Books have been inspiring travel for thousands of years. From the adventures of the Odyssey to the emotional journey of Eat, Pray, Love, books introduce us to places we’ve never been and might have never dreamed existed. From the haunting moors and rough coastline in England’s Yorkshire countryside to hidden corners of Paris, some of our favorite books have inspired travel over the years for us and so many others. Whether you’re looking for a great summer read or need inspiration for an upcoming trip, these eight books and destinations are strong contenders for consideration.

Keep reading for eight destinations and the books that inspired them. Head over to our Instagram page to share which books have inspired your bucket list, or share them with us a DM.

Chicago, IL || Inspired by The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson

Chicago’s representation in The Devil in the White City is the very definition of a juxtaposition, but it is enlightening and honest. Erik Larson does an incredible job of showcasing both the Windy City's gritty, dark history and its gilded era of architectural prowess. The story follows Daniel H. Burnham as he constructs the 1893 World’s Fair, a feat that shouldn’t have been possible, alongside the nefarious life of H.H. Holmes, the first documented serial killer of America. While Burnham was building something spectacular, Holmes was posing as a doctor who built a hotel to trap, torture, and kill women near the fairgrounds for easy access to unsuspecting victims. It’s a brilliant documentation of two true stories that shaped the city of Chicago in two very different ways during the 19th century.

While the exposition was ultimately deconstructed, several significant pieces remain today. The Museum of Science & Industry was the former Palace of Fine Arts, and the Art Institute of Chicago served as an auxiliary building. Jackson Park, next to the Museum of Science & Industry, was the landscaped fairgrounds where most buildings, lagoons, islands, and more were located. While the details and structures from the fair are gone, the landscape design was the original that Frederick Law Olmsted created. Chicago is known for being an architectural treasure chest with most popular styles throughout the last few centuries represented and preserved. Chicago takes pride in its history and does a great job of protecting historic buildings. Regarding the other side of the novel, Chicago also has plenty of gruesome moments and stories that make up its history as well. Plenty of sites throughout the city and its surrounding suburbs are known for being haunted or having violent backstories. Death Alley behind the Nederlander Theater, the Valentine’s Day Massacre site, Bachelor’s Grove Cemetery, and the Biograph Theater are just a few.

India || Inspired by Eat, Pray, Love by Elizabeth Gilbert

Eat, Pray, Love follows author Elizabeth Gilbert’s year-long journey through Italy, India, and Bali. It was a journey of self-discovery after life as she knew it fell apart. It is a tale of heartbreak, rediscovery, finding joy in the simple things, and forgiveness of self. Her story has become a bible for women in every generation and walk of life. It’s inspired many, including us, on an emotional level, and also when it comes to travel.

While Liz never explicitly mentions in the book where her ashram in India is, it’s suspected to be near Mumbai. However, the film adaptation was filmed at the Ashram Hari Mandir in Pataudi, India, about 90 minutes outside New Delhi. For those looking to have a similar experience to Liz, India has many wonderful ashrams to visit for different periods of time and levels of experience when it comes to meditation. For those interested in experiencing the diversity of cultures India has to offer, there are several great cities to visit. Delhi is the capital city, offering a unique blend of modern life and ancient history. The “pink city,” Jaipur, is a fantastic option for visiting palaces and markets. Mumbai carries a much more urban feel as the country’s financial capital, but don’t miss out on the vibrant art scene as well. For a coastal experience, head to Goa for stunning beaches, lively nightlife, delicious food, and a blend of Indian and Portuguese culture.

Madrid, Spain || Inspired by The Spanish Love Deception by Elena Armas

We love a good rom-com, and Elena Armas’ cheeky beach read is exactly the vibe we’re looking for this summer. From co-workers to lovers, The Spanish Love Deception follows Catalina, who has an immediate conundrum at the novel's start. She needs a date for her sister’s wedding in Spain and has zero options. Cue the co-worker she loves to hate (who secretly has a crush on her) offering to solve her problem in exchange for being his date to an event of his own. The two make their way to Spain, where they have a jolly ol’ time at the wedding, answer a million uncomfortable (and inappropriate) questions from family, before going home, where they continue to fall in love while having no shortage of speedbumps along the way.

While we wouldn’t mind a romance featuring an Aaron of our own, we won’t wait for him before hopping a flight to Madrid. Madrid has so much to offer, from the architecture to the people and rich culture. Wander through the royal palaces, nibble tapas before an indulgent siesta, or check out one of the many festivals if one takes place during your trip. See a Flamenco Show or take classes to learn the dance for yourself. Drink lots of wine – we recommend a nice and spicy Spanish Rioja! And experience the famous Madrid nightlife. The plazas come alive in the evening, where you’re sure to make quite the memories.

New York City, New York || Inspired by Breakfast at Tiffany’s by Truman Capote

Holly Golightly is a much more complex character than she gets credit for. Audrey Hepburn’s portrayal was nothing short of brilliant, but the romanticization of Ms. Golightly does a disservice to the depth of character Capote (and Hepburn) delivers. Holly is a deeply unhappy person with a tortured past and a fool’s hope for the future. She lives in a world of her creation because the reality is too miserable to survive. At the same time, you can’t help but relate to her. The sadness that plagues her from the cruelty of the cards life dealt her, to the blind trust that everything will work itself out. Whether or not you’ve seen the movie, Breakf ast at Tiffany’s is a masterpiece under one hundred pages. Grab it before the long weekend getaway you have planned this summer, perhaps to New York City, where you too can grab a coffee and croissant and enjoy them while looking in the window at Tiffany’s.

New York City is the city of all cities with a theater district unlike anywhere else, a culinary mecca you’d need to live ten lives to experience fully, and an energy unique to NYC. Spend a long weekend hitting up your favorite Broadway shows, grab a slice of pizza on the go, and stroll through Central Park to capture the feeling of ‘90s rom-coms. Head to Brooklyn for a quieter escape, dip into the West Village for a slice of authentic city living, and walk the streets of Little Italy, soaking in the smells of garlic and tomato. Slowly peruse galleries in the Met and check out the latest installation in the New York Public Library while admiring breathtaking architecture.

Paris, France || Inspired by A Moveable Feast by Ernest Hemingway

No one loved Paris more than Ernest Hemingway - except for maybe the Fitzgeralds. If you want to fall in love with Paris, read A Moveable Feast. The story deeply appreciates the unseen side of the city – the side where real, everyday people live. When writing this novel, Hemingway was one of those normal, everyday people. He was struggling to make ends meet with a young wife and small child while refusing to give up his vices. It was a time when his literary chops were stretched and challenged because similarly talented and creative minds surrounded him.

One of our favorite movies, Midnight in Paris, visits Hemingway around the time he spent in Paris while writing A Moveable Feast, along with other notable figures from that era. Paris has a special, magical quality to it. You can’t help but fall in love with this city, from the decadent food to the history displayed in every corner. Enjoy Paris like Hemingway did by visiting a few of his favorite haunts still open today, such as Café de Flore, Les Deux Magots, and Shakespeare & Co. While you’re at it, step into a few of the places featured in Midnight in Paris like the Musée de l’Orangerie featuring Monet’s Lily Pad paintings, the Tuileries Gardens which boast a spectacular Ferris wheel in summertime, and the Bouquinistes along the Seine selling all sorts of unique finds. You might even find an old diary from one of the literary greats!

Provence, France || Inspired by Chasing Cezanne by Peter Mayle

A funny, clever read, Chazing Cezanne takes you on a fast-paced adventure to many different places, but Mayle’s love for Provence is clear as day. When photographer Andre Kelly stumbles upon an art theft conspiracy, he becomes determined to chase the clues to protect the priceless art. We follow him on this journey that spans Provence, New York City, and the Bahamas, where the rich and famous participate in nefarious schemes that Kelly & friends are determined to stop no matter the cost.

While we don’t recommend chasing a dangerous art theft mystery through the south of France, we do recommend visiting for a quaint French escape. This region is home to several of the most beautiful French towns like Aix-en-Provence, Avignon, and Saint-Rémy-de-Provence. This region inspired some of the most influential painters, including VanGogh, Monet, and Cézanne. Walk through fairytale villages that feel like a scene out of a movie, enjoy delicious world-renowned cuisine, and take a quick drive to the coast for breathtaking views of the Mediterranean. Provence offers an unfiltered, authentic taste of French life. It doesn’t get better than that.

Puglia, Italy || Inspired by Casa Rossa by Francesca Marciano

With a story that spans Puglia, Rome, and New York City, Casa Rossa is an emotional telling of a woman’s journey to understand the women in her family responsible for shaping her life. Beginning with her grandparents’ story in the ‘30s, the timeline takes readers through Italy in WWII to the boom of Italian cinema in the ‘50s, the Proletariat movement in the ‘70s, and more. It’s a raw story covering heavy topics, including grief, substance abuse, and toxic family systems, among other issues, but in an introspective way. You’ll be silently cheering for the main character as she uncovers decades of memories and secrets while cleaning out her family’s home in Puglia, the one common foundation across every story.

Puglia is a region in southern Italy known for olive trees, beautiful coastlines, and cuisine (but honestly, what Italian region isn’t known for its cuisine?). Olive trees appear regularly in Casa Rossa, as does the region’s agriculture and landscape, something the main character sees as a peaceful escape from real life. Known as the “breadbasket” of Italy, Puglia is one of Italy's largest producers of olive oil and some of the country’s best wheat. It’s the region we can thank for Burrata and home to the town of Alberobello - a UNESCO World Heritage Site - known for conical-shaped roofs that give us fairy cottage vibes and white-washed stone walls. Something that holds a bit of significance in the book since the family home in question boasts red walls, making it stand out on the hill it sits on.

Yorkshire, England || Inspired by Wuthering Heights by Emily Brontë

We couldn’t share a list of destinations inspired by books without including one of the most famous pieces of British literature. Love or hate it, Wuthering Heights romanticizes Yorkshire even on the dullest and most frigid days. While we prefer the drama of Thornfield Hall in Jane Eyre by Charlotte Brontë, Emily’s sister, we’ll give Wuthering Heights its due. There isn’t one redeemable character in that book (maybe a maid), but it’s undeniably a beautiful piece of literature.

Because of the genius storytelling, Wuthering Heights catapulted Yorkshire’s landscapes to fame. The Yorkshire moors, which might as well be a main character, deliver a hauntingly romantic element that brings the story to life in a tangible way. Readers can visit the rugged moors and imagine the tumultuous tale of Heathcliff and Catherine against the backdrop that inspired their story. Tours are available to walk routes that inspired the landscapes in Wuthering Heights and the Gothic architecture found in the famous manors. Other literary gems inspired by Yorkshire include Jane Eyre, The Secret Garden, Dracula, and The Whitby Murders.