Do you have a flair for the exotic, a hunger for creative inspiration, and a yearning to discover a uniquely different culture while exploring new artistic skills? Our Marrakech Exclusive! 8-day Paint & Play Retreats provide the perfect combination of adventure, discovery, creativity, and camaraderie.
Melanie Royals has been leading lucky groups of artistic adventurers annually to magical Marrakech, Morocco since 2008-and for most it has been a life-changing experience. Marrakech is an ideal tourist destination for many reasons: a rich and diverse culture, inspiring architecture, mouth-watering food, warm and friendly people, beautiful weather and scenery, and some of the best shopping opportunities on the planet.
This magical city provides the perfect backdrop for an exciting week of learning, creating, discovering and growing together with a group of fellow artisans. We will stay and play together in our private luxurious residence in the Medina-the heart of historic Marrakech-with easy walking access to sites, the souks, shops, and restaurants.
You will leave not only with new creative inspiration, but also with an appreciation for another country's culture, a heart full of warm memories, and new friends for a lifetime!
Join us!!!
Spaces Fill Fast! Click Here to Register with Your Deposit!
Friday November 4
Evening departure from JFK on Royal Air Maroc Flight to Marrakech (via Casablanca) (recommended). Note that you will need to reserve/pay for your own flights and more details are provided upon registration. The airfare cost is NOT included in the trip package price. You may choose an alternate route to Marrakech, if you wish to meet us there!
Saturday November 5
Approximate 1pm arrival in Marrakech after transfer in Casablanca. Traditional Moroccan lunch on arrival. Introduction to the Marrakech Souks.
Group dinner with traditional Belly Dancing Show.
Sunday November 6
Guided tour of historical Medina sites, including lunch.
Group Dinner
Monday November 7
Paint/Project Day
Group Dinner
Tuesday November 8
Free morning
Poolside lunch at Beldi Country Club
Traditional Hamman/Scrub/Massage
Dinner independently
Wednesday November 9
Moroccan cooking class/lunch at Amal Center for Women
"Give Back" Stencil Class working with the trainees of Amal
Group Dinner
Thursday November 10
Day trip outside Marrakech.
Atlas Mountain Adventure Day or
Essaouira Day Trip (depending on current weather), includes lunch
Dinner independently
Friday November 11
Morning visit to Majorelle Gardens
Group Lunch in the "New City", guided shopping at design boutiques,
Dinner independently
Saturday November 12
Free Day for shopping & sightseeing
Farewell Party with Cocktails + Hors d'oeuvres
Sunday November 13
Depart Marrakech
Your Marrakech Exclusive Paint & Play Adventure Includes:
- Room Accommodation (single or double occupancy bedrooms/private baths)
- Breakfast daily
- 6 Group Lunches
- 4 Group Dinners/Show*
- Moroccan Cooking Class
- Private van transportation throughout, including airport transfers
- Tours of the Majorelle Gardens and Medina, including entrance to various historical sites
- Day trip outside of Marrakech (Atlas Mountains/Berber Village or Beach town or Essaouira dependent on weather)
- Luxury Spa Treatment at Les Bains de Marrakech (hammam, gommage, massage)
- Hands-on stencil/painting workshop
- Group work on local art/design/charity projects
- Great Shopping Opportunities!!!
- Farewell Cocktail Celebration
*ItinerarySubject to slight changes
Marrakech Exclusive! Retreat Pricing and Registration
Total Cost for 8 days/nights: $2395 Double Occupancy/$2595 Single Occupancy
Limited Number of Participants: 10
Payment Details:
$750 non-refundable deposit** to reserve your space
50% balance due 45 days after registration
Final payment due 60 days prior to departure
**Deposit and payments non-refundable, but may be transferred to another guest, if available
Spaces Fill Fast! Click Here to Register with Your Deposit!
Flight Information
Airfare is not included in the trip package and must be booked independently. We recommend flying Royal Air Maroc on a direct flight from JFK to Casablanca, with transfer to Marrakech. More information available upon registration.
You will need a valid U.S. Passport. We highly recommend that your purchase trip/travel insurance to cover and unforeseen illness or circumstance.
Extended Stay
You may choose to extend your stay in Marrakech or Morocco to explore the sites and cities independently. We may be able to help with reservations and suggestions.....;)
Testimonials from Past Participants!
Spaces Fill Fast! Click Here to Register with Your Deposit!
Marrakech was on my bucket list... Now returning to Marrakech is on my bucket list! Melanie Royals put together a "retreat experience" that exceeded my wildest expectations..thank you so much for sharing your love of Morrocco with us.The experience did not feel like a "contrived tour" but rather an organic adventure with some very special planned and unplanned events.
~Patti SchlotterleinThis adventure was outstanding in every way, especially because of Melanie's expertise and the wonderful women who shared this journey. I feel privileged to have been able to step out of my ordinary life to travel and experience one of the most inspirational and fascinating places you could ever wish to see, with women artists of such high caliber. Thank you, Melanie, for all the hard work you put in to achieve this and I believe you change lives, as I will never be the quite same again!
~Rose AlexanderI felt drawn to this adventure as soon as I learned about it, and I'm glad I trusted my instincts. It is a life-altering trip and I'm just starting to figure out what that means. Melanie did a fantastic job with this trip. Big kudos and thanks. So grateful to be part of this with an awesome group of like-minded souls.
~Karen BarnesI learned so much about the culture, the people, the geography....i cam back from this trip a changed person!
~Bernadette ForeseMarrakech is a magical place that fed my appetite for adventure and creativity. A new home away from home!
I've been on two trips to Morocco with Melanie. Both were an amazing experience that will stay in my soul for a lifetime. Being immersed in the culture, meeting beautiful people, eating exotic food....I will always have the urge to return.
~Ellie McIntosh
~Barb Skivington
I wish that I was better with words. Looking back on this trip I feel…..soulful, exotic, sensuous, enlightened, and peaceful, to say the least.
~Gwen WareThe trip to Morocco was akin to a 'magical, mystery tour'...it became a rich life experience that moved and inspired us all beyond what we anticipated before our departure. The art and architecture was so exotic, rich and layered with character and timelessness. Everywhere I swiveled my head was a visual feast....I felt like a bobble-head doll! All I could to do was look all around with wide eyes and smile. Morocco was a place to glean many ideas and inspiration for our work as decorative artists. One day, I stood in the middle of the Jmaa el Fna square...slowly rotating 360 degrees....intoxicated by the sights, sounds, and smells. I felt in the midst of a dream; snake-charmers, belly-dancers, tribal drummers, spicy smoke swirling around late afternoon sun rays...then the prayers and chants from the mosques filled the air.
~Heather Bruno Sears