One hundred twenty million people visited Disney's parks last year, more than the combined population of France and Spain. (There are no statistics on how many of those visitors were parents pounding ibuprofen, praying that their kitsch-induced suffering would soon come to a merciful end.) While the Disney empire has certainly made its indelible mark on childhood storytelling, there are many, infinitely more low-key places around the world that imaginative children and their literate parents can visit.
Traveling with a book is one of the best ways to give what you are seeing and experiencing a deeper context. This is especially true when making a big trip with smart children. There is something magical about setting foot in the real-world inspiration for a children's literature fantasyland, be it the bewitched forest of King Arthur, the oddball world of the Moomin family, Heidi's alpine cabin, or Jack London's wild Beauty Ranch. These 14 literary spots will delight both kids and adults -- we couldn't include them all, so please share your favorites in the comments. You can read more at http://www.trazzler.com/tags/childrens-books
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