cheltenham Literature Festival, will include daily events onboard that celebrate the written word with workshops, discussions, and author Q&As.
Eat, Pray, Love Your Way Across Italy, India, and Bali
Elizabeth Gilbert’s 2006 memoir Eat, Pray, Love served as an empowering siren call for solo female travelers the world over. Now you can experience a 21-night version of the book with Unforgettable Travel’s Eat, Pray, Love tour. Inspired by Gilbert’s best-selling book, the adventure begins in Italy and makes stops at Il Gelato di San Crispino, Gilbert’s favorite ice cream spot, along with requisite visits to the Pantheon, Colosseum, Forum, St. Peter’s Basilica, and Villa Borghese Gardens. The journey continues on in India, where a spiritual retreat includes a deep dive into yoga, meditation, and Ayurvedic treatments. Finally, prepare to fall in love with Ubud, Bali, with serene landscapes that invite travelers to unwind, reflect, and maybe even fall in love or have a chance encounter with a traditional healer named Ketut while you’re there.
Take an “Alice In Wonderland”-themed trip to Oxfordshire
Ideal for families and big kids of all ages, this new enchanting series of immersive itineraries from luxury tour operator Black Tomato will take you on literary-inspired adventures from Alaska and Morocco as part of the Take Me on a Story tour. Crafted to transport you into the vivid worlds of some of the most iconic tales, the options include a Lewis Carol–inspired Alice in Wonderland journey that whisks you away to Oxfordshire for high tea parties, custom costumes, and flamingo croquet.
Follow the Second Star to the Right to the Scottish Island That Inspired Neverland
Believed to have inspired Neverland in J.M. Barrie’s 1904 play and subsequent novel Peter Pan, Eilean Shona is set on an island off the west coast of Scotland where the author famously summered. True to the story’s roots, this remote island is every bit as beautiful and off the grid as one could hope, while still offering a luxury house and eight sumptuous cottages spread across 1,500 acres for you to roam. Mermaids, pirates, and fairies are not included.
Share in the Art of Storytelling at Fogo Island Inn
Perched on the edge of the rugged Newfoundland coastline, Fogo Island Inn looks like it was plucked right out of an Ian Fleming novel. Cozy up in the property’s Heritage Library, which is a great place to find books about the island’s unique history and culture. This year, the inn is hosting an Art of Storytelling event on November 14 to 18, where local musicians and storytellers are invited to come and share their craft through writing workshops with guests.
Live Your “Out of Africa” Safari Dreams in Kenya
It’s been 87 years since Danish author Karen Blixen published her memoir Out of Africa. In a full-circle moment, founder and CEO of Roar Africa Deborah Calmeyer led Robert Redford’s first trip back to Africa in 2014 after he filmed the eponymous 1985 film alongside Meryl Streep. This June, the safari company is offering a one-of-a-kind trip to Kenya called Return to the Wild with Irish poet and author David Whyte that will include themed poetry readings and activities related to bodywork such as breath, sound, and energy.
Plan a “Palm Royale”–Themed Getaway to West Palm Beach
Based on the book Mr. & Mrs. American Pie by Juliet McDaniel, AppleTV+’s Palm Royale, a comedy based in Florida’s West Palm Beach, has been getting a lot of love lately. Now, during your stay at Ben West Palm, Autograph Collection, you can dial “0” from the in-room phone to be connected to the hotel’s Book Butler, who will hand deliver a new copy of your selected book to your guestroom, accompanied by a custom-designed tasseled bookmark made for the Ben. A complimentary in-room dining option, Book Bites, will give you the option to order specially paired themed small plates or beverages with your book selection. In honor of the book and show, you can also order a “Maxine Martini” based on the main character.
Book Literary-Themed Rooms at This Portland B&B
Perched on a bluff above Nye Beach overlooking the Pacific Ocean, Sylvia Beach Hotel is a historic bed and breakfast dating back to 1912. With 21 literary-themed rooms, each bringing a different author’s world to life, book lovers can choose from rooms designated as best-sellers, novels, or classics and step foot into the very pages of each book from Shakespeare to Harry Potter. When rooms are unoccupied, they’re left open, giving you a chance to explore. Don’t miss the third-floor library, which offers sweeping views of the coast and provides a community space where you can tackle a puzzle, take some time to write, curl up with a good book, and catch the sunset. At meal times, you’ll meet in the Tables of Content Restaurant for family-style breakfast and dinner.
Post Up Like Eloise or Jay Gatsby at the Plaza
Long before there was Anna Delvey, there was another mischievous—albeit fictional—character who loved living the hotel high life named Eloise. In Kay Thompson’s famed 1950s book series, the famed blonde character lived in a room on the tippy top floor of the Plaza in New York with her pug, Weenie, and pet turtle, Skipperdee. Today, you can book a stay in the two-bedroom Eloise Suite or enjoy a special Eloise high tea in the hotel’s beautifully appointed the Palm Court. The Plaza just unveiled a new Children’s Check-In program that encourages kids to explore the hotel, including a visit to the Eloise boutique and her famous hotel portrait/mailbox to drop off a letter where “Eloise” will write your children back if you include a return address. Recently, the hotel also launched the Gatsby Suite Experience, which offers you a luxurious room and two tickets to see The Great Gatsby Musical on Broadway along with a complimentary drink at the Broadway Theatre.
Love and Let Fly Like James Bond in Jamaica
Ian Fleming penned 14 James Bond novels while he was living in Jamaica, making the island a popular destination for Fleming fans and Bond lovers alike. In honor of the author’s legacy, a new Jamaican air route American Airlines Flight AA4007 is now taking you directly into the heart of Ocho Rios, landing at the aptly named Ian Fleming National Airport. Now guests of Sandals Dunn’s River can book the Love and Let Fly package that’s been curated exclusively for those arriving aboard AA4007; it includes a complimentary Island Routes Powerboat Adventure or an Island Routes Family Catamaran Cruise—with stops at signature locations in the area, such as Laughing Waters beach and Dunn’s River Falls.
Travel Back in Time “Outlander” Style in the Scottish Highlands
Fans of author Diana Gabaldon’s historical fantasy series Outlander and the eponymous show can now travel back in time via an 18th-century inspired trip to the Scottish Highlands on a 13-day Highland Trail itinerary. Curated by the travel experts at Brendan Vacations, the journey begins in Edinburgh and continues to the northern town of Thurso, Orkney Islands, and the mystical Isle of Skye where you’ll partake in everything from Claire’s spellbinding beginning in the Lowlands Kingdom of Fife and Doune Castle to a stay at Covenanter Hotel, which doubled as Mrs. Baird’s B&B.
