Last updated May 21, 2025
Reading retreats are the new wellness break—no cardio, no cold plunges, just books, tea and uninterrupted quiet time. Sign us up!
While everyone else is sweating through mountain-top meditation or surviving on liquid greens, the truly enlightened are finding bliss between the covers—of books, that is. Yes, reading retreats are having a moment. And honestly, it’s about time.
The premise is refreshingly uncomplicated. Trade your frantic schedule for a well-thumbed paperback, silence your notifications, and disappear to a hideaway where the biggest decision is whether to read by the window or in that impossibly comfortable armchair.
Part literary sanctuary, part permission slip to do nothing productive, reading retreats are where book clubs grow up. In an era where hustle culture has us believing even our relaxation should include a performance metric, reading retreats stand as a rebellion.
Here, “page count” refers only to your novel, not your social media reach. And for once, you’re not being judged for ignoring your inbox in favor of getting lost in a 600-page novel. In fact, it’s encouraged.
Novel Retreats for a Reading Good Time
Wellness looks different for everyone. And lately, more people are realizing that wellness doesn’t always mean yoga poses and turmeric shots. Sometimes it’s about curling up in a chair, reading uninterrupted for hours and finally making it past chapter three without falling asleep.
Studies have even linked reading to a multitude of benefits. A 2009 study from Mindlab International at the University of Sussex found that reading can reduce stress levels by 68%. Reading can also help you sleep better (the Mayo Clinic recommends it as a bedtime wind-down) and improve empathy (thanks to literary fiction boosting our ability to understand others). So technically, it’s a wellness activity—science says so!
And it’s not just the physical and mental benefits. Literary wellness is showing up in all kinds of ways—from BookTok-fueled reading challenges to entire vacations planned around the setting of your favorite novel (Brontë lovers heading to the Yorkshire moors, we see you).
There are even literary travel tours that take readers to real-world places where their favorite stories unfold. Call it immersive escapism—but without the VR headset.
Reading retreats tap into this growing movement, offering curated getaways with plenty of nooks, literary programming and the kind of quiet your nervous system has been begging for.
Some reading retreats are solo stays designed for deep focus, others offer facilitated workshops, author talks or communal fireside reading hours. Whether you’re craving silence or just burned out from too many emails, there’s a reading retreat with your name on it.
Where to Go for a Wellness-Fueled Reading Retreat
Here are seven standout reading retreats that are turning the page on traditional wellness:
1. Book Huddle Retreats (USA)
For: Cozy-core readers who want equal parts solo silence and bookish bonding
From the misty forests of Washington State to the wildflower fields of Maine, Book Huddle hosts all-inclusive reading retreats designed to soothe your soul. Expect plush reading corners, private book fairs, fireside chats and curated nature immersion that feels like a warm hug.
With a 99% satisfaction rate, they’re clearly doing something right. And it’s probably something to do with the endless snacks and zero judgment for reading in pajamas all day.
2. Ladies Who Lit Retreats (UK, Italy, Spain)
For: Women who love books, good wine and the occasional Roman ruin
Held in storybook locales like Seville, Sicily and the UK’s Peak District, these reading retreats are part literary escape, part girlfriend getaway. Think structured book chats, curated excursions and plenty of time for lounging with a paperback and a glass of local vino. You’ll come for the book club vibes, stay for the soul-nourishing sisterhood.
3. Enchanted Book Club Literary Tours (UK, Canada)
For: Readers who want to step into their favorite novels—literally
The Enchanted Book Club leads dreamy literary tours to spots including the English countryside, Anne of Green Gables’ Prince Edward Island and even Louisa May Alcott’s Orchard House.
These immersive experiences are for the romantics, the nostalgic and anyone who wants to walk where their favorite characters once “lived.” Bonus: You’ll be surrounded by fellow book nerds who totally get your obsession with vintage hardcovers.
4. The British Book Club Tour (UK)
For: Literature lovers looking to fangirl in real life
This 10-day tour is basically a highlight reel of the UK’s greatest literary hits. You’ll visit the homes of Shakespeare, Austen, the Brontës and Beatrix Potter while geeking out with fellow bookworms who packed way too many notebooks. It’s the ultimate pilgrimage for Anglophiles who like their vacations with a side of literary trivia and very charming tearooms.
5. Imagine Greece Reading Retreats (Amorgos, Greece)
For: Fans of thrillers, feta and deep fiction dives
If your idea of bliss is reading a psychological thriller while overlooking the Aegean, this one’s for you. Imagine Greece hosts week-long retreats on the island of Amorgos, often featuring sessions with authors like J.D. Barker and Clare Mackintosh.
Between writing workshops and page-turning reads, you’ll squeeze in yoga, Greek feasts and the kind of sunsets that make you consider moving to a fishing village permanently.
6. Zibby Retreats (USA)
For: Book lovers who want to mix mingling with meaningful reads
Run by Zibby Owens (yes, the queen of the book podcast world), these boutique hotel-based retreats mix author talks, bookstore hopping and curated reading time with a fun, relaxed vibe. It’s a literary sleepover for grown-ups, minus the awkward icebreakers, plus a lot of great wine and even better conversation.
7. John Shors Literary Tours (Global)
For: Readers eager to step into the pages of their favorite novels
John Shors, a bestselling author, leads intimate, all-inclusive literary tours to the very settings that inspired his books. From the temples of Angkor Wat to the streets of Paris, these journeys offer more than sightseeing. They are immersive experiences in the narratives that have captivated readers.
With groups averaging around ten guests, participants can expect meaningful discussions, cultural excursions and the opportunity to explore stories on and off the page.
Reading Retreats in a Digital World
One of the biggest draws of reading retreats is the built-in digital detox. Most encourage (or require) guests to unplug, leaving phones and laptops behind in favor of books, pen and paper, and human connection. It’s the rare vacation where “doing nothing” doesn’t come with guilt—but deep satisfaction.
In the end, reading retreats are less about checking things off and more about slowing down. They give you the kind of rest that’s actually restorative. The kind that doesn’t leave you needing another vacation when you return.
So if your idea of wellness includes whisper-quiet mornings, page-turning afternoons and the occasional literary epiphany—consider this your official sign to book a reading retreat. Your brain (and your burnout) will thank you.
Snapshot Summary
Reading retreats are emerging as an antidote to high-intensity wellness trends—swapping cardio and cold plunges for books and quiet time. These literary escapes offer guilt-free relaxation with science-backed benefits: reduced stress, better sleep and improved empathy. From cozy American hideaways to European literary tours, options abound for every bookworm. Digital detoxing comes standard as guests trade notifications for narratives, finding the kind of deep rest that actually works.
About Vacayou
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