Mindfulness in Magical Marrakesh, Morocco! 7-nights 12th April 2024!

 

I couldn’t be more delighted to announce this exciting trip to magical Marrakech where a melting-pot of ancient Arabic and French heritage create an exotic feast for the senses! This is a unique opportunity to sample the sights and smells of this amazing city while also enjoying mindful movement – daily classes with me in TAI CHI, CHI KUNG and MEDITATION! Plus Yoga classes with a local instructor.

Following a wonderful visit to Marrakech in Feb this year (my 3rd time there!) I was so inspired by the rich history and was fortunate enough to find a breathtaking, luxury Riad which has been purpose-built around wellness and comfort!

Morocco is approx 3.5 hour flight from Ireland (the same as to Lanzarote!) and it was SO easy to explore everything it has to offer – from the enticing Souks (markets) and tiny ‘rabbit-warren’ streets in the Medina (walled city area – where we’ll be staying!) to the bustling Jamaa El-Fna square (shown above) and surrounding ancient Mosques.

I also got to sample a luxury resort and restaurant in the Agafay Desert and an inspiring daytrip to the beautiful coastal town of Essaouira. And, of course, the delicious food – spicy tagines, couscous and sweet Baklava pastries!!

EVERYBODY’S WELCOME and no experience in Tai Chi or Yoga is necessary – I simply can’t wait to share this unique Moroccan experience with you! PLACES ARE LIMITED and all that’s needed now is a deposit of ¢245pp and nothing else to pay until March 2024! See all the delicious details below and book at the bottom of the page! Michelle x

 

DATES: Fri 12th April* 2024 x7 nights

*NB. I am waiting for Ryanair to announce their Dublin-Marrakech flight schedule for April 2024 onwards so the start date COULD CHANGE to either Sat 13th or Sun 14th April.

Where: Marrakech, Morocco 

Cost – from €1,225pp & ¢1,395 SINGLE OCCUPANCY / €1,045pp SHARING

 

 

Hello I’m Michelle – Tai Chi & Meditation Instructor since 2011 and I’ve been hosting holistic holidays since 2018 in locations such as the Greek Islands, India, Portugal and Lanzarote!  I love nothing more than to bring together like-minded, lovely people for adventures in inspiring surroundings and comfy accommodation that really put the TREAT in retreat!! Now I’m over the moon to offer Mindfulness in magical Marrakech!!

You might also like to read my BLOG  “Thelma and Louise, Tai Chi and Me – Why I love hosting holistic holidays” CLICK HERE and see pics of past overseas retreats (NB> written in Summer 2022).  And also see below the wonderful words of one of my gorgeous guests who joined me in Lanzarote in Oct 2022 to give you a taste of my retreats! 

I simply can’t wait to welcome you to “Chi-lax” in this magical place!! Michelle x

 

GUEST TESTIMONIAL from LANZAROTE RETREAT October 2022 – Here’s what Noa had to say about our Lanzarote trip which will give you a taste of my retreats! I’m delighted she enjoyed it as much as I did! 

“Wow, how do you sum up a week like this – a Tai Chi and Yoga retreat in Lanzarote in the Canary Islands…I’ve been practicing yoga for a few years now and Tai chi for the first time. Fun to experience new things!

Classes in the morning and evening – some in unique locations.  Plus a lot of time to think, to rest. To have fun with people of different ages and from different places

And most importantly… I disconnected from the Internet by choice… Allowing myself to truly connect with myself. 

What I know is that – This is the beginning of a new love – retreats!
In a nutshell… It was perfect and not easy to come back afterwards. Thank you so much to Michelle and All  xx”

   

 

 

 

 

WHAT’S INCLUDED?

Once you arrive at Marrakech’s Menara International Airport, the following will be waiting for you…….

• 7-nights deluxe accommodation in a traditional Moroccan Riad (‘house’)
• Return airport transfers – Menara International Airport
• Substantial daily breakfast/brunch with local dishes and ingredients (depending on our schedule). 
• A unique Moroccan cookery experience and meal! An in-house Chef will take us to the local food and spice market for our ingredients. Then we’ll prep and cook a delicious meal under their skilful guidance! 
• Twice daily Tai Chi, Chi Kung & Meditation classes with myself  and 3x yoga classes with a local instructor during the week – no experience necessary.
• Use of all the facilities at our Riad – eg. the roof terrace cafe and shaded lounge areas, indoor courtyard lounges with plunge pool, a traditional hammam with treatments available – all details below!

 

 

 

 

In addition to visiting the local Souks and restaurants, there will also be exciting OPTIONAL DAYTRIPS (at extra cost) including – a Marrakech city tour | A day in the Agafay Desert with panoramic desert views from the four-poster sunbeds, pool and restaurant – where we’ll do some Tai Chi of course! | a trip to stunning and historical seafront town Essaouria (photo below!) | And much more!  Details on EXPLORING MARRAKECH AND DAYTRIPS will be available shortly! 

 

 

 

 

FLIGHTS & EXTRAS :

The following are NOT INCLUDED in the retreat fee:

• Your international flights to Marrakech. As mentioned above, PLEASE DO NOT BOOK FLIGHTS YET as I am awaiting Ryanair’s flight schedule from Dublin to Marrakech to be announced for April 2024 and I will provide flight suggestions as soon as possible in a TRAVEL AND TRANSFERS section.
• Lunches and evening meals NB. Our Moroccan cookery experience (included!) will be our main meal on one of the days!
• Any other meals, drinks, alcoholic drinks or snacks you may wish to purchase
• Entrance fees and transport for optional day trips – See more details under  EXPLORING MARRAKECH below. 
• Any other personal expenses, gifts etc. NB. pls see WHAT TO BRING section below (this info will follow shortly!)

 

BOOKING YOUR PLACE – 

DEPOSIT – a non-refundable** deposit of ¢245pp is required to book your place.

This can be done online at the bottom of this page or alternatively over the phone by card – pls contact me to arrange +353 86 878 5212 embodyharmony@gmail.com.

The full-balance is then due 6-weeks before the event, no later than FRIDAY 1st MARCH 2024. 

All final instalments must be made directly into my Irish business banking account either by online-transfer or in-branch lodgement. Balances paid by card will incur a 2% additional fee (approx +¢20-25 Euro).  For T&C’s and CANCELLATION POLICY pls see below.

Places are limited and subject to availability at the time of booking. 

See below OUR ACCOMMODATION for all room options and pricing. 

 

 

OUR ACCOMMODATION – 

We will be staying in a beautiful Riad situated in the centre of Marrakech – just minutes walk away from Souks, cafes and restaurants and less than a 20 min walk from the famous Jamaa El Fna square. As mentioned in the intro, I had the pleasure of visiting our venue in Feb 2023 and couldn’t have been more impressed with the facilities, the lovely manager and Yoga teacher – Imane, her staff and the stunning design of the building. 

A riad is a traditionally designed Moroccan home built around an open courtyard with magnificent, decorative tile work, mirrors, plants and cooling water-pools. The building is a beautiful and plush fusion of classical design and modern, stylish touches all the way from the entrance hall to the bedrooms and bathrooms.

Ours has the main building “OASIS” and an adjoining apartment “DAOUIRIA”. All facilities are available to all guests whether you stay in Oasis or Daouiria!

 

ROOMS & PRICING:

NB. All towels and bedding are included

SHARED ¢1,045pp – OASIS deluxe room / twin or double beds / en-suite bathroom

SINGLE ¢1.395 – OASIS deluxe room / double bed /en-suite bathroom

SINGLE ¢1,225 – DAOUIRIA room/ double bed / bathroom shared with one other (only x2 rooms available)

NB. These retreats are designed for solo-travellers. However, if sharing a room with a buddy or partner you must book x2 places. Shared rooms cannot be booked if you are a solo-traveller, only single-occupancy rooms. 

 

Images and details of our gorgeous riad are below! 

“Oasis” (examples above) features x7 gorgeous deluxe, en-suite bedrooms – Each is individually decorated with plush fabrics, a seating area, geometric tiles and comfortable, bespoke furnishings. These have individually designed en-suite bathrooms.

“Daouiria” apartment (example below) – There are x2 double rooms available for single occupancy in an adjoining apartment. It has equally stylish design features, a lounge space and a small kitchen area. These 2 rooms share one, bespoke bathroom and are priced accordingly.

 

 

 

 

 

 

A beautiful relaxation area with a cooling water pool, huge day-beds and lush plants. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

An indoor dining area overlooking the courtyard pool with modern light-fittings and traditional tile-work. 

 

A roof terrace with shaded seating and a coffee bar. We will do our Tai Chi, Meditation and Yoga classes here and if it’s too warm we’ll move to the cool and calming, purpose-built and fully-equipped yoga studio

 

 

 

 

 

 

An in-house Hammam with massage treatments available (at extra cost). A traditional hammam is an experience that combines relaxation and detoxification in one relaxing space where a steam room and a shower or bath are all part of your treatment!

 

 

 

 

 

 

OUR MEALS and DINING: A substantial daily breakfast/ brunch (depending on our schedule) is also included in your retreat fee. This will be provided by the in-house chef and served either in the courtyard dining area or on the roof terrace. 

 

 

Breakfast includes: Moroccan yoghurt with homemade granola, fresh fruit, fresh Moroccan bread served with traditional Amlou (a paste of peanut butter and honey), fresh honey from the Atlas Mountains, seasonal jam and cream cheese. Orange juice, coffee, mint tea. There’s also freshly prepared egg dishes and cakes/waffles that change daily! 

NB. The Chef is used to catering for special dietary needs so pls advise when booking if you need a Vegan, Gluten or Dairy free breakfast and I will discuss with the venue. 

The Riad also provides lunch and dinner (at extra cost) but it’s highly likely we will wish to experience all the exciting cafes and restaurants that Marrakech has to offer. Also remember – a MOROCCAN COOKERY EXPERIENCE is also included as one of our main-meals!

NEED MORE INFO?

If you have any queries not answered above please do get in touch with me – Michelle – either on WhatsApp +353 86 878 5212 or email embodyharmony@gmail.com. 

Meanwhile the following details are coming soon!!

• TRAVEL & TRANSFERS – as soon as Ryanair announce their schedule I will confirm the start date (either Fri 12th, Sat 13th or Sun 14th April 2024) and flight suggestions etc
• EXPLORING MARRAKECH & OPTIONAL DAYTRIPS – tasters are mentioned above and there is heaps more exciting info coming soon!!
• FAQ’S & WHAT TO BRING

 

 

TERMS & CONDITIONS OF BOOKING & CANCELLATION POLICY 

Tai Chi holiday in Marrakech, Morocco – facilitated by Michelle Gupta and Manager and owner of Riad BE. 

Dates: commencing Fri 12th April 2024 (as mentioned above this is TBC and could move to either Sat 13th or Sun 14th April).

Further details to follow regarding airport transfers and check-in / check-out times.

By booking your place on this holiday from you are agreeing to abide by the following terms and conditions and confirm that you have read and understand all the information below. Paying your deposit and subsequent full-fees for the holiday forms the contract between me – Michelle Gupta, the retreat facilitator – and yourself.

1) Travel Insurance – as per the TRAVEL & TRANSFERS section to be advised – it is essential that ensure yourself and any parties you may be attending with have adequate travel insurance for your trip. We cannot accept any participants who are not insured to travel from their home country to Morocco. 

2) Deposits – The deposit €245 pp paid to confirm your place and chosen room is completely non-refundable and will not be refunded for any reason. The only exception being a total cancellation of the event by the venue or host** (See Cancellation policy below).

3) All balance payments must be paid in full no later than 6-weeks before the event / no later than 1st March 2024 and by booking your place you confirm that you will adhere to this payment date. All balance payments must be made via online banking or lodged directly into my business account. If you wish to pay by card over the phone then a card fee of 2% will be added. 

NB. If booking your place after 1st March 2024 then the full-fee is payable when booking your place.

4) Group event – this retreat is designed as a group event and is held in the spirit of communal accommodation, group classes, eating meals together (sometimes on-site and sometimes in local restaurants) and attending optional excursions together. Naturally you are not obliged to attend every class or event offered on this trip – but if you are looking for a customised, solo holiday then this is NOT the right event for you! If you choose not to attend certain parts of the retreat including daytrips then alternative arrangements will not be made for you. 

5) Complaints procedure – in the unlikely event that a participant is unhappy about an aspect of the holiday, please put your complaints to me in writing no later than 7 days after the end of the trip (by 27th April 2024). 

6) Force majeur – excluding Covid 19 – if the retreat cannot take place due to any event beyond reasonable control of myself or the venue owners and that which is unavoidable notwithstanding the care of the affected parties, each situation will be assessed at the time and all attempts will be made to re-schedule the event for a later date. 

7) By signing up for my event you agree to subscribe to my monthly email newsletter. As a highly valued client I wish to keep you updated on retreats, classes, events and offers. I send no more than one email per month and you can unsubscribe at any time.  

 

Cancellation policy:

• The deposit €245pp is entirely non-refundable**
• Any cancellations made 6 weeks or more prior to the event – before 1st March 2024 – will receive a refund of 50% of the full retreat fee minus €245pp deposit deposit which will not be refunded.
• Any cancellations made less than 6 weeks prior to the event – on or after 1st March 2024will be charged at 100% of the retreat fee and no refunds will be issued for any reason. 
• If you cannot attend and you have someone else who would like attend the retreat in your place, I will try wherever possible to transfer your place to them. 
• ** If the event is cancelled by the venue owners or myself, the retreat facilitator, then you will receive a FULL refund including your deposit.