The New Wave of Bookish Travel: A Holiday for the Mind and Soul

Life in Dubai or Abu Dhabi is always on the move. Mornings start with calls and meetings, afternoons are filled with traffic and errands, and evenings often mean social events or more work. Everything happens at high speed, and only occasionally – late at night at home or on a rare weekend – there’s a chance to open a book and finally slow down.

That is why more and more travelers around the world are turning to a new type of holiday: bookish travel. This is not your typical beach or mountain getaway. It is about visiting places that inspire through books: historic libraries, cozy second-hand bookshops, literary festivals, writers’ homes where masterpieces were born. Sometimes, it even means traveling to the very city or country where a favorite novel takes place – so you can read it in the atmosphere where the story unfolds.

What is Bookish Travel?

Bookish travel is a special kind of tourism that blends books and journeys. It’s about making reading part of your trip – not just something you do on a plane or at night in a hotel.

There are many ways to experience it. Some people travel to “book towns” like Hay-on-Wye in Wales, where nearly every shop sells books. Others head to historic university libraries, still breathing the spirit of centuries of knowledge. Many visit writers’ homes and museums – like walking through Charles Dickens’ house in London or stepping into Orhan Pamuk’s Museum of Innocence in Istanbul. Festivals also draw travelers, offering live talks, author meet-and-greets, and rare book finds.

But perhaps the most romantic form is reading a book exactly where it takes place. Imagine reading Ulysses in Dublin, Anna Karenina in Moscow, Norwegian Wood in Tokyo, or Shantaram in Mumbai. In those moments, the line between fiction and reality fades.

Why is it Growing in Popularity?

The modern world moves too fast. With constant notifications, work demands, city noise, and endless schedules, books are often left for bedtime – when energy is already low.

Bookish travel has become a way to slow down and give reading the time it deserves. It’s a holiday that combines cultural exploration with the intimate experience of immersing yourself in a story.

It also reflects a shift in how people travel. Holidays are no longer just about beaches and resorts – they’re about meaning. Travelers want to bring home experiences that change them. Reading a novel in its “real” setting is one of the deepest forms of cultural connection.

Another reason is its universality. Bookish travel suits solo adventurers, couples, and even families. Some chase rare finds in antique bookshops, others attend author talks, while some simply sit in a café with a book.

And finally – it’s a remedy for stress. When life demands speed, bookish travel offers quiet, balance, and genuine time for yourself.

Inspiring Destinations for Bookish Travel

Europe

• Paris has always been a literary capital. The Latin Quarter, Saint-Germain cafés, and the legendary Shakespeare & Company bookshop make it the perfect place to read Hemingway, Victor Hugo, or Sartre.
• London is the city of Dickens, Shakespeare, and Sherlock Holmes. A walk through Dickens’ museum or a visit to the British Library turns into a literary adventure.
• Dublin is home to James Joyce. His Ulysses is so deeply tied to the city that every June 16th, Dubliners celebrate Bloomsday, acting out scenes and reading aloud.
• Scandinavia has become the homeland of Nordic noir. Reading Jo Nesbø or Stieg Larsson in Oslo or Stockholm feels even darker and more atmospheric with misty fjords and narrow cobbled streets around you.

America

• New York inspired J.D. Salinger and Truman Capote. The New York Public Library on 5th Avenue is itself a cultural icon.
• Boston, with its historic universities, Harvard bookstores, and intellectual aura, is another literary hotspot.

Asia

• Tokyo is the city of Haruki Murakami. Reading Norwegian Wood in a Shibuya café makes it feel as if his characters could walk in any moment.
• India has inspired Salman Rushdie and Arundhati Roy. But perhaps the most iconic book for international readers is Gregory David Roberts’ Shantaram. Reading it in Mumbai-amid Colaba’s markets and street cafés-makes every page feel alive.
• Istanbul is the home of Orhan Pamuk, where his novel The Museum of Innocence takes physical form in a real-life museum.

Closer to the UAE

• For expats in Dubai and Abu Dhabi, many destinations are within a short 4-6 hour flight. Turkey, Greece, and Eastern Europe are perfect for a long weekend or a short holiday.

What Does it Look Like in Practice?

Bookish travel is about real, vivid experiences. In Tokyo, you sit in a small café in Shibuya, the city buzzing outside. With Norwegian Wood in your hands, the rhythm of the novel matches the hum of Tokyo itself.

In Norway, you stand on Oslo’s waterfront, opening a Jo Nesbø thriller. The cold air, minimalist architecture, and dim light create the perfect backdrop for his detective Harry Hole.

In Dublin, you read Ulysses by the River Liffey. If you come in June, the entire city joins in for Bloomsday, turning literature into a living festival.

In Mumbai, you sip masala chai in a Colaba street café while reading Shantaram. The sounds, scents, and chaos around you echo every chapter of Roberts’ novel.

Why Does it Appeal to Expats in Dubai and Abu Dhabi?

For residents of the UAE, bookish travel is more than a trend – it’s a rare chance to slow down. Life in Dubai and Abu Dhabi leaves little time for books, so a holiday where reading becomes central is a true luxury. Expats also value cultural and meaningful travel. They want more than a beach – they want inspiration, learning, and connection. Geography also helps. With so many literary destinations just a short flight away, it’s easy to combine a book with a long weekend in Europe or Asia.

How to Start Your Own Bookish Journey

It’s easier than it sounds. Here’s how:

• Pick your book or genre. A novel you’ve always wanted to read, a favorite author, or even a theme like Nordic noir.
• Identify the setting. Paris, London, Tokyo, Mumbai – the story will guide you.
• Plan your route. Look for libraries, bookshops, writers’ homes, or the very cafés and streets described in the book.
• Take the book with you. Or buy it in the local language for extra immersion.
• Make it a ritual. Dedicate time each day: morning coffee with a book, an hour by the river, or an evening in a library.
• Blend reading with atmosphere. Let the city’s sounds, smells, and sights become part of the story.

That’s how travel and reading merge into a single, unforgettable experience.

Conclusion

Bookish travel is more than a trend – it’s a new way to holiday. It’s about slowing down, immersing yourself in the atmosphere of a story, and giving yourself rare, precious hours of peace. For residents of Dubai and Abu Dhabi, it can be a source of inspiration, balance, and inner renewal.

Sometimes, a single trip with a book in your hands gives you more than a week in a traditional resort: new emotions, new meanings, and the feeling that you’ve truly lived a story.

And if you decide to start your own “bookish journey,” we’re here to help. Even if visas seem complicated – whether after refusals, under tight deadlines, or if it’s your very first application – we know how to make the process smooth. For us, ensuring your path to books and new impressions is as easy as possible is part of the journey itself.

FAQ: Bookish Travel for Expats in the UAE