Few locations inspire young minds like those out of a storybook. From rafts floating down the Mississippi to Parisienne hotels – engage children in their travel experience.
Few locations inspire young minds like those out of a storybook. The homelands and haunts of some of the world’s great authors have starred as and shaped the fictional worlds of family book favourites, from Anne of Green Gables to the Harry Potter series. Here, we step into the pages of some of the world’s most popular tales to explore the incredible destinations their authors breathed into literary life.
Prince Edward Island, Canada
It was on Canada‘s pretty Prince Edward Island that Lucy Maud Montgomery created the beloved children’s fiction, Anne of Green Gables. Today visitors can explore the windswept island, home of the irrepressible Anne, on a horse and buggy ride. See the restored original green-gabled farmhouse, tap your toes to Anne of Green Gables – The Musical, experience a celebration of the life and work of author Lucy Maud Montgomery at the Anne of Green Gables Museum. The town contains real-life recreations of some of the book’s houses and shops as well as the schoolhouse in which Lucy Maud Montgomery taught, and the Historic Long River Church. 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, named after the fictitious town in which Anne lived. You can become completely immersed in the story at this replica town. 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’.
Edinburgh, Scotland
It was at The Elephant House, a cute cafe overlooking Edinburgh Castle, that J.K. Rowling began crafting Harry Potter. And the city behind the book is like Hogsmeade come to life. Behind the cafe is Greyfriars Kirkyard, where among the tombstones you’ll spy a McGonagall, a Moodie and a Potter; but it’s the grave of Voldemort, or at least his real-life namesake, Tom Riddell, that is most popular with Potterheads. The fairytale facade of George Heriot’s School is said to have inspired Hogwarts and the curving, cobbled Victoria Street is like stepping into Diagon Alley, complete with magic stores. There’s even a double-decker bus tour, The Potter Trail, that will whisk you to wizardly locations with a tasty tankard of I-Can’t-Believe-It’s-Not-Butter-Beer fresh from the cauldron.
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.
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.
Read: Entertaining kids in Paris at Disneyland, museums and gardens
In an old house in Paris that was covered in vines, lived twelve little girls in two straight lines…
Hamelin, Germany
Let the Pied Piper lure you to Hamelin, embedded in the hills of Germany’s Weserberg region, where you can wander the streets where he lured away the rats with his magic pipe. Hamelin is just one of the many magical stops along the 600-kilometre Fairy Tale Route that stretches from Hanau in central Germany to Bremen in the north. So named for the Brothers Grimm – who brought the tales of Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, Snow White and more to the world – the route is a real world fairytale of bewitching castles, enchanting forests and pretty medieval towns. Two of these are the not to be missed: Alsfeld, where the house of Little Red Riding Hood still stands, and the pretty village of Bad Wildungen, home to the ever-popular Snow White.
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.
Blue Mountains, Australia
One of Australia’s most iconic children’s books, ‘Possum Magic’, was created after its author was shocked at not being able to find a storybook to read her daughter that was sufficiently ‘Australian’. The publication has gone on to become the best-selling picture book ever in Australia. It has been performed by the Adelaide Symphony Orchestra, turned into a musical which is still touring the country, and been simplified into a board book for babies.
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…
London, England
Paddington Bear is one of London’s most beloved children’s literature characters. The original stories, created by Michael Bond, saw the mischievous Peruvian bear navigating life in London with his adopted family, the Browns. Now you can pack your marmalade sandwiches and follow in his paw prints on a Paddington Bear tour of London. Stop at Paddington Station for a selfie with a statue of the famous bear; visit the Oxford Street shops where Bond stumbled upon the puppet that inspired Paddington; drop in to Alice’s Antiques, the film stand-in for Mr Gruber’s antiques; and adopt a Paddington of your own at Hamleys.
New York City, USA
For children entranced by the hilarious antics of funny, capricious Eloise, the star of the classic eponymous children’s book series by Kay Thompson, New York City is a must. Indulge with a stay in the pink, pink, pink Eloise Suite at The Plaza, the location of many of Eloise’s misadventures. Linger over the hotel’s Eloise Tea, served daily in The Palm Court, then follow in her footsteps in Central Park and beyond.
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.
Athens, Greece
The Greek capital should be on the bucket list of every Percy Jackson fan. While Percy’s modern-day story is based in America, the best-selling book series by Rick Riordan revolves around Greek mythology, and Athens is eternally intertwined with the stories and its characters. From the famed Acropolis to the Temple of Poseidon at Sounion – dedicated to fictional Percy Jackson’s dad – Athens will whisk the kids into the pages of mythology. Add a day trip to Epidauros, the Sanctuary of Asclepius (the god of medicine) and Ancient Corinth, where the sorceress Medea and Jason (of Argonauts fame) form much of Percy’s underworld lore, and your half-pint historians will be in Percy Jackson heaven.
Rajasthan, India
Many decades before Baloo the Bear bopped around screens in search of ‘the bare necessities’, Rudyard Kipling’s The Jungle Book was enchanting children the world over with his collection of stories about talking animals. While the book was set in India’s Seoni jungle, Rajasthan is probably the best spot for your wildlife-loving man-cubs to have their own Mowgli moment. The jewel in India’s crown with its palaces and forts, Rajasthan is also home to Ranthambore National Park, where they can explore steamy jungles in search of Bagheera and Shere Khan, along with troupes of bandar-log (monkey folk), sambar deer, chital, jungle cats, striped hyenas and sloth bears. Oh, Oobie-Doo!
Birmingham, England
While most fans picture New Zealand and Hobbiton when they think of JRR Tolkien’s literary classics, Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, that’s not where it all started. Instead, we suggest exploring the childhood haunts that inspired the author to create his timeless tales. In Birmingham, take the Tolkien Trail to Sarehole Mill, said to be the inspiration for Hobbiton and the Shire, and a favourite playground of Tolkien and his brothers. Now a museum open to the public in summer, it’s a place of pilgrimage for many Tolkien fans, particularly during May’s Middle Earth Festival, a two-day event celebrating the life and works of JRR Tolkien. And be sure to visit Moseley Bog, an unspoiled slice of woodland that bears a strong resemblance to Tolkien’s Old Forest.
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.
This article originally appeared in Holidays with Kids magazine. To subscribe to the latest issue, click here.
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