Tracing the Rise and Fall of Hemingway & Fitzgerald's Friendship Around the Globe

Antibes, a city in the south of France where Hemingways spent a considerable time with Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald
Antibes, a city in the south of France where Hemingways spent a considerable time with Scott and Zelda Fitzgerald | Photo by Reuben Mcfeeters on Unsplash
Alex Ledsom

Ernest Hemingway and F. Scott Fitzgerald were literary giants who became firm friends in Paris, hung out in the south of France and turned to frenemies on US soil. Their friendship spanned continents and cultures, leaving an indelible mark on the literary world. But, their bond was marked by highs and lows, successes and struggles. Culture Trip tells the story of how it all began and what followed after.

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Uncover my top 3 recommended places from each continent on the map.
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CentralAmerica

GORGEOUS GUATEMALA

Gorgeous Guatemala

5 days . Mini
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1. Guatemala

An express adventure for those with limited time off. Prepare yourself incredible experiences. You will hike a volcano, visit mayan temples and witness a ceremony and take in beautiful colonial Antigua.

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CentralAmerica

BEACHY BELIZE

Beachy Belize

5 days . Mini
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2. Belize

A quick trip not too far away for those seeking a relaxing mini break. You will have plenty of free time to relax but also some awesome activities to experience the rainforest and the caribbean sea.
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CentralAmerica

COLONIAL MEXICO

Colonial Mexico

5 days . Mini
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3. Mexico

An exciting mini trip exploring the lesser known colonial towns of central Mexico. This is hte perfect trip for someone with limited time off and still wants to turn on explorer mode and do something different.
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SouthAmerica

ADVENTUROUS ECUADOR

Adventurous Ecuador

8 days . Epic
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1. Ecuador

A remarkable 8 days adventure through the Andes and the Amazon rainforest. The best choice for adventure seekers wishing to visit the 2 most iconic areas of South America, in only 1 week and no flights.

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SouthAmerica

ANCIENT PERU

Ancient Peru

9 days . Epic
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2. Peru

An alternative itinerary to classic Peru, from Cusco to Arequipa. This itinerary is great combination of highlights Cusco and Machu Picchu with the lesser known Arequipa and Colca Canyon.
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Europe

SEDUCTIVE SOUTHERN ITALY

Seductive Southern Italy

10 days . Epic
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1. Italy

The ultimate Italian experience from the vibrant streets of Naples to the breathtaking sceneries of the Amalfi Coast followed by Matera and down to Puglia with its golden beaches, intense flavours and fascinating destinations.

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Europe

EDINBURGH AND THE SCOTTISH HIGHLANDS BY TRAIN

Edinburgh And The Scottish Highlands By Train

7 days . Culture
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2. Scotland

Embark on this great adventure starting from London all the way to Scotland with a true Scottish experience made of breathtaking sceneries, whisky tasting and ..lots of fun! Ideal for train lovers and explorers.
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Europe

COMPLETE PORTUGAL BY TRAIN

Complete Portugal By Train

8 days . Culture
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3. Portugal

A wonderful train journey around Portugal, from the romantic city of Porto to the Douro Valley, to the beautiful Aveiro all the way to Lisbon and Sintra. The perfect trip to train, culinary and culture lovers.
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Asia

SOULFUL SOUTH KOREA

Soulful South Korea

10 days . Epic
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1. South Korea

Discover incredible temples, mountains and modern cities on this 10 day adventure. This trip is perfect for those seeking immersion in the cuisine, culture and natural wonders of South Korea.

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Asia

THAILAND, CAMBODIA & VIETNAM

Thailand, Cambodia & Vietnam

11 days . Epic
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2. Thailand

From Bankgok to Angkor Wat to Ho Chi Minh City and everything in between - adventure through the heart of South-East Asia. Taste the delights, see history brought to life and unwind on a Mekong River cruise.
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Asia

SECRETS OF SRI LANKA BY TRAIN

Secrets Of Sri Lanka By Train

10 days . Culture
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3. Sri Lanka

A fantastic adventure that showcases Sri Lanka's fantastic landscapes, wildlife and flavours. With 3 epic rail journeys, 3 UNESCO heritage sites and time to relax, this trip has loads to offer at a great price
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Africa

EPIC MOROCCO

Epic Morocco

11 days . Epic
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1. Morocco

An epic journey across Morocco: from Casablanca to Marrakech, through the blue city of Chefchaouen to the wonders of the desert and deep to the High Atlas Mountains - this trip has it all! Ideal for true explorers!

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Africa

ULTIMATE EGYPT

Ultimate Egypt

9 days . Epic
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2. Egypt

From Cairo to Aswan, this trip brings the land of the pharaohs to life. You'll visit the Pyramids, Valley of the Kings and Luxor Temple and cruise down the Nile in style. This is the perfect way to explore Egypt.
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Africa

IMMERSIVE KENYA

Immersive Kenya

8 days . Epic
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3. Kenya

An immersive blend of culture and wildlife for first time travelers to Africa. Learn about Nairobi, sample local coffee in the Aberdares and finish up with a fantastic safari stay in the Masai Mara.
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It All Began In Paris

Ernest Hemingway (1899-1961) was a larger than life author, famous for winning the Pulitzer Prize for literature and writing the heavyweight classics, The Sun Also Rises, A Farewell to Arms and For Whom the Bell Tolls. His friend, F. Scott Fitzgerald (1896-1940) was the more introverted author of The Great Gatsby and Tender is the Night. They first met in Dingo’s Bar in Paris and formed a fast friendship over a mutual love of drinking and writing. Fitzgerald was already a successful author while Hemingway was a jobbing journalist. The former had just published The Great Gatsby which is said to have inspired Hemingway to write a novel.

A US stamp circa 1996 portraying F. Scott Fitzgerald

Their Friendship Moved to the South of France

Fitzgerald loved the south of France. He arrived after World War I and rented out a villa, Belle Rives (now a hotel) where he held wild parties and helped introduced jazz to the region (by inviting all the US jazz greats to stay at his house and play). Both men were part of the “Lost Generation”; people who came of age during World War I, who spent their lives chasing their demons, desperate to forget about the horrors of war. It is at the Belles Rives that Fitzgerald and his wife Zelda ceaselessly entertained their social set, which included the Hemingways. It is also here that Fitzgerald began to write Tender is the Night. The nearby Hotel du Cap is the fictional setting for the book.

The Hotel Belles Rives in Antibes where Fitzgerald lived when it was a villa

Hemingway and Fitzgerald Were Very Different

The relationship between the two men turned out to be superficial. They were wildly different and exemplified very different versions of manhood. Hemingway had multiple wives and relationships and got involved in many of the pivotal historical events of his time. He was an ambulance driver on the Front in World War I, reported on the Spanish Civil War and was present at the Normandy Beach Landings in World War II. He loved Game Hunting in Africa and was crazy about bullfights. Fitzgerald, on the other hand, was a hopeless romantic, had a tumultuous relationship with his only wife, and was always the outsider. As Hemingway roamed around Cuba, the African Savannah, Barcelona, and his home in Key West, he began to trade barbs with Fitzgerald who had returned to America to set up home in Alabama.

A US stamp portraying Hemingway circa 1989

Things Turned Sour in 1930s America

The two men continued their relationship by letter, corresponding throughout the 30s. In 1934, a 39-year-old Fitzgerald asked the 36-year-old Hemingway for his feedback on his newly released book, Tender is the Night. Hemingway did not hold back, giving him a lot of his advice on the characters and plot, saying “I liked it and I didn’t… it’s not as good as you can do“. The book only received a warm response upon release but is now widely considered one of the best books of the 20th century.

Regardless, Both Men Were the Best of Frenemies

Hemingway is often characterised as the harsher of the two. He was known to criticise Fitzgerald behind his back, which was often seen as harsh when his own star was rising just as Fitzgerald’s was fading. What’s clear is that they always held each other’s writing in high esteem, even if not their individual characters. Hemingway told Fitzgerald near the end of his life, that “you can write twice as well now as you ever could”. In return, Fitzgerald often referred to Hemingway as the “greatest living writer of our time”.

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