The post The Best Bookstores for Travelers in London, England appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Foyles
No exploration of London’s book scene would be complete without a visit to Foyles, an iconic chain with seven locations around the United Kingdom. Their flagship store on Charing Cross Road has been a literary mainstay for over 100 years, offering a vast collection of gifts, toys, and books throughout a beautiful and spacious 5-story building. For a light meal or a cup of tea between chapters, be sure to stop by The Café at Foyles on the 5th floor.
Daunt Books
Tucked into the Marylebone neighborhood of London’s West End is Daunt Books, an independent shop specializing in travel and non-fiction. While its curated selection is certainly nothing to overlook, what really sets Daunt apart from other bookstores is its architecture. The building’s Edwardian-style construction features oak galleries that appear to go on for miles, while expansive skylights brighten up the space for easy reading.
Skoob Books
For those who prefer their books pre-loved, Skoob Books in Bloomsbury is a sanctuary of secondhand treasures just waiting to be read. The store carries a wide variety of genres and its knowledgeable staff are all too happy to help shoppers find what they’re looking for amidst a sea of over 50,000 uncatalogued titles.
(@roseofmayreads)The post The Best Bookstores for Travelers in London, England appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Three Literary Vacation Destinations In The UK appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Whitby, Yorkshire (Dracula)
This charming harbor town on the north-eastern coast of the UK has a fascinating history. There is a ruined abbey on the clifftop above the town, from which you can gain some stunning views of the wild coastline which stretches out below. There is also a beautiful church, a huge whale’s jawbone (from the town’s whaling days) and pretty cobbled streets with plenty of shops of cafes to rest in and explore. In bright sunlight, it’s hard to imagine that this town serves as the setting in one of the most famous works of Gothic literature, but on wild, wind-swept nights the presence of a terrible nocturnal monster suddenly seems more plausible.
Lyme Regis, Dorset (The French Lieutenant’s Woman)
The writer John Fowles lived in the pretty seaside town of Lyme Regis most of his life, and used its formidable harbor wall (known as the Cob) as the romantic meeting point for his two main characters in his most famous novel, The French Lieutenant’s Woman. Now, tourists flock to the town to walk across the Cob, swim in the sea, and taste local delicacies such as a Dorset cream tea. You can view the stunning mansion that Fowles lived in, and visit the local museum for information about the writer and his life.
Dartmoor, Devon (The Hound of the Baskervilles)
Conan-Doyle’s most famous detective story is set on the wild, desolate uplands of Dartmoor. Although such a landscape may not initially seem appealing for a vacation, if you visit in the spring or summer you can enjoy azure skies, clean, fresh air, and some of the best hiking country in the UK. Visit the Dartmoor prison museum in Princetown, to see one of the most famous locations within the novel, and stride to the edge of Fox Tor Mire for a real life version of Conan-Doyle’s infamous Grimpen Mire.
The post Three Literary Vacation Destinations In The UK appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Breathtaking Bookstores for Literature Lovers Around the World appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>El Ateneo Grand Splendid, Argentina
This enchanting store in the heart of Buenos Aires is housed in a former theater still decorated with the ornate frescoes, velvet curtains, and golden balconies of its past life. Readers can immerse themselves in a novel or nonfiction work while sitting in the theater’s plush red seats to feel like they’re part of a literary performance.
Livraria Lello, Portugal
The Livrario Lello bookstore Porto, Portugal, is one of the oldest in the world and widely considered to be a neo-gothic masterpiece. The shop boasts a striking spiral staircase that ascends to meet an stained glass ceiling and intricately carved wooden shelves carrying books of all genres. Author J.K. Rowling has even shared that drew inspiration for the Harry Potter series from Livraria Lello while living in Porto.
Cărturești Carusel, Romania
Cărturești Carusel is a cozy, yet whimsical bookstore in the center of Bucharest, Romania. The shop is a treasure trove of books, gifts, and art set in a historic 19th-century building. On the top level, visitors can dive into their favorite books while enjoying a hot cup of coffee or tea in a small cafe.
The post Breathtaking Bookstores for Literature Lovers Around the World appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post These Novels Will Transport You Straight to Paris appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The Little Paris Bookshop
This novel by Nina George follows a broken-hearted bookseller as he embarks on a journey to find the literary soulmate he lost decades before. More than just a beautiful setting, the story shares a message about books and their power to help us heal.
The Sweet Life in Paris
Cookbook author and pastry chef David Lebovitz shares insights and observations in this funny and charming memoir about his experience moving to Paris, learning the ins and outs of French culture and cooking French cuisine. Don’t read this one while hungry.
The Paris Wife
Fans of historical fiction are sure to love The Paris Wife, a novel by Paula McLain about Ernest Hemingway’s first marriage to Hadley Richardson. The story is written from Hadley’s perspective and explores their relationship as they move to Paris and befriend other artists and writers of the time.
The post These Novels Will Transport You Straight to Paris appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post How to Pick the Perfect Book to Bring on Vacation appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Length Matters
Choose something long to keep you entertained for hours. Chances are you’ll have some lengthy layovers, long train journeys, and of course, plenty of time for lying on the beach. Pick a chunky tome you can really sink your teeth into. If you’ve got limited luggage space, opt for an e-reader or lightweight paperback that won’t weigh you down too much.
A Safe Choice is a Good Choice
A vacation is not the time to try a new author or genre you’ve never tried before. Stick to authors you know you love, your favorite genres, or even a much-loved book you’ve been hankering to re-read. The priority here should be relaxation and enjoyment—not struggling your way through Ulysses for the first time!
Keep it Light
Similarly, it can really bring down your vacation mood if you’re ploughing through a tragedy or misery memoir. Opt for light, easy reads that are entertaining, compelling, and heart-warming. It can also be fun to read books set in the place where you’re visiting!
The post How to Pick the Perfect Book to Bring on Vacation appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post 3 of the Most Beautiful Libraries in the World appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Tianjin Binhai Library, Tianjin, China
Opened in 2017, making it the newest library on the list, the city of Tianjin, China is home to the Tianjin Binhai Library. Nicknamed “The Eye”, it features a luminous sphere in its auditorium and floor-to-ceiling bookcases across its walls. It’s a giant, futuristic-looking building over five levels, with a staggering surface area of 33700 m². The library also acts as an educational center and a social space.
Strahov Monastery Library, Prague, Czech Republic
Designed in the iconic Baroque style, the Strahov Library is a feat of beautiful and unique architecture. The oldest part of the library is the Theological Hall, founded all the way back during the 1670s. With over 18,000 books on theology, it’s one of the most beautiful monasteries, and libraries, in the world.
George Peabody Library, Baltimore, Maryland, United States
If you’ve been looking for a library that resembles a wedding cake, the George Peabody Library is the one for you. Opened in 1878, the library boasts five tiers of ornamental cast-iron balconies leading up to a skylight 61 feet from the floor. It was opened as a dedication to the people of Baltimore by philanthropist George Peabody and it contains more than 300,000 books.
The post 3 of the Most Beautiful Libraries in the World appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post 5 Reasons to Visit Bookstores in Each New City You Visit appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>Book Cafés
Bookstores often come with their own tiny café and that makes them a great place to sit back and relax with a cup of coffee and a good book after a long day of sightseeing.
Amazing Architecture
Some of the world’s most beautiful bookstores are worth the visit for their architecture alone. They tend to be located inside stunting historic buildings that look truly impressive inside and out.
Local Culture
Bookstores will do a great job exposing you to local culture. In addition to selling books in the local language, they also often host events, from reading nights and book clubs to art exhibitions and mini-concerts.
Book Collection
A visit to a bookstore in a foreign country allows you to enrich your book collection with new titles that you couldn’t have found at home.
Great Souvenir
Even if you don’t intend to buy any books for yourself, bookstores are a great place to find souvenirs for your loved ones who enjoy reading.
The post 5 Reasons to Visit Bookstores in Each New City You Visit appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post Top Beach Reads for Summer Vacation 2021 appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>People We Meet on Vacation by Emily Henry
What else would you expect by the author of a book called Beach Read then another perfect beach read? People We Meet on Vacation is about two best friends, Alex and Poppy, who go on a joint summer vacation, the same way they have for a decade, and try to fix their problematic relationship.
The Summer Job by Lizzy Dent
Another summer read set in the summer, The Summer Job tells the story of Birdy, a girl who ends up somewhat taking over her best friend Heather’s job and life for the summer while falling in love for the first time.
The Guncle by Steven Rowley
A feel-good book guaranteed to put a smile on your face, The Guncle is about gay uncle Patrick who becomes the primary guardian of his niece and nephew, learning to take on responsibility in a way he has never had to before.
The post Top Beach Reads for Summer Vacation 2021 appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post 3 Adventure Books That’ll Make You Want to Travel appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The Alchemist by Paulo Coelho
One of the most popular books of all time, The Alchemist follows a young shepherd’s journey from Spain to Egypt. He does this in such an earnest way that you won’t be able to resist getting inspired by his journey. Perhaps this quote from the book sums it up best: “If you can concentrate always on the present, you’ll be a happy man.”
On the Road by Jack Kerouac
Set in the Beat Generation, this is about as classic a travel book as you can find. Jack Kerouac tells the story of Sal as he leaves New York City and travels west, discovering all kinds of new adventures in the process. More than anything, he learns a lot about his own strength and confidence.
The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
This isn’t usually the first book people jump to when they think about traveling the world in the modern sense. That’s because The Hobbit is set in the fictional world of Middle Earth, so perhaps there isn’t much commonality there. But as far as inspiring one to have an adventure, The Hobbit is one of the best books you can find. Given that the protagonist is an innocent halfling who gets yanked out of his comfy life to go aid a group of dwarves on a perilous quest with mountains, goblins, and dragons—this certainly fits the bill.
The post 3 Adventure Books That’ll Make You Want to Travel appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>The post The Best Bookshops in Edinburgh appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>McNaughtan’s Bookshop & Gallery
This is the oldest second-hand bookshop in Scotland, operating from 1957. It has a large collection of art books and travel books and is probably the best place to look for rare old books.
Address: 3A, 4a Haddington Pl, Edinburgh
Opening hours: Tuesday to Saturday from 1pm to 5pm
Armchair Books
An iconic Scottish bookshop packed from floor to ceiling with a collection of English classical books, both fiction and non-fiction. The atmosphere here is very unique and sometimes makes one feel he is not only in a bookshop but in a museum.
Address: 72-74 West Port, Edinburgh
Opening hours: Sunday to Thursday from 12:30pm to 5:30pm; Friday and Saturday from 10am to 6:30pm
Elvis Shakespeare
As you could have guessed from the name, this place is a mixture of a book and a record store. You can find a large collection of books, with an emphasis on those related to music, as well as a big collection of old vinyl records—some of them very rare. There are also live music evenings every now and then.
Address: 347 Leith Walk, Edinburgh
Opening hours: Every day from 10am to 6pm
The post The Best Bookshops in Edinburgh appeared first on Traveler Dreams.
]]>