Somewhere between 6 AM alarms and ticking places off our bucket lists, we accidentally turned travel into work. Today, we go on trips to check off landmarks and capture scenic views, only to return home more exhausted than when we left. It’s time to break this cycle and enjoy a holiday built around relaxation rather than rushing to see every place we’ve dreamed of. Not that sightseeing isn’t important, but sometimes, simply taking time away from work for an activity you love is the best way to refresh your mind.
This is where the ‘readaway’ comes in, the ultimate slow-travel trend where the main event is undisturbed relaxation with a side of interesting stories and knowledge. This isn’t your ordinary staycation, but a much more intentional, dream-like way of being on a vacation where doing nothing is the main agenda. And the collective shift is real: Expedia’s 2026 travel data shows that a massive 91% of travellers are now looking for trips built around reading and downtime.
And no, you don’t have to go solo unless you want to. Reading has become the internet’s favourite aesthetic social activity, with Pinterest searches for ‘book club retreat idea’ shooting up. Here are 5 curated spots, from Himalayan escapes to local Mumbai nooks, to plan your first readaway:
1. The Himalayan Reading Retreat | Satkhol, Uttarakhand
Tucked in a quiet village, this multi-day sanctuary centers around long, uninterrupted reading blocks, golden mountain sunsets, and low-key evening book swaps with fellow readers.
2. Samskara & Samsara | Lansdowne, Uttarakhand
This pet-friendly spot in Lansdowne is basically built for slow days. Bring your dog, pack a thriller, and spend the entire afternoon reading in the pines with nowhere to be.
3. The Machan | Lonavala, Maharashtra
Imagine sitting on a private wooden deck over misty valleys, wrapped in a throw, losing yourself in a book with nothing but the sounds of nature surrounding you.
Already in Mumbai? You don’t need to travel far, these spots are made for you.
4. Kitaabghar Reading Room & Bookshop | Mumbai
Already in Mumbai? You don’t need to travel far, these spots are made for you. Tucked away from Mumbai’s chaos, this quiet space is designed strictly for focus. Mute your phone, pick a corner, and tune out the world for a few hours.
5. Kitab Khana | Fort, Mumbai
For an old-world, colonial-era escape right in South Mumbai, this iconic 150-year-old bookstore is unmatched. With its soaring ceilings, massive wooden bookshelves, and quiet nooks under warm lighting, it feels like stepping inside a private estate library.
At the end of the day, travel isn’t about collecting geographical flexes or filling every single hour on a spreadsheet. It’s simply about how much peace and head space you bring back home with you. So throw your favorite oversized sweater into a bag, clear that TBR (to-be-read) pile, and feel free to completely opt out of real life for a few days. Pack your bags, the rest of the world can easily wait until you reach the final chapter.
