Before that kid in the back of the room raises his hand and asks, “What am I supposed to be doing?” after you spent a full 10 minutes writing instructions on the board and another 5 minutes explaining them, I want you to commit to an act of self-care.
Book yourself a vacation.
Not just any vacation, a reading vacation. Picture it: Just you. A book or two. A whole lotta quiet. And not one kid who looks at you like, “Why are you torturing me with this book?”
To where, you ask? Oh, teach, I’ve so got you.
The following list of domestic and international bookish vacations for teachers is the perfect way to reignite that spark. The one that led you to love books so much that you wanted to dedicate your life to sharing that love with the youth of America.
Dear Book Loving Teacher, it’s time.
It’s time to pack your bags. Dust off your reading glasses. Find your best bookmarks. Pull out that naughty “I Read Past My Bedtime T-Shirt.” And get totally pumped for a bookish vacation that will make you remember your purpose in a big way.
Domestic Literary Gems
New York City, New York
It’s no secret that New York City is a certain kind of heaven for book lovers.
Might we suggest beginning your literary vacation by checking in at The Library Hotel. Here, you’ll be surrounded by hundreds of books in themed rooms that are organized according to the Dewey Decimal Classification System!? (School librarians, can you even imagine!?)
After settling in, don your best tweed jacket (weather permitting) and make your way over to The New York Public Library. This library is an iconic literary landmark with its ferociously famous lion statues, Patience and Fortitude. (Us teachers know a thing or two about patience and fortitude!) Speaking of fortitude, it will take a lot of it to manage your budget in this city of kitschy and cute bookshops. Both the natives and tourists rave about the Housing Works Bookstore. This bookstore is run by volunteers and the gently used books are all donated. 100% of the profits go towards Housing Works Lifegiving Projects! It’s a win-win! Ask any New Yorker what the must-visit bookshop is in the city, and the majority will undoubtedly say The Strand Bookstore, with its 18 miles of books!
Baltimore, Maryland
Whether you arrive on a midnight dreary or just a typical Saturday afternoon, definitely start your vacation with Poe Baltimore House and Museum. Probably don’t need to say this, but you actually can’t arrive at Poe’s old home on Amity street at midnight, and it’s highly advised that a reservation is made well in advance. The Poe Death Exhibit is a must for wannabe detectives and Poe enthusiasts. Visitors will get a thrill out of one of the many Poe tours and events that the museum hosts.
If libraries are your thing, and if you have made it this far, I have a strong feeling they probably are, don’t miss The George Peabody Library. This masterpiece of bookish architecture was built in 1878, and it is often referred to as the most beautiful library in America. Where else can you wander through five stories of book-lined balconies?
Whew! All these literary wanderings will have you looking for a place to lay your head, no doubt. Might we suggest a room in The Ivy, a renovated mansion in the middle of the very bookish Mount Clemens? This hotel is outfitted with an extensive central library along with in-room reading selections and, of course, plenty of thoughtful places to curl up with a good book.
Nashville, Tennessee
Y’all, I was so happy that I took my roomy Toyota Sienna to The Southern Festival of Books in Nashville. It’s not often that I get excited about my old van anymore, but when I can lay down a row of seats to make room for a massive book haul, well, that’s worth its weight in gold. It was at The Southern Festival of Books that I was first introduced to the WNBA—no, not the basketball kind. Here, WNBA stands for Women’s National Book Association. They even had a t-shirt that read, “Books, not balls.” The festival takes place annually for three days in October. Visitors can find miles of tents filled with books, authors, people who love books, and bookish merchandise.
While in Nashville, be sure to plan a visit to Parnassus Books, a beloved independent bookstore owned by bestselling author Ann Patchett. Not only is this a bookstore for book lovers, but it’s also chock full of a carefully curated, swoon-worthy collection. Plus, there are dogs! I’ve visited plenty of bookstores with cats, yet this was the first with gentle canines!
If you’re a fan of historical libraries, check out the Nashville Public Library’s stunning interior.
Finally, no stop in Music City is complete without a trip to Hatch Show Print. This letterpress print shop, famous for its colorful and iconic posters of legendary country music stars, has been around since 1879! Housed in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, this stop could easily fill a day. And everyone knows that country music is really just love stories disguised as songs.
Lay your head down at the very chic Hutton Hotel in the vibrant West End, where music, art, and story converge. Our favorite amenity is the record library, where guests can check out records to play in their room while they write, read, or drift off to sleep.
Newport, Oregon
For a truly unplugged literary retreat, head to the Sylvia Beach Hotel, where there’s no Wi-Fi, televisions, or telephones to distract you from reading. At this hotel, the owners have impeccable taste and a sense of humor. Their tagline is, “Sleep with your favorite author.” (So cheeky! We love it!) Each room at the Sylvia Beach Hotel bears the name of a unique author and is whimsically decorated to celebrate their work. Guests can look over the surf in the Agatha Christie room while binging on Murder on the Orient Express. With amenities like a library with a fireplace and a puzzle room that overlooks the ocean, you will never want to leave. However, if you explore further, check out Nye Beach Book House. This eclectic bookshop sells new and used books surfside.
International Literary Adventures
London, England
No literary vacation list would be complete without London. Settle in at Hazlitt’s Hotel in the heart of Soho (a great spot for theater lovers). Writers frequent this hotel and often leave signed copies behind.
In London, visitors can step back in time at Shakespeare’s The Globe, visit the Charles Dickens Museum, and take a trip to the Sherlock Holmes Museum on Baker Street. If you have time, a side trip to Oxford (I see you there, Tolkien and C.S. Lewis fans) is a must. Don’t forget a stop at Foyles, one of London’s most iconic five-storied bookstores!
Dublin, Ireland
Home to the Book of Kells, an illuminated manuscript dating back to the 9th century, is one of the most visually stunning literary locations in the entire world: The Long Room in the Old Library at Trinity College. The Long Room, built in the early 1700s, appears in countless movies and novels. Join the ghosts of literary greats like James Joyce at Davy Byrnes, a pub on Duke Street that stars in Ulysses. Since people widely recognize Ireland as the birthplace of fairy tales, we suggest booking a room at Clontarf Castle Hotel.
Hay-on-Wye, Wales
People know this charming town in Wales as the “town of books.” Here, more than 20 bookshops line the streets, subsequently making it a dreamy destination for book lovers. What’s more, Hay-on-Wye is also home to the annual 11-day Hay Festival, one of the world’s most famous literary festivals. This festival attracts bookish stars from all over the world. Because it fits so perfectly with the old-fashioned charm of the city, a stay at Drovers Rest Farm provides the perfect cozy setting where book lovers can rest their weary feet and heads.
Of course, this list isn’t exhaustive by any means, but it is a really good place to begin. Literary landmarks, iconic bookstores, and cozy reading spots make these destinations perfect for teachers who need a break. Finally, wherever it is you go, make sure to pack a few must-reads for the journey. And don’t forget to grab a new favorite when you arrive!