Touring Literature's Places
by Sheri Leigh

Inspiration comes from many sources, and authors tend to leave as much of themselves as they take from their surroundings. This month's Tour Hosts have uncovered some of the most interesting sights related to the great, and sometimes, not so great writers who have illuminated our lives. Following in the footsteps of literary history is a great way to relive the past.

Rachael Kaplan, author of a series of books including Little Known Museums of Paris, owns and operates French Links Art and its sister company British Links. This month's fantastic article, Literary Paris gives readers a glimpse into the worlds of both France's great native writers and the Ex Pats of the 20th century. Only one of many trips French Links Tours offers is Hemingway's Left Bank Tour and custom itineraries can be created for those travelers who want to do it themselves, but not miss a thing. As a fantastic company for both the literary and visual art, French Links Tours is this month's Pick.

Southwestern England was home and inspiration to a host of 19c authors and by following In the footsteps of Jane Austen we learn about the region and social circumstances that influenced her novels. Exclusive Journeys, LLc has an array of tours that enlighten the travelers to simple times. Trips include a Dickensian Christmas, The Lake District, this month's National Park and their signature Over a Cuppa Tea tour. Special departures can be custom created for groups of 10 of more.

Plantagenet Tours focuses on historical tours, but with such trips as the Eleanor Tour to Medieval Aquitaine I just had to include them in a review of literary tour hosts. Not that Eleanor was a noted author, but she was instrumental in the development of the Troubadours and was noted for her literary salon, back in the 1180's. Professor Peter Gravgaard leads each trip and each is based on a theme, (we at CT like themes) and envelopes the traveler in the history of the theme.

The Americas also offer a great selection of literary travels. Buenos Aries is home to Eternautas -Historical Trips- which offers a wide selection of thematic walking tours of the city's districts. Literary Buenos Aires winds us through the streets of the city and opens doors into the lives of authors who called the city home.

Stateside we have New York and The Alfred Hitchcock New York/London Locations Walk. These tours take us through the streets and to the sites that the Director used in his movies. A New York Walk With Alfred Hitchcock is perfect for a virtual trek through the sites that live forever on the silver screen.

Boston's Literary Trail is a living history journey through the countryside surrounding this fantastic city while The True Story of the Maltese Falcon sheds light on one of literatures most famous mysteries. From Balzac's Paris, to San Francisco where a plaque marks the place where "Miles Archer, partner to Sam Spade, was done in," literature and history, whether fictional or not, offer a fantastic look into the life and times of many an inspiring writer.