This retreat will be a special and intimate experience lead by Nicole Griffin and hosted by Maison28 Marrakech. Throughout our 11-days and 10-nights together, you will enjoy exclusive, off-the-beaten path tours to discover the creative heartbeat of Morocco.

This trip begins at Maison28, in the heart of the Marrakech medina, and then winds down south through ancient cultures and kasbahs, and culminates under the stars in the Sahara Desert.

During our trip, we will visit and learn from local artisans and stewards of Morocco's famous craft culture. You will enjoy private tours, opportunities to learn and deeply connect with Moroccan culture, and hands-on creative workshops.

If you are a creative, curious, and adventurous traveler looking for a special and highly-curated experience, you are in the right place.

There will be daily mindfulness elements infused to nourish our bodies and minds as we connect, discover, and expand (see more details below).

Please contact Nicole if you have any questions or would like to chat!

Website: https://nicolegriffinwellness.com/
Email: nicole@nicolegriffinwellness.com
IG: @nicolegriffinwellness
Phone: 510-250-7242

• A guided tour of historic sites in Marrakesh with a professional photographer and guide
• Private visit with a women's weaving collective in the Atlas Mountains
• A guided hike in the foothills of the Atlas Mountains and a home-cooked tagine lunch
• Exclusive souq (market) tour that focuses on meeting Moroccan artisans and shopping
• Visit with the founder of 1001 Artisans to learn about the work they do to support vulnerable craftspeople
• Guided tour of Ait Ben Haddou, a UNESCO Heritage Site and traditional kasbah
• Exclusive tour and lunch at the historic Kasbah des Caids
• Private concert with Daraa Tribes, a fusion of ancestral tribal music and Saharan Blues at Kasbah Aitisfoul
• Hands-on art workshop at Aitisfoul
• One night spent in a luxury tent in a private camp in the Sahara Desert
• Traditional Moroccan music around the campfire in the Sahara
• Sunset camel ride in the Sahara Desert
• Sunrise over the dunes in the Sahara
• Yoga Nidra under the Sahara stars
• Carpet shopping in the traditional weaving town of Tazenakht
• Daily mindfulness and nervous system regulation practices

In attending this retreat you will benefit the local economy of Morocco in many meaningful ways. We are intentionally including opportunities to support local communities and artisans.  A portion of the proceeds of this retreat will be donated to support vulnerable artisans.

Nicole has a BA in Art History with a concentration in Islamic Art History as well as an International MBA. She lived in Morocco during grad school while she was studying Arabic and fell in love with the country.  Nicole is passionate about creating opportunities for Americans to experience the beauty and wonder of the Islamic world while offering intentional support throughout the journey.

On her retreats, meaningful cultural immersion and mindful travel are emphasized. Nicole is also a board-certified health and wellness coach and a trauma-informed yoga and mindfulness instructor. 

Read more here: Why Mindful Travel Matters (by Nicole)

Nicole’s retreats are designed to infuse a sense of purpose, intention, and community. They are based on the belief that travel expands our minds and hearts, sharpens our perspective, de-conditions our prejudices, and catalyzes our growth.

According to a poll done by Booking.com, 79% of travelers reported that travel helps their mental and emotional wellbeing more than other types of self-care. The National Wellness Institute defines wellness as “an active process through which people become aware of, and make choices toward, a more successful existence.”

Nicole believes that wellness encompasses our sense of purpose and connection as well as our values and vision. It represents an integration of mind, body, spirit, and soul. As such, travel has the potential to contribute to our wellness in ways that few other things can.

Read more here: Re-thinking Wellness Travel (by Nicole)

Each morning in Marrakech, we will spend about 30-minutes together before heading out for our daily adventures. This time will consist of some gentle mindful movement (example here) as well as breathwork and mindfulness practices. No experience is required! This time is meant for us to come together intentionally as a group and to support our bodies, minds, and nervous systems as we travel.

As we travel down south, I will begin to offer restorative evening practices. These are meant to help us integrate our travel experiences and soothe our bodies and minds as the pace of our retreat becomes more spacious.

All daily practices are optional!

$200 per booking will go to support the following charities:

• 1001 Artisans – a Moroccan NGO aiming to revive endangered traditional Moroccan crafts. 1001 Artisans puts craftsmen and craftswomen at the centre of its strategy to safeguard traditional know-how and pass on skills to the next generations.

To secure your spot, place a $995 deposit; final payments will be due by August 30, 2023. 

Please only book double accommodations if you are booking with someone you know since we only have one double room available.

Trip insurance is required to protect against any unforeseen circumstances.  Plan to budget about $200-300 for insurance. Squaremouth is a great resource for comparing different plans.  I highly recommend selecting a plan that has a “cancel for any reason’ upgrade and purchasing travel insurance within 14 days of booking this trip to maximize your coverage options.

Cancellation Policy: Your deposit is non-refundable. The remaining fees are fully refundable (minus any unrecoverable transaction fees) 91 days in advance. Cancellations 61 to 90 days in advance are eligible for a 50% refund of fees above the deposit. Payments made in the 60 days prior to the retreat are non-refundable. If you are able to find a replacement, we will refund your payment less your deposit and any non-recoverable fees. 

This policy exists because we need to ensure that we can meet financial obligations to our venues and in-country partners. This is why trip insurance is so helpful (and required)!

If the trip is canceled due to COVID-19 or other unforeseen circumstances, all payments, minus the deposit will be fully refunded. Deposits are transferrable to a rescheduled trip. 

Please inquire about alternate payment plans as we are happy to make them available.   

*The itinerary and daily schedules may change slightly. 

Monday October 30

Arrivals and transfers to Maison28

Welcome Circle

Dinner at Maison28

Tuesday October 31

Mindful mornings + breakfast 

Private historical tour of the medina (the old city) with a guide and a professional photographer. Stops will include a traditional fire burning hamam (steam bath), Ben Youssef Madrasa, and Dar Bacha

Dinner included

(All meals included)

Wednesday November 1

Mindful mornings + breakfast 

Visit a women’s weavers cooperative in the Atlas Mountains

Guided hike of medium difficulty

Home-cooked tagine lunch 

Dinner included

(All meals included)

Thursday November 2

Mindful mornings + breakfast 

Souq (traditional markets) tour that focuses on meeting artisans

Lunch included

Visit the Artisans Ensemble for shopping

Free time

Dinner on own

Friday November 3

Mindful mornings + breakfast 

Drive through Tizi N Tichka pass

Visit Telouet Kasbah

Visit Ait Ben Haddou, a world famous UNESCO heritage site

Restorative evening practice

Sleep in Ouarzazate

(All meals included)

Saturday November 4

Lunch and guided tour at Kasbah des Caids 

Restorative evening practice

Sleep at Kasbah Aitisfoul 

(All meals included)

Sunday November 5

Mindful mornings + breakfast

Free day at Aitisfoul 

Art workshop with artist + Aitisfoul owner, Michelle

Private concert by Daraa Tribes (a fusion of ancestral tribal music and Saharan Blues)

Sleep at Aitisfoul
(All meals included)

Monday November 6

Morning at Aitisfoul

Drive into the desert camp

Sunset camel ride

Live traditional music around the campfire
Yoga Nidra under the stars

Sleep in in luxury tents in the Sahara
(All meals included)

Tuesday November 7

Watch the sunrise in the Sahara

Leave the Sahara

Stop at Foum Zguid, a prehistoric lake

Lunch + carpets shopping in Tazenakht 
Restorative evening practice

Sleep in Ourarzazate

(All meals included)

Wednesday November 8

Mindful mornings + breakfast 

Drive back to Marrakech 

Lunch at Bab Zouina

Farewell dinner + closing circle 

Sleep in Marrakech

(All meals included)

Thursday November 9

Breakfast + airport transfers

Plan to leave anytime after breakfast