Bookworms can get outdoors too, you know? In fact, some of history’s greatest writers were frequent walkers. Charles Dickens, Virginia Woolf, and Henry David Thoreau have all become case studies in the connection between great writing and great hiking.
At Einhorn Travel, we believe this entitles the world’s readers to grab their compact folding reading glasses, a cup of their chosen comfort, and huddle in whichever corner of the world they choose to enjoy such literature.
If you’ve been inspired by the outdoorsy nature of your favourite pen-pal - or maybe, you just love lying on the beach - we’ve compiled a captivating list of the best places to escape the world you’re wandering and dive into a good book.
El Ateneo Grand Splendid
National Geographic named this Argentinian bookstore the “world's most beautiful bookstore” in 2019 - 100 years after it was constructed as a cinema in Buenos Aires.
With soft lighting, gorgeous architecture, and around 120,000 books across multiple levels, you’re sure to find a nook to curl up in.
A cafe accompanies this collection, encouraging you to take your time as you make your way through each and every aisle.
If you’re looking to engulf yourself in Argentinian culture - literature style - we recommend ‘The Tango Dancer’ by local author, the late Tomás Eloy Martínez.
Äscher mountain restaurant, Switzerland
As one reviewer on TripAdvisor puts it, this mountainside establishment is “pretty damn cool.”
The current guesthouse has sat in place below Switzerland’s Ebenalp summit in the Appenzell Alps since 1860. However, visitors will be following in the 360-year-old footsteps of Priest Ulmann who was the first hermit to live up in these mountain caves.
If only Ulmann had known he was starting a tradition of nature lovers seeking to curl up in the depths of Switzerland’s rugged terrain.
The Berggasthaus Aescher (Aescher mountain inn) itself offers private wooden rooms and glorious mountain views for you to ponder as you dive into your next book.
To truly appreciate the beauty of mountainside living, we recommend turning to the children’s novel ‘Heidi’ by Swiss author Johanna Spyri.
Cappadocia, Turkey
Did you know, there is actually more than one way to read a book seated high up in the clouds?
A hot air balloon ride above Turkey’s mystical land of Cappadocia is sure to awaken the senses and keep you in awe of the weird and wonderful ways our world has formed.
From the air, the rippling mountains with their colourful layers look like pictures from a storybook. From the ground, you’ll be free to roam a city of cavernous architecture and centuries-old historical sites.
It’s up to you what altitude you consume your next book, but we’re sure you’ll be inspired by the landscape that surrounds you. Perhaps you’ll start writing your own!
If you’re keen to dive further into understanding Turkey, Norman Stone’s insightful book ‘Turkey: A Short History’ should fill some gaps for you. In fiction, perhaps Louis de Bernières’ ‘Birds Without Wings’ will show you how an epic story can be constructed within these lands.
In a Dublin Pub, Ireland
As one of UNESCO’s 42 official ‘Cities of Literature’, Dublin has long been idealised by readers the world over.
Where sun-seeking travellers might be disappointed by Dublin’s gloomy weather, the world’s bookworms should see a golden opportunity to find a cosy old pub with a fire in the corner and a pint of Guinness or tea.
At last count, there were more than 750 pubs in Dublin so you won’t be short of options for a quiet spot, but we have a few safe bets. The Library Bar at Central Hotel Dublin has been well-reviewed owing to its great fire, comfy chairs and a lack of the music you’re sure to find in many of Dublin’s other establishments.
Harbour Bar in Bray south of Dublin can be a nice escape from the more touristy spots in the centre of town. Get in early to claim an old armchair by the fire and settle down before the band starts up later on.
There’s plenty of Irish authors we could recommend on this occasion, but we’ll stick with the classics and call upon Oscar Wilde’s pièce de résistance ‘The Picture of Dorian Gray’.
Elafonisi Island, Greece
If cosy nooks and old books aren’t for you, escape to one of Greece’s many islands under an umbrella and those compact folding reading glasses. Although, you’re more likely to need sunglasses in the brilliant sunshine of Elafonisi where the pink sand is soft and the water is crystal clear.
Alternate between a good book and a dip in the Mediterranean Sea at a beach voted one of the world’s most majestic - more than once!
To avoid the crowds and to give yourself space to focus on each page and chapter, try visiting Greece either side of summer.
As easy as it could be to recommend Homer’s ‘Odyssey’ or ‘Percy Jackson and the Lightning Thief’, our Greece-themed recommendation is ‘Why I Killed My Best Friend’ by Amanda Michalopoulou - if you can’t read Greek, we highly recommend the translated version!
Before Anywhere Else, Visit Einhorn Travel
We’ve told you where to go, but we haven’t told you what to pack! Besides those reading glasses, of course.
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