Is a Reading Retreat the Next Yoga Retreat?
In the past couple years, a new kind of retreat has been popping up and it doesn't feature a spa or yoga, nor is it a creative writing getaway. Nope, it's a reading retreat and there's only one rule here: The reading room must be silent at all times. You don't even have to BYOB (bring your own book).
People all around the world are turning to reading retreats as the next form of ultimate relaxation. Cressida Downing and Sara Noel started their own Reading Retreat in the United Kingdom and have had great success with book worms from all over the world. Visitors pay about $600 for a three-night stay in one of their cozy accommodations, including all meals, a published author at each stay and a tailored reading prescription although guests are allowed and encouraged to bring any book they'd like.
The Reading Retreat is not like reading at home or going on vacation and reading in your hotel room. As one guest told the BBC: "This is about giving myself permission to prioritize my reading. If I stayed home, I'd always be thinking that I should be doing other things — seeing friends, writing, cleaning, knitting."
A 2014 study conducted in the UK reported that 41% of 25-39-year-olds were reading for pleasure less than they used to, and that nearly a quarter of adults in the UK hadn't read one book for pleasure in the previous year. Experts suggest that people are distracted by screens in the digital age — but don't fret, phones are allowed at the Reading Retreat, although the founders do encourage a digital detox and offer to confiscate phones and tablets upon arrival.
At the retreat, readers are encouraged to dive into their books whenever and wherever they like — even at the dinner table.
"Reading is not a passive thing," Downing told the BBC. "Reading is about engaging and connecting. And reading, as scientists have discovered, does wonderful things for your brain and longevity and health so really, we're probably better for you than a spa."
H/T: BBC News
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| 2X miles | 2 miles per dollar on every purchase |
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| 10X miles | 10 miles per dollar on hotels and rental cars booked through Capital One Business Travel |
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Earn 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200K miles when you spend $150K in the first 6 monthsLIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus milesAnnual Fee
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Why We Chose It
The Capital One Venture X Business Card has all the Capital One Venture X Rewards Credit Card has to offer and more. It offers an incredible welcome bonus and requires an equally impressive spend to qualify. In addition, the card comes with premium travel perks like annual travel credit. (Partner offer)Pros
- The Capital One Venture X business card has a very lucrative welcome offer.
- In addition, the card comes with many premium travel perks such as an annual $300 credit for bookings through Capital One Business Travel.
- Business owners are also able to add employee cards for free.
Cons
- The card requires significant spending to earn the welcome offer.
- Another drawback is that the annual travel credit can only be used on bookings made through Capital One Business Travel.
- LIMITED-TIME OFFER: Earn up to 400K bonus miles: 200K miles when you spend $30K in the first 3 months, and an additional 200k miles when you spend $150k in the first 6 months
- Earn unlimited 2X miles on every purchase, everywhere—with no limits or category restrictions
- Earn 10X miles on hotels and rental cars and 5X miles on flights and vacation rentals booked through Capital One Business Travel
- With no preset spending limit, enjoy big purchasing power that adapts so you can spend more and earn more rewards
- Empower your teams to make business purchases while earning rewards on their transactions, with free employee and virtual cards. Plus, automatically sync your transaction data with your accounting software and pay your vendors with ease
- Redeem your miles on flights, hotels and more. Plus, transfer your miles to any of the 15+ travel loyalty programs
- Every year, you'll get 10,000 bonus miles after your account anniversary date. Plus, receive an annual $300 credit for bookings made through Capital One Business Travel
- Receive up to a $120 credit for Global Entry or TSA PreCheck®. Enjoy access to 1,300+ airport lounges worldwide, including Capital One Lounge locations and Priority Pass™ lounges, after enrollment
- Enjoy a $100 experience credit and other premium benefits with every hotel and vacation rental booked from the Premier Collection
- This is a pay-in-full card, so your balance is due in full every month
- Top rated mobile app