Turn the Page: Why Book Lovers Should Try a Literary Travel Retreat
In time, I realised that my most lasting memories weren’t of landmarks, but of quieter moments reading a story shaped by the culture around me and seeing a place through the eyes of those who had written about it.
Those books became a way of understanding each destination beyond its surface: its moods, its history, its people.
That realisation is what led me to create Nomad Book Club retreats: the kind of journey I had always wanted to take myself.
Travel Designed Around a Shared Love of Books
I wanted to design a retreat where books weren’t just something you read to pass the time on a plane or by the pool, but part of how you experienced a destination. Each retreat is based in a place with a strong literary identity, from Istanbul to Edinburgh, and the days are shaped around that.
We visit independent bookshops, attend local literary events, and take walking tours that connect the streets to the stories written about them.
Sometimes that means exploring famous landmarks linked to authors from the past (like a tour of Anne Hathaway’s cottage in Stratford-upon-Avon); other times it means meeting contemporary writers who are shaping the city’s creative life now (such as the Casa Poética workshop in Madrid, run by local poet, Irene Torra).
That balance is important, because it shows how literature continues to evolve within a place.
“Visiting amazing bookstores, participating in a poetry workshop, and spending quality time with other literature lovers—experiencing the city in this way—is one of the most enriching experiences I’ve ever had.” – Laura, retreat attendee
A Community Without the Pressure
One of the things I love most about these retreats is the people they attract. Everyone arrives with a shared interest in books, which instantly makes conversation easier. You don’t have to search for small talk when you can ask what someone’s reading or which bookshop they’ve loved most so far.
There are small group dinners, relaxed evening activities, and we offer plenty of chances to explore together, but there’s also freedom to step back when you want to.
I wanted the retreats to feel social without being intense; welcoming for both outgoing travellers and bookish introverts who are happier with a novel and a quiet table in a café for an afternoon.
So much travel is about constant movement, but reading needs stillness. If you want to join everything, you can. If you want to spend an afternoon reading in a park or café instead, that’s just as valid.
Some retreats even build this contrast into their structure, pairing literary cities with quieter landscapes. For example, our upcoming Türkiye retreat is split into two chapters: a cultural and literary tour of Istanbul, followed by relaxation and uninterrupted reading time in Cappadocia. There are options to join one chapter, or both.
It’s about finding a rhythm between exploration and pause.
“I left the weekend feeling inspired, fulfilled, and grateful for the conversations and connections formed along the way. Highly recommended for anyone who loves books, travel, and meaningful cultural experiences.” – Sandhya, retreat attendee
Why This Kind of Travel Matters to Me
Nomad Book Club retreats grew out of a desire to travel more thoughtfully. They’re about connection: to books, to places, and to people you might never have met otherwise. Guests often leave with new friendships, longer reading lists, and memories shaped as much by conversation as by scenery.
For me, literature adds another layer to travel. It slows you down. It gives context. And it creates a natural way to engage with a place that goes beyond the usual sightseeing.
“Not only I could remember the book more deeply and longer thanks to that experience, I’ve also enjoyed forming meaningful connections and having deeper conversations that only books can facilitate. I highly recommend joining this Nomad Book Club whenever you can!” – Yeji, Nomad Book Club member
A Soft Invitation
If you’re someone who travels with a book in your bag, who enjoys meandering independent bookshops as much as exploring famous landmarks, and who likes the idea of discovering a destination through its literary culture, a Nomad Book Club retreat is a natural fit.
We’re about slowing down, reading deeply, and sharing the experience with others who love stories just as much as you do.
See the upcoming calendar of Nomad Book Club retreats here and be sure to subscribe to the newsletter to hear about new destinations as they’re announced.
Author Bio
Guest- writer, Amy Poulton is a self-described Page Traveller: an explorer of both real and fictional worlds. She began her book and travel blog in 2015 and now hosts Nomad Book Club and its literary reading retreats. Amy travels full-time as a digital nomad with her partner and their cat, Spiru.
Images – Amy Poulton
