The 7 best cities in the world for book lovers.

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TRAVELERS WHO LOVE reading can do better than carry a novel in their suitcase and pull it out at the beach or on the train to satisfy their literary cravings. Instead, they can plan trips according to their taste in literature and visit the sites of their favorite stories or drink in pubs where their go-to authors once conceived their fictional worlds. Whether it’s having a pint in Oxford, with the ghosts of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, or daydreaming about Dostoevsky’s masterpieces on the streets of St. Petersburg, some cities are just made for literary buffs to visit. Here are a few of the best cities in the world for book lovers.

1. Edinburgh, Scotland

Edinburgh was the first city designated as a UNESCO City of Literature in 2004 and was home to some of Scotland’s most famous writers, including Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Sherlock Holmes, and Sir Walter Scott, author of Ivanhoe and more. The Scott Monument, located right on busy Princes street, is one of Edinburgh’s most recognizable landmarks, second only to Edinburgh Castle. Even if you’ve never read Scott, you’ve probably heard of the most famous author associated with Edinburgh: J.K. Rowling. Harry Potter fans will want to make their first stop at The Elephant House, which advertises itself as “the birthplace of Harry Potter” in its window front and whose bathroom is entirely covered in Harry Potter graffiti.

By Eben Diskin.

Full story at Matador Network.