Some houses have a special significance. We are always curious about our heroes and our celebrities, so we yearn to see the houses they lived in to get some sense of how they lived their daily lives. This is why Star Tours are so popular in Hollywood.

    In world travel, many of the houses that are hot attractions for tourists are the birthplaces of famous people or their estates. These places are common on travelers’ lists of things to see, and Lee and I have seen our share. This post will introduce you to some of these famous houses.

     Let’s begin in Europe with Mozart’s birthplace in Salzburg, Austria. Mozart’s Geburtshaus (birth house) is right on Getreidegasse, a pedestrian-only shopping street in the center of town.

Mozart's Birthplace

In Spain, the Casa de las Conches (House of Shells) can be found in the interesting city of Salamanca.

House of Shells

Kafka’s house was #22 Golden Lane in Prague, Czech Republic. It is where he wrote “Metamorphosis.”

Kafka House, Golden Lane

The Anne Hathaway Cottage, in Stratford-upon-Avon, England, is a classic thatch-roofed house. It was also the home of the wife of William Shakespeare, so has some historical significance. It is one of many of the British Heritage Trust properties and is maintained as such. It is delightful and well-kept.

Anne Hathaway Cottage

The Hathaway Cottage is slightly out of town. Shakespeare himself was born in the center of town at this house.

Shakespeare's Birthplace

In Verona, the house made famous in the balcony scene of Romeo and Juliet draws thousands of tourists each year.

Juliet's Balcony, Verona

The house that Anne Frank hid in during World War II is located on Prince Street in Amsterdam.

Anne Frank House

Where Mark Twain lived while he resided in Connecticut, in the city of Hartford, is a major tourist draw.

Mark Twain House

as is the famous house, Fallingwater, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, in western Pennsylvania.

Fallingwater

and Cornelius Vanderbilt’s “summer house” in Newport, the Breakers.

The Breakers

George Washington’s home, Mount Vernon, is one of the most famous houses in America.

Mount Vernon

as is Jefferson’s home, Monticello, which he designed and built.

Monticello