Bookish Getaway
April 13, 2010 at 12:54 am Kate 9 comments
Hilton Park Estate -- AKA, the most perfect place on Earth
I was browsing The Irish Times website the other day when I came across this little gem, an article describing how one can have possibly the most bookish vacation ever.
Apparently the idea is that you make reservations at this hotel for a certain weekend, when the hotel has lined up authors for a discussion panel. Once you make your reservations (at least a month in advance), the hotel sends you a book to read before your arrival that you will then spend the weekend discussing. You can bring your own book club or just sign up and see who else shows — either way, they’re easy.
Does this not sound like the best vacation ever? Beautiful Irish country house, gorgeous scenery, intriguing company and a good read on top of it. I haven’t found anything like this in the States, but I think you can probably guess what my new dream job is…running a bookstore/B&B for readers who want a weekend of luxurious relaxation and reading.
What do you think about bookish vacations? Would you enjoy a trip like this? Do you know of a place in the States that has a similar program? Let us know in the comments!
- KT
Entry filed under: Musings and Essays, News. Tags: book vacations, hilton park estate, ireland, irish times.
1.
Corey | April 13, 2010 at 6:57 am
LET’S DO IT! We can open a B&B/bookstore/bakery and basically rock all the time. If we do it just north of the city, I’m sure there are TONS of New Yorkers who would take a weekend and do something like this. Can it involve a historic Victorian mansion?! Is this getting too Lorelai and Sookie? There’s probably a line that I’m missing or already missed, which makes me think I might be Sookie right now. I’ll try to dial it down…
Anyway! Great post! I think I’d enjoy running/being in charge of a trip like this more than I would enjoy taking a trip like this for some reason.
2.
KT | April 14, 2010 at 10:27 am
Yes, it would be much more fun to organize rather than participate in — if only so we could choose the books and authors. Plus, presumably the organizers get to LIVE at the awesome location, so there’s another bonus :D
Um, it will have to be a Victorian mansion! Or even older, perhaps, depending on where we are doing this thing.
3.
Corey | April 14, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Indeed! I was seriously pondering this as a life-plan and I realized I totally have event planning experience (thanks, GVSHP) so we could probably pull it off with your literary prowess/knowledge and my planning experience combined! (You know, after we somehow come into a rambling, beautiful old house somewhere on the Hudson or thereabouts and find a staff willing to work for like nothing, etc. etc.)
Oh, and I just realized we could get a dog at this illustrious B&B. Le awesome.
4.
Natalie | April 13, 2010 at 3:55 pm
That sounds amazing – both the vacation and KT’s new dream job! I would definitely attend a bookish vacation, and would enjoy running one as well, I think.
Corey: I’m not sure there’s such a thing as too Lorelai and Sookie. They are adorable. :)
5.
Corey | April 14, 2010 at 12:02 pm
Ha! I’m glad you think so!
6.
Kim | April 14, 2010 at 9:16 am
Um, please do that for a living.
This sounds cool. Although what if the book sucks? Then the whole thing is just a flop. =[
7.
Corey | April 14, 2010 at 12:03 pm
Well, we’d have to choose completely excellent books. Pre-reading will be a must! *starts planning*
8.
Eva | April 14, 2010 at 7:56 pm
That’d be such fun! Except you’d have to find re-enactors for the author visits of classics. heehee
9.
KT | April 14, 2010 at 8:25 pm
That sounds like the best idea EVER! I’m going to have to Google Dickens impersonators now.