When my favourite yoga instructor announced in early 2023 that she’d be launching a yoga retreat in Morocco in 2024 I jumped on the opportunity to attend. If you’ve been with me awhile you know how much I loved the spontaneous yoga retreat I went on in Portugal in 2022 with Melanie (aka Nova Retreats). It felt life-changing, re-awakening my love of travel after a long pandemic break.
I’ve been curious about Morocco for a long while but never felt confident about attempting to travel there solo or even with a travel buddy. So this retreat was a perfect fit. I could be introduced to the country in a safe, friendly group.
Our retreat in Portugal was a group of amazing, supportive women and I didn’t think it was a fluke so I knew that I wouldn’t feel alone, despite arriving solo. I trusted that the food would be beautiful and healthy, and I knew how good I felt after seven days of yoga and meditation.
I was all in.
Unexpected Shopping
We were based at Peacock Pavilions, about a 30 minute drive from the center of Marrakech. I arrived a day early to give myself a bit of breathing room and a chance to recover from jet lag. I stayed at a modern hotel in the Gueliz neighbourhood – I made sure to pick one with a pool and restaurant on site since I wasn’t sure how comfortable I’d feel going out and about on my own.
Joke was on me though since my suitcase (with my swimsuit) made an unexpected journey to Winnipeg before eventually making its way to Marrakech two days late. So no rooftop pool for me.
Since I wasn’t sure when (or if) my suitcase would make it to me, I had an unexpected shopping trip. One bonus of staying in Gueliz instead of a riad in the medina was that there were western style clothing shops just a 5 min walk away. I managed to find a yoga outfit, pjs, pants, and a couple shirts without much trouble at Defacto. Even found a swimsuit and some new bras at Etam.
One thing I’ve learned after years of solo travel, is to not panic and always have a backup plan. As soon as I saw that my suitcase hadn’t made my flight from Toronto (thanks AirTags!) I started writing a list of the essentials that I would need. It made me feel calmer and a bit in control.
In the end, my suitcase reached me two days after I landed in Marrakech but I’m not mad that I got a new swimsuit out of it.
The Most Beautiful Retreat Location
Delayed luggage drama aside, it was a relief to pull into Peacock Pavilions for the first time and see the stunning location for our week of yoga. The lobby was maximalist in the best way. So many textures and colours made for a rich, inviting space. There was a low fountain filled with roses that felt incredibly luxe. The whole property was filled with flower gardens and the fountain was refreshed with new blooms each day.
You see a lot of indoor or courtyard fountains in Morocco. The presence of water holds a special place in Islamic tradition, symbolizing purity, life, and tranquillity. In Islam, water is essential for spiritual cleanliness and purification, especially for ablution (wudu) before prayer. When you live in the desert, water can also be seen as a bit of a status symbol as well as a way to cool the air around it.
We were given a full tour of the property before everyone got settled in so I got to peek into all the different rooms, including the two tents (they put the glam in glamping). My room was in a building with 2 other rooms where we had our own kitchen (with honour bar) and common lounge space. The room also had a big balcony where you could see the hot air balloons take off if you got up early enough in the morning.
Every space at Peacock Pavilions was curated with such care. But let’s be honest, we spent most of our time sitting by the pool rather than lounging in the common areas. I needed to recharge my solar battery after a Newfoundland winter. A little sun, a dip in the pool to cool off, a little sun…repeat. It felt absolutely decadent.
Food for the Body
For each meal we had at Peacock Pavilions, I was as blown away by the setting and decor as I was the food. Every meal was as beautiful to eat as it was delicious.
Our first get-to-know-you dinner in the dining tent was a feast for the senses. The striped floor covering, the wicker lamp shades, the patterned table covering, woven bench covers, and table settings, all in black and white with hints of peacock blue (appropriate). It was relaxed but luxurious.
Our patio lunch under a vine-covered arbour was casual but felt so elegant at the same time. The chilled soup and giant salad was perfect for a hot Moroccan afternoon meal.
It continued for seven days, each meal as wonderful as the last. Tagines, couscous, kebabs, falafel, msemen…so many delicious Moroccan flavours.
Food for the Soul
Yogis are just different. Just like with my Portugal retreat, I felt like we all connected at a deeper level pretty quickly. I spent a week on a G Adventures tour of Morocco after my Nova Yoga retreat and, while I had pleasant travel companions, I didn’t feel like I got to know anyone on anything other than a superficial level. Not like during that first week at Peacock Pavilions.
The best way I can explain how it felt to me was, “Hello, nice to meet you. Here’s my soul. Please treat it well.”
As someone who often struggles with feelings of not fitting in or belonging, I never had to worry about that while on a Nova Yoga retreat.
You learn that everyone is walking a challenging road in different ways and it was a privilege to get to walk a bit of that road with each of them. I learned something from each and every person on the retreat.
Starting off each day with an hour on the mat, being in tune with my body, was the best mental reset I could have asked for. No deadlines. No house chores. No mental labour of deciding what to make for dinner each night.
What I really love about Melanie’s classes is that it’s just between you and your mat. There’s no pressure to be the strongest, fastest, or most flexible. Just show up and give your body what it needs that day. And when you go on a retreat you get to do it all in the most beautiful locations. Each morning she’d open the doors of the shala for savasana and opening my eyes to the blue sky, greenery, and colourful flowers while hearing the gentle trickle of a fountain in the courtyard, sparked a little bit of peaceful joy and gratitude each and every morning.
Exploring the Countryside
My first week in Morocco wasn’t all just yoga, delicious food, and reading poolside. I also signed up for every excursion that was offered. Who knows if or when I’ll be back so I wanted to experience all I could.
We took a trip to the medina in Marrakech with a local guide who walked us through the souks and gave us some history along the way. It certainly made me feel a bit more confident when I later went shopping on my own. With all the sights, sounds, and smells, the maze of narrow passageways can be quite overwhelming. It was a fun game of show and tell on the drive back to Peacock Pavilions, with everyone showing off their treasures.
We visited a farm and had a cooking class where we made our own tagines and learned about Moroccan spices, Berber bread ovens, and of course, drank lots of mint tea. A meal always hits a bit different when you had a hand in creating it.
I had my first visit to a hammam (and that’s a whole story for another day), which taught me to embrace spontaneity and be open to new experiences. My skin has never felt so smooth leaving a spa.
We spent a day in the Agafay desert at a luxurious camp with a view of the Atlas Mountains. I rode a camel for the first time and cooled off in the gorgeous pool. Swimming in the desert…unexpected.
Each excursion added a new layer of richness to my Moroccan experience, allowing me to connect more deeply with the culture and landscape. From the bustling medina to the serene desert, every moment is a memory I cherish.
Shukran Morocco
In the end, my week at Nova Yoga’s retreat in Morocco was everything I had hoped for and more. It was a perfect blend of rejuvenation, connection, and adventure, all set against the stunning backdrop of Marrakech and its surrounding countryside. From the soul-nourishing yoga sessions to the rich cultural experiences and delicious meals, it felt like a retreat in every sense of the word. I left with a renewed sense of calm, an open heart, and a suitcase full of memories (and a new swimsuit!). Morocco, with its vibrant energy and peaceful retreats, is a place I won’t soon forget.
