Booked and Ready: Chasing Stories Through Literary Travel.

By Sharon Kurtz

Lately, I’ve noticed more travelers letting novels steer their journeys. They’re not just sightseeing—they’re story-seeking. Literary tourism has taken off, with fans tracing the footsteps of favorite authors or visiting the real-life settings that brought beloved books to life. For many, it’s a chance to walk into the pages of a story they’ve never wanted to leave.

And I get it. I’ve stood on Prince Edward Island in the places that inspired Anne of Green Gables, where Anne Shirley famously said, I’m so glad I live in a world where there are Octobers. Full of wonder and warmth, that line comes alive when you’re standing among the red- gold trees yourself.

A Walk Through Fiction’s Front Door

There’s something powerful about stepping into a place you’ve only imagined through someone else’s words. These aren’t just landmarks—they’re emotional waypoints. The setting becomes part of the story we carry with us. In Yorkshire, Brontë Country Walks offers guided hikes past windswept moors and crumbling ruins that echo Wuthering Heights. In Key West, Hemingway Home & Museum Tours allow visitors to enter the Author’s former life—with six-toed cats and all.

In Tuscany, Viator offers guided experiences through Cortona, the medieval town where much of Under the Tuscan Sun is set. Tours often include a walk along Cortona’s charming streets, a visit to Bramasole—the villa that inspired Frances Mayes’ memoir—and wine tastings that evoke the book’s sun-drenched spirit.

Not Just for English Majors

Literary travel isn’t reserved for scholars; it’s for anyone ever moved by a story. Whether it’ the book that offered solace during tough times, the bedtime tale shared with children, or the novel that ignited a passion for reading, these stories leave lasting impressions. Exploring the real-world settings of these narratives taps into nostalgia and the desire to connect more deeply with beloved characters.

• https://lauraingallswilderhome.com/Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum. In Walnut Grove, Minnesota, visitors can
  immerse themselves in pioneer life at the Laura Ingalls Wilder Museum,
  located in the town where Wilder spent part of her childhood.
• : In London, Brit Movie Tours offers Sherlock Holmes-
  themed walking tours, guiding fans through locations associated with the
  famous detective's adventures.
• Prince Edward Tours: On Prince Edward Island, Prince Edward Tours
  provides customizable Anne of Green Gables itineraries, allowing fans to
  visit key sites like Green Gables Heritage Place and L.M. Montgomery’s
  birthplace.

These experiences offer readers a tangible connection to the stories and characters they’ve cherished, making literature come alive in new and exciting ways.

Road Scholar Literary Tours

• Road Scholar has several packaged tours to get your British Author fix going. One is The English Lake District and the Borders: Romance to Turbulence England Program. Discover the landscapes that inspired William Wordsworth and Beatrix Potter, visit their homes to view their private collections, and immerse yourself in the culture and history of this beautiful region.
• Another is The Best of England and Wales: Shakespeare to Snowdonia England Explore Shakespeare’s Stratford-upon-Avon to walk in the Bard’s footsteps, and see the Royal Shakespeare Company perform in one of England’s iconic theatres.

The Business of Bookish Travel

Tourism boards and travel companies have taken note. Jane Austen fans flock to Bath for Regency-era promenades and balls hosted by the Jane Austen Centre. Highland Explorer Tours offers multiday trips through Outlander filming locations in Scotland, complete with castle stops and plenty of standing stones.

A Different Kind of Souvenir

When I return from a literary trip, I don’t just bring back magnets or postcards. I bring back a deeper relationship with the book itself. Rereading becomes a sensory experience—I remember the wind outside a cottage, the creak of old floorboards, the smell of rain on cobblestones. I don’t just see the words—I feel them.

For the Love of Story

Literary travel isn’t about celebrity sightings or ticking off checklists. It’s about how stories shape our sense of the world—and how, in turn, the world can vividly bring those stories to life. It’s for anyone wishing they could linger a little longer in the world of a book.

So pick a novel—or three. Pick a place that calls to you from the pages. Whether it’s a windswept cliff, a seaside café, or a quiet garden path, you might find a bit of yourself waiting there, too.