6 storybook destinations you can visit in real life

Few locations inspire young minds like those out of a storybook. From rafts floating down the Mississippi to Parisienne hotels – to really engage children in their travel experience, it’s all about location, writes Rebecca Lawson.

1. L.M. Montgomery’s Anne of Green Gables

Prince Edward Island, Canada

Lush and verdant hills rolling gently into the distance, bubbling brooks crossed by rickety wooden bridges, weatherboard cottages and softly grazing cattle – the landscape of Prince Edward Island in Canada has come to represent the perfect childhood for almost every lover of children’s literature the world over. L.M. Montgomery’s ironically cheeky but lovable character, Anne Shirley, is adored by generations of children, and any who missed the books were introduced to Anne’s story through the iconic 1985 film starring Meagan Follows. Such was the impact of the book that Parks Canada turned the novel’s setting into Green Gables Heritage Place.

Another location worth a visit is Avonlea Village, a replica of the main town in the novels. This attraction allows visitors to become completely immersed in the story. Visitors can go on a wagon ride, drink raspberry cordial, or try on some period costumes for size.

But if you call me Anne, please call me Anne with an ‘e’.

2. Daniel Defoe’s Robinson Crusoe

Tobago, Caribbean Island

Daniel Defoe’s classic novel has been igniting the imagination of boys and girls for 300 years and has become one of the most widely published books in history. It is no wonder then that the idea of a Robinson Crusoe-style holiday still hasn’t lost its allure. Although there are several different claimants arguing over which island holds the legitimate claim to being the ‘real’ setting for the novel (two of which have even changed their names to Robinson Crusoe Island) it seems the stand-out favourite is Tobago, of Caribbean fame. Although this is the smaller of the twin islands commonly known as Trinidad and Tobago, its relaxed, rustic atmosphere is what makes this charming piece of paradise the perfect place to play at being Crusoe – or at least the kids can play, while you just lie on the sand, go diving, or dine on gourmet seafood.

There is no need to lower your standards now that you’re doing the desert-island thing and in fact Tobago offers some world-class luxury. Blue Waters Inn is a lovely laid-back property located far from the madding crowds in Batteaux Bay. Their Blue View Bungalows are the ultimate desert-island escape, located down the most private end of the beach and fully self-contained so you don’t have to see anyone unless you want to.

Fear of danger is ten thousand times more terrifying than danger itself.

3. Ludwig Bemelman’s Madeline

Paris, France

Anne of Green Gables isn’t the only famous redhead to be immortalised in children’s literature. Ludwig Bemelmans’ most celebrated character, Madeline, has been brought to life in numerous books, TV shows and movies. Her hometown of Paris boasts many lovely sites that children, whether familiar with the books or not, will enjoy visiting. The Palais Jardin de Luxembourg is one such place. It appears in the very first ‘Madeline’ book when the schoolgirls visit the park, and its old-fashioned puppet theatre, pond and of course the palace are all sure to keep the kids enthralled.

The Ile de la Cité is probably on your list of places to visit in Paris anyway, but it and its famous cathedral, Notre Dame, also star in the ‘Madeline’ books. The kids will especially enjoy picking out the scariest looking gargoyles on the cathedral’s façade. But on any ‘Madeline’ tour of Paris, you can’t go past the bridge that she fell off, landing with a splash into the Seine. The Pont Neuf, featured in the book ‘Madeline’s Rescue’, is the oldest bridge in Paris. Ironically though, the name ‘Pont Neuf’ actually means ‘New Bridge’. Go figure.

In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines…

4. A.A. Milne’s Winnie-The-Pooh

Sussex, England

If you and your little ones are inclined to venture off to do nothing with A.A. Milne’s most famous character, Winnie-the-Pooh, Ashdown Forest in Sussex, England, is the place to do it. This is the setting that provided Milne’s inspiration for the 100 Acre Wood and the area is very similar to the stories. The region boasts that understated, but soothing and peaceful beauty that is only found in the English countryside. There are two, long rambling, Pooh-inspired walks that allow you to fully appreciate this area, including a visit to Poohsticks Bridge, where Pooh and his companions played the floating stick game.

The forest is in the High Weald Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, just 65 kilometres south of London. Being so close to the big smoke you can do a day trip, and actually a visit to London’s Victoria and Albert Museum is a must-do on any Pooh trip. It is there that you can view the original drawings for Winnie-the-Pooh in a dedicated exhibit.

But if you’d rather enjoy your stay in the Sussex countryside, there are some lovely manor houses to explore, such as Ashdown Park Hotel & Country Club, Ashdown Forest.

People say nothing is impossible, but I do nothing every day.

5. Beatrix Potter’s Peter Rabbit

The Lake District, England

Born in Victorian England, Beatrix Potter often holidayed in the stunning Lake District of Cumbria, so it is no wonder she was so influenced by the beauty of that area. Like other English artists and poets throughout history, including Wordsworth and Coleridge, Potter was inspired by nature and these simple, rural scenes are what form the settings for her famous animal characters such as Benjamin Bunny, Tom Kitten, Jemima Puddle-Duck and of course, Peter Rabbit.

There is a plethora of locations to show the kids on a Beatrix Potter tour of England. There’s Hill Top Farm, Potter’s home, and Hawkeshead, a gorgeously quaint village and home to the Beatrix Potter Gallery where Potter’s original character drawings can be found. But the best Potter attraction for the kids can only be The World of Beatrix Potter. This is essentially a theme park where Peter Rabbit and the gang all come to life. Children can have tea with Peter, drop in on Mrs Tiggy-Winkle in her kitchen, visit Jemima Puddleduck’s woodland glade and best of all, they can step into the Peter Rabbit Garden – just look out for Mr McGregor!

Once upon a time there were four little Rabbits, and their names were Flopsy, Mopsy, Cotton-tail, and Peter.

To do a real ‘Possum Magic’ tour of Australia, you would need to visit all the state capitals from Hobart to Darwin, munching on delicious local fare as you go including Perth pavlova and pumpkin scones in Brisbane. But if you don’t want to cover quite that many miles, there are some stunning homestead retreats dotted throughout the Australian bush where you can immerse yourself and the kids in an environment similar to that in which Grandma Poss and Hush live.

Wolgan Valley Resort and Spa is one such place. The conservation-conscious property is located in a secluded section of the Blue Mountains, so it’s nice and close to Sydney while still feeling a million miles away. There are great family activities including wildlife sightings, where if you’re lucky you may even see Grandma Poss or another Brushtailed Possum. Now that sounds like bush magic!

Once upon a time, but not very long ago, deep in the Australian bush, there lived two possums. Their names were Hush and Grandma Poss. Grandma Poss made bush magic…

This article originally appeared in Five Star Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.