Edinburgh also known as the “Festival City” is home to officially twelve festivals including the Scottish International Storytelling Festival, Edinburgh’s Hogmanay, Edinburgh International Science Festival, Imaginate Festival, Edinburgh International Film Festival, Edinburgh Jazz and Blues Festival, Edinburgh Art Festival, Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe, The Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, Edinburgh Mela and the world famous Edinburgh International Book Festival 2016.
Late night at Edinburgh International Book Festival ©MDHardingEdinburgh International Book Festival 2016
“Traveling. It leaves you speechless, then turns you into a storyteller.” – Ibn Battuta
Us Scot’s do love to travel and we have had a love affair with literature dating back to 1496.
Did you know Edinburgh has celebrated being a UNESCO City of Literature for over 10 years?
Edinburgh has produced some of the greatest writers and books. It is a centre in publishing and of course home to the largest International Book Festival.
Edinburgh – The City of Literature ©MDHardingLast week I delved into some of the events that took place at the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2016, with some of the best travel books, events and attractions to visit. If you missed it, don’t worry you can find it here.
This week, I’m excited to bring you the finale of the Edinburgh International Book Festival 2016 with travel books and inspiration from leading authors such as Andres Neuman, Tim Moore, Peter Popham, Helen Sedgwick, Alan Cumming, and more.
Andres Neuman is a rising Argentinian writer with “How to Travel Without Seeing,” a travelogue documenting his flying visit to places across Latin America. A fascinating and engaging way to look at life and travel.
Bee Rowlatt takes us on a passionate and inquiring journey through the life of the 18th century feminist Mary Wollstonecraft, traveling as she did with a young child.
Jean-Christophe Rufin shares his experiences on the 800km journey by foot, “In The Santiago Pilgrimage.”
Bee Rowlatt & Jean-Christophe Rufin at Edinburgh International Book Festival ©MDHardingHelen Sedwick‘s novel, “The Comet Seekers,” spans a thousand years of history, two people who have a love to explore who are brought together at an Antarctic research station, all the while the stars are aligned.
Sumayya Usmani born in Pakistan, reveals her memoirs with nostalgia, family secret cooking recipes in “Summers Under The Tamarind Tree.” A mixture of creating wonderful Asian and Persian flavours.
Summers Under The Tamarind Tree – Sumayya Usmani ©MDHardingPeter Popham delves into the fascinating leader of Burma, today’s Myanmar – Aung San Suu Kyi in “The Lady and the Generals.” An insightful view of both a changing nation and 21st century travel destination.
Tim Moore shared some of his humorous and nail biting moments from his two wheeled adventures and stories from his up and coming book to be published this autumn. Something to keep an eye out for!
Alan Cumming one of Scotland’s best actors has put together some of his best anecdotes and personal cheeky photographs into “You Gotta Get Bigger Dreams.” I loved the title and couldn’t wait to hear more at the event. The story is one of humour, a photograph and a dream. The Law of Attraction works in mysterious ways!
After attending the book festival over the past several years, this year has been the icing on the cake! The theme of Imagine Better has really struck a chord and as Walt Disney said “If you can dream it, you can do it.”
“The biggest adventure you can take, is to live the life of your dreams.” – Oprah Winfrey
Where will your dreams take you? Scotland, Europe or beyond? Happy Travels:) x
Edinburgh’s population more than doubles over the main festival period of August. Please do pre-book accommodation in Edinburgh ahead.
Thank you to Edinburgh International Book Festival.
Disclaimer: All thoughts and opinions are my own.