Reading Retreats: A New Travel Trend for Those Who Just Want to Read
Reading retreats, holidays centred on quietly reading books, are gaining popularity among travellers. They can be arranged independently or joined as group trips.
Reading retreats are becoming an increasingly popular form of travel: breaks built around books, calm and recovery. According to material published by "Real Simple", this kind of getaway appeals to people worn down by work, obligations and a constant flow of information. Unlike traditional wellness retreats, which often include yoga, meditation and a stricter schedule, reading retreats focus on books.
Rest without the pressure to be productive
Psychotherapist Heather Raffanello notes that many people today are overloaded with screens, tight schedules and everyday worries. In her view, a reading retreat can suit those who need a pause but tend to treat even rest as a task. Reading helps focus attention on one thing, calm the mind and step back from daily concerns, and there is no schedule to follow or result to achieve.
Alone or in a group
A retreat can be organised independently, for example by renting a cabin by a lake or in the woods and bringing along long-awaited books. Group trips also exist, with programmes that may include bookshop visits, shared discussions and literature-inspired meals, while leaving time for everyone to read at their own pace. Travel organiser Kayla Janahovska stresses that shared interests create a natural topic of conversation, making it easier to get to know new people.
Destinations can be matched to what is being read: readers of Irish author Sally Rooney's novels might head to Ireland, while fans of Stephen King could choose the US state of Maine. Travelling far is not required; a weekend at a country house or small guesthouse can also serve as a retreat.
How to prepare
Author and book consultant Stacey Enis recommends packing both fiction and non-fiction so the choice can follow one's mood. A reading list can help, but it should not become another obligation. If a book fails to engage, there is no need to force oneself to finish it; Enis herself switches to another if the story has not gripped her by page 50.
