The world’s a moveable feast
Still stricken by literary wanderlust? Daydream a little using these internationally sourced ideas, courtesy of Papa Hemingway himself
EAT
If you loved The Sun Also Rises, chances are you may remember its ending, where Jake Barnes and Lady Brett Ashley reunite in Spain’s capital city to eat roast suckling pig — the speciality of El Sobrino de Botin, acknowledged as one of the oldest restaurants, if not the oldest, in the world — accompanied by glasses of Rioja Alta. Adding to the romance and history is the rumour that artist Francisco de Goya once worked here as a young man. Established in 1725, Botin is famous for rustic Castilian cuisine. If the idea of a whole roasted porkling does not appeal, opt instead for hearty, indulgent dishes such as squid cooked in its ink, garlic soup and the famous cream-filled Tarta Botin cake.
Calle de Cuchilleros, 17, 28005 Madrid, Spain
DRINK
Drinking came as easily to the great novelist as words did. From Paris to Lima, Hemingway loved to imbibe. Daiquiris are the cocktails that have come to be inextricably linked to the Hemingway mystique and it was said that he often ordered double shots of the drink, leading them to be known as Papa Dobles. Although association with the author has made several bars famous, from Harry’s Bar in Venice to Sloppy Joe’s in Florida’s Key West, it is El Floridita in Havana, Cuba, that is reputed to be the birthplace of the Papa Doble, essentially a daiquiri but with less sugar and more rum.
Obispo 557, Esq A Montserrat, Habana Vieja, Cuba
STAY
Paris’ Left Bank has long been associated with the literary world. And with good reason. Sylvia Beach’s famous bookstore Shakespeare & Company may be found here and historically and culturally significant figures who have lived and written in or about the Rive Gauche are numerous. The place to stay is undoubtedly the 111-year-old Hotel Lutetia, which reopened to the public in 2018 after an extensive but sensitive four-year renovation under the eye of architect Jean-Michel Wilmotte. James Joyce wrote Ulysses at the hotel with Hemingway acting as occasional editor, in between drinks at the bar with Gertrude Stein.
45 Boulevard Raspail, Paris, France