5 Destinations Book Lovers Should Visit in 2024

It is said a reader lives 1,000 lives, but why not venture to the places that inspired some of the world’s greatest novels yourself? From the classic Gothic The Picture of Dorian Gray to fantasy epic The Lord of the Rings to the opulent world of The Great Gatsby, these five destinations gathered by Summary Guru are sure to transport you to the pages of your favorite books.

The Windmills, Consuegra, Spain

Considered the first novel in the world, Don Quixote by Miguel de Cervantes follows the expeditions of Don Quixote and his squire Sancho Panza. One of the most comical scenes comes when Don Quixote mistakes windmills for giant monsters. While these windmills might not be giants, there are windmills in Spain that closely resemble this notable scene. In the city of Consuegra, 12 windmills at the foot of the Cerro Calderico ridge dominate the landscape. Walk by them and see for yourself if the windmills are, in fact, windmills.

The Burren, Co. Clare, Ireland

Formed beneath the sea 50 million years ago, the gray and rocky landscape of the Burren is a popular tourist site for many. Stepping into the Burren feels like another world entirely, which is why the site also inspired J.R.R. Tolkien in his creation of The Lord of the Rings. The Burren very well could be the inspiration for Mordor, but there’s also another connection. Within the Burren lies a cave called Pol na Gollum, a name too similar to the troubled character Gollum (or Smeagol, if you will). Sounds emanating from the cave will remind the most devout readers of the trilogy of Gollum’s pained voice.

Luxembourg Gardens, Paris, France

A landmark in classic literature, Luxembourg Gardens combines English, French and Italian garden aesthetics in one place. Not only is it the second-largest park in Paris, but it also overlooks Rue de l’Ouest, where characters Jean Valjean and Cosette from Les Misérables once walked.

The Plaza Hotel, New York City, United States

Already well known thanks to being featured in Home Alone, the hotel actually goes much farther back than that in popular culture. The Plaza Hotel is also featured in a scene from The Great Gatsby, when Jay Gatsby and Tom Buchanan confront one another in one of the hotel’s luxurious suites. F. Scott Fitzgerald and his wife often stayed at The Plaza Hotel themselves when visiting New York City.

Hyde Park, London, England

The beauty of London is there’s not just one story that took inspiration from this historic city. Head to Hyde Park, a popular spot for locals and tourists, and you’ll find a place that served as the setting for various masterpieces, including The Picture of Dorian Gray, the Harry Potter series and Peter Pan. The park also features in a scene in Virginia Woolf’s Mrs. Dalloway, while The Serpentine lake traversing the park plays a role in Sherlock Holmes.