BOOKS IN PLACES
Reading retreats for book lovers in 2027
Travel somewhere wonderful, read a great book and meet people who love books as much as you do.
Books in Places reading retreats combine books, travel, shared meals and relaxed conversation in destinations connected to the stories we read.
What is a reading retreat?
A holiday built around a book
A Books in Places reading retreat is a short break or holiday built around a particular book and the place that brings it to life.
We read, explore, eat, talk and discover a destination together. There is time for book discussions and experiences connected with the story, but also plenty of time to slow down, read independently and enjoy being somewhere new.
You do not need to belong to a book club. The book is simply the thing that brings everyone together.
The Books in Places idea
Book. Place. People.
Three things make a Books in Places reading retreat different.
THE BOOK
Read something worth travelling for
Every retreat is built around a carefully chosen book with a strong connection to the destination.
THE PLACE
Step into the story
Visit the streets, buildings, landscapes and landmarks that give the book its atmosphere and context.
THE PEOPLE
Meet fellow book lovers
Shared meals and relaxed book conversations make it easy to meet people without the pressure of a formal group tour.
Travelling alone?
Come on your own. You won't be on your own.
Most Books in Places guests travel alone, including many people who are trying solo travel for the first time.
You arrive knowing that everyone already has something in common: you all love books.
There are shared meals, book discussions and things to explore together, but you still have the freedom to do your own thing.
Solo travel with a ready-made group of bookish people.
Discover solo holidays for book lovers →The experience
What happens on a reading retreat?
Every trip is different, but the ingredients are the same.
Read
Read the book before you travel, or bring it with you and read while you are there.
Explore
Walk, visit and discover places that connect the destination to the story.
Eat
Shared meals are an important part of the experience and often the best place for conversation.
Discuss
Talk about the book in relaxed conversations rather than formal literary seminars.
Wander
There is also time to explore independently, find a quiet corner to read or simply enjoy the destination.
Make friends
Book lovers tend to have plenty to talk about, which makes meeting new people surprisingly easy.
Find your next trip
Upcoming reading retreats
From winter sun to atmospheric cities, choose a destination and let the book lead the way.
Agadir Reading Retreat
The Sheltering Sky by Paul Bowles
Winter sun, the Atlantic coast and a relaxed week of reading, conversation and good company.
Discover Agadir →.jpg)
Sri Lanka Literary Journey
The Seven Moons of Maali Almeida by Shehan Karunatilaka
Discover Sri Lanka through a 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 from Cairo to Luxor, explore 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 dramatic landscapes, Reykjavík 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 Pefkos, 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 →Is it for you?
Reading retreats are for people who like books and want to see more of the world.
You enjoy fiction with a strong sense of place.
You enjoy travelling but do not always have someone to travel with.
You like meeting new people without wanting a constantly scheduled group holiday.
You enjoy talking about books informally over dinner or a drink.
You want to discover a destination through its stories as well as its sights.
You like the sound of a sociable, relaxed holiday with plenty of time to yourself.
To think we didn't know each other at all five days ago is remarkable.
Books in Places guest
Why travel for a book?
Because a familiar story feels different in the place where it belongs.
Reading about a city is one thing. Standing in the street your characters walked down, looking at the landscape described by the author or eating food that connects you to the story is something else entirely.
Visiting the setting adds atmosphere and context to a book, while the book gives you a different way of seeing the destination.
That is the idea behind Books in Places.
About Books in Places
Reading retreats created by people who love books.
Books in Places grew from 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 reading retreat and literary trips, bringing readers together to explore the places behind the stories they love.
Books in Places has been featured by The Times, BBC Travel and National Geographic Traveller.
More about Books in Places →
Good to know
Frequently asked questions
What is a reading retreat?
A reading retreat is a holiday or short break built around a particular book and the place connected with it. Books in Places combines reading, exploration, shared meals and relaxed book discussions.
Are Books in Places reading retreats suitable for solo travellers?
Yes. Most Books in Places guests travel alone. The trips are designed to make solo travel sociable without removing the freedom to spend time independently.
Do I need to belong to a book club?
No. You do not need to belong to a book club. The discussions are informal and welcoming, with the emphasis on sharing ideas rather than giving the right answer.
Do I need to read the book before I travel?
It depends on the individual trip, but we generally recommend reading the book before you go. There is also time during many trips to read and revisit parts of the story.
How many people are on a Books in Places retreat?
Books in Places trips are deliberately small so that people can get to know one another and the group can travel in a relaxed way. Group size varies by trip.
What happens on a reading retreat?
Trips vary, but can include book-focused walks, visits to landmarks connected with the story, shared meals, book discussions, local experiences and free time to read or explore independently.
Are reading retreats just book clubs on holiday?
Not quite. The book is the starting point, but the experience is also about discovering a destination, eating together, meeting people and enjoying time away. Think of it as a holiday with a very good book at its heart.
Where do Books in Places reading retreats take place?
Trips take place in destinations with a strong connection to books and authors, from UK literary destinations to cities and countries around the world.
Planning your next escape?
Be first to hear about new reading retreats.
New Books in Places trips are added throughout the year. Join the mailing list for new destinations, new books and early announcements.
Join the mailing listMore to discover
All upcoming 2027 reading retreats
Browse the full collection of Books in Places trips.
Book | Location | When | Details |
| Clifton, Bristol | August 2026 | |
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| Clifton, Bristol | August 2026 | |
| Kefalonia | September 2026 | |
| Crete | September 2026 | |
| Whitby | October 2026 | |
| Cyprus | October 2026 | |
| Norwich | October 2026 | |
| Salisbury | October 2026 | |
| Malta | October 2026 | |
| Istanbul | October 2026 | |
| Egypt | November 2026 | |
| Bletchley Park | November 2026 | |
| Kenya | November 2026 | |
| Tunisia | Christmas 2026 | |
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| Malta | New Year 2026 | |
| Agadir | January 2027 | |
| Marrakech | January 2027 | |
| Tangier | January 2027 | |
| Sri Lanka | February 2027 | |
| Egypt | February 2027 | |
| Iceland | February 2027 | |
| Jamaica | March 2027 | |
| Portugal Reading & Yoga | March 2027 | |
| Venice | April 2027 | |
| Florence | April 2027 | |
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| Portugal Reading & Yoga | April 2027 | |
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| Istanbul | May 2027 | |
| Corfu | May 2027 | |
| Sicily | May 2027 | |
| Rhodes | May 2027 | |
| Turkey | June 2027 | |
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| Cyprus | June 2027 | |
| Vienna | June 2027 | |
| Granada | June 2027 | |
| Vietnam | November 2027 | |
| Literary Cruise New York to London | December 2027 |