Where have you visited just because it was in a book you like?

[Tim]

Generally though, it's brilliant. Just a shame it doesn't go down all the alleyways, footpaths and passages...

[Lexi]

In my WIP (set in the future) Google Street View is in real time, with people's faces smudged out. Today my daughter pointed out that would be a stalker's heaven, and I should change it.

I'm still quite fond of the idea, though...

[Simon (Highwayman)]

I went to Rosslyn chapel last year. I had wanted to go before Dan Browne interfered but admit I wanted to see what it looked like. I had a very knowledgeable guide who told us the real story of the chapel.

[B J]

I went to have a look at Westward Ho! after I read that the Charles Kingsley book of that name actually pre-dated the town. The book became so popular that when a town was built on the site imagined by Kingsley it was named after the book.

[Karen]

We've been to Venice a couple of times since I read the Donna Leon novels but since they are crime novels they don't exactly enhance one's experience of the place... just made me feel distinctly uneasy. That, and all the water. I hate boats.

[John]

Joo wrote: "Tim wrote: "Philip wrote: "Joo wrote: "I went on holidays to a place because of the words on the back of a Crunchy Easter Egg box. Does that count? :)"

You went on holiday to Cadbury-World?"

I'd..."


Cedar Point in 1991, Joo?
I worked there for 6 weeks in 1993 - I was one of those "Games Hosts" people pass on their way to get on roller coasters, trying to get people to pay a dollar to throw hoops over 6 foot tall furry dogs dressed as Firemen, in (forlorn) hopes of winning said dog.

When I got back, I saw that Cedar Point, Sandusky, is mentioned in Sherwood Anderson's book, Winesburg, Ohio, so I did it other way round with that one.

On same trip, did visit Boulder, Colorado, as Stephen King set The Stand there (and also Mork and Mindy from TV was set there!)

[Clodagh]

Vanessa (aka Dumbo) wrote: "I suppose I do things the other way round as I love reading books set in the City of London's square mile because I used to live there and recognise the places and get a feel for them as they were ..."
I love reading books set in London, not just the square mile, but everywhere as I still live here and can never get enough of it (though may have to move).
My own books (am i allowed to say that) are set in London too.

[Kevin]

I once visited Manningtree and Mistley on the north Essex coast because they were locations in a Babara Erskine book I was reading at the time. It was interesting to see how these places looked after reading about them.

[Clodagh]

I always wanted to visit Alexandria after I read 'The Alexandria Quartet' as a teenager. So romantic. However, assuming, probably correctly, that that old city is no longer the same I would not risk having my illusions shattered.

Would love to visit Savannah, the setting for the glorous 'Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil'.

I had read and heard so much about Venice that I was a bit scared - how could a city ever live up to such a reputation? I can honestly say it was everything I hoped for and more. My experience was enhanced by trotting round reading/carrying Jan Morris' 'Venice' and 'The Stones of Florence and Venice Observed' by Mary McCarthy - two tremendous companions for a trip to Venice.