I love to visit the coast of Maine and I know all the greatest lobster shacks that serve fabulous chowder. I have never thought of taking a book and just soaking up the peaceful atmosphere while reading--I have always thought I needed to keep moving and see everything I can possibly cram into a week. Now, I will go in late September and take my Kindle. If the breeze is off the ocean I won't even have to swat bugs and the wind won't blow my Kindle's pages ;-)

Bliss, indeed.

It was not meant to be a reading retreat but I booked myself and husband into a Country House Hotel in Scotland as he had to attend a meeting nearby. It was off season, cold and wet and we had the place to ourselves. I spent the weekend curled up in the sitting room reading by a roaring fire. The manager brought me thick roast beef sandwiches and pots of tea as I did not want to rattle around in the dining room at lunch time. I sometimes 'think' myself back there. It was so comfortable and relaxing.

mudlady, we learned this lesson about 5 years ago in ME. Sitting on the Inn's porch, a clear blue day, the Bay visible in the distance, I looked at my husband and said, "I'm getting my book and sitting here for the morning." I had forgotten that one could sit and do nothing on vacation as well as gad about. These days, the books we choose to pack are as important as cool-weather, warm-weather clothing choices. We often choose the weekend to go by when the room with the fireplace and the two easy chairs is available. Although we are just as happy to sit in front of the fireplaces in the common rooms as well. While there are no rules, we have learned if we just say "Hello" and go back to our books, the other guest(s) sigh with relief and sit down and open their books as well.

A reading retreat sounds like a perfect vacation. I can see it now - a cozy cabin in the mountains with a nearby stream and wonderful views. Not another dwelling in sight. Settled into a comfy, cushioned porch swing or oversized chair with a stack of books to choose from and my dogs running around playing (by themselves, not wanting me to throw something). Spring or fall, new green growth and wildflowers, or gold and red leaves. While I'm at it, how about a vineyard and/or apple orchard nearby for a short daytrip. Bring my finds back and enjoy with another book. Actually there are lots of rental cabin places in the Blue Ridge Mountains and Appalachians (No App. Trail hut please) and a few state and National Forests that have camping, cabins, lodges. Maybe next year when I still have vacation time left... A girl can dream :)

When DH and I were first married, 34+ years ago, vacations were an issue-because I see nothing wrong with traveling far and paying $$ to get there and then...sitting down and reading for a solid week. He feels like if we went to the expense and trouble to get somewhere new, (because he is not a 'go to the same place every summer' kind of guy) all of the brief time there should be spent out and about, learning about the place and experiencing the differences. I call it "bumblebee in a jar syndrome"-the hotel/inn/rental cottage being the jar. "You can read at home..." He also felt guilty if he went off by himself to do something, feeling like I was being cheated because we should be together on vacation every minute, sharing the experience. I shudder at the very thought. I need alone time.
I still have only gotten one semi-vacation where I sat and read the whole blessed time, but he is now content to either sit and read a newspaper and magazine with me for an hour or so, or go off to a game or a hike or a mountain-climbing expedition or some other ridiculously active activity and leave me behind. We plan out a nice blend of "see and do" and downtime.
But I would still like a week someplace where I didn't have to clean or cook or dress up and there were multiple places indoors and outside to sit and read. Not having to talk beyond a murmured meal order or "thank you" would be heavenly as well. And above all, quiet. No radio, tv, phones...birdsong would be okay. And water. And breeze. Even rain.
I need a vacation.

I have done this many times, both alone and with someone. It has not always made me very popular, let me tell you! Most memorable was a ski vacation in my single days with several other women. After two days of skiing and spending the evening in bars playing the single scene, I announced that I was going to enjoy the truly lovely house we had rented, build a fire, listen to music (classical and jazz), read a book, drink tea or wine depending on my fancy. My announcement was met with cries of incredulity and some real animosity. I didn't think it would matter as there were five of us and I wasn't leaving anyone high and dry. There are some, I discovered, who cannot bear the idea that someone might assert individuality. I stayed in very contentedly the rest of the week, relaxing in my own way after a long day on the slopes. I remember it quite fondly; I wonder how the others remember it?

Now in my aged state, I always insert rest days into whatever strenuous activity I have planned, either home or away. And I feel you can learn just as much about a culture talking to the cleaning staff or the gardener if you go about it respectfully and naturally.

Riding bicycles and scuba diving are quite fun too of course!

CeCe, "But I would still like a week someplace where I didn't have to clean or cook or dress up and there were multiple places indoors and outside to sit and read. Not having to talk beyond a murmured meal order or "thank you" would be heavenly as well. And above all, quiet. No radio, tv, phones...birdsong would be okay. And water. And breeze. Even rain. I need a vacation." Might I suggest a cruise ship on a line targeting adults? They even have on-board libraries with the latest books. And internet access to let us all know what you are reading.

Rented a lake house once with an actual library nook. Two floors away from the noisy rec room. BIL spent the whole time there reading.

Siobhan, I would have thought you were crazy at that ski house, too. I've seen many moms who brought books to the lodge to read while the rest of the family skied, but never anyone who was a skier herself. I took Heart of Darkness to our ski house one winter and didn't touch it the entire season. Still, nothing quite as silent as a snow covered landscape, or as cozy as a fire in same.

Chris,
A cruise might tick some of the boxes, true! Not sure how quiet it would be. In my perfect world, though, it is a well-appointed, isolated cabin on a river or lake or cliff over the ocean. Staff of 3-chef, housekeeper, outdoor. And I am there all by myself. I am a natural hermit. Crowds of strangers make me twitchy.

Oh, I skied all day - more than anyone else actually. I just didn't care to hit the bars at night. Once or twice was okay, but not a whole week of barhopping. Interferes with skiing, actually.

You might want to check out Kripalu. Don't be put off by the yoga (or maybe you like yoga). You don't have to do anything. The rooms are quite spartan (except for the swank new building) but there are loads of common areas, quiet and perfect for reading with views to die for. Gorgeous grounds, ditto on the reading. Meals are buffet-style and absolutely stunningly wonderful. Everything is included, like a summer camp for adults. Lots of non-yoga activities, although you could just get a massage and then read until the next stupendous meal is served up.

I used to go there often but it is too pricy for me now.

Here is a link that might be useful: Kripalu

Siobhan - the Kripalu place looks lovely. Absolutely fantastic. Not sure I can swing the prices, but just the thought is relaxing...!

I remember a serious reading-choice mistake I made many years ago on a trip to Lucerne, Switzerland. For some pretentious reason I had with me The History of Printing (or some similar title). We were a group of four girls only two knew each other and those two planned their holiday around sleeping 'til lunchtime, a little light tourist stuff and the casino all night. The other girl and I ate all the meals provided, did a minimum of touristy things, took a lake steamer to William Tell's town and even climbed the local mountain. Thank God the young female hotel receptionist joined us or our bleached bones would be lying up there to this day, but hearing real alpen horns being played on the high alp at sunset is quite an experience (apparently it is a form of 'prayer' not unlike the Angelus being rung in Catholic countries).
I never did read more than about two pages of that very dry, dull book.

It can be funny what we take on holiday with us in our younger days. One day, coming back to England from a long year at univ in Texas, I only bought one book on the plane trip (HUGE error): the short stories of John Cheever. After just one or two stories, I had had enough of him and was reduced to whiling the time away by listening with those plastic headphones that the airplane company would give you for free and they (the head phones) were really uncomfortable and would try to meet in the middle of your head through your ears.

Ne'er again will that happen. (The one book on a long trip thing.)

I would try to make myself read a book I wasn't enthusiastic about, but felt I should read by taking it with me as the only book on airplanes. I get mildly motion sick on planes, not enough to feel distress, but enough to make me mildly dislike whatever it is I'm reading. I never wanted to chance that with I book I expect to enjoy.