Final Thoughts: Creating Your Own Literary Pilgrimage

Theresa Wilson
Apr 18
7 min read

Embarking on a literary pilgrimage is more than just visiting places associated with beloved books and authors—it’s about immersing yourself in the stories, history, and culture that have shaped literary worlds. Throughout this Introduction to Literary Travels series, we’ve explored destinations rich in literary heritage, from the Brontë Parsonage to the literary landmarks of London and Paris, as well as literary landscapes in America and Canada. Whether you dream of walking through the streets of New York, where Fitzgerald found inspiration for The Great Gatsby, or tracing the settings of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables in Prince Edward Island, literary travel offers endless opportunities for discovery. Now, as we conclude, let’s reflect on how you can create your own literary journey, tailored to your reading passions and travel dreams.

Defining Your Literary Pilgrimage

Glasses on an open book next to a globe, with pens in the background. Sunlight filters through a window, creating a warm, serene ambiance.

A literary pilgrimage is a deeply personal experience. It can be as grand as an international trip to an author’s birthplace or as simple as visiting a local bookshop with historical significance. Consider what inspires you most—whether it’s classic literature, contemporary fiction, poetry, or even a specific literary movement.

For example, an American literary pilgrimage could take you to Concord, Massachusetts, where you can visit the homes of Louisa May Alcott, Nathaniel Hawthorne, and Ralph Waldo Emerson. Alternatively, you might explore New York City, where the Beat Generation thrived and where F. Scott Fitzgerald found inspiration for The Great Gatsby. You could visit the South to explore literary sites connected to William Faulkner, Harper Lee, or Flannery O’Connor, diving into the deep storytelling traditions of the region.

In Canada, you might journey to Prince Edward Island to see Green Gables and walk in the footsteps of Anne Shirley, or visit Toronto’s literary landmarks tied to Margaret Atwood and Michael Ondaatje. Montreal, with its vibrant literary scene, has been home to writers like Mordecai Richler and Leonard Cohen, making it another destination rich in literary history.

Europe offers a wealth of literary destinations. In England, explore the cobbled streets of Bath, where Jane Austen once walked, or visit the Brontë Parsonage in Haworth. Scotland’s Edinburgh, a UNESCO City of Literature, celebrates authors like Sir Walter Scott and J.K. Rowling. France invites literary lovers to wander through Parisian cafés that once hosted Hemingway, Fitzgerald, and Gertrude Stein. Germany, home to the Brothers Grimm and Goethe, offers fairy-tale routes and historic literary sites, while Italy’s Florence and Rome have inspired countless works of literature.

Beyond the well-known literary cities, there are hidden gems waiting to be discovered. Reykjavik, Iceland, is a UNESCO City of Literature with a rich storytelling tradition stretching from ancient sagas to contemporary fiction. Dublin, home to James Joyce and Oscar Wilde, offers literary walking tours and cozy bookstores filled with Irish storytelling magic. Even cities like Buenos Aires, often called the 'Paris of South America,' boast historic bookshops and cafés where writers have gathered for decades. No matter where you go, there’s always a literary connection waiting to be uncovered.

Start by asking yourself:

Which authors or books have left a lasting impression on me?
Are there specific settings from books that I’d love to see in real life?
Do I want to visit famous literary sites, or would I rather explore hidden literary gems?

Planning Your Journey

Once you have an idea of what excites you, it’s time to plan. Here are a few steps to help guide your pilgrimage:

Research Literary Locations

Look into places connected to your favorite authors and books. This could be a writer’s home-turned-museum, a city that inspired a famous novel, or even a bookstore with historical significance. Literary festivals and guided book tours can also add an extra layer to your trip. In the U.S., you might plan your visit around events like the Ernest Hemingway Days in Key West or the Mississippi Book Festival. In Canada, festivals like the Toronto International Festival of Authors or the Blue Metropolis Festival in Montreal celebrate literature in unique ways. In Europe, consider attending the Hay Festival in Wales, the Shakespeare Festival in Stratford-upon-Avon, or the Saint-Malo Étonnants Voyageurs Festival in France.

Curate Your Reading List

Enhance your experience by reading (or rereading) works related to your destination. If you're visiting Edinburgh, for example, you might explore Sir Walter Scott’s novels or J.K. Rowling’s early writing haunts. If your literary pilgrimage takes you to Mississippi, revisit The Sound and the Fury by William Faulkner or The Help by Kathryn Stockett to immerse yourself in the region’s literary essence. In Canada, reading works by Alice Munro before visiting her hometown in Ontario can deepen your understanding of her short stories. Heading to France? Read A Moveable Feast by Hemingway before visiting Paris. Traveling to Italy? Dive into Dante’s Divine Comedy or Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan Novels to set the scene.

Engage with the Literary Community

Bookshops, libraries, and literary cafes often host readings, discussions, and local author events. Attending these can connect you with fellow book lovers and provide a richer experience of the literary culture in the area. In New York City, explore The Strand bookstore, or in Toronto, visit the iconic Ben McNally Books for a literary gathering. In London, spend time at Daunt Books, or visit Shakespeare and Company in Paris for a taste of literary history.

Capture the Experience

Documenting your journey—through journaling, photography, or even blogging—can help you reflect on the experience. Consider keeping a literary travel journal where you jot down quotes, personal thoughts, and details from each place you visit. If you visit literary sites in America or Canada, you might even create a scrapbook of museum brochures, postcards, and ticket stubs to preserve the memories. For a European literary journey, collect train tickets from the Eurostar, postcards from bookshops, or sketches of landmarks associated with your favorite books.

Making Literature Part of Your Everyday Travels

Even if an international literary pilgrimage isn’t feasible right now, there are ways to bring literary travel into your life. Visit independent bookstores in your city, explore places that have inspired local authors, or create a cozy reading retreat at home with books that transport you to faraway lands. If you live in America, take a road trip to a nearby city with literary significance—such as San Francisco for Jack Kerouac or Chicago for Sandra Cisneros. In Canada, visit local libraries or attend book events that highlight homegrown talent. In Europe, you might explore small literary towns like Hay-on-Wye in Wales or experience the charm of Portugal’s Livraria Lello, one of the world’s most beautiful bookstores.

If physical travel isn’t possible right now, there are still ways to experience literary destinations. Many museums and literary landmarks offer virtual tours—explore Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre online, take a digital walk through the Anne Frank House, or visit the British Library’s literary exhibitions from home. Online literary festivals and author talks can also transport you into different literary worlds, offering new perspectives without leaving your reading nook.

📍 United Kingdom

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë – For the moody moors of Yorkshire and a glimpse into Victorian England.
Northanger Abbey by Jane Austen – A playful Gothic satire with a strong Bath connection.
One Day by David Nicholls – A modern love story set across various parts of the UK, including Edinburgh, London, and Oxford.

📍 France

A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway – A memoir filled with vivid memories of literary Paris in the 1920s.
The Paris Library by Janet Skeslien Charles – A story of resistance, books, and the American Library in Paris during WWII.

📍 Italy

My Brilliant Friend by Elena Ferrante – The first of the Neapolitan Novels, set in post-war Naples.
Under the Tuscan Sun by Frances Mayes – A memoir of life and transformation in the Tuscan countryside.

📍 United States

The Great Gatsby by F. Scott Fitzgerald – A look at the Jazz Age through the lens of New York and Long Island.
The Secret Life of Bees by Sue Monk Kidd – Set in South Carolina, this novel explores themes of family and identity.
On the Road by Jack Kerouac – A Beat Generation classic filled with American landscapes and spontaneous travel.

📍 Canada

Anne of Green Gables by L.M. Montgomery – A beloved coming-of-age story set on Prince Edward Island.
The Handmaid’s Tale by Margaret Atwood – A dystopian classic grounded in a reimagined North America, with echoes of Canadian social and political themes.

📍 Armchair Travel & Global Exploration

The Shadow of the Wind by Carlos Ruiz Zafón – A literary mystery set in post-war Barcelona.
The Little Paris Bookshop by Nina George – A gentle tale of healing and bookish wanderlust along the Seine.
Eat Pray Love by Elizabeth Gilbert – A memoir split between Italy, India, and Indonesia that blends food, self-discovery, and spiritual travel.

A Journey Without an End

For now, my literary travels happen through books. Reading has taken me to the winding canals of Venice, the bustling streets of New York, and the Scottish Highlands—all from the comfort of my home. Each story sparks my curiosity, making me want to learn more about the real-world places behind the pages. While I haven’t visited these destinations in person yet, I know that when I do, I’ll arrive already feeling a deep connection—because literature has been my passport all along.

Literary travel doesn’t have to be a one-time event—it’s an ongoing journey that evolves as your reading tastes and travel opportunities change. Whether you’re stepping into the world of Dickensian London, tracing the footsteps of Hemingway in Paris, discovering the Southern Gothic traditions of American literature, exploring the Canadian landscapes of Margaret Atwood’s novels, or wandering through the literary streets of Prague and Vienna, every literary adventure deepens your appreciation for stories and the places that bring them to life.

Where will your literary pilgrimage take you next? Let the books you love be your guide, and may your travels be filled with wonder, discovery, and, of course, great stories. Share your literary travel dreams in the comments or tag me on social media—I’d love to hear about the places that inspire your reading journey! Take a moment to jot down a literary travel wishlist—whether it's a grand adventure across the world or a local spot that has literary significance. Start small: choose one book-inspired place to visit this year, even if it’s just an author’s favorite café in your town or a museum exhibit about a writer’s life. Every literary journey begins with curiosity and a single step!