Rising heat kicks off booktok season, where we turn to our fav booktokers for inspiring literature recs.
From swooning halal romance to poetic mysteries and prose, we’re ready to get lost in a new world between the covers. For those who love the world of books and stories more than real life (who doesn’t?), there is a way to live out your booktok fantasies.
For the booktokkers ready to get outside this summer, we’ve curated a list of destinations (hotels included!) that you can visit to quench your thirst for the next novel. These are the places that inspired legendary literature.
The Chedi Hegra
Set among the ancient tombs of Hegra- an inspiring ancient mystery worth exploring for its historical significance alone- is the Chedi Hegra. From ancient Nabataean inscriptions to the poetry of travellers who passed through AlUla along the Incense Route, this land has always inspired reflection and expression. Now you can find out why- and perhaps write your next chapter too.
What: The Chedi Hegra
Where: 5617 Al Hijr Dist, AlUla, Saudi Arabia
One and Only Portonovi, Montenegro
With its dramatic coastline and centuries-old villages, Montenegro has long inspired legends and poetry through generations. Picture this: the sun is setting by the Adriatic Sea and mountain peaks- a mysterious woman holds a cigarette and a glass of wine. It’s just a dark academia story waiting to unfold.
What: One&Only Portonovi
Where: Portonovi Resort, Herceg Novi 85340, Montenegro
Hotel Cafe Royal, London
When was the last time you took an educational trip? Step into the world where Oscar Wilde, Virginia Woolf, and George Bernard Shaw were regulars to learn for yourself; the importance of being earnest. For an even better visit, re-read the books written by these legendary authors before travelling, and let the story unfold before you.
What: Hotel Cafe Royal
Where: 10 Air Street, London, United Kingdom
Hotel Lutecia, Paris
Feeling gauche? On Paris’ left bank, culture, philosophy, and writing thrive. Sit in the salon where James Joyce edited Ulysses, while Simone de Beauvoir and Jean-Paul Sartre defined the era’s philosophy on the nearby rue. Entering your existential Parisian baddie era, I fear!
What: Hotel Lutecia
Where: 45 Boulevard Raspail, Paris, France 75006
Don’t let the summer pass you by without entering your booktok era. To blend books and travel more, check out these travel booktok recommendations.