Dear Jane,

Festive Greetings from Morocco and Wales!

As we prepare to celebrate with family, friends this holiday period, we would like to wish all of our friends a blessed festive time and extend a huge thank you to all our guests that we have had the pleasure to welcome on our holidays in 2024, in both Morocco and Wales.

Please join us by giving much needed funds to the Moroccan Children's Trust

We have huge admiration for the selfless work this charity whose expertise and achievements in child protection are exceptional. In collaboration with FAPE (Foundation Amane pour la Protection d’Enfance) the main focus of their current work is:

• Centre Amane in Taroudant, a federally recognized Child Protection Unit with a social work team handling core case work, processing referrals, handling ID paperwork, advocacy, and sign-posting to other services
• Earthquake relief across the vast area of Taroudant province – there are still many traumatised youngsters who need support, especially now when additional stresses of the cold winter weather in the High Atlas bites hard. Help has been given to 3,500 families in 70+ villages. 
• A foster care programme (image below)

We urge you to consider supporting this deserving cause by making a donation (if possible please use Gift Aid). Any larger donations should be made directly via their Triodos Bank account of which we will supply details. Here is the link to donate https://www.crowdfunder.co.uk/p/emergency-winter-appeal-help-moroccos-children

A Holidays with Heart Voucher for Xmas?

Please recommend us to your family and friends or even give them a gift voucher as a Xmas Present towards a holiday with us. You could forward this newsletter or past newsletters might be of interest. Read more here

A Gift to yourself (or bring a friend or partner)

We rarely have spaces on our singing, yoga or dance holidays but a small number of opportunities have arisen over the coming 4 months:

Treat yourself to a sing & a chance to shop for Xmas very soon. One room (single/twin/double) available on Bruce Knight’s fantastic holiday 11^th - 18^th December - Learn more and book.

Or a “Sing in the spring” with the talented Vivienne Couch 5^th - 12^th March 2025. Learn more and book.

Or get into shape with "post Festive Season yoga" with fabulous tutor Kate Moriarty - just one room left 22^nd - 29^th January 2025 Learn more and book

Or one room left on a Circle Dance week with the remarkable Stefan Freedman from 9^th - 16^th April 2025 Learn more and book

Or limited spaces left on a Dances of Universal Peace week with the option of joining a caravan through Europe led by our amazing tutor Jilani from February 26^th to March 5^th 2025 Learn more and book

Office Hours Over The Festive Season

We will be closed on 25 and 26 December and 1 January. We will offer less than normal service on the intervening days but rest assured that we will deal with anything urgent. Back to normal on 6 January.

Independent Travel dates in early January & Easter 2025

We have availability for those not wishing to join a group holiday for these dates:

1^st – 8^th January 2025

16^th – 23^rd April 2025

14^th May – 8^th June 2025

7^th – 31^st July 2025

If you choose to come for New Year, our ecolodge offers a haven where you can relax, rejuvenate, and reflect on the past year, all while basking in the beauty of nature and the warmth of Moroccan hospitality. Here, sustainability and comfort coexist harmoniously

Start 2025 with us and let Morocco's magic set the tone for a year filled with discovery and joy.

Fabulous Testimonials from people who have stayed with us in Morocco

“I would just like to say how much I enjoyed my stay at La Maison Anglaise. It was one of the best holidays I have had. The rooms were lovely- I really liked the traditional Moroccan features, pottery, soft furnishings and building lay out. The food was always fresh, varied and delicious. The people running the place were always helpful, kind and knowledgeable. I enjoyed the variety of activities available and I got a real feel for the country. Thank you so much. I will certainly be recommending your lovely establishment to friends and family”. L Hart, Nov 2024

“Just to say that myself and the group had an amazing time at La Maison. We loved the new eco-lodge and our every need was looked after by Latifa and the staff. For many in the group it was a deep and transformative experience that will resonate with them for a long time”. S Woolley (yoga tutor), Oct 2024

“I had a wonderful time at your lodge, loved every moment, the food, the staff, the flowers everything was lovely. The place was relaxing and as we were with Jenny Hawkyard we were enjoying the lodge gardens and views for painting, it felt like we were in a private villa with wonderful staff! The trips were great too and I love how casual the staff are and yet able to direct us here and there when needed. You have wonderful place and the way you have built it is fantastic. I am singing your praises to anyone who will listen”. S McCarthy, Oct 2024

ACTIVITIES

Our exciting new excursion

Above: Inside the Inoumar Agadir (a Berber fortress). Our guide Said with a group at the site Inoumar guardian Abdou (images with kind permission of our photography tutor Graham Parish)

We are excited to share this new and very popular excursion to Agadir Inoumar, a collective granary for storing food, valuables, and documents or as some are calling it, a "Berber Bank".

This remarkable fortified granary is located in the Anti Atlas mountains about 36 miles from us. Built over three centuries ago and in use until 30 years ago, it is a remarkable example of Berber architecture.

The structure is made of soil and stones, with roofs crafted from argan and oleander wood. The multi-storey buildings with 295 “vaults” accessed by small wooden doors. It also served as a refuge for women, children, and the elderly during tribal attacks. 

Enjoy Ecolodge Experiences

• NEW! Crafts of Taroudant: A practical day or half day investigating the town's rich heritage, meeting craftspeople & even having a go yourself
• NEW! Music and Dancing: A practical session you’ll have fun learning about the rich variety of music, song, dance and instruments in Morocco. Traditions include Malhoun, Berber, Sufi and more as well as some lovely popular music.
• Cookery Lessons: Learn how to prepare our tasty dishes in our huge kitchen and/or buy cookbook to support charities.
• Moroccan Architecture and Sustainable Building Methods: Be inspired by those who were involved in creating our ecolodge.
• Glorious Gardens: Learn why we grow and certain herbs, trees and flowers including the benefits for wildlife & human health. 
• Feast for the Senses: Enjoy a wonderful celebration of your experiences in Morocco. We keep the details a secret, so as not to spoil your enjoyment.
• Language Lessons: Learn useful phrases in Moroccan Arabic (or Berber)

 MORE below…..

Above: Taroudant town walls

Experiences to treasure led by our own charming, informative and humorous staff.

Shopping in the Souks Benefit from guidance on where to buy, how much to pay, how to barter and how to spot the best quality local produce.

Guided Tour by Horse-drawn Taxi Stimulate your senses on a tour of the town, its walls and souks with our guide

Spices Learn to identify, use and recognise good quality spices for use in cookery as well as an unusual selection of natural remedies and cosmetics.

Visit the Hammam (steam baths) using henna and soft soap to nourish you and your skin and hair, finishing with detoxifying rhassoul mud. Choice of our own private hammam or a public hammam.

Below: Silver jars, clay pots and shoppers in the souk (images with kind permission of our photography tutor Adrian Wyatt)

Above: Zita Alves

Revive and Recharge

with Zita Alves

2^nd – 9^th April 2025

(currently full)

and 21^st – 28^th January 2026

This Revive & Recharge retreat is designed to give women permission to slow down and show themselves some often neglected TLC. Everything is taken care of, so you can focus solely on yourself, rather than all the other people who you give your energy to each day.

You will be surrounded by other like-minded women in a safe space to allow you to unwind and truly relax. You can also learn more about peri-menopause and menopause.

The retreat will offer gentle, daily movement, stretching, workshops, breathing, meditation and more whilst allowing time to just laze by the pool, read a book or explore the culture of Morocco on optional excursions.

Sharing stories together is often where the magic happens on retreats.

Above: Joey Bull

The Best is Yet to Come -

Empowering women

with Joey Bull

19^th - 26^th November 2025

Join us for a transformative,

movement-based week designed for women.

There will be active, targeted

workouts that bring you into a health approach in a fast effective way.

After more than 35 years in the

health and fitness world, Joey has remained at the forefront of developments and practices.

She is renowned internationally

for her attention to clients and the great care she takes to deliver what they

need in a manageable way to ensure the results they seek. Her fully rounded

approach is all about mind and body.

Joey’s expert knowledge covers

nutritional efficiency, bioregulatory medicine, neurological systems, the

benefits of light, body sculpting, rejuvenation, fat loss, body shaping,

strengthening, mobility, upgrading vitality, vigour and much more!

Jane & Marie from our Welsh

Office are both signed up - we know how good she is!

Guitar Retreat with Stuart Marshall

3^rd - 10^th December 2025

Spend the week learning and playing through a range of songs and pieces in different styles and genres and facilitating group participation. We will also explore ways to adapt and arrange songs so that they are tailored to your abilities and the environment in which they are played and performed. The week is dedicated to honing your current skill set and practising performing songs in a fun, safe and supportive environment with the aim of improving your confidence when playing in public. There will be daily tutored sessions and evening playing sessions.

About Stuart: As a guitar player, singer, performer, songwriter and teacher, Stuart has been playing music his whole life. A self-confessed music obsessive, he has tried his hand at everything from Punk to Funk, Rock to Reggae and all points in between! Nowadays he especially enjoys his role as group leader, teacher, and facilitator for Guitar Retreats. Besides playing guitar and discovering new music, Stuart loves to travel, socialise and meet new people. Guitar Retreats is his perfect vocation!

Travel News

Black Friday Flight Deals with easyJet with up to 15% off flights which runs to 11pm Monday 2^nd December - click on the link to learn more easyJet Black Friday flights offer

Take advantage of the new and existing routes serving Agadir We are very happy to announce that easyJet has launched flights from both Bristol and Edinburgh to Agadir. BA is now offering both Gatwick to Agadir route on Wednesdays and Edinburgh to Agadir. Also two airlines have introduced new direct flights to Morocco: Aer Lingus from Dublin and United Airlines from New York (Newark).

Why fly to Agadir? Agadir is both our nearest airport and our favourite, being small and efficient and under an hour's drive by a quiet road to Taroudant.

Airport Upgrades With major international events coming to Morocco, including major football tournaments (the Africa Cup of Nations in 2026 and the World Cup in 2030) our guests will benefit from airport upgrades too.

Find The Holiday For You

We offer a wide variety of group holidays in Morocco. To find what you are looking for either search by date on our Holiday Calendar or follow the links below to a holiday that will nourish your heart.

Singing and Music

Dancing

Yoga & Meditation

Creative: Art, Photography, Textiles & more

Wellbeing and Fitness

Holiday prices are normally confirmed about one year in advance of the start of the holiday.

See Our Full Range Of Holiday Brochures here

Warmest wishes for the festive season,

Jane, Marie & Steven in the Welsh office and the team in Morocco: the two Latifas, the two Saids, Nordine, Rachid, Fatima, Youssef, Zineb, Souad, Karima & Naima, the cats Marmalade & Misha and the tortoises.

Tel (UK): +44 1239 615499    

WhatsApp +44 7421126439 (this number is only used on WhatsApp)

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