Mesmerized in Morocco Yoga Retreat

INCLUDES

7 nights in a massive seaside Castle turned Riad

Traditional breakfast daily on the rooftop with seaviews

Three delicious dinners at our Riad including local wines from Mogador*

Yoga classes and workshops as per the Itinerary

Grounding circle with mint tea & cookies

Henna designs on hands and feet

Argan Farm excursion with lunch included

Countryside Spa day with traditional hamman body scrub, one hour massage with local argan oil and lunch

Guided group adventure into Marrakech to explore the pulse of the country; includes trip to the famous Marjorelle Gardens of Yves Saint Laurent, a visit to the famous Ben Yousself Koran School, and free time for shopping; fabulous dinner included in Marrakech

Cooking class of traditional dishes with a guided adventure to the spice market for shopping; lunch included

A free day to explore as you wish

Camel ride along the secluded coastline with Mogador island as our backdrop

All local taxes

*Water and two glasses of wine are included in dinners together. Anything more is on your own.

What’s not included :

Airfare & Airport Transfers
Alcohol beyond 2 glasses included with dinners together, bottled water
3 lunches & 2 dinners on your own
Travel insurance
Extras
Staff Gratuities (suggested between $70-100usd for the incredible staff)

Flight options to arrive into Essaouira-Mogador airport (ESU), Marrakech Menara (RAK) airport or Casablanca’s Mohammed V International (CMN) are all available to you. We can arrange transfers and potentially pair those arriving at similar times. Please forward along your flights once you have them to see about the possibilities. Please review our Travel Tips Guide below for more.

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Mesmerized in Morocco Yoga Retreat

ITINERARY*

DAY ONE

Arrival & Settle-in**
3:00pm Riad check-in
5pm Grounding circle & opening stretch
6:30pm Henna designs on hands and feet with Moroccan cookies and mint tea
8pm Dinner together as a group

DAY TWO

7:30am Coffee, tea & fruit available
8:30-9:45am Mindful Flow Yoga Practice
10am Breakfast
11:30am Group outing to explore the Ramparts, the souks and the Medina
1pm Lunch together at a local Argan Farm; Argan oil production demo and farm walk
6:30-7:30pm Gentle Yoga
Dinner on your own

DAY THREE

7:30am Coffee, tea & fruit available
8:30-9:45am Mindful Flow Yoga Practice
10am Breakfast
11am Countryside Spa Day : Enjoy a traditional Hammam black soap body scrub with eucalyptus followed by a body mask made from local plants and herbs. A one hour relaxing massage with argan oil to follow. A lovely BBQ lunch will be enjoyed poolside at the Country Club, all included*.
6:30-7:30pm Gentle flow
8pm Dinner together as a group at the riad

**Please note half the group will enjoy the cooking class on this day and come to the spa on Day Four as to optimize space and our time.

DAY FOUR

7:30am Coffee, tea & fruit available
8:30-9:45am Mindful Flow Yoga Practice
10am Breakfast
11am – 5pm Traditional Moroccan Cuisine Cooking Class & Market tour w/ lunch of our labors
6:30 -7:30pm Specialty afternoon workshop
Dinner on your own

**Please note half the group will enjoy the Countryside Spa on this day and come to the cooking class on Day Three as to optimize space and our time. 

DAY FIVE

7:30am Breakfast
8:30am Group outing to the pulse of the country, Marrakech. Personalized tour with local guide to the famous Marjorelle Gardens owned by the late Yves Saint Laurent, we will enjoy lunch in the gardens (on your own) then head to the Ben Youssef Madrasa Islamic College to see an incredible sample of Moroccan architecture. We will walk through the back-alley souks where the artisans of Marrakech are busy at work dying yard, welding metal, cutting leather, and hammering out lanterns. A real insider’s visit to the best shopping the souks has to offer. We will break to do some shopping on our own and meet in the famous Jemaa el Fnaa square at 6:45pm to head to an amazing dinner on a rooftop overlooking the city. Fabulous dinner included.
9:30pm Return to Essaouira

DAY SIX

7:30am Coffee, tea & fruit available
8:30-9:45am Mindful Flow Yoga Practice
10am Breakfast
11am-7pm Free time to explore as you wish; lunch on your own. Take a kite lesson, visit a local argan oil producer, enjoy quiet beach or pool time, or check out the amazing shopping in the Medina.  Make sure to catch some live music as that is one of the amazing things that Essaouria is known for by night!
Dinner on your own

DAY SEVEN

7:30am Coffee, tea & fruit available
8:30-9:45am Mindful Flow Yoga Practice
10am Breakfast
12pm-3pm Camel rides on the beach
Lunch on your own back in town; Free time to explore as you wish; last minute shopping and exploring
6:30-8pm Gentle flow evening practice & Closing Circle
8:30pm Farewell Dinner together as a group

DAY EIGHT

7:30am Coffee, tea & Breakfast available
Departure Day***

*This itinerary is subject to adjustments, changes in times, locations, or activities as the retreat leaders and hosts see fit. Any change will be on par with our standards or an upgrade in services or location making for an even more amazing experience for the group and our guests. Thank you in advance for your flexibility and cooperation if any situation were to arise.

**Please plan to sleep well on the plane or arrive a day or two early in order to acclimate yourself to the change in time. If you will stay in Marrakech for a few days upon arrival we recommend staying at Chambre d’amis in the Medina. We love it!

***We will pair those arriving and departing at similar times in shared cars for an additional cost if you like. Please send along your flight details if you are interested in this service.

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Mesmerized in Morocco Yoga Retreat

Accommodations

Accommodations at one of the best locations in all of Essaouira for exploring the souks, ramparts, nightlife and fishing port. Located in the heart of the Medina in the former residence of Mogador notables, our hotel has kept its architectural heritage and friendly premise intact. Not to mention Villa Maroc has been featured in Vogue, Maison, Elle, and many other publications for its style and charm.

Essaouira as a city is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage site. This Atlantic castle is our home for the week offering many nooks and crannies for escape to the roof to read, enjoy a glass of wine by the fire, or take a spa service in the hammam downstairs.

Room styles vary including fireplaces, terraces, and seaviews depending on your choice. We are offering Shared Double and Triple rooms as well as Private Suites and Economy Rooms. All accommodations are unique and charming with special details and gorgeous furnishings.

All rooms have private bathrooms en-suite, some with showers and some with bathtub/shower combo. Come explore this lovely property with us in the charming seaside town of Essaouira!

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Mesmerized in Morocco Yoga Retreat

Pricing

SHARED DOUBLE SUITES

Shared Double rooms have 2 twin beds, ensuite bathroom, and adorable details. Each room in the hotel is unique.
These photos represent the room type you are booking.

$3,865usd per person

PRIVATE SUPERIOR ROOM

1 Queen bed, sitting area, ensuite bathroom, and charming details. Each room in the hotel is unique.
These photos represent the room type you are booking.

$4,375usd private

$3,745usd per person shared bed*

PRIVATE ECONOMY ROOM

1 Queen bed, ensuite bathroom, charming details. Each room in the hotel is unique.
These photos represent the room type you are booking.

$4,155usd private

$3,635usd per person shared bed*

* You must provide your bedmate for these options.

We will pair single travelers together looking to share a room. Roommates should book their accommodations together. There will be plenty of space for alone time around the riad during the retreat. It is a larger property with several different sitting areas both indoors and out. If you are 3 people looking to share a triple room please let us know so we can accommodate you together.

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Mesmerized in Morocco Yoga Retreat

Reservations :

MAKE YOUR DEPOSIT HERE :

Deposits of $1,000usd are due to secure your space in the retreat. Please check availability with us for accommodations before making your deposit.

Roommates should book together. If you would like to share a room and do not have a roommate we will provide one for you if possible. In the case that there is no one to share a room we ask that you take a private room instead.

Please use the form below to submit your deposit.

Contact Us to Reserve

BALANCE PAYMENTS :

The balance of your retreat (minus your $1,000usd initial deposit*) is due 90 days prior to arrival. All details with instructions for settling up will be emailed to you three months prior to the retreat.

In addition to credit card payments we also accept wire transfers, Zelle and Bitcoin. Please inquire for more details.

POLICIES

CANCELLATION POLICY

All payments are 100% non refundable and non-transferable. We recommend that you buy Trip cancellation insurance immediately upon making your initial deposit to cover any travel hiccups or complications that may arise between now and the time of your retreat. No exceptions are possible so please cover your trip by connecting with an insurance company that offers the right policy for you. Agents are available online to help with your specific needs. Cover your retreat here!

CLIENT RESPONSIBILITY

The acceptance of a verbal or written confirmation from YOGA & ADVENTURES WORLDWIDE (Y&AWW) constitutes your acceptance of the terms and conditions listed herein. Participants are responsible to be adequately insured, therefore Traveler’s Insurance is strongly recommended*. Y&AWW and its staff assume no responsibility nor liability for any delay, loss, damage, injury or accident with regards to persons or property which may be caused by fault or negligence of any third party vendor. This includes hotels, transportation providers, and local operators participating in part for our services. Y&AWW shall be held harmless for any expense caused by injury or accident, to any participants as well as any loss or damage of personal items while on our tours. We reserve the right to make any changes to services and itineraries, with or without notice, which may become necessary.

Yoga & Adventures Worldwide, its affiliates, retreat facilitators, hotels, third party vendors, and tour providers, the ownership, or staff, of course, cannot be held responsible for events that are outside of our control. There are no refunds as per our cancellation policies. We highly recommend that all of our guests secure a quality travel insurance that will cover them for ANY event which may cause for a change of travel plans, or for ANY unfortunate event including but of course not limited to:

– Transportation delays, cancellations or changes due to strikes, labor disputes, or lockouts from airlines, boats, ferries or any type of transportation.
– Any inconvenience or complication caused by bad weather, storms, and hurricanes : a direct hit, near miss, or significant threat of a hurricane strike
– Government/political actions, events or situations; threats or acts of terrorism, acts of war or declared war.
– Personal health issues or personal situations in general which may affect travel plans
– Any loss, theft or damage of personal items at any stage of your trip
– Any accident causing injury during any stage of your trip
– Travel restrictions or illness associated with COVID-19.

All travelers may join our retreats “at your own risk”, but should continue to take precautions such as wearing masks in public, avoiding crowds, maintaining social distance and washing hands frequently. Any Covid testing will be determined by the countries through which the traveler must pass. All testing requirements are at the travelers expense and are not included in our packages. Please stay up to date with current travel related requirements.

We require that you are covered with medical insurance while on retreat. Please check your health insurance policy regarding treatment outside your home country in the rare case you would need care while away from home. Most policies have coverage for emergencies and we ask that you submit proof of this coverage when prompted. If you do not have a policy that covers travel medical, we recommend that you speak with an agent to see what is best for you. Insubuy has many options for coverage.  Please consult with the agent to make sure the plan you choose covers medical care in the country you are visiting. We will ask for proof of medical insurance prior to the retreat.

By submitting payments toward your retreat you accept these Terms and Conditions.

If you have any questions regarding the details of this retreat please feel free to contact us to set up a call or to receive further info via email.

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Mesmerized in Morocco Yoga Retreat

Mesmerized in Morocco Yoga Retreat

Travel Tips Guide

WHAT TO WEAR,  WHAT TO BRING, WHAT TO KNOW…

DRESS :

Morocco is a progressive Muslim country with much respect and rights for women. You can see everything from full head-to-toe coverage to sheer wraps over bikinis in Morocco but the majority of foreign women wear skirts or capris, comfortable walking shoes, and a modest top. Try to stick with outfits that extend to the knee and cover the shoulders and collar bone. This type of dress will eliminate much of the unwanted attention you may receive based on appearance.

Weather :

In Essaouira, by the coast, the days are typically breezy and perfect. You can expect weather in the 70s/20C most days. It is possible that it rains during the Spring so if you have a little umbrella or light rain jacket consider bringing it along. Fall weather is usually relatively dry. Marrakech is considerably warmer so please dress accordingly on excursion day. Capris or loose fitting pants, long shorts and skirts are good options. Try to be a bit modest in your clothing like having at least a cap sleeve on your shirt. It’s more to avoid unwanted attention, that said, be comfortable and cool according to the weather. Spa day you will want your bathing suit to enjoy the pool and the sunshine. Camel day you might want longer pants like when you ride a horse. We will be riding on the beach so if the weather is chilly that day it will be cooler on the ride. Dress accordingly please. You can bring a wrap for your head from home or pick up one on the streets in Essaouira to look the part on the camels 😉 It also keeps you cooler and protects your neck from the sun! Our amazing camel whisperer Mustafa will hook you up with the proper look…he’s the best!

BRING :

Our Riad does NOT provide any yoga props so please bring your own mat (I find that folding mind in quarters and laying it at the bottom of my suitcase flat works quite well). Blocks, straps, and blankets will be improvised or you can bring your own if they are a pertinent part of your practice.

Feel free to bring a journal for capturing your thoughts or any art supplies to stretch your creative muscle in this very artistically inclined city.

Sunglasses, sun hat, good walking shoes, comfortable and appropriate clothing, yoga clothes, a bathing suit, as well as your camera are all good items to have with you.

A Universal Adaptor for plugs is necessary so please plan to bring one along for charging devices.  Morocco has European style 2 prong outlets.

Shopping is at every turn in Morocco so it may be a good idea to pack a collapsable yet sturdy duffle bag at the bottom of your large suitcase (leave space as well for extra goodies you’ll surely pick up!). I usually pack a smaller carry on with all my items for a trip then place it inside my empty larger suitcase to check PLUS the empty duffle bag inside it all (but i LOVE to shop when in Morocco)! If that is too much for you and you find yourself in need of a bag, one can be purchased in the souks to bring back home filled with your new treasures.

Other items that might come in handy to have on you are sunscreen, probiotics, anti-diarrhea meds (Moroccan food can be heavily spiced at times–better safe than sorry), vitamin C, and any medications and toiletries that might be hard to get outside your home country.

Money :

I typically bring along my ATM card on international trips and take money out of the local ATM. Make sure you have an app like XE currency converter downloaded so you can know how much you’re withdrawing. Please check for yourself but the exchange rate is typically around 1usd to 10 dirham to do a rough calculation. If you can’t get money from the airport upon landing you’ll be able to get it from the main square in Essaouira. There are 2 ATMS just around the corner from our riad where you can get cash as you need it. A lot of places will take a credit card for larger purchases like rugs and bags but many smaller souks or shopping stalls it’s better to have cash so you can negotiate your prices easier.

If you want to bring some Euro or USD with you to have some kind of cash on hand to exchange at the airport or a currency exchange place that is also not a terrible idea. Your bank can sell you Euro or you can order Moroccan Dirhams in advance and bring some with you to get started.

It’s very hard for us to tell you how much money you’ll need. It really depends on lots of things. There are some meals not included in the retreat package as well as airport transfers but those you can pay with your card at the hotel.

I do suggest you let your bank know you are traveling and all the countries you will be passing through so they don’t accidentally block your card.

Shopping :

Ohhhh Morocco! It’s our FAVE. I would definitely plan to have some extra space in your suitcase for bringing home some goodies from Morocco. I am a BIG shopper when I’m there so I bring an empty duffle bag as well to load up and check a 2nd bag on my way home. If you purchase a rug you can have them wrap it in a roll and they can check it just like that. Other items that you may find interesting to bring home. : spices, lanterns, shoes, argan oil, pottery, baskets, leather bags, overnight bags, poufs, amazing kaftans, oh the list goes on and on and on….have a blast!

Essaouira is where I like to buy my rugs and other items that I need more time to consider. Please note that there is less haggling for purchases in Essaouira as prices are a bit more fixed and the sales people are much more relaxed. Lynna will show you our favorite shops in Essaouira. Haggling is best left for Marrakech where, to me, the shopping is more intense and the sales are a bit more pressured though the souks are more varied and plentiful there! You will have some free time for shopping in Marrakech after our excursion activities end there and before dinner.

Tipping :

The staff at our Riad are amazing!! Most of them have been working there for more than 20 years. You will see the same faces all week and they will be doing everything they can to take great care of you. They will know your food allergies but you can help them in the beginning so they know who is who ; ) We usually collect tips before closing dinner and hand them over to the hotel manager as they distribute them to all staff involved at the end of the retreat. You will have a clean room daily, breakfasts and several dinners, spa day and the argan tour are also their properties and staff. We recommend a tip of around 600 dirham (the equivalent of around $60usd) to show your appreciation of the amazing service that Morocco is so well known for.

For your airport transfers, the drivers should be tipped directly. Dirham is preferred but they can exchange Euro or USD if that is all you have. We recommend around $10usd or 100 Dirham each way per person.

AIRLINE TICKET TIPS AND TRICKS :

1.  Each time you plan to search for flights you should ‘Clear Browsing Data’ from your device.  Google how to here. This deletes any previous searches from your computer so you get a fresh start with pricing out flights.

2.  There is a sweet spot for buying airline tickets 6 weeks before your trip on a Tuesday.

3.  Huffington Post also has these suggestions that might be helpful.

4.  I usually book my flights with Google Flights to find the best dates and rates for travel. I put an alert on the search so it keeps me updated via email when pricing is rising or falling. It’s a good way to keep an eye out and buy when the price is optimal.

PLEASE NOTE YOUR PASSPORT MUST BE VALID FOR 6 MONTHS AFTER YOU ARRIVE INTO THE COUNTRY. PLEASE DOUBLE CHECK YOUR EXPIRATION DATE PRIOR TO BOOKING.

Getting to, from, and around Morocco :

There are several options for arriving to Morocco by plane.

Typically the best choice is Marrakech’s Menara International Airport (RAK). There are many flights daily from major cities around the world. The airport is about 2.5 hours from Essaouira and you can take a bus, taxi on your own, or we can arrange a ride from the airport directly to the riad for you.

Essaouira-Mogador Airport (ESU) also has its own airport but flights can be significantly more expensive unless you are flying from London or another nearby European destination. If you do fly into Essa you can find a taxi at the airport to bring you to the medina or we can arrange a private car service for you. It is about 20 minutes from airport to the old town. Then you walk a short distance inside the medina to the hotel.

 Flights into Casablanca International Airport (CMN-Mohammed V) can be less expensive than flights directly into Marrakech but the travel time to Essaouria is 5 hours in a taxi. You can also take a train into Marrakech but then you still would need to get to Essa from there so there’s a pretty hefty travel time involved with this choice so make sure the money you are saving on the flight is worth the extra time and money you’ll be spending to get to the retreat.

Either way, we will try to pair you up with others traveling on the retreat days to the hotel if it works out with timing. Travel time is approximately 2.5 hours from Marrakech to Essaouira with a stop about half way for bathroom and snacks. A private ride from RAK to the hotel in Essaouira is around $125usd one way and from CMN it’s $250usd one way (at the time of writing).

Most citizens are allowed to enter Morocco without a visa if you are staying for less than 90 days. If you are a citizen of Egypt, Lebanon, Palestine, or Jordan you may need to apply for a visa. Other countries do not. Please check with us if you have any doubts.

You could take a taxi from the RAK airport to the “Supratours” bus station, which offers cheap bus travel to Essaouira. The bus station is very close to the train station in Marrakech, so if you get lost, you can ask for the “gare de trenes”, and it is right around the corner. The bus will take you to the center of Essaouira, right in between the Bab Sbaa and Bab Marrakech entrance to the Medina. From there you would walk through the medina with your luggage to the riad.

Layovers before and after the retreat :

We expect that most retreat guests will be arriving a day or two before the retreat and spending time in either Marrakech, another European city as per their flight pattern, or coming directly to Essaouira. If you are looking to head right to the hotel and settle in please let us know and we can put you in touch directly with the hotel to see about reserving a room or maybe even getting the same one you have for the retreat if possible.

Lots of people will spend their layover in Madrid and then head to Marrakech the next morning or you could purchase separate flights and stay a few nights in Madrid (or whatever European city is cheapest to fly into from your home airport) to catch up on jet lag, then buy a separate flight to Marrakech or Essaouira from there. This will depend on costs and should be planned carefully as if there are delays you are responsible for each flight individually since are purchased separately, but it can be a great flying hack to a good deal on flights.

If you have an overnight in Madrid I can recommend a great Tapas, Tavernas & History walking tour in the evening that is a great way to pass some time on a layover, enjoy a bit of the culture, and experience the city with a few other likeminded travelers.

If you plan to stay in Marrakech for a few nights we recommend Chambres d’amis (ask us for a discount code!) and El Fenn for a stay in the Red City. Definitely check out La Mamounia for a cocktail or lunch and Le Comptoir for a night of belly-dancing and nightlife. We will be doing a day tour in Marrakech during the retreat so make sure to check the itinerary so you don’t double up on sight-seeing while you are there.

CULTURE & MOROCCAN NATIONALS

Overall Morocco is an amazing and most hospitable country therefore women traveling alone should not be afraid, just sensible, respectful, aware, and cautious.

For the most part Moroccans are incredibly open-minded, especially in cities where tourism is common (Marrakesh, Casablanca, Fes, Essaouira, Rabat, Meknes, and Ouarzazate) and you will find it quite easy to have conversations with locals (in souks and hotels) about world politics, the cultural and historical traditions of Morocco and the economy.

Moroccans who work in the tourism industry and in the souks tend to be multi-lingual and up to date on world politics. If you are a person who enjoys conversation during your travels you will find the opportunity to discuss many things within the souks and markets while you are shopping and being offered the traditional hospitality of mint tea.

Female Travelers

If you are a female traveler in Morocco there is little to worry about as long as you maintain respectful dress and carry yourself appropriately. The popularity of tourism caused the Moroccan economy to undergo a process of liberalization and modernization, consequently altering some societal values.

Today, Moroccan women are taking more active roles in the government, law, medicine, warfare, and trade. There is also an increase in university enrollment among the younger generation, ultimately, leading to a more open-minded youth and a greater tolerance for modern ideas and western influences.

Consequently, Moroccans are getting more used to seeing females (particularly tourists) visiting cafes and other places that were in the past were primarily frequented by men.

TIPS FOR FEMALE TRAVELERS

Don’t react to catcalls, whistles, or anything else directed at you.

Dress conservatively, no mini skirts, shorts, tank tops or tight shirts.

Enjoy the culture by becoming a participant and dress in a Caftan or Jellabah (the traditional robe worn by local women).

Don’t go out on your own at night if you are not in a major city or area that is well lit.

If asked, let people know you are married and carry a photo of your ‘husband’ with you or buy yourself a modest ring to wear on your wedding finger.

If you feel you are being harassed or followed, walk into a shop or hotel and ask for help.

If you are lost ask directions from a woman or family.

If you feel threatened by someone make a scene by shouting loudly to shame the person.

If you speak French, Spanish, or Arabic it will make it easier to stand up for yourself if you encounter undesirable behavior.

If it is possible, travel in a group of women or with a male. While tourists are welcome all over Morocco, Moroccans are still uncomfortable with the idea of a solo female traveler; with the exception of major cities.

Public displays of affection such as kissing are considered taboo in Morocco and should be reserved for the privacy of your Riad or hotel room.

Have a fabulous retreat in Morocco!!