Combining the love of travel and books, literary tours have become a big thing! I love this curated way to travel and the memories you’re left with are so special. There is just something affirming about traveling with people who love what you love!
I have done a literary group trip twice, and each time, it was amazing. Even when you don’t know any of the fellow travelers, experiencing the highlights of a literary or historical world with fellow readers makes it even more memorable. They understand why you get misty eyed at seeing an original manuscript or writing desk and are interested in the minutiae of the readerly life. It’s a life-changing way to travel!
DC Historical Fiction Readers Retreat
Last month, Mindelynn at Read Far and Wide and I hosted a DC historical readers retreat that was so much bookish fun. We had a great group of fellow book and history enthusiasts who toured around museums, libraries, bookstores, and more in our jam-packed four days. As one of our attendees said, it was the best adult field trip! Check out this fun reel all about our tour!
We toured The People’s House, the Decatur house, the Smithsonian National Museum of American History, the Library of Congress, Hillwood Estate, the National Portrait Gallery, and the International Spy Museum!
At the Library of Congress, we got to see several items normally kept in the archives including Alexander Hamilton’s last letter to Eliza, a letter from Eleanor Roosevelt to Oppenheimer about UFOs (!!!), and a witty reply to a disgruntled reader by Shirley Jackson. It was so neat!
Plus we went on a walking tour of Dolley Madison’s Washington City which took us by the White House, the Church of the Presidents (St. John’s Church), Lafayette Square, and the Octagon House.
Add in stops at East City Bookshop, a tour of the monuments by night via trolley, and delicious nibbles at Barrel and Martin’s Tavern, it was a very busy weekend!
We also had four amazing authors – Stephanie Dray, Karin Tanabe, Heath Hardage Lee, and Libby McNamee – who chatted with us about their research process, gave us insight into how they write, and made us feel like their new bestie! It was a fabulous time with lovely people.
If you have a chance, go on Mindelynn’s trips! Her next literary adventure is scheduled for the end of January in Charleston, South Carolina and Savannah, Georgia. It will be a wonderful time in my favorite city!
The Enchanted Book Club
I traveled with The Enchanted Book Club last September to the ultimate literary destination – L.M. Montgomery’s Prince Edward Island. It was truly a dream come true for me to walk on Lovers’ Lane and to visit the home that inspired Green Gables. Hayley, the founder of the Enchanted Book Club, puts together amazing trips to destinations in favorite classic novels like Jane Austen’s England and Louisa May Alcott’s Concord, Massachusetts. I am an annual member of the club which also includes monthly chats with authors and amazing guests. Check out the trips the club has planned for 2026!
Other tours
Literary tours are becoming so popular, I can’t keep up with all of the new ones! Ones I’ve seen are reader retreats from Zibby Owens and many amazing destinations through novelist and travel agent John Shors. It’s also a good idea to follow your favorite authors on social media as many are planning their own reader retreats like a recent England trip with Kate Quinn and this upcoming trip with authors Eliza Knight and Heather Webb. The possibilities are endless!
Personal Tours
I don’t believe you have to experience literary travel through a group as it’s easy to craft your own personalized literary tour. Check out my Destination Booked tours to go on a literary jaunt through Richmond, North Carolina, and Washington, DC. I hope to add more to this project so stay tuned!
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