Women’s Ritual Dance with Laura Shannon
to celebrate her 60th birthday
with live music from Kostantis
2-9 December 2026 at La Maison Anglaise and/or
9-16 December 2026 (2 nights at La Maison Anglaise then a 5 night tour in the Anti Atlas Mountains)
“The whole ambience at La Maison Anglaise is magical – from the beautifully decorated rooms, the lovely surrounding gardens, the delicious meals prepared with such care and the delightful efficient team all made for a memorable and happy seven days… and the added options of the cultural tours meant we all learnt a little more about the extraordinary and fascinating country that is Morocco.” Jane Stanley 2024
This brochure provides you with lots of information about the venue, the bedrooms, the activities, how we design your holiday to meet your needs, your tutor, the likely itinerary and what is included in the cost. Please read on to the end!
You are welcome to book week 1 or week 2 or week 1 and week 2. Because this is a special birthday celebration for Laura, these weeks are only open to women with dance experience who have danced with Laura before. If you have any questions, please contact Laura at laura@laurashannon.net
Week 1 is entirely based at La Maison Anglaise.
Week 2 comprises 2 nights at La Maison Anglaise followed by 5 nights in the Anti Atlas Mountains (3 nights near Tafraoute then 2 nights at a kasbah 45 minutes’ drive nearer to Agadir airport)
Why booking early is a good idea
- If you’d like single occupancy we will accommodate most guests on that basis
- Our holidays are very popular so often fill quickly; a maximum of 17 places on week 1 and 14 places on week 2.
- Flights can be booked once we have the minimum viable number for the holiday – we will contact you at that point. This will ensure that you can buy them as cheap as possible.
- The designated time (to which transport to and from Agadir airport is included) for this holiday is for flights arriving around 19:30 on the 2nd December.
- To secure your place a deposit of £250 (300 EUR) per week is paid; this is followed by 2 equal balance payments 7 months and 5 months before the start date of the holiday.
The Venue Well known for magical meaningful holidays, excellent food and exceptional staff, this award-winning set up relocated in 2020 to a stunning sustainably-run eco-lodge with a chlorine-free pool and permaculture gardens. Located on the south side of the ancient town walls of Taroudant, which enjoys the best winter climate in Morocco. Enjoy an exceptional menu of local healthy food.
“It’s just brilliant. I love it – the whole vibe in the well-designed garden, the buildings, and the sustainable aspect of it all. The staff are incredible, all caring, kind, diligent and willing to do whatever it takes to make your stay perfect. The food is truly delicious, fantastic for vegetarians and meat-eaters too, as well as offering tea/coffee at any time by helping yourself. Relaxed, with the smell of the beautifully planted garden at night, and a well-stocked library so I can read all day long by the pool. Heaven!” Jane Duncan Rogers January 2024
Bedrooms The comfortable, beautifully appointed rooms are cleverly designed to be cool in summer and warm in winter. All have en–suite bathrooms, their own terrace and garden and can sleep two or more. A limited number are allocated for single occupancy. More details of rooms here
Heartful Holistic Holidays which offer a wide choice of authentic activities run by amazingly knowledgeable English-speaking guides. Explore the fascinating culture and landscapes, use our library, our small spa, swim or simply laze in the sun.
Optional Activities include cookery, walks, visits to local families and charitable projects, wildlife, massage, shopping and several other choices. Little visited by tourists, the local souks offer an exotic traditional atmosphere. Read more
Located within 30 minutes’ drive of the contrasting mountain landscapes of the majestic High Atlas and the extraordinary Anti-Atlas (beyond which lies the Sahara). We are also only an hour’s drive from the Atlantic coast.
Feel safe and cared for thanks to the care of loving, experienced English-speaking staff, good medical facilities, excellent WiFi, safe drinking water and being on the edge of a small, relaxed and friendly town with few tourists.
“La Maison Anglaise is really beautiful, impeccably kept and nurtured by you and your delightful Moroccan team there. All of the staff, without exception were wonderful – helpful, courteous and so very happy all the time. They looked after our every need, and nothing was too much trouble for them. The gardens are a real delight, the pool is gorgeous, and the meals were all delicious. The trips out and other activities that the staff took us on were a treat, and we all felt very safe with your careful drivers and guides”. L Turner, May 2023
Why choose a Dance holiday with us?
We have been organising group holidays since 1998. Our venue has a variety of lovely spaces for dancing including the tiled circle in the gardens, the spacious 64 sq metre activity room and a very large tiled roof terrace, lovely at sunset and sunrise. Read more about our Dance Holidays here
“I have organised, attended and facilitated many group events in a myriad of locations around the world over the last forty years…I found the ideal setting. It is small enough to maintain intimacy whilst having the spaciousness to accommodate privacy. The bespoke planning and vision which created this venue, inspired by Jane’s deep knowledge of the needs and requirements of small group holidays and workshops is evident in the care paid to every detail.” Tutor Katy van Haeften
Your Tutor
Photo of your tutor, Laura Shannon
Read more about your tutor here.
Because this is a special birthday celebration for Laura, these weeks are only open to women with dance experience who have danced with Laura before. If you have any questions, please contact Laura at laura@laurashannon.net
To Book or Express an Interest: Your application to join must be approved by Laura. Request a place at www.cecu.co.uk/book We will then send you the payment schedule.
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.
About the course:
PROVISIONAL PROGRAMME
WEEK 1
Days 1-7 at La Maison Anglaise Ecolodge
Items marked with an asterisk * are options which paid locally – if you choose them! Prices are shown here
Essential parts of the programme are shown like this below. The estimated cost of all the essential items, payable locally in Moroccan Dirhams (MAD), is about 690 MAD (about £55 or 67 EUR)
Day 1– Arrival at Agadir airport. Pick up from flights arriving around 19:30. We will quote fair prices for flights arriving at other times. Dinner
Day 2 –Welcome meeting, lunch, dance, dinner, dance
Day 3 – Excursion to palmerie picnic lunch, dinner, dance
Day 4– Visit to hammam*, lunch, caleche ride*, dinner, dance
Day 5 – Shopping in the souk*, lunch, dinner, dance with Men’s Band
Day 6 – Celebrations for Laura’s birthday, lunch, dinner
Day 7 A quieter day – 2 local rituals (1 may occur earlier in the week) and a necklace making activity* Massages*.
Day 8 – Departure to Agadir airport for evening flights leaving around 8 pm if not participating in week 2
WEEK 2
Essential parts of the programme are shown like this below. The estimated cost of all the essential items, payable locally in Moroccan Dirhams (MAD), is about is about 270 MAD (about £22 or 26 EUR)
Day 1 at La Maison Anglaise. Lunch *; dinner; hammam*
Day 2 at La Maison Anglaise. Souk*, lunch; henna tattoos*; Arabic/Berber dance lesson, Women’s Berber band, dinner, dance
Day 3 10 am Anti Atlas adventure begins. 3 nights at Chez Amaliya near Tafraoute
Day 4 Adventure continues. Ahwash band in evening
Day 5 Excursion to El Mansour Gorge
Day 6 Anti Atlas adventure continues; 2 nights at Kasbah Tizourgane
Day 8 (16th December) Departure day. Leave the Kasbah after lunch -at a time that works for flights leaving later thar day. You’ll be dropped at Agadir airport. Goodbye and safe journey! Anyone wishing to catch a morning flight the next day on the 17th December should book a night at a lovely small hotel near the airport www.villadusouss.com We will drop you there on request.
Summary and Costs
WEEK 1 Cost: £995 (1194 EUR) per person in shared twin/double room. Single occupancy available for £25 (30 EUR) per night. A deposit of £250 (300 EUR) is paid then two payments each for £372.50 (447 EUR) paid in early May and early July.
Includes:
- Transfers from/to Agadir Airport for flights arriving around 19:30
- Accommodation in en suite twin or double bedroom; single occupancy on request
- Use of Chlorine-free pool
- Substantial breakfasts and vegetarian evening meals (meat or fish at extra cost)
- Lunches on 6 days
- Daily dance sessions with Laura
- Live music from Kostantis and Laura
Excludes:
- Flights (often under £100 return if booked early)
- Single occupancy supplement £25 per night
- Visit to the palmerie, Men’s Band, 2 local rituals and a necklace-making activity
- Travel insurance (required)
Payable in Morocco:
- Tips
- Meat or fish supplement
- Tourist Taxes 41 MAD (approx £3.20) per person per night
- Cultural Experiences & Excursions; see details of prices and choices
WEEK 2 Cost: will vary with numbers opting to join because the cost of 6 days transport and guiding will be split between the group. As a guideline £1278 (1530 EUR) per person in shared twin/double room. Single occupancy available for £25 (30 EUR) per night. A deposit of £250 (300 EUR) is paid then two small balance payments in early May and early July. The majority will be paid in cash in MAD after arrival in Morocco in December.
Includes:
- Transfers to Agadir Airport for flights leaving on the evening of the 16th December or being dropped at www.villadusouss.com if you wish to take an early flight on the 17th. Please book direct with Villa du Souss early; it has few rooms and is often full.
- Accommodation in en suite twin or double bedroom; single occupancy on request
- Use of a pool for first 5 nights
- Lunches on day 2
- Substantial breakfasts and vegetarian evening meals (meat or fish at extra cost) for first 2 nights; breakfast and evening meals (meat or fish included if desired) for 5 nights
- Hire of a minibus and driver/guide for 5 nights/6 days
- Ahwash Band in Tafraoute
- Daily dance sessions with Laura
- Live music from Kostantis and Laura
Excludes:
- Taxi from arrival flights– we will arrange these as economically as possible
- Flights (often under £100 return if booked early)
- Single occupancy supplement £25 per night
- Travel insurance (required)
- Berber Woman’s Band and Dance Lesson in Taroudant
Payable in Morocco:
- Tips
- Meat or fish supplement at La Maison Anglaise
- Tourist Taxes 41 MAD (approx £3.20)for the first 2 nights
- Cultural Experiences & Excursions; see details of prices and choices
- Airport taxi transfers on arrival
- Part of the cost of the tour to the Anti Atlas
Best Holistic Holiday Provider 2024
Best Wellbeing Retreat 2024
Best Holistic Ecolodge in Morocco 2023
Rural Accommodation of the Year 2023-2025
Tripadvisor: Number 1 in the Taroudant Region
Voted Top 10 in the World: Lonely Planet Eco Stays 2014 & VegeNews Vegetarian Holidays 2005
Responsible Tourism Trophy: Community Project Work 2009