Tour Code: 27LUV
Tour Manager: Melinda Jones
Group Size: 8
Activity level: Moderate

This tour was created for the bibliophile in mind, who might be well-traveled, but desires to see unique, famous literary landmarks not usually included on any standard tour, and may have been considered as too “out of the way”. This tour will not include the “typical” sightseeing excursions, but instead, focuses on certain sights and locations sure to please the bookworm. 

Wednesday, September 15
Depart from your home or preferred airport for an overnight flight to Paris. Spend the day to rest and acclimate. Have welcome dinner. Stay in Paris three nights.

Thursday, September 16
Good morning! We take a leisurely stroll and see L’Hotel, where Oscar Wilde lived until his death, and then continue our walk to visit one of the most famous bookshops in the world: Shakespeare and Company! Next, we visit the Bouquinistes on the Seine River. Have coffee at Cafe de Flore, a favorite of Pablo Picasso and James Joyce. Dinner on your own, enjoy Paris. 

Friday, September 17
In the morning, we visit Maison de Victor Hugo, the stately mansion where Victor Hugo wrote his most famous plays. In the afternoon, we visit cemeteries to see famous authors who are buried there.  Suggested restaurant: Le Propore, the oldest restaurant in Paris. Napoleon left his hat here, which is still on display, and rumor has it that Benjamin Franklin drafted parts of the Declaration of Independence here.

Saturday, September 18
Free morning. We regroup at Les Deux Magots, another popular spot for literary authors. Highly recommended to have your lunch here! Take the Chunnel train to London in the late afternoon. Check in at hotel in London and dinner on your own in the area. Stay in London three nights. 

Sunday, September 19
We head out to Westminster Abbey, specifically to visit Poet’s Corner, where many authors and poets are buried here. Afterwards, we swing by the London Eye for a fun ride around and see the landscape. Eat lunch in the area. In the afternoon, we visit the Sherlock Holmes museum, at the very same address Arthur Conan Doyle used in his novels - Baker Street! Dinner on your own.

Monday, September 20
Take the Tube to - where else - Kings Cross, where we see Platform 9 ¾, the famous Harry Potter train scene. Take a short walk to the British Library and view the beautiful architecture and marvel at its 400 miles worth of shelves. Eat lunch in the area. In the afternoon, we take a walk through the literary and intellectual hub of London, Bloomsbury neighborhood, to visit the Charles Dickens Museum. Suggested restaurant: The Fable, a fantastical gastropub that is sure to please any literary lover. 

Tuesday, September 21
Check out of the hotel. We head out to the Globe, and take a tour of the circular Theater. Have lunch at the nearby Borough Market. In the afternoon, drive out to Oxford. Visit St. Mary’s Passage, a small alley and find the lamppost that is said to have inspired C.S. Lewis’ Narnia series. We visit the Bodleian Library with a full tour, and see different iconic scenes that were featured in the Harry Potter movie franchise. Stay in Oxford for one night. 

Wednesday, September 22
In the morning, we visit Merton College and find the Cathedral garden with its hexagonal table, where JRR Tolkien often penned the LOTR series. Then we go over to Christ Church College. On our way out, we stop to view The Eagle & Child, a now-shuttered pub that was home to the Inklings, a literary society group where CS Lewis, JRR Tolkien and other authors would meet to dine, drink and discuss their works. We drive out to Stratford-upon-Avon, and tour Shakespeare’s home and grounds. Stay in Stratford for one night. 

Thursday, September 23
We take a scenic drive through the Cotswolds, and visit Hay-on-Wye, just across the border into Wales, which has gained an international reputation with having more books than townspeople! We drive down to Bristol, and check into our hotel. Suggested restaurant: Llandoger Tow, a pub that inspired Treasure Island and Adventures of Robinson Crusoe, written by Robert Louis Stevenson. Stay in Bristol two nights. 

Friday, September 24
Swing by the Victorian Rooms, where many authors performed and hosted short plays. We walk over to visit The Last Bookshop, with its unique “everything is 4 euros” concept. View the beautiful Birdcage Walk, sure to inspire you to write a poem, and visit the Clifton Community Bookshop and Clifton Hill House. Finally, we head out to Bath to visit the Jane Austen Center, and have farewell dinner in the area. Return to Bristol.

Saturday, September 25
Early departure for London to catch afternoon return flight back home. Optional: explore the Wizarding World of Harry Potter at WB Studios London (approx 3-4 hours visit), or explore London on your own. 

Updated as of 01/26/2025

Melinda Harrison Jones, a seasoned traveler, caught the “international travel” bug at 16 during her first trip to France. Raised on a backdrop of extensive US travel with her family, she’s explored over 25 countries. In 2008, she led the inaugural high school tour for Hands On Travel in Italy, a cause close to her heart for supporting Deaf students’ global experiences. With two decades as a high school English teacher, Melinda now embraces a new role at Hands On Travel, eagerly anticipating fresh adventures. Based in Indiana with her husband and two Deaf daughters, she enjoys reading, cooking, and home projects between dreams of new destinations.

• 11 nights in 3-star accommodations.

• 13 meals: Breakfast (11), Dinner (2)

• Services of a deaf Tour Leader on call 24 hours a day.

• Services of local deaf guides.

• All transportation expenses.

• All city and/or tourist taxes. 

• Airport transfers at beginning and end of tour.

• All admission fees for attractions and museums mentioned in the itinerary.

• Informative travel preparation packet.

• $100 Repeat Customer Discount per person on your next regular tour.

• Domestic and/or international airfares.

• All other meals not mentioned in the itinerary and personal expenses.

• Travel Insurance.

• All types of transit and tourist visas (if applicable) - e.g. ETIAS.

• Tips for your Tour Leader, Tour Assistant(s) and/or Local Guides

• Tour begins in Paris, France and ends in London, England. 

• Tour will be confirmed when we meet the minimum number of participants

• When the tour is confirmed, additional deposits or payments may be required

• Significant walking is expected during the tour, and moderate physical fitness is required

• Hands On Travel recommends purchasing a travel insurance plan to help protect you and your travel investment against the unexpected

• Last but not least, please read Hands On Travel's Terms & Conditions.

We're here to help you plan the perfect adventure! For any inquiries or assistance, feel free to reach out:

Email: melinda@handson.travel

With this tour confirmation, your $500 deposit is now non-refundable in any event you need to back out. However, it may be transferable to a future tour.