Retreat Details
What's included?
Lodging for the duration of the retreat (see accommodation page here)
All meals cooked by our fantastic in-house chefs, snacks and soft drinks
Wine and beer (available on the first and last night of the retreat)
Full retreat programme of personal development activities
Individual and group coaching
Optional morning yoga and breathwork
Post-retreat calls and support
Free airport transfer to/from Agadir Airport
Not included:
Flights to/from Agadir airport
Travel insurance
Additional personal expenses during downtime (spa treatments, surf lessons, shopping etc)
Retreat Overview
To maintain the element of surprise and enhance your retreat experience, we've intentionally kept the specifics of our programme under wraps so that you can discover them first-hand. However this is a high level overview of what you can expect from the week.
Saturday April 13
Arrival at Villa Mandala (free transfer from Agadir aiport)
Settling into the villa and familiarising with the surrounding area
Welcome dinner
Sunday April 14
Retreat Day 1 - To kick off the week we'll be exploring where you are now at the start of the retreat, including what you hope to get from the experience. We'll unpack where you might you be currently stuck, stagnant or weighed down in the different areas of your life and identify any personal focus areas for the week ahead.
Monday April 15
Retreat Day 2 - On day 2 we'll focus on mindset and explore our default way of operating and the drivers behind our daily decisions. We'll look at what it means to challenge our thoughts and embrace authenticity, take risks and make mistakes.
Tuesday April 16
Retreat Day 3 - Day 3 is about exploring our 'internal range' by tapping into parts of ourselves that we might typically avoid or aren't familiar with. We'll experiment with the concept of more freedom and less inhibited self-expression.
Wednesday April 17
Retreat Day 4 - Building on what we've learned over the previous 3 days, we'll be exploring what real change could look like. We'll delve further into your goals and anything that you may want to create in your life by connecting to your authentic sense of excitement and aliveness.
Thursday April 18
Retreat Day 5 - As we bring everything together on day 5 we'll develop intentions and commitments, and learn practical techniques to support your goals for creating lasting change when you return home. Finally, we will spend our last evening together with a dinner and celebration! :)
Friday April 19
Breakfast and farewells
Departure from the villa (free transfer to Agadir airport)
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Post-retreat
Optional zoom call 2 weeks after the retreat with Tawney, Steve and your group to re-connect, share progress and reflect on learnings.
Daily Schedule
7.30am - 8.30am - Optional morning yoga
8.30am - 9.30am - Breakfast
9.30am - 10am - Outdoor morning intention activity / daily starter
10am - 1pm - Retreat activities
1pm - 2pm - Lunch
2pm - 4pm - Retreat activities
4pm - 6pm - Free time - relax by the pool, explore the beach and local area, take personal time out
6pm - 7pm - Dinner
7pm - 9pm - Group retreat activities or free time (varies by day)
Catering
It's not an aliveness and vitality retreat in Morocco without food that'll make your taste buds dance, and at our retreat we use only the freshest ingredients to create spectacular meals.
Everything is prepared by highly experienced chefs who are passionate about their work. So you can rest assured that you'll be enjoying some of the best food Morocco has to offer with menus inspired by a delectable mix of local and international recipes. The result is balanced and nutritious meals (with some indulgent treats too!) to keep you fully energised for the week.
If you have any specific dietary requirements, just let us know and our in house chefs will gladly accommodate your needs.
Beer and wine is also available at the villa, but we our intention is to limit alcohol to the first and final night of the retreat to get the most out of the retreat programme.
Location
Villa Mandala is located in Taghazout, Morocco. Taghazout is well-known for its calm and relaxed vibe, which makes it the perfect location for our retreat. Taghazout village is made up of pretty white and blue buildings which are located along the coast.
The area is well catered for travellers but it still retains a very traditional and local feel. Taghazout village is now home to many surf houses thanks to its famous waves and it has become a popular destination for yoga and other personal development retreats.
Travel & Free Transfers
The closest international airport to the the retreat location is Agadir (AGA), which is served by direct flights from the UK and other major European airports, with flight times to Agadir between 2-4 hours.
If you are flying from the UK, the best flight option is London Gatwick - Agadir (Departing Saturday April 13 - Returning Fri April 19):
https://www.google.com/travel/flights/s/ATDuDPV9RMPk9jHv9
From Agadir airport, it’s a 45-minute drive southeast along the coast road to Villa Mandala, Taghazout. For guests arriving on Saturday April 13 and departing on Friday April 19, free airport transfers are included in the cost of the retreat.
Arrival: Saturday April 13
Once your flight plans are confirmed we will contact you to confirm your timings and greet you at Agadir airport. If you arrive on a different date, you would need to arrange and pay for your own airport transfer.
Departure: Friday April 19
Check out of Villa Mandala is by 4 pm. Based on your flight departure time we will arrange your transfer to Agadir airport. If you choose to stay in the area after Friday 19th April at 4 pm you will need to arrange and pay for your own airport transfer.
FAQs
How do I know if this retreat is right for me?
Our retreat is open to anyone of all ages and backgrounds therefore our advice would be to trust your gut instinct about whether it feels right for you. We understand that a group retreat can be an unfamiliar concept for some, however if the thought leaves you with a mix of nerves and excitement we would challenge you to step outside of your comfort zone and go for it!
Is it mandatory for me to take part in all retreat activities?
We have carefully designed a retreat programme that will take you through a journey of self-discovery to elicit more clarity and aliveness. Our activities will challenge you to explore different parts of yourself and step outside your comfort zone, however nothing is mandatory and you will always have the final choice about what you choose to participate in.
What is the payment plan for the retreat?
Upon registration, a £400 deposit is required. The remaining balance is due 45 days prior to the start of the retreat. If you are booking within the 45 day window, your payment will be due in full at the time of registration. We accept payment via online bank transfer, debit/credit card, PayPal and Apple Pay.
What is the cancellation policy?
Unfortunately we cannot offer refunds or credits in the event that you need to cancel your booking, or if you fail to attend all or part of the retreat. If you wish to transfer your retreat place to another party (i.e. a friend or relative) this can be accommodated, however you are responsible for notifying us of the change and arranging any transfer of payment between yourself and the other party (if applicable).
In the very exceptional circumstance that the retreat is cancelled by the organisers a full refund will be issued.
Should I book travel insurance?
Yes, we absolutely recommend booking your own travel insurance for any international travel, including this retreat. Nobody books a retreat with the intention of cancelling it, but unexpected events do occur, therefore please consider purchasing travel insurance that would cover cancellation.
What should I remember to pack for this retreat?
We recommend that you bring the following items:
Comfortable clothing for day to day activities
Swimwear if you choose to use the pool/beach
Beach towel
Sun cream (it is typically more expensive to purchase in Morocco)
Something warm for the evenings & early mornings
Adaptor for 2 prong European plugs sockets
Something to cover shoulders/legs for markets/towns ladies (not essential but easier to respect local culture).
Sports clothing (for optional yoga & physical activities)
An outfit that makes you feel truly alive or most like yourself (we recommend something you already own)
Mostly bring an open mind, and an intention to stretch yourself to make the most of the retreat :)
What if I have further questions?
Please feel free to contact us at alivenessretreat@gmail.com. We would be happy to jump on a call with you to answer any questions and discuss if the retreat is right for you.