The Reading Collection
Reading Retreats: Slow Travel for Book Lovers
A reading retreat is a small-group trip built around books, and a whole lot more: a shared read before you go and book club conversations along the way, plus walks, markets, long meals, and time to explore, with unhurried afternoons to read. Walk England’s Cotswold Way or settle into Morocco’s Ourika Valley, and we take care of the lodging, airport transfers, and every detail.
Mailed to Your Door
Before & During
Bath, Broadway & More
Why a reading retreat?
One night in Scotland, we went around the dinner table answering a single question: if you could choose one book that everyone in the world had to read, what would it be? That’s the kind of conversation our Reading Retreats are built around. Samantha and Deb, the co-founders of Book Club Salida, helped create and lead our Reading Retreat in New Mexico, and we’ve been building on it ever since.
When we plan one now, we look for bookshops worth browsing, somewhere beautiful to walk, and long afternoons with nothing on the schedule but your book. You don’t need to be a fast reader, or even finish the book. You just need to love a good story.
– Lindsay
What a day actually looks like
Every itinerary is different, and everything is optional. Here’s how most days on our Reading Retreats go.
Ourika Valley
Who you’ll read with.
Our Reading Retreats are led by educators, booksellers, and hosts who love a good conversation as much as a good book.
Samantha Bahn
Bookstore Owner & Co-founder, Book Club Salida
Samantha spent more than 15 years as a public school educator and once worked as a whitewater rafting guide. She owns an independent bookstore and co-founded Book Club Salida.
Deb Bass O’Brien
Educator & Co-founder, Book Club Salida
With nearly 20 years as an educator, Deb loves the conversations a great book sparks. As co-founder of Book Club Salida, she curates reading lists and hosts literary events.
Amy Heinemann
Trip Host & Food Explorer
Amy is an avid traveler who loves hiking, food, and architecture. Since leaving her corporate job in NYC, she has traveled the world and visited 142 countries.
Brittany Mora
Pilates Reformer Instructor & Away Host
Brittany founded Silver Shuffles, a movement company in Raleigh, North Carolina, and teaches Pilates Reformer. A returning Away host, she loves experiencing new places at a slower pace.
Pick your dates.
Every Reading Retreat open for booking, soonest first. New dates show up here as soon as they’re announced.
Retreat
Collection
Destination
Dates
From
New Reading Retreats are on the way. Get first word in Lindsay’s Sunday email, or book a call to hear what’s coming.
Get first word on the next Reading Retreat.
We announce new Reading Retreats first in our Sunday email, Sundays from Somewhere. Every Reading Retreat includes a book mailed to you before the trip, airport transfers, lodging, and the group activities, in a small group.
What it’s really like.
“Deb and Samantha facilitated this nice balance and accommodated every whim and suggestion that anyone had. How lucky were all the participants? Great weekend!!”
– Barb T., New Mexico 2026
Stories from past guests
Real stories from people who have traveled with us, in their own words.
Reading Retreat FAQ
“Away Retreats plans and executes wonderful getaways, freeing the participants to be fully immersed in the experience without having to worry about logistics. Beautiful locations, wonderful leaders, and great service.”
– Melanie K., Away Retreats guest
Cotswold Way
Find your kind of retreat
Six ways to travel with us, all with small groups, a menu of choices, and every detail handled.
Not sure which retreat fits? Ask our team.
A quick call to talk through dates, rooms, and what each retreat feels like day to day. No pressure, ever.