Explore the places and discover the people behind the books on a literary tour with Susannah Fullerton.
Visiting places connected with literature brings the excitement of recognizing homes and landscapes long familiar to the imagination, of connecting loved novels and poems with the lives and environments of the authors and seeing firsthand the countryside they described. An ASA Literary Tour led by Susannah includes visiting writers’ homes, seeing original manuscripts, attending theatre performances, browsing museums, and much more. In gardens, ruins, castles, villages, churches and graveyards you will discover the effect of environment on a writer and investigate the role played by a sense of place in literary creation.
Susannah first joined ASA Tours in 2003 and has since led over 40 literary tours for ASA including programs to Italy, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand and the USA.
10 APRIL – 28 APRIL 2026
Sicily: A Dimension of the Imagination
Sicily, inhabited for 10,000 years, has been a crossroads of history, conquest, and culture, shaped by diverse civilizations. Palermo, said to be the most conquered city on earth, reflects this layered heritage. This tour explores the island’s literary, historical, and artistic significance, following in the footsteps of great writers drawn to its beauty. From Homer and Virgil to Cervantes, Goethe, D.H. Lawrence, and Truman Capote, Sicily has inspired evocative works celebrating its ruins, cuisine, and vibrant culture. Even Shakespeare, who never visited, set two plays here. We’ll visit ancient sites, bustling markets, and coastal towns, gaining insight into how Sicily’s landscapes, legends, and traditions shaped its literary legacy. You’ll experience the island’s timeless allure as seen through the words and lives of literary giants.
See the full itinerary and make a booking here: Sicily: A Dimension of the Imagination
1 MAY – 8 MAY 2026
“Stepping Westward”: Rambles with the Poets in Wales
Wales may be small, but its literary tradition is vast and deeply cherished. It is the only country where a poetry competition and the crowning of a bard take center stage at its largest national event. From the 11th-century Mabinogion to Geoffrey of Monmouth’s Arthurian legends and Gerald of Wales’s Journey through Wales (1188), its literary heritage runs deep. Medieval poet Dafydd ap Gwilym, Richard Llewellyn’s How Green Was My Valley, and Dylan Thomas’s passionate verse highlight its storytelling legacy. Music and poetry intertwine in Wales, home to famed Eisteddfods and choirs, with poets like George Herbert, R.S. Thomas, and Dannie Abse adding to its rich cultural tapestry.
See the full itinerary and make a booking here: “Stepping Westward”: Rambles with the Poets in Wales
28 JULY – 30 JULY 2026
Adelaide: A Literary and Artistic Escape I
31 JULY – 2 AUGUST 2026
Adelaide: A Literary and Artistic Escape II
Due to popular demand two departure dates now available.
In the middle of this year, a glorious art exhibition is coming to Adelaide from the Toledo Museum of Art in the USA. This is an amazing opportunity to see spectacular art works, with the guidance of art historian David Henderson, and with talks on art and literature from me.
Many extras have been added to this 3-day mini tour – an especially curated visit to the Royal Geographical Society of South Australia, a tour of the historic home Carrick Hill, a visit to see the treasures of the Roche Foundation, lunch at a lovely winery, and more.
Talks, tours, visits and experiences, the exhibition and also a talk about designer and writer William Morris with a viewing of the Morris displays at the Art Gallery of South Australia, all packed into three fabulous days.
See the full itinerary and make a booking here: Adelaide: A Literary and Artistic Escape I & Adelaide: A Literary and Artistic Escape II
18 SEPTEMBER – 8 OCTOBER 2026
“Birthplace of the Novel”: A Literary tour of Spain, 2026
24 SEPTEMBER – 14 OCTOBER 2027
“Birthplace of the Novel”: A Literary tour of Spain, 2027
The publication of Don Quixote in 1605 and 1615 forever changed literature, marking the birth of the modern novel. Every novelist owes a debt to Cervantes for pioneering this remarkable form. This tour follows in the footsteps of Cervantes and his iconic character, while also exploring sites linked to Spanish literary giants like Lope de Vega, Lorca, Unamuno, and Jiménez. Many foreign writers—Washington Irving, Hemingway, Orwell, Jessica Mitford, and Laurie Lee—were captivated by Spain, and we will uncover what inspired them. Discover castles, ancient walled cities, grand plazas, and literary homes. Enjoy masterpieces by El Greco, Goya, Velázquez, Picasso, and Sorolla. Experience Spain, the land of literature, art, wine, and song.
See the full itinerary and make a booking here: “Birthplace of the Novel”: A Literary tour of Spain 2026 & “Birthplace of the Novel”: A Literary tour of Spain 2027
East Anglia comprises the counties of Norfolk, Suffolk, Cambridgeshire and Essex. Its name derives form the Anglo-Saxon kingdom of the East Angles. It’s a land of big skies, fens, embattled coasts, quaint villages, cathedral cities and fabulous wildlife. There’s a particular atmosphere in this part of England, an atmosphere that comes through very strongly in the books set there.
Its fens and marshes have a mysterious quality which is probably why East Anglia has been littered with so many fictional corpses. Dorothy L Sayers, PD James, Ruth Rendell, C J Sansom and Elly Griffiths are some of the many crime writers who have sent their detective characters into the area to solve murders. Their thrillers almost act as guidebooks to the region. We will follow in the footsteps of many of these authors and also meet with local crime writers who ‘kill off’ their characters in East Anglia today.
See the full itinerary and make a booking here: Marshes, Mists and Murders 2027 & Marshes, Mists and Murders 2028
10 SEPTEMBER – 30 SEPTEMBER 2028
Exploring the Literary Landscapes of England, 2028
This literary tour brings beloved books to life by exploring the landscapes, homes, and inspirations of famous writers. Visit historic sites, view original manuscripts, and enjoy theatre performances. From Jane Austen’s elegant Bath to the Brontës’ wild moors, we uncover how place shaped literature. Highlights include Chaucer’s Canterbury, Hardy’s Dorset, Herriot’s Yorkshire, and Shakespeare’s Stratford. Exclusive access to private homes, visits to Beatrix Potter’s farmhouse, and a game of poohsticks on the original bridge add charm. Expert guides and dramatic readings enhance the journey, celebrating England’s rich literary heritage in an unforgettable way.
See the full itinerary and make a booking here: Exploring the Literary Landscapes of England 2028
A literary tour brings together very special people – people who read, who delight in the power of words, who have rich imaginations, who love history and who have a sense of adventure. Susannah has been leading literary tours since 2000. Her tours include world-wide destinations to interest anyone who loves literature.
Susannah’s travel schedule is constantly changing, so the best place to see her latest tours is at the ASA Tours website, where you can contact them to book.
Further information and help
Please contact Susannah here.
