Book-themed Getaways

Book Trip #1-Dublin, Ireland

What to see in Dublin for us literature & book lovers…

1. James Joyce Center for all things James Joyce… Known as one of the most influential and important authors of the 20th century, James Joyce wrote his most famous work, Ulysses, about Leopold Bloom’s life in Dublin. Leopold Bloom’s character parallels Homer’s hero of The Odyssey, Odysseus. James Joyce wrote about why he set his works in Dublin: “For myself, I always write about Dublin, because if I can get to the heart of Dublin I can get to the heart of all the cities of the world. In the particular is contained the universal.” “Footsteps of Leopold Bloom Tour” You can retrace Leopold Bloom’s steps with a waking tour.

2. Bloomsday Festival Visit Dublin in June to experience the with walking and bus tours highlighting James Joyce and W.B. Yeats lives’. The festival this year is scheduled for June 11-16, so there’s a chance we could make it, with the luck of the Irish and our fingers crossed.

3. Dublin Writers Museum highlights the four Nobel Prize Winners of Ireland along with other Irish Writers.

5. The Book of Kells at Trinity College, The University of Dublin, visit to truly experience a book lover’s paradise.

More about Trinity College and Book of Kells from The Scenic Suitcase…”As Ireland’s oldest surviving university, Trinity College houses some of the country’s oldest treasures. Most notably, the Book of Kells and ancient texts in The Long Room. The Book of Kells dates back to the 9th century and is a beautifully illustrated manuscript of four gospels in the New Testament. Written on calf skin (called vellum), its 680 pages have been bound into four volumes which are on display in the library.
Above the Book of Kells exhibit, you’ll find the impressive Long Room on the second floor. Built between 1712 and 1732, this 213-ft chamber in the Old Library houses 200,000 of the institution’s oldest books. Plus, it’s also where you’ll find the Brian Boru’s harp. One of the three oldest surviving Gaelic harps, it was used as a model for Ireland’s coat of arms.”

6. W.B. Yeats at the National Library of Ireland Poetry fans can experience the life of W.B. Yeats…
We rode in sorrow, with strong hounds three, Bran, Sceolan, and Lomair, On a morning misty and mild and fair. The mist-drops hung on the fragrant trees, And in the blossoms hung the bees. We rode in sadness above Lough Lean, For our best were dead on Gavra’s green. -The Wanderings of Oisin, W.B. Yeats

Stephanie’s blog post at The Scenic Suitcase has more information on interesting places in Dublin like The Temple Bar, Grafton Street, Temple Records, Christ Church Cathedral, Guinness Storehouse, River Liffey, St. Stephen’s Green, Doheny & Nesbitt, & more.

Book Trip #2-Hemingway’s homes in Cuba & Florida courtesy of The Scenic Suitcase

Book Trips to Bath, Antarctica, & Forks

#3 – Bath, England

In addition to the rolling hillsides, amazing architecture, and stunning castles, midland England offers the book lover much to see. Jane Austen fans will want to visit the Jane Austen Centre with
its shop and team room, and an exhibition that celebrates Jane’s stay in Bath and the influence that the city had on her books, characters, and life. For a special treat go during September for the Jane Austen Festival for costumed receptions, dances, and masked balls. In 2020 the festival takes place Sept. 11-20. For more from Bath and midland England, browse the pictures and sites below. For information on visiting Bath, go to their official tourist website.

#4 – Antarctica

(Inspired by Where’d You Go, Bernadette)
Looking for the ultimate getaway? You can’t go much further than Antarctica, unless you’re in Australia, southern Africa, or South America, but I digress. My friend Stephanie from The Scenic
Suitcase made it her mission last year to travel to every continent and the pictures from Antarctica are particularly stunning! Amazing sunrises and sunsets, and playful penguins abound. To see all
her pictures go here.

#5 – Forks, Washington

(Inspired by Twilight)
Oh my goodness, I sort of wanted to go to Forks before because I am huge Twilight fan, but after
seeing this web page with props from the movie and even a festival you can attend, I’m ready to
book my tickets. Don’t worry, the festival isn’t until September, Sept. 10 – 13, 2020 (FYI, if you
remember 9/13 is Bella’s Birthday), to be exact. So, we have plenty of time! They even have a list
of great things your male sidekick can do while you’re off twi-fanning. Actually, the sidekick
places to visit look amazing too, beaches, Lake Cresent, waterfalls, Hoh Rainforest… count me
in! I’m offended they call the extras the “The Guy’s List” because I want to do it all. Here’s the
doc with all the extra attractions.

Here’s my getaway playlist… just click the image to listen or download!