Morocco Magic

…Into the labyrinth of dreams…

BRAND NEW for 2026! We are going to magical, mysterious, mesmerizing Morocco, October 10 - 17, the perfect season to be in Marrakech. We’ll gather at Azaren, one of the most beautiful private estates in the world, located just outside Marrakech, nestled at the foot of the snow-capped Atlas Mountains – yet within easy reach of the “Red City” and it’s fascinating ancient Medina.

Azaren is a private oasis of calm, beauty and luxurious surroundings. This retreat is an invitation to explore and reconnect with yourself and the beauty of the world around you, both on and off the yoga mat. Stepping outside boundaries of the known into a renewed sense of wonder. Into the intoxicating, bustling, mythic medina of Marrakech, or on foot in the authentic tribal mountains where life works according to another paradigm, and back again to Azaren, immersed in the serene charm of Moroccan culture and nature. You’ll be nurtured by the warm, genuine Berber hospitality, and captivated by the colorful life. Everything you would dream your own private Moroccan paradise could be – and even more enthralling.

Equal parts yoga, play, and cultural exploration, you can choose to do as much or as little as you wish. Opt to go out on day trips with us, or stay in and luxuriate in Azaren’s serene beauty. You could even further explore the city of Marrakech at your own pace, beyond our excursion.

Whether you dream to experience a traditional hammam, find yourself at a tea ceremony on a hike to a mountain village, wander the dizzying souks and lose yourself in the labyrinth of a Thousand and One Nights, feel the peace of the desert sky, or simply absorb Moroccan atmosphere from the haven of our property, the retreat is an immersion into an exotic culture nested in luxurious comfort. You will fall in love with the people, the traditions, the food, the atmosphere and – not least the enchanting amenities of this desert hideaway. Which, notably, has one of the most beautifully designed and situated yoga shalas of any retreat.

Azaren's exquisite architecture, gardens, and art-filled spaces await. Its opulent amenities are in harmony with the environment. An atmosphere of deep peace and wellbeing pervades the property, offering a serene and blissful sanctuary to go deep into yoga practice.

This retreat is a sensory journey, set in an exotic, and boundary-expanding kingdom, to touch the soul from inside and out.

Yoga On Retreat

We will practice yoga and meditation in the purpose-built shala, with snowcapped Mount Toubkal standing tall in the distance and vibrant gardens stretching out before you. Let the peaceful hum of nature and distant calls to prayer weave through your practice, grounding you in the essence of this incredible place. When you're not on the mat, explore the richness and otherness of Morocco.

The foundation of my yoga teaching is built on an extensive study of yoga anatomy, biomechanics, heart-centered yoga philosophy. The refined traditions of Anusara, Iyengar inform my 35 years of practice. Experience with other yoga lineages, and elements from contemporary strength-building and mobility modalities also contribute to my teaching, which is always evolving along the path of life. Expect meaningful traditional yoga, practical philosophy, pranayama, and other technologies of the subtle, inward realms delivered in an accessible way. All are offered as gateways through which to deepen our experience and our awareness, along the ever-fascinating, personal path to the state of Yoga.
Dedicated to enjoying and serving this gift of life as fully as possible.

The Morning Session will be a dynamic and invigorating Hatha Flow, an alignment-based class emphasizing breath, awareness, skillful action, strength-building and flow – not moving too fast. Accessible and playfully challenging for all levels. We will build-up the practice over the course of the retreat. Classes are 90 mins, and may feature a two-hour workshop depending on other activities of the day.

The Evening Sessions will be gentle and restorative in nature, designed to balance the nervous system and integrate the day’s experiences. You’ll learn simple take-home practices, including meditation, effective for reducing habitual patterns of stress.

Local Culture and Exploring

Marrakech: Our first excursion will be a guided exploration of Marrakech’s Medina and souks, visiting traditional artisans practicing millennia-old crafts and including visits to select cultural and historical sites in Marrakech. We’ll set the scene with an exploration of Moroccan architecture and decoration, and sacred geometry, led by excellent local guides. This day will begin to spin the web of sensorial magic that is Marrakech, with its unique maelstrom of sights, scents, harmonies and dissonances, chaos and beauty.
It’s full-on, busy, swarming, both touristic and local, and it’s fantastic. This foray may just whet your appetite, especially if you are irresistibly drawn to beautiful artisan goods of every description, or like to linger in dazzling bazaars, and labyrinthine souks, discerning the jewels amid the baubles, wander lost in alleyways with quiet scenes from other millenia, or watching the action from a rooftop cafe. You’ll have opportunities to return at your own pace if wish to take them.

Hiking: we’ll enjoy one (or two) expertly-guided hikes in the lush Ourika Valley area of the Atlas Mountains, off the most trodden paths, depending on the group’s predilections. Sweeping views, flowing waters, and genuine Berber villages await. We’ll have lunch with a local Amazigh family (the preferred, indigenous name for Berbers which means “Free People”.)
On another day there will be a special option for those who wish: Bike/e-bike day in Anougal, the Almond Land: An authentic Moroccan adventure far from the typical tourist tracks. Set your sights on the winding trail through pine forests and tiny villages of Amizmiz high plateau and the Anougal Valley. This lesser-known route is a tapestry of untouched landscapes, and soul-stirring tranquility.

This is Amazigh country, home to Morocco’s original mountain dwellers. Known for their warmth, hospitality, humility, and respect for nature. Amazigh literally means “We the Free”, which beautifully refers to this varied and free-spirited people, who despite colonial subjugation have remained resilient for centuries.

• An alternative excursion to the bike day: Further Marrakech time! Visit YSL Museum, or the wonderful museum Maison de la Photographie, curated shopping, and or exploring more in the medina/sites with a guide if desired. Or, take a day to indulge in deep rejuvenation at Azaren.

Staying at Azaren

Azaren was designed by internationally acclaimed architect Imaad Rahmouni in a style which combines exceptional volumes with the simplicity of Berber architecture. The buildings include the main house extending over 1.200 sqm, five garden villas, a pool house, a tennis club house and a fitness center, all surrounded by stone terraces to sunbathe and gaze at the sweeping views.

The main house is arranged on either side of an impressively massive corridor which leads to the living rooms, dining room, spa, billiard room, and four suites. Furnished and decorated by Themes & Variations, London, the soaring interiors are a striking combination of vintage and contemporary with a Moroccan flavor. A stunning collection of contemporary art adorns all spaces on the property and reflects the owners’ life in the international art scene.

Azaren Amenities

Huge Pool, luxurious Traditional Hamman Spa, and Tennis Courts – all exclusively for our use.

Exceptional pool with stunning views of the Atlas Mountains. Pool house, outdoor bar, kitchen and dining area. Clay Tennis Courts with clubhouse.

Azaren Staff includes a house-manager, a team of Berber cooks, three chambermaids, a head grounds-keeper, a team of gardeners and a night watchman.

Spa and Hammam

Our own Traditional Moroccan Hammam in luxurious green marble. Relaxation room and massage room with two beds. Specialist staff can be arranged for Massages & Hammam 35 Euros per treatment. Bookings will be closer to the departure.

The Gardens and Grounds

The grounds and gardens conceived by renowned French landscape designers Eric Ossart and Arnaud Maurières. The blend of subtle plantations of fragrant flowers and sculptural cacti with local crops is stunning. On the property, Azaren has the Jardin de l’Ourika, Yves Saint Laurent Beauté, supporting local Berber women employed to cultivate and nurture the botanical ingredients to Yves Saint Laurent cosmetics. Yves Saint Laurent was a lover of Morocco and his former residence in Marrakech can be visited as a tour to understand his relationship to the country. Visits to the garden on the property at Azaren can also be arranged.

Food Culture

The cuisine at our retreat is delicious, fresh, bountiful and varied. Azaren serves Moroccan-French fusion prepared by their exceptional local cook and her team, and extensively uses the property’s home-grown vegetables, fruit and olive oil. Traditional Berber bread is baked daily in an outdoor wood-fired oven.

We will get to learn the local recipes and secrets in a hands-on cooking class onsite in the villa kitchens.

Meals will be served in a variety of outdoor and indoor locations with beautiful settings, as well as gourmet picnics.

Vegetarian diets and other dietary requirements can be catered for.

Included

• Luxury accommodation at Azaren with exclusive access to all property ammenities, gardens, and spa with traditional hammam

• Daily yoga yoga with Julia: 1–2 sessions per day in the purpose-built Yoga Shala. Including pranayama and meditation.

• Brunch and dinner daily, plus some lunches. Enjoying estate-grown cuisine plus a couple of select restaurants on the town. (2-3 lunches may be on own to explore.)

• Snacks, tea, coffee, mineral water, infusions and soft drinks

• Yoga Mats, Blocks, Bricks, Straps, Bolsters, Eye Pillows are supplied for use

• Transportation on all group activities and excursions

• Group Transfers to and from Marrakech Airport (RAK) to Azaren and return

• High speed wifi in all buildings, pool and Yoga shala, fitness center

• Guided exploration of Marrakech’s Medina, the souks, including visits to select cultural and architectural sights in Marrakech, led by excellent local guides.

• Guided hike(s) in the Atlas Mountains, off the beaten tourist track, lunch with a Berber family in a mountain village.

• Option for an expertly guided bike/E-bike ride day: exploring the high plateau near Amizmiz and the Anougal Valley sucession of traditional Berber villages.

• Alternative activity will be offered on the bike day: Further Marrakech time! Visit YSL Museum, curated shopping, or exploring more in the medina/sites with a guide if desired, or Free time.

• Moroccan Cooking Class: Hands-on with our darling local cooks of Azaren in the estate kitchens.

• Time to relax at the huge pool with views of the Atlas peaks, enjoy a traditional Hamman in Azaren’s spa (specialty treatments available to book)

• Complete pre-trip preparation including both practical detailed information and inspirational support for your soulful journey in Morocco.

• We are happy to assist with pre/post-retreat travel suggestions and recommended stays. (For instance you could arrive 2+days early and visit Essaouira by the ocean, or stay extra day(s) in a Marrakech riad.)

NOTE: There’s a retreat extension! Directly following the main retreat, a fully-guided, five-night Explorer’s Extension to South Morocco and the Sahara will be offered for a small group of active adventurers: itinerary and cost separate. This experience will not be the typical, tourist-circuit offered by dozens of operators. Instead, we will be ushered into Berber culture from start to finish in the expert hands of our beautiful local family hosts of our gorgeous Kasbah. Will include a fantastic road trip over the Atlas with private driver and guide, and along the Route of 1,000 Kasbahs, staying in a spectacular traditional Kasbah in the palm-oasis of the ancient Drâa River Valley, and on nomadic camel-caravan into the Saharan dunes. In the silent immensity of the true wild desert, for two nights our caring team of five will set up camp and spoil us with fire-baked bread under millions of stars. Upon return to our luxurious Kasbah we’ll be taken into the traditional life of the oasis, exploring a remote ancient Ksar, and of course – enjoying yoga daily in amazing locations. *More info scroll to end of this page to find out what we’ll be up to!
Contact me directly if you are interested in joining this adventure (for max 9 guests).

What’s extra:

• Flight to Marrakech

• Transport outside group activities

• Laundry 

• Alcohol – beer, wine and spirit list available 

• Bike rental for those going on the guided cycling excursion

• Specialty Hammam spa and massage treatments (treatments approx. 35 Euros, booking available closer to departure).

• House Staff Tips at your discretion – all tips go directly to the kind people who work hard to make your retreat clean, enjoyable and offer any help needed ($10-15 a day per guest suggested).

• Travel insurance

Travel

Airport: Marrakech Menara (RAK). Retreat is 30 km from the airport.
Nearest train station: Marrakesh. Transfers between airport or train station and our villa will be arranged. After signing up, we can guide you on best options for flights and travel to Marrakesh, as you may want to arrive early – great option is to visit Essaouira, by the ocean for a couple of nights before the retreat.

Retreat dates: October 10 - 17, 2026.

Sahara Kasbah Extension dates: October 17 - 22.

Azaren Accommodation

Azaren’s accommodation comprises four beautiful, spacious suites in the main house and seven spacious suites in garden villas.
Each with a private, walled patio, outdoor shower and private terrace. All suites are air conditioned, and can be configured as one oversize King or two standard beds for guests sharing.

Sharing Occupancy: $4250 USD

Single Occupancy: $5150 USD

Below is a sampling of the suites…but they are more beautiful than the photos can capture

The Main House - 4 Suites, each named for a color

Majorelle Suite

Blue Suite

Coral Suite

Purple Suite

The Garden Suites - 7 Suites, named for more colors

Saffron Suite

Lavender Suite

Turquoise Suite

My Morocco Story

Just back from my second trip to Morocco in as many years, after spending the intervening months dreaming about it, plotting my return, and planning this retreat with my special collaborators there on site.

Traveling to Marrakech again for the first time as an adult, two years ago, was thrilling. Like discovering a mysterious place that awakened deep, dreamlike sensory, memories of living in a tiny Berber village as a child, on the edge of the Sahara, mixed with the romance of my Arabian Nights’ imagination. I had to go back again as soon as feasible, and I was seized by the desire to share this exotic place with you, my retreat-yoga adventurers!
On this second trip, my welcome in Morocco felt moving and complete – special connections forming, and the excitement of visiting Azaren, a more-spectacular and perfect place to host this retreat than I could dream of.

We spent a year living in Morocco when I was nine years old, in a tiny Berber village by the Atlantic Ocean on the edge of what was then known as the Spanish Sahara. Morocco was a haven for the international artistic-literary-bohemians of the time, and my mother is all of those. Unforgettable childhood memories as you can imagine!

During our time there we traveled extensively throughout the country in our VW camper van , before settling down in Mirleft village, which had a small community of other hip, artsy expats intent on experiencing the qualities of a vastly different way of life.

At the time, there were no stylish riads, nor other tourist amenities of any kind, other than in the big cities.
We lived in an earthen house, very simply, in local style. I remember it had tamped-earth floors, and our rooms were arranged around a paved central courtyard, in the middle of which was our well.

We were homeschooled but played on the wild beaches, and with the local Moroccan kids, who – incidentally – were much tougher than we.
We were fascinated by each-others’ toys. They ran around with toy “cars” made of two tin cans wired to a stick; we had legos and shiny Hotwheels. You can imagine what happened to those, so Morocco was something of a love-hate relationship as a kid. I remember eating a lot of carrots and onions.

Now I find Morocco mesmerizing and can’t wait to go back as soon as possible.

Other childhood memories of Morocco include celebrating my birthday out in the middle of the desert with other young travelers to avoid disrespecting Ramadan, annoying my mother by buying a live bunny at the local market with my allowance, and hunting for precious Goulimine beads which I collected, in the souks of edgy desert towns.
It was an unforgettable experience and feeling. Eventually my mom decided it was time to go to America. Our VW camper was loaded onto a Yugoslav freighter in Casablanca, and we embarked for the nine-day ocean journey to New York (and culture shock!)

These days, many aspects of Morocco are obviously dramatically more modern, the Imperial Cities are easily accessible and feature gorgeous amenities to welcome their vast numbers of international visitors – at every level, maybe even especially in high-end luxury. But despite the massive changes development and tourism has brought, there is an undeniable pulse of mystery in the kingdom. A depth and vastness of the unknown, a beating heart of great energy and magnitude can be sensed, lurking just beneath the tourist veneer. The tapestry of tribal cultures, of millenia-old civilizations, of dynasties of sultans who have risen and fallen, of extraordinary cities, of wild landscapes and caravans to Timbuktu – all of this can still be sensed and tasted in the shade of an ancient wall, or in the flash of an eye passing you in the souk. Marrakech today is also a thriving center in the contemporary design scene. Overall, the Kingdom of Morocco has a rich , independent life of its own, of which we will be the lucky and respectful guests!

For any questions, planning assistance, or just to talk about the trip – don’t hesitate to contact me!