What if your next vacation came with absolutely no pressure to do anything at all? That's the appeal of reading retreats. They’re a growing travel trend that gives book lovers an excuse to get away from their everyday responsibilities and spend some uninterrupted time with a good story.

And, with a recent surge in interest, it seems more people are discovering the pleasure of planning a holiday around their favorite pastime.

What Is a Reading Retreat?

A reading retreat is a vacation built around your books, usually somewhere peaceful and comfortable. Some are organized group getaways where fellow readers spend a weekend together. Others are independent trips where the only real plan is to catch up on a growing pile of unread books.

Organized retreats might include:

• Quiet periods for reading whatever you like

• Informal book discussions with fellow guests

• Visits to independent bookstores

• Meals and social gatherings

• Optional activities such as walks or yoga

The beauty of the arrangement is that there's no homework. You don't have to read the same book as everyone else, and nobody expects a literary analysis over breakfast.

Reading Retreats Are Having Quite a Moment

This isn't simply a charming idea dreamed up by a few enthusiastic book clubs. According to Expedia's 2026 travel research, 91% of travelers expressed interest in vacations centered on reading, relaxation, and spending time with their loved ones. Pinterest searches for book club retreats also increased by 265%. Vrbo also reported that reading-related phrases in guest reviews had nearly tripled around the world.

More recently, BookRetreats.com found that U.S. searches for reading retreats had increased 135% in the last year. It's worth noting that these figures measure interest and online activity, rather than the number of retreats booked. Still, they suggest that books are becoming an increasingly popular part of vacation planning.

Why Are People Choosing Books Over Busy Itineraries?

For many of us, vacations have become surprisingly exhausting. We spend months looking forward to a trip, only to fill every available hour with activities. By the time we return home, we might need another vacation. Reading retreats offer a different approach, especially as there's also a growing appetite for quieter travel, or slow travel. 

In its 2026 Trends Report, Hilton found that 56% of surveyed travelers identified rest and relaxation as their main reason for taking a leisure trip. The same report found that 53% were interested in attending a reading retreat.

Books also provide a lovely way to connect with people. We might arrive without knowing anyone, but find that someone else loves our favorite author.

Where Are People Going to Read?

Reading retreats are popping up in some beautiful locations. The Bad Bitch Book Club has organized retreats across the United States, while Slow Travel Co. introduced book-centered trips to destinations like Costa Rica, England, and Italy.

Some retreats combine reading with local excursions, while others prioritize long stretches of uninterrupted quiet. And there's no need to spend a fortune on an organized trip. A weekend in a cozy rental, a quiet seaside hotel, or even a nearby country cottage could make a wonderful DIY reading retreat.

A Vacation With No Pressure to Finish the Book

The nicest thing about this trend is that there's no particular achievement waiting at the end. We don't need to finish five novels or return home with an impressive reading list. We can simply enjoy having time for something we love, without squeezing it between all our usual responsibilities.

And if we spend an entire afternoon reading the same chapter because we keep stopping to admire the view? Well, that sounds like a pretty successful vacation to us.

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