We've visited Sunnyside, the home of Washington Irving and certainly read many of his stories about upstate New York and the Hudson Valley. I never knew he had such a connection to Spain, and in particular, the Alhambra. When he visited, it was mostly abandoned and the home of gypsies.
He wrote the Tales of the Alhambra which helped to draw attention to this amazing spot.
PS: If you visit, you dont need to buy the book, it's in the public domain and available widely.