About Books in Places
A travelling book club, created for people who love books
Books in Places brings together books, places and people. We create relaxed, sociable trips where you can experience a great story in the place where it comes to life.
How it began
What if the book club could meet where the book is set?
Books in Places began in 2023, growing out of years of running book clubs in Bristol and Exeter.
The idea came from something I had always enjoyed while travelling: reading a novel set in the place I was visiting. A story rooted in a city or landscape adds another layer to the experience. Streets, food, culture and history start to feel different when you have already encountered them in a book.
I wanted to bring that feeling to a book club. Instead of meeting in the same restaurant every month, why not take the book club to the place where the story happens?
That became Books in Places.
From book clubs to book-inspired travel
The book is only the beginning
Read
We start with a book that has a strong connection to the destination.
Go there
We travel to the streets, landscapes, buildings and places that give the story its atmosphere.
Experience it together
Shared meals, relaxed discussions and exploring together turn the book into a much bigger experience.
Meet Paul
The person behind Books in Places
I'm Paul, and I founded Books in Places after reading Still Life by Sarah Winman with my book club.
The novel made me want to experience Florence through the story, and I began wondering why the book club couldn't simply meet there.
That idea became the starting point for Books in Places. Since 2023, I've been creating trips around books and the destinations that bring them to life.
I host the trips, lead the book discussions and spend a lot of time making sure everyone feels welcome.
The aim is simple: create a holiday that feels relaxed, friendly and worth travelling for.
What to expect
A holiday that feels organised without feeling organised
Every trip is different, but there are a few things that tend to make a Books in Places holiday what it is.
Small groups
We keep groups deliberately small so that the trips feel personal and it is easy to get to know people.
Shared experiences
Meals, excursions, book discussions and local experiences give you plenty of chances to spend time together.
Time to yourself
There is never an expectation that you spend every minute with the group. You can explore independently, read or simply relax.
Travelling alone
Come on your own. You won't be on your own.
Most Books in Places guests travel alone. Some are experienced solo travellers and some are trying it for the first time.
The book gives everyone an immediate shared interest, while the small group and hosted meals make it easy to meet people.
You can join in with everything, pick and choose what suits you or have some time completely to yourself.
More about solo holidays →Booking your holiday
We look after the experience. Travel specialists handle the booking.
Books in Places works with established travel specialists who handle the practical side of the holiday, including bookings, flights, accommodation and transfers where these are part of the trip.
This means you can concentrate on the enjoyable part: choosing your book, packing your suitcase and looking forward to meeting fellow book lovers.
The booking arrangements and travel partner vary by trip, so the individual trip page always explains who is organising the holiday and how to book.
Booking with confidence
Financial protection for eligible flight-inclusive holidays
Many Books in Places holidays are booked through established travel partners. For flight-inclusive holidays booked through Friendship Travel, ATOL protection applies where applicable.
The exact protection and booking arrangements are shown on each individual trip page, so you can see who is handling your booking before you reserve your place.
Find out more about ATOL protection →What matters most
The trips are about the people as much as the places
The book gets everyone there. The people are often what bring them back.
"The idea of taking the books to the location will be fabulous. I will look forward to enjoying the holiday and the read."
Louise
"Paul makes everyone welcome and creates a sociable and fun space."
Books in Places guest
"The trips are about more than just the book. They are about meeting people and sharing an experience."
Books in Places guest
Why Books in Places?
A few things you can count on
A genuine love of books and the places they bring to life.
Small groups where it is easy to meet people.
A relaxed, welcoming atmosphere rather than a formal tour.
Plenty of shared experiences, without being together all the time.
Trips created around the character and atmosphere of the book.
Travel arrangements clearly explained for every trip.
Before you book
Questions people often ask
Who are Books in Places holidays for?
They are for people who love books, enjoy travelling and like the idea of experiencing a destination through a story. Many guests travel alone, but you do not have to be a solo traveller.
Will I know anyone else on the trip?
Many guests arrive not knowing anyone else. The small groups, shared meals and common interest in books make it easy to get to know people.
Who books the holiday?
The booking arrangements vary by trip. Where a trip is operated with a travel partner, that company handles the booking and relevant travel arrangements. The individual trip page explains exactly how to book.
Are the holidays financially protected?
Protection depends on the travel arrangements and booking partner for the particular holiday. Flight- inclusive holidays booked through Friendship Travel are ATOL protected where applicable. The individual trip page gives the relevant booking and protection information.
Do I have to take part in everything?
No. Trips include shared experiences, but there is generally time to explore independently, read, relax or simply do your own thing.
Ready to come with us?
See where the next book will take you
Explore the upcoming trips or join the mailing list to hear about new books, new places and new journeys.