Books in Places
Reading Holidays
Holidays for people who love books, travel and discovering somewhere new. Read a great book, explore the destination that inspired it, enjoy good food and share the experience with other book lovers.
Holidays with a story
A holiday for people who would rather have a book in their suitcase
A Books in Places holiday starts with a book, but it does not stop there. We choose destinations that bring stories to life and create trips that combine reading with the pleasure of being somewhere new.
There might be a historic town to wander, a coastline to discover, a memorable meal to enjoy or a landscape that looks remarkably like the one you have been imagining while reading.
There is time to explore together, time to relax and plenty of opportunity to settle down with your book.
What is a reading holiday?
More holiday than book club, with a great book at the centre
Our reading holidays are designed to give you the things that make a holiday enjoyable, while adding an extra layer for people who love books.
Discover somewhere new
Explore cities, islands, coastlines and countryside with a destination chosen to complement the book.
Have time to enjoy the holiday
There is no need to fill every hour. Enjoy a relaxed pace, time to read, good food and the freedom to slow down.
Share it with other readers
Most guests arrive on their own, but you quickly have something in common with everyone else: a love of books.
The holiday experience
Read, explore, eat, relax
Every trip is different, but the idea is the same. The book gives the holiday its character, while the destination gives you plenty to experience beyond the pages.
Depending on the trip, you might visit places connected to the story, explore historic sites, take a boat trip, enjoy a local meal, discover a landscape or simply find somewhere beautiful to sit and read.
Some holidays have a fuller itinerary and some are more relaxed. There is always time to enjoy the destination in your own way.
Read
Bring the book with you and enjoy reading in the place where the story belongs.
Explore
Discover the destination and the places that give the book its sense of place.
Eat
Enjoy shared meals and discover some of the food and traditions of the destination.
Talk
Chat about the book, the place and everything else that comes up when readers travel together.
Relax
Leave space in the day for reading, wandering, sitting by the pool or simply doing nothing at all.
Enjoy the company
Meet other people who love books and discover how quickly a shared interest can turn strangers into good holiday company.
A different kind of holiday
Not a literary seminar. Not a traditional tour.
A Books in Places holiday sits somewhere in between. The book matters, but you are not spending the holiday listening to lectures about it.
The destination matters too, but we are not trying to see every sight in a guidebook.
Instead, we create a relaxed holiday where the book and the place make each other more interesting.
A good book gives you another way to experience a holiday.
Travelling alone
You can come on your own and still have a proper holiday together
Most Books in Places guests travel alone. The small groups and shared interest in books make it easy to meet people, while the holiday still gives you freedom to spend time however you choose.
You might join everyone for dinner, spend the afternoon exploring independently and then meet up again for a drink, discussion or evening activity.
Find out about our solo holidays for book lovers →Where can a book take you?
Reading holidays around the world
From winter sunshine and Mediterranean islands to great European cities and longer literary journeys, our holidays combine the pleasure of travelling with the enjoyment of a great book.
Christmas in Tunisia
A Spell of Winter by Helen Dunmore
Escape the winter for a warm and relaxed Christmas by the Tunisian coast, with sunshine, excursions, shared meals and plenty of time to read.
Discover Tunisia →
Marrakech
Night Train to Marrakech by Dinah Jefferies
Explore Marrakech's souks, gardens and historic medina, with a guided city tour, a trip to the Atlas Mountains and time to enjoy this vibrant Moroccan city.
Discover Marrakech →
The Glassmaker
The Glassmaker by Tracy Chevalier
Discover Murano, its canals and centuries-old glassmaking traditions through a literary holiday inspired by one of Venice's most atmospheric novels.
Discover Venice →
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World
10 Minutes 38 Seconds in This Strange World by Elif Shafak
Discover Istanbul through Elif Shafak's Booker-shortlisted novel, with historic sights, a Bosphorus boat trip, local food and plenty of time to explore.
Discover Istanbul →
My Family and Other Animals
My Family and Other Animals by Gerald Durrell
A week on the beautiful island of Corfu, combining beaches, villages, countryside and the world of the Durrell family.
Discover Corfu →
The Florios of Sicily
The Florios of Sicily by Stefania Auci
Explore western Sicily through Palermo, Marsala, Erice, ancient sites, vineyards, local food and the remarkable story of the Florio family.
Discover Sicily →Prefer something more focused on reading?
Our reading retreats put the book even more firmly at the centre
Reading holidays are about the overall holiday experience, while our reading retreats give you even more time and space for reading, discussion and relaxing with a book.
They are still about the destination and the people you meet, but the pace is often gentler and reading plays a bigger part in the experience.
Explore our reading retreats →Good to know
Frequently asked questions about reading holidays
What is a reading holiday?
A reading holiday is a holiday designed for people who enjoy books and travel. Books in Places holidays combine a great book with the destination that brings it to life, alongside time to explore, relax, eat and enjoy the company of other readers.
Are reading holidays just for serious readers?
No. You do not need to be a literary expert or belong to a book club. You simply need to enjoy reading and like the idea of travelling somewhere connected to a good story.
Do I need to travel alone?
No. Some guests travel with friends, while many come on their own. The groups are small and sociable, so it is easy to meet people during the holiday.
How are reading holidays different from reading retreats?
Reading holidays put more emphasis on the overall holiday experience, including exploring the destination, enjoying meals and making the most of the trip. Reading retreats tend to put more emphasis on quiet reading time, shared book discussions and a slower pace.
What sort of destinations do Books in Places visit?
Our trips go to destinations with a strong connection to the book we are reading. They range from European cities and Mediterranean islands to Morocco, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Kenya and other destinations further afield.
Find your next book-inspired holiday
See where your next book could take you
Explore upcoming Books in Places holidays and discover a destination through a great story.
Explore upcoming holidays