If you are a lover of books, you probably spend a lot of your time living in someone else’s shoes, imagining their locations and the sites they see. Yet, there are some places in the real world that might be worth your time such as literary locations, or the homes of historic books and breathtaking libraries that you simply need to see. Here are six of the places all book lovers should visit.
Edinburgh
If you are a Harry Potter fan, there are a few places you should consider visiting. You could head to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios Orlando and spend your time wandering the streets of Diagon Alley. Or, you could head to Watford in the UK to experience The Harry Potter Studio Tour, which gives you a real insight of the making of the movies and includes all the real props, sets, and costumes. But, to truly bring the books to life, you need to head to Edinburgh, Scotland. JK Rowling wrote and lived here, and you get a real feeling of Hogwarts as you explore.
Whitby
Whitby is the setting for parts of Bram Stoker’s Dracula and is said to have inspired the novel. Whitby Abbey has a truly gothic feel and the town hosts many Dracula themed weekends throughout the year. So, make sure you time your visit right and take your fancy dress.
Dublin
If you are studying, or hope to study a course such as an online masters in library science, there is a good chance you don’t just love books. You love libraries too. In which case, you need to visit The Trinity College Library in Dublin. The library itself is worth a visit for its gorgeous architecture and designs, but you’ll also get to see The Book of Kells, which is on permanent display. Dublin has also been home to greats such as Oscar Wilde, George Bernard Shaw, James Joyce, Bram Stoker, and Samuel Beckett among others. So, perhaps some of their literary genii will rub off on you while you are there.
Verona
Verona was the setting for Romeo and Juliet. If you are a Shakespeare fan, you may also want to consider a trip to his birthplace, Stratford Upon Avon in the UK.
Washington DC
If you are a library lover, you need to visit Washington DC to see the Library of Congress. The Library of Congress is the largest library in the world and is home to 38 million books and other printed materials. It’s also the official research library of the United States Congress. When you visit, be sure to book a guided tour, so that you don’t miss anything.
New Zealand
New Zealand is, of course, where The Lord of the Rings films were made. Many of the locations from the films and books, such as The Shire, are still there today. But, even if you don’t visit the specific locations from the film, just walking around New Zealand can transport you right into Middle Earth.
These are just a few of the places you should see. There are many other homes of great literary works and modern classics when you are done with these. If you find your travels inspire you to take your love of books further consider studying an online MMLIS degree.
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