Literary locations

It’s difficult not to feel inspired by the colourful landscapes of the Luberon: this is a region with a seemingly never-ending supply of gorgeous medieval villages; a region whose hillsides are adorned with vines, cherry orchards and truffle-oak plantations; and whose market stalls stagger under the weight of their mouthwatering local produce. Moving from Devon to the Luberon in 1987 led Peter Mayle to write his bestselling book, A Year in Provence, a warm-hearted account of the trials and pleasures of Provençal life. We focus on the latter on our week-long cycling holiday in Provence, which begins beside the ochre cliffs of Roussillon and ends in enchanting Fontaine-de-Vaucluse. 

From rugged fells to moor-clad hills, and iconic meres to tranquil tarns, the Lake District is a land of astonishing natural beauty. Some very illustrious cultural figures have been inspired by the impressive scenery here, among them the English Romantic poet, William Wordsworth, who famously described the region as “the loveliest spot that man hath found.” Our Lake District walking holiday offers the chance to visit Wordsworth’s former home, Dove Cottage, where he wrote many of his best-loved works. It also gives the opportunity to call into the Beatrix Potter Gallery in Hawkshead, and to explore Brantwood House, where writer John Ruskin once lived.

You might not have heard of Gargnano, the small waterfront town that nestles on the quiet western shores of Lake Garda, but in our opinion it is one of the loveliest locations on the lake. D.H. Lawrence certainly thought so – he settled in Gargnano between 1912 and 1913, and the seven months he spent in this unspoiled lakeside base were some of the most productive of his life. Gargnano is still an inspiring place to stay today, with characterful hotels, a charming medieval centre and easy access to a good choice of relaxed walking trails. Discover it for yourself as part of our Lake Garda walking holiday.

A famous landscape novelist, Thomas Hardy filled his works with incredibly accurate descriptions of real-life towns and buildings – creating a semi-fictional land that he named ‘Wessex’ and which is the setting for all his major novels. You can explore some of the idyllic countryside which inspired Hardy on our Dorset walking holiday; this leisurely break focuses on the landscapes surrounding Cranborne Chase – an outstandingly beautiful area of rolling green hills and pretty thatched villages which is the epitome of rural England and remains virtually unchanged since the great author’s time.

Beneath the mighty peaks of Spain’s Sierra Nevada lies Las Alpujarras – a little-known region of fertile valleys and dramatic gorges which provides a haven for those seeking both rewarding walking and an escape from the fast-paced nature of modern life. Author and raconteur, Chris Stewart, has lived and farmed here for many years, and he has written of his adventures in a series of highly engaging and amusing books, the most famous of which is Driving over Lemons. We offer a number of walking holidays in Las Alpujarras, including a single-centre break which is based in a timeless whitewashed village and gives a unique insight into exactly the kind of traditional local lifestyle so beloved by Chris.