A memorable holiday today needs to offer more than just a bucket list destination or a stay at a luxury hotel. As personalisation and identity-driven travel have become bigger trends, seasoned travellers are gravitating towards specialised retreats in off-the-grid locations for an experience they can’t find elsewhere.

“Travel retreats have surged in popularity as affluent travellers increasingly seek purpose-driven, transformative experiences rather than simply a change of scenery,” explains Charlotte Harris, CEO of luxury travel agency, Charlotte Travel. “What we are seeing is a clear shift from traditional markers of luxury – such as hardware and status – towards experiences that feel deeply personal.”

Instead of the usual itinerary of restaurants and bars, heritage museums or luxury boutiques, these retreats are immersive experiences that foster communities and connection among like-minded individuals. While wellness initially dominated the space – think gut healing, menopause and even “rage” retreats – more recent offerings target niche themes or cater to specific hobbies and passions.

For those who enjoy creative pursuits like painting, drawing and writing, niche agency UpTrek organises artist-led and author-led retreats across Europe and in Morocco. At House of Rohet in Rajasthan, India, keen equestrians can enjoy multi-day horse safaris on the region’s prized Marwari horses, while Casa Lawa in Sicily hosts retreats that offer cheese- and pasta-making, or interior design lectures.

Also becoming popular are silent reading retreats. The Silent Book Club, which has more than 2,000 chapters in over 60 countries, has hosted retreats that combine peaceful reading time with fellow book lovers at locations including Costa Rica, Hawaii and Iceland.

While many of these retreats are organised by activity, others target specific groups. UK-based The Collective, which was founded by Claire Vero, hosts three to four retreats a year solely designed for female entrepreneurs at locations including Mallorca and the Cotswolds. The itinerary can include everything from meditation to painting.

“Our retreats are designed for women with an interest in business so it’s a soft networking opportunity and a chance to meet like-minded women walking the same path. Many women are looking for a change in what they are doing, and our retreats give them a chance to reflect and think about it,” says Vero.

Off-the-beaten-track locations are also part of the lure. Shishi-Iwa House, a collection of houses in the mountain town of Karuizawa in Japan, launched its bespoke retreat programme in 2023 to complement its unique location among nature.

“We launched this because I saw a real gap in the market for something more soulful – what we’re offering is special, focused on nature, community and genuine human connection,” says Huy Hoang, founder of Shishi-Iwa House.