At first glance, Shakespeare and Company is nothing more than another English bookstore. But just a few steps inside the door, you start to see why the storefront is just as much a museum as it is a legendary bookshop. Between the books stacked to the ceiling, there are notes, announcements and fliers left from visitors all over the world. Since 1919, the name Shakespeare and Company has been a refuge to writers. The original bookstore was the stomping grounds of Hemingway, Fitzgerald, Joyce and others. Today, writers from all over the world come to share their work. Unknown writers have a place here, too; Shakespeare and Company lends sleeping space in exchange for a couple of hours of work in the store.

Within the humble two story house made of wood paneling, one of America's most important cultural figures not only came of age, but gained experiences that would contribute to some of the country's most memorable literary moments. The home of the erudite legend evokes a certain kind of literary nostalgia, which lingers over several nooks and crannies of the house, the very corners which served as inspiration for Twain to craft his revered stories. Part of the Mark Twain Historic District, the house doubles as a museum which plays host to myriad manuscripts, the author's original editions, interactive exhibits, treasured mementos and the famed fence featured in Tom Sawyer. An officially designated National Historic Landmark, this storied boyhood home helps keep Mark Twain's literature alive and relevant, even in today's times.

Ursprünglich war es als kleine Handbibliothek gedacht. Heute umfasst die Library of Congress die größte Büchersammlung weltweit, mit über 100 Millionen Büchern, darunter eine Gutenberg Bibel und die allerersten Entwürfe der Unabhängigkeitserklärung, sowie Lincoln's Gettysburg Address. Allein die Pracht des Main Reading Rooms ist einen Besuch hier wert, aber besichtigen Sie auch die vielen exzellenten Sammlungen und Ausstellungen der anderen drei Gebäude. Bücher sind verfügbar für alle Erwachsene und Jugendliche über 18 Jahre.

Jane Austen's House Museum is a must-see for literary buffs. Jane Austen moved here from Southampton in 1809 and began writing again, revising Sense and Sensibility, Pride and Prejudice and Mansfield Park. You can see where Jane wrote, sewed, made wine and enjoyed gardening. Her music book, a dress she wore, a quilt she stitched and the work table where she wrote her books are all on display. You can also see her donkey carriage - the door still creaks out a warning, as it did when Jane hastily hid her writing from visitors.

The Hemingway Home & Museum was the residence of the renowned author Ernest Hemingway. Hemingway was known both for his grander-than-life personality and his amazing writing, including the books The Sun Also Rises and Farewell to Arms. The rooms and the collections on display give you an insight into the life of this famous writer. Keep a look out for the museum's many polydactyl (six-toed) cats that are rumored to be descendants of Hemingway's pet cat Snow White.

Ein berühmter Ort des intellektuellen-schicken Quartiers St. Germain-Des-Prés. Seine mythische Terrasse war Treffpunkt der großen, sich in Paris aufhaltenden Schriftsteller und Philosophen. Der besagte amerikanische Romanschriftsteller Ernest Hemingway kannte sich in Bars gut aus und hier hatte er seine Gewohnheiten. Übrigens kommt es nicht von ungefähr, dass sich die La Hune, ohne Zweifel die beste Buchhandlung von Paris, gleich nebenan niedergelassen hat.

Der Mythos ist auf jeden Fall immer noch lebendig und man drängt sich hier zahlreich um einen Kir Royal nach einem Einkaufsbummel in der gegebenüberliegenden Armani-Boutique. Eine Neuheit des Pariser Café-Restaurants par excellence: die Karte besteht nicht mehr nur aus fertig zusammengestellten Gerichten, sondern auch aus einem Tagesgericht (Freilandhähnchen Ratatouille, kalter Lachs mit grüner Soße).

ungefähre Preise: Kaffee auf der Terrasse EUR 4, Kir Royal EUR 9, Tagesgericht EUR 13

Housing more than 6,000,000 volumes, the Trinity College Library is one of the largest libraries in Ireland. Although occupying several buildings, four of the main ones are located in the Trinity College Campus itself. From the four, the main drawcard is the Old Library that not only houses the 65-meter-long (213 feet) Long Room, but also houses the Book of Kells that contains the four Gospels of the New Testament. Other items in the library that are equally fascinating include the 1916 Proclamation of the Irish Republic, the Book of Durrow and the Book of Howth. Don’t be surprised if you find yourself mesmerized by the beauty and ancient charm of the magnificent library as well as the amazing collection of ancient texts. After you have toured the library, head to the Trinity College Library Shop and buy some souvenirs for friends and family.

This one-of-a-kind, boutique hotel redefines luxury. Dark wood paneling and rows of bookshelves greet guests, who are given every opportunity to engage their literary sides while staying at the Library Hotel. Each of its ten floors celebrates a category of the Dewey Decimal System, which range from Philosophy to Natural Science, and the rooms on every floor are not only decorated according to its theme but also stocked with books on the topic. Book lovers and comfort seekers alike will love breakfast in the Reading Room, respites in the Poetry Garden, and evenings in the Bookmarks Lounge. It's hard to go wrong at the exceptional Library Hotel.

Located in Tula, Russia, Yasnaya Polyana is an estate which also contains the home of iconic writer and playwright Leo Tolstoy. Tolstoy has penned Anna Karenina, War and Peace, among other celebrated novels. When Tolstoy resided here, the estate of Yasnaya Polyana was spread across nearly 16 square kilometers (4000 acres) of land area, on a sloped hillside and surrounded by lush green forest and a few ponds. Today, Tolstoy's house in the Yasnaya Polyana estate is preserved the same way as it was when he died in the year 1910. The earliest structure on Yasnaya Polyana estate is Volkonskiy house. Nikolai, Tolstoy's grandfather, lived here.

Alice's Shop Oxford is an endearing store selling local souvenirs, located in the St Aldate's neighborhood of the city. The shop is believed to be the place where Alice, daughter of Henry Liddell would come to spend time browsing adorable articles. She used to live at the nearby Christ Church, and is known to have inspired the all-time classic, Alice's Adventures in Wonderland. This store, today, sells cute accessories like brooches, pendants, mirrors, bracelets, charms, earrings, etc and attracts numerous little girls. During Christmas, the shop sells an array of ornaments and Alice in Wonderland-themed figurines.

Die New York Public Library, die sich im Glanz der Fifth Avenue sonnt, wird von den zwei berühmten Löwen 'Geduld' und 'Tapferkeit' bewacht und heißt jeden willkommen.

Für Forscher ist diese Bibliothek eine Schatzkammer. Die vielen Säle bieten Millionen von Büchern, zehntausende aktuelle Zeitschriften und ein Personal von über 100 Personen. Die Abteilung für Ahnenforschung gehört zu den besten der Welt.

Der Bau wurde 1897 geplant und dauerte Jahre, 1911 schließlich konnte die Bibliothek eröffnet werden. Architektonisch gesehen, zählt sie zu den Klassikern New Yorks, sowohl im Inneren als auch bezüglich ihrer Außenfassade. Über die imposante Marmortreppe gelangt man in diesen Palast an der Fifth Avenue mit 15 Meter hohen Wänden und Lesesälen mit Eichentischen, Kerzenleuchtern und bronzenen Leselampen.

Dieses Museum war ursprünglich nicht das bekannte Zuhause des berühmtesten Detektives der Welt. Vielmehr wurde die Hausnummer einfach zu Ehren von Sherlock Holmes in 221b umgewandelt. Auch der Rest des Museums orientiert sich stark an der von Conan Doyle erfundenen Persönlichkeit und dessen Leben. So kann man hier im Sessel von Sherlock Holmes sitzen, mit seinen wissenschaftlichen Experimenten herumspielen und sich mit seinen bemerkenswerten Abenteuern beschäftigen. Das Museum zeigt eine liebenswerte Nachbildung eines Hauses aus der viktorianischen Zeit. Der Eintritt liegt ein wenig hoch, es sei denn, man ist ein echter Fan von Sherlock Holmes.

Eintritt: GBP 5 (EUR 7,85)