Imagine FINALLY reading your favourite books without distractions.
Escape to the Banks Peninsula
A cosy weekend away with other book nerds who get why you pack five books for a two-night stay.
You’ll read, you’ll rest, you’ll eat (LOTS), and you might cry about a fictional character - it’s all part of the retreat experience.
When? Friday, Aug 28 - Sunday, Aug 30 2026
Where? Banks Peninsula, Canterbury, New Zealand
Most people pack their holidays full of sightseeing, activities, and alarms.
Us readers? We’re dreaming of slow mornings, long chapters, belly-laugh conversations with fellow book lovers, and food so good it deserves a paragraph of its own.
Let me set the scene…
You pull into the driveway of a 140-year-old farmhouse and immediately feel your shoulders drop. The hills roll out in every direction, the air is crisp, and the fire in the living room is already burning.
As you unpack, you start to get excited about what the weekend holds. Pages devoured in cosy corners, conversations about fictional crushes and plot twists - it feels cosy and comfortable.
It’s exactly what you needed.
You can't help but feel spoilt, pampered, looked after, and truthfully? You know you deserve it. With every meal catered with homemade Italian dishes, lavish platters and delicious snacks, you can't remember the last time you ate so well (and didn’t lift a finger in the kitchen).
By the end of the weekend, you feel like you've been living someone else’s story.
You feel rested, restored, and travelling home with you are the memories that will be forever tucked inside the pages of another book you remember fondly. Not just because of the story, but because you chose to read it while choosing yourself.
AS SEEN IN
What is a reading retreat?
A reading retreat is a getaway for book lovers, like you and me.
We’re all juggling a million things and secretly wishing we had more time to read instead of… folding laundry.
A book retreat is an escape from all that: A weekend to slow down in a stunning setting, chat about your favourite reads with fellow book nerds, and indulge in authentic Italian food—right here in New Zealand.
For a whole weekend, there are no obligations and you can keep yourself busy with books (see what I did there? 😉) .
“If you're someone who struggles to shut the door on daily distractions and carve out precious time to truly immerse yourself in the pages of your favorite authors, this is your sanctuary.”
- E, retreat guest
When was the last time you did something just because it made you feel good?
Not because it was productive. Not because it ticked a box.
But simply because you wanted to curl up with a book, dream of fictional crushes, and feel completely at ease in your own skin?
What’s included:
Two nights of living in boutique accommodation that’s as cosy as your favourite novel (and twice as hard to leave).
Authentic Italian food, handmade with love from fresh, locally-sourced ingredients - just like Nonna would, if she hosted book retreats
Snackable treats designed to be enjoyed one-handed (because the other should never have to leave your page).
Fun non-alcoholic drinks - you’re welcome to bring your own alcoholic drinks to enjoy with dinner.
Welcome gifts curated for book lovers
The chance to meet fellow readers who get it and might just become lifelong book besties.
3 months of membership for BWB book club
…and a few other (literary) surprises!
Wait, there’s more.
Book fair
Swap, trade, and share your favourite reads with others at our own little book fair. Find hidden gems, make recommendations, and get some fresh books for free (‘cause new books are expensive).
Blind date with a book
Choose a book based on a brief description without knowing the title, author, or plot beforehand. It’s a great way to discover new books and step outside your comfort zone!
Device sitting service
Let me look after your phone so you can keep distractions (*uhm TikTok*) to a minimum. Enjoy a temporary break from the digital world knowing your device is safe and secure.
What our guests are saying:
ROOM OPTIONS
The Secret Garden (queen)
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Private queen room, downstairs, overlooking the garden.
Step inside and leave the world behind. This private queen room looks out onto the most beautiful sprawling garden - the kind that makes you want to wrap yourself in a blanket, crack open something slow and absorbing, and not emerge until Sunday.
Sorry, someone else has already snapped up this room! -
$2300 NZD - single occupancy only.
Sorry, someone else has already snapped up this room!
The Pemberley Suite (king)
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The entire top floor. King bed.
Grand, spacious, and considerably more charming than its first impression. The entire top floor is yours - a king bed, sweeping views, and the kind of room that makes you stand in the doorway for a moment just to take it in.
Sorry, someone else has already snapped up this room! -
$2600 NZD - single occupancy only.
Sorry, someone else has already snapped up this room!
The Milne room (twin)
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Twin room, two single beds, perfect for sharing.
Gentle, warm, and quietly wise — just like the bear himself. This twin room is made for the kind of reader who believes in slow mornings, good friendship, and the radical act of doing very little, very happily. Best shared with your own Piglet.
Only 1 available.
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$3000 NZD per room / $1500 per person.
This room is designed to share with your friend, sister, mum, cousin…If you’re looking for a roommate, send me an email at hello@busywithbooks.com - I'll play bookish matchmaker 🥰
The Baskerville room (twin)
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Twin room, two single beds, perfect for sharing.
For the reader who likes a little mystery with their downtime. Two single beds, one very atmospheric farmhouse, and enough rural silence to make you wonder what that noise was. Perfect for thriller readers, amateur detectives, and anyone who's ever read past midnight and immediately regretted it.
Only 1 available.
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$3000 NZD per room / $1500 per person.
This room is designed to share with your friend, sister, mum, cousin…If you’re looking for a roommate, send me an email at hello@busywithbooks.com - I'll play bookish matchmaker 🥰
Itinerary
The weekend is whatever you want it to be: All activities are encouraged, but nothing is mandatory.
Choose solitude or shared time with other readers.
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Arrive any time from 2pm (airport transfers are available as an optional add-on).
There’ll be welcome snacks (of course), a little bookish gift waiting for you, and I’ll give you a quick tour of the house.
After that? The place is yours.
That evening, we’ll gather for a delicious Italian-style dinner - a relaxed way to ease into the weekend and get to know each other. Don’t worry, no awkward icebreakers or forced fun facts. Pinky promise. -
Help yourself to a buffet-style breakfast whenever you’re ready to emerge from your reading cocoon.
The day is completely open to whatever you feel like doing: read in your favourite nook, take a walk, sneak in a nap, or dive into deep book chats with someone equally obsessed with fictional characters.
In the evening, dinner’s on again: homemade, hearty, and best shared. Or, if you’re deep into a story and don’t want to break the spell, you can have your meal delivered to your room. Zero judgement. -
Another help-yourself breakfast, then a gentle morning to soak up the last bit of retreat magic.
We’ll share a light lunch as our final meal together before it's time to grab the tissues & say goodbye to everyone.
Checkout is by 2pm.
Take a peek inside our last retreats!
When most of your life revolves around looking after others, let me look after you for a whole weekend.
Hi, I’m Hanna!
Originally from the north of Italy, I am your reading retreat host!
Busy With Books was born out of a simple idea: what if reading could be the centrepiece of connection, self-care, and joy?
Through in-person reading retreats and a cosy online book club, I’m creating spaces where book lovers can slow down, switch off, and finally read without interruption - or guilt.
And because I grew up in an Italian family where food was love, you’ll always find a good meal (or a delicious recipe) as part of the experience ❤️
FAQs
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No, you will need to make your own travel arrangements. Christchurch airport is a 1.5h drive from our accommodation and offers flights from all over New Zealand (and internationally). Airport transfers are available as an optional add-on, you can indicate this in your guest form after booking.
We'll also have plenty of parking available if you choose to travel by car.
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You're free to read WHATEVER books you want, we don't discriminate.
While I don't dictate which books you read, I will be bringing along some of my favourites in case you don't want to decide or run out of books to read.
We'll also have our own little book fair, so bring any old books you want to swap with others!
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Nope, and that's fully on purpose. This is a time (and space) for you to do whatever you want. If that means staying in your room in your PJs all day, go for it!
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While I do my best to accommodate dietary needs, I can’t guarantee an allergen-free environment, as the kitchen isn’t exclusively under my control. I am not able to cater for a gluten-free diet at this stage. I can cater for vegetarians or vegans.
If you have specific dietary requirements, please email me at hello@busywithbooks.com before booking. -
Not much, really!
Comfy clothes, books (obviously), maybe a water bottle to stay hydrated? The rest will be provided by me, including main meals, snacks, non-alcoholic drinks, linen, and towels. If you want to go for a walk, bring a jacket and good shoes.
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Absolutely not.
This is a weekend for you to relax and unwind without distractions: no stopping to prepare meals, cleaning up after other people or taking care of other everyday chores.
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This retreat is designed for women and anyone who identifies as female or non-binary. We welcome LGBTQ+ guests and aim to create a safe, supportive, and inclusive space for everyone.
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We welcome all book lovers aged 18 and above.
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This retreat is a solo adventure! We don’t allow couples because we want to create a relaxed, social space where you can fully unwind, meet fellow book lovers, and maybe even make a new bookish bestie. It’s a weekend just for you!
So…are you coming?
STALK ME ON INSTA
