Winning tip: Northern Ireland

Dervla Murphy’s seminal travelogue, A Place Apart, published in 1978, offered a profoundly human lens on Northern Ireland during the most tumultuous years of the Troubles. Her decision to cycle through the country, eschewing conventional routes and immersing herself in local communities, allowed her to glimpse a reality often obscured by sensational headlines: one of resilience, unexpected generosity, and the quiet dignity of ordinary lives. This unique perspective captivated James, prompting him to follow in her tyre tracks, albeit on foot, and discover a side of Northern Ireland that resonated deeply with Murphy’s observations.

James’s journey led him to iconic landmarks like the historic walls of Derry/Londonderry and the majestic Giant’s Causeway, sites whose striking beauty Murphy vividly described. The ancient ramparts of Derry, silent witnesses to centuries of conflict and change, offered a tangible connection to the region’s complex past, allowing James to walk in the footsteps of history. The geometric basalt columns of the Giant’s Causeway, a UNESCO World Heritage site, provided a dramatic backdrop of natural wonder, proving that Northern Ireland’s landscapes are indeed every bit as breathtaking as Murphy depicted. Yet, much like Murphy, James found that the true essence of his trip lay not just in the scenery, but in the people. He recalled how easily conversations blossomed in the warmth of local pubs and inviting cafes, with residents eager to share recommendations for hidden beaches or scenic walks. This spontaneous hospitality, a hallmark of Murphy’s account, became the most enduring memory for James, fulfilling the promise of human connection that the book had instilled in him. It was a testament to the enduring spirit of a region that, despite its fraught history, continues to offer a warm welcome and profound insights to those willing to look beyond the surface. The journey was a powerful reminder that literature can not only inspire travel but also shape one’s perception, transforming a landscape of conflict into one of shared humanity and unforgettable encounters.

Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina

The haunting narrative of Priscilla Morris’s Black Butterflies, set against the harrowing backdrop of the Siege of Sarajevo, offered Louise a window into a city brimming with intriguing contradictions. Reading the novel during a quiet, reflective Covid afternoon, Louise found herself utterly captivated by Morris’s descriptions of Sarajevo’s unique architectural tapestry, a blend of Eastern and Western influences that hinted at centuries of cultural exchange. The book, lauded for its vivid portrayal of life under siege, sparked an irresistible urge to experience the city firsthand. Last year, that aspiration became a reality, and Louise embarked on a journey to the "Jerusalem of Europe," as Sarajevo is often called.

Upon arrival, the city did not disappoint. Nestled dramatically amidst surrounding mountains, Sarajevo’s old town, Baščaršija, immediately immersed Louise in its rich history, where Ottoman-era mosques and Austro-Hungarian buildings stand in harmonious juxtaposition. This architectural dialogue between East and West, so central to Morris’s depiction, was palpable at every turn. Yet, it was the "haunting memories unapologetically left in view" that truly resonated with the novel’s themes. Bullet holes scarring buildings serve as stark reminders of the brutal 1992-1996 siege, while the poignant "Sarajevo roses" – concrete scars in the pavement filled with red resin to mark where mortar shells fell – are solemn, yet beautiful, memorials to those lost. These visible wounds, far from being morbid, contribute to a unique atmosphere of profound reflection and resilience. Louise observed "hints of old Eastern European glamour, Middle Eastern rituals and precious hope for the richness of a hard peace to remain in place." This delicate balance of past trauma and present optimism, of diverse cultural threads woven into a singular identity, deeply moved her. Sarajevo, she concluded, had "took my heart and showed me that it’s OK, things change but we carry the memories for a reason," affirming the city’s powerful message of remembrance, healing, and enduring spirit.

Porquerolles, France

For Georges Simenon enthusiast Leigh, the novel My Friend Maigret had long painted an idyllic picture of Porquerolles, a tranquil island off the French Mediterranean coast. The detective’s sojourn to this sun-drenched haven, far removed from the gritty Parisian underworld, offered a compelling blend of mystery and Mediterranean charm. Nearing his 80th year, Leigh decided it was "now or never" to embark on his own literary pilgrimage, choosing the romantic, albeit more arduous, path of train travel across Europe. His journey, a testament to his determination, involved navigating the Eurostar to Gare du Nord, traversing Paris via the RER to Gare de Lyon, and then a series of trains and a bus to reach the port of Hyères, finally culminating in a boat ride to the shores of Porquerolles. This multi-leg adventure, while challenging, was an integral part of his immersive experience, allowing him to gradually shed the pace of urban life and embrace the island’s serene rhythm.

Porquerolles, the largest of the three Îles d’Hyères, is a protected paradise, largely car-free and designated as part of the Port-Cros National Park, ensuring its pristine natural beauty. Leigh reveled in visiting the specific sites described in Simenon’s novel, feeling a profound connection to the narrative as he explored the island’s charming village, its sun-drenched vineyards, and its pristine beaches like Plage Notre Dame and Plage d’Argent. He described becoming "Porquerolled," a delightful neologism capturing his complete immersion in the island’s unique atmosphere. This immersion extended to savoring the local produce, particularly the renowned island wine, often a crisp rosé, produced from vineyards that thrive in the Mediterranean climate. The island’s slow pace, vibrant flora, and the azure hues of the sea combined to create an intoxicating sense of escape and timelessness. Leigh’s journey was more than just a trip; it was a fulfillment of a lifelong literary fascination, a poignant reminder that the landscapes crafted in fiction can, with a little determination, become tangible realities, enriching life with profound and sensory experiences.

San Francisco

Armistead Maupin’s Tales of the City series, originally a daily serial in the San Francisco Chronicle, transcended its format to become a cultural touchstone, painting San Francisco as a vibrant tapestry of kindness, beauty, and unabashed pleasure. For Fraser and his wife Nic, these "wonderful novels" offered a compelling vision of communal living and acceptance, inspiring them to commit to two years of diligent saving to experience the city’s magic firsthand, living "like the Barbary Lane gang for a fortnight." Maupin’s unique narrative style, which intricately wove together the lives of diverse characters living in a fictional boarding house, fostered a sense of belonging and open-mindedness that resonated deeply with readers worldwide, especially within the LGBTQ+ community, for which the series became particularly significant.

When Fraser and Nic finally arrived in San Francisco, the city, true to Maupin’s promise, "didn’t disappoint." They found a metropolis that was "weird, gorgeous and fascinating," a place that richly rewarded their curiosity and willingness to simply "amble." San Francisco, with its iconic cable cars, steep hills, and distinct Victorian architecture, proved to be a character in itself. They explored its diverse neighborhoods, from the historic LGBTQ+ haven of the Castro District to the bustling streets of Chinatown, and the bohemian charm of Haight-Ashbury, each offering a unique cultural flavour. The city’s enduring spirit of counterculture, innovation, and acceptance, so artfully depicted in the Tales of the City, was palpable. While the exact address of Barbary Lane might be fictional, its essence—a haven for misfits and seekers forming a chosen family—is deeply embedded in San Francisco’s identity. Fraser’s experience underscored how Maupin’s novels captured not just the physical landscape but also the soul of San Francisco, demonstrating that some cities are best understood not through guidebooks, but through the literary narratives that celebrate their unique spirit and charm. The journey was a personal affirmation of a city that cherishes individuality and fosters connection.

Orkney, Scotland

Amy Liptrot’s poignant memoir, The Outrun, which chronicles her return to her native Orkney Islands after battling addiction in London, captivated Amanda with its raw honesty and evocative descriptions of the remote Scottish archipelago. The book, a critical success, explores themes of recovery, nature, and the pull of home, painting a vivid picture of the islands’ wild beauty and ancient rhythms. Inspired by Liptrot’s journey of healing amidst the stark, elemental landscapes, Amanda embarked on her own solo adventure, seeking solace and recovery from a challenging year. Her three-week odyssey across Orkney and Shetland proved to be a transformative experience.

Amanda found the Orkney Islands to be a place of profound peace and breathtaking beauty. The archipelago, steeped in Norse history and dotted with UNESCO World Heritage Neolithic sites like Skara Brae, the Ring of Brodgar, and Maeshowe, offered a sense of timelessness. She immersed herself in the islands’ unique culture, characterized by a strong sense of community and a deep connection to the sea. A highlight of her trip was staying at Amy Liptrot’s mother Jane’s B&B, a testament to the intimate connections formed through literature. Jane’s generosity extended to taking Amanda birdwatching, allowing her to witness the islands’ rich wildlife, including puffins, gannets, and various seabirds that thrive in the rugged coastal environment. Amanda spent a week in the Papay hostel on Papa Westray, one of Orkney’s smaller, more remote islands, exploring its entire circumference on foot. This period of solitude amidst nature, while never feeling lonely thanks to the warm reception of the islanders, was instrumental in her personal recovery. The raw, untamed beauty of the islands, combined with the genuine hospitality of the people, created a sanctuary that fostered healing and reflection. With her sister now residing in Shetland, Amanda eagerly anticipates a return, a testament to the enduring allure and restorative power of these remarkable northern outposts.

Bognor Regis, England

RC Sherriff’s The Fortnight in September, published in 1931, is a gentle, evocative novel that perfectly encapsulates the quintessential British seaside holiday experience of a bygone era. It lovingly portrays the annual pilgrimage of the Stevens family from their London home to Bognor Regis, a journey anticipated with eager excitement for an entire year. For Patricia, this book, steeped in nostalgia, conjured images of a time when coastal resorts like Bognor Regis held a magical allure for ordinary families seeking simple pleasures. The novel’s detailed descriptions of the bandstand, the bustling beach, and the leisurely promenade walks ignited in Patricia a desire to retrace the Stevens family’s footsteps.

Her trip to Bognor Regis revealed a town that, while perhaps having "seen better days" compared to its inter-war heyday, still retained a unique charm. Once a fashionable resort favored by King George V, Bognor Regis, like many traditional British seaside towns, has undergone significant changes. Yet, Patricia discovered that its enduring appeal lies in its unpretentious character and its steadfast commitment to offering classic holiday experiences. The pier, a historic landmark, still invites leisurely strolls, and the shingle beach, though different from sandy shores, provides a rugged beauty. Beyond its immediate coastline, Bognor Regis proved to be a perfect base for exploring the wider Sussex countryside, with its rolling South Downs National Park, charming villages, and historic sites like Arundel Castle and Chichester Cathedral within easy reach. Despite the subtle melancholy of a "fading seaside town," Patricia found immense pleasure in the simple act of strolling along the promenade, basking in the sunshine, and enjoying a classic ice-cream – an experience that transcended the passage of time and connected her directly to the innocent joys depicted in Sherriff’s novel. It was a reminder that even in places that have evolved, the essence of a cherished literary setting can still be found, offering a comforting blend of nostalgia and new discovery.

Provence, France

Émile Zola, a titan of French literature and a leading figure in the naturalist movement, may be primarily associated with his gritty depictions of Parisian life and industrial society. However, for Sandra, it was his Contes Choisis (Selected Tales), read during her French A-level studies in the 1980s, that unexpectedly ignited a profound longing to explore the sun-drenched landscapes of Provence. While Zola’s most famous works focused on social realism in urban settings, his early life in Aix-en-Provence undoubtedly imbued his writing, particularly his shorter, more reflective pieces, with a vivid sense of the Provençal light, landscape, and way of life. Sandra found herself captivated by the "visual descriptions" that seemed to leap from the pages, painting mental pictures of the region’s unique beauty.

More than a decade later, Sandra finally fulfilled her adolescent dream, venturing into Provence. By then, her appreciation for the region had deepened, having also discovered the works of artistic giants like Paul Cézanne, a native of Aix-en-Provence, and Henri Matisse, who found inspiration in the light and colours of the French Riviera, adjacent to Provence. The region, with its undulating lavender fields, ancient olive groves, and ochre-coloured villages clinging to hillsides, proved to be "a glorious feast for all the senses." The fragrant air, heavy with the scent of thyme and rosemary, the taste of local wines and Mediterranean cuisine, and the unparalleled quality of light that has attracted artists for centuries, all combined to create an unforgettable experience. Provence’s rich history, evidenced by Roman ruins in Arles and Nîmes and the papal palace in Avignon, further added to its allure. Sandra has returned multiple times, each visit reaffirming the region’s captivating beauty. She still treasures her original Zola book, a tangible link to the initial spark of inspiration that blossomed into a lifelong love affair with Provence, proving that literary encounters can shape not only intellectual understanding but also profound personal journeys.

The Apennines, Italy

Eric Newby’s Love and War in the Apennines is a poignant and deeply human memoir that transcends the traditional war story, offering an intimate glimpse into the extraordinary courage and generosity of ordinary Italian villagers during World War II. Newby, a British prisoner of war who escaped captivity in 1943, recounts his perilous journey through the mountainous spine of central Italy, the Apennines, and the remarkable assistance he received from local people. His "praise for the brave honest people who sheltered him… in stone cottages and freezing farmyard barns" captivated Peter and his wife, inspiring them to spend a month hiking through this historically significant region. The book also beautifully intertwines the personal with the political, detailing how Newby met his future wife, Wanda, an Italian-Slovenian woman, while hiding from the Nazis.

The Apennine mountains, a less-trodden path compared to Italy’s more famous tourist regions, revealed themselves to be a landscape of rugged beauty and deep historical resonance. Peter and his wife hiked through picturesque valleys and ancient forests, encountering the "loving, tight communities" that Newby described. These communities, often isolated, played a crucial role in the partisan resistance against German occupation, demonstrating immense bravery and solidarity. Visiting towns like Fiumalbo, a medieval village in the Emilia-Romagna Apennines, Peter and his wife were met with the same "warm welcome" and authentic hospitality that Newby cherished. When they mentioned "Signor Newby" and showed his book to locals, they were greeted with smiles and recognition, a testament to the enduring impact of Newby’s story and the villagers’ pride in their wartime actions. This experience, Peter reflected, made them feel "part of an appreciative, heartfelt legacy created by the writer and those he met." It was a journey that went beyond mere tourism, offering a profound connection to history, human resilience, and the power of shared humanity in the face of adversity, affirming the deep cultural value of ospitalità italiana even decades later.

Naples

Elena Ferrante’s internationally acclaimed Neapolitan Novels, beginning with My Brilliant Friend, struck a chord with readers worldwide for their intricate exploration of female friendship, class struggle, and intellectual awakening set against the vibrant, often tumultuous backdrop of post-war Naples. For Carol and her lifelong friend, devouring these novels in 2018 ignited a shared desire to visit the city that had, for so long, been unfairly plagued by "bad press, focusing on crime and shabbiness." Ferrante’s masterful storytelling stripped away these superficial perceptions, revealing a city of profound complexity, raw energy, and undeniable beauty. The narrative, which follows the intense bond between Lila and Elena from childhood into old age, is deeply rooted in the specific "edgy neighbourhoods around Naples in the 50s," exploring the harsh realities of poverty and societal constraints.

Upon their arrival, Carol and her friend found a Naples that far exceeded their expectations. They embarked on a journey to visit the very places mentioned in the book, seeking out the bustling markets, labyrinthine alleyways, and grand boulevards that formed the stage for Ferrante’s characters. Far from feeling unsafe, they were met with warmth and genuine welcome, immersing themselves in the city’s vibrant daily life and its legendary culinary scene. Naples, a city with a history stretching back to ancient Greece and Rome, boasts an unparalleled cultural heritage, from the artistic treasures of Caravaggio to the majestic Vesuvius dominating its bay. While the fictional "rione" of the novels depicted a grittier side, the friends also explored elegant areas like Chiaia. This waterfront district, explicitly mentioned in the book, impressed them with its sophisticated promenade along Via Francesco Caracciolo, offering breathtaking views of the Bay of Naples and Capri. Carol’s experience underscored that Naples is a city of stark contrasts – of ancient grandeur and modern vitality, of chaotic charm and refined beauty. Their trip became a celebration of lifelong friendship, mirroring the central theme of Ferrante’s work, and a powerful rebuttal to negative stereotypes, affirming Naples as a city that generously rewards those who approach it with an open heart and a curious mind.

Prince Edward Island, Canada

For Katharine, LM Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables series was more than just a collection of "favourite childhood books"; it was a portal to a world of vivid imagination, shaping her dreams with its enchanting descriptions of Prince Edward Island (PEI), Canada. Montgomery’s lyrical prose painted a picture of "snowy winters, enchanting woods, winding country lanes, and red sandstone cliffs along the coast," leaving an indelible impression on Katharine’s young mind. The beloved tale of the fiery, imaginative orphan Anne Shirley and her adventures in the rural community of Avonlea became synonymous with the idyllic beauty of PEI.

At the age of 44, Katharine finally embarked on her long-awaited pilgrimage to this literary landscape. Her initial day, however, was a "bitter disappointment," shrouded in torrential rain and thick mist that cruelly obscured the island’s famous beauty. This unforeseen challenge, a stark contrast to the sun-drenched imagery of her childhood reads, momentarily dampened her spirits. Yet, the very next day, PEI revealed its true magic. Under clear, brilliant skies, Katharine experienced the island as she had always imagined. She reveled in a "perfect coastal boardwalk," breathing in the fresh sea air and admiring the iconic red sandstone cliffs that characterize PEI’s shoreline. The highlight was undoubtedly a "truly magical visit to Green Gables itself," the meticulously preserved farmstead that served as the inspiration for Anne’s beloved home. This literary landmark, now a national historic site, allows visitors to step directly into Anne’s world, cementing PEI’s status as a premier literary tourism destination. The day concluded perfectly with a "wonderful lobster meal," a taste of the island’s renowned seafood. Katharine’s journey was a powerful testament to the enduring power of literature to inspire travel and the profound satisfaction of seeing a cherished fictional world come to life. Despite the initial weather setback, the island’s beauty, history, and the tangible connection to Anne’s story made the trip a deeply rewarding and nostalgic experience, solidifying PEI’s place in her heart.