The Rise of Reading Trips: Why Bookworms Are Packing Their Bags
Have you ever dreamed of escaping to a cozy cabin, beachside hammock, or boutique hotel room with nothing on your agenda but reading? You’re not alone. “Reading trips” are having a major moment and it’s a trend we’re fully here for.
Whether you’re traveling solo for a deep reset or gathering your book club for a girls’ weekend, these bookish getaways are turning pages and heads.
What’s a Reading Trip?
A reading trip is exactly what it sounds like: a getaway designed around the joy of uninterrupted reading. There’s no packed itinerary, no early wake-up tours — just you (and maybe your fellow readers), a stack of books, and a setting that invites stillness and imagination. It’s slow travel for the soul.
Why Are Reading Trips Trending?
Here are a few reasons more women are booking reading getaways:
- Post-pandemic need for quiet and unplugged escapes
After years of overstimulation, reading offers a low-tech, soul-soothing reset. - Rise of ‘cozy culture’ and romanticizing simple pleasures
Think: cottagecore, hygge, and a collective craving for comfort. - The #Readcation and #ReadingRetreat hashtags on TikTok and Instagram
Gen Z and millennials are showcasing picturesque getaways with book stacks and tea mugs — and it’s inspiring the rest of us. - Self-care redefined
More people are recognizing that rest doesn’t always mean spa days — it can mean diving into another world between the pages. - A growing female readership and the booming popularity of BookTok and Bookstagram
Fictional universes and female authors are at the center of a cultural wave, and many women want to savor these stories away from the noise of daily life.
Are Reading Trips for Solo Travelers or Groups?
The beauty of reading trips is that they work either way:
For Solo Travelers
Perfect for introspection, healing, and slowing down. No pressure, no small talk, it’s just you, your books, and a peaceful destination. Bonus: reading in cafés, libraries, or parks can help solo travelers feel grounded in new places.
For Girls’ Trips or Book Clubs
Some friend groups are skipping party weekends in favor of quiet retreats where everyone brings a few books, shares meals, and maybe even hosts a casual book chat in their pajamas. Reading + wine + no judgment? Sign us up.
Where to Go on a Reading Trip
Here are a few perfect settings:
- Cozy cabins in the mountains – Think Vermont, Asheville, or the Pacific Northwest.
- Charming European villages – The English countryside or a Parisian apartment with a view.
- Beachfront bungalows – Mexico, Hawaii, or Florida for sun-soaked chapters.
- Design-forward boutique hotels – Spots that feel inspiring even if you never leave the room.
- Literary cities – Edinburgh, Dublin, and New York all have strong bookstore and library scenes.
Tips for Planning Your Reading Trip
- Curate your reading stack intentionally – Mix in light reads, immersive fiction, or a memoir you’ve been meaning to dive into.
- Bring a reading journal or annotate your books – Reflecting deepens the experience.
- Choose accommodations that support the vibe – Comfy reading chairs, quiet ambiance, maybe even a fireplace.
- Don’t over-schedule – The whole point is to slow down.
- Pack eye drops, a cozy wrap, and snacks – Reading is a full-contact sport, after all.
Solo Vibe Tip
If you’re traveling alone, pair your reading time with solo meals at cafés or wine bars — they’re great places to feel surrounded without feeling overwhelmed.
Girls Trip Twist
Create a book exchange ritual: everyone brings a book they loved and swaps before the trip ends. It adds connection without pressure to “perform” the way other trips sometimes do.
Reading trips are about giving yourself permission to do nothing but read, rest, and reset. Whether you’re solo or with friends, it’s a powerful way to reconnect to stories, to yourself, and to the joy of slowing down.
So go ahead. Pack that TBR pile and just go solo (or not). Your next chapter starts here.