Women's Ritual Dance with Laura Shannon
in English
4 - 18 March 2023 includes 4 day desert tour
£990 per person plus 5000 MAD (about £400) payable in Morocco

The Venue Well known for magical meaningful holidays, excellent food and exceptional staff, the award-winning set up relocated in 2020 to a stunning sustainably-run Ecolodge beside the town walls with a pool and permaculture gardens. Enjoy the sun all year round as well as exceptional menu of local healthy food. Located on the south side of the ancient town walls of Taroudant, it enjoys the best winter climate in Morocco due to its southerly setting in the fertile Souss Valley.

Places to Visit Taroudant is little visited by tourists, has shopper-friendly souks with an exotic traditional atmosphere. It lies between contrasting mountain landscapes: the majestic High Atlas and the extraordinary Anti-Atlas (beyond which lies the Sahara). And it is only an hour’s drive from the sandy, rocky and marshy habitats of the Atlantic coast.

Feel safe thanks to the care of loving English-speaking staff, good medical facilities, excellent WiFi, safe water as well as the town being small, relaxed and friendly with few tourists. 

Heartful Holistic Holidays with a wide choice of other authentic activities including option to support charitable projects. Explore the fascinating culture with the help of delightful guides; option to explore, use our library or small spa, swim or laze in the sun or shade. 

The People Enjoy the support of 11 charming experienced mainly English-speaking Moroccan staff and the resident tutor for your chosen week. The Holidays with Heart UK team provide substantial pre-visit information and support based on 25 years’ experience of Morocco.

Optional activities include crafts, cookery, language, visits to charitable projects, walking, wildlife, massage and several other choices run by the amazingly knowledgeable guides. 

“A wonderful holiday. Its reputation is well-established, but it is now based at an amazing new sustainable, purpose-built ecolodge. .. exceeded our expectations (plus we are not normally fans of organised/group holidays!). Fabulous team, delicious food (including vegan), amazing accommodation, wonderful activities! Taroudant was a brilliant location to get a feel of authentic Morocco.”  J Elmes, January 2020.

Summary

Cost:  £990 per person PLUS 5000 MAD (approx £400) payable in Morocco

Includes:

  • Airport transfers from/to Agadir at one designated time – arrival in the early evening. Departure mid evening
  • Accommodation in en suite twin or double bedroom 
  • Substantial breakfasts and vegetarian evening meals (meat or fish at extra cost) at La Maison Anglaise
  • Evening meals on tour include meat and fish at no extra charge  
  • Lunches except on one day
  • Tutored workshops

Excludes:

  • Flights (often under £70 return if booked early)
  • Single occupancy supplement about £20 per night
  • Travel insurance (required)
  • Tips
  • Meat or fish supplement
  • Tourist Taxes 41 MAD per night (roughly £3.20 per person per night)
  • Taxis on arrival & departure if you need to be transported to/ from a different place or at a different time

Options payable in Morocco:

See details of prices and choices

  • Cultural experiences
  • Excursions
  • Supplement for meat or fish dishes 
  • Feast for the Senses
  • Taxi transfers (at different times or places) at fair costs

Trip Advisor Travellers’ Choice 2020 & 2021

Voted Top 10 in the World: Lonely Planet Eco Stays 2014 & VegeNews Vegetarian Holidays 2005

Responsible Tourism Trophy for Community Project Work 2009

Green Key Certified from 2012 

Photo: Laura Shannon

What people say about dancing with Laura:

“Laura’s very special way of teaching reveals the great variety in women’s traditional dances. Her repertoire and encyclopaedic knowledge open the door to the wisdom encoded in the dances, and connect me again to my own roots. I feel my own strength, connection, and self-confidence, grounded in my own centre. The extraordinary beauty of the circle of dancing women, supporting and appreciating one another, is a great treasure for which I will always be grateful. It is especially precious to experience these dances in the beautiful land of southern Morocco and I will never forget this incredible dance journey.”  – Beate Frey, October 2019

Read more about Laura here. Laura writes:

“This unique holiday features traditional women’s ritual dances from the Balkans & Armenia, plus Berber women’s dance, live Moroccan music, many cultural activities and a three-night stay in the stunningly beautiful Anti-Atlas Mountains. This holiday is intended for women who have danced with me before, but do contact me if you have not yet danced with me but feel drawn to join us. 

Our tour includes authentic cultural experiences such as visits to the hammam and souk, excursions to villages to observe traditional crafts such as embroidery, pottery, basketry, soap making & bread baking, walks and dancing in places of natural beauty. In our free time we can soak up the sun, explore alone, relax, or enjoy cooking lessons, massage, swimming and other activities.

My approach to traditional dance brings a spiritual focus and aims to illuminate ancient symbols encoded in the dance steps, such as the sun, spiral, zigzag, Tree of Life and the hidden Goddess. In Morocco these symbols are everywhere: in henna patterns, embroideries, carpets, and the ancient culture of the Berber people, as well as in the dances. These gifts from the ancestors communicate valuable messages and connect us to the great cycle of life.”

 

PRACTICALITIES: Flights from the UK: most guests use flights from Gatwick to Agadir with EasyJet, but there are also other options from Manchester & Dublin – please enquire.

To Book or Express an Interest: Limited places available. Request a place at www.cecu.co.uk/book  We will then send you the payment schedule (split into instalments)

Book early to get good flight prices, but please do NOT book flights until we give the go-ahead! 

More Information For FAQs go to www.cecu.co.uk/faqs 
Contact us: www.cecu.co.uk/contact or visit www.holidays-with-heart.co.uk
We will also send detailed pre-visit information after you book.  

PROVISIONAL ITINERARY (14 nights)

11 nights at La Maison Anglaise Garden Ecolodge; 4 day/3 night tour to Anti-Atlas Mountains. 

Days 1-9 at La Maison Anglaise Ecolodge

Day 10 Travel to Anti Atlas mountains for a 1 night stay at Kasbah Tizourgane

Day 11 Travel to Tafraoute for a 2 night stay in Chez Amaliya

Day 13 Travel back to Taroudant to La Maison Anglaise Ecolodge 

Day 15 Farewells

Please note that the itinerary may be subject to modification on account of health advice or regulations in place in March 2023.

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