Bestsellers

10th – 16th May 2026 | Plaka Beach, Naxos
Small group literary escape with Jessie Burton & Abigail Dean (only 6 places left)

Reserve your place
Reserve your place

Be In The Room Where It Happens

Some writers tell stories. Others define a generation.

This is your chance to spend unhurried time with Jessie Burton and Abigail Dean. To hear how their novels came to life, what choices shaped the characters you've grown to love, and the moments of doubt that nearly changed everything. To ask the questions you've carried since you turned the last page, and discover the answers over shared meals and long conversations.​

If you love books and the conversations they spark, there's a seat at the table for you. The best moments happen when readers and authors share the same space, when curiosity leads and everyone has room to ask the questions that linger long after the final chapter.

Your Sanctuary

Stella & Paradiso Apartments

A charming, family-run hotel that sits right on the water's edge.

We've chosen a location that asks you to slow down. Plaka Beach offers golden sands, tamarisk trees, and traditional village tavernas where time moves at a different pace.​

  • The Rooms
    Spacious, cool, and private. Every room opens onto a balcony with a sea view.​

  • The Vibe
    This isn't a stiff hotel; it's a home. Start the day with a homemade breakfast. Read by the pool. Swim in the sea. Watch the sunset from your balcony.​

  • The Luxury
    We handle every detail, so all you have to do is turn up and relax.

The Experience

View the full Itinerary
View the full Itinerary

What Happens Here

  • Intimate Access: Live Q&As, craft discussions, and dinner conversations with
    Jessie and Abigail.

  • Book Swap: The White Elephant exchange—bring a book you love, leave with a new favourite.

  • Genre Book Clubs: Deep-dive discussions with fellow readers.

The Good Life

  • Welcome Reception: Drinks and mezés under the vines.

  • Fabulous Dining: Long, lazy group dinners at the best local tavernas, wine included.

  • Total Disconnection: No alarms. No emails. Wake to the sound of the Aegean.

The Culture (Optional)

  • Wander among the ancient Kouros statues.​

  • Tour a traditional Kitron distillery.​

  • Get lost in the winding streets of Chora, then find your way to cocktails and dinner.​

  • Sample olive oils at a local press.

Meet The Powerhouses

Jessie Burton

The Atmospheric Alchemist

Jessie didn't just write a debut novel; she created a phenomenon. 
The Miniaturist sold a million copies in its first year. She weaves history, mystery, and feminism into stories that feel alive, crafting worlds you can step inside.​

She understands the pressure of expectation and the discipline of creativity better than most.

Books include The Miniaturist, The Muse, 
The House of Fortune and The Confession.

Abigail Dean

The Psychological Architect

Abigail trained as a lawyer before becoming a bestselling writer. Her debut, Girl A, redefined the psychological thriller with its emotional intelligence and unflinching honesty about trauma.​

She's brilliant, sharp, and deeply insightful about the mechanics of suspense and what makes us human.​

Books include Girl A, Day One and 
The Death of Us.

Secure Your Spot

Solo Occupancy
£1,500

Secure your place with a non-refundable deposit.
Pay the balance 30 days before your retreat begins.

At checkout, pay by card or use Klarna to split the cost into instalments at no extra charge.

Read our full terms and conditions

Bestsellers Retreats - Solo Occupancy Bestsellers Retreats - Solo Occupancy Bestsellers Retreats - Solo Occupancy
Bestsellers Retreats - Solo Occupancy
from £150.00

Bestsellers

10th – 16th May 2026 | Plaka Beach, Naxos

Shared Occupancy
£2400 (£1200 pp)

Reserve your place with a non-refundable deposit.
Final payment due 30 days before your retreat.

Pay by card at checkout, or use Klarna to spread the cost interest-free.

Full terms and conditions

Bestsellers - Shared Occupancy Bestsellers - Shared Occupancy Bestsellers - Shared Occupancy
Bestsellers - Shared Occupancy
from £240.00

Bestsellers


10th – 16th May 2026 | Plaka Beach, Naxos

Q: I'm travelling solo. Is that okay?
A: Absolutely. Most guests arrive alone and leave with new friends. You'll be welcomed from arrival, and the group naturally bonds over meals and discussions.

Q: Do I need any special experience?
A: No. These retreats are for readers and writers at all levels. You only need a love of books and curiosity.

Q: Can I pay in instalments?
A: Yes. Pay a deposit to secure your place, then the balance 30 days before the retreat. Klarna allows interest-free instalments at checkout.

Q: What's included?
A: Accommodation, all meals, author sessions, group activities, and cultural outings. Flights are not included.

 Read full FAQs here

A poolside area at a beach resort with lounge chairs, umbrellas, and a view of the ocean and clear blue sky in the background.
Aerial view of a resort swimming pool area with lounge chairs and umbrellas, overlooking the beach and ocean in the background.
Aerial view of white Mediterranean-style residential buildings with blue accents, surrounded by palm trees and landscaped gardens, in a coastal area with mountains in the background.
View from a balcony with a wooden table holding a decanter and two wine glasses, overlooking a lush garden with palm trees, flowers, and a playground in the distance.
A wooden table with a slice of watermelon, a red rose, and some green leaves on top, set outdoors with a view of the ocean, palm trees, and a clear blue sky.
Bright modern reception area with white walls, marble flooring, wooden reception desk, potted plants, and large glass doors opening to outdoor greenery.
Stack of pancakes with berry syrup on a white plate, jars of jam in the background, and a potted plant to the side.
A plate of cinnamon rolls topped with powdered sugar in focus, with a blurred background showing a second plate of baked goods and green plants.
Living room with a white bookshelf filled with books, a small desk with a computer, and a coffee station with a water dispenser and coffee makers.
Three glass jars filled with preserved fruit or vegetables on a wooden surface, with a potted plant to the left and a stainless steel food warmer in the background. To the right, small bowls of yogurt or dessert on a white tray.
Shelf of books with titles in German and English, including 'Der Zeitel Meier', 'Der Witwe in der Jugend', and others, arranged vertically.
Breakfast table set outdoors with orange juice, coffee, cereal, toast, and fruit, surrounded by white chairs and greenery.
An outdoor patio with white chairs and tables, enclosed by glass walls and surrounded by lush green plants and trees.
Outdoor patio with white chairs and tables, breakfast items, lush green plants, palm tree, and a view of the blue sky and distant water with a sandy beach in the background.
Assorted tea and coffee packets on a wooden shelf, with a wicker basket and a labeled box in the background.
Breakfast table with plates of scrambled eggs, bacon, and pancakes, a bowl of yogurt with fruit, a glass of orange juice, and a folded napkin, set outdoors with a blurred green background.
View of a garden with a large palm tree, colorful bushes, and a pathway leading to the ocean in the distance, as seen from a shaded porch.
A lush outdoor garden with various plants, flowering bushes, and trees, featuring a stone pathway, a wooden playhouse with a slide, and a thatched umbrella providing shade over garden furniture on a sunny day.
View of a landscaped backyard with palm trees, green bushes, colorful flowers, a stone pathway, and a small playground structure under a clear blue sky.
A sunny landscape with tall palm trees, white buildings with blue accents, green grass, shrubs, flowering plants, and a playground in a resort or residential area under a bright blue sky.
Outdoor patio with woven hanging chair, black rattan chairs, a stone wall, lush green plants, colorful flowers, and thatched umbrellas under a clear blue sky.
A landscaped garden with stone pathways, colorful flowers, palm trees, and two thatched umbrellas under a clear blue sky.
Outdoor patio with straw thatched umbrellas, wooden benches, stone planters, lush green trees, flowering plants, and a clear blue sky.
a seaside courtyard with a straw beach umbrella, wooden seating with cushions, stone wall, palm trees, and a white building with blue shutters under a clear blue sky
Outdoor patio area with stone flooring, wooden bench with cushions, small table, and a thatched umbrella. In the background, white buildings, tall palm trees, and greenery under a clear blue sky are visible.
View of a poolside lounge area with chairs, tables, and umbrellas on a patio overlooking a swimming pool, white buildings, trees, and a clear blue sky.
Swimming pool with poolside lounge chairs and umbrellas at a resort, white buildings, palm trees, clear blue sky, in a sunny, tropical location.
A swimming pool in front of a modern poolside bar with seating, and thatched umbrellas with chairs and tables on a clear, sunny day.
A hotel room with a white bed, a small nightstand with a vase of flowers, wall art, a chair, an air conditioning unit, an open door leading to a balcony, and a mounted television
Balcony view overlooking an ocean with mountains in the distance. On the balcony, there is a wooden table with two red coffee mugs on a tray, a glass vase with red and orange flowers, and an ashtray. A chair with a gray cushion is partially visible o
Interior of a small apartment room with a bed, a kitchenette, a small refrigerator, a mirror, and a door leading to a bathroom or shower area. The bed has folded towels on it, and the kitchenette has a sink, cabinets, a kettle, and a flower vase.
A clean, bright hotel room with a white bed, two pillows, and folded towels. Blue door and curtain, window with greenery outside, wall-mounted TV, and air conditioning unit.
Two single beds in a bright hotel room with white bedding, a window with blue curtains, a blue door, a wall-mounted TV, an air conditioning unit, and a decorative stone accent wall.
Double bathroom vanity with two white vessel sinks, a wooden-framed mirror, a wall-mounted TV, a blue door, and a small wooden furniture piece with sunglasses, hat, and a tray on top.
Bathroom with a large mirror, two vessel sinks, wall-mounted faucets, a small wooden cabinet with a hat and glasses on top, and a wall-mounted TV on the white wall.
Breakfast table with watermelon slices and two glasses of orange juice, set on an outdoor patio with a scenic view of trees, bushes, and a blue sky.
A bright hotel room with a large bed, view of a balcony with outdoor chairs, and a clear sky visible through the open door.
Two palm trees overlooking a swimming pool and the ocean on a sunny day.

Details

  • ·      A pre-retreat online meeting for all participants—last-minute questions welcome! 

    ·      A goody bag full of Naxos delights.

    ·      Six nights at Stella Apartments.​

    ·      Daily homemade breakfast.​

    ·      Group meals with wine and soft drinks.​ 

    ·      All literary workshops, excursions and events.​

    ·      Airport and ferry transfers on Naxos

    • Visas, flights and ferry tickets — we can help you plan this!

    • Travel insurance (essential).

    • Extra drinks outside of scheduled meals.

  • Fly to Athens, Mykonos, or Santorini, then take a scenic ferry to Naxos. We’ll be waiting at the port or airport to pick you up.

A clear glass with a stem is placed on a white paper table cover with blue printed text. A black six-sided die showing four is beside the glass, and a metallic bucket or container is in the background.
A group of people at a dinner party sitting around a rectangular table outdoors on a patio, raising their glasses for a toast, with dishes and drinks on the table, and a woman standing at the head of the table.
People sitting and chatting at outdoor tables under a large tree on a sunny day.
People sitting at wooden tables and chairs outdoors under yellow shade sails, with trees, plants, and a stone wall in the background.
A person with long red hair reaching for a book on a white bookshelf filled with various books. A decorative vase with greenery and flowers is on top of the bookshelf.
Photograph of a coastal hillside town with white buildings, some with gray or beige accents, overlooking the ocean. Rocks and waves in the foreground.
A woman with red hair and sunglasses on her head is tasting something from a spoon held by another person. She is wearing a red top with a light-colored shirt over it. The person holding the spoon also holds a dark bottle. The scene takes place indoo
White building with blue shutters, outdoor staircase, and a flowering vine with red and pink flowers.
A plate with two slices of cake, a white cup, and a glass vase with pink flowers and green leaves on a wooden table in a room with a bookshelf in the background.
A woman with red hair wearing a purple checkered dress holding a wrapped gift ribboned with red, standing near a table with more wrapped presents, during sunset by a waterfront.
Decorative table with potted plant, glass bowl with pink flowers, three books, a glass of water, and a chair in the background, with sheer curtains and sunlight behind.
A woman with long, curly red hair wearing a blue sleeveless top, sitting outdoors with her arms crossed, looking serious or contemplative.

Stop Waiting for The Right Time

Come.
Read the books.
Meet the authors.
Join us.

Book your place now
Book your place now

Arrive curious. Leave inspired.