BOOKS IN PLACES | CROATIA | JUNE 2027
Croatia Reading Retreat
Seven nights beside the beautiful Adriatic, reading a wonderful novel, exploring Croatia and enjoying the company of fellow book lovers.
Flights included | Solo rooms as standard
A WEEK FOR BOOK LOVERS
Books, sunshine and the beautiful Dalmatian coast
Imagine a week on the Croatian coast, with the Adriatic Sea just steps away, a good book to get lost in and a lovely group of people to share it all with.
In June 2027, we're heading to Podstrana, a beautiful spot on the coast just outside Split, for seven nights of reading, relaxation and exploring.
We'll be staying at the four-star Hotel Aria, right beside the beach. There will be time to swim, read, enjoy long lunches or simply sit with a coffee and watch the world go by.
We'll also enjoy a day exploring Omiš, the Cetina Valley and historic Split, along with relaxed dinners and our Books in Places book discussions.
As always, the idea is simple. Enjoy a wonderful place, read a book connected to it and meet people who love books as much as you do.
THE EXPERIENCE
What makes this week special?
A lovely balance of reading, exploring and spending time together, without needing to fill every moment.
Time to read
Seven nights to slow down, enjoy your book and relax beside the Adriatic. No need to rush from one activity to the next.
Our book club
We'll discuss Red Water by Croatian author Jurica Pavičić. It's a wonderful way to discover more about the history of the country we're visiting.
Explore Split
Our included excursion takes us to historic Split, Omiš and the beautiful Cetina Valley, with plenty to discover beyond our hotel.
Dinners together
We'll have four included dinners, giving everyone time to get to know each other, talk about books and enjoy some good conversation.
A Book I Love
One evening, everyone can share a favourite book with the group. You'll probably come home with an even longer reading list!
Come on your own
Most of our guests travel alone. Everyone arrives with something in common, so it's easy to get talking from the very first day.
OUR BOOK
Red Water
Our chosen book is Red Water, an absorbing Croatian novel that combines a missing-person mystery with the country's turbulent recent history.
In 1989, seventeen-year-old Silva disappears after an evening out in a small town on the Dalmatian coast. Her family desperately searches for answers, but as Yugoslavia begins to unravel and war approaches, the investigation loses momentum.
The story follows the people affected by her disappearance over the following decades, exploring family, memory, loyalty and the enormous changes taking place in Croatia.
It's an especially interesting choice for this retreat. The novel is set along the very coastline we'll be visiting, giving us a different perspective on the beautiful surroundings and the country's past.
We'll come together to discuss Red Water during the holiday. It's always informal, with everyone welcome to share their thoughts and different perspectives.
DISCOVER CROATIA
More than just a week by the sea
Croatia has some wonderful places to explore, and our included excursion will take us beyond the beach.
Split
One of Croatia's most fascinating cities, with ancient streets, beautiful squares and the extraordinary Diocletian's Palace at its heart.
It's a wonderful place to wander, enjoy a coffee and soak up the atmosphere.
Omiš
A charming coastal town with a dramatic backdrop of mountains, a beautiful riverside setting and a fascinating history.
A lovely contrast to the relaxed surroundings of our hotel.
The Cetina Valley
Beautiful scenery where the river winds between dramatic cliffs and green valleys.
We'll enjoy the landscape as part of our included excursion.
These destinations form part of one included day excursion. Individual site admissions and optional activities are not specified as included.
WHERE WE'LL STAY
Hotel Aria, Podstrana
A lovely four-star hotel beside the Adriatic, with the beach right on our doorstep.
We'll be staying at Hotel Aria, a contemporary beachfront hotel in Podstrana, around 8km from the centre of Split.
With only 25 rooms, it should make a lovely base for our week. There is a restaurant, spa and beautiful sea views, with plenty of opportunities to enjoy the coastline.
The rooms are modern and comfortable, with air conditioning, WiFi, tea and coffee facilities and everything needed for a relaxing stay.
YOUR ROOM
Your own space to relax
Sole occupancy is included as standard, so you'll have a double or twin room to yourself.
The standard accommodation is an Economy Mountain View room with a Juliet balcony.
Room upgrades are subject to availability and current pricing. Twin sharing can also be requested.
YOUR TIME IN CROATIA
A holiday, not a packed itinerary
One of the things I love about our reading retreats is that there's no pressure to do everything.
You might start the morning with a leisurely breakfast, find somewhere overlooking the sea to read, go for a swim or spend a few hours exploring the local area.
There will be our organised excursion, book conversations and shared dinners, but you'll also have plenty of time to yourself.
Some guests enjoy reading on the beach, others might head into Split or discover somewhere new. And if you simply want to spend the afternoon finishing your book, that's absolutely fine too.
YOUR HOLIDAY
What's included?
Everything you need for a lovely week away with fellow book lovers.
Included in your holiday
- Return flights from selected UK or Ireland airports
- Seven nights at the 4-star Hotel Aria
- Double or twin room for sole use
- Return transfers from Split Airport
- Breakfast every morning
- Four buffet dinners, each with half a bottle of wine and bottled water
- Day excursion to Omiš, the Cetina Valley and Split
- Books in Places book discussion
- Our special "A Book I Love" evening
- A Books in Places host throughout the retreat
Good to know
- Other meals and personal spending are additional.
- A local tourist tax of €4.40 per person per day is payable to the hotel.
- Sunbeds and umbrellas are available to hire, currently €10 each per day.
- Optional excursions, activities and room upgrades cost extra.
- Travel insurance is not included and is required.
To use the arranged Friendship Travel airport transfers, your flight must arrive in Split by 4pm. Please check your flights before booking.
TRAVELLING ALONE?
Come on your own. You won't be on your own.
Most people joining Books in Places holidays travel alone. In fact, that's one of the things that makes these trips so lovely.
You'll arrive knowing that everyone already has something in common. You love books, and so does everyone else.
There will be shared meals, book discussions and opportunities to explore together, but there's no expectation to join in every minute of the day.
You'll have your own room and your own space, and a friendly group of fellow readers when you'd like some company.
More about our solo holidays for book lovers →ABOUT BOOKS IN PLACES
Travelling with people who love books as much as you do
Books in Places began with a simple idea. What if we could take our book club to the very places where the stories are set?
After seven years running book clubs in Bristol and Exeter, I started Books in Places in 2023. Since then, we've organised more than 60 literary trips and reading retreats, bringing hundreds of readers together.
I'll be hosting this retreat, or you'll be joined by one of our experienced Books in Places hosts. The focus is always on relaxed conversation, lovely places and meeting people who share a love of reading.
Books in Places has been featured in The Times, BBC Travel and National Geographic Traveller.
Find out more about Books in Places →READY FOR CROATIA?
Seven nights. One wonderful book. A beautiful place to discover.
Join us on the Dalmatian coast in June 2027 for a relaxed week of reading, exploring and making new friends.
1 - 8 June 2027 | Flights included
Read more and reserve your placeYour holiday package and booking are arranged through Friendship Travel. Prices and availability are confirmed when booking.