Touring Literature's Places

Tour Hosts Review
 by Sheri Leigh - Tour Hosts are in Bold

Inspiration comes from many sources, and authors tend to leave as much of themselves as they take from their surroundings. This month's tour hosts have uncovered some of the most interesting sights related to the great, and sometimes not so great, writers who have illuminated our lives. Following in the footsteps of literary history is a great way to relive the past.

Rachael Kaplan, author of a series of books, including Little Known Museums of Paris, owns and operates French Links Tours and its sister company British Links. This month's wonderful article, Literary Paris gives readers a glimpse into the worlds of both France's great native writers and the ex pats of the 20th century. For example, one of the many trips French Links Tours offers is Hemingway's Left Bank Tour. It can also create custom itineraries for those travelers who want to do it themselves, but not miss a thing. As a fantastic guide to both the literary and visual arts, French Links Tours is this month's Pick.

Southwestern England was home and inspiration to a host of 19th- century authors and by following In the footsteps of Jane Austen we learn about the region and social circumstances that influenced her novels. Exclusive Journeys, LLc has an array of tours that enlighten  travelers harkening back to simpler times. Trips include a Dickensian Christmas, The Lake District (this month's National Park) and Exclusive's signature Over a Cuppa Tea tour. Special departures can be custom created for groups of 10 of more.

Plantagenet Tours focuses on historical tours, but with such trips as the Eleanor Tour to Medieval Aquitaine I just had to include the company in a review of literary tour hosts. Not that Eleanor was a noted author, but she was instrumental in the development of the troubadours and was noted for her literary salon back in the 1180's. Professor Peter Gravgaard leads each trip, which is based on a theme, and envelopes the traveler in the history of the theme.

The Americas also offer a great selection of literary travels. Buenos Aries is home to  Eternadas -Historical Trips- which offers a wide selection of thematic walking tours of the city's districts. Literary Buenos Aires winds us through the streets of the city and opens doors into the lives of authors who called the city home.

Stateside we have New York and The Alfred Hitchcock New York/London Locations Walk These tours take us through the streets and to the sites that the great director used in his movies. A New York Walk With Alfred Hitchcock is perfect for a virtual trek through the sites that live forever on the silver screen.

Boston's Literary Trail is a living history journey through the countryside surrounding this fantastic city while True Story of the Maltese Falcon sheds light on one of literature's most famous mysteries. From Balzac's Paris, to San Francisco, where a plaque in an alley marks the place where "Miles Archer, partner of Sam Spade, was done in by Brigid O'Shaughnessy," literature and history tours offer a fantastic look into the life and times of many an inspiring writer.

Enjoy the journey...