Books in Places
Solo Holidays for Book Lovers
Travel on your own, but never feel on your own. Our solo holidays bring together small groups of people who love books, travel and discovering the places behind great stories.
Solo travel, made easier
Come on your own. You won't be on your own.
Travelling alone can be exciting, but it can also come with questions. Who will I meet? Will I feel comfortable? Will I spend the whole trip on my own?
Books in Places is different. Most of our guests travel alone, and everyone arrives with something already in common: a love of books and a curiosity about the places where they are set.
That makes it surprisingly easy to start talking, sharing meals and exploring together, while still giving you plenty of freedom to do your own thing.
Solo travel with a ready-made group of book lovers.
Why it works
A natural way to meet people when you're travelling alone
You are not arriving in a group of strangers with nothing in common. The book gives everyone an immediate starting point.
A shared interest from the start
Talking about a book is much easier than making small talk. Everyone already has something they want to discuss.
Small, friendly groups
Our trips are designed to feel personal and relaxed, with enough people to make new connections without becoming a large organised tour.
Social when you want to be
Shared meals, walks and book discussions make it easy to join in, but there is never any pressure to be sociable every minute of the day.
The Books in Places experience
A solo holiday with more to talk about
Our trips are built around a book and the destination that brings it to life. You might walk through streets described by the author, visit important locations from the story, eat in a restaurant connected to the book, or simply sit somewhere beautiful and read.
The itinerary gives you opportunities to experience the destination together, while leaving room for independent time as well.
The result is a holiday that feels sociable without being overwhelming, and structured without feeling rigid.
Read
Read the book before you travel or bring it with you and read while you're there.
Explore
Discover the streets, landscapes, buildings and landmarks connected with the story.
Eat
Shared meals are often where the best conversations happen.
Discuss
Talk about the book naturally, rather than sitting through a formal literary seminar.
Wander
There is time to explore independently, find somewhere quiet to read or simply enjoy being somewhere new.
Make friends
Book lovers tend to have plenty to talk about, and friendships often happen without anyone trying to make them happen.
Travelling alone?
The reassurance of a group. The freedom of a solo holiday.
Many of our guests are experienced solo travellers. Others are trying a solo holiday for the first time.
You are never expected to spend the whole trip alone, but you are also never expected to be constantly with the group. You can have dinner together, spend an afternoon exploring on your own and then meet everyone later for a drink or a book discussion.
That balance is one of the things our guests value most.
You come on your own. The group is there when you want it.
Who are these holidays for?
For people who would rather travel with book lovers
People who enjoy travelling independently but like having company.
Readers who want to experience books in the places where they are set.
People looking for a relaxed alternative to a traditional group tour.
Solo travellers who enjoy thoughtful conversation and shared experiences.
People trying solo travel for the first time.
Anyone who thinks holidays are better when there is a good book involved.
Why books make solo travel different
The book gives you somewhere to start
One of the hardest things about joining a holiday on your own is knowing how to start conversations with people you have never met.
Books solve that problem almost immediately. You can talk about the story, the characters, the setting, the author or what you thought of the ending.
And because everyone has travelled specifically for the same book-inspired experience, there is usually plenty more to talk about once the first conversation gets going.
Upcoming solo holidays
Find a holiday built around a book
From literary weekends in the UK to book-inspired holidays abroad, explore our upcoming trips for solo travellers.
Agadir Reading Retreat
The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
A relaxed winter sun reading retreat on the Atlantic coast, with plenty of time to read and enjoy the company of fellow book lovers.
Discover Agadir →.jpg)
Sri Lanka Literary Journey
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida
Discover Sri Lanka through Shehan Karunatilaka's Booker-winning novel, with time for exploration, conversation and shared experiences.
Discover Sri Lanka →
Death on the Nile
Death on the Nile by Agatha Christie
Cruise the Nile, discover ancient Egypt and discuss one of Agatha Christie's most famous mysteries.
Discover Egypt →
Reykjavík: A Crime Story
Reykjavík: A Crime Story
A winter literary escape combining Icelandic crime fiction with Reykjavík, dramatic landscapes and the possibility of seeing the Northern Lights.
Discover Iceland →
Into the Blue
Into the Blue by Robert Goddard
A week-long reading retreat in Rhodes combining Greek sunshine, time to read and relaxed book discussions.
Discover Rhodes →.jpg)
Out of Africa
Out of Africa by Karen Blixen
Safari, the Kenyan coast and Karen Blixen's evocative memoir in the landscape that inspired it.
Discover Kenya →About Books in Places
Reading. Travel. Good company.
Books in Places grew out of years of running book clubs in Bristol and Exeter and a simple idea: what if the book club could meet in the place where the book is set?
Since 2023, Books in Places has created small, sociable literary trips and reading retreats for people who love books and want to experience them differently.
Most guests travel alone, but the experience is designed to make meeting fellow book lovers feel natural.
More about Books in Places →
Good to know
Frequently asked questions about solo holidays for book lovers
Are Books in Places holidays suitable for solo travellers?
Yes. Most Books in Places guests travel alone. Our trips are specifically designed to make solo travel sociable while still giving you the freedom to spend time independently.
Will I be travelling with other people?
Yes. Books in Places trips bring together small groups of people who share an interest in books, travel and the destination. Shared meals, book discussions and activities provide plenty of chances to get to know one another.
Do I have to be very sociable?
Not at all. You can join in as much or as little as you like. There are shared experiences and meals, but there is also time to read, explore independently or simply relax.
Are these book holidays or traditional group tours?
They are designed around books and place rather than conventional sightseeing. The book gives each trip its theme, and the itinerary brings together reading, exploration, food and conversation.
Do I need to belong to a book club?
No. You simply need to enjoy reading. The book is a shared starting point, and you do not need to be an expert or experienced book-club member.
Are these holidays suitable for someone travelling alone for the first time?
Absolutely. Many guests are experienced solo travellers, while others are taking their first solo holiday. The group provides reassurance and company while you retain your independence.
Ready to travel with book lovers?
Find your next solo literary adventure
Explore upcoming Books in Places holidays and find a trip that brings a great book to life.
Explore upcoming trips