I'm here because I believe every woman deserves time to nurture her passion for reading —in the most beautiful places on earth. Let me share the story of how a lifelong bookworm turned her passion for literature and luxury travel into retreats that nourish both the soul and the wanderlust within.
Welcome to Luxury Reading Retreats
Hello fellow book lover
In a world that never stops demanding your attention, we believe you deserve more than stolen moments with a book before falling asleep each night. Luxury Reading Retreats was born from a simple truth: women need time, away from emails, obligations, and the endless noise of daily life, to reconnect with the stories that inspire them. We create intimate escapes where accomplished women like you can finally exhale, turn off the notifications, and lose themselves in both captivating books and breathtaking destinations.
What sets us apart isn't just our hand-selected luxury accommodations or carefully curated experiences—it's our understanding that true luxury means permission to be fully present. Our small-group retreats honor both your time and your need for genuine connection, creating space for the deep conversations and personal reflection that busy, successful lives rarely allow. Because you've spent years taking care of everyone else's stories; now it's time to get lost in your own.
For women who've earned the right to slow down
Where Stories Come Alive in
Stunning Places
When you combine great books, great company, and great places, something magical happens; you remember the woman you are, not just who the world needs you to be.
We believe that the most transformative journeys happen when you have time to truly absorb both the stories on the page and the beauty around you. While other group travel experiences rush you from sight to sight, we create space for what matters most: uninterrupted reading time, genuine conversations with like-minded women, and the luxury of simply being present in extraordinary places.
Our retreats aren't just about stunning accommodations - though our hand-selected hotels are undeniably beautiful. They're about curating experiences that honor your need for both intellectual stimulation and personal renewal. We keep our groups intimate so every voice is heard, choose destinations that inspire wonder, and design each day to balance meaningful connection with the solitude you crave.
Why Travel With Us
- The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society
- The Shadow of the Wind
- One Night on the Island
- The Hotel Nantucket
- Whatever you do, don’t run - True tales of a Botswana Safari Guide
- A History of the world in 6 glasses
- Summer Island
My favorite books that inspire me to travel, in no particular order:
Mackenzie Peyser is the heart behind Luxury Reading Retreats, where her love of books, meeting fellow explorers, and beautifully curated travel come together in unforgettable ways. With over a decade of experience as a luxury travel advisor, she’s known for planning trips that feel like stepping into your favorite novel — full of inspiration, beauty, and time to truly unwind.
A lifelong bookworm and a big believer in the magic of slow travel, Mackenzie loves creating spaces for women to pause, gather, read, and reconnect with themselves (and each other) in stunning places around the world.
Mackenzie Peyser
Meet the founder
I was diagnosed with dyslexia in elementary school and struggled with letters and words for many years. But when it finally clicked, I remember reading Little House in the Big Woods and feeling truly transported for the first time. From that moment on, books became a doorway—into other worlds, into new ways of seeing, and into faraway places I longed to visit. Reading has been both my escape when I can’t travel, and my inspiration when I can. It’s that sense of wonder I now hope to share with others through Luxury Reading Retreats.
My love for reading had a slow beginning.
Who are equal parts energetic, hilarious, loving, and wildly creative – basically tiny humans who keep me on my toes and laughing daily. Watching their eyes light up when they experience a new place for the first time is pure magic; there's nothing quite like seeing their worldview expand with each adventure we take together.
I'm mom to two incredible daughters
When our family visited Newport Rhode Island and I toured The Breakers. One step into that Gilded Age mansion and I was completely hooked on grand estates and their stunning gardens. My retirement dream? Three months driving around England, getting deliciously lost in as many historic homes as humanly possible (National Trust, here I come!).
My fascination with historic homes started in 5th grade
Basked on the dreamy beaches of Bora Bora, tasted fresh olive oil in the hills of Greece, and watched the sun dip behind the rooftops of Rome. Yet, my favorite place in the world—the one that feels most like home—is Bethany Beach, Delaware. Every summer I’ve had the pleasure of visiting. Its small-town charm, gentle pace, and beloved local bookstore (a forever shoutout to Bethany Beach Books) are what ground me. It’s where I return when I want to reconnect with simplicity, nostalgia, and the slower rhythm I now help others find through my retreats.
I’ve wandered as far as New Zealand
But I'm all about the landscaping, not vegetables – I'm the woman who gets genuinely excited about planting something tiny and watching it transform over the years. My garden is home to four different varieties of hydrangeas because honestly, nothing beats those gorgeous, full blooms that come back bigger and more beautiful each season.
My mother passed down her love of gardening to me
Whether you're ready to pack your bags for our next retreat or simply want to stay connected with our community of book-loving travelers, we'd love to have you join us. Sign up for exclusive retreat announcements, literary travel inspiration, and early access to the adventures that await.
