What You Actually Do on a Reading Retreat (Hint: It’s Not Just Reading)

If you’ve ever heard the phrase “reading retreat” and pictured a silent room full of women politely turning pages for five straight days, I regret to inform you that is not what’s happening here.

Yes, there is reading. Plenty of it, actually. But there is also ziplining through the jungle, wine tasting in Tuscany, beautiful dinners, and the kind of travel days that don’t feel like you need a vacation after. So if you’re wondering what you actually do on a reading retreat, here’s a real look behind the scenes.

First, Let’s Clear Something Up: There Is No Assigned Reading

This might be the biggest surprise to people. There is no required book when you attend a Slow Travel Co. Reading Retreat. No discussion questions. No pop quizzes. No one is asking you what the symbolism meant.

You bring whatever you want to read. Romance, thrillers, self-help, fantasy, the book that’s been sitting on your nightstand for six months. All of it counts.

The only shared book moment is our opening night book exchange, where everyone brings a favorite read, shares why they loved it, and leaves with a new book from someone else. It’s low pressure and always ends with people adding five more books to their “to read” list.

A Typical Day on a Reading Retreat

No two days look exactly the same, but the rhythm is intentionally slow and spacious. We plan our days to be flexible and choose your own adventure, but with lots of opportunities to take in the

Mornings: Coffee, Quiet, and a Good Book

Mornings are usually slow. Coffee in hand, maybe still in pajamas, finding your favorite spot in the villa. Some people read by the pool. Some curl up on a couch. Some participate in the optional group yoga. Some sit outside pretending they’re the main character in a Nancy Meyers movie. No one is rushing you out the door. And (typically) no early wake-up calls. Just time to ease into the day.

Midday: Explore or Keep Reading

This is where the balance comes in. Depending on the destination, you might:

• Go ziplining through the jungle in Costa Rica

• Head out for a wine tasting in Tuscany

• Visit the Oxford Library in England

• Explore a nearby town or village

• Take a boat out on the water

• Or… stay back at the villa and keep reading

Yes, staying back is always a valid option. This isn’t a trip where you feel like you have to do everything. It’s a trip where you get to choose what feels good that day.

Afternoons: Downtime in a Beautiful Place

Afternoons are where the magic really happens. You’re back at the villa. The sun is out. Maybe someone’s in the pool. Someone else is halfway through a book they started that morning. Another person is napping, which is also a completely acceptable activity.

Evenings: Food, Conversation, and “Just One More Chapter”

Evenings are a mix of chef-prepared dinners at the villa and nights out at local restaurants. The chef nights are always a highlight. You show up, sit down, and enjoy incredible food without thinking about a single detail. It feels a little luxurious, a little indulgent, and exactly like what vacation should be.

And then there are the conversations. The kind that happen when a group of women who were strangers a few days ago are suddenly sharing travel stories, book recommendations, and life updates like old friends.

After dinner, some people keep talking. Some go back to their books. Some do both.

The Balance: Reading and Real Life

The best way to describe a reading retreat is this: It’s not about escaping your life. It’s about stepping into a version of it that feels a little more relaxed, a little more intentional, and a lot more enjoyable.

You’re not just reading. You’re:

• Traveling somewhere beautiful

• Trying new experiences

• Meeting new people

• Giving yourself actual time to rest

And yes, you might finish two or three books while you’re at it.

Who Reading Retreats Are Actually For

Reading retreats are perfect for women who:

• Love to read but never seem to have the time

• Want to travel solo without feeling alone

• Are tired of trips that feel rushed or overplanned

• Want a mix of relaxation and light adventure

• Like the idea of meeting new people without forced interaction

You don’t have to be a “serious reader.” You just have to want a few days where reading is not something you squeeze in, but something you can build your day around.

So… What Do You Actually Do?

You read. You explore. You eat really well. You rest. You laugh with people you just met. You maybe do something slightly out of your comfort zone, like ziplining or traveling solo for the first time.

And at some point, usually halfway through the trip, you realize you haven’t checked your phone in hours. Maybe even days. That’s when you know it’s working.

Ready to Experience It for Yourself?

If you’ve been craving a trip that feels slower, easier, and actually enjoyable while you’re in it, a reading retreat might be exactly what you’re looking for.

Explore upcoming Reading Retreats with Slow Travel Co. and find your next destination to read, rest, and travel differently.